True Food Kitchen

Always a great experience, fantastic food, and servers who seem to really care about their jobs. I’ve been a fan for years but never wrote about this location. I especially love that when I brought my kids they seemed to care about their experience too and really went the extra mile to help us all have a good meal

I loved my Turkey Lasagna, the Guacamole/​Fruit dip, and the Chia Seed Rice pudding dessert. Great menu with lots of selections and worthy of the wait. They have a good wait app and notification service that allows you to put your name down and you get a text when your table is ready. Easy going and friendly staff and great portions. It’s hard to not try everything. I just wish this place would expand to Seattle!

I work nearby, and my coworkers & I Love True Food!
I’ve been eating here for a few years, I can’t believe I’m just Now posting a review!
I have Never had a bad meal here… Never!
The dishes I’ve eaten are all comfort foods! Spaghetti Squash Casserole. the lunch portion is just enough to fill you up without being heavy. Cheesy & tomatoes goodness!
Teriyaki Bowl with Steak. Wow, my favorite. The veggies & brown rice cooked just right & not over sauced. I love the avocado tops off the dish. Mmmm!
Panang Curry! The broth is delectable! The coconut adds just enough sweetness!
The thing I Love is the Food comes to you Piping get Hot! I hate to be served barely warm food!
The Staff are Always Friendly & Helpful, because there are some Picky Vegetarians that come here & ask 10 million questions about the food! The Servers calmly explain & give suggestions! I would Poked someone’s Eye Out!

True Food Kitchen is the kind of restaurant I’d love to see more in Asia. After a few more visits, I might have to bump it up to 5 stars.
The ambiance is lovely. Bright with lots of natural light, simple and spacious with high ceilings.
The service was a little slow when we went, but our server managed to get all our orders correct. There were seven of us at the table, and our orders included special requests for the picky eaters (aka our kids).
At the first glance of the menu, we knew we could eat healthy here. We noticed lots of greens, fresh ingredients, and healthy options. We tried the burger, green curry, seafood fried noodles, grilled vegetables, salmon salad, and a platter of grilled chicken, edamame, carrot sticks and brown/​red rice for the kids. The food looked naturally colorful. Everything tasted fresh and nutritious, but the flavors weren’t compromised.
The location is ideal, too. You can easily walk to the Promenade or the Pier before or after your meal.
I’ll be patiently waiting for them to branch out to other countries.

¡Super lugar para comer o cenar en Santa Monica, Los Angeles! Sobre todo si quieres cambiarle de la comida chatarra y tienes antojo de algo más ligero y saludable. El lugar es muy agradable, espacioso, con lindas mesas de madera y luz tenue (la noche). El concepto del lugar es ofrecer muchas opciones de comida sana, con las verduras del momento, mucha selección para los vegetarianos, veganos y gluten-​free. A dos compartimos el humus, sopa de lentejas (especial del día), una ensalada Harvest Chopped, que fue mi favorita y el short rib. Todo estuvo delicioso. El servicio muy atento y eficiente. Me encantó este lugar.

Staff is great and friendly.
Seasonal menu
Was able to call ahead for seating and they were able to seat a table of 12.
I ordered the fish special it was black cod with a miso reduction and veggie. So so good.
The portion size is decent but order a side for big boy size.
Got the dumplings– yum
Kale and avocado dip. — yum yum
Definitely coming back.

I tried the Winter menu and split the kale, avocado dip and a chicken sausage pizza with my family.
The kale avocado dip was delicious and had little chunks of grapefruit in it. I plan to recreate my own. The pita chips were also very yummy. I don’t think I can recreate my own, unfortunately. This is an absolutely delicious appetizer perfect for sharing. We also ordered the chicken sausage pizza which came out even better than I was expecting. I particularly liked the fontina cheese.
One thing to note: their beers are canned, not on tap, so that was disappointing. Don’t order the beer, haha. However, they have a wide variety of cocktails and other non-​alcoholic drinks (matcha horchata is calling my name).
Otherwise, I appreciate that their menu changes with the season and they devote themselves to using local, fresh ingredients in all their menu items. I can’t wait to come back.

