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Upper West

4.2 (2.1k reviews)
Closed • Closed
Updated 2 months ago

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Services - Upper West

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UPPER WEST ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Trendy
Classy
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - Upper West

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Enjoying Elmer T Lee
Brian V.

Restaurant located on Pico in Santa Monica. I'm really hoping to dine here soon because the food looks and smelled amazing. Looking over the menu, it looks like one of those neighborhood spots where you can dine here multiple times in a week or dine here for special occasions. Talking to the bartender, they accommodate large groups for big celebrations as well (and believe me, I was recently asked for nice restaurant suggestions for large groups on the west side and I couldn't think of any...) My experience was really just having a couple of drinks at the bar. And although I was hungry (I really had to resist), I was killing a little time before going to a big food event nearby. Looking over their whiskey list, they have an excellent selection. And for a lot of the bourbons that I really like, the prices are more than reasonable. I really love drinking whiskey at spots like this. The bartender was really cool as well. I got there right at open so it wasn't super busy. Had great convo about whiskey and baseball. As people started to trickle in, you can tell this is a beloved spot for locals and regulars. Hoping to come back soon and eat some of the stuff that had my mouth watering at the time. There was also plenty of metered street parking out front. I got a spot right across the street.

Bread
Ashli A.

Delicious food, gorgeous ambiance, good night! I came for a friend's birthday dinner, and the place is gorgeous! There were hearts everywhere (I'm assuming from Valentine's Day) and even screening films on the wall. Loved it! I started with the Beef Carpaccio, which is 100/10!!! The pictures will never do it justice! Perfect all around, and I honestly cannot stand that I didn't have more! Each bite was a party in my mouth. I did have them bring me some toasted bread because there is most definitely a carb missing from this menu item, but it's GREAT! I also got the Sweet & Spice Spare ribs, which were extremely tender, however they didn't deliver on the sweet side. I was expecting them to taste sweet & spicy as they're named, but all I got was the salty side. The service was okay. I do think they were overwhelmed with the party size, so it took a few rotations for me to get my order it, but I would still return!

Playing craps

Planning our holiday event at Upper West Restaurant turned out to be an amazing decision. The entire restaurant was decorated beautifully and looked very festive, and combined with great food and warm service, it became the perfect holiday party. Many of our company's employees told me this was the best holiday party they've ever had. From my first meeting with Fred, the process was simple and stress-free. He even helped me find the perfect DJ and assisted with decorating the tables and buffet, making everything come together seamlessly. Highly recommend Upper West for holiday events or any special occasion

I CHARGRILLED OCTOPUS
Cesar M.

This restaurant has quickly become one of my go to spots in Santa Monica. And every time I visit, I'm reminded why. On my most recent visit I sat at the bar and ordered the octopus, the flat iron steak, and an old fashioned and every single item exceeded my expectations as always. The octopus was tender and perfectly prepared, the steak was flavorful and cooked just right (honestly, the best steak I ever had) and the cocktail was delicious. What really makes this place stand out beyond the food and drinks is the atmosphere and the people. The staff is consistently attentive, and I love that Fred (owner) personally comes by to ask how everything is going!!! A thoughtful touch that makes the experience feel genuine and welcoming. It's rare to find a restaurant that combines great food, great drinks, and such a personal connection, but The Upper West delivers every time. Highly recommended. If I could give The Upper West 10 stars I would!

Chicken sandwich
Adrian M.

Good food and nice service. My friend and I had the burger and the flat iron steak which was excellent medium cooked.

We had a party at the Upper West!
Mary M.

We had a party at the upper West this weekend and it was absolutely fabulous. Food was incredible. Service was wonderful. I highly recommend it.

SEARED STRIPED BASS
Jennifer T.

Food: 5/5! Huge portions and great plating. Felt very luxurious and left absolutely stuffed! Service: professional and friendly. Ambiance: very busy, with lots of dates and big groups. It's a bit quirkier than a typical date spot with lots of art and a nice glassed off room for groups as well.

Jenna L.

Came here during happy hour (weekday) after work, and this place is okay? Their drink choices on HH are limited. Are ok. They're dog friendly and let you sit in this porch area that's half inside half outside Not sure id come back unless someone suggested (for a group thing)

Sweet and spicy ribs
Blanca C.

I love this place my spot one a week the food is always good and the staff friendly. Highly recommend for a nice dinner.

BRAISED PRIME SHORT RIB
Sean S.

I think this place has been around throughout my time living in California. it's always a great choice for a slightly fancier dinner, but one to that is still approachable for families. We decided to come here for Christmas, and bring our two-year-old. The restaurant was decorated beautifully, the staff and front of house were five star. The menu is easy to navigate, and has plenty of choices for any picky eater. We didn't have a dish we didn't like. Flatbread, pork, short rib. It was all really good. Our waiter was nice enough to give some suggestions as well as drink pairings. Overall great experience, and would love to come back and taste more of the menu on other nights, where we are feeling like dressing up a bit.

