Looking for a memorable Caribbean dining experience in Santa Monica? Cha Cha Chicken is a top-rated Caribbean restaurant serving bold island flavors, vibrant spices, and comforting dishes that bring the taste of the tropics to the California coast.
With a 4.40-star reputation, this Santa Monica Caribbean restaurant is known for satisfying meals, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes every visit feel like a mini escape.
Whether you’re craving jerk chicken, savory Caribbean classics, or a flavorful meal made with care, Cha Cha Chicken offers a delicious destination for locals and visitors alike. To enjoy authentic Caribbean cuisine in Santa Monica, CA, visit Cha Cha Chicken and experience why this Caribbean restaurant continues to be a favorite for flavorful, high-quality dining.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Cha Cha Chicken
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Beef, chicken, or veggie.
Corn chips with a side of black bean dip.
Shredded chicken, mashed with potatoes.
Spanish style chicken gumbo served with a fresh corn muffin.
A flavorful puree of spiced black bean with fresh diced tomatoes, crispy corn strips and a dollop of sour cream.
Spanish style chicken gumbo served with a fresh corn muffin.
Lightly Seasoned Chicken Broth with corn tortillas, with carrots, corn, shredded chicken breast and cheese.
One Veggie enchilada smothered in sweet and spicy pineapple jerk sauce
One enchilada with mozzarella cheese and shredded chicken rolled in corn tortillas and smothered in our mole poblano sauce.
Beef, chicken, or veggie.
Shredded chicken, mashed with potatoes.
Corn chips with a side of black bean dip.
A flavorful puree of spiced black bean with fresh diced tomatoes, crispy corn strips and a dollop of sour cream.
Served with fresh berries sauce (seasonal).
Coconut Banana Pudding mix with fresh bananas topped with whipped cream and coconut flakes
Coconut Pudding mix with Fresh Bananas topped with Whipped Cream and Coconut Flakes
Served with fresh berries sauce (seasonal).
Gluten free, vegetarian. Scrambled eggs smothered in our sweet spicy jerk sauce, topped with cheese and served with two corn tortillas.
Gluten free, vegetarian. Crispy corn tortillas, scrambled eggs and cheese tossed in a rich red garlic onion sauce. Delicious.
Vegetarian. Scrambled eggs, sautéed potatoes, cheese, dirty rice and black beans, rolled on a warm lavash flatbread.
Crunchy bake corn tortillas topped with black beans, lettuce, red cabbage , egg over easy on top and jerk sauce
Gluten free. Crunchy bake corn tortillas topped with black beans, lettuce, red cabbage , egg over easy on top and jerk sauce
Scrambled eggs, sautéed potatoes and corn muffins chunks, tossed with our delicious seasoned shredded chicken breast. Served with our sweet spicy jerk sauce on the side.
Vegan, Gluten- Free.
Vegan, Gluten- Free.
Vegan, Gluten- Free.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in our mole sauce.
Vegan, gluten- free.
Vegan, gluten- free.
Vegan, gluten- free.
Vegan, gluten- free.
Coke, diet coke, orange, root beer, sprite
Made with fresh cucumber, fresh mint and fresh lemons to make a refreshing unique flavor.
Unsweetened.
Coke, diet coke, orange, root beer, sprite
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
3 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
3 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Gluten-free. Plump tiger prawns sautéed with pineapple and onions. Served with dirty rice and black beans, plantains and red cabbage slaw.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Spanish style, vegetables stew served over rice.
Gluten-free. Red garlic onion pork stew served with dirty rice and black beans, fried plantains, two corn tortillas and a side of jerk sauce.
Our signature jamaican style shredded chicken breast enchiladas smothered in our mole poblano sauce. Comes with two side dirty rice & beans and plantains.
Vegetarian. Fresh spinach, diced tomatoes and green bell pepper sautéed in mango sauce, inside a crispy flour tortilla with mozzarella cheese. Served with dirty rice and black beans, jerk sauce and sour cream on the side.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Coconut battered chicken wings smothered in our sweet, spicy, pineapple jerk sauce.
Gluten-free. Fresh cut grilled fillet salmon, marinated in garlic and curry, smothered in mango pineapple Jerk Sauce. Served with fried plantains, dirty rice, black beans and red cabbage slaw. Delicious!
5 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
10 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Shredded chicken breast on a bed of simmering garden veggies.
Gluten-free. Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Gluten-free. Our signature Jamaican style shredded chicken breast enchiladas smothered in our sweet and spicy pineapple jerk sauce.
Coconut battered chicken wings smothered in our sweet, spicy, pineapple jerk sauce.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Gluten-free. Slow cooked shredded skirt steak in a complex red onion garlic sauce on a bed of rice and black beans, a side of fried plantains and two corn tortillas.
Fresh cut fillet salmon, marinated in garlic and curry, sautéed with pineapple and onions. Served with dirty rice and black beans, plantains and red cabbage slaw.
