I came for my birthday. The view is spectacular. The decor is beautiful. Each booth is set up like a private cabana with a chandelier. We tried the aperol smash for a drink, the soup of the day was lobster bisque, steak fries and Thai chicken salad. The aperol smash was very refreshing. The food was all delicious. The staff was so friendly. They surprised me with a lovely birthday card and a dessert accompanied by fireworks. Such a great experience. Will be returning :) read more

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Beautiful and very open restaurant. They were playing live music when we went so it was a little too loud for intimate conversation. Not a complaint, just information. The staff was so amazing. It was my friend's birthday and they wrote her a birthday card and brought us an appetizer and a dessert with a sparkler for us to sing. We all appreciated that gesture so much. Now, for the food. Delicious. Everything was well seasoned. If the expectation was creamy? It was creamy. Juicy? Juicy. Crispy and light? Cristy and light. Well done. We enjoyed our meal and experience very much. read more

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There were 4 celebrations within 10 meters. One lady was celebrating her 30th alone, so I bought her champagne and she joined me. The server, I think it was Genevieve, was, as expected pleasant. The sunset over the Santa Monica Ferris Wheel was gorgeous. Bill was less than I'd have expected, but that's not really worth writing about. read more

Went with a friend for dinner to celebrate a promotion. We had a table with an amazing view of the water. Our waiter Jimmy was very polite and affable. Everything we ordered was delicious and beautifully presented. Still one of my favorite places in LA. read more

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Not sure why all reviews are not 5 stars. Not only is this a gorgeous restaurant with all around views of the ocean, and beyond, the food and the service are amazing!! Tony was amazing with the table-side porterhouse cutting and presentation, And we loved our waiter, Kelly too. He was the best!! read more

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Of course, the beautiful ocean views are a big draw to The Penthouse, but our party of four was more impressed with the menu, food, drinks, and service. For these things, The Penthouse easily deserves 5 stars. The cocktails and zero proof cocktail items were superb. Every detail reads perfection, such as the ice cubes on certain drinks imprinted with "The Penthouse" on them. We were surprised to see they had 8 oz Rib Cap on their menu which many restaurants do not offer. The truffle butter accompaniment was perfect. The tuna appetizers were both very fresh and tasty, as was the Epi baguette that came to the table piping hot. The mashed potato side was delicious as was the broccolini and the skinny fries with truffle oil. Yummm! The scallops entree was delicious as was the 22 oz dry aged ribeye which they slice tableside for you. The salmon was also tasty. The passion fruit crème brûlée was amazing (and I am VERY picky about my crème brûlée). Service was impeccable. Our ribeye and half eaten rib cap were a bit undercooked so when we told our server, they took it to get it reheated right away. But then, they came to our table and delivered a brand new rib cap cooked to perfection along with our ribeye steak. They also comped us with another serving of mashed potatoes and broccolini since we had already demolished the first orders, AND comped us with a very yummy Caesar Salad to boot. Service like this is always deserving of 5 stars and THIS is why The Penthouse is worth every penny. If you want a 5 star experience for food, drinks, service, along with amazing sunset ocean views, this restaurant checks off all the boxes. read more

Come for the spectacular view and exemplary service; stay for the lobster mac and cheese. The food was very good overall, but not quite amazing. The seafood tower had plenty of clams, mussels, oysters, and enormous shrimp--but only one delicious scallop for four people. One! The 22-ounce bone-in ribeye, ordered medium rare, wasn't cooked perfectly. The standout was the lobster mac and cheese--absolutely incredible, with lobster in every bite. The broccolini was nothing special. At $40 for corkage and about $20 per cocktail, the prices felt a little steep. Still, with that view and service, it's worth experiencing--just go in knowing you're paying as much for the setting as you are for the food. On Sundays, street parking is free, or valet is $21 with restaurant validation. read more