My friends and I read some reviews True Food before deciding to go for lunch. I am from Chicago, and I feel like there are so many organic places to try in California so we wanted to weigh out our options. It was a pretty big establishment and we were seated immediately. The place was packed when we went in the afternoon around 2:00PM.
The kitchen was pretty open so you could see into it and it looked very clean and contained many different kinds of fresh produce. I normally stick to water, but one of their refreshers on the menu stuck out to me. I ordered the vanilla lemongrass sparkling tea and it was very tasty. It was a very unusual concoction that mixed together vanilla, lemongrass, lemon and cane sugar. It tasted very fresh and even though the mix of ingredients were different to me at first, I enjoyed it. My friends and I all ordered the kale crunch salad which was amazing as well.
The diversity of the menu brought us a fresh and unfamiliar taste. I highly recommend trying True Food Kitchen and I am happy to have learned that they are opening up a Chicago location soon.

What a huge oversight on my part that I haven’t reviewed True Foods! It’s probably my most visited Santa Monica restaurant! I’m not one to do repeat visits to the same place unless I absolutely love it since I like trying new places, but True Foods is definitely on my list of regulars. You really can’t go wrong with anything you order, it’s all so good and even better, it’s all so good for you!
Some of my favorites include:
Edamame dumplings
ALL the salads
Kale guacamole dip
Butternut squash pizza
Roasted vegetable board
Teriyaki chicken bowl
Quinoa inside out burger (interestingly, it’s best in the half size. The full portion is a bit dry).
Grapefruit martini (one of my all time favorite cocktails. Just amazing!)
Chia seed pudding (dessert)
See what I mean? You really can’t go wrong. The only things I’ve ever had that I wasn’t too impressed with are the margarita pizza (too saucy, not enough cheese) and the spaghetti squash (there are better items).
Plus! What I love most of all! Is that you can mix and match almost EVERYTHING. This is pretty much a dream for indecisive people like me. What this means is you can get two different pizzas in one or get a half salad and a half quinoa burger, the options are endless!
So why only 4 stars when I’m obviously so in love with this place? My last three visits have been lacking. The food wasn’t as fresh and slightly flavorless, some of the food was burned, and the service was not friendly or attentive like it used to be. Please get your act together True Foods and continue to be the amazing place I know you to be!!!

I was apprehensive to try True Food (I thought it would be overly healthy and too pricy) but was pleasantly surprised by their extensive, diverse menu (meat and vegetarian options), beautiful, open venue with an outdoor patio, and juice/​alcohol bar.
Food: Their «seasonally-​inspired» rotating menu is sure to impress. If you’re a seafood lover like me, you’ll love the seared ahi wasabi wrap. We also tried the butternut squash pizza which has a smoky flavor, almost mimicking bacon. Basically, their menu is extremely diverse, and you’ll be happy with anything you order. You can expect each dish to be fresh, flavorful and high-​quality.
Ambiance: Upscale fast-​casual. Prime, Santa Monica Place location, beautiful, open venue with an outdoor patio, and juice/​alcohol bar.
Service: Fast, friendly and passionate wait staff!
This place pretty much kills it in every category. I’ve been planning my next trip here ever since I left!

This is a perfect place for a low-​key healthy lunch or dinner. I came here for dinner with a friend and loved it.
As an appetizer, we ordered the truffle edamame dumplings and they were delicious! The truffle added a scrumptious flavor to a healthy dish.
My friend ordered the lasagna and it was bomb! It comes overflowing with cheese. If I came back here for dinner, I would order this.
I had the ahi tuna sandwich. It was amazing but I would order it for lunch instead.
We ended with the flourless chocolate cake and I was in heaven. So scrumptious, warm, and gooey.
If you live in the Santa Monica area, this place should become a staple for you!

