The Misfit Restaurant + Bar is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

1. The Misfit Restaurant + Bar

8.9
225 Santa Monica Blvd (at 2nd St), Santa Monica, CA
American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 349 tips and reviews

Maria E.Maria Essig: Great place - stylish and casual. The bar choice is wide. I had an Ahi burger and really loved it. Recommend both for lunch and drinks.

Morgane C.Morgane Cattin: Trendy place and great cocktails

Dëva H.Dëva Holik: Trendy spot in Santa Monica, make sure you save room for the cookies at the end. Great vegetarian food and cocktails - opt for the burgers on toast.

Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

2. Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar

8.7
1610 Montana Ave, Santa Monica, CA
Italian Restaurant · Wilshire-Montana · 29 tips and reviews

Westside R.Westside Real Estate: Trendy and delicious.

I Y.I Yoo: After a long day of travel, I craved a pasta dish that inspire a good nap. I ordered the fettuccine bolognese with low expectations. Well, I was wrong: the noodles were *chef’s kiss*. So good!

Melanie M.Melanie Martin: Mushroom tortellini, filet mignon tartar

Dogtown Coffee is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

3. Dogtown Coffee

8.4
2003 Main St (at Bay St), Santa Monica, CA
Café · Ocean Park · 99 tips and reviews

Eric H.Eric Hinman: Yerba matte latte. Wow. Hip spot with outdoor seating.

Jessica P.Jessica Placencia: The perfect breakfast. Trendy

jennifer h.jennifer han: their breakfast burritos are my favorite—the ranchero and the munchies, with bacon. the iced chagaccino is also great (espresso with chaga mushroom extract...i know, but trust me). perfect breakfast.

Farmshop is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

4. Farmshop

8.8
225 26th St, Santa Monica, CA
American Restaurant · Brentwood · 69 tips and reviews

Amber J.Amber Jamal: Love their retail area, and their dinner menu is fresh & hip. Decent wine selection, nice for a date or dinner with a friend.

EaterEater: Farm Shop serves near-perfect versions of dishes like French toast with blueberry marmalade, rolled omelets with soft herbs and fried potatoes, and pastrami and eggs served with green tomato ketchup. Read more.

LA WeeklyLA Weekly: "Farmshop's French Fries are what Fries should be." - Jonathan Gold

SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

5. SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa

9.2
1345 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA
Sushi Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 180 tips and reviews

CasimirCasimir: Excellent sushi with great variety in a trendy setting.

Caty S.Caty Solone: I always get the "trust me" and am always blown away by the freshness and quality of the fish. Best sushi I have ever had, hands down.

Ernie S.Ernie Sahapatanavana: Get the Trust Me, trust me!

R+D Kitchen is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

6. R+D Kitchen

8.5
1323 Montana Ave (at 14th St), Santa Monica, CA
Gastropub · North of Montana · 115 tips and reviews

Mike F.Mike Ferguson: If the wait is more than 20 minutes, there are significantly better (albeit less hip) places within two blocks

Meg F.Meg Farmer: More for the scene than the food, though it's not bad. Draws a trendy crowd, love the open windows to the street in the front. This place is always overflowing.

Jeffrey F.Jeffrey Fahey: If you're having brunch, definitely grab a Bloody Mary. Great vibe with good service. Enjoy

Sweetfin Poké is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

7. Sweetfin Poké

8.8
829 Broadway (at Lincoln Ct), Santa Monica, CA
Poke Restaurant · 35 tips and reviews

esther k.esther kim: Got the siracha tuna bowl with half bamboo rice and half kelp noodles. Added on topping and it was a loooot of food. The coconut water infusion was super refreshing; don't miss the matcha popcorn!

Dylan B.Dylan Boyd: Can't get enough of this poke.

GQ MagazineGQ Magazine: This year’s poke-splosion in L.A. happened without explanation, practically overnight, yet we’re amazed it took this long. Sweetfin Poké goes the Cali-cuisine route, like a snapper bowl with kale. Read more.

Mercado is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

8. Mercado

8.6
1416 4th St (at Santa Monica Blvd), Santa Monica, CA
Mexican Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 82 tips and reviews

Terry A.Terry Adams: Good food. Good Tequilas and Mezcal. Hip and cool vibe.

