Local Highlights

Where To Eat in Venice Beach

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From experiencing the vibrant culture of the Venice Beach boardwalk to strolling through Abbot Kinney Boulevard and the Venice Canals, this California beach has a lot to offer. Like other exciting areas of Los Angeles, Venice Beach offers a vibrant culinary scene. Whether you’re hankering for world-class dining or hunting for hole-in-the-wall gems, Venice has something special for every palate.

If you’re new to the area, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer variety of choices and things to do in Venice Beach before you. Whether you’re wanting to grab lunch or check out live music while you dine, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This guide will help you narrow down where to eat in Venice Beach based on what you’re looking for.

So, pull up a chair, place your napkin on your lap, and let’s dive in. 

Great Atmosphere

As one of the must-see Los Angeles attractions, Venice Beach is known for many things, including its various options of dining. If you’re searching for a restaurant that puts just as much emphasis on its atmosphere as it does its food, consider the following vibe-y eateries.

C&O’s Cucina

Located on the border between Venice Beach and Marina Del Rey, C&O’s Cucina is a joyous oddity as far as traditional Italian restaurants go. A visit to C&O’s won’t provide your everyday fine-dining Italian experience. The open-air patio, painted Italian cityscapes, help-yourself wine station, and hourly restaurant-wide sing-alongs to “That’s Amore” make this establishment truly one-of-a-kind.

While you could go here on a dinner date, it’s an even better spot to share a meal with a group of friends. For the price point, the food is great and the portions are sizable. Just be warned, the complimentary garlic knots are addicting—pace yourself to save room for your pasta or pizza.  

  • Location – 3016, Washington Blvd, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
  • Hours – 5p–9p weekdays, 12a–1p weekends 
  • Price – $$

Winston House 

Are you looking for a classy atmosphere to enjoy appetizers, cocktails, and live music? 

Winston House is a supper club and live music venue that’s become a popular go-to for couples that want more out of their night than just a nice meal. Open Thursday through Saturday, this swanky, multistory hotspot offers high-end drinks and shareable bites, like duck tacos or cheese balls. 

Over the course of the night, the dining room will slowly transform from a restaurant to a jazzy dance club. Once the music starts playing and the drinks start flowing, don’t be surprised if you see people dancing on tables! 

Because it’s a favorite weekend destination, Winston House gets packed quickly, so reservations are a must.    

  • Location – 23 Windward Ave Venice, CA, 90291
  • Hours – 6p-2a Thurs–Sat
  • Price – $$–$$$

Casual Date Night

Ready to experience Venice Beach at night and need a relaxing date night spot that’s equally casual and impressive? You can start with a Venice Beach bar or enjoy dinner at these spots. Take a look at some of our favorite options below. 

Stella Barra Pizzeria & Wine Bar

Although Stella Barra is technically in Santa Monica, it’s a stone’s throw from the borders of Venice Beach. Located on Main Street and just two blocks from the ocean, this trendy Italian wine bar perfectly balances a feeling of intimacy and upscale, without verging into the fine dining territory.   

It offers outdoor patio dining, as well as a beautifully-lit indoor setting. And while the delicious menu includes your standard antipasti, veggies, greens, and pastas, the pizzas are the true stars of the show. 

What makes this pizza unique is that it doesn’t fall neatly into a New York or traditional Italian style. In many ways, it’s a blend of both worlds. As head chef and owner Jeff Mahin put it:1 “I don’t think it fits in a category. When I started making pizzas I hadn’t done it before. I like to think of it as ‘rustic Californian.’ It’s not Neapolitan. It’s not made in a 900-degree oven. It’s modeled after really rustic bread. The category is: the ideal pizza from my childhood.” 

  • Location – 2000 Main St Santa Monica, CA 90405
  • Hours – 12p–9p Sun–Thurs, 12p–10p  Fri & Sat 
  • Price – $$–$$$

While you’re here, you can scope out the area to experience the difference between Venice Beach vs Santa Monica.

The Butcher’s Daughter

For all you vegans and vegetarians out there, the Butcher’s Daughter is a trendy, plant-based restaurant that rests on the main boulevard of Abbot Kinney. As evidenced by the name, this cafe and juice bar playfully leans into its theme, likening itself to a “vegetable slaughterhouse.” Per the website: “We treat fruits and vegetables as a butcher would meat: chopping, fileting & carving fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and pressing them into pretty juices.” 

The Abbot Kinney location serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. But what makes it truly unique in a city full of vegetarian restaurants is that its menu changes daily, ranging from stone fire pizzas and veggie burgers to fresh salads and grilled celery root steaks.   

  • Location – 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
  • Hours – 8a–9p 
  • Price – $$–$$$

Fine Dining

Wondering what to do in Los Angeles at night or searching for a dish that won’t disappoint? Look no further than these dining spots. For those with an interest in fine dining, don’t worry—Venice serves up delicious options for you, too.

Wabi on Rose

For years, Wabi Sabi was a mainstay on Abbot Kinney. The popular sushi spot, run by a Taiwanese chef, offered an arresting mix of culinary artistry and Japanese fusion. It quickly became famous for small plates and unique takes on sushi that were as delectable as they were beautiful. 

