The best brunch spot in LA. I love this place for a few reasons. Let me count the ways. First, the ambiance is amazing. You enter into a glass elevator surrounded by plants, and ascend to see the ocean stretch into the horizon. Upon entering, you have spacious little waiting areas that are private and super comfy. The seating is also somewhat private depending on location, giving you space to enjoy time and food with your friends and family. Now, onto the main course. The food. This has become one of our go to brunch places, and they've earned that through service and extraordinary dishes. I'm a huge fan of their super thick and fluffy French toast, topped with cream, and featuring pears and strawberries, with a decoration of crushed walnuts. The flavor is the perfect balance of sweetness and a sweetness for my sugar needs, while not being too overwhelming. A small tip, get their English muffins. They're homemade and way better than anything you'll get anywhere else. Finally, all of the service staff we met have always been the best. They take great care of us and make sure we're happy and attended to. A+ to the workers here. read more

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Phenomenal food and it's not just the aesthetics and views that make this place fantastic! Burrata is a must especially just how it comes out. Steak and mashed exceptional! Scallops was fine and tender. Wedge salad amazing!! read more

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Food: bland expensive Service: slow rude Ambiance: clean cluttered Had a significant wait for all food and drinks and service was astoundingly slow and poor. read more

A great lunch date spot with a stunning view! Food is good, not great. I passed by this place before and thought the entrance looked cute. Finally get to experience this place for a brunch, we made reservation and got seated quickly. Ambience is amazing for brunch, the interior uses a lot of warm wood and looks very relaxing and clean. We sat by the window and the view was beautiful, I couldn't imagine how the sunset would look like in here. It's not too loud and you can have conversations, this is a great brunch date spot! FOOD Penthouse Benedict 7/10 (Losbter & Black Truffle Egg Benedict) The egg Benedict is quite standard, it's not bad. I love lobster and truffle, and never had egg Benedict with this combo before. They both compliment each other well. However I'm not a big fan of the potato side in here, it's bland and no wow factor. I feel like there could be salad side or something more refreshing to complement the heaviness of the Benedict. What a missed opportunity. Watermelon Cucumber Mojito (6.8/10) Love the concept of the cocktail, it seemed quite crisp and refresh on the menu. But it's very light on the alcohol, and the watermelon isn't super obvious. It's more like a seltzer level taste, don't expect it to be too watermelon-y. Also felt a bit watered down. Shakshuka (?/10) I only tasted the sauce in this one I thought it's lacking wow factor I prefer mg egg Benedict way more, my friend said it's 6.5/10 Service was decent, served are attentive. Nothing special, it's great. OVERALL I think that this place has a great ambience and their lunch menu also isn't too overpriced (slightly above regular brunch spots), you don't come here for the food- you come here for the ambience and have a great conversation over a brunch with standard tasting food and some cocktails with the stunning ocean view. So I'd recommend the experience but food is okay. There are places that gave up on their food quality because of their good looking ambience, but this place doesn't serve bad tasting food. Would come here just for the view and the calm atmosphere. Would be curious to come back to try their oyster + boozy brunch read more

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This place was such a lovely vibe. Came here with my mother and sister in December. We had breakfast. Staff was so nice and the food was really good. We were sat really quickly. We had a lovely view that really made you sit back and enjoy the food. Everything was clean and delicious. Definitely a highlight of our trip. Definitely recommend read more

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very nice place to enjoy a good experience and meal with ocean views. lovely staff, friendly and prompt. the duck was perfectly cooked, very tender. Had a wonderful last supper with my lovely new lady before her departure. This is a special place when you want to make a great impression. Our server Jimmy was very friendly. Everything was very fresh. See you next time for our reunion! read more

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what a lovely restaurant! the views are breathtaking (especially from the bathroom). we sat in a booth with a spectacular ocean view. it is on a high floor so really it had views of most of Santa Monica. we shared ceviche and an ahi salad...both were amazing. the crust on the ceviche was perfect and delish. the ceviche was so fresh. service was stellar 100% would go back . read more

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Beautiful view, great food/drinks, and friendly staff. We came here for happy hour 2-5 pm on a Friday and enjoyed the ocean view, nice decor , and great ambiance. Great drink/food specials and a delicious espresso martini (not HH special but worth it). Our bartender, Peter, was great and would definitely be back! read more

