Santa Monica

Santa Monica is a buzzy California-vibe dining destination serving burgers, fries, pizzas, craft beer and cocktails to the hungry hordes in Brisbane’s CBD.

Nestled under the overhang of a newly built skyscraper, the casual bar eatery has the feel of a beer garden, with timber slatted booths, lanterns and edged by planter boxes.

Centrally located next to the heritage-listed Brisbane School of Arts in Ann St, Santa Monica makes a great laidback place for a quick budget lunch or dinner or after work drink with friends or colleagues.

Starters include Santa Monica Chicken Wings, Lemon Pepper Calamari and 5 Spice Pork Belly.

Then for something more substantial there’s tasty Burgers on brioche style buns (crispy chicken, classic or chilli cheese, double or the signature Santa Monica with the works) as well as Baguettes (slow cooked hickory-smoked Pulled Pork or Lemon pepper Fried Shrimp).

All burgers* and baguettes come with a side of rustic fries and burgers are available with a vegetarian pattie.

Pizzas* with a crispy thin crust come with Bianche (Vegetarian or Seafood) or Rosse (BBQ meat-lovers, Primavera, Margherita or Primavera) toppings.

In addition there’s a few pasta dishes, fish and chips or a Sunset Hot Dog (pork sausage with American mustard, ketchup, sauerkraut and fried onions in a soft hot dog roll).

For something lighter Salads include Chicken Caesar, Prosciutto Rockmelon, Smoked Salmon or Santa Monica Avocado.

Meanwhile the Santa Monica Special Fries (ordered separately) are almost a meal unto themselves – think Cheese and Bacon (with spicy mayo and jalapenos), Pulled Pork BBQ (slow-cooked pork, coleslaw, American mustard, BBQ sauce and pickled red onions) or the Santa Monica Street Fries (topped with sour cream, bruschetta and guacamole).

And save room for a Dessert like the Warm Chocolate Brownie (with Nutella sauce, fresh strawberries and vanilla ice-cream) or the luscious old skool Santa Monica Banana Split.

Drinks for grown-ups include Australian craft beer (Newstead Brewing, Stone & Wood and Little Creatures) and Cloudy Cider on tap and Imported Bottled including Asahi Black and Super Dry, Corona, Heineken and Peroni.

Santa Monica’s wine selection is a mix of Oz and international with wines (by the bottle or glass) from WA, SA and Victoria as well as NZ, Argentina, Italy and France.

Cocktails run the gamut of all the classics such as Mojito, Cosmopolitan, Caprioska, Old Fashioned, and Espresso Martini as well as their own fresh fruity creations such as Rose Avenue (gin, rose syrup, watermelon and pink grapefruit) and Southern Cali (Pampero Bianco rum, Domaine Canton Ginger, mango and lime).

*Both pizzas and burgers have a gluten-free option.

Need to know - Santa Monica is also open Monday to Friday for breakfast and has an express 'caravan' near the entrance for takeaway coffee, sandwiches, rolls and food on the go.

Nice to know – Groups of 6-8 should ask about the great value Share Towers of food and groups of 4-8 beer drinkers check out the Beer Towers.

See our full curated list of restaurants in Brisbane CBD HERE