Food 4:
Edmame Dumplings — I love the fillings, so creamy and tasty!
Turkey Lasagna — Tasty and the layers are green so I assumed it’s made out of spinach.
Tofu something wrap — It’s good too, except it’s a little bit too much sauce for me.
Overall, it’s healthy and tasty, but the price is a little bit too much for the little portion.
Service 4.5:
Average…BUT, when the server saw we are Asians, he gave us chopsticks! So considerate, I am touched :)
Environment 4:
I wanted to give 5 stars due to its convenient parking and its nice area. However, there was so much smoke (because the kitchen is inside and open). So…

True food does live up to its name. It’s a very healthy meal with some unique combos of cuisines and flavors. And tastes good! However a bit pricey for what it is? I always get the Red Chili Shrimp with sesame noodles, and I think is one of their best items. The kale and avocado dip is amazing and extremely addictive. The Butternut Squash Lasagna fell a little bit more on the bland side. The turkey lasagna is pretty good, and tastes so healthy it almost feels like a vegetarian lasagna, but still with good flavors! The albacore tataki is delicious and another one of my favorites, but only four pieces :(
Overall, a delicious and healthy meal with great ambiance. At first I was addicted, but it’s a bit pricey for what it is… That’s what you get in Santa Monica I guess

Pretty good food and amazing service. My fiancé and I came in here at 10 pm last night (right at closing time), but they were friendly with us and didn’t try to rush us out. Our food and drinks came out more quickly than expected but we never felt rushed out. The server was knowledgeable about the menu, which was easy to comprehend and not filled with jargon.
I had a great experience and will definitely be back.

I’ve been here twice. I love the openness of the restaurant and the rustic-​industrial décor. The food however was just average.
CHILI SHRIMP NOODLES– a little too wet, a little bland, and shrimp was overcooked
CHICKEN CURRY– the flavor was good but the sauce was too thin, really more of a curry soup that drowned the rice than a curry sauce
CHICKEN SAUSAGE SCRAMBLE– eggs were moist and well cooked but kind of plain
BISON BURGER– had a nice flavor but overcooked
Service was slow
I like the concept of the restaurant and think the food has potential but needs some tweaking.

I’m not too familiar with too many restaurants in the Santa Monica area, especially close to 3^rd street promenade. My friend recommended this place to me and now I have been to true foods kitchen a few times and it’s amazing!
The menu is very health oriented which I really like, but everything still tastes so good! Their curry bowl with shrimp is what I get almost every time and it always hits the spot. I also have tried their pizzas and desserts which are also amazing.
This is always a good place in Santa Monica since it has a wide variety of food options. It is right next to a very big parking garage which makes life so much easier. The service here is also very good and fast. I would definitely recommend this place for anyone who is in the Santa Monica area near the promenade trying to find healthy food.

Modern and casual atmosphere, with pretty friendly staff and good service.
we were not very hungry and have ordered light :
1. Root & Remedy — ³⁄₅ $ 6 Carrot Lemonade with honey and turmeric, healthy but didn’t like the taste much.
2. Cucumber-​Citrus Skinny Margarita– ³⁄₅ $ 10 it was ok for a skinny margarita, I’d order this again.
3. Avocado Kale Dip /​Spiced Pita Chips– ³⁄₅ $ 9 this was pretty good, love the crispy Pita chips, the Dip also very good with chunks of fresh avocado with small pieces of pomelo fruit which was interesting and light.
4. Harvest Chopped Salad /​chicken — ³⁄₅ $ 19.5 this is a bit pricy for a small serving of salad with some grilled chicken on top (salad only is $ 13.50) however it’s very good and light.
5 Street Taco — ³⁄₅ $ 16 got the steak and fish, was just ok, light but not very flavorful, have had better.
This was just a 3 star experience for me, however I do like the concept of using healthy fresh ingredients to create «honest food «that tastes good.

