Orto Santa Monica

4.3

1108 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

About this restaurant

Charming
Good for business meals
Great for fine wines

Growing up in Italy, my family cooked at home and had the most extraordinary experiences with ingredients grown in our backyard, paired with the wines my chef/restaurateur stepfather would bring back from regions throughout Italy. I fell in love with food as a child watching my stepfather, once nominated a top chef in Italy, work in restaurant kitchens and floors. Moving to California in 1991 and subsequently to Santa Monica and experiencing the Farmers Market inspired me to start Orto - Italian for “vegetable garden” - where I meld local ingredients and organic herbs grown here at the restaurant to create traditional Italian recipes. At our bar you’ll find a cocktail list created from fresh herbs and premium spirits, and our wine list focuses on sustainable and organic producers. Andrea Inio
Happy Hour Monday-Thursday 5-7pm
Validated parking is available for $7 for 3 hours at 501 Santa Monica Blvd (enter on 5th street, behind the Citibank)

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–10:00 pm Fri 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Phone number
(424) 433-8100
Website
http://www.ortosantamonica.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Andrea Inio
Private party facilities
We can host private parties up to 90 people

Location
502 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Neighborhood
Santa Monica
Cross street
5th street
Parking details
We recommend parking at 501 Santa Monica blvd, behind the Citibank.
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Tagliere dell'Orto$29.00
daily selection of Italian premium cold cuts and cheeses (serves 2 persons)
Carpaccio di Manzo al Tartufo$32.00
Wisconsin Black Angus carpaccio, wild rucola, red cow parmigiano chips, Umbrian black truffles
Polpette della Nonna$21.00
Wisconsin Black Angus meatballs, pine nuts, raisins in San Marzano tomato purée
Burrata a Piacere
Choose One
- Andrian Burrata with 24 Months San Daniele Prosciutto$25.00
- With Organic Tomatoes (Vegetarian)$24.00
- With Farmers Market Organic Pears, Almonds and Honey (Vegetarian)$24.00
Torretta di Melanzane$22.00
sliced baked eggplant, red cow parmigiano, organic basil, San Marzano tomato purée
Tortino di Funghi con Fonduta$24.00
seasonal mushrooms cake on a bed of Piedmontese fontina cheese fondue
Fritto Misto Terra e Mare$22.00
fried calamari, shrimp and Farmers Market organic vegetables
Torte di Granchio$26.00
golden brown Dungeness crab cakes
Ribollita$12.00
purée of Farmers Market organic vegetables

Salad

Insalata dell'Orto$16.00
Farmers Market warm asparagus, wild rucola, cherry tomatoes and truffle oil
Mista della Casa$14.00
organic mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, Sicilian olive oil and Modena balsamic
Insalata di Arance e Finocchi$16.00
organic fennel, Farmers Market oranges, raisins, wild rucola and Castelvetrano olives
Insalata di Barbabietole$15.00
red and golden beets, organic greens and aged goat cheese
Insalata di Carciofi e Pecorino$16.00
Calistoga organic artichokes, sliced Sardinian pecorino and wild rucola

Pasta

Gluten free pasta available ($4 charge)

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese$27.00
Wisconsin Black Angus meat ragout
Spaghetti alla Carbonara$27.00
organic egg, crispy pancetta and Sardinian pecorino
Cavatelli Tartufati alla Norcina$46.00
Umbrian black truffles, seasonal mushrooms, sausage and red cow parmigiano
Trofie al Pesto, Fagiolini e Patate$25.00
traditional organic basil pesto, string beans and Farmers Market organic potatoes
Penne alla Vodka$24.00
San Marzano tomato purée, shallots, cream and vodka
Fusilli alla Norma$26.00
San Marzano tomato purée, eggplant, dry ricotta cheese
Orecchiette dell'Orto$25.00
San Marzano tomato purée, Farmers Market organic vegetables
Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi Nel Bosco$29.00
four cheeses ravioli, seasonal mushrooms sauce
Ravioli di Gamberi allo Zafferano$32.00
Shrimp ravioli, cream of Italian saffron
Linguine di Mare con Mandorle$29.00
Manila clams, calamari, shrimp, almonds, organic tomatoes
Spaghetti alla Bottarga$28.00
bottarga from Cabras, garlic, Sicilian olive oil, parsley
Spaghetti alle Vongole con Friggitelli$29.00
Manila clams, shishito peppers, garlic, Sicilian olive oil

Main

Filetto ai Funghi$54.00
Wisconsin Black Angus filet mignon with seasonal mushrooms, Farmers Market organic vegetables
Filetto al Pepe Verde$54.00
Wisconsin Black Angus filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce, Farmers Market organic vegetables
Entrecôte alle Erbe$54.00
Wisconsin Black Angus New York steak with herbs, Farmers Market organic vegetable
Scaloppine di Pollo al Limone$29.00
Mary's organic chicken scaloppine in lemon and capers sauce, Farmers Market organic vegetables
Salmone con Mostarda e Dragoncello$39.00
wild-caught salmon with Dijon mustard and tarragon, Farmers Market organic vegetables
Pesce Fresco del Giorno
fresh daily selection of fish
- Market Price
Cioppino di Lusso$55.00
fresh seafood, Maine lobster in a organic tomatoes broth

What 1,108 people are saying

Orto Santa Monica reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.3

4.3 based on recent ratings

4.3Food
4.3Service
4.3Ambience
3.9Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Orto Santa Monica is celebrated for its "excellent food" and "outstanding service." Diners appreciate the romantic ambiance, perfect for special occasions. The restaurant offers authentic Italian cuisine, with highlights like the "truffle pasta" and "vodka sauce." Though some find it pricey, many agree it's "worth it." The staff's attentiveness and the charming atmosphere make it a "highly recommended" dining spot.

