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    Blue Plate Taco, Restaurant in Santa Monica
    Restaurant150Points

    Blue Plate Taco

    Pico Neighborhood Association, Santa Monica

    Restaurant in Santa Monica, United States

    SaveMark VisitedBook with Pearl

    The Read

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    Blue Plate Taco is worth booking when the priority is an easy, casual Ocean Avenue meal in Santa Monica, especially around a beach or hotel-based evening. It is not the pick for a formal occasion, but easy booking difficulty gives it real value when nearby coastal options feel more planned or more polished.

    About Blue Plate Taco

    For Santa Monica diners who want a casual, low-friction meal, Blue Plate Taco is best understood through the limited verified details available here. Use it when the plan calls for a casual dress code and known operating hours, not when you need verified details about chef, awards, price, signature dishes, or a specific dining format.

    Use it for a low-friction Santa Monica meal

    The verified details are direct: Blue Plate Taco is in Santa Monica, the dress code is casual, the hours run 3–10 PM on Monday; 11:30 AM–10 PM Tuesday through Friday; and 11 AM–10 PM Saturday and Sunday. That makes it useful to consider when timing and informality matter.

    Because the available venue details do not list a chef, awards, price range, specific menu signatures, seating format, or service style, the safer read is to treat it as a casual Santa Monica option with limited verified detail. That is not necessarily a criticism. Sometimes the value of a listing is simply knowing whether the timing and dress code fit the plan.

    Where it fits among other options

    If the decision is mainly about choosing between dining options, compare it with Ivy at the Shore as another possibility. Shoreside, Sirena, The Georgian Room are also useful names to consider, while Tūmbi may fit when the group wants another restaurant to compare.

    For a bigger Santa Monica plan, use this as one possible meal option, then build around the city rather than relying on unverified restaurant details. Pearl's city pages are better for that wider search: Santa Monica restaurants, Santa Monica hotels, Santa Monica bars.

    The takeThis is a go-to for casual daytime and early evening dining when you want a direct connection to the coast. Its location a block from the water makes it ideal for visitors and locals who are out near the Pier, and the informal, produce-aware approach works well for groups seeking unfussy shared plates or families looking for accessible, flavorful tacos. Brunch and lunch are natural fits given the afternoon ambience the copy describes, though the place also slots into relaxed dinners for those after a walk on Ocean Avenue.
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextSanta Monica, United States
    Explore Santa MonicaNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks

    Planning details

    Location
    1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
    Reservations
    Book on OpenTable
    Website
    blueplatetaco.com
    Phone
    +13104582985
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Blue Plate Taco reads like a coastal California taco shop translated for a busy Santa Monica avenue. The writing emphasizes informality and produce-forward cooking — lighter, vegetable-forward tacos anchored by proximity to the Pacific — and that seaside context is part of the meal: the ocean presence is felt before the food arrives. The stretch near the pier funnels tourists, locals and a professional Westside crowd, which keeps the mood brisk and social rather than hushed or formal. Overall the place projects an easy, sun-tinged informality that suits beachside afternoons and uncomplicated meals.

    Best For

    This is a go-to for casual daytime and early evening dining when you want a direct connection to the coast. Its location a block from the water makes it ideal for visitors and locals who are out near the Pier, and the informal, produce-aware approach works well for groups seeking unfussy shared plates or families looking for accessible, flavorful tacos. Brunch and lunch are natural fits given the afternoon ambience the copy describes, though the place also slots into relaxed dinners for those after a walk on Ocean Avenue.

    Ordering Tips

    Lean into the coastal, vegetable-forward style that defines the menu: start with the Signature Guacamole and order the Baja-Style Seafood Ceviche if you want something bright and marine-driven. For a definitive experience, choose the Grilled Fish Tacos — they embody the lighter California-taco register the restaurant highlights. Given the informal, beachside setting, dishes made for sharing and seafood-forward options tend to showcase the kitchen’s strengths; expect vibrant, produce-led preparations rather than heavy, cheese-driven preparations.

    Planning details

    Location

    1515 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401 · Directions

    +13104582985

    blueplatetaco.com

    Book on OpenTable

    Also consider

    Also Consider

    • Shoreside, Notable alternative
    • Ivy at the Shore, Notable alternative
    • Sirena, Notable alternative
    • The Georgian Room, Notable alternative
    • Tūmbi, Indian, $$
    Restaurant context

    How it compares in Santa Monica

    Blue Plate Taco is the practical, easy-booking choice in this set. Ivy at the Shore is better for a more dressed-up coastal meal, while Shoreside is the closer call if the group wants another beach-adjacent room. Pick Blue Plate Taco when the plan needs to stay casual and flexible.

    Tūmbi is the clearer value comparison because its Indian format and $$ positioning give diners a more defined food choice. If cuisine direction matters, Tūmbi is the sharper alternative; if location and ease matter, Blue Plate Taco is simpler. Sirena and The Georgian Room read as stronger cross-shops for a more composed night rather than a low-friction Santa Monica stop.

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    Unlock the full Blue Plate Taco guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

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    Compare Blue Plate Taco
    Blue Plate Taco Santa Monica and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisinePriceAwards
    Blue Plate TacoSanta Monica; ; No published awards
    ShoresideSanta Monica; ; No published awards
    Ivy at the ShoreSanta Monica; ; No published awards
    SirenaLos Angeles; ; No published awards
    The Georgian RoomLos Angeles; ; No published awards
    TūmbiLos AngelesIndian$$
    2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate

    How Blue Plate Taco Santa Monica compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What should I wear to Blue Plate Taco?

    Keep it casual. The verified dress code for Blue Plate Taco in Santa Monica is casual, so it is not presented here as requiring formal dress. Ivy at the Shore is another option to consider if you want to compare choices.

    Is Blue Plate Taco open for daytime or evening plans?

    Blue Plate Taco is open 3–10 PM on Monday; 11:30 AM–10 PM Tuesday through Friday; and 11 AM–10 PM Saturday and Sunday. The Georgian Room is another option to compare when planning the evening.

    Can I eat at the bar at Blue Plate Taco?

    The verified details do not specify bar seating or a bar-dining setup. If that matters to your plan, check with the restaurant directly before going. Tūmbi is another option to compare when choosing among restaurants.

    What are alternatives to Blue Plate Taco?

    Consider Ivy at the Shore, Sirena, The Georgian Room, Shoreside, Tūmbi when comparing dining options. The best choice depends on the setting, timing, level of formality you want.