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Buddha's Belly in Santa Monica Finds Freedom in The Independence

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After years of settling into Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade, Buddha's Belly converts into a modern tavern concept.

Outside Buddha's Belly Santa Monica
Outside Buddha's Belly Santa Monica
Matthew Kang is the Lead Editor of Eater LA. He has covered dining, restaurants, food culture, and nightlife in Los Angeles since 2008. He's the host of K-Town, a YouTube series covering Korean food in America, and has been featured in Netflix's Street Food show.

It seems that even a near perfect location right on Third Street Promenade isn't enough to save a tired brand like Buddha's Belly from finding the ax. Toddrickallen reports that the longtime quasi-Asian eatery is turning into The Independence, which purports to be a modern tavern concept on its splashpage website. Apparently things will turn around quickly, with an opening scheduled in the next few months. No other word on who's behind the operation.

Splashpage Independence