Tar & Roses

Walking into Tar & Roses feels like arriving at that perfect neighborhood spot you’ve always wished existed. The dimly lit dining room has an unmistakable energy—a buzzing atmosphere where everyone seems genuinely excited to be there. Since opening in 2011, this Santa Monica gem has remained one of the Westside’s most reliable destinations for a memorable meal, and there’s a good reason the place stays packed.

The menu takes a globe-trotting approach to comfort food, and while that might sound scattered on paper, it works beautifully in practice. The legendary oxtail dumplings have achieved near-mythical status among regulars—four precious parcels per order that you’ll inevitably reorder throughout the night. The charcuterie board offers plenty of choices, but the duck rillette is the clear standout. When the king trumpet mushrooms with soft egg appear on the rotating menu, consider yourself lucky and order immediately.

This is the kind of place where work stress melts away somewhere between the first appetizer and the main course. It’s upscale enough to impress your parents or a date, yet comfortable enough that you’re really just enjoying exceptional comfort food in good company. The shellfish pot with its Thai curry broth is a crowd-pleaser, and the strawberry ricotta crostata with honeycomb ice cream provides the perfect sweet ending.

Tar & Roses succeeds because it doesn’t try too hard to be anything other than what it is: a consistently excellent restaurant where the food delivers and the experience leaves you satisfied. Skip the skepticism that comes with anything popular and just book a table. Your only regret will be not discovering those dumplings sooner.