Valeria K.Valeria Kholostenko: O my god, amazing (coming from a spoiled San Francisco foodie)

Alexandra E.Alexandra E.: ...Eh... I've had better

Cassia is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

9. Cassia

9.1
1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA
Asian Restaurant · 62 tips and reviews

EaterEater: The vibe is wonderful: expansive and vibrant without being too formal, it's the kind of place you can drop in for a cocktail and raw seafood at the bar, or a long sit-down dinner with friends. Read more.

Vivian D.Vivian Doan: Loved their green papaya salad (the spiced walnuts give it a kick!) and clay oven bread with chickpea curry! Can't wait to go back again and enjoy their patio

Simple F.Simple Foodie: Charcuterie Platter, Kaya Toast, Whole Grilled Sea Bass, Charcuterie Fried Rice, Chopped Escargot, Spicy Lamb is spicy.

Rustic Canyon is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

10. Rustic Canyon

8.0
1119 Wilshire Blvd (at 11th Ct.), Santa Monica, CA
Wine Bar · Wilshire-Montana · 86 tips and reviews

Vanity Fair AgendaVanity Fair Agenda: The hip L.A. version of Chez Panisse, this is one of the best spots in Santa Monica offering small plates and seasonal ingredients.

T M.T Man: The food was ok. Service is good and timely not intrusive and not lacking. My personal opinion is that they are trying too hard to be trendy. The tables are on top of each other.

BordeauxWinesBordeauxWines: This wine bar has an ever-evolving menu of the best of the best in food and wine. One thing remains consistent, their selection of Bordeaux, whether by the glass or bottle, is a must try.

Blue Plate Oysterette is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

11. Blue Plate Oysterette

8.9
1355 Ocean Ave (btwn Santa Monica Blvd & Arizona Ave), Santa Monica, CA
Seafood Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 149 tips and reviews

LIVESTRONG_COMLIVESTRONG_COM: This fresh seafood spot is super chic and super Southern California. The low cal ceviches are a sure winner.

g o.g oconnor: Well, as one of the three restaurants in Los Angeles that sells Whole Belly, fried Ipswich Clams! They have another New England favorite: The Lobster Roll. Both are excellent! Oyster selection superb!

Bon Appetit MagazineBon Appetit Magazine: The LA area has arguably the most diverse food scene in the country. Exemplary lobster roll - served on top a split brioche roll with a side of house-made sweet potato chips. Read more.

Bardonna is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

12. Bardonna

7.5
1601 Montana Ave (at 16th St), Santa Monica, CA
Coffee Shop · North of Montana · 29 tips and reviews

Alexa W.Alexa Whiteside: OMG! The french toast was amazing!!! Not to mention the sidewalk seating was perfect for people watching. Loved this trendy little spot

Isaac C.Isaac Cruz: Trendy. Feels pretentious. Coffee is still great tasting. Prefer the Main Street location

Lauren P.Lauren P.: Great place to study. Big communal table with outlets and delicious coffee/tea to boot. Love this place.

Kreation Kafe is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

13. Kreation Kafe

8.4
1023 Montana Ave (at 11th St), Santa Monica, CA
Juice Bar · North of Montana · 52 tips and reviews

Sadie H.Sadie Hawkins: Absolutely delicious Persian food in a trendy restaurant. Prices are also under 20 for the most part.

Laurel H.Laurel House: I love the Roman with poached eggs plus a side of their house-made hummus. So tasty!!!

Anneke J.Anneke Jong: ground beef kebab with quinoa. don't even try to not order the hummus, it's perfection pureed.

Hillstone is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

14. Hillstone

8.8
202 Wilshire Blvd (at 2nd St), Santa Monica, CA
New American Restaurant · Downtown Santa Monica · 112 tips and reviews

Ozge S.Ozge Savci: Excellent decoration, very chic, friendly waiters and delicious menu

Bianca G.Bianca Gonzalez: best kale salad in town - sweet peanut flavored dressing with citrus accents and a kick of cilantro

Charles E.Charles Edge: The salmon is great!

Primo Passo Coffee Co. is one of The 15 Best Trendy Places in Santa Monica.

15. Primo Passo Coffee Co.

8.8
702 Montana Ave (at 7th St), Santa Monica, CA
Coffee Shop · Wilshire-Montana · 49 tips and reviews

ZachZach: Mocha here is sweetened (perfectly) unlike some other shops. Don't miss monkey bread.

David G.David Garber: Best cold brew in North Santa Monica.

Adri U.Adri Up: Coffee is good, but ... No wi-fi!!!!! Just keep that in mind. Plus pastries are not that fresh and delicious