Lares Restaurant: Authentic Mexican Cuisine in Santa Monica

The food was delicious, the drinks were great. We sat upstairs and it wasn't overly busy - although it was the night after Thanksgiving so assume a lot of people were out of town. The margaritas were strong but not too strong. The service was excellent. The vibe inside is warm and inviting.

We searched online for a cute place with good food to celebrate our teen daughter’s birthday and Lares was one of the top choices and it did not disappoint. With authentic Mexican food and freshly made tortilla chips, plus the aguas frescas. It was all delicious and the staff were very kind and helpful.

Quaint place. The pork carnitas were great: fresh vegetables, tasty pork, creamy beans, and delicious rice! The chicken fajitas were pretty good too (great flavor) but way too many green peppers. Also appreciate the fresh salsa and warm chips!

Really good food and a really helpful and kind server. He explained the different dishes to us and even let us try the mole because we didn't know what it tastes like. And the mole was amazing.

The staff were very attentive and welcoming from the moment we enter to the moment we left. I really liked the lights they had and the live music. The kids ordered mole enchiladas and they finished it all! My husband ordered the mole de pollo and he really enjoyed it! I ordered carne asada quesadilla with beans and rice and it had a good flavor. Would totally recommend this place!

We absolutely loved Lares! We didn’t have a reservation but were sat immediately in their upstairs room. The twinkling lights, large windows, and live guitarists were all such a fun experience for our date night. I had the mole chicken and it was DELICIOUS! We also shared the ceviche which was fresh and zesty. The margaritas were amazing and I highly recommend this spot for dinner or lunch!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lares is our absolute favorite spot whenever we stay in Santa Monica, and it never fails to impress! As a pet sitter who loves to explore the best Mexican cuisine in Los Angeles, I can confidently say that Lares is at the top of my list. To start, the chips and salsa are incredible—fresh, flavorful, and the perfect way to kick off our meal. And their margaritas are a highlight! We always order the skinny Cadillac Margarita with Grand Marnier on the side and a tajín rim, and it’s simply delicious. When it comes to food, we can’t get enough of the quesadillas. I go for the carnitas on flour tortillas, served with rice and beans, while my partner enjoys the grilled veggie quesadilla on corn tortillas, topped with guacamole and sour cream. Both options are mouthwatering! We love visiting from Wednesday to Saturday and sitting upstairs at the bar. The bartenders up there are fantastic—so warm and welcoming, and they genuinely look forward to seeing us again. Their exceptional service is a big part of why we keep coming back. To top it all off, the live mariachi band adds a wonderful ambiance to the restaurant, making each visit feel like a festive celebration. If you’re looking for authentic, delicious Mexican food in Santa Monica, Lares is the place to be. Highly recommend!

One of 3 favorite Mexican sit-down family-style restaurants in WestLA/Santa Monica. On this Sunday night 2 guitarists sang and played while the 4 of us shared a pitcher of Cadillac margaritas, guacamole and chips. Loved it. We enjoyed the good food, friendly service and festive atmosphere. Great for birthday celebrations. The guitaristas are perfect! I like to sit upstairs, but the flight of stairs is narrow and steep. No worries, the guitarrista sing upstairs and downstairs. Upstairs and downstairs bars too.