Orla by Michael Mina

  4.4 – 140 reviews   • Restaurant

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Chef Michael Mina brings the irresistible charm and bold flavors of the Mediterranean to Southern California at Orla. Drawing inspiration from Alexander the Great, his menus trace a journey through Greece and Egypt, blending fresh ingredients and vibrant spices to craft unforgettable dishes. Lively tableside preparations and unexpected flourishes elevate every mouthful into a moment and every meal into a lasting memory. Steps from the Pacific, this is seaside dining at its most refined and graciously exceptional.

✔️Lunch ✔️Dinner ✔️Dine in Orla by Michael Mina 90401

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Reviews

Megan Dahle
I truly had one of the best dining experiences of my life here. I’ve been to Orla several times before, usually sitting at the bar, and always enjoyed it. This year, I chose Orla for my birthday dinner with a small group of friends, and it exceeded every expectation.

From the moment we arrived, we were made to feel incredibly special by the staff. Every drink and every dish was absolute perfection. The view was beautiful, and the atmosphere was spot-on—gorgeous lighting and music at just the right level, allowing us to enjoy the ambiance while still having easy conversation at a table of five.

I had requested ahead of time if we could order the burger—normally only available at the bar—and they were so gracious in accommodating us. The burger is pure heaven and cannot be recommended enough.

I’ve been back several times since, and the service is consistently impeccable, no matter the time of day or how busy they are. The space itself is stunning, and a special note: don’t miss the bathrooms—they’re on another level.
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A Charos
We really enjoyed this restaurant. The aesthetic is beautiful, and the sunset view out on the patio was beautiful. The drinks were good, but the food was excellent. We tried the Orla experience which allows you to try various items from the menu for a set price per person. We thought the price was fair with the amount of food served, and we truly enjoyed each dish. The service was great! They checked in often enough, but did not overdue it. The food came out in timely manner, and was coursed out perfectly between dishes. The dessert was just enough after enjoying a good amount of food throughout the experience. Overall we were very happy with this experience, and would recommend to anyone visiting the area. We do not have kids, but they also have a kids menu and we noticed children at the restaurant so it also seems to cater to all customers.
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Hayley Di Naso
You can always expect great service at a Mina restaurant.

This location is absolutely stunning. Located in the back of the hotel lobby, with a beautiful large bar, and a charming sun room; perfect for a lunch/sunset escape.

The menu was really fun, Mediterranean style fare. We loved the chili oil as a table garnish.

Great place for a lunch meeting or cocktail with the girls.
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Zara Baghikyan
We tried Orla Michael Mina restaurant — overall it was good, but nothing really “wow.” The server was very nice and very helpful, which I appreciated. The only thing I was a little disappointed about was the view situation. They have very limited tables with a view. I barely got a table with a view, but by the time we were seated it was already dark and I couldn’t catch the sunset, which was one of the reasons I wanted this restaurant in the first place.

Overall, nice service, food was good — just not as exceptional as I was expecting based on the hype. I would go again for the experience but I wouldn’t consider it a must for sunset.
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Lynnette Odd
I brought my bestie here for a special birthday and cancer free celebration. They reserved the best seat in the restaurant for us worth a beautiful view. From the time we arrived at Valet, everyone was so personable and welcoming. The hostess greeted and seated is right away. Our phenomenal waiter Ryan made sure we had everything we needed and helped with menu selections. NOTHING disappointed us. Everything was delicious. We both agreed the lamb chops were the best we ever tasted!! The lemon drops our signature drinks were great and extra cold. The night was memorable and worth the drive to Santa Monica. Thank you Orla and chef for making this day so special.
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Aitana Blose
A lot times, we are trapped in life. No matter if it is the same routine of work, same people we meet every day, or the same partner that we have to be with.

We need escape or maybe just disappear for a while to get away from the dead feeling of boredom from norm and the noise from all the human.

Then nature is there waiting for you to have a deep connection with your inside. One of the most powerful moment in nature for me definitely is the sunset. You see the color change from light yellow or pink to deeper red and pink. Sometimes the color varies too. It was a great magic show that I always think the best and free show that does not need to reserve a seat or book a ticket and it is never the same so it won’t get me bored.

Ocean beneath, has more stories every day. We don’t know. Yet it does have its own rhyme. On the surface, it is just calm.

I really enjoyed the view that I can clearly see on my seat. I do not like the food and honestly I put a high expectation on this Star Chef, however it did not amaze me. The octopus was too sour. Probably my first time had such sour octopus. No any place is better than Otium DTLA when making octopus. The Egyptian food experience that charges $105 per person is not worth the price for me. Nothing really wowed me. The hotel’s style is moderate and similar to its neighbor hotel Sandbourne. However I do feel Sandbourne has a better aesthetic and looks more modern. One more thing I don’t like and I do think the hotel did not think thoughtfully is the food gets cold really fast if the table is on the seaside.

The conclusion is I enjoyed my seat and ocean view. That’s all. If just come here to do a happy hour and enjoy the peaceful sunset would be more practical and worthwhile.
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Fatima Ghahramani
I visited Orla by Michael recently. The ambience was really nice and made the experience feel elevated. The service was okay, and the food overall was good. The standout dish for me was the lamb shank hummus — really delicious and definitely worth trying.
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Andreas Kaiser
We chose this place for a special occasion and were very pleased. The interior in a slightly segregated room provided a nice and very quiet space such that we in fact could engage in conversations. The staff was charming. And the food was delicious, maybe a touch on the salty side, but without any doubt masterfully composed.

(Originally posted by me on yelp)
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Iryna Serbina
From the very first step inside Orla Santa Monica, we felt embraced by warmth and style. The atmosphere was vibrant yet cozy, making us feel like special guests the entire evening. Every detail spoke of care – from the thoughtful presentation of each dish to the attentive staff who anticipated our needs before we even voiced them.

The food was nothing short of extraordinary. Each bite carried layers of flavor that made us pause just to savor the moment. It wasn’t just dinner – it felt like an experience, something that will stay with us as one of the highlights of our time in Santa Monica.

What touched us most was the feeling of celebration they created. It wasn’t only about delicious food; it was about joy, connection, and making memories. Orla isn’t just a restaurant – it’s a place where evenings turn into cherished moments.
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Valerie
We dined at Orla in September 2025 and had a lovely meal. We started with the caviar service, which was delicious and paired well with the champagne we chose. For dinner we (my husband and I) shared the Kebab Platter and the Macaroni Béchamel. Everything was delicious. The macaroni dish was EXCEPTIONAL and I am still thinking about it. We plan to visit Las Vegas next year and I want to eat at the Orla there, just so I can have that macaroni dish again. We sat outside on the patio and had a lovely view of the beach. Ryan was our waiter. He was friendly, helpful, and provided great service. If we are ever back in Santa Monica again, we will definitely dine at Orla again.
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