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Super cute spot with spot views! Came here with the girls for a bday and we had a great time! read more

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Wow! First time at this restaurant after many recommendations. Unbelievable views from every corner, delicious cocktail and wine menu, a nice lounge area for just drinks and appetizers and a nice sized bar. I will let the photos speak for the food (10/10!) and have to give a big thank you to our sever Summer H. who was the cherry on top to our experience at Penthouse! I had a caviar bump to start (worth it! Delicious) and the seafood platter for an entree. Every single thing was delicious, we even took a few desserts home. Views, service and food are unbeatable. Thanks again Summer and everyone at Penthouse! read more

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The Penthouse is truly something special. From the moment you step in, the vibe is classy, sophisticated, and effortlessly elegant. Then there's the view. Honestly, it might just be the best view in all of Santa Monica or maybe whole of LA. You can see the whole city stretched out, and it's breathtaking whether you come at night with the sparkling lights or during sunset when the sky turns orange. I've been here twice, once at night and once at sunset with my husband and both times felt magical. It's his favorite spot in the city, and now I understand why. The food and drinks are just as memorable. The truffle burrata was absolutely mind-blowing- rich, creamy, and indulgent, the kind of dish you can't stop talking about. The cacio e pepe pasta was perfection; I don't think I've ever seen my husband so happy while eating pasta, and that says a lot! The cocktails are also outstanding. My personal favorite is the Bellini by the Beach, so balanced, refreshing, and delicious. It's the kind of drink you sip slowly just to savor every note. Overall, The Penthouse is more than just a restaurant, it's an amazing experience. Between the stunning views, incredible food, and warm atmosphere, it's the perfect place for a date night, celebration, or just treating yourself. We love it here and will definitely be back again and again. read more

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Absolutely delicious and so accommodating to our party of 9! Beautiful views of the ocean and beach & very clean and large bathroom stalls. The food was served hot and fresh with all of our modifications and so delicious! The cream served with the waffle and French toast was so delicious and flavorful - definitely homemade! The portions were amazing and we will definitely be back soon! read more

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Our waiter, Michael, was phenomenal. Menu recommendations and charisma galore! Our 2nd time here and every time we end the night feeling so grateful to both the kitchen (phenomenal food, as always) and our waiters. Thank you again, Michael, for your excellent hospitality and world class wit! read more

New Favorite! Amazing restaurant, really good service all the staff works perfectly with one another. Loved everything we ate. Can't say enough of the ambiance and the spectacular views all around. read more

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The glass elevator ride is half the fun! My daughter loved taking the elevator up and watching the ocean views come in. We probably did this every day during our five night stay at The Huntley. The Penthouse is sleek and luxurious. It's expensive, but it's a hotel restaurant, and a rooftop restaurant with ocean views. So the prices are certainly not surprising. They do have a happy hour during the week though! They have a full restaurant menu and serve three meals a day, but it's also a nice place to post up for a cocktail. Don't forget to check out the ocean views from the bathroom stall - iconic. This is a swanky spot and is definitely a must visit for a drink with a view. read more

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wonderful service, great food, even better staff. our server Micheal was phenomenal and made our night so special. With his hilarious quips, speedy service, knowledge of the menu, easy to talk to attitude and kind heart, he is great at what he does and he created a night to remember. read more

I was invited to here for a belated birthday breakfast celebration. This the place is absolutely beautiful with such a gorgeous view! The waitress we had, unfortunately was M.I.A. during our entire dining experience. She took our order and was not seen again. The manger (I believe she was the manager) made eye contact with me several times but not once did she offer her assistance. Another manager (I believe) greeted others and inquired about their meal, we were never greeted in that fashion. I was forced to ask a waiter that was doting his customers consistently to provide us with the check and to go boxes. Because of his willingness to assist us, he was given her tip. So, I am not certain for the reasons why the waitress left us hanging but she did. I'm not one to jump to conclusions but this was unacceptable by far. read more

