Taco Bell Cantina has taken its first swing at downtown Santa Monica, filing commercial building permits for 318 Santa Monica Boulevard in a move that could displace a longtime Promenade watering hole. The paperwork calls for turning existing office space into a street-level restaurant and bar with a mezzanine and a walk-in cooler. The timing lines up with a broader trend of national chains moving into downtown storefronts after the city relaxed its formula retail rules.
According to permit documents, the proposal would convert about 1,510 square feet of office space into a restaurant and bar, plus roughly 175 square feet for a new walk-in cooler, with the work valued at just under $400,000, as reported by Santa Monica Daily Press. The address is currently home to Britannia Pub, which lists 318 Santa Monica Blvd on its site.
What A Cantina Looks Like
The Cantina version of Taco Bell skips drive-thrus in favor of walk-up storefronts, serves beer, wine, and boozy “Twisted Freezes,” and leans into communal seating, digital ordering kiosks and shareable small plates. Eater LA and other outlets have followed recent Cantina openings in Los Angeles and in other high-foot-traffic urban spots.
Why It Can Happen Now
The regulatory ground has shifted downtown. Last year, the City Council voted to make interim downtown revitalization measures permanent, scrapping the Promenade ban on certain fast-food storefronts and streamlining review for new restaurant uses. Santa Monica Next detailed the council decision and planning changes that cleared the way for more national tenants.
Other Chains Are Already Moving In
The Santa Monica Daily Press notes that Raising Cane’s is expected to open at 1401 Third Street Promenade this summer, taking over the former Bibimbap space and neighboring units. That kind of activity mirrors a broader wave of new leases and inquiries as the city tries to fill pandemic-era vacancies along the Promenade.
Neighbors And Forums Are Talking
Local outlets and neighborhood threads show a split reaction as residents argue over how many national logos the area can handle. Some say chains will bring foot traffic and life back to the strip; others worry about squeezing out independent businesses. The Santa Monica Mirror has highlighted recent public notices and vacancy listings on the Promenade as new tenants line up.
Permits Are Just The Beginning
Filing a permit kicks off the city review process but does not guarantee a signed lease or a quick buildout. Any project has to clear building and plan checks, secure a business license and obtain the proper alcohol permits before doors can open. The City of Santa Monica lays out the steps for tenant improvements and plan review for new restaurant spaces.
For now, Britannia Pub still lists 318 Santa Monica Blvd as its address and posts regular operating hours on its website, and no opening date for a Taco Bell Cantina has surfaced. We will continue to watch public filings and city records as the plan works its way through review.
