Essentials
Vons
4030 S Centinela AveOpen early, open late, a good, large supermarket for general needs.
Whole Foods Market
500 Wilshire BoulevardWithin walking distance!
A healthy walk to a healthy place; Co-opportunity gets rave reviews from the locals.
73 locals recommend
Co-opportunity
1525 BroadwayA healthy walk to a healthy place; Co-opportunity gets rave reviews from the locals.
Right in the middle of Main Street; every Sunday, 9:30 am to 1 pm.
162 locals recommend
Santa Monica Sunday Main Street Farmers Markets
2640 Main StRight in the middle of Main Street; every Sunday, 9:30 am to 1 pm.
Great, peaceful place for reading, relaxing, and free Wifi. Also, there's a large atrium with a coffee and snack bar in the middle.
26 locals recommend
Santa Monica Public Library
601 Santa Monica BlvdGreat, peaceful place for reading, relaxing, and free Wifi. Also, there's a large atrium with a coffee and snack bar in the middle.
Food Scene
Great pizzas and Italian fare; also lots of pretty people by the bar. Plus it's half a block away (and has take-out).
15 locals recommend
HOSTARIA del piccolo
606 BroadwayGreat pizzas and Italian fare; also lots of pretty people by the bar. Plus it's half a block away (and has take-out).
Cozy, extremely popular, freshly Italian and half-a-block away. Hot with the locals; you may have to wait for a table.
76 locals recommend
Fritto Misto
620 Santa Monica BlvdCozy, extremely popular, freshly Italian and half-a-block away. Hot with the locals; you may have to wait for a table.
Great burgers, tucked away next to Fred Siegel on 5th (and a five minute walk).
42 locals recommend
Umami Burger Santa Monica
525 BroadwayGreat burgers, tucked away next to Fred Siegel on 5th (and a five minute walk).
Starbucks
12100 Santa Monica BlvdTwo blocks away, diagonally across from Vons.
Don't confuse this with high-end dining, but the food is good and the service is great. Plus, open very late (and often packed with the party crowd for added good times).
116 locals recommend
Swingers
8020 Beverly BlvdDon't confuse this with high-end dining, but the food is good and the service is great. Plus, open very late (and often packed with the party crowd for added good times).
Sushi Mon Restaurant
Nice, small place with a healthy crowd and great sushi.
Upscale environment with a fairly broad and hearty menu (duck, swordfish, venison, snapper, ribeye, etc.) Nice wine and beer lists as well; usually pretty crowded.
83 locals recommend
Tar & Roses
602 Santa Monica BoulevardUpscale environment with a fairly broad and hearty menu (duck, swordfish, venison, snapper, ribeye, etc.) Nice wine and beer lists as well; usually pretty crowded.
Little bit of a walk and on a major street, but a nice outdoor fire pit for chit-chatting and sipping hot drinks. Take 6th Street up to Wilshire, right on Wilshire two blocks.
84 locals recommend
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
829 Wilshire BlvdLittle bit of a walk and on a major street, but a nice outdoor fire pit for chit-chatting and sipping hot drinks. Take 6th Street up to Wilshire, right on Wilshire two blocks.
Great Polish food, plus a nice outdoor sitting and drinking area in back.
13 locals recommend
Solidarity
1414 Lincoln BlvdGreat Polish food, plus a nice outdoor sitting and drinking area in back.
Ninjin
607 Colorado AveGreat sushi, right around the corner (half-a-block). Recommended.
Drinks & Nightlife
Classy, high-end wine bar. Very close, and very recommended.
81 locals recommend
Bodega Wine Bar Pasadena
300 E Colorado BlvdClassy, high-end wine bar. Very close, and very recommended.
If you like a dive-y, British-style pub with no pretension, look no further. Friendly service, typically crowded.
33 locals recommend
Ye Olde Kings Head
116 Santa Monica BlvdIf you like a dive-y, British-style pub with no pretension, look no further. Friendly service, typically crowded.
Fantastic cocktails and a classy atmosphere. Typically crowded in the evenings, a bit upscale.
26 locals recommend
Copa d'Oro
217 BroadwayFantastic cocktails and a classy atmosphere. Typically crowded in the evenings, a bit upscale.
Upscale, small and cozy. It's a nice atmosphere, though drinks are priced on the high-end. Dress up a notch.
25 locals recommend
Bar Chloe
1449 2nd StUpscale, small and cozy. It's a nice atmosphere, though drinks are priced on the high-end. Dress up a notch.
Shopping
Apple Third Street Promenade
1415 3rd Street PromenadeIt's really big.
Everything Else
Lincoln Barbers
1511 Lincoln BlvdA great men's barber shop with lots chairs and local flavor. Ask for Fernando.