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    Wally's Santa Monica

    3.7 (469 reviews)
    Closed • 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated a few days ago

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    WALLY'S SANTA MONICA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Outdoor seating
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Wally's Santa Monica

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    Peter H.

    Beautiful shop with more wine than anyone can count. It's a great place to entertain friends and there is so much variety that I believe there will be something for everyone to like or enjoy to drink. The food is also good and I liked the charcuterie board selections. Definitely coming back for wine and good conversations.

    Aimee L.

    First time going and will definitely go again! Food was delicious. The sea bass ceviche was delicious and fresh! The Iowa prime Delmonico steak was delicious! I don't eat steak often but I will definitely go back and eat it again. Service was great. Servers and staff were friendly and helpful. Ambiance is great for family and friends.

    Bonded Brothers Old Fashioned
    Danni L.

    My visit to Wally's Santa Monica was a good visit. Walking in, it appeared to be a high end wine store but the host is there to seat you. It is a different setup with dining tables and a bar that us surrounded by categorized walls of wine. There's also an area in the back with more walled wines and seating areas. You can see the staff preparing the plates and there's items for sale such as coffee. I am here for Dine LA Winter 2026. I enjoyed the Parsnip soup to start and the Salmon filet. Paired with a Karwisnkii Sour (and later a Bonded Brothers Old Fashioned) and finished with the Apple Tarte Tatin. Each course of the prix fixe menu was reasonably priced. I added on the Beef Tartare which was amazing. Loved my experience.

    Andrew N.

    Wally's is a very fun place to visit next to the beach at Santa Monica. I went just to try the baked Brie at night after dinner to cross it off the bucket list. Despite going at 9pm, the service was a bit slow but the servers were very friendly. I would give a 3.5 but the people made it a 4 There is street parking that charges by meter and structure parking that gives the first 90 mins free. The interior was really spacious - there are aisles of wine bottles on display and for sale. The baked Brie was really good. That said, it was very expensive for four pieces ~$28. I'm not sure I would return but I am glad I tried it.

    Wall'ys cappuccino
    Nikki T.

    I was in town with friends and we stopped by Wally's for dinner and drinks. Wally's is a gourmet cheese/foods and wine market with a restaurant. I didn't have time to peruse through everything but I have a feeling that I would have walked out with champagne, cheese, and chocolates. The shop is a large open space with wine and spirits bottles everywhere. Upfront there is a large bar and a few high top tables. Behind the bar is the expansive cheese selection, more bottles of wine and the restuaraunt and kitchen. My friends and I were seated at one of the high tables. They are actually communal tables so we had a couple on the far end of our table. Cocktail French Martini Lee-chee martini Starters: -Charcuterie and Cheese board -Pan roasted Cauliflower -Bone marrow - I decided to try the bone marrow. It comes out sizzling hot with crostini. Its a very rich dish. Mains: -Lobster pasta - Maine lobster, house-made squid ink rigatoni pasta, spicy lobster vodka sauce with a little calabrian chilil -Squash gnocchi - wood oven baked winter squash, sage and hazelnuts -House-made cavatelli with mushroom ragout Desserts: Apple tarte tatin Wally's cappucino I loved my cavatelli. If you like mushrooms, you will love this dish. My friends loved their pastas The only let down was the desserts. I ordered the Wally's cappucino. The first few bites were really delicious. I worked my way through the espresso gelato, milk froth, pecan and cocao nib. It wasn't until I got to the coffee custard that I was a tad dismayed. The custard was more jello then custard if that makes sense. I think of custards being creamy and this one wasn't. It was tasty but I was not a fan of the texture. Sadly, I did not finish it. My friend M also had the same experience with her apple tarte tatin. She ate some but not all of her dessert. The cheesecake part was delicious but she didn't like the apples. Aside from the hiccups with dessert, our meal was really good. I will definitely come back to try other items on the menu.

    Kayla C.

    Came a month or two ago after 2-3 years and I thought it was better this time. Tried the duck and it was very good. The sommelier gave a great wine pairings. I personally LOVE their wine and charcuterie menu, but haven't explored it much! Came for dinner, but eager to return in the afternoon for a ladies' afternoon cheese, wine, and chocolate fun. The ambiance is a fun mix of industrial with modern feel from all of the vents and beams exposed with marble stand alone counters. The high ceilings, wine and liquor walls are a highlight and tribute to Wally's theme. I'll look forward to updating when I return.

    Truffle-Pizza,Truffle puree, buffalo mozzarella, fresh arugula, Buffalo Mozzarella, Creamy cheese, fresh Arugula & freshly shaved truffles.
    Elena M.