10 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Gluten-free, vegetarian. Two enchiladas with mozzarella cheese and veggies rolled in corn tortillas and smothered in our mild sweet mango sauce and our signature jerk sauce.
One jerk chicken enchilada, one jerk chicken tostada and fried plantains with a side of sour cream.
Gluten-free, vegetarian. Spanish style, vegetables stew served over rice.
Vegetarian. Fresh spinach, diced tomatoes and green bell pepper sautéed in mango sauce, inside a crispy flour tortilla with mozzarella cheese. Served with dirty rice and black beans, jerk sauce and sour cream on the side.
Gluten-free. Shredded chicken breast on a bed of simmering garden veggies.
5 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Gluten-free. Shredded chicken smothered in delicious mole, served with Spanish rice, black beans, and Cuban ff.
Gluten-free. Crunchy baked tortillas topped with dirty rice and black beans, lettuce, shredded chicken breast, jerk sauce and parmesan cheese.
Plump tiger prawns sautéed with pineapple and onions. Served with dirty rice and black beans, plantains and red cabbage slaw.
Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Our signature Jamaican style shredded chicken breast enchiladas smothered in our sweet and spicy pineapple jerk sauce.
Slow cooked shredded skirt steak in a complex red onion garlic sauce on a bed of rice and black beans, a side of fried plantains and two corn tortillas.
Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Crispy coconut battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauce. Served with 2 side orders of your choice.
Fresh spinach, diced tomatoes and green bell pepper sautéed in mango sauce, inside a crispy flour tortilla with mozzarella cheese. Served with dirty rice and black beans, jerk sauce and sour cream on the side.
Shredded chicken smothered in delicious mole, served with Spanish rice, black beans, and Cuban ff.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced mole sauce.
One jerk chicken enchilada, one jerk chicken tostada and fried plantains with a side of sour cream.
Fresh spinach, diced tomatoes and green bell pepper sautéed in mango sauce, inside a crispy flour tortilla with mozzarella cheese. Served with dirty rice and black beans, jerk sauce and sour cream on the side.
Fresh cut grilled fillet salmon, marinated in garlic and curry, smothered in mango pineapple Jerk Sauce. Served with fried plantains, dirty rice, black beans and red cabbage slaw. Delicious!
Our signature Jamaican style shredded chicken breast enchiladas smothered in a delicately spiced mole sauce .
Fresh cut fillet salmon, marinated in garlic and curry, sautéed with pineapple and onions. Served with dirty rice and black beans, plantains and red cabbage slaw.
Spanish style, vegetables stew served over rice.
Crunchy baked tortillas topped with dirty rice and black beans, lettuce, shredded chicken breast, jerk sauce and parmesan cheese.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Coconut battered chicken wings smothered in our sweet, spicy, pineapple jerk sauce.
Spanish style, vegetables stew served over rice.
Shredded chicken breast on a bed of simmering garden veggies.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced mole sauce.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
3 pieces. Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Two enchiladas with mozzarella cheese and veggies rolled in corn tortillas and smothered in our mild sweet mango sauce and our signature jerk sauce.
Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Red garlic onion pork stew served with dirty rice and black beans, fried plantains, two corn tortillas and a side of jerk sauce. PLANTAINS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. PLEASE ADD A DIFFERENT SIDE ON YOUR NOTES
Mild, mix, or hot. Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jerk sauce. Served with 2 side orders of your choice.
Oven roasted chicken smothered in a delicately spiced Jamaican jerk sauce.
Coconut battered chicken wings smothered in our sweet, spicy, pineapple jerk sauce.
Shredded chicken breast on a bed of simmering garden veggies.
Crispy chicken battered chicken served with sweet mango and jerk dipping sauces.
Two tacos on corn tortillas top with Fresh cut grilled salmon. Marinated in garlic and curry, smothered in pineapple Jerk Sauce, pico de gallo and red cabbage slaw. Served with fried plantains, dirty rice, black beans. Delicious!
Shredded chicken breast, dirty rice and black beans, vegetables and lettuce, rolled on lavash flatbread, served with jerk sauce on the side.
Chopped fresh lettuce, red cabbage, hearts of palm, pineapple chunks, coconut shavings and sesame seed, breast, served with a corn muffin.
Jamaican style grilled turkey patty, smothered in a jerk sauce with cheese, served with grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Served with our delicious crispy and spicy Cuban fries.
Vegetarian. Garden veggies, dirty rice and lettuce rolled on a warm lavash flat bread.
Romaine lettuce, parmesan cheese, crisp croutons and dressing on the side.
Shredded chicken breast, cheese, lettuce, pickles and mustard on a pressed Cuban baguette.
Jamaican style grilled beef patty, smothered in a jerk sauce with cheese, served with grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Served with our delicious crispy and spicy Cuban fries.
Shredded chicken breast, dirty rice and black beans, vegetables and lettuce, rolled on lavash flatbread, served with jerk sauce on the side.
