Serves meat, vegan options available. Offers brunch specials including scrambles, bowls, pancakes, and French toast. Dinner options include impossible burgers, salads, some Mediterranean options. Desserts include horchata ice cream. Has a full bar. Previously was made all vegan but switched back to non-veg May 2023. Reported closed November 2023.
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1534 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, California, USA, 90403
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- Outdoor seating
- Accepts credit cards
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Last update on 15 Jan 2024 by alexrrr
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Added by eric on 09 Aug 2021
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46 Reviews
First Review by marvel_jen
Dwerber
Points +114
Just WOW - Edit
Been here twice already and every time I visit it's bliss. The food is SUPERB. I especially recommend the mushroom pizza, the spinach arugula pizza, cacio e pepe pasta, & pesto pasta. But I feel like you can't go wrong with anything because their team clearly understands good seasoning and ingredients and great service! The atmosphere is so relaxed yet chic. For dessert we got the chocolate chip with vanilla ice cream and that was the only thing I wouldn't get again, but I think it's not made there.
Read moreGuest
RocketGomez
Points +355
Restaurant has closed down - Edit
I live very nearby and can confirm Margo's has closed for renovation starting Nov. 30, 2023. The sign in the window said it will be reopened as a sports bar.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-11-21
Guest
Jojo5
Points +111
Delicious dinner - Edit
I had the pesto pasta. My friend had gluten-free mushroom pizza. My husband had huevos rancheros and all were good and very pretty. I’m sorry this restaurant serves meat now I still worry that I’m gonna order something wrong or something will happen to my food when it’s being prepared.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-03-19
Cons: Serves meat
Guest
Pilot.lj
Points +1171
NO LONGER VEGAN - Edit
This place is so disappointing. They’re good used to all be plant based and it was descent. Now they’ve added not only dairy but meat to their menu. I can’t support them for reverting from vegan to selling dead animals.
Read moreGuest
KatelynDietz
Points +19
Disappointing new menu - Edit
Used to love this spot but very disappointed to see they're no longer plant-based. Clearly didn't have a moral backbone or sold out to new people who don't. There were also lots of people there when I'd visit, so I don't know why they'd do that. I'll definitely stop recommending it to people now that I know they've gone from hurting no animals to hurting many every day 👎🏻
Read moreGuest
regijane
Points +128
NO LONGER VEGAN! - Edit
NO LONGER FULLY VEGAN!
Read moreQuality of food has gone down, too. Pointlessly added a non-vegan menu that no one in my party (even the omnivores) ordered from, neither did anyone at any table around us. Wait staff seemed reluctant to even mention it, and it didn’t look like anyone was using it, still not sure why they felt it was necessary. The vegan gf pizza is usually excellent but it was undercooked. Staff first sent out wrong order, very kindly tried to make it up with a free salad while we waited for correct order, but everything was just okay instead of awesome like it used to be.
Updated from previous review on 2023-06-13
Pros: V/gf deep dish used to be excellent, Outside seating
Cons: NOT VEGAN, Food quality was just so-so
Guest
charissarhea
Points +112
Says they are plant based but they aren't - Edit
I went for breakfast thinking this was a vegan restaurant not only because they were previously categorized as such on Happy Cow but also because their website, signage outside all said Plant Based. So, was shocked when server showed me the "meat menu" which I thought must be vegan "meat", but no... it is actually animal parts. The place smelled like dirty dish water and the menu and table were sticky. We left before ordering. I have no issue with veg options if the restaurant is advertised as such. I do have a big problem with restaurant that advertises as vegan and it isn't. This is the first time in 20+ years that I've ever seen a restaurant do this. At least now they seem to be categorized in happy cow under "veg options" instead of "vegan" which their profile previously reflected.
Read morePros: Has vegan options
Cons: Promotes itself as vegan restaurant but it is not
Guest
sagarak
Points +570
Great place - Edit
Update: No longer vegan, but staff assured me everything is cooked separately.. Service can also be very slow here.