The Penthouse - Raw seafood tower - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The best brunch spot in LA. I love this place for a few reasons. Let me count the ways. First, the ambiance is amazing. You enter into a glass elevator surrounded by plants, and ascend to see the ocean stretch into the horizon. Upon entering, you have spacious little waiting areas that are private and super comfy. The seating is also somewhat private depending on location, giving you space to enjoy time and food with your friends and family. Now, onto the main course. The food. This has become one of our go to brunch places, and they've earned that through service and extraordinary dishes. I'm a huge fan of their super thick and fluffy French toast, topped with cream, and featuring pears and strawberries, with a decoration of crushed walnuts. The flavor is the perfect balance of sweetness and a sweetness for my sugar needs, while not being too overwhelming. A small tip, get their English muffins. They're homemade and way better than anything you'll get anywhere else. Finally, all of the service staff we met have always been the best. They take great care of us and make sure we're happy and attended to. A+ to the workers here. read more

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Phenomenal food and it's not just the aesthetics and views that make this place fantastic! Burrata is a must especially just how it comes out. Steak and mashed exceptional! Scallops was fine and tender. Wedge salad amazing!! read more

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Food is just not good for the price tag. I've been here for brunch, lunch, and dinner (to try and give it a fair chance) and every time was considerably dissatisfied. Cocktails were nice, but for $20+ per cocktail there are sooo many other places in LA that you can go where both the food and drinks are good. Views from the restaurant are okay, but there's places with better views in Santa Monica. Also last time I was there management accused my friend and I for "stealing a check presenter." Yes, we just paid our $200+ meal and wanted to take home a .25 cent check presenter that you probably got in bulk on Amazon. Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Very micro aggressive! Anyway, I had already had these feelings about this restaurant before that incident, (which happened about 5 months after I had already been for brunch and lunch), however that was the last time I was there. read more

Beautiful views of Santa Monica Beach, with open windows letting in the fresh ocean breeze. The eggs were perfectly cooked, and the mimosas were made with real Champagne, which was a lovely touch. The service was friendly and attentive, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing Sunday brunch. Overall, a wonderful experience that combines great food, excellent service, and a stunning coastal setting. Definitely one of the best spots to enjoy a Sunday brunch in Santa Monica. Highly recommended, and absolutely worth coming back! read more

The atmosphere is beautiful, especially if you get a window seat with a view of Santa Monica Beach. The service was great overall, but checking out took forever, so that's why I'm taking off one star. Everything else was wonderful! The French toast was soft, fluffy, and topped with peaches, which I absolutely loved. The tea was also really good. I'd definitely come back for brunch. read more

Such a beautiful brunch spot in the Santa Monica area! The views are gorgeous, the service was wonderful, & the bartender was friendly. The portions were a great size, & the drinks were delicious. It's on the pricier side, but you're paying for the experience & the location. I came with my parents & we had such a nice time. It would also be the perfect spot for brunch with the girls or family. I can't wait to come back for dinner! read more

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A great lunch date spot with a stunning view! Food is good, not great. I passed by this place before and thought the entrance looked cute. Finally get to experience this place for a brunch, we made reservation and got seated quickly. Ambience is amazing for brunch, the interior uses a lot of warm wood and looks very relaxing and clean. We sat by the window and the view was beautiful, I couldn't imagine how the sunset would look like in here. It's not too loud and you can have conversations, this is a great brunch date spot! FOOD Penthouse Benedict 7/10 (Losbter & Black Truffle Egg Benedict) The egg Benedict is quite standard, it's not bad. I love lobster and truffle, and never had egg Benedict with this combo before. They both compliment each other well. However I'm not a big fan of the potato side in here, it's bland and no wow factor. I feel like there could be salad side or something more refreshing to complement the heaviness of the Benedict. What a missed opportunity. Watermelon Cucumber Mojito (6.8/10) Love the concept of the cocktail, it seemed quite crisp and refresh on the menu. But it's very light on the alcohol, and the watermelon isn't super obvious. It's more like a seltzer level taste, don't expect it to be too watermelon-y. Also felt a bit watered down. Shakshuka (?/10) I only tasted the sauce in this one I thought it's lacking wow factor I prefer mg egg Benedict way more, my friend said it's 6.5/10 Service was decent, served are attentive. Nothing special, it's great. OVERALL I think that this place has a great ambience and their lunch menu also isn't too overpriced (slightly above regular brunch spots), you don't come here for the food- you come here for the ambience and have a great conversation over a brunch with standard tasting food and some cocktails with the stunning ocean view. So I'd recommend the experience but food is okay. There are places that gave up on their food quality because of their good looking ambience, but this place doesn't serve bad tasting food. Would come here just for the view and the calm atmosphere. Would be curious to come back to try their oyster + boozy brunch read more

