Manchego

4.8

1135 Reviews

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 14, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Great for happy hour
Good for special occasions
Good for groups

Manchego also offers walk-ins!

Manchego is a Spanish Tapas restaurant in Santa Monica that focuses on delicious small plates and a cozy atmosphere. We recently relocated a few doors down, to a larger space with a romantic patio in the back.

Manchego has always been one of the best kept secrets in Santa Monica, and now locals can enjoy our bigger, more accommodating space that offers outside dining on our beautiful patio. Always a great spot for romantic dates or meeting up with friends and family.

We also added a specially curated Spanish wine list that offers mainly small-production, unique wines. Our Spanish wine distributor spends his time traveling the Spanish countryside, sourcing hard to find wines from small, mom-and-pop wineries. The wine list also includes a few South American selections and a great local, organic wine.

Follow us on instagram at instagram.com/manchegorestaurant

Additional information

Location
2518 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Phone number
(310) 450-3900
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, Spanish
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:30 pm
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Popular dishes

Marinated Olives
Deviled Eggs
Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelet)
Goat Cheese and Fig Tostado
Spinach Croquetas
Mushroom Croquetas
Patatas Bravas, Garlic Aioli
Shishito Peppers, Maldon Salt
Manchego Mac and Cheese, Truffle Oil
Gambas Al Ajillo, Spicy Garlic Shrimp
Grilled Octopus
Jamón Wrapped Dates, Spanish Goat Cheese
Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Mushroom, Vinagre De Jerez
Membrillo Glazed Pork Belly, Marcona Almonds
Catalan Chicken, Chablis Soaked Raisins, Almonds
Albondigas, Lamb Meatballs
Hanger Steak, Horseradish Aioli
Braised Short Ribs, Crispy Polenta

Ensaladas

Romaine Salad, Cherry Tomatoes, Anchoa Olives, Young Manchego
Beet and Burrata Salad, Pistachio Dust, Fresh Herbs

Dulce

Churros De La Casa, Spanish Cola Cao
Flan De Yeye

What 1,135 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.6Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Manchego in Santa Monica offers an "authentic tapas experience" with "delicious food and great service." Guests rave about its "excellent ambiance" and "thoughtful staff." Highlights include "jamon wrapped dates," "delicious churros," and a "great wine selection." Although some find it pricey, many consider it a "neighborhood favorite" and "perfect date spot."

1,135 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner VIP
Los Angeles2 reviews
3.0
Dined 5 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
We usually love coming here and maybe yesterday was a fluke but yesterday was not a great experience. We reserved an outside table and I’m not sure if it was given away but I even expressed id rather sit outside, and the man put us inside in a small table in the middle of the restaurant where I was constantly being bumped into. Service was also super slow. Slower than usual and just kind of meh. There were two female servers who were wonderful, but they weren’t our main server. We’ll always come back but on Saturday’s, i need to remember to only come before 5. Absolute chaos.
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D
David VIP
London34 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Lovely choice of tapas & wines. Delicious. Limited non-alcoholic options.
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H
Hilary VIP
Indiana4 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Outstanding without being overbearing. Just the right amount of high touch but not hovering. The flavors were wonderful, the house wine very good, and the overall ambiance really nice with being cozy but not too proximate for your overall personal comfort. Will go back when next in town.
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j
judy VIP
Detroit51 reviews
5.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Everything is wonderful. We love this restaurant. The food is delicious and the waitstaff is top notch. Please support this gem of a restaurant
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S
Stanley VIP
Los Angeles7 reviews
3.0
Dined on February 10, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 2
Good food, pleasant staff, music way too loud. We asked to have it turned down some, but were refused.
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J
Joshua
Orange County2 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 5, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is a fantastic restaurant!! The service and food is amazing. Great place for a date night or happy hour. If there were more start to give, they would have them from my wife and I.
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M
Michael
Los Angeles3 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely adored our experience with the wonderful young gentleman hosting, who took us to our spacious table, which we requested, so thank you. And he was so kind to let us know Jennifer would serve us and she was wonderful we had a great time. We enjoyed a few tapas and some wine and had a very pleasant relaxing dinner. One of the best parts was the service was so professional as not to be overly obtrusive during our deeper moments of conversation. And that is such a wonderful art that is lost on many and we are so glad it was prevalent here. Thank you!!
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D
Dawn
Los Angeles12 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 8, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Happy Hour is perfect for an early Book Club gathering. We loved all the selections. And amazing Sangria
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C
Cindy VIP
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on January 4, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved the patio and all the delicious tapas. Wonderful evening.
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t
tory
New Hampshire2 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Staff was so kind and helpful with the menu! We were running late and they were understanding and kind
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FAQs

Manchego is rated 4.8 stars by 1135 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 14, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

2518 Main St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Additional information

Phone number
(310) 450-3900
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Tapas / Small Plates, Spanish
Hours of operation
Mon–Fri 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Sat, Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Happy Hour Daily 5:00 pm–6:30 pm
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
None
Payment options
Discover, Mastercard, Visa

Manchego

Make a reservation

Additional information

Manchego

Manchego Mac and Cheese Truffle Oil

Goat Cheese and Fig Tostado

Charcuterie & Cheese

Manchego

Cabra Romero

Idiazabal

Jamon Serrano

Chorizo Soria

Lomo Embuchado

Jamón Ibérico

Tapas

Marinated Olives

Deviled Eggs

Tortilla Española (Spanish Omelet)

Goat Cheese and Fig Tostado

Spinach Croquetas

Mushroom Croquetas

Patatas Bravas, Garlic Aioli

Shishito Peppers, Maldon Salt

Manchego Mac and Cheese, Truffle Oil

Gambas Al Ajillo, Spicy Garlic Shrimp

Grilled Octopus

Jamón Wrapped Dates, Spanish Goat Cheese

Brussels Sprouts, Bacon, Mushroom, Vinagre De Jerez

Membrillo Glazed Pork Belly, Marcona Almonds

Catalan Chicken, Chablis Soaked Raisins, Almonds

Albondigas, Lamb Meatballs

Hanger Steak, Horseradish Aioli

Braised Short Ribs, Crispy Polenta

Ensaladas

Romaine Salad, Cherry Tomatoes, Anchoa Olives, Young Manchego

Beet and Burrata Salad, Pistachio Dust, Fresh Herbs

Dulce

Churros De La Casa, Spanish Cola Cao

Flan De Yeye

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Manchego restaurant rated?

Is Manchego currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information