The Penthouse - Ladies restroom stall view - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Nice view with good food and great service, but spendy. Met up for a Saturday brunch with some out of town friends who were staying in the area. This is exactly the kind of place you want to take out of town friends: it's got a great sweeping view of the ocean and is pretty fancy but not snooty. The decor is light and bright, with wood accents and plants galore. We got the fresh baked pastries basket to start, and I got the Eggs Benedict on sautéed spinach instead of English muffins, accompanied by breakfast potatoes. The hubby got the chilaquiles with soyrizo, and our friends got the avocado toast and the Tres Leches French toast. Everything was well-prepared and delicious; a little spendy, but consider it the view tax. On the way out I saw the Bloody Mary bar, which looked amazing. Maybe next time! read more

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We made reservations, but even though we then arrived quite a bit early, they seated us promptly. The panoramic ocean views from the 18th floor add to the atmosphere. Everything was top notch, from hostess to server to the food we chose. We did the Petite Seafood Tower, which is plenty for 2. The amuse bouche that opened our experience really set the tone for how great the food is. Don't skimp on dessert, either- the mille feuille is absolutely decadent and delicious, I highly recommend. This was a terrific date night choice. read more

The Penthouse - Mille-feiulle (sp?) - a delicious dessert! - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I've been here once for drinks with a girlfriend, and then again for the grand 2026 New Year's Eve dinner and countdown. The venue if beautiful, restaurant top of hotel. Great views. Great decors in lobby. The New Year's Eve Event was fun, chill, the food was high quality but delicious. My poor date, one of his oyster weren't good and he had to not-swallow it, as to avoid potentially getting sick. Other than that... this is a high end fine spot for drinks, girlfriends, dates. Pretty. It's also close to other neighboring spots so you can bar hop or restaurant hop. read more

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Came here with my parents when they were visiting town and it had really yummy food. We really loved the Brussel sprouts and honey burrata appetizers! My salmon entree was also good, but the appetizers were the real standouts for me. The atmosphere is nice with great views of Santa Monica, but the tables were a little large. The restaurant gets weirdly loud, so it was hard for our table of 4 to talk. Our waitress was great and gave a lot of good recommendations. Would definitely come back! read more

The food here never disappoints, came in without reservation, front host gave us the best seats possible and over provided food/drinks. Service is top notch and atmosphere is great. You'll never be disappointed coming here. read more

The Penthouse - French toast/ breakfast burrito. - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I've been here few times but yesterday took my mom for her birthday and best visit yet. The service from the hostess to the manager who came by and let's give a shout out to Kelly our waiter who was amazing . He was the perfect amount of attentive and not doing too much where it's phony . Food was great and prices were fair. My mom loved her first time here and grateful for the amazing service read more

The Penthouse - Scallop - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This is my go to spot for beautiful views and cocktails! The service is hit and miss and so is the food but the view never disappoints!!! I try to snatch a seat by the window during sunset every time I go. However, last time I came they told me that the seats are reserved for a set menu dining. I was put off by that so I'll probably be visiting this spot less and less unfortunately. read more

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The Penthouse in Santa Monica has been on my list for a while. I chose to come here for Brunch on a Saturday, so that I get a variety, a later arrival (1 pm for me) and a longer time, to indulge. On line reservations required a credit card and cancellations have a penalty. So, I called them while I was on Ocean Drive that morning and since I was dining solo, secured the reservation in seamless fashion. The restaurant is located on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel (a high end extravaganza) and walking in, you are immediately immersed with the high heeled crowd. Laughters abound, designer clothed guests, loud conversations and the several pops of Champagne bottles. The hostess (Jewel) was friendly and most accommodating to honor my request - a table by the window with a direct view of the ocean. I could not resist the Penthouse Benedict with Lobster and Black Truffles ($30). Before ordering, the server assured me that they would not be skimpy with the lobster. She was right, there was a generous layer of chopped lobster meat under each of the two poached eggs that were topped with a few shavings of black truffle. The accompanying small potatoes with rosemary and thyme were splendid. The eggs were perfect and the lobster flavorful. Service was exceptional. The table jams were also top notch. I took my time and enjoyed every bite of this delicious dish. Valet parking at the Huntley is $12 for 3 hours with validation. All in all, a superb afternoon and a brunch experience that I will remember for a long time. read more