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Cool bartenders, gorgeous layout, and tasty drinks! Next time I'll have to explore their menu. read more

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This place was such a lovely vibe. Came here with my mother and sister in December. We had breakfast. Staff was so nice and the food was really good. We were sat really quickly. We had a lovely view that really made you sit back and enjoy the food. Everything was clean and delicious. Definitely a highlight of our trip. Definitely recommend read more

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Service was very good. But the food was underwhelming. We had the braises short rib past and Caesar salad for appetizers. The pasta shape was reminiscent of maggots in both size and shape, which I can look beyond if it were delicious. But the flavor was somewhat bland and it was coated in the fat from the short ribs. The Caesar salad was good but the presentation took some work to break down to make it bite-sized. I had the chicken for an entree and needed salt and pepper to give it flavor. All-in-all, the view was wonderful but the food was mediocre. read more

The Penthouse - Caesar Salad - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

The Penthouse is such a beautiful spot with a great view, delicious food, and good service. Everything was fresh and flavorful, and it's definitely a place I'd recommend mostly because of view and atmosphere. read more

The Penthouse - Salmon and vegetables - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

A great evening and atmosphere. The dinner and quality of the food ruined it for us though. My wife ordered the short rib and got really sick. I tried a bite of it and I got the same results the following day she had from the evening after we ate. It was odd that I got a call the following day from the restaurant asking how our experience was the night prior. The is not a coincidence as this rarely happens. When one drops three hundred plus on a meal one should not get sick like we did. Not a fan of reviews like this one. I saw another one, so speaking up as we were not the only ones who fell ill after eating here. I asked to speak to the manager when they called me and I'm still waiting for the call...... read more

what a lovely restaurant! the views are breathtaking (especially from the bathroom). we sat in a booth with a spectacular ocean view. it is on a high floor so really it had views of most of Santa Monica. we shared ceviche and an ahi salad...both were amazing. the crust on the ceviche was perfect and delish. the ceviche was so fresh. service was stellar 100% would go back . read more

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Used to be better. They "took their menu up a notch" suggesting higher quality. Sadly, the Ribeye Cap I had last night was one of the worst steaks I've had. Was very disappointing as it's always been a place I enjoyed. read more

Views views views! I was (unknowingly) here on a Thursday for jazz night, they gave us the best table (in my opinion), and our server Jared was fantastic! Tremendous quality, service, and ambiance. The views at sunset are unreal - definitely embellished the intrinsic hospitality qualities! Will definitely be back! read more

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The Penthouse is truly something special. From the moment you step in, the vibe is classy, sophisticated, and effortlessly elegant. Then there's the view. Honestly, it might just be the best view in all of Santa Monica or maybe whole of LA. You can see the whole city stretched out, and it's breathtaking whether you come at night with the sparkling lights or during sunset when the sky turns orange. I've been here twice, once at night and once at sunset with my husband and both times felt magical. It's his favorite spot in the city, and now I understand why. The food and drinks are just as memorable. The truffle burrata was absolutely mind-blowing- rich, creamy, and indulgent, the kind of dish you can't stop talking about. The cacio e pepe pasta was perfection; I don't think I've ever seen my husband so happy while eating pasta, and that says a lot! The cocktails are also outstanding. My personal favorite is the Bellini by the Beach, so balanced, refreshing, and delicious. It's the kind of drink you sip slowly just to savor every note. Overall, The Penthouse is more than just a restaurant, it's an amazing experience. Between the stunning views, incredible food, and warm atmosphere, it's the perfect place for a date night, celebration, or just treating yourself. We love it here and will definitely be back again and again. read more