GREAT GREAT SERVICE: ⁵⁄₅ — so i actually say this because i forgot my invisalign and the sweetest lady comes behind me basically while i was walking out to my car and hands me my invisalign in a napkin!
Sooooo needless to say, this super natural, great organic delicious resto definitely gained another customer.
Absolutely loved the green vibe. The menu is fresh, ever-​changing with the seasons and really local. Love supporting local farms.
It is a vegan, gluten friendly place and ALSO, a carnivorous dream too
TIP: GET the wild mushroom flat bread as an appy it is absolutely amazing, best flat bread ever ever ever ever
Got the braised bison, mediterranean chicken, and panang curry
The panang is creamy, tasty but it has a real kick to it so if you aren’t a fan of spicy food this isn’t for you
My top choices: Panang, and wild mushroom flat bread

Suzie Q’s Fun Facts:
While Dr. Andrew Weil is the name most closely associated with True Food Kitchen, this restaurant is actually part of a chain owned by restaurateur Sam Fox, whose «Fox Restaurant Concepts» operates 25 restaurants across California, Arizona and the Midwest.
=≅≅≅≅≅~
I know essentially nothing about the anti-​inflammatory diet espoused by Dr. Weil. All I know is that on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend 2015, I was in the mood for a walk through Santa Monica, and found myself looking for a tasty brunch after my walk.
My Unilocal app led me to True Food Kitchen. I’d come here once before for dinner or cocktails or something, but my visit hadn’t been super memorable.
On this occasion, the large restaurant seemed unusually empty for a Labor Day weekend. Initially, there was no one at the front of the restaurant to greet me — or the other patron who had arrived right after me. But then someone came running up, and I was seated promptly.
My server was very friendly, and was happy to give me her recommendations. With her help, I ordered a sparkling peach tea, and the breakfast burrito.
My drink (to DIE for… tangy, sour, so refreshing) and food came very promptly. The burrito came with roasted sweet potato hash, and salsa verde. It wasn’t your typical breakfast burrito, lacking the standard guac and sour cream and such… and instead or black or pinto beans, it had «anasazi beans» (which pretty much tasted like pintos anyway). But it tasted great, and was remarkably filling.
I sat for a while and read a magazine, and my waitress — though she brought the check — emphatically told me that I could take as long as I wanted. So I didn’t feel rushed.
All in all, I enjoyed my meal at True Food Kitchen, and feel like I had an above-​average meal on the «healthy eating» scale.

DUDE
This place is awesome! I loved everything about this place! A lot of vegetarian and vegan options but also suited for the carnivore as well! The décor is cute! They have a little herb garden out at the front, a huge seating area inside and outside as well. Under the hand dryer in the bathroom they have a plant so ZERO water goes to waste!
We got the Bison burger and the Chicken Sausage Pizza. BOTH were amazing. Bison burger was juicy and it came with sweet potatoes and kale salad. My manfriend doesn’t even like kale but he loved the salad! The chicken sausage on the pizza was SO flavorful!
Definitely will be back here

I must start off by saying that It was unfortunate I dined with you on a day that wasn’t going well for you all. Your computers were down and the staff was a bit off kilter. That being said I must say you have a very cool concept and extremely so californiaesk (my own word.) The staff looked bright and healthy. The uniforms cool though grey slacks stain pretty easy, most had stains by noon today. Another comment on staff, I know it’s hard to smile when your computers are a miss though no one smiled for over an hour… I believe that’s hard to do!
The food, I enjoyed your soup today; lemon chicken with brown rice, avacado and kale dip with large pita chips and street fish tacos. Everything was indeed fresh and fabulous! Presented well with great combinations of herbs and spice. Just a couple of side notes. You could look at the fish portions in relationship to price. Also don’t be scared to add more spice and set yourself apart from others.
All in all this was a nice experience and I definitely will be back again. I look forward to making that meal a five star event!

Cooles, hippes Restaurant in Santa Monica. Ziemlich groß und trotzdem so voll, dass wir erstmal 20 Minuten Wartezeit hatten. Bedienung ist nett und aufmerksam. Das Essen ist gut und v.a.mal was anderes. Als Vorspeise hatten wir einen riesigen Rohkostteller mit verschiedenen Dips und Hummus. Sehr zu empfehlen.