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The drinks and small bites were mediocre. They have an extensive menu, so it may be worth trying new things. Ambiance is great. It brings a nice crowd in, and the views are AMAZING. Love love love the view. Service is slow and not very good, which is why I left two stars off. That made it a little bit stressful. read more

The Penthouse - Rice bites - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The scenery here is amazing! You get a great view from every seat. There's also a direct elevator from the hotel's first floor to the penthouse, which is really convenient. We tried the oysters. They were small but sweet and fresh. The bread was just okay, but the salmon was cooked perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside saved with tortillas that tasted great. The cocktails were also refreshing and delicious. The restaurant has a modern and stylish vibe with good lighting, and the staff was friendly and helpful. It's a great spot for a brunch and is also perfect for dates, hanging out with friends, or family meals. I definitely recommend it. read more

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A bit disappointing! It took forever to get drinks. Even wine! Came after I finished dinner! Maybe add another bartender???? Service was slow and food was mixed. The only thing perfect was the views which never disappoint! I hope I just came on an off night! read more

I want to preface this by saying, everything that The Penthouse had control over was wonderful. We came for our anniversary dinner but unfortunately it was disrupted by an entire wedding party that decided they were having their after party at The Penthouse. The wedding party was so incredibly loud, some guests were rude, and none of them had any awareness or respect for people who were actually trying to enjoy their dinner. Our server Huntress (I think that's her name, if not, apologies) was so attentive, sweet, and was extremely accommodating when we asked to move because of rude wedding guests literally blocking our table. The gentleman who also boxed up our food was so personable and helpful. I didn't catch his name but he said he's worked there for the last 12 years so kudos to him! The manager also did a wonderful job managing the crowd of people and letting them know to be respectful of those having dinner around them. The second he say them with their backs up against the tables he immediately came out and corraled them closer to the bar. The food was incredible and the service was 10/10. Last time we came here was 10 years ago and everything is still amazing. Highly recommend coming for a cute date night or fun brunch with a view! read more

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I'm giving four stars cause the ambience was very beautiful and the staff were incredible. Host was impeccable and remembered my name as I left. Seated by a window with no sunset view, but the view was still beautiful. The service was top notch and our server Michael was personable and constant to any of our needs. As for food, the shrimp ceviche was delicious but we also had the scallops and for over $50 I would have thought there would be more than just 3 scallops. I'd give the dish a B- read more

Peter is the best! One of my favorite bartenders, super nice guy! I need 85 character before I can post the review so I'm writing more. But Peter is great tip him well! read more

Had such an incredible time here! Amazing happy hour deals. Fantastic drinks. The food was spectacular. The view is the star of the show! So nice at sunset. Servers were also lovely. read more

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We were excited to have drinks to celebrate our anniversary here but were disappointed when the bartender asked us for orders without offering a menu or even making eye contact at a nearly empty bar. I wouldn't recommend going here.... The staff is not welcoming or accommodating, there are plenty of places in Santa Monica where you can have a wonderful experience. This is not one of them, even at their price range. read more

We met family here that were visiting from out of town. This place is fantastic. Our server MICHAEL paced the evening perfectly for us. He was very knowledgeable about the wine and the menu items and in general, turned dinner into an event. The service was beyond impeccable, to use a cliché, it was mindful. The views here are drop dead, gorgeous, and the location cannot be beat. You have breathtaking views of the sunset over the ocean and the city view of Santa Monica. my husband and I lived in Santa Monica years ago, and I could not have been prouder. The meal was absolutely wonderful. The oysters were from Nova Scotia and the mignonette sauce that came with them was out of this world. The crispy rice cakes were each two bites of heaven. We ordered a pretty good variety of things and each dish was a delicious and creative. The prices are as jaw-dropping as the view but the is a special occasion place. They open at 5 and have a one-hour Happy Hour that is well worth the price. This time of year you can still catch the sunset between 5 and 6. read more

The Penthouse - Breath taking view - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

My go to spot when grown up type people come to town. It's always classy, the food is beautiful and delicious, the people are wonderful.... the view is incredible. read more