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Super cute spot with spot views! Came here with the girls for a bday and we had a great time! read more

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The glass elevator ride is half the fun! My daughter loved taking the elevator up and watching the ocean views come in. We probably did this every day during our five night stay at The Huntley. The Penthouse is sleek and luxurious. It's expensive, but it's a hotel restaurant, and a rooftop restaurant with ocean views. So the prices are certainly not surprising. They do have a happy hour during the week though! They have a full restaurant menu and serve three meals a day, but it's also a nice place to post up for a cocktail. Don't forget to check out the ocean views from the bathroom stall - iconic. This is a swanky spot and is definitely a must visit for a drink with a view. read more

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I love this place, best view in Santa Monica. The lobster eggs Benedict is sooooo good read more

The Penthouse - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

Wow! First time at this restaurant after many recommendations. Unbelievable views from every corner, delicious cocktail and wine menu, a nice lounge area for just drinks and appetizers and a nice sized bar. I will let the photos speak for the food (10/10!) and have to give a big thank you to our sever Summer H. who was the cherry on top to our experience at Penthouse! I had a caviar bump to start (worth it! Delicious) and the seafood platter for an entree. Every single thing was delicious, we even took a few desserts home. Views, service and food are unbeatable. Thanks again Summer and everyone at Penthouse! read more

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Absolutely delicious and so accommodating to our party of 9! Beautiful views of the ocean and beach & very clean and large bathroom stalls. The food was served hot and fresh with all of our modifications and so delicious! The cream served with the waffle and French toast was so delicious and flavorful - definitely homemade! The portions were amazing and we will definitely be back soon! read more

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STEPH JUDGEMENT: Nice view with good food and great service, but spendy. Met up for a Saturday brunch with some out of town friends who were staying in the area. This is exactly the kind of place you want to take out of town friends: it's got a great sweeping view of the ocean and is pretty fancy but not snooty. The decor is light and bright, with wood accents and plants galore. We got the fresh baked pastries basket to start, and I got the Eggs Benedict on sautéed spinach instead of English muffins, accompanied by breakfast potatoes. The hubby got the chilaquiles with soyrizo, and our friends got the avocado toast and the Tres Leches French toast. Everything was well-prepared and delicious; a little spendy, but consider it the view tax. On the way out I saw the Bloody Mary bar, which looked amazing. Maybe next time! read more

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Incredible views and perfect food & cocktails to go with it!! Service is also very nice read more

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We made reservations, but even though we then arrived quite a bit early, they seated us promptly. The panoramic ocean views from the 18th floor add to the atmosphere. Everything was top notch, from hostess to server to the food we chose. We did the Petite Seafood Tower, which is plenty for 2. The amuse bouche that opened our experience really set the tone for how great the food is. Don't skimp on dessert, either- the mille feuille is absolutely decadent and delicious, I highly recommend. This was a terrific date night choice. read more

The Penthouse - Mille-feiulle (sp?) - a delicious dessert! - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

I've been here once for drinks with a girlfriend, and then again for the grand 2026 New Year's Eve dinner and countdown. The venue if beautiful, restaurant top of hotel. Great views. Great decors in lobby. The New Year's Eve Event was fun, chill, the food was high quality but delicious. My poor date, one of his oyster weren't good and he had to not-swallow it, as to avoid potentially getting sick. Other than that... this is a high end fine spot for drinks, girlfriends, dates. Pretty. It's also close to other neighboring spots so you can bar hop or restaurant hop. read more

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very nice place to enjoy a good experience and meal with ocean views. lovely staff, friendly and prompt. the duck was perfectly cooked, very tender. Had a wonderful last supper with my lovely new lady before her departure. This is a special place when you want to make a great impression. Our server Jimmy was very friendly. Everything was very fresh. See you next time for our reunion! read more

