Two hotly anticipated new Santa Monica eateries are ready to throw open their doors. There’s a sandwich board outside of the new Downtown Santa Monica branch of crazy/popular poultry purveyor Raising Cane’s announcing their June 10 opening at the corner of Third St. and Santa Monica Blvd. And a window poster over on the new Montana Ave location of The Win-Dow gives the opening date as Tuesday, June 9. The Win-Dow has a full opening week of activities including free double cheeseburgers (with purchase) on opening day. You’re welcome.
After sitting vacant for a few years, the space right on the corner of Lincoln and Broadway, at 1447 Lincoln, is getting a new tenant. Window paper has gone up on the location announcing the arrival of Cotti Coffee. If you’ve been paying attention, you may have heard of Cotti and its meteoric rise. It has a smattering of locations in SoCal and is known for its buzzy lifestyle brand. Cotti Coffi began in China in 2022 and has quickly risen to a presence in “33 countries with 18,000+ stores, [and is] ranked 3rd globally.” On offer will be innovative drinks, light meals, and merch.
Well, they really pulled a rabbit out of a hat… After two years, ambitious B&T’s Deli abruptly closed up shop on April 30 at 912 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica. By some miracle, cult-fave carb purveyor Pop’s Bagels has not only managed to move in but are planning to open today (Friday, May 15). Pop’s Bagels has four other LA locations and is well-known for long lines and bagels described as “fluffy, crispy, and perfectly chewy”. With equally culty H& H Bagels just a block away, and Sam’s Bagelsa little over a block in the opposite direction, Montana Ave is turning into something of a carb capital.
Santa Monica’s Legendary Circle Bar is Set to Reopen on Friday, May 22 Under New Ownership
Historic Main Street Watering Hole that Served Jim Morrison, Truman Copote Returns with New Energy from Local Restaurateurs Behind Hinano Cafe and Tavern on Main
One of Santa Monica’s most legendary nightlife venues is set to return on Friday, May 22, 2026.Circle Bar, the longtime OG Main Street bar and nightclub known for its dimly lit, oval-shaped bar, packed dance floor, and historic past, will reopen under new ownership.
At the helm are local restaurateurs Mark and Addie Van Gessel, the duo behind the Venice staple Hinano Cafe and Santa Monica’s Tavern on Main. Both concepts are known for their consistent quality and focus on community. With deep roots in the Westside hospitality scene, the Van Gessels are committed to preserving Circle Bar’s legacy as one of LA’s best dive bars, blending nostalgia with new energy while maintaining its grit and dive bar charm.
Originally established in 1949, Circle Bar evolved from a neighborhood watering hole into a fixture of Santa Monica’s nightlife and music scene. By the 1970s, it had developed a reputation as a go-to spot where artists, musicians, and locals gathered regularly. Over time, it became known for late-night DJ and live music sets, dance floor, and a diverse crowd ranging from industry professionals to neighborhood regulars. In its heyday, Circle Bar became known for its low-key, dimly lit atmosphere, which attracted discreet late-night drop-ins from icons such as Jim Morrison and Truman Capote, as well as Anthony Kiedis, Sean Penn, Robert Downey Jr., and cast members of hit shows like Mad Men.
“Circle Bar isn’t just a bar,” said Mark Van Gessel. “It’s part of Santa Monica’s cultural DNA. Everyone has a Circle Bar story. We want to honor what made it special while bringing fresh life into the space, keeping the focus on great music and drinks, and a fun atmosphere so a new generation can create their own Circle Bar stories.”
It’s that time of year again… The 11th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Streetis back on Sunday May 24 from 1pm to 5pm. One big difference this year: Due to a special City of Santa Monica permit, you’ll be able to freely walk around with alcoholic drinks throughout the event. Read more and get tix here.
In other icy treat news… Congratulations good people of Santa Monica, a second Bacio di Latte is on the way! It appears that Italian gelato is continuing its inexorable conquest of The Westside. Here is the location of the upcoming second Santa Monica branch of Italian-born brand Bacio di Latte, at 1510 Montana Ave, right next to another Italian brand, Sogno Toscano. Because why should anyone have to drive more than a few blocks for luscious, creamy, artisanal gelato?
Santa Monica’s fave plant-based Thai restaurant appears to be opening a new location. There’s (faint) lettering on the front of a former massage space at 3020 Wilshire Blvd. announcing the arrival of Thai Vegan. A more recent sign lists the business as Thai Vegi. I believe that Thai Vegiis related to Thai Vegan, which has a longstanding location on Main St., and previously operated an outpost on Santa Monica Blvd. I don’t know exactly what will be in store, but I would imagine the menu will be similar to the Main St. location.
The capricious food/beverage world of Santa Monica’s Third St. Promenade is a nearly constant environment of change. The City’s renewed push to improve conditions for businesses will hopefully bring a fresh crop of arrivals. But there are already new businesses moving in. There are the heavy hitters like Raising Cane’s, and there are also some new enterprises willing to chance Downtown SM. One of these is a new java joint, Dragon Alley Coffee Shop, that is currently setting up housekeeping at 312 Santa Monica Blvd. The still-developing website reveals that Dragon Alley is the dream project of Sage and Richard Chand, whose inspiring story you can read about here. We wish them the best of luck.
Taro root treat experts Holey Grail Donuts vanished a few weeks ago from their location at 2441 Main St. in Santa Monica. Wasting no time, a new tenant is moving in according to a small notice on the door. La Diperie began in 2014 in Montreal, and has since spread to multiple locations across Canada. With locations in Florida, it looks like this is their first West Coast opening. The concept appears to be that you choose between ice cream, cakes, donuts, or cookies which are then dipped into various dips such as chocolate, and topped with a choice of over 20 toppings.
