1212 Santa Monica
Wilshire/Montana Neighborhood Coalition, Santa Monica
Restaurant in Santa Monica, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Price
$30–50per person
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
1212 Santa Monica 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, and flexible timing; compare against Michael's for a more deliberate meal, Wally's Santa Monica for wine, and The Penthouse for a dressier setting.
About 1212 Santa Monica
Consider 1212 Santa Monica if the goal is a simple Santa Monica plan rather than a highly specific, detail-driven dining choice. 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, and occasion-oriented choices. 1212 Santa Monica 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.
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, and who should compare
Choose 1212 Santa Monica for an easy Santa Monica stop, especially when timing matters. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 5–10 PM, Friday from 5 PM–12 AM, Saturday from 11 AM–12 AM, and Sunday from 11 AM–10 PM.
For a broader scan before committing, use our 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: 1212 Santa Monica is worth considering when Santa Monica location, hours, and 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, and 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen before deciding.
Planning details
- Hours
- Monday: 5–10 PM · Tuesday: 5–10 PM
- Location
- 1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- 1212santamonica.com
- Phone
- +13105769996
The take
The Take
The Vibe
1212 Santa Monica 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
Brunch service and dinner suit daytime and evening visits. 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.
Venue details
Ambiance
Open two-story dining room with vintage-chic decor, mixed media art, and a dynamic yet comfortable atmosphere enhanced by holiday lights and promenade energy.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Standard
- Capacity
- Large
- Kitchen
- Modern
- Menu Format
- A la carte, Small plates
- Drinks Focus
- Creative cocktails
- Dietary
- Vegetarian friendly, Gluten-free options
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
Signature Dishes
- Gnocchi Pomodoro
- Nonna's Lasagne
- Wild Boar Tagliatelle
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Planning details
Hours
- Monday
- 5–10 PM
- Tuesday
- 5–10 PM
- Wednesday
- 5–10 PM
- Thursday
- 5–10 PM
- Friday
- 5 PM–12 AM
- Saturday
- 11 AM–12 AM
- Sunday
- 11 AM–10 PM
Location
1212 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Directions
Also consider
Where to go if 1212 Santa Monica 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 1212 Santa Monica compares in Santa Monica
1212 Santa Monica is the convenience play in this set: central, easy to understand, and 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1212 Santa Monica | 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 | Michelin Guide Guangzhou & Shenzhen 20262025 Michelin Plate2025 Black Diamond 1 Diamond2024 Michelin Plate | |
| FIG Santa Monica | Los Angeles | Farm-to-Table | No published awards |
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How 1212 Santa Monica compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about 1212 Santa Monica?
It's a Santa Monica option with 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, and Sunday from 11 AM–10 PM.
Is lunch or dinner better at 1212 Santa Monica?
Evening hours are available throughout the week. 1212 Santa Monica also opens at 11 AM on Saturday and Sunday, which gives weekend plans more daytime flexibility.
Is 1212 Santa Monica good for a special occasion?
It may work if the occasion calls for a Santa Monica setting, smart-casual dress, and 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 1212 Santa Monica in Santa Monica?
Consider Michael's, FIG Santa Monica, Wally's Santa Monica, 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen, or The Penthouse. 1212 Santa Monica is easiest to justify when its Santa Monica location and hours fit your plan.
What should I wear to 1212 Santa Monica?
The dress code is smart casual. A polished everyday outfit is the safest choice.
