We stopped for lunch at a corner restaurant in Santa Monica called Babalu. Our first impression was a good one. The establishment’s exterior motif displayed a Caribbean appeal with a Cuban flair. Bamboo and wooden blinds enhance the island feel, while inside the ambiance is continued. If you close your eyes for a moment once seated, you might almost believe that you aren’t on the mainland anymore…but on a tropical island with the wind blowing past you and bongo drums on hand to match the rhythm of the island atmosphere around you…
Bamboo ceilings, ceiling fans, tropical hues and an upbeat and eclectic decor inside the restaurant keep the carefree feeling flowing, while a friendly and courteous waitstaff attends to your requests.
On our last visit to Babalu, we weren’t quite sure what to select from their extensive array of available options. It all sounded so delicious. The interior was relaxing, the seats were comfortable, and the cuisine being served around us to other patrons appeared colorful and smelled amazing.
After perusing the menu for longer than we probably should have, we decided on a couple of entrees for lunch…
Turkey Burger
My husband selected the Turkey Burger, which was a blend of lightly spiced ground white turkey and bell pepper topped with fresh slices of avocado, grilled zucchini and fried leeks on a sesame Kaiser roll and slaw on the side. A choice of fries or a salad accompanied that, and it was all for just $11. This was a tender, expertly prepared and juicy turkey burger. One of the best we’ve tasted in a while. The sesame Kaiser roll used as a bun was soft and tasty and the slaw was crunchy and sweet with crisp, hot fries alongside.
Babalu Tacos With Roasted Vegetables
I chose the Babalu Tacos to enjoy. This dish comes with two soft shell flour tortillas stuffed with fresh avocado, Pico De Gallo, cheddar and jalapeno jack cheeses and crunchy lettuce and Napa cabbage. Black beans and a sensational pineapple-coconut rice is served on the side. I decided on the roasted vegetables to accompany my tacos for $11, however, you can instead add tender sliced chicken for $12, fish (Mahi Mahi) for $14 or grilled shrimp for $15.
Both choices were savory, enjoyable and we both agreed that we would order them again and recommend them to others. A terrific spot along charming Montana Avenue among an array of shops and eateries. Sometimes it can get confusing knowing where to go. Most times, it’s a good idea to eat where the locals do. Babalu falls into that category, because this is certainly a locals favorite!
Oh, and don’t forget that Babalu was selected as one of AOL’s ‘Top Ten of the City’s Best Desserts’! So don’t be shy to try a slice of one of the sumptuous sweet temptations before you leave. Or just order an entire creation to take home or give as a much-appreciated gift!
- ESTABLISHMENT / DECOR: Fun Caribbean and Cuban feel with an island ambiance!
- FOOD / DRINK: Fresh vegetables, ambrosial cuisine options and refreshing presentations.
- LOCATION: Babalu is located at 1002 Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, CA 90403.
- HOURS: Open for breakfast from 8 AM – 11:30 AM Saturdays and Sundays, brunch from 11:30 AM – 5 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, lunch from 11 AM – 5 M Monday through Fridays then for dinner 5 PM – 10 PM on Sundays through Thursdays and again from 5 PM – 11 PM for dinner on Fridays and Saturdays, there are many options of times during the day in which you can enjoy Babalu’s fine offerings. (Closing hours sometimes vary, so just call ahead is you’re planning a late bite!)
- SERVICE / STAFF: We encountered friendly efficient service and witnessed the same being offered to customers around us.
- PRICE / VALUE: $11 for each of our entrees at lunch? For the quality of the food provided and the casual, yet Caribbean ambiance, we were not at all disappointed.
- CORKAGE FEE:$15 per 750ml bottle.
- CONTACT INFO: Phone: (310) 395-2500, Website: www.babalu.info
- PARKING: Metered street parking is available along Montana Avenue as well as nearby side streets.
- TOTAL BILL: Our final bill came in just over $30 for a couple of drinks, the Turkey burger and the Babalu Tacos with roasted vegetables.
* Menu and prices subject to change without notice.
Hey very nice blog!
Thanks, Rick! And thanks for being a SavorHour.com follower!
Good article! We will be linking to this great article on our site. Keep up the great writing!
Thanks for linking us to your site, Jennifer! We’re excited that your company will be helping us spread the word about SavorHour.com! We appreciate you being a SavorHour.com follower!