SPICY VEGGIE CURRY, so good!
Lynda T.

Love, love, love Upper West! This was my favorite neighborhood bar and restaurant when I lived in Santa Monica in 2015-16. I've been there many times, and it's always great. When I arrived tonight at 5:30, the owner/manager warmly greeted me, and found me the perfect seat at the bar. My friend joined me, and we spent the next two hours laughing and catching up on everything. We both had the refreshing cucumber martinis. I had the excellent Vegetable Coconut Curry with Forbidden Rice, and she had the Veggie Burger with Fries. Metered street parking is plentiful nearby. You only need to pay for parking until 6 pm; after that, it's free. Give it a try. The service, food, drinks and ambiance can't be beat. Affordable menu prices, too.

Sweet & spicy spare ribs
Sandee M.

We were celebrating a graduation and chose to have an early dinner. As soon as we arrived, we were greeted very warmly by our host as well as all of our servers. They paid special attention to congratulate our graduate too. The restaurant is spacious and very comfortable with lovely lighting and adequate noise levels. Everything we ordered was superbly delicious and well seasoned. The servings were perfectly proportioned. I enjoyed that there was a variety of dishes to try for everyone. I would like to mention that if you have room for dessert, the bread pudding with popcorn ice cream was fantastic and a must to try.

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Good food and excellent service! The fried chicken sandwich was hot crispy and tasty! The chopped salad was unusual and yummy.

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Upper West Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Upper West

Hey! Is happy hr no longer on Mondays as well?

Hi, Thank you for the text Unfortunately we are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays… Read more

Happy hour- what are hours?

Hi Julie, thank you for reaching out. Our Happy hours are Wednesday to Sunday, 4:30 ~ 7:30pm. The… Read more

Is valet an option? If not, what are the parking options?

Hi Jenna, We do a free on the back of the restaurant and plenty free street parking in the Pico Blvd. and side street.

Are you offering a takeout menu for pickup Christmas Eve? (to eat on christmas Day)I had this a few years back and it was outstanding!…

Subject: Re: Christmas To-Go Menu Hi,… Read more

If we were to have a wedding rehearsal dinner there, how many would the restaurant seat, assuming there needed to be room reserved for a buffet for the food? I'm thinking there may be between 60-100 people attending this dinner. Thanks.

Hi Jon, the main dining room including the bar area accommodate up to 110 guests, please remind me what date you are looking for and I will let know what the minimum spending requirement it will be.… Read more

Any vegan option?

Hello Leslie, We offer a vegan side menu, which includes veggie curry, roasted cauliflower, and more.… Read more

Can we bring our own wine? Is there corkage fee and if so how much?

Hi, Thank you for the email. Every party can bring in up to 2 bottles of 750 ML… Read more

Are there plans to offer the mussels dish again? I've been checking every couple of months for the past year with no luck :(

Hi, Thank you for your email. We are working on getting all our dishes back slowly but surely… Read more

Is the grilled cheese and tomato soup off the menu?

What does Larry David order?

A Veggie burger:)

What are the price ranges?

Peruse the website, click on "menus" and you'll get an idea of the price ranges for lunch, happy hour, dinner, drinks etc. https://theupperwest.com

Is the happy hour only at the bar area?

It is not! We’re one of the few places that offers happy hour in the entire restaurant. Tuesday thru Thursday 5-7pm and all night on Monday from 5 till 10pm!!! Hope to see you in for some happy hour soon!

How's the noise level at dinner on a Saturday?

It really depends on where you are sitting. If you’re looking for a more quite type spot we’ll absolutely do our best to accommodate your request. When you make your reservation just simply let the hostess your preference.

Is there an outdoor area to dine with our doggies?

No. It's indoor dining only

Does this restaurant have any round tables?

No, we do not have any round tables, only long and square ones.

Any vegan options?

Funny you should ask... was there for a work meeting and out of our group of 6... 4 were strict Vegans. The restaurant had several options for them.

View All 17 Questions

The Cloverfield - The Cloverfield Burger with yummy Steak Cut Fries.

The Cloverfield

3.9(431 reviews)
1.0 mi
•$$

Came here twice so far and both times are solid. The outdoor seating is nice and has heaters, great…read morefor people watching. The indoor seating also has heaters and the employees offer to turn it off if it's too hot. I got the shrimp ceviche and the jasmine tea cocktail. The drink was too strong for me, I prefer a fruity drink. I couldn't finish it and decided to order the passionfruit one instead and that was great. The waiter came to check on us multiple times and noticed that my jasmine tea drink was barely touched and he offered to take it off the bill which was so great of him!! Was ready to pay for it but now I'm going to come back and try their other dishes and drinks as well. The ceviche was pretty standard, did the job. Gotta note that all the food came out at the same time and was so fast! I think it was 5-10min from placing the order to getting the food. Thankfully, there's so much parking in the back and it feels safe so definitely a great spot to try again in the future.

