Sophisticated, iconic eatery owned by Wolfgang Puck, specializing in Asian-French fusion cuisine.
Devin Geis
I recently arranged a group dinner at Chinois on Main in Santa Monica, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable dining experiences I have had. From the moment we walked in, the manager and owner greeted us warmly and continued to check in throughout the evening with such genuine kindness that it really set the tone for the night.
We ordered a bit of everything for the table, and every dish truly impressed. The crispy calamari salad had the perfect balance of crunch and bright, refreshing flavors. The Shanghai lobster with curry sauce was rich, aromatic, and absolutely decadent, a standout that had everyone at the table talking. The catfish filet with sizzling ginger was light, flaky, and bursting with flavor, while the roast duck with plum sauce had the perfect combination of tender meat and crisp skin. The spicy lamb with cilantro was bold and savory, perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented.
It is rare to have a group meal where every single dish shines, but Chinois managed to deliver across the board. The food, service, and atmosphere came together seamlessly for an unforgettable evening. I would highly recommend Chinois on Main to anyone visiting or local to the Santa Monica area. It is a gem worth experiencing.
… moregt
Went for lunar new year last night. The only great thing was the entertainment. Food was absolutely terrible. It was a 5 course menu. Should be easy for kitchen to execute. I’ll never come back here. Btw you guys have a major gnat infestation.
… moreJordan Block
Had the most extraordinary experience dining at Chinois, thanks to the incredible service and delectable food. A few of our favorite menu items included: the potstickers, dumplings, and short rib. Special thank you to the owner who took the time to explain the history of this impressive restaurant and to Anita, our server, who helped make my birthday celebration one of the best! The entire staff is one of the friendliest and most attentive in the industry.
… moredont care
Really disappointed been past here many times and we thought we would try it out… the service was good but the food and drinks what a let down…. we had oriental asian salad which had plenty of chicken lack of lettuce , and not much dressing or taste for that matter and it was piled high, large portions does not mean value etc if it does not taste good… the duck in plum sauce was greasy and not enough plum sauce at all, i really wanted to like this place but the taste was bland, we had 3 cocktails not really strong, one tasted like it was watered down… we had creme brulee for desert which was separated into 3 different bowls that was okay. for $250 with tip and i am not a foodee at all , i will eat anything pretty much, i could gone to PF changs for better taste… paying $250 is fine if the food is good but it was a real bland and feel that giving you large portions makes up for it… this place has been here for years at least 20 years and we both wont be going back, way over priced for something for so poorly made…. my wife is a better food connoisseur than me even she didnt like it! which says alot.. take me to johnny pastramis any day i say!
… moreClaudia Diaz
This Asian-French fusion restaurant is one I’ve been wanting to come to for years and it was worth the wait! Amazing service. Still closed indoors but they made a cozy out door area with live music. I went on a Thursday. Fun area to be in overall. We order the soup that was Devine. The catfish was perfect with a little squeeze of lime and we got 2 sides. Veggies and stir fried rice. I was in food heaven! Their servings are all shareable sizes if you like to share with someone on a date. Perfect spot for a cute date. LARGE wine selection and cocktails were yummy.
… moreEmin Kursat Dogray
I don’t know if it was because I went with very high expectations, it was an experience that I was sadly not satisfied with. First of all, we were far from such an experience, considering that a restaurant with Michelin explains its dishes to its customers. We persistently asked ourselves what we would eat and how we would eat it. There was no narration. The presentation part was also poor unfortunately. There was nothing that surprised me in terms of taste. Was it bad, it wasn’t. Was it good or not. The fusion side was successful. The capacity of the restaurant was tried to be fully utilized so it was very noisy. Tables were very close to each other. As an entry, we tried Tempura Ahi Tuna Sashimi. This was my favorite dish. We tried Sizzling Calamari and Rock Shrimp Salad as a salad. Its presentation was successful but tasteless. We had Shanghai Lobster as main course. Lobster was delicious. The rice was also good but the spinach was really greasy and not crunchy. It was a place I would not choose again. How did you find it when you left the restaurant and no one even said goodbye 🙂
… moreTony Y.
Restaurant seems to be frozen in time since the year 2000. The interior and exterior retain their vintage charm and the menu features simple dishes made with quality ingredients.
While the food was excellent, the service could use some improvement. Although the staff was friendly, it seemed a bit chaotic and disorganized at times, which made the dining experience a little less enjoyable. However, I was happy to be back at Chiona on main after a long time and would definitely recommend it for the tasty food and vintage charm.
… moreTatiana Pavlova-Coleman
I cannot thank enough Bella and the whole Chinois on Main team for the amazing surprise 60th birthday they helped me organize for my husband! Bella worked me over few months to finalize menu, help me find enterntainment, set up the room for the event… they did everything. All we had to do is invite our guests and show up. Everyone loved the food – 7 dfferent appetizers, each one done to perfection; main course my favorite short rib and the fried fish with bunch of sides and of course the best Chinese chicken salad in LA. They ended everything with the most beautiful platters of various desserts! We will remember this day forever and it will not have been what it was without the care and professionalism of Bella, Krassi and the whole Chinois team – from the cook that we had, to the bartender, waiters. etc. THANK YOU!
… moreShail Lakhani
Given it is a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, we had to try it. This was our experience-
Ambience- great, looks like a typical Chinese diner with an open kitchen concept – overall great ambience.
Food- highlights were the Shanghai lobster (even though expensive, it’s a must try), the duck fried rice and the yellow tail sashimi (I think this was a special).
Drinks- ordered a Kirin Ichiban, a Japanese beer, if you like lagers, this is crisp and nice. They do also offer a wide array of cocktails.
Service- one of the best service I have experienced in a while- constant check ins, food came out great, great recommendations, frequent cleaning of table.
Would I go back? Absolutely.
… moreAnnie Sanderson
It’s very rare that a restaurant can maintain its excellence for so many years, but Chinios On Main is one of those rare places.
I actually forgot how amazing their food is, everything is fresh and even though this restaurant has been around a long time, the food still feels inventive and new. Always get the Chinese chicken salad and the whole catfish.
Absolutely delicious and very special.
… more