Wally's

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Santa Monica Institution Since 1968

Wally's has been part of the Southern California landscape since 1968 — long enough to have earned the kind of quiet authority that doesn't need to announce itself. What began as a wine shop on Wilshire Boulevard has grown into something harder to categorize: part fine wine and spirits retailer, part Californian-French restaurant, part gourmet market, and a destination for anyone who takes eating and drinking seriously. Wine Spectator recognized the depth of the program with its Best of Award of Excellence, a distinction that speaks directly to the breadth and quality of what's in the cellar.

The Wine at the Center of Everything

The list spans Napa Cabernets and Burgundian Pinots to Rhône blends, Champagne, and rarities from across Europe and beyond. Fine and rare bottles sit alongside futures and pre-arrivals, and the retail floor carries spirits, sake, and an extensive gourmet pantry — caviar, charcuterie, artisan cheeses, smoked fish, and provisions that reflect the same Californian-French sensibility that runs through the dining experience. The shop also offers wine storage for serious collectors.

Dining, Events, and More

The Santa Monica location — one of several, with outposts in Beverly Hills, Las Vegas, and Malibu — accommodates private dining and catering alongside regular lunch and dinner service. Tastings and events are a regular fixture, and the kitchen operates within a Californian-French framework that pairs naturally with the depth of the wine program. Private rooms are available for gatherings, and the team handles catering and custom gift baskets as well.

For anyone who wants their meal and their bottle chosen with equal care, Wally's has been making that possible for over five decades.