As the year comes to a close, here are the top 10 dining stories for Santa Monica in 2022, sorted chronologically.
Iconic Santa Monica Wienerschnitzel Permanently Closed
March 17, 2022 – The classic A-frame Wienerschnitzel on Pico Boulevard in Santa Monica has closed permanently to make way for a new tenant. Full article here.
New Bar and Restaurant in Santa Monica Has a Cannabis Twist
April 13, 2022 – Nostalgia is that new bar and will operate as a bar and lounge that serves a regular menu and then there is a private dinner space where the Herbal Chef, Chris Sayegh, will serve cannabis-based dinners. For much of the time that The Herbal Chef has been operational, the dinners were held in industrial areas and in private homes. With the opening of Nostalgia, The Herbal Chef has found a home. Full article here.
Hurry Curry Reopens in Santa Monica
May 11, 2022 – Westside favorite Hurry Curry has opened officially in Santa Monica at 2901 Ocean Park Blvd Ste. 125. After losing their lease at their former space in Sawtelle Japantown, they closed in February of 2021, and after a year of waiting and the announcement that the restaurant would be open in their new Ocean Park storefront in March, Hurry Curry has finally opened their doors at the new location on May 3. Full article here.
Tavern on Main Reopens!
July 7, 2022 – Tavern on Main, formerly Rick’s Tavern on Main, has reopened its doors in its new form. Full article here.
Monty’s Good Burger Opening Santa Monica Location
September 7, 2022 – Popular plant-based restaurant Monty’s Good Burger is opening a location in Downtown Santa Monica. Full article here.
Madame Wu, Famed Santa Monica Restaurateur, Dies at 106
October 6, 2022 – Sylvia Wu, born Sylvia Cheng, was much better known as restaurateur Madame Wu to her customers at her restaurant Madame Wu’s Garden, located in Santa Monica on Wilshire Boulevard. She died at the age of 106 on September 19. Full article here.
Santa Monica Burger Joint Big Jo’s Closing After 65 Years
October 6, 2022 – Burger joint Big Jo’s, a Santa Monica institution for over 65 years, plans to permanently close later this month. Full article here.
800 Degrees Pizzeria Closes Santa Monica Location
October 27, 2022 – 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen has closed its popular location in Santa Monica. Full article here.
Santa Monica Restaurant Earns Michelin Star
December 7, 2022 – The Michelin Restaurant Guide has released its list of restaurants that have been awarded the coveted Michelin stars for 2022 and three restaurants on the Westside have earned the coveted stars for the first time. Only 18 new restaurants in the state were added to the list. Michelin refused to rate restaurants in Los Angeles for a decade, so to earn these stars means that these restaurants are of a particularly fine quality judged by Michelin’s standards that do not favor the city of Los Angeles. Full article here.
Sweet Maple Opening First SoCal Location in Santa Monica
December 7, 2022 – In early 2023, Santa Monica will get a new restaurant at 1705 Ocean Ave as reported by Toddrickallen.com. Several restaurants have tried to make a go in this space, but Sweet Maple, a restaurant out of the Bay Area, is going to give Santa Monica some new flavor soon. Full article here.