A charming new java joint is currently in build-out at 1260 15th St (corner of Arizona), surrounded by medical buildings. Sonia’s Café appears to be settling into the address, promising, “Where coffee meets a smile.” You can get a glimpse of what the new cozy coffee corner will look like in the artist’s rendering below.
We’re back, taking over Santa Monica, for our annual TWO DAY St. Patrick’s bar crawl, “Kiss Me, I’m Irish”, March 14th & 17th
PARTICIPATING BARS:
BRITANNIA PUB [REGISTRATION] 1212 BARNEY’S BEANERY CABO CANTINA HOLEY MOLEY LOULOU SANTA MONICA WHALER
Here is how it works:
1) Pre-Purchase Your Bar Crawl Wristband.
2) Check in at Britannia Pub (318 Santa Monica Blvd) to get your wristband and map with participating bars, their location, and their drink specials. (Registration on Saturday, 3/14 from 2PM-8PM & Tuesday, 3/17 from 6PM-11PM) ***WRISTBAND MUST BE PICKED UP DURING THESE TIMES***
3) Your wristband gets you into any of the participating bars with no cover, plus gets you drink specials all night
Adorable, but short-lived Bar Monette caused quite a sensation when if opened in 2023. Then it quietly slipped out of its location at 109 Santa Monica Blvd in Downtown Santa Monica. Now the troubled space (also previously home to another flashy eatery Red Ruby before Bar Monette) is getting a new tenant. There’s a new ABC application in the window announcing the impending arrival of Kogen Omakase. I can’t seem to find a lot of information on the new Japanese restaurant, so if you have more info let me know.
Ever since the beloved landmark Izzy’s Deli closed at 1433 Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica, people have been peppering me with questions about what would take its place. In 2020 there was a brief promise of a re-opening, but nothing happened. Then in 2022, the for lease signs went up and we all came to the painful conclusion that after 50 years, the famed “Deli to the Stars” simply was no more. After all these years of no perceptible activity, readers are excitedly writing to tell me that window paper is now up revealing a new eatery, Chattanooga Restaurant, is setting up housekeeping at the famous address. With little information out there except the promise of “Pure Persian Flavor”, you can get an idea of what the new restaurant will look inside like by checking out the artist’s rendering below.
We all know that the nostalgic Swedish candy craze is huge right now. There’s something thrilling about creating your own taste experience at a “pick-and-mix” wall of delectable sweet treats. Just such an opportunity is coming to tony Montana Ave in Santa Monica. Teaser window paper is up at 1230 Montana Ave Ste 103, spilling the beans that Kändi Swedish Sweets is setting up housekeeping at this address. Kändi has a location in Studio City and offers a wide array of brightly colored candies and pre-packed bags.
Shortly after GGET pulled out of their location at 930 Montana Ave in Santa Monica, I heard rumors that a new burger joint was moving in. Thanks to all the sharp-eyed readers who wrote to tell me that banners recently went up letting us know that this will be an outpost of The Win-Dow. With 6 locations around SoCal, The Win-Dow specializes in “classic smash burgers, fried chicken sandwiches, and $8 grain bowls”, but also offers a shaved kale salad, a vegetarian burger, hand-spun shakes, and dipped cones.
The corner building at 1231 Wilshire has sat empty ever since the Krispy Kreme donut craze cooled and this location closed in 2021. The space now has a leased sign on the front, and I believe I know who the new tenant is. If you look carefully at the Instagram page of DOL Coffee House, you can see that the artist’s rendering of their new Santa Monica outpost has their signs up on this address. DOL has a location in Gardena and promises, “the most delicious Vietnamese drinks and desserts in the USA (Coffee, boba, and more)“.
An exciting new concept is heading to 2929 Main St in Santa Monica. Window paper is up announcing the arrival of Chez Luna. Chez Luna is billing itself as a pet “adoption cafe” and describes itself as: “A first-of-its-kind space where premium lattes meet live puppy love.” Coffee and pooches? Sign me up. They are aiming for a summer opening.
A new baked treats shop is aiming to become “your favorite neighborhood bakery“. There’s window paper up on the corner space in the new development at 3223 Wilshire in Santa Monica announcing the arrival ofLouma Bakery. Louma appears to be a new business, but this job listing lets us know what will be on offer: “breads (sourdough, baguette, rye bread…), [and] classic pastry (Danish and French style)“. Apparently, they are opening soon.
Readers have been writing in droves to let me know the exciting news that there’s a new ABC application at 418 Wilshire Blvd (once home to Wahoo’s Fish Tacos) announcing the arrival of Joy. This Joy will be their second LA location, the first being Joy on York in Highland Park. Joy specializes in “heartful, and authentic Taiwanese specialties” influenced by Taiwanese street food and night markets, served in a casual, cozy neighborhood setting. No word on an opening date, but until then read more about Joy here and here. With hip Shirube right next door, this stretch of Wilshire Blvd is certainly turning into an exciting dining destination.
A very enthusiastic reader (Thanks James!) excitedly wrote to tell me of the return of beloved neighborhood tapas spot Santino’s to its former home at 3021 Lincoln Blvd in Santa Monica. You may recall that Santino’sclosed down sometime around 2015 to make way for sports bar Burgers N Brews. Burgers N Brews is now gone, and while I don’t have information on ownership or menus, we can definitely say that Santino’s is returning to this location, and theirInstagram page is projecting a February opening.
Toddrickallen 