We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The TripAdvisor website may not display properly.
We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

Sam's by the Beach

108 W Channel Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
310 230-9100
Website
Menu
Update restaurant details
Ranked #10 of 377 restaurants in Santa Monica
Price range: $31 - $40
Cuisines: Mediterranean, Californian
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Good for: Romance, Special occasions, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Dinner, Reservations
Dining style: Casual Elegant
Cross street: Pacific Coast HWY
Description: Sam's By The Beach, opened in July 2000 as a neighborhood bistro, and has become a destination restaurant, thanks to its innovative food and comfortable yet elegant dining experience. Elias, inspired by his heritage, considers the cuisine to be California-Mediterranean, with an emphasis on high quality ingredients. "I enjoy going to the Central Market each day to purchase my vegetables and seafood. It keeps me in touch with what is fresh, and helps me to plan my menus." Sam's menu is seasonal and changes at least four times per year. In addition, there are daily specials and a chef tasting menu based on what Elias discovers at the market. Regular menu items include appetizers of Blue "Fin" Tartar ($17.95), Wild Mushroom Salad in lemon basil dressing ($13.95) and Fennel and Blood Orange Soup ($9.95); and entree's include Vegetarian Crepes ($23.95), Grilled Atlantic Salmon with braised Swiss Chard and roasted Jerusalem artichoke ($26.95), Roasted Duck Magret with poached Pear
Reserve with OpenTable
Please enter a later date and time
Write a Review

45 reviews from our community

91% Recommend
    35
    6
    0
    3
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Newmarket, Canada
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 7 cities Reviews in 7 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 17, 2013 NEW

We were welcomed by the owner, Sam, on Mother's Day and chose the special Sea Bass as our entree....a memorable meal for us, prepared with care and served with flair!

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 2 more reviews by KatBry for Santa Monica
Montreal
Top Contributor
63 reviews 63 reviews
22 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 29 cities Reviews in 29 cities
29 helpful votes 29 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 11, 2013

What a nice evening my husband and I had at this restaurant! It's a small restaurant, without a view/terrace, and very small and kind of old, but wow, the food is just amazing and the service is really good!! Our waiter was very attentive and explained the whole menu. My husband had the filet mignon, which was organic and grass... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
London, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
2 helpful votes 2 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 2, 2013

The food was amazing and Sam the owner was very attentive. Try the lamb rissotto it's to due for. It doesn't look much from the outside but once you get snide you will be surprised.

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 4 more reviews by MichelleRos for Santa Monica
San Juan Capistrano, California
Top Contributor
136 reviews 136 reviews
90 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 50 cities Reviews in 50 cities
45 helpful votes 45 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed May 1, 2013

We went there on a quiet Sunday, early in the evening. The staff is friendly, the food is excellent and the experience was really good. I had the beet salad and after I exchanged the fried cheese on the plate for the fresh stuff, it was really good (why fired cheese on a salad?). The broiled calamari dish was excellent,... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 7 more reviews by CaTraveler7777 for Santa Monica
Melbourne
2 reviews
Reviews in 2 cities Reviews in 2 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed April 6, 2013

We visited Sam's after reading the trip advisor reviews and were not at all disappointed. Parking was simple with a valet to do it for us. The food, delicious. My son and I had the lamb shanks which I loved. The service could not be faulted - our waiter was an absolute delight. I would highly recommend this restaurant and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Santa Monica, California
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
7 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 5 cities Reviews in 5 cities
3 helpful votes 3 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 25, 2013

I recently bought a Bloomspot certificate to this restaurant because it was a very good deal. I didn't really know what to expect, but I had walked by the restaurant many times as it is next to Girogio's and The Hungry Cat. I was sooooo happy. First, there is not a bad table in this beautiful room. My mother and... More

Was this review helpful? Yes 1
See 5 more reviews by Colson1010 for Santa Monica
Woodland Hills, California, United States
Contributor
13 reviews 13 reviews
8 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 9 cities Reviews in 9 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed February 11, 2013

Not for location, which can be challenging, but. Once you are inside a good food and service treat awaits you. The staff are pleasant and quite helpful. The menu is not long but choices are good And the food won't disappoint. Reasonable wine list and well prepared desserts. Try the bread pudding we were told a d he was right.

Was this review helpful? Yes
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Top Contributor
54 reviews 54 reviews
39 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 18 cities Reviews in 18 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed December 27, 2012

Sam's by the Beach is a smaller restaurant on a street with 5-6 restaurants near each other. Sam, who is originally from the Middle East, makes FABULOUS Mediterranean inspired food. His salads are terrific especially the beet salad with fried potatoes. Fish and lamb are specialties but steaks are also available. We had the lamb osso bucco which was cooked... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
See 5 more reviews by savvytravelers2 for Santa Monica
Liverpool, United Kingdom
Reviewer
3 reviews 3 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 of 5 stars Reviewed November 22, 2012

We came to Sam's to celebrate our Silver Wedding. We couldn't have made a better choice. Sam, the owner and the waitress were very attentive and made us feel very special. Our starters were great. Sam then brought us a sample of his pumpkin ravioli - divine. The main courses were great and we even had room to share a... More

Was this review helpful? Yes
Senior Contributor
24 reviews 24 reviews
21 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 16 cities Reviews in 16 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed October 17, 2012 via mobile

We had a really wonderful meal here tonight. My wife had the boulibase(sp) soup. Wonderful taste and seafood. I had the lamb chops. The lamb chops were cooked perfectly. I'm not sure what to think of the lamb chop mediteranian(sp) flavors. Perhaps a bit strong for my taste. Everything else on the dish was perfect... The asparagus souflee(sp) asparagus, carrots,... More

Was this review helpful? Yes

Travelers who viewed Sam's by the Beach also viewed

Santa Monica, CA
Santa Monica, CA
 

Been to Sam's by the Beach? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos Add Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

If you own or manage Sam's by the Beach, register now for free tools to enhance your listing, attract new reviews, and respond to reviewers.

Manage your listing