Unfortunately, a fire burnt down the original location. In response, head chef and owner Rain Pantana used the misfortune as an opportunity to build something better. And so, in 2020, Wabi’s newest iteration opened on the popular Rose Avenue, bringing back some of its most popular dishes, as well as bold takes on classic sushi fare.2  

From the beautiful, flower-decked decor and stunning modern interior design to the immaculately presented plates, Wabi is a feast that delights the senses and is not scared to think outside of the box. For instance, the OG Kush Roll has spicy blue crab, salmon tempura, albacore, pesto, and fried onion and is served in a glass topper filled with smoke. Order it, and you’ll understand just how unique of an experience a meal at Wabi truly is.  

  • Location – 512 Rose Ave Ste F Venice, CA 90291
  • Hours – 12p–10p
  • Price – $$$–$$$$

Foodshop

Have you ever been to a restaurant that requires an invite from the restaurant? 

We’re not talking about a standard waiting list. In LA, that’s played out. Been there, done that. No, to eat at the Foodshop you have to apply by providing your contact info and “some juicy details about yourself.”   

Now, an invite-only meal may sound pretentious, but there’s a good reason behind it. There’s limited space and only so many dates it’s open for business. If you do manage to get in, you’re in for a treat—a special blend of fine dining combined with the intimacy of family-style dinners. 

So, what is it? 

FoodShop is an exclusive, semi-secret pop-up supper club created by renowned chef Itay Zach and pastry chef Hyejin Cho. 

How does it work? 

30 lucky guests are invited to a private residence near Abbot Kinney Boulevard to enjoy a homemade, 5-course meal. What’s on the menu changes month-to-month. Although it could be classified as traditional American cuisine, the theme of the meal could be inspired by Korean, Italian, or French cooking, depending on the chefs and what’s in season. Besides a welcome cocktail, guests are encouraged to bring their own wine and share it with their neighbors.

  • Location – ?
  • Hours – ?
  • Price – $$$$

Budget-Friendly Bites

Not everything in L.A. is expensive. These Venice Beach restaurants prove that you don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy a delicious meal. 

Wurstküche

Wurstküche in Venice is a modern spin on a German beer hall, making it a great spot for groups to enjoy European craft Beers and German Sausages. It offers an eclectic mix of indoor and outdoor seating, with the main portion of the hall consisting of cafeteria-style long tables.  

On the surface, the food is simple—sausages, fries, and beer. As a purveyor of exotic grilled sausages, there’s a wide assortment to choose from that will keep both carnivores and vegetarians coming back to try something new. The three sausage categories include:  

  • Classics
    • Bratwurst
    • Bockwurst
    • Hot Italian
    • Vegetarian Mexican chipotle
    • Vegetarian smoked apple sage
    • Veggiewurst
  •   Gourmet
    • Mango jalapeno
    • Chicken apple & spices
    • Sun-dried tomato & mozzarella
    • Hungarian heat
    • Kielbasa
    • Filipino maharlika
    • Louisiana hot link
  • Exotics
    • Buffalo with luxardo cherries & mint
    • Rattlesnake & rabbit with jalapeno peppers
    • Lamb with Mediterranean spices
    • Duck and bacon with jalapeno peppers
    • Rabbit & pork with leeks
    • Pheasant with herbs de Provence 

Whatever you opt for will come in a bun with your choice of toppings—caramelized onions, sauerkraut, sweet peppers, or spicy peppers—and mustards. 

  • Location – 625 Lincoln Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90291
  • Hours – 12p – 10p Wed-Sun
  • Price – $–$$

Hinano Cafe 

If you’re on the hunt for inexpensive restaurants near Venice pier, Hinano cafe has been a mainstay of the area since 1962. A trip to the famous dive bar promises cold beer, tasty burgers, and a rollicking good time. 

Hinano is 21 and up and cash-only. And whether it’s the sticky, sawdust-covered floors or the dated decor, Hinano’s dinginess is part of its charm. It makes no apologies for what it is. Besides the greasy food and cheap beer, on any given evening, you can expect a packed house filled with tourists and locals playing pool, watching sports, or listening to live music. 

  • Location – 15 Washington Blvd Venice, CA 90292
  • Hours – 8a–12p Mon-Thurs, 8a-2a Fri-Sun
  • Price – $–$$

Make the Most of Your Time In Venice

Venice Beach is a veritable food mecca. Grab a burger, munch on a sandwich on the Venice Beach boardwalk, explore the seafood of this Southern California city, or fine dine at these one-of-a-kind spots. The restaurants on this list are just a few of the places you simply must try. If you want to take the time to sample all that Venice’s unique culinary scene has to offer, it helps to live close by.

Common Penmar would put you smack dab in the middle of Venice, providing walking access to many of the places we discussed above. Plus, these fully furnished, shared apartments come stocked with all of the amenities you could need, including in-suite laundry, a game lounge, a furnished rooftop, and more. With Common, you can stroll the Venice boardwalk or go on your own food tour of the never-ending dining options of the vibrant city. 

Does it sound too good to be true? Come see for yourself and take a tour and learn more about leasing with Common. 

 

Sources: 

  1. LA Eater. Stella Barra’s Jeff Mahin on Making It Big in Hollywood. https://la.eater.com/2014/5/6/6229651/stella-barras-jeff-mahin-on-making-it-big-in-hollywood
  2. The Hollywood Reporter. How Fire-Scarred Restaurants Used Crisis Experience to Relaunch Amid Pandemic. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/wabi-restaurant-used-crisis-experience-relaunch-coronavirus-1293282/

 

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