If you've ever wanted to get the inside scoop on Santa Monica straight from locals, like who dishes up the best Ramen or where local surfers get their gear, you're in luck.
The annual Most Loved Santa Monica contest - created to support local businesses – provides a best of the best list of most loved Santa Monica hotels, shopping, dining, and more as voted on by residents and visitors. The 2021 results are in.
These are some of the Most Loved Santa Monica Businesses that locals can’t live without and that you might want to check out during your next visit!
Hotel/Motel for a Staycation: Fairmont Miramar Hotel
Coffee Shop: Caffe Luxxe
Bakery: Broadway Baker
Frozen Dessert: Dolcenero Gelato
Outdoor Patio: Lunetta All Day
Burgers: Father’s Office Santa Monica
Vegetarian Food: Kye’s
Mexican Food: Gilbert’s El Indio Restaurant
Sushi: Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa
Gourmet/Wine Shop: Andrew's Cheese Shop
Bar/Lounge: The Misfit Restaurant + Bar
Ramen: Jinya Ramen Bar Santa Monica
Happy Hour: Fig
Yoga/Pilates Studio: Santa Monica Yoga
Clothing Boutique: Assistance League Thrift Shop
Jewelry Store: Accents Jewelry
New Business: Le Petit Chez Mimi
Independent Business: Santa Monica Brew Works
Breakfast/Brunch: Huckleberry Cafe
The "Most Loved Santa Monica Businesses" Contest was launched in 2014 by the Buy Local SM Committee and the Santa Monica Daily Press.
Now in its 8th year, this year's contest has been revamped and is bigger and better than ever with expanded categories. From #MostLovedSM surf/skate shop to the favorite Santa Monica Farmers Markets' farmer, the call went out in February to find and celebrate the Most Loved Businesses in Santa Monica.
The goal: To know which businesses locals can't live without, the ones that put smiles on our faces when we drop in, the ones we most want to celebrate because they're so awesome. The contest ran from February - April in two phases (nominations from Feb 12-Mar 12, voting from April 1 - 29).
Most Loved Santa Monica is a recognition of the businesses that keep the community thriving, but it’s about more than shopping. It’s about the barista who remembers your order after more than a year of home confinement, the basket of chips you’d feel guilty about eating alone but is perfect for sharing, connecting.
Ultimately, it’s about all of us because it’s hard to be a community without any place to go, as this past year has forcefully highlighted.
For a complete list of 2021 Most Loved businesses, click here to download the 2021 Most Loved list or check the Buy Local Santa Monica page.
The Most Loved Santa Monica Contest is sponsored by:
* Downtown Santa Monica, Inc.
* Main Street Business Improvement Association
* Montana Avenue Merchants Association
* Pico Improvement Organization
* Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce
* Santa Monica Travel & Tourism
* Santa Monica Pier Corporation in partnership with the Santa Monica Daily Press and the City of Santa Monica.