There are restaurants where you go because you're hungry. There are others you go for the vibe. And there are restaurants where you go because someone in your group says, "Let's order the one they light on fire."
ORLA, Michael Mina's Mediterranean-inspired restaurant inside the Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel, happily checks all three boxes.
Hotel restaurants have a reputation problem. Too often they're convenient rather than compelling—the kind of place you end up because the elevator is nearby. ORLA makes a convincing case that hotel dining deserves another look. The dining room is a stunner! With ocean views, warm wood accents, and an open-air feel, it's the sort of place that practically begs you to order "just one more cocktail" while convincing yourself you're actually on vacation. Fortunately, the kitchen backs up the scenery.
Drawing inspiration from Greece and Egypt, the menu walks a line between familiar and adventurous, with plenty of seafood, bright citrus, fragrant herbs, and just enough tableside theater to keep neighboring diners wondering what you've ordered. Thankfully, the spectacle and the epic views never overshadow the food.
What to order
The obvious place to begin is their signature spanakopita, assembled and finished tableside. It's flaky, buttery, packed with spinach, leeks, and feta, and somehow manages to make a dish your Greek grandmother has been making for decades feel brand new.
Get the marinated bigeye tuna, served with Egyptian falafel, whipped tahini, spicy cucumbers, and Urfa pepper. It's an inventive combination that somehow feels both familiar and unexpected.
Don't overlook the Macaroni Bechamel if it's on the menu. Think of it as Egypt's answer to lasagna—layers of pasta, richly seasoned meat ragù, and silky béchamel baked until the top develops a beautifully golden crust. It's comforting, decadent, and the kind of dish that makes everyone at the table pause after the first bite, look up, and silently agree they should have ordered a second one.
The grilled octopus is another standout. Tender enough to convert even the skeptics, it's paired with gigante beans, capers, and red onion in a dish that's equal parts rustic and refined.
If you're ordering a main course, lean into the seafood. The whole fish preparations are beautifully simple, allowing fresh fish, lemon, oregano, and olive oil to do what they've been doing around the Mediterranean for centuries. The grilled lamb chops are an excellent alternative if someone at the table insists dinner should have four legs.
And yes, order the saganaki! There are few meals that aren't improved by setting cheese on fire.
Definitely save room for dessert! "The Lemon"—a playful combination of olive oil cake, citrus mousse, and bright lemon flavors—is as photogenic as it is delicious. It provides the perfect ending to a meal that feels just indulgent enough without tipping into excess.
Can't decide? Let the kitchen do the work. The family-style tasting menu strings together many of ORLA's greatest hits, eliminates order envy, and delivers so much food that it practically guarantees tomorrow's lunch is already taken care of.
What to drink
The cocktail menu leans heavily into Mediterranean botanicals, bright citrus, and crisp spirits designed to fight off coastal chill.
The Ares (mezcal, apple, ginger beer, and a hint of absinthe) was my favorite and they have a variety of zero-proof options if you’re trying to pretend you have an early morning workout planned.
If you're a wine drinker, they have a fun selection of Greek selections, offering a chance to discover varietals that rarely make it onto California wine lists.
Pro tips
Request a terrace table about 45 minutes before sunset. You'll catch golden hour over the Pacific without having to squint directly into the sun for your entire meal.
And if you like a little drama with your meal, keep an eye out for the tableside carts—where everything from sea-salt crudos to custom desserts are finished right at your elbow for maximum dining room theater.
1700 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
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