I had a pretty mediocre experience overall. Service was the biggest issue…read more Once our server took our order, she never came back to our table at all. At one point, we tried to get her attention as she walked by. She stopped next to me and responded with a quick "yeah" but stayed focused on her device and never actually lifted her head to look at us. We asked for an extra bowl for our poke salad. She nodded, then went to another table and never brought it. I understand it can get busy. Just be polite and responsive. That's all. The bussers, however, were polite which we appreciated. Eventually, I believe the manager or owner came by with the bill, and he was nice and professional. We even had to go up to the front to follow up, since our waitress never checked back in or handled the bill. As for the food, it was okay - nothing particularly memorable. I'd rate it a 3 out of 5. Service, unfortunately, was a 1 out of 5 and really overshadowed the entire experience. That said, it may have just been an off day for our server, but it still left a negative impression.

Photos
The Cloverfield - Inside

Inside

The Cloverfield - Nachos

Nachos

The Cloverfield - Outside

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Outside

Lunetta All Day

Lunetta All Day

4.1(945 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

Review: The Ultimate Neighborhood Gem in Santa Monica! If…read moreyou're looking for the perfect "everything" spot in Santa Monica, Lunetta All Day is it. Whether it's a sun-drenched breakfast, a power lunch, or a cozy neighborhood dinner, this place nails the vibe every single time. It manages to be sophisticated and "LA-cool" while still feeling like a warm, welcoming local haunt. Here is why Lunetta All Day is a consistent 5-star experience: The Best Breakfast in Town: The Lemon Ricotta Pancakes are legendary for a reason--fluffy, tangy, and not overly sweet. If you're a savory fan, the Short Rib Hash is rich, tender, and the ultimate comfort food to start your day. The "All Day" Versatility: I love that I can come here for a world-class latte and a pastry in the morning, or a glass of crisp rosé and a Chisaya Burger in the afternoon. The transition between a casual cafe and a refined bistro is seamless. Thoughtful Ingredients: Chef Raphael Lunetta clearly prioritizes seasonal, local ingredients. You can taste the freshness in the salads and the quality in the proteins. Even a simple side of crispy fingerling potatoes feels elevated here. Chic & Airy Atmosphere: The interior design is stunning--think mid-century modern meets coastal California. With the large windows and open feel, it's one of the best spots on Pico Blvd to soak in that Santa Monica light. Polished Service: The staff is incredibly professional. They are attentive without being intrusive, and they move with a pace that shows they respect your time, whether you're on a quick lunch break or a leisurely weekend brunch. Pro Tip: Their outdoor patio is dog-friendly! It's the perfect place to sit with your pup and people-watch while enjoying a Wood-Fired Pizza. Also, don't sleep on their bakery counter--the cookies are some of the best in the city. Lunetta All Day is the kind of place that makes you want to move into the neighborhood just so you can eat here every morning. A true Santa Monica staple!

Cute ambiance, the patio is just in the parking lot, nothing special…read more Lemon ricotta pancakes -super dry, not good, overcooked Eggs Benedict-very good Spicy chicken sandwich-not good Almond milk latte-not that good

Photos
Lunetta All Day - Dining room

Dining room

Lunetta All Day - Crispy Zucchini, gorgonzola dressing

Crispy Zucchini, gorgonzola dressing

Lunetta All Day - Bloody Mary

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Bloody Mary

Birdie G's - Outside patio

Birdie G's

4.1(580 reviews)
0.8 mi
•$$$

Had a date night here and enjoyed the food very much. We shared the Italian sausage raviolo, koji…read moresteak, and cornbread sticks. We enjoyed the details of the corn in the cornbread - very fun and cute. The steak was prepared absolutely perfectly 12/10. The vodka Italian sausage raviolo was tasty but could have used some more meat in it. The overall vibe of the place was nice and the service was good. Excited to come back and try the steak and other dishes again soon

Birdie G's is known timeless for there American cooking and family comfort atmosphere. The place…read moreitself is stunning with open ceiling and vegetation covering the whole dining room. You most likely will have to valet since street parking is rare. | F O O D | Appetizers: Crudite 5/10- Good variety, Market Lettuces 5/10- Basic Artichokes 5/10- Solid not a fan of the dipping sauce Entree: Prime Skirt Steak Frites 9/10- AMAZING! The koji seasoning gave the steak overwhelming flavor and the aioli was delicious with the fries Pickle Chick 4/10- My sister loves pickles and found it overwhelming Dessert: Rose Petal Pie 3/10- I knew I wouldn't like it, but had to try it. The textures were weird and honestly don't get why people love this. | O V E R A L L | I want to go back before they close to get the steak again. I don't know if I just missed the best items, but all the starters we got were just underwhelming. Let me know what to get next time as I loved the atmosphere and service was great!

Photos
Birdie G's - Our dining room

Our dining room

Birdie G's - Our open kitchen

Our open kitchen

Birdie G's - Our bar & lounge

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Our bar & lounge

Upper West - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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