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Came here with my parents when they were visiting town and it had really yummy food. We really loved the Brussel sprouts and honey burrata appetizers! My salmon entree was also good, but the appetizers were the real standouts for me. The atmosphere is nice with great views of Santa Monica, but the tables were a little large. The restaurant gets weirdly loud, so it was hard for our table of 4 to talk. Our waitress was great and gave a lot of good recommendations. Would definitely come back! read more

This is my go to spot for beautiful views and cocktails! The service is hit and miss and so is the food but the view never disappoints!!! I try to snatch a seat by the window during sunset every time I go. However, last time I came they told me that the seats are reserved for a set menu dining. I was put off by that so I'll probably be visiting this spot less and less unfortunately. read more

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I was invited to here for a belated birthday breakfast celebration. This the place is absolutely beautiful with such a gorgeous view! The waitress we had, unfortunately was M.I.A. during our entire dining experience. She took our order and was not seen again. The manger (I believe she was the manager) made eye contact with me several times but not once did she offer her assistance. Another manager (I believe) greeted others and inquired about their meal, we were never greeted in that fashion. I was forced to ask a waiter that was doting his customers consistently to provide us with the check and to go boxes. Because of his willingness to assist us, he was given her tip. So, I am not certain for the reasons why the waitress left us hanging but she did. I'm not one to jump to conclusions but this was unacceptable by far. read more

The Penthouse - Ladies restroom stall view - New American Near Me - Santa Monica, California

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The Penthouse in Santa Monica has been on my list for a while. I chose to come here for Brunch on a Saturday, so that I get a variety, a later arrival (1 pm for me) and a longer time, to indulge. On line reservations required a credit card and cancellations have a penalty. So, I called them while I was on Ocean Drive that morning and since I was dining solo, secured the reservation in seamless fashion. The restaurant is located on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel (a high end extravaganza) and walking in, you are immediately immersed with the high heeled crowd. Laughters abound, designer clothed guests, loud conversations and the several pops of Champagne bottles. The hostess (Jewel) was friendly and most accommodating to honor my request - a table by the window with a direct view of the ocean. I could not resist the Penthouse Benedict with Lobster and Black Truffles ($30). Before ordering, the server assured me that they would not be skimpy with the lobster. She was right, there was a generous layer of chopped lobster meat under each of the two poached eggs that were topped with a few shavings of black truffle. The accompanying small potatoes with rosemary and thyme were splendid. The eggs were perfect and the lobster flavorful. Service was exceptional. The table jams were also top notch. I took my time and enjoyed every bite of this delicious dish. Valet parking at the Huntley is $12 for 3 hours with validation. All in all, a superb afternoon and a brunch experience that I will remember for a long time. read more

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The scenery here is amazing! You get a great view from every seat. There's also a direct elevator from the hotel's first floor to the penthouse, which is really convenient. We tried the oysters. They were small but sweet and fresh. The bread was just okay, but the salmon was cooked perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside saved with tortillas that tasted great. The cocktails were also refreshing and delicious. The restaurant has a modern and stylish vibe with good lighting, and the staff was friendly and helpful. It's a great spot for a brunch and is also perfect for dates, hanging out with friends, or family meals. I definitely recommend it. read more

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Beautiful view, great food/drinks, and friendly staff. We came here for happy hour 2-5 pm on a Friday and enjoyed the ocean view, nice decor , and great ambiance. Great drink/food specials and a delicious espresso martini (not HH special but worth it). Our bartender, Peter, was great and would definitely be back! read more

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I'm giving four stars cause the ambience was very beautiful and the staff were incredible. Host was impeccable and remembered my name as I left. Seated by a window with no sunset view, but the view was still beautiful. The service was top notch and our server Michael was personable and constant to any of our needs. As for food, the shrimp ceviche was delicious but we also had the scallops and for over $50 I would have thought there would be more than just 3 scallops. I'd give the dish a B- read more