Shredded chicken breast, cheese, lettuce, pickles and mustard on a pressed Cuban baguette.
Shredded chicken breast, cheese, lettuce, pickles and mustard on a pressed Cuban baguette.
Jamaican style grilled beef patty, smothered in a jerk sauce with cheese, served with grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Served with our delicious crispy and spicy Cuban fries.
Plump tiger prawns sauteed with butter and spices served over romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, Crisp croutons and Dressing on the side.
Romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, Crisp croutons and Dressing on the side.
Chopped fresh lettuce, red cabbage, pineapple chunks, coconut shavings and sesame seed, breast, served with a corn muffin.
Garden veggies, dirty rice and lettuce rolled on a warm lavash flat bread.
Jamaican style grilled turkey patty, smothered in a jerk sauce with cheese, served with grilled onions, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mustard. Served with our delicious crispy and spicy Cuban fries.
Hear from our valued guests
Perfect... tell a friend. After 2 weeks on the road with my wife and 3 kids, having a home cooked meal is really something special. Kids were quite, wife was happy, food is spectacular... what else could you ask for. Do yourself a favor... pick something, anything on the menu and order it. You will not be disappointed.
Big flavors and a personality to match from a small shack in Santa Monica. The atmosphere here is really cool, especially if you luck out with the weather. Even though it’s by the populated beach, it’s tucked away enough to provide seclusion from the bustling boulevards. I got the Cha Cha Chicken served hot and this chicken was perfectly cooked — I was able to take off the entire drumstick in one gulp with barely having to chew. While I do think it can be hotter, the depth of flavor was warm in a comforting way. The dish also came with Dirty Rice, which was quite a hearty bite and brimming with textual variation from the beans, and fried plantains that were delectably sweet. While that was definitely tasty, the Beef Empanadas are a must get! They are like meat filled hush-puppies, the batter was expertly fried with a great crispy exterior while preserving a moist interior. The beef itself was seasoned well and pairs perfectly with the sweet popping sauce with balanced out the intense spice mixture. All and all, Cha Cha Chicken will make for a fun, quick and satisfying addition to anyone’s day at the beach.
I like this spot because you get a generous portion of tasty food! It’s affordable and comfortable.
My first Jerk Enchilada, and hopefully not my last. I heartily recommend the Jerk Sampler. Everything on the platter was sooooooo gooooood. Aaaand… I’m happy to say… I’m back! Two months later! For, blessedly, my second Jerk Enchilada!
Grilled salmon with mango pineapple jerk sauce was really good. I also like their watermelon juice a lot - super refreshing. Right across from the ocean…
I got the cha cha mild chicken. It was delicious, super soft and tender. Served with some type of sweet stew/gravy. Next time I’d probably get medium spice - the mild is not spicy even a bit
We skipped breakfast today due to the amount of food we ate last night. We came to @chachachickensm for lunch! I had the jerk chicken enchiladas! Shredded chicken breast (or) veggies. Two enchiladas with mozzarella cheese rolled in corn tortillas in our mild, sweet mango sauce and our signature Jerk Sauce. Served with dirty rice with black beans, fried plantains, and a little salad. I got it with a mango-guava Agua fresca. Everything was so good and a perfect meal to have before walking the beach for a few hours. The food tasted amazing and tasted fresh and homemade. The Agua fresca tasted like the they just squeezed the juice out of the fruit. 😂
This place is incredible. Do not come to La without eating here. I highly recommend the mole and the coconut chicken. The juices are delicious. Ricardo and his family are top notch and will take care of you. Make sure to say hello to them and let them know that you were highly recommended to eat here.
The ropa vieja is fantastic! Every bit as good as in Miami… i have eaten hundreds of plates in my time. Such a great spot. Service was fast and it has a great vibe. Definitely stop when at the beach, its just steps away. New favorite
I have been here many times but not for a while. The Salmon Negril jerk salmon was great. Although like many comments be aware the online menus says $21 but it is actually $28. For the portion size it should be $15. But it is flavorful from the salmon, rice, and plantains. Great flavors. Great atmosphere with chill vibe, on the patio with music. Overall 10/10, despite the price. Portion size 6/10. Cleanliness 10/10. Flavorful 10/10. Atmosphere 10/10. Quality 10/10. But I still a little hungry.
Common questions about Cha Cha Chicken
Cha Cha Chicken is located at 1906 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90405, United States, Santa Monica, CA, United States.
You can reach Cha Cha Chicken by calling +1 310-581-1684.
Cha Cha Chicken has a rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on 2066 customer reviews.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following highlights: Serves local specialty.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following offerings: Comfort food, Healthy options, Late-night food, Quick bite, Small plates, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following dining options: Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Counter service, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following amenities: Restroom.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, Tourists, University students.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following planning: Usually a wait, Accepts reservations.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid street parking, Somewhat difficult to find a space.
Cha Cha Chicken features the following pets: Dogs allowed, Dogs allowed outside.
Business Features
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