1,108 Reviews

P
Patrick VIP
Denver3 reviews
1.0
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 2
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 3
Be very careful of this place. We were talked into the “special” appetizer a truffle pasta. 4 bites of pasta and $65 later we felt like we had been taken. The salmon entree that my wife had was very plain and boring I had the seafood pasta which was very tasty, but had broken clamshells spread throughout which made eating the dish very challenging. The service was very unorganized as they tried to bring us someone else’s food three separate times. I found this very confusing as it was a very small restaurant with very few tables. Overall be very careful if you go here. There are a ton of choices in Santa Monica and I really regretted choosing this one
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A
Alexa VIP
Los Angeles1 review
2.0
Dined on March 1, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Food was very bland and average. Only highlight was the bolognese.
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JO
JenniferO VIP
Los Angeles7 reviews
2.0
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
Food was too salty, salmon was dried, and service needs some attention
Is this helpful?
A
Antoinette
Los Angeles1 review
5.0
Dined on January 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
LOVED ORTA and staff!!! Amazing dining experience! A MUST!!!
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E
Ellen
Los Angeles36 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 5, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
My chicken with burrata was excellent. My friend did not love his salmon. He said too well done. Service very good.
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A
Andrea VIP
London48 reviews
4.0
Dined on January 4, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
A good restaurant with wide choice of food. Would have marked service a 5* but personally I prefer server to wait til all the party have completed their course before removing plates. Appreciate this is more a European way but puts pressure on those who have not finished yet to hurry up. Excellent specials but the prices should be mentioned. Otherwise 5* for value.
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S
Srinivas VIP
New York City68 reviews
3.0
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
An underwhelming experience - the combination of old school up-selling on wine, overcharging us for sparkling water ($25/bottle), relatively mediocre food (the orechiette was under-flavored and the puttnesca was a caper flood) and way too loud ambience (clubby pop that over-powered our conversation) - all left us with a far from happy experience. Meh...we're not from here and won't be back.
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C
Crissy VIP
Cincinnati9 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food! Cute little restaurant very authentic and delicious!
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c
claire
Denver1 review
5.0
Dined on December 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
lovely service, visit from owner, excellent dishes, all of them, but the black truffle pasta with flaming cognac is one of the finest dishes I have ever had. Nicely but worth it!!! We will be back!
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D
Doug
Los Angeles5 reviews
5.0
Dined on December 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food. Terrific location. And great service.
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FAQs

Orto Santa Monica does offer delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Orto Santa Monica also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (424) 433-8100.

Orto Santa Monica is rated 4.3 stars by 1108 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 15, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 5 times today

Order delivery or takeout

502 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Additional information

Cross street
5th street
Neighborhood
Santa Monica
Hours of operation
Lunch Tue–Sat 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:30 pm–10:00 pm Fri 5:30 pm–10:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
We recommend parking at 501 Santa Monica blvd, behind the Citibank.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Andrea Inio
Additional
Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.ortosantamonica.com/
Phone number
(424) 433-8100
Private party facilities
We can host private parties up to 90 people

Orto Santa Monica

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

Spaghetti alla Carbonara

Fusilli alla Norma

Starter

Tagliere dell'Orto$29.00

Carpaccio di Manzo al Tartufo$32.00

Polpette della Nonna$21.00

Burrata a Piacere

Torretta di Melanzane$22.00

Tortino di Funghi con Fonduta$24.00

Fritto Misto Terra e Mare$22.00

Torte di Granchio$26.00

Ribollita$12.00

Salad

Insalata dell'Orto$16.00

Mista della Casa$14.00

Insalata di Arance e Finocchi$16.00

Insalata di Barbabietole$15.00

Insalata di Carciofi e Pecorino$16.00

Pasta

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese$27.00

Spaghetti alla Carbonara$27.00

Cavatelli Tartufati alla Norcina$46.00

Trofie al Pesto, Fagiolini e Patate$25.00

Penne alla Vodka$24.00

Fusilli alla Norma$26.00

Orecchiette dell'Orto$25.00

Ravioli ai Quattro Formaggi Nel Bosco$29.00

Ravioli di Gamberi allo Zafferano$32.00

Linguine di Mare con Mandorle$29.00

Spaghetti alla Bottarga$28.00

Spaghetti alle Vongole con Friggitelli$29.00

Main

Filetto ai Funghi$54.00

Filetto al Pepe Verde$54.00

Entrecôte alle Erbe$54.00

Scaloppine di Pollo al Limone$29.00

Salmone con Mostarda e Dragoncello$39.00

Pesce Fresco del Giorno

Cioppino di Lusso$55.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Orto Santa Monica offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Orto Santa Monica restaurant rated?

Is Orto Santa Monica currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Additional information