    The Ambiance is warm and tranquil, with just the right hint of vibrancy. Can be quite lively, has an industrial-modern space featuring high ceilings and a chic, upscale crowds, (on Wilshire Boulevard). The service is fine, np. The food is great, rich in flavors and quite delectable. Try the extensive artisanal charcuterie boards, and high-end cheeses like Jamón Ibérico de Bellota. their premium caviar services are the best. If you like pizza try thei Truffle Pizza, Wood Oven Baked Brie, which gets a chef's kiss from me. The Steak Tartare,is exquisite! The choices for wines and spirits are phenomenal. They have everything you can possibly think of, World-Class wine & spirits. Floor-to-ceiling wine displays holding thousands of bottles, rare spirits, and over 100 selections available by the glass, backed by expert sommelier services. However, I feel it really needs to become more fluid, less rigid, perhaps populated with a younger and more sociable society.

    Black hawk filet mignon
    Valerie L.

    We normally come here for just apps and drinks so this was our first time eating off of their dinner menu. The staff here are always great! We loved our waiter he was super attentive and so were the bussers and other staff that came around making sure our waters were filled and used plates were moved. The little problem was the MEAT! We were a party of 6 and three people ordered the filet mignon. They all requested medium rare. Off the bat you could tell from looking at them they were on the rare side. They were a little burnt from the outside so that just showed they were cooked on too much of a high heat. I ordered the pasta which was delicious! My other two friends order lamb chops and salmon and they liked theirs. So the issue was only with the meat.

    Vintage 2009 Dom Perignon Rosé.
    Mary B.

    Fun vibes, fantastic service, delicious branzino, caviar, and the best vintage 2009 Dom Perignon Rosé. My bestie and I walked by Wally's, I've been to the Beverly Hills location, but Santa Monica location is very lively and amazing. We ordered a light fare because we had food at a nearby hotel. Branzino was amazing and the perfect portion. The wine, and spirits menu was like an encyclopedia! I mentioned to my friend about Dom, but it was too pricey. He said he didn't want to drink inexpensive champagne and that we should enjoy life and being together. So sweet. I don't recall the waiter's name, but he was very attentive. To pair with the vintage Dom Perignon, management sent us caviar. A very decadent evening, and now I'm spoiled. Jonah, the manager checked in the day after, and that was a very classy gesture.

    Ceased salad
    Meg K.

    We finally tried Wally's Wine & Spirits for lunch today, and overall, I'm glad we did--though the experience had a bit of a rocky start. When we first arrived, we waited longer than expected and felt somewhat overlooked by the host. A few parties who arrived after us were seated before we were even acknowledged, which honestly made us consider leaving. Eventually, the host did seat us, but the initial interaction wasn't particularly welcoming. That said, things turned around quickly after that. The gentleman who opened the door for us was warm and gracious, and once our waiter Paolo took over, the experience really picked up. Paolo was attentive, friendly, and professional--truly wonderful service. My husband ordered the cheese pizza along with two glasses of California Pinot Noir, both of which he really enjoyed. I opted for the three-course prix fixe: a Caesar salad to start, followed by steamed black mussels with French fries (moules-frites), which were flavorful and satisfying. For dessert, I chose the double chocolate chip cookie paired with pistachio gelato--an excellent and indulgent finish. The food was solid across the board, and the wine selection is, of course, a highlight. Our total came to about $140 for lunch (two glasses of wine at $20 each, $10 bottled water, and the meals), which is definitely on the pricey side, but not unexpected given the location and wine-focused concept. Despite the rough first impression at the door, I'm glad we didn't leave. Wally's is a beautiful space, the food is good, and if you're a wine lover, this really is the place to be. I'm happy we finally got to try it--and I'd come back, hopefully with a smoother welcome next time.

    Pantea M.

    Love Santa Monic Wally's, unlike the Beverly Hills one there is usually no wait line. They have amazing wine selections, fast service, and actually wine tasting in certain days. Highly recommended

    Cindy W.

    What a fun place to visit! We came here to browse after dinner and ended up having a glass of wine while perusing the shop. One can enjoy a meal here or just treat it as a "wine store". We found a Pride Edition by Crystal Head Vodka to take home as souvenirs.

    Aalia S.

    I usually go to the Beverly Hills location, so this is the first time going to the Santa Monica location. We got seated inside by the window. The service was amazing. They let you try a bunch of different wines before deciding on the class or a bottle. I enjoyed the Albariño . I wish they had more options for glasses. But they have at least 20 to 30 pages of options for bottles. The highlight is the baked Brie with truffle, of course.

