Our Story 

Locally owned and operated, Upper West opened its doors in 2010 and not long after it’s arrival on Pico Boulevard has emerged as a local favorite.  Upper West’s ever-changing menu draws inspiration from around the world while maintaining eclectic flavors of our very own.

Our bar offers happy hour from Wednesday-Sunday 4:30-7 pm serving refreshing craft cocktails and handcrafted beer.  

Our and dinner menu is always evolving and includes ingredients sourced locally from the Santa Monica Farmers market as well as local farmers such as Weiser Farms, Niman Ranch, Jimenez Family Farm, and Harries Berries. Our chef, Nick Shipp, has been described by food critics as a “mad scientist, where no two dining experiences are ever alike.”

Our wall decor changes regularly, as we host one local artist for each season of the year. Make sure you come and celebrate them at our quarterly art openings.

Every month, Chef Nick gets to show off his culinary talents with a special pairing dinner co-hosted by select liquor brands who will walk you through each of the individual tasting notes in accompaniment with each course. We offer whiskey, gin, and wine dinners, with a small intimate group, and we always have a great time!

Upper West values community involvement as well as participating and supporting local charities in Santa Monica such as LLS, Breast Cancer Awareness, Venice Family Clinic, Planned Parenthood, and the local schools.

Upper West is the perfect place to book large reservations for 20 or more guests and is an excellent private party venue for hosting corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday festivities, rehearsal dinners and more.

Come join us, and be a part of our family here at Upper West!

Weekly Specials

Wednesday-Sunday: Happy Hour 4:30-7 p.m.

Thursday Night: ½ Priced Bottles of Wine

Meet Chef Nick

To make it as a chef in the City of Angels, a city known for its rich and diverse cuisine is not an easy task. However, 38-year-old Nicholas Shipp is quietly earning his keep among the ranks. Using a wealth of culinary experience, Shipp has brought an enticing, well-blended mix of flavors, aromas, and taste to the Santa Monica restaurant, “Upper West.” As Executive Chef, Shipp’s menu offers a discriminating palate with innovative twists to contemporary American cuisine.

Hailing from Forth Worth, Texas, the “Funkytown” native began his cooking career at the early age of 15. Nicholas worked part-time for several high-end restaurants in the greater Fort Worth/Dallas metropolis, all while playing drums in a local rock band. As his culinary skills developed and his passion for fine cuisine grew, Shipp found himself devoting more time to the kitchen and less time craving rock stardom.  Finally, he found his calling and started his formal education at the Culinary Institute of Dallas.

Shipp eventually ventured west to broaden his cooking endeavors where he soon became immersed in Los Angeles’s famed Wolfgang Puck franchise.  Perfecting his craft for the next couple of years, he strengthened his cooking abilities working for the governor’s ball, various award shows, weddings, and private celebrity parties. Eventually, the hard work paid off. Following his departure from the Wolfgang Puck franchise, he became the Executive Chef of Pete’s, a restaurant that helped catapult the revival of the downtown Los Angeles restaurant scene. While there he developed his palate for modern American/Global cuisine. Currently, he has brought his emerging outstanding reputation to the kitchen of the “Upper West.”

Nicholas Shipp’s passion for food has granted him the ability to assemble an expert staff that shares his vision and taste.  That same passion has allowed him to create an always evolving superb menu that weathers the storm of an ever-changing culinary landscape. Nicholas Shipp’s biggest supporters can be found on the home front as well in the form of his wife Ivette and children Giselle and Ethan