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Italian · Rooftop Bar · Santa Monica, CA

Elephante Menu 2026: Rooftop Italian in Santa Monica, CA

Full guide to the Elephante menu in Santa Monica, CA — wood-fired Italian cuisine on a rooftop with panoramic Pacific Ocean views. Below: the complete menu by category, what to order, brunch details, vegetarian options, and answers to the most common questions about visiting Elephante.

Rooftop diningOcean viewsWood-fired ItalianHandmade pastaWeekend brunchSanta Monica, CA
Jump to full menu Cheapest items
Sample · $$$

Signature items

Cacio e PepeHousemade pasta
Margherita PizzaWood-fired
Branzino al FornoWhole roasted
Elephante SpritzSignature cocktail
TiramisuHouse dessert
Jump to: What to order Full menu Brunch Cocktails Vegetarian options About Elephante FAQ
Quick answers

What to order at Elephante

The four things people most often ask about Elephante's menu — answered at a glance.

Must-order pasta
Cacio e Pepe

Tonnarelli, aged Pecorino, cracked pepper — the Roman classic done right.

Best pizza
Funghi e Tartufo

Wild mushroom, truffle cream, fontina and shaved black truffle. Vegetarian.

Best for sunset
Book the terrace

West-facing rooftop faces the ocean. Sunset seating is the most-sought table in the house.

Best brunch dish
Ricotta Pancakes

Whipped mascarpone, seasonal berries, maple syrup. Weekend-only.

Signature dishes

The six dishes that define Elephante's menu

If you're visiting Elephante for the first time, these six dishes represent the kitchen's strengths across pasta, pizza, seafood and the bar — ordered by regulars at almost every table.

Pasta · Vegetarian

Cacio e Pepe

Tonnarelli, aged Pecorino Romano, Parmigiano Reggiano, cracked black pepper. A simple Roman classic elevated by house-made pasta and top-quality cheese. One of the most-ordered dishes at Elephante.

Pizza · Wood-fired

Funghi e Tartufo

Wild mushroom blend on truffle cream with fontina, fresh thyme and shaved black truffle. Vegetarian. The most indulgent pizza on the menu and the one regulars reorder every visit.

Secondi · Seafood

Branzino al Forno

Whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass with capers, olives, cherry tomatoes and salsa verde. Light, bright California-Italian cooking at its best — the signature fish of the menu.

Antipasto · Sharing

Burrata

Fresh burrata with heirloom tomatoes, basil oil, sea salt and grilled bread. The quintessential Italian opening — at Elephante the quality of the cheese and tomatoes earns it a permanent spot on every table.

Brunch · Weekend only

Ricotta Pancakes

Fluffy house ricotta pancakes with whipped mascarpone, seasonal berries and maple syrup. The most-ordered brunch sweet. Soft, rich and lighter than standard American pancakes.

Cocktail · Signature

Elephante Spritz

Aperol, Prosecco, blood orange, elderflower and sparkling water. The house aperitivo — order one at sunset on the terrace. Lighter and more complex than a standard Aperol spritz.

Browse the menu

Jump to a menu category

All nine Elephante menu categories — antipasti, salads, pizza, pasta, mains, sides, brunch, desserts and cocktails.

Antipasti6 itemsInsalate4 itemsPizza (Wood-Fired)6 itemsPasta7 itemsSecondi (Mains)5 itemsContorni (Sides)4 itemsWeekend Brunch6 itemsDolci (Desserts)4 itemsCocktails & Drinks7 items
The full menu

Every item on Elephante's menu by category

All dishes and drinks across nine categories. Weekend brunch and the cocktail menu are included below.

About pricing. Elephante does not publish a full priced menu online. Menu items and descriptions are compiled from publicly available sources reviewed May 2026. For current prices, visit elephantesm.com or call the restaurant directly. Prices are subject to change and vary seasonally.
Dietary guide

Vegetarian and vegan options at Elephante

Elephante's Italian menu naturally accommodates vegetarian diners well. Several pasta dishes, three pizzas, the full antipasti board and all vegetable sides are made without meat. Vegan guests should ask the server about dairy-free modifications on pasta (egg-free tonnarelli is available) and pizza (vegan cheese swap on request).

Always confirm allergen details with your server. Cross-contact is possible in a shared kitchen.

  • Vegetarian pizzas: Margherita, Funghi e Tartufo, Bianca
  • Vegetarian pasta: Cacio e Pepe, Tagliatelle ai Funghi, Gnocchi al Pomodoro
  • Vegetarian antipasti: Burrata, Charcuterie Board (ask for cheese-only)
  • Vegan sides: Patate al Rosmarino, Verdure Arrosto, Broccolini Aglio e Olio
  • Vegan-friendly salads: Arugula Salad (no Parmigiano on request)
  • Brunch vegetarian: Ricotta Pancakes, Shakshuka, Avocado Toast
Visit & reservations

Planning your visit to Elephante

Elephante is located at 1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, on the rooftop level above ground floor. It's a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier, the Third Street Promenade and Santa Monica Place mall. Street parking and nearby city parking structures are available.