    Was attending a very special winemaker dinner at Wally's.

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    2 months ago

    Great food and atmosphere but horrible service. Again food was great just not the service

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    29 days ago

    The waiter spilled a sprite all over me and did not over any compensation. Poor waitstaff and undertrained.

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    3 months ago

    Complete rip off. 47$ for one cocktail. NEVER AGAIN. Wish I had read reviews prior to going. SCAAAM

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    5 months ago

    Really classy and chic place, a bit on the pricy side for me but well worth it to be honest.

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    Wally's Santa Monica Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Wally's Santa Monica

    Is this a good place to meet other singles?

    Not really

    Do they offer the lunch menu on weekends in addition to brunch?

    Is the cheese plate menu available for lunch and dinner?

    Aye, it is

    Do we have to make a reservation for dine in?

    No, you'll have to wait a minute while they set up a spot for you, if you don't.

    Do they have a happy hour?

    No, unfortunately. However, if you go before 5pm, you can easily get a table for a glass of wine and charcuterie .

    Do they do wine tasting flights here?

    No not yet!

    View All 10 Questions

    Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Duck Boa Bun

    Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge

    4.3(218 reviews)
    1.3 mi
    •$$

    The customer service here really sold me. I'd probably give the food a 4.25, but the ambiance and…read morethe servers were truly so attentive and accommodating, this puts Edgemar above a lot of places. We came here for a birthday, plus they're in my red dining book, so I was hoping our little group would pick Edgemar, and thankfully they did! We started with the stracciatella and man, was that dish good. It was one of the two standouts. The bread is delectable and the cheese with the chili was absolutely divine. I actually think this was my very favorite dish. I will be back for this dish alone! We also shared the wontons, butter lettuce gem salad, and wonton spring rolls which were all very solid dishes. Next we had the salmon which was undoubtedly the other stand out dish. It was so good with the miso butter sauce! And the broccolini were cooked perfectly! We finished with the squid ink pasta. The shrimp on top was perfectly cooked and the pasta itself was the perfect texture with a great mouth feel. As mentioned earlier, everyone on the staff truly went above and beyond. We had an issue with our drinks, they made it right right away without any pushback. They made sure that the birthday girl felt extra special. And they even gave us a special treat at the end as well. The interior decorating is absolutely stunning. They've done a great job with furniture selection, and the wood throughout is impressive. I did have to swing around the block to look for parking, it you always have to do that in this part of Santa Monica.

    We had a reservation here for our 10th anniversary. A few days before our reservation, someone…read morereached out to let us know there would be loud music playing and it might not be the best environment for an anniversary dinner. We had been wanting to try this place for a while and couldn't move the date but music was completely fine with us. The music was actually great! It was a private event indoors so we sat outside on the patio. Unfortunately, the food was only ok and the service was not ideal. No one acknowledged our anniversary, throughout the entire evening even though it was in the open table reservation notes. The shrimp and chicken dumplings were amazing. The Hamachi sashimi was very fatty and there was a few pieces we couldn't eat. The fried chicken sandwich was OK although it tasted very simple for $26. At the end of the dinner we got the bill with a 2.5% service fee + 20% auto gratuity for "event". I normally tip this much but I found so I don't mind that it was automatically included, but it was odd we paid an auto 20% gratuity for an event we were not a part of - we weren't even seated inside where the private event was taking place. Unfortunately, the three stars comes down to the fact that even though it was our 10th anniversary, there was no acknowledgment of the special day and the food was sub-par.

    Photos
    Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Interior

    Interior

    Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Shrimp toast

    Shrimp toast

    Edgemar Restaurant + Lounge - Interior

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    Interior

    Chelsea - Best Rib eye I've ever had

    Chelsea

    4.6(214 reviews)
    1.7 mi

    We came here for a birthday celebration and truly had a great experience! Our server, Ty, made sure…read morewe were taken care of in every way and made the night feel extra special. We started with their cocktails, which were great, and had the albacore ceviche as an appetizer. It was fresh and incredibly flavorful. For our mains, we had the steak frites and sea bass. I'm very picky when it comes to both fish and meat, and honestly, both exceeded my expectations. Definitely recommend this spot for a nice date night, birthday dinner, or just a fun night out. It won't disappoint. Looking forward to coming back!

