Beautifully plated, locally sourced and utterly delicious seafood are on the menu every night at Crudo e Nudo, a tiny restaurant along Santa Monica’s Main Street that keeps sustainability and ethics in mind. First launched as a pop-up during the pandemic, the cozy, built-out parklet hosts the bulk of the restaurant’s seating, where servers will dole out gorgeous small plates of seafood that will likely change how you look at crudo. Here, chef Brian Bornemann—formerly of nearby Michael’s—and partner Leena Culhane add bright, modern tweaks to the typically stalwart Italian dish, for a casually artisan seafood meal that’ll definitely upstage your everyday sushi joint the next time you're craving raw fish.

There’s nothing that screams “I’m a young, fun, cosmopolitan person living in a major city” more than tossing back oysters on the half shell while looking like a snack on a patio. And the place to do it in Santa Monica is Crudo e Nudo. The former pop-up has found a permanent home on Main Street, where you’ll be treated to a selection of low-intervention wines and entirely sustainable seafood, like daily crudos served with herbs and house-made sauces, a full raw bar, and tuna tartare paired with seeded loaves from Gjusta.

What started as a pop-up during the pandemic has since transformed into one of the Westside's most beloved seafood spots. Located on Main Street, Crudo e Nudo blends casual dining with the highest quality seafood to create a charming experience in the heart of Ocean Park. Co-owners Leena Culhane and chef Brian Bornemann emphasize the importance of sustainability both in the food menu and wine program.

Crudo e Nedo is definitely the best spot in town to grab some of the freshest fish along with some unique and biodynamic wines. With a focus on sustainability, guests of Crudo e Nudo can feel good about where their food is coming from, and the crisp and clean flavor will make you feel as though you are eating the most reputable seafood out there. Though they have several top-notch wines available by the bottle for take-home, you’ll definitely want to pair your meal with a nice glass per the owner’s recommendation.

Crudo e Nudo went from a pandemic-era pop-up to one of the most locally-loved restaurants in Santa Monica seemingly overnight. The small counter-order establishment features an outdoor patio where guests can enjoy a glass of low-intervention wine while soaking up the sunshine. The menu is found on an ever-changing chalkboard inside, and though you’ll usually find staples like the tuna tartare toast and halibut crudo, even the most regular of patrons can expect to try something new during each visit.

I spent one of my happiest lunchtime meals this year with visiting friends at an umbrella-shaded table on Crudo e Nudo’s sidewalk patio. We started by scanning the seafood-centered menu on the wall of the restaurant’s storefront, a seatless space for counter ordering squeezed into one of Santa Monica’s densest Main Street blocks. Striped bass, bigeye tuna and poached abalone crudos arrived first, anointed in various oils and lighted with high beams of citrus and pickles and anchovy colatura.

Run by two creatives—one a chef, and the other a multidisciplinary artist— Crudo e Nudo is an eclectic raw seafood bar that celebrates local, sustainable ingredients and a general intolerance of unnecessary waste and plastics. Unsurprisingly, crudo is the star of the show here, delivered in an array of formats from striped bass to salmon and abalone. Delicate slithers of seafood might come dressed in smoked oil, za’atar and coriander blossom, or served with rose, fennel pollen and yuzu.

Crudo e Nudo was a pop-up that started during the pandemic, and it became so popular they now have a permanent home in Santa Monica. They offer fresh seafood sourced from local fisheries and aim for zero waste by eliminating plastic (everything is served on ceramic plates made by the chef’s wife or on compostable paper plates). Crudo is the focus here, but there are also cooked seafood options on the menu including prawns a la plancha or whole fried lobster.

If you are a fan of delicious, fresh seafood that is sustainably harvested then Crudo e Nudo is the birthday idea in Los Angeles for you. Indulge in fresh seafood you can feel good about with their top-of-the-line menu offering marine delicacies such as tuna tartar, kanoachi and briny oysters on the half shell shucked fresh to order. Crudo e Nudo is committed to sustainability and is one of the best birthday restaurants in Santa Monica.

From the fresh crudo to the crisp, low-intervention wines, posting up on the patio at Crudo e Nudo is a must for seafood lovers. In addition to quaint little bistro tables, the patio also features some cool bar seating if you’re looking for something more casual. The menu changes daily, but some staples that you can usually order include the halibut (literally order at least two), the tuna toast, and the vegan caesar.

Opt for carefully composed crudos featuring scallops, kanpachi, uni, and other pristine seafood before enjoying steamed clams or spicy grilled prawns. Everything at this counter-service restaurant/seafood market is available to go, so you can also compose your own crudo at home if you buy a loin of the superb fish and some olive oil. 2724 Main St., Santa Monica, crudoenudo.com.

If you manage to get a reservation at this exclusive boutique restaurant, you’re in for some of the best seafood in Los Angeles. The pristine plates of crudo are delightfully palatable, and the vegan and vegetarian options are no slouch. For adventurous eaters, the “Neptune’s Flight” tasting menu is chef-selected, featuring off menu items that are certifiably delicious.

Crudo e Nudo first started as a pop-up during the pandemic before finally opening a brick-and-mortar location in Santa Monica in the spring of 2021. As the name suggests, the restaurant specializes in crudo which means "raw" in Italian. It doesn't just mean the slices of raw fish in acidic dressing that may normally come to mind when you hear the word, though.

Crudo e Nudo is a pandemic pop-up turned permanent restaurant and market from Chef Brian Bornemann and Leena Culhane. We are a raw bar inspired by the ethos of the Italian coast and the spirit of Los Angeles. Seafood is sourced from sustainable purveyors between Santa Barbara and Baja, and vegetables and herbs are from Santa Monica Farmers Markets.

Crudo e Nudo has become an Ocean Park staple since its opening in the summer of 2020. Since sustainability sits at the forefront of the restaurant's priorities, the menu changes regularly based on what seafood is available and in season. That said, the halibut crudo is a local favorite that you'll want to order anytime it's available.

If you’re looking for the ultimate cozy dining experience in Santa Monica, Crudo e Nudo is IT!. This spot is a true hidden gem, sourcing local, sustainable ingredients from farmers' markets and fisheries. 🐟🍅 Here’s what we devoured (and why we’re already planning our next visit): 🥗 Farmers

Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica nails the balance between eco-conscious dining and pure indulgence. Dedicated to sustainability, the seafood market and restaurant sources locally and minimizes waste. This results in a thoughtful menu that’s as delicious as it is ethical.

A less formal but super popular date restaurant on Main is Crudo e Nudo, featuring seafood, both raw and cooked. The menu, listed on a chalkboard, changes daily. So when you arrive you go inside and take a picture of it on your phone, then go to your table to order.

Crudo e Nudo serves up fresh seafood and sushi with a Mediterranean twist, while Manchego offers a delightful Spanish tapas experience. For upscale Chinese cuisine, Chinois on Main is a perennial favorite, known for its fusion of Asian flavors.

Crudo e Nudo, founded by Chef Brian Bornemann emerged from the challenges of 2020 in Santa Monica. This restaurant was created over the passion for surfing, sustainability and simple honest food. The restaurant sources local, sustainable fish.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by Crudo e Nudo (@crudo_e_nudo). This restaurant boasts an enticing menu that celebrates the flavours of the sea with a contemporary Italian twist.