Read moreIf you’re there for brunch, the breakfast pizza & the French toast sticks are amazing. Definitely recommend! Small parking lot in the back too, otherwise lots of metered street parking on Montana.
Updated from previous review on 2022-08-03
Pros: Best pizza, Good drinks
Cons: Slow
Guest
MickD
Points +16
Disgusting - Edit
How utterly disconnected to call your restaurant Margo's Plant Based Santa Monica ... yet provide a menu where people can order and munch on dead body parts. A real slap in the face to the regular patrons who supported you, and a stab in the throat to the innocent tortured animals you now serve up as food for mere profit. SHAME ON YOU!
Read moreGuest
NatalieFord
Points +22
ALERT - NO LONGER VEGAN AS OF MAY 2023 - Edit
So my dear vegan friend and I went to enjoy a vegan meal the other day, and discovered meat on the menu. We talked to the server, who explained they wanted to make more money.
Read moreWe left. I don’t want to eat somewhere that also serves up dead animals. Especially in a small kitchen like that. Especially just because they want to make more money. This is the type of unconscious and selfish behavior that I will not support.
It’s too bad.
Cons: No longer vegan
Guest
PlantbasedinLA
Points +17
Not vegan. Cows are unhappy! - Edit
This place labels itself as vegan on their site and across social platforms, but is NOT a vegan restaurant. Call to confirm - which they did for me on a call tonight. Half of the menu now is animal products. False advertising and manipulative marketing. And since they’re lying to happy cow, I couldn’t even give them just one star since they automatically earn one for labeling themselves as “vegan” despite that being false. Shameful. Don’t eat here. And if you do, know that the food (which I had when fully vegan) is greasy and mediocre.
Read moreCons: Animal products on their menu, Lack of values , False advertising and manipulative marketing
Guest
rickem
Points +536
Great pizza - Edit
UPDATE: NO LONGER VEGAN!! As of May 2023 they’ve added some meat items to their happy hour menu. Not sure why they’ve done this but please be careful if you order their beef, chicken etc. because on certain items it’s the real thing 🤮 Not sure why they’ve done this, it’s such a shame. The vegan pizzas are still awesome though!
Read moreLoved the pizzas here, great texture and taste. The mushroom pizza was awesome!
Updated from previous review on 2023-04-25
Guest
Justgoplay
Points +271
One of a Kind - Edit
Fried Mushroom Sandwich was one of a kind and delicious. Classic buttermilk “fried chicken” crunch, fresh butter lettuce and a thick slice of tomato. French fries were crisp and fresh. Companion ordered burger, reported to be ok. Most dessert pastries were sold out when we arrived a little after noon. We tried the brownie, it was large and pretty good. Good service.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-05-03
Pros: Unique sandwich, Excellent fries, Large selection
Cons: Some items were just ok
Guest
Banangela97
Points +2605
Fantastic pizzaaa - Edit
After the Vegan Earth Day March we all came to Margo's who generously donated 15% of our bills to Love Always Sanctuary. Kinda hectic but great host :)
Read morePros: All vegan, Nice patio seating
Guest
LaurenGarza
Points +36
Delicious - Edit
Great food & drinks, lots of options. Loved the option for farro in the burrito bowl. Did have to ask servers multiple times for silverware and plates for sharing. Would go back again.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2023-04-22
Pros: Lots of options - Mexican, Italian, etc, Strong drinks. Amazing spicy margarita, Cute atmosphere
Cons: Pizza is pretty thin, could be crispier , Could’ve used more chips with the queso
Guest
LeahLenore
Points +111
Vegan brunch all day? Sign me up! - Edit
This place is great. What a find! We’ve come here a couple times with our kiddos for brunch and also for dinner once and have been well received with fantastic service and delicious food. Definitely going to be a mainstay in our visits to Santa Monica from now on. Highly recommend the French toast and the frittata. The French toast is basically like a churro, absolutely delicious! Really a dessert though lol. Thank you for a great experience! What a lovely little restaurant with a pretty ambience and great food. Can’t ask for more!