    We celebrated my friend's birthday here last night and I'm so glad we decided to come here! I think…read morethe gentleman who seated us might have been the owner, he was very kind and welcoming. Our server, Murray, was so patient with us and was amazing all around. We were very indecisive and he gave us great recommendations, and was attentive, welcoming, and when needed, gave us our space to enjoy the meal. Thank you, Murray! We started with the Rye me a River cocktail and the Mezcal cocktail which were both perfect for our tastes. My mezcal drink was beautiful with a black salt rim and beautiful Smokey flavor (along with the word Chelsea spelled out on my ice cube). My friend loved his Rye me a River cocktail. For food, we started with the oysters and lobster sliders which I don't get a picture of, but they were both great!!! The lobster sliders were actually my favorite bite of the whole meal. My friend devoured the oysters, he loved them so much. We then had the boar ragu tagliatelle which was excellent. It was sweeter than most ragus that I've had, but that was my friend's favorite dish of the whole night. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly, absolutely perfectly, and the pistachio crust was delicious. We ordered steak frites and asked that the fries be truffle fries, which they kindly accommodated. So glad we asked because the truffle fries were delicious, they came with a cilantro dipping sauce that was delectable! The steak itself was cooked perfectly, and the gravy accompaniment was an excellent complement to the steak. We also got the peanut butter and chocolate turnover for my friend's birthday. Yall, it was SO good! It really exceeded my expectations. We will definitely be back! My friend was so happy with his birthday meal!! We found street parking, but they do have valet if you need it as well. The interior of the restaurant is lovely, great for a date night. They have dimmer lighting, and great booths and tables throughout the space. The bar is beautiful and has a small tv screen in case you want to watch something but it's small enough and out of the way that it's not distracting at all if you don't want to watch any sporting event.

    Photos
    Chelsea - Interior is stunning

    Interior is stunning

    Chelsea - Escargot mushrooms

    Escargot mushrooms

    Chelsea - Steak frites

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    Steak frites

    Hillstone - Hawaiian Ribeye- such a sweet Teriyaki flavor so good.

    Hillstone

    4.0(1.6k reviews)
    0.0 mi
    •$$$

    Had an early dinner reservation on Sunday night. It's always crowded even at 4:30 so plan on making…read morea reservation. The service was excellent. To drink we tried their version of a martini. I never order martinis, but this one is more of a cocktail and is surprisingly sweet. For an appetizer we tried the cheesy bread. So yummy and the perfect amount to not fill up on bread. For mains, we ordered the classics, Ding's crispy chicken sandwich and the prime rib. Ding's sandwich never misses it's always consistent. The prime rib was tasty, but very salty. The only item I didn't enjoy was the Tabbouleh. It was strange to me it contained corn and chickpea. Hard pass next time. We finished with the key lime pie which is exceptional. Very tangy and it is made fresh daily.

    Ten years after my original review, Hillstone is still remarkably consistent. That's an incredible…read morerun. The restaurant feels pretty much the same because, well, it basically is. Maybe the artwork gets rotated every few years? but otherwise, why fix what isn't broken? The food is as good as ever, and the service remains attentive and polished. There's something reassuring about walking into a restaurant knowing exactly what you're going to get, and having it live up to that expectation, year after year. Prices have certainly gone up over the past several years, but what hasn't? It's not quite the deal it once was, though I've never had a bad meal here. Ten years later, I'm still happy to come back.

    Photos
    Hillstone - Inside

    Inside

    Hillstone
    Hillstone - Caesar Salad

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    Caesar Salad

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

    4.2(4.7k reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    We had a very good experience here! Our waitress was friendly, fast, and gave great…read morerecommendations! We split two appetizers, which was plenty due to the portion size. Drinks were delicious and the vibe was fun!

    I finally made it to The Misfit in Santa Monica, and honestly, the interior is giving major…read moreBalthazar-meets-Parisian-speakeasy energy. It's located in the old Clock Tower building, and the Art Deco decor is absolutely stunning--dark enough to hide a bad day but vibrant enough for a girls' night. The Vibe: It's loud, lively, and perfectly "bohemian chic". If you're coming on a weekend, prepare for a crowd, but it's the good kind of crowded where everyone looks like they just came from a gallery opening. The Food: I'm still thinking about the Crispy Chicken Sandwich--it was juicy, perfectly seasoned, and came with a fennel-apple slaw that actually felt fresh. We also shared the Bacon Wrapped Dates (obviously) and the Hand Cut Kennebec Fries, which arrive in a bowl so huge it could basically be its own zip code. The Drinks: Their Happy Hour is arguably the best in the city. I had the Japanese Dream with matcha, and it was expertly crafted--not too sweet, which is my biggest pet peeve. The "Misfit" Moment: The service can be a tiny bit slow when it's "rammed," and there's a 4% kitchen fee that feels a bit unnecessary, but they make up for it with those complimentary sea salt chocolate chip cookies at the end. They are warm, gooey, and life-changing. One major heads-up: I heard a rumor they might be closing their doors on April 18th due to some landlord drama, so get there while you still can.

