1212 Santa Monica
Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, Santa Monica
Restaurant in Santa Monica, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Twelve Twelve is a practical Santa Monica pick when the plan needs an easy dinner near Third Street Promenade, not a high-ceremony restaurant night. Choose it for convenience, mixed groups, flexible timing; compare against Michael's for a more deliberate meal, Wally's Santa Monica for wine, The Penthouse for a dressier setting.
About 1212 Santa Monica
Consider Twelve Twelve if the goal is a simple Santa Monica plan rather than a highly specific, detail-driven dining choice. The verified public details are limited, but the hours make it useful for evenings throughout the week and for plans that start at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday.
A Santa Monica pick when convenience matters more than ceremony
Santa Monica's dining map includes a range of casual, polished, occasion-oriented choices. Twelve Twelve fits a practical decision: useful when the plan needs a Santa Monica meeting point and direct timing, but not a place to describe in detail beyond the verified basics.
The smart use case is a group that wants to stay in Santa Monica without over-planning. If the group wants to compare other options, consider Michael's, Wally's Santa Monica, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen, The Penthouse, or FIG Santa Monica depending on the kind of evening you want.
Who should choose it, who should compare
Choose Twelve Twelve for an easy Santa Monica stop, especially when timing matters. Its verified hours are Monday through Thursday from 5–10 PM, Friday from 5 PM–12 AM, Saturday from 11 AM–12 AM, Sunday from 11 AM–10 PM.
For a broader scan before committing, use Pearl's Santa Monica restaurants guide, especially if the plan also needs a nearby hotel from the Santa Monica hotels guide or a second stop from the Santa Monica bars guide.
The recommendation is simple: Twelve Twelve works when Santa Monica location, verified hours, a smart-casual dress code fit the plan. For a more comparison-driven choice, look at Michael's, The Penthouse, FIG Santa Monica, Wally's Santa Monica, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen before deciding.
Planning details
- Location
- 1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- 1212santamonica.com
- Phone
- +13105769996
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Twelve Twelve sits squarely on Santa Monica’s busy 3rd Street Promenade, balancing the energy of a pedestrian thoroughfare with a menu-minded seriousness. The room reads as visible and accessible—built to withstand walk-in scrutiny from locals, tourists and the evening crowd. That mix gives the place a lively, trend-aware feel: it’s meant to be seen and to shape the people who pass by. The editorial tenor is contemporary and attentive to menu craft, so while the setting hums with Promenade activity, the dining experience aims for composure rather than chaos.
Best For
This is a spot that works well for daytime and evening visits: brunch service is part of the venue’s profile, and the copy explicitly calls out a dinner-seeking contingent. It suits a range of purposes—from casual daytime meetups with shoppers on the Promenade to more deliberate evening meals for couples or small groups. Because the location attracts both locals and tourists, it’s also convenient for spontaneous walk-ins, though visitors should expect a restaurant attentive to menu structure rather than pure fast-casual turnover.
Ordering Tips
Menu architecture matters here: the profile describes a return to a cleaner, course-driven structure rather than a purely small-plates grazing format. Approach the menu expecting a legible beginning, middle and end and ask staff for quick guidance if you arrive as a walk-in. Lean on the signatures—Gnocchi Pomodoro, Nonna’s Lasagne and Wild Boar Tagliatelle are highlighted—and treat them as centerpiece choices. If you’re unsure how the courses flow, request a short recommendation from the server so you build a coherent meal rather than a scattershot assortment of dishes.
Planning details
Location
1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if Twelve Twelve is not the right fit
Pick Michael's if the meal needs to feel more intentional and restaurant-led. Choose Wally's Santa Monica if wine is the center of the night.
For a faster casual plan, go with 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen. For a more occasion-ready room, compare against The Penthouse before committing.
Restaurant context
How Twelve Twelve compares in Santa Monica
Twelve Twelve is the convenience play in this set: central, easy to understand, better suited to a flexible Santa Monica night than a tightly planned dining splurge. Michael's is the better choice when the restaurant is the point of the evening, while Wally's Santa Monica makes more sense when the decision turns on wine and a livelier bottle-driven meal.
For value and speed, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen is the easier cross-shop, especially for casual groups that do not need a full-service night. The Penthouse is the stronger pick for ambiance and occasion energy, but it asks for a more intentional plan. FIG Santa Monica is the better fit for diners specifically seeking a farm-to-table angle.
Explore Santa Monica
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full 1212 Santa Monica guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare 1212 Santa Monica
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twelve Twelve | Santa Monica | ; | No published awards |
| Michael's | Santa Monica | ; | No published awards |
| Wally's Santa Monica | Santa Monica | ; | Star Wine Lists 20262026 Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence |
| 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen | Santa Monica | ; | No published awards |
| The Penthouse | Santa Monica | ; | 2025 Michelin Plate2025 Black Diamond 1 Diamond2024 Michelin Plate |
| FIG Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Farm-to-Table | 2025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #7902024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #789 |
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How Twelve Twelve Santa Monica compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about Twelve Twelve?
Treat it as a Santa Monica option with verified evening hours and weekend 11 AM openings. It runs Monday through Thursday from 5–10 PM, Friday from 5 PM–12 AM, Saturday from 11 AM–12 AM, Sunday from 11 AM–10 PM.
Is lunch or dinner better at Twelve Twelve?
Evening hours are available throughout the week based on the verified schedule. Twelve Twelve also opens at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday, which gives weekend plans more daytime flexibility.
Is Twelve Twelve good for a special occasion?
It may work if the occasion calls for a Santa Monica setting, smart-casual dress, flexible timing. If the night needs a more carefully chosen room, compare it with Michael's, The Penthouse, or FIG Santa Monica before deciding.
What are alternatives to Twelve Twelve in Santa Monica?
Consider Michael's, FIG Santa Monica, Wally's Santa Monica, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen, or The Penthouse. Twelve Twelve is easiest to justify when its Santa Monica location and verified hours fit your plan.
What should I wear to Twelve Twelve?
The verified dress code is smart casual. A polished everyday outfit is the safest choice.