Read morePros: All vegan!, The French toast is to die for, Great service
Guest
EmilyPrice
Points +297
Great vibe, great food - Edit
Loved the gf breakfast pizza we got. Their gf crust is a deep dish which is SO different from what you usually find and it was flakey and buttery and flawless.
Read moreGreat brunch spot! Our non vegan friends were totally satisfied as well. #Veganuary
Pros: Fully vegan , Amazing GF pizza , Full bar
Cons: No gf options for pasta
Guest
mdotbd
Points +585
Good but expensive - Edit
Good food but quite expensive. Price to worth it ratio is off.
Read morePros: Good food
Cons: Expensive
Guest
StevenWhite
Points +48
Nice menu, poor service - Edit
The experienced restaurant group that runs this needs to put a new manager in place and improve staff training
Read morePros: Generally good food, Nice, casual scene
Cons: Just can’t get the service together, Kind of expensive. But mostly…, The service sucks
Guest
Sepideh
Points +50
Very expensive as regard to the quality of the service - Edit
The staff is not efficient at all. You have to wait a long time until you have a chance to see a waiter to call him and ask for something.
Read moreI also had a not fresh grapefruit juice served not cold. They offered a little discount on the bill for this.
The pizza are good but very expensive their size.
Pros: Very good impossible mini burger as starter , Nice place
Cons: Poor table service : waiting long time, Too expensive
Guest
phytophile
Points +1118
Mushroom pizza is good - Edit
I would say that the pizza was good. The rest is not that good anymore. It’s edible but leaves you saying to yourself, I am bummed that that was $20 - $30 when it wasn’t even inspired or interesting. I was a fan. Not anymore. Disappointed too many times.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-10-28
Pros: Pizza that isn’t covered in daiya. , Outside is nice, Vegan
Cons: Banh mi is not fresh tasting. Avoid. , Expensive , Not as good as it used to be
Guest
jpick
Points +116
Outstanding local restaurant - Edit
Really delicious local restaurant that is ALL plant based so no wondering if it’s not. Everything we’ve had here has been great. Tacos are outstanding, pizzas are great, good choices of beers. We always eat outside. Happy hour is a good late afternoon time to enjoy sliders and tacos and a beer.
Read morePros: All vegan. Great food.
Cons: Happy hour choices are somewhat limited, but good
Guest
JMartinez_vgn
Points +44
Excellent food - Edit
Really good food for the whole family. Has a regular and a brunch menu
Read morePros: Lots of vegan options , Good taste
Cons: Expensive
Guest
jcdiallo
Points +162
Tasty Sunday Brunch - Edit
My omnivore family members enjoyed their vegan dishes as much as I did which is always a plus! Burrito bowl was a bit dry and breakfast sandwich was a little messy to eat. Otherwise good ingredients and nice flavors.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2022-08-26
Pros: All vegan, Good tasting food, Filling portions
Cons: Menu is confusing. Everything really is vegan!
Guest
JoshMargolis
Points +32
Great pizza and pasta - Edit
great pizza and pasta. Tried the pesto and meatball pasta, which comes with one huge meatball, and the white pizza.
Read moreGuest
AlissaAllen
Points +97
Delicious, high quality food - Edit
Margo's had really good food and also a nice drink/cocktail menu. The pizzas looked really good but they also had a variety of other dishes including pasta, sandwiches/burgers, tacos, nachos, and a burrito bowl, which is what I got. It was so flavorful and all the ingredients combined so well. It was a little pricey (a little under $20 for entrees other than pizza and a little over $20 for pizza) but they did have small plates that were less expensive. And I did feel like I got what I payed for -- it was a pretty good portion and tasty.
Read morePros: So much variety of vegan food, Really yummy, Pleasant atmosphere
Cons: Kind of expensive
Guest
KarolaSM
Points +287
Very good pizzas - Edit
I loved the mushroom pizza, and the salad. Also they offer gluten free options for their pizzas. What I didn’t like was the wine… it was a really good wine but they served warm and passed 😒
Read morePros: GF options, Great taste
Cons: Wine wasn’t good.
Guest
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