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Had brunch here with my mom and absolutely loved it. The vibe was modern, calm, and upscale without feeling pretentious, and the views of Santa Monica and the ocean were unbeatable--a perfect spot for a relaxing meal with a view. I ordered the breakfast burrito, which came wrapped in a spinach tortilla with eggs, cheese, and veggies. It was flavorful and fresh, and the sides of salsa, guacamole, and hot sauce added the right kick. My mom had scrambled eggs, potatoes, and chicken sausage, all cooked perfectly and nicely seasoned. Everything tasted fresh and made with quality ingredients. The service was great--our server, Christina, was super kind and attentive. She made sure we had everything we needed without hovering. If you're in Santa Monica looking for a bright, airy brunch spot with great food and an even better view, The Penthouse is definitely worth a visit. read more

The Penthouse - Avocado Toast - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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This was a touch experience to rate. If I rated it solely on the food, it would get an additional star. Unfortunately, the overall experience was not satisfactory. I will begin with the positive. The food was well presented and flavorful. We received a wonderful tuna tartare amuse bouche from the kitchen. I rarely eat bread but this warm bread with the seasoned butter was delicious. My entrée was the lobster ravioli which also contained a lobster tail and even some claw meat. I enjoyed the amount of lobster. The sauce was too sweet for my taste but did not take away from enjoyment of the dish. I had a few bites of the caramel cheesecake dessert and loved the lightness of it, the fruit on the plate and the crunch of the caramel popcorn garnish. The restaurant has cabana type tables with city views. The bar gets very lively into the evening. It was absolutely packed. Now, for the not so good aspects. Our service from both our server and the bus staff was, to put it in the most polite way, "sassy". Too much attitude and too little response. Our order took a long time to come out so we asked for bread. They brought out three slices for a table of eight people. We asked for a knife to cut the bread and was told to use our butter knife. On average we had to make at least four requests for each thing and most of the time were told to "wait" when we even tried to request something. Our server also canceled a few dishes without being asked to do so, which I assume contributed to the long wait for entrees. The general manager came by to obtain our feedback and tried to remedy things the best he could - that was much appreciated. read more

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I had a great experience at The Penthouse. My husband made reservations for 12 for my birthday brunch and service was exceptional. Once my entire party was present, we were seated. Our waitress was attentive and made sure we were all good. Food and drinks were great! And the views are stunning. read more

The Penthouse - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Impeccable hospitality from start to finish. We were greeted by the Maitre'D who started off the evening by making us feel special and well taken care of. He wished my love a Happy Birthday and escorted us to a table with the most picturesque view of the Pacific. His demeanor was something you don't see every day, just polished and truly gracious. To top it off, he presented my girlfriend with a hand written Happy Birthday card with a sweet message from the penthouse team. Just wow. Our server Jimmy was very attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly when taking care of us. He made some solid recommendations and guided us through the rather large menu. When a cocktail I ordered did not agree with my stomach, he promptly comped it and got a me a glass of wine I liked instead. Jimmy made us feel well taken care of. Our meal was exquisite, truly delicious. The agnolotti and truffle honey burrata were incredible. We shared a 16oz Australian wagyu New York steak and it looked to be like a 20oz when it hit the table. Masterfully prepared, it was the best steak I've enjoyed in quite some time. No regrets whatsoever about choosing Penthouse. I'm glad we visited and would love to return sometime. To make things even more perfect - we had a tighter window of time due to a reservation for drinks in downtown LA and Jimmy was able to course everything out nicely and still get us out of there in time to make our next stop for the night. Somehow, he managed to include a complimentary dessert with this candle sparkler that I know my girlfriend enjoyed. Masterclass service. Excellent execution. 6/5 stars. Thank you Penthouse Team. read more

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We had a brunch with 11 people before the 1pm Cique du Soleli Kooza show in Santa Monica. The Penthouse Restaurant is atop the Huntley Hotel on 2nd St. It has killer views of the Santa Monica beaches, the bay and the city. The ambiance of the hotel lobby and the restaurant are very upscale and comfortable. The breakfast menu is varied and includes all the great selections that will please most everyone's' palate. The food was excellent and our server Patty could not have been better or more friendly. The service was excellent. The hotel would be a great place to spend a weekend hitting the beach, pier and the many shops and restaurants in Santa Monica. Below are some breakfast selections and views from the restaurant. read more

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