Santa Monica's Restaurant Scene Continues to Grow

Santa Monica has been synonymous with the beach and pier for more than 100 years, but the city is now placing a major focus on attracting foodies. In fact, many of this year’s most notable restaurant additions to the greater Los Angeles area can be found in Santa Monica. The best part is that the vast majority of these new offerings are independent small businesses, which offers residents and tourists the opportunity to try something new.

Eclectic Offerings Throughout Santa Monica

Although Santa Monica does not have a very large downtown area, restaurant owners have been snapping up available space from Montana Avenue to Main Street. This makes it relatively easy for people to walk from their favorite shops to a restaurant, and there are also several options for beachgoers who do not want to wander more than a couple of blocks from the pier.

In 2015 alone, more than 10 new trendy restaurants opened their doors, and they each have their own unique culinary spin. For example, Ashland Hill on Main Street is casual enough for tourists to stop in for a bite, but menu options such as Charred Shishito Macaroni and Cheese have been designed with Instagram in mind.

If you are looking for farm-to-table dining, you can turn to Ingo’s Tasty Diner, which is located on Wilshire Boulevard. The bulk of this diner’s dinner menu contains seafood and grass-fed beef items. However, there are also multiple choices for vegans and vegetarians such as the Vegan Black Bean Burger and a plentiful variety of salads.

Wine lovers have also been given a place to experience new flavors through the opening of Esters on 7th Street. Esters offers a wide variety of wine to drink on the spot or take with you, and they have several complementary food items that may entice you to relax on their patio and enjoy some of the most vibrant people watching in the area.

These latest eateries are expanding upon the new successful openings from 2014. Kye’s on Montana Avenue is a prime example, and it made a big splash last year with a menu that includes gluten-free, paleo, and vegan selections.

Bryant Ng’s Influence on Santa Monica’s Restaurant Scene

For several months earlier this year, local papers and websites were excitedly covering the development and opening of Bryant Ng’s latest restaurant, Cassia on 7th Street. Ng is a young, trendy, award-winning chef who seems to have the golden touch when it comes to not only making wise restaurant investments but also revitalizing the dining scene of each area he selects. The Asian fusion menu has earned high praise from professional reviewers and diners.

The city of Santa Monica undoubtedly owes a debt of gratitude to Ng for selecting their downtown area for his latest restaurant. The reality is that whenever an exciting, well-known chef targets a new area, the resulting press and influx of foodies leads to several additional restaurants opening their doors. After all, not everyone will be able to get a table at Cassia, but they will now have several other intriguing dining options to choose from.

Boosting the Local Economy

Another major perk that is associated with all of the new restaurants is a solid boost for the local economy. Events such as Small Business Saturday have proven that consumers are more interested than ever before in spending their money locally. In fact, shoppers spent $14.3 billion nationwide on Small Business Saturday in 2014. This number is expected to continue rising, especially because social media sites such as Facebook offer an easy outlet for advertising local events and sales.

Overall, the economy can expect a boost from the increased amount of local and vacationing consumers who are attracted by Santa Monica’s booming restaurant scene. Hotspots such as Cassia will bring people into the city, and this will have a natural trickle effect that benefits shop owners, gas stations, hotels, and much more.

Whether you are a local or a foodie who is planning your next vacation, the ever-growing list of independent restaurants should place Santa Monica at the top of your list when you are looking for something beyond the norm. The close proximity of each restaurant truly makes Santa Monica’s booming scene a dream come true for individuals who want to treat their taste buds to a unique experience for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.