Crowd-Pleasing Restaurants in Santa Monica with Private Rooms

March 31, 2025

Summary

This post features a curated list of restaurants in Santa Monica with private rooms, perfect for all group dining occasions. You’ll find venue details, cuisine, pricing, and a map to help you find the best private dining Santa Monica has to offer.

With stunning ocean views and diverse coastal cuisine, Santa Monica boasts a vibrant private dining scene to suit any occasion. From a business dinner with colleagues to a large private birthday party, these restaurants in Santa Monica with private rooms each offer the perfect setting for your special event. 

For even more private dining rooms in Santa Monica and beyond, check out our guide to private dining Los Angeles or browse our favorite LA restaurants with private rooms. In the meantime, read on for our favorite buzziest restaurants for private dining in Santa Monica.

Comparison Chart of Private Dining Rooms in Santa Monica

NumberRestaurantLocationCuisinePricing / Person
1Avital Interactive MealAllAll$$+
2Rustic Canyon8715 Melrose AveCalifornian$$$
3Tar & Roses8764 Melrose AveContemporary$$$
4Élephante8715 Beverly BlvdItalian$$$
5Water Grill Santa Monica9200 W Sunset BlvdSeafood$$
6C&O Cucina7953 Santa Monica BlvdNorthern Italian$$$
7The Bungalow7969 Santa Monica BlvdAmerican$$
81212 Santa Monica8400 Santa Monica BlvdLatin Fusion$$$
9SOCALO945 N Fairfax AveMexican$$$
10Piccolo2127 Lincoln BlvdItalian$$$
11Citrin1104 Wilshire BlvdFine Dining$$$$

Map of Private Dining in Santa Monica

Rustic Canyon

Rustic Canyon, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Tar & Roses

Tar & Roses, Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA

Élephante

Élephante, 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA, USA

Water Grill Santa Monica

Water Grill, Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, CA, USA

C&O Cucina

C&O Restaurants, Washington Boulevard, Marina del Rey, CA, USA

The Bungalow

The Bungalow Santa Monica, Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA

1212 Santa Monica

1212 Santa Monica, 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA, USA

SOCALO

SOCALO, Santa Monica Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA

Piccolo

Piccolo Santa Monica, Lincoln Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA

Citrin

Citrin Restaurant, Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA, USA

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1. Avital’s Interactive Meal

Looking for a private dining experience unlike any other? Our Interactive Meal experience is a fully hosted, multi-course dining adventure, complete with beverage pairings and hands-on foodie activities to keep the vibes high and conversation flowing! Enjoy guided activities from hands-on cocktail making, interactive foodie trivia with prizes, and our signature “flavor finale” (have you ever flavor-tripped?). 

Choose from one of our awesome venues in our network of restaurant partners, let us know about any special requests or dietary needs from members of your group, and then sit back and enjoy an unforgettable evening while we take care of all the planning and logistics for you.

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All
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All
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$$+
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Image Credit: rusticcanyonrestaurant.com

2. Rustic Canyon

Serving up delicious and fresh west coast fare with seasonal ingredients from the local Santa Monica Farmer’s Market, Rustic Canyon is warm, welcoming, and bursting with tasty innovative bites and cocktails. Book anywhere from 8-70 guests for your private experience on their new back patio space!

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Californian
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$$$
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Image Credit: tarandroses.com

3. Tar & Roses

Tar & Roses is a buzzy local spot with creative culinary vision focused on elevating flavor with fresh, high-quality ingredients. The menu rotates frequently at the whims of the chef and the seasons, so you can visit again and again and always find a new favorite dish to enjoy together with your private group.

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Contemporary
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$$$
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Image Credit: elephanterestaurants.com

4. Élephante

With sparkling ocean views from their rooftop cabana dining room, Elephante celebrates the southern coast of Italy with light and bright Italian menu offerings (including a generous daily brunch menu) and elegant expertly-crafted cocktails. They offer several private event spaces for groups of 13-44, or a full rooftop buyout for up to 150 seated guests.

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8715 Beverly Blvd
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Italian
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$$$$
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Image Credit: watergrill.com

5. Water Grill Santa Monica

A stone’s throw from the Santa Monica Pier, Water Grill is one of the top seafood restaurants in the neighborhood, with a moody ambiance and a daily-changing menu (it all depends on the catch of the day!). Book their private dining room for an elegant meeting or something to celebrate. 

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Seafood
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$$
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Image Credit: candorestaurants.com

6. C&O Cucina

Located in charming Marina Del Rey just a few minutes down the coast from Santa Monica, C&O Cucina offers a warm and colorful Northern Italian oasis for your next private dining gathering. Served in traditional family style for a hearty group meal, C&O is a lively and fun spot for your event!

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Northern Italian
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$$$
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Image Credit: thebungalow.com

7. The Bungalow

With a laidback approach to the coastal cafe, The Bungalow embraces the local iconic surf history with a relaxed and refined vibe and elevated coastal menu staples. Offering several different private spaces to fit your needs, The Bungalow is an effortlessly cool choice for a memorable private dining Santa Monica occasion.

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American
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$$
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Image Credit: 1212santamonica.com

8. 1212 Santa Monica

Trendy, airy, open-concept 1212 highlights modern design and diverse culinary offerings (especially friendly for groups with various different tastes and dietary preferences!). 1212 has beautiful private dining spaces available for groups 30-100 seated guests, or a full buyout for up to 300.

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Latin Fusion
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$$$
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Image Credit: socalo.com

9. SOCALO

Women and LGBTQ+ owned and beloved by locals, Socalo’s award-winning chef duo (Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken) delivers top-notch Mexican cuisine with special attention to sustainability and local ingredients. With multiple colorful and energizing private dining rooms, Socalo is a fun and lively choice for your next private party!

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Mexican
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$$$
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Image Credit: piccoloristoranti

10. Piccolo

Piccolo serves exquisite Italian dishes in a charming, intimate setting, making it a favorite among Santa Monica restaurants with party rooms. Perfect for private parties and special occasions, Piccolo can host small groups of up to 20, providing a cozy and memorable experience.

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2127 Lincoln Blvd
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Italian
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$$$
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Image Credit: citrinandmelisse.com

11. Citrin

Citrin is a modern and exciting Michelin 1-Start restaurant serving fine dining Californian cuisine. The menu is fun and approachable making it real crowd-pleaser. They also have an excellent bar program for those groups interested in pairings lots of wine and cocktails with dinner. Citrin’s private dining space is a beautiful, lush patio, great for groups of 15-25.

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1104 Wilshire Blvd
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Fine Dining
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$$$$

Book Your Private Dining Event with Avital

Finding the perfect private dining room in Santa Monica doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Let Avital be your personal curator, taking care of every detail so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the experience. And with us, it won’t be just another boring dinner—it’ll be an Interactive Meal that turns your gathering into a memorable event.