This One Street In Southern California Has Every Type Of Restaurant You Can Imagine
By Natasha Kayes|Published May 08, 2023
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
One thing I love about Southern California is the diversity of its food scene. Whatever kind of food you are in the mood for, there seem to be endless places to enjoy it, whether you want fresh local ingredients, traditional foods, contemporary fusion, or highly inventive dishes, we have it. There are a few places that make it easy to explore the options, like the restaurant-filled Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California.
Third Street Promenade is a multi-block section of Third Street in downtown Santa Monica, open only to pedestrian traffic, and full of great restaurants as well as shopping and entertainment venues. The Promenade is lively day or night, a popular tourist center, and a hotspot for street performers and aspiring artists.
There are several options for Mexican and Latin American food, from traditional dishes to innovative cuisine, with everything from classic fish tacos to an Argentinian steakhouse.
1212 Santa Monica is cool vintage-style, two-story restaurant and lounge featuring globally-inspired dishes and creative cocktails. Sample several crostini with options such as Caponata and Burrata, Seared Filet Tartare, Salmon, Sun Dried Tomato, or Porcini.
At 1212, you can try Coconut Red Curry Mussels, Kobe Meatballs, Lasagna and Gnocchi, Stuffed Zucchini Squash Blossom, Sicilian Burger, and delicious salads. This restaurant also has a lovely brunch menu and brunch cocktails such as Bottomless Mimosas and Espresso Martinis.
If you are in the mood for Asian cuisine, you will find several different restaurants serving up gourmet ramen, fresh sushi, Korean or Japanese BBQ, and more.
For mouthwatering California cuisine, try The Independence, an upscale gastropub serving up comforting pub-style classics, belly-filling breakfast and brunch foods, fresh oysters, and craft cocktails.
If you just can’t decide what you want or are hanging out with a group of friends who all want something different, head for the Kitchen United food hall. Behind one storefront, you will find a huge variety, including burgers, build-your-own-bowl fresh eats, poke bowls, pizza, Mexican-Asian fusion, panini sandwiches, salads, ice cream, donuts, cookies, and even a cookie dough bar.
It would be impossible to list all of the restaurant choices on and around Third Street Promenade, but no matter what else you might be craving - burgers, seafood, pasta, pizza, French cuisine, etc. - you can find it here.
Of course, if what you really want is pretzels, pastries, cake, coffee, or ice cream, there are multiple options for all of that, too!
This one walkable street is like a big one-stop shop for any food mood. Have you been to Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica? What is your favorite restaurant in downtown Santa Monica? Share your recommendations with us in the comments. If you plan to visit, be sure to also head a couple of blocks over to the historic Santa Monica Pier amusement park.
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