Burger lovers on the Westside are getting a new heavyweight contender. Napa-born favorite Gott’s Roadside is headed to Santa Monica this fall, taking over the former Osteria space at 401 Wilshire Boulevard, just a short walk from the Third Street Promenade. The new spot is slated to bring a full indoor dining room and a generous outdoor patio to downtown shoppers and beachgoers.
The company has marked a fall 2026 opening window and is calling the Santa Monica shop a major coastal outpost with indoor seating and a large patio, according to the Santa Monica Mirror. In a statement to the paper, Gott’s Roadside President Clay Walker said, “After years of searching for an ideal coastal location for Gott’s, we couldn’t be more pleased that the first one will be in Santa Monica.” The outlet also reports this will be the company’s 10th location overall.
Where the restaurant will sit
City planning records show a project at 401 Wilshire with an alcohol-exemption filing under permit number 25ENT-0134, indicating operators have started the permitting process for a full-service restaurant. The address lands squarely in downtown Santa Monica’s retail core, an easy walk to both the pier and the Promenade. Filing details appear on the city’s development tracking list at the municipal site, via the City of Santa Monica.
Size and reporting differences
Local coverage does not quite agree on the interior footprint. The Santa Monica Daily Press reports an interior of roughly 6,600 square feet with an additional 2,200-square-foot patio. The Santa Monica Mirror instead describes an 8,800-square-foot restaurant, paired with the same 2,200-square-foot outdoor area. Both agree on the patio size, but the way the interior square footage is counted differs between the two reports.
Menu and the brand
Gott’s is expected to bring its Napa-style roadside menu to Santa Monica, featuring burgers, sandwiches, tacos, salads and hand-spun organic shakes. The company’s locations page already lists the Santa Monica address. The brand traces its roots to a drive-in in St. Helena and has built a following for its locally sourced ingredients and subtle wine-country touches. Full menu and location details are available on the company’s site at Gott's Roadside.
Timeline and what to watch
Earlier in 2026, Gott’s opened its first Southern California restaurant at The Original Farmers Market, an expansion covered as a Farmers Market flagship, and local reporting indicates the Santa Monica restaurant is next on the rollout schedule. For those tracking the exact timing, construction permits and the company’s sign-up list will be the key places to watch for a firm opening date.
Once Gott’s flips the sign at 401 Wilshire, downtown Santa Monica will gain another regionally loved burger stop, one that is likely to pull in lunchtime office crowds and beach traffic alike. Details on the specific opening day are still pending and will be updated once the company makes them public.