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    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
    The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

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    Diner Antonette - Burkart organic peaches

    Diner Antonette

    4.5(83 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    What a charmer! Beautiful old school and classic atmosphere gorgeous bar extending the length of…read morethe restaurant, wait staff knowledgeable dressing in formal black and white with suspenders! But lively, family friendly as well -attentive staff that are friendly but formal. The food! Had smoked salmon pizza- weird? NO!Lots of salmon on a very non traditional maybe Asiago cheese with a roasted tomato sauce capers, onions and arugula thrown on top after baking in pizza oven for that smoky flavor.simply amazing with a grownup cocktail. Wanna go back now but have to fly away!

    We went to Diner Antonette last night for diner and had half a good meal…read more First of all, the waiter, Johnny was wonderful, he was so kind, professional and on top of things. The restaurant itself was very cool, it had an old diner feel but with the decor, lighting and music it was hip and trendy. All the tables were full and the menu looked very interesting. They took old diner staples and modernized it. Great concept!! We started off with garlic bread which was two pieces of cibata bread with 3 bulbs of roasted garlic in olive oil. The presentation was beautiful and while it was messy, it was yummy. The ratio of garlic to bread was off. There was so much garlic and only two pieces of bread. It should have been 4 pieces. For dinner, I ordered the crispy chicken (fried chicken) with greens which was very good. The breading was spiced perfectly and the chicken was moist and yummy. My husband went for the cheese burger, cooked medium rare with fries. Unfortunately, the burger came out well done and Johnny immediately took it back to and had another burger made. After a long while and mind you I had to eat by myself kind of killing the experience, the burger came back and again it was more well than medium which was very frustrating. Johnny and the manger of the restaurant stopped by and asked to do it again and he declined. They said they will take it off the bill which was very nice. The bill came and when I reviewed it, we saw the billed included both burgers (original and the replacement) with the two credits, as well as, a 4 percent kitchen charge. However, when it summed up the tip, it based it on everything that came to our table. For example, the original bill if everything was perfect should have been $75 it added the replacement burger and I increased it to $100. So the calculated 20% tip was $20 based on the $100. My check balance with the burger credit was $62 including tax, plus a $19 tip. I knew exactly what was going on but since Johnny was an attentive and good waiter we wanted to make sure he was compensated for his work. I wasn't going to make a big deal about the 4% for the kitchen but in this case, it was there incompetence that caused the problem and that should have never been passed to us. Overall, would we go back to Diner Antoinette on our next holiday to Santa Monica, probably not.

    Photos
    Diner Antonette - Fresh Bar Accoutrements

    Fresh Bar Accoutrements

    Diner Antonette - Radicchio chopped salad

    Radicchio chopped salad

    Diner Antonette - Classic breakfast

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    Classic breakfast

    Tar & Roses

    Tar & Roses

    4.5(2.8k reviews)
    0.4 mi
    •$$$
    Romantic vibe
    Locally sourced ingredients

    The food and the wine are incredible here. We came here right before we got engaged in 2018, and…read morewhat I wanted for our 6th anniversary was to come back, and we did in September! The mains that are wood-fired are delicate and delicious. I appreciate all the bold wine pairings, especially with meat. Wood-roasted bone marrow was incredible! The duck breast was moist and sweet! My husband got the lamb shank, which was by far the best with bold Middle Eastern flavors like zhoug and labneh. You must try!

    Tar & Roses is a mixed bag with one genuine high point…read more The menu is where it lost me. It swings from Vietnamese small plates to a straightforward steak, and the range never settles into a point of view -- it reads less like a confident eclectic kitchen than a grab bag. The fried red snapper was the standout: crisp, well-cooked, good enough to stand on its own. It came with a fish sauce for dipping that it didn't need -- a wedge of lemon on the side would have suited it far better. The Vietnamese crab cake was a real miss; I couldn't get past it. The dumplings were fine but forgettable. Service ran to extremes. Our server was warm and eager, almost too eager -- he pushed a bottle of wine we weren't sold on, and we ordered it anyway. Then, after all that attentiveness, he disappeared toward the end of the meal and never came back. The wine list was fine, nothing memorable. There's real skill in that kitchen -- the snapper proves it -- but the meal never added up to more than its parts. I left full, not delighted.

    Photos
    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses
    Tar & Roses

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    Wally's Santa Monica - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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