Reservations are strongly recommended for dinner and weekend brunch — especially Friday and Saturday evenings. Book online at elephantesm.com or via OpenTable. Bar walk-ins are accepted subject to availability.

The outdoor terrace is open most evenings year-round and is heated. Sunset seating facing the Pacific is the most sought-after in the house — book early for golden-hour tables.

  • Address: 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
  • Dinner: Nightly (confirm hours at elephantesm.com)
  • Brunch: Saturday and Sunday
  • Reservations: Strongly recommended
  • Bar walk-ins: Available subject to space
  • Parking: City structures nearby; street parking
  • Dress code: Smart casual to upscale casual
About Elephante

Santa Monica's rooftop Italian with an ocean view.

Elephante opened in Santa Monica, California as an upscale rooftop restaurant and bar with a clear point of view: Italian cuisine — wood-fired, handmade and ingredient-driven — served above the Pacific. The name is a nod to the elephant, a symbol of memory and endurance, and the experience is designed around one of the most coveted views in Southern California: the Santa Monica Bay at sunset.

The kitchen focuses on classic Italian technique adapted to California seasonality — San Marzano tomatoes, imported Italian charcuterie and cheese, sustainable local seafood, and wood-fired cooking at the center. The cocktail program is equally considered, with Italian aperitivo culture (Aperol, Prosecco, Campari) at its core.

Weekend brunch has become a signature occasion at Elephante, drawing locals and visitors who want the rooftop ocean-view experience in the daytime with a more relaxed pace and brunch-specific dishes.

2nd StSanta Monica, CA
$$$Price range
9Menu categories
RooftopOcean-view terrace
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Common questions

Elephante Santa Monica — frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions about Elephante's menu, location, reservations, dress code and dietary options.

Where is Elephante located in Santa Monica?

Elephante is located at 1332 2nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401, on the rooftop above street level near Santa Monica Place and the Third Street Promenade. The restaurant offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and is a short walk from the Santa Monica Pier and the beach. Validated parking is available in nearby city structures.

Do I need a reservation at Elephante?

Yes. Elephante is a popular upscale rooftop venue and reservations are strongly recommended, especially for dinner on Friday and Saturday evenings and weekend brunch. Book via the official site at elephantesm.com or through OpenTable. Walk-ins are accepted at the bar subject to availability.

What kind of food does Elephante serve?

Elephante serves upscale Italian cuisine with a California sensibility. The menu features wood-fired Neapolitan-style pizzas, handmade pasta dishes (including cacio e pepe, carbonara and duck ragu pappardelle), grilled and roasted seafood and meat secondi, antipasti, and a full cocktail program. Weekend brunch is available Saturday and Sunday.

Does Elephante have ocean views?

Yes. Elephante is a rooftop restaurant on the second floor of a building on 2nd Street in downtown Santa Monica, approximately two blocks from the Pacific Ocean. The west-facing terrace offers sweeping views of the Santa Monica Bay and Pacific Coast Highway, especially at sunset. The outdoor terrace is heated and open most evenings year-round.

What is the price range at Elephante?

Elephante is an upscale restaurant with pricing that reflects the rooftop location and quality of ingredients. Antipasti and salads are typically in the $18–$28 range; wood-fired pizzas run approximately $22–$30; pasta dishes tend to fall in the $28–$42 range; and main-course secondi (fish, steak, poultry) typically run $38–$65+. Cocktails are generally $18–$22. Confirm current pricing at elephantesm.com before visiting, as menus change seasonally.

Does Elephante serve brunch?

Yes. Elephante offers weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday, typically from mid-morning through early afternoon. The brunch menu features Italian-leaning dishes including ricotta pancakes, eggs Bene Italiano with truffle hollandaise, shakshuka, smoked salmon frittata and breakfast pizza, alongside brunch cocktails and the full bar. Confirm current brunch hours at elephantesm.com.

Are there vegetarian or vegan options at Elephante?

Yes. Elephante's menu includes a solid selection of vegetarian dishes — the Margherita, Funghi e Tartufo and Bianca pizzas, Cacio e Pepe, Tagliatelle ai Funghi and Gnocchi al Pomodoro pastas, plus burrata, salads and roasted vegetable sides. Vegan guests can build a meal from the plant-based sides (Patate al Rosmarino, Verdure Arrosto, Broccolini Aglio e Olio). Ask the server for dairy-free modifications on pasta and pizza.

What is the dress code at Elephante?

Elephante does not enforce a strict dress code, but the vibe is upscale casual to smart casual. Most guests dress well above beach casual for dinner; think sundresses, blazers, or stylish casual wear. The rooftop setting at sunset is a popular spot for dates, celebrations and group dinners, so guests tend to dress accordingly. Flip-flops and beachwear are discouraged in the dining room at dinner.

Is Elephante good for a special occasion or private event?

Yes. Elephante is well-suited for celebrations, birthday dinners, anniversaries and business dinners thanks to its dramatic rooftop setting, ocean views, and full-service bar. The venue also offers semi-private and private event spaces for groups. Inquire about private dining through the contact form or by calling the restaurant directly. The sunset hour is especially popular for proposals and milestone birthdays.

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