Hello there! I found your blog via Google while searching for a similar topic. Your web site came up and it appears first-rate! I’ve bookmarked it in my Google bookmarks!
Thanks for bookmarking us, Evelyn! We’re happy to have you as one of our valued SavorHour.com readers! We thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing many more upcoming posts with you!
I never thought I would agree with this opinion, but I’m starting to see things differently after reading your article. Thanks for your insight!
Thanks for your honest opinion, Moa! We thank you for letting us know that we have provided you with the information information you were needing. Babalu is a fun, casual and lighthearted restaurant run exceptionally well with a friendly staff and delicious fare. Thanks for your comment. And thanks for being a SavorHour.com reader!
Really good post!
Thanks for that, Shelly! We thank you for your support, and we appreciate you being a follower of our food, wine & travel blog! Welcome to SavorHour.com!
You need to be a part of a contest for one of the best websites online. I’m going to highly recommend this website!
hank you, Darryl! We appreciate your sincere and thoughtful comment! Thanks for following what we do at SavorHour.com!
Your method of explaining everything in this post is actually pleasant. Thanks a lot!
And we thank YOU, Woodrow, for following what we do at SavorHour.com!
I’m delighted to have found your site, and will be checking back frequently!
Thanks, Sophie! Babalu is a great place foe a relaxed and delicious bite. We recommend checking it out if you’re in the area. Thanks for your comment, and thanks for following our food, wine & travel blog at SavorHour.com!
An interesting article indeed! Of course, with lots of things to reflect upon.
Hello, Claudia! Have you visited Babaly in Santa Monica yet? We really enjoyed the cuisine there. And the ambiance was casual and relaxed, while the food preparation and presentation was amazing! Let us know of your experience if you’ve been there. If you haven’t thus far, we suggest it highly. A terrific spot for a late lingering lunch along the relaxed area of Montana Avenue. Thanks for your comment…an thanks for being a SavorHour.com reader!
This blog is excellent! I love reading your articles. Keep up the good work!
Hello, Carson! Thanks for your support and kind words. We appreciate you being a SavorHour.com follower!
I have a tendancy to not comment on blogs that I read. However, I just adore your blog and I was inspired to send in my comments. May I say that I love what you are doing. Please, keep up the terrific work for your readers!
That’s terrific to hear from you, Laverne! We’re so happy that you commented on our blog! Thanks for your kind comment about how pleased you are with our articles. We’re so happy about that! Thanks for being a SavorHour.com fan!
I’ve found this blog absolutely helpful and it has aided me quite a bit. Great job!
Hi, Hollie! Thanks so much for your kindhearted words. We truly appreciate you being one of our SavorHour.com readers!
I wish I could find such informative sites more often! Great work!
Thanks, Zinia! And thanks for being a SavorHour.com reader!
Excellent site! Good luck and prosperity! Thanks!
Hi, Claude! We are grateful for your sincere words and generous feedback. Thanks for taking the time to send us your thoughts and also for following what we do at SavorHour.com!
This website is better than anyone else’s!
Well, we certainly appreciate you feeling that way, Clara! And we certainly appreciate you being a SavorHour.com reader! Thanks for your support!
I really like this blog. I believe your content is excellent!
Hi, Chris! Thanks for your terrific cupport of what we’re doing at SavorHour.com. We are grateful for your support and appreciate you being one of our valued SavorHour.com fans!
Great post! I loved it and will come back
Thanks, Warner! And thanks for following us at SavorHour.com!
This is a really well written article.
Thanks, Walter! We’re happy to know that you are a SavorHour.com reader! We appreciate your feedback.
Hi there! Just discovered your site while I was browsing and I must say that I found it quite interesting! I hope you don’t mind if I return here from time to time and check out your content. It’s a great resource. Thank you!
Nice to have you as part of the SavorHour.com community, Walt! Thanks for your feedback. We appreciate you taking the time to write in to us!
Informative post. Precisely what I was looking for.
We appreciate that, Tory! Thank YOU for your support!
I can only imagine how much research you did for this great article. I’m impressed by how you have made it so easy to understand.
Thanks for that, Wallace! We appreciate you noticing the work that goes into what we do at SavorHour.com! Thanks for your support. And thanks for being a SavorHour.com reader!