Restaurants near Santa Monica Proper Hotel worth trying
Santa Monica Proper Hotel has two on-site dining venues worth trying: Calabra, the rooftop Mediterranean–Californian restaurant with poolside seating and ocean views, and Palma, the art-filled lobby lounge serving all-day small plates and cocktails. Both accept reservations (Calabra via OpenTable or Guest Services); room service is also available 24/7 if you prefer dining in your room.
In this guide
On-site highlights: Calabra (rooftop)
Calabra is Santa Monica Proper Hotel’s rooftop Mediterranean–Californian restaurant and bar with indoor–outdoor seating and ocean views. It operates alongside the hotel’s rooftop pool deck, and is the property’s main dinner and weekend brunch destination.
The menu focuses on seasonal coastal dishes, boutique wines, and handcrafted cocktails. Calabra publishes distinct service times for brunch, lunch/Proper Hour, and dinner; reservations via OpenTable or the hotel are recommended because the rooftop is a popular spot.
- Typical service windows listed by the hotel: Brunch (Sat & Sun 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.), Proper Hour (daily 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m.), Dinner (daily 5:00 p.m.–10:00 p.m.)
- Calabra shares the rooftop with the hotel’s pool deck and poolside seating, which the hotel notes is open to registered guests only
- Dress code: Casual Dress — comfortable, neat attire is appropriate
| What to know | Practical tip |
|---|---|
| Rooftop location with ocean views | Make reservations for dinner or weekend brunch |
| Poolside dining available to hotel guests | Bring photo ID for check-in if you plan to arrive earlier than your room time |
| Reservations via OpenTable or Guest Services | Calabra phone: (424) 390-0737 |
Palma: the lobby lounge for all-day bites and cocktails
Palma sits in the hotel’s art-filled lobby and is described as an intimate lounge serving seasonal small plates, cold-pressed juices, and cocktails made with small-batch spirits. It’s a convenient option for lighter meals, juices, and drinks throughout the day.
Palma’s posted bar hours are Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–12:30 a.m.; reservations may be made by phone or email and the space is a good choice for a casual start or an evening drink.
- Palma reservations: phone +1-310-620-9990 or palma.reservations@properhotel.com
- Menu emphasizes seasonal, healthful preparations and small plates
- Palma sits in the lobby near public areas — it’s handy if you’re arriving before check-in (check-in begins at 4:00 p.m.)
| Feature | Why try it |
|---|---|
| All-day service | Good for breakfast-style items, juices, and late-night cocktails |
| Art-filled lobby setting | Comfortable place to linger or meet friends |
| Close to front desk and public areas | Easy for quick stops between beach and city outings |
Poolside dining and the rooftop pool deck
Santa Monica Proper Hotel operates the only rooftop pool on the Westside; pool hours are 8:00 a.m. until sundown and poolside seating is reserved for hotel guests. Calabra provides poolside dining service on the rooftop deck.
The rooftop pool is sized and managed as part of the rooftop dining environment; the hotel indicates taxes and fees for stays include access for registered guests. Day-pass reseller listings sometimes show separate day-visitor hours, so verify access rules before planning a non-guest visit.
- Pool hours: 8:00 a.m.–sundown (hotel-published)
- Pool seating and cabanas are intended for registered hotel guests
- Calabra offers pool-adjacent dining and private event spaces on the rooftop
| Amenity | Note |
|---|---|
| Rooftop pool | Open to hotel guests only per hotel site |
| Pool hours | 8:00 a.m.–sundown |
| Pool & dining | Calabra serves rooftop and poolside dining |
Room service and in-room dining options
If you prefer to dine in your room, Santa Monica Proper Hotel offers 24/7 room service for guests staying in any room type. Room service lets you order from hotel dining when Palma or Calabra are closed or if you want a private meal.
The hotel accepts major credit cards for dining charges (cash is not accepted); check your folio or ask the front desk for accepted card types at time of service. If you have dietary needs, the on-property kitchens work with guests on seasonal items, but confirm specifics with staff when ordering.
- Room service: available 24/7 per hotel information
- Payment: major credit cards accepted; cash not accepted
- Tip: call the front desk or Palma/Calabra for menu and timing details during your stay
| Service | Availability |
|---|---|
| Room service | 24/7 |
| Palma (lobby) | Daily — see Palma hours |
| Calabra (rooftop) | Brunch/Lunch/Proper Hour/Dinner windows |
Nearby dining and quick options off-property
Santa Monica Proper Hotel sits within easy walking distance of the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place, which offer many additional restaurants, cafes, and casual food options. The hotel’s location makes it easy to walk to local eateries for a larger range of cuisines.
If you want a short beachside meal, the Santa Monica Pier and the beachfront path are about a 8–10-minute walk from the hotel. The hotel provides free bicycles that guests can use to reach nearby spots such as Venice Beach along the Marvin Braude bike path.
- Third Street Promenade: about a 6–10 minute walk for more restaurants and cafes
- Santa Monica Pier and State Beach: roughly 8–10 minute walk from the hotel
- Free bicycles: available to guests and useful for exploring the coast
| Nearby area | Walking time from hotel (hotel-sourced) |
|---|---|
| Third Street Promenade | 6–10 minutes |
| Santa Monica State Beach | ~8 minutes (about 0.4 miles) |
| Santa Monica Pier | ~9–10 minutes (~0.5 miles) |
Practical dining tips for your stay
Make reservations for Calabra if you’re planning dinner or weekend brunch—OpenTable or the hotel’s Guest Services are recommended. Palma also accepts reservations by phone or email for the lobby lounge.
Remember hotel policies that affect dining plans: the hotel’s minimum check-in age is 21 (the guest who registers must have ID and a credit card), children of all ages are welcome to dine, and dogs are not allowed inside Calabra or on the rooftop bar per the hotel’s pet rules. Valet parking and some services (spa, valet, pool access for non-guests) carry separate fees.
- Check-in starts at 4:00 p.m.; if you arrive early, Palma is a place to wait comfortably
- Dogs: hotel allows dogs in rooms (two max) but not in rooftop restaurant/bar areas
- Payment: major credit cards accepted for dining; cash is not accepted at the property
| Policy | Effect on dining |
|---|---|
| Minimum check-in age 21 | Guest registering the room must be 21+ with photo ID and credit card |
| Children welcome | Children may dine; those under 18 may require adult supervision for some facilities |
| Pet restrictions | Dogs allowed in rooms but not in rooftop dining/bar areas |
