One of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods, Venice Beach, Los Angeles is home to restaurants ranging from sophisticated late-night sushi spots to casual boardwalk beer gardens with peak ocean views. Get everything from elegant French bistro fare to clever plant-based dishes when you visit a top restaurant in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
Enjoy izakaya-style dishes at a retro-inspired tropical lounge. Dig into exquisite pastas from a James Beard-nominated chef at a cozy neighborhood trattoria. Feast on wood-fired pizzas with seasonal ingredients at a quintessential Venice Beach spot.
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Read on to discover the 10 best restaurants in Venice Beach, Los Angeles.
For vegetable-forward, New American dishes at one of the best restaurants in Venice Beach, Los Angeles – visit Gjelina (Venice)
Whether in the mood for made-for-sharing charcuterie and cheese or wood-fired pizzas with ultra-fresh ingredients, Gjelina is the place to be. Open since 2008, the restaurant still turns out some of the city’s best seasonal, vegetable-forward dishes. With floor-to-ceiling front windows, a brick fire pit, and relaxing sofas, the space gives peak bohemian Venice Beach vibes. Grab a seat by the windows for prime Abbot Kinney people-watching while you sip a glass of wine.
For a retro tropical escape from an acclaimed restaurant group – try Belles Beach House (Venice)
With Belles Beach House, Nick Mathers and Wish You Were Here Group bring retro, tropical-style vibes to Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Expect a Hawaiian-inspired menu with Japanese influences along with throwback decor, complete with an indoor fireplace, lush greenery, and teak furniture. Dig into izakaya-style dishes like sushi rolls, pork bao buns, and kalbi short ribs in the airy dining room or on the covered patio bar. Bonus points for playful cocktails like a piña colada slushie.
For an elegant Italian restaurant in Venice, Los Angeles – head to Felix Trattoria (Venice)
Come to Felix Trattoria for James Beard-nominated chef Evan Funke’s exquisite handmade pastas, which have made the restaurant a runaway hit since it opened in 2017. The cozy restaurant with mid-century design touches and hardwood floors is still a neighborhood favorite. Grab a seat by the window or watch the action in the “pasta lab” as you feast on signature dishes like sfincione, a Sicilian focaccia doused in olive oil, and rigatoni all’amatriciana with big chunks of guanciale.
For clever plant-based cuisine at a neighborhood favorite – go to The Butcher’s Daughter (Venice)
Part juice bar, part neighborhood cafe, The Butcher’s Daughter is one of the best restaurants in Venice Beach, Los Angeles. Expect creative plant-based takes on American classics ranging from house-made pastries to breakfast bowls, colorful salads, and creative pizzas like a beet-based “pepperoni” at this vegetarian gem. Grab a seat at the communal bar beneath wooden rafters and hanging plants in the sunny space to linger over coffee or a round of cocktails, including standout zero-proof options.
For bold Californian fare in one of the best restaurants in Venice Beach, Los Angeles – check out The Rose (Venice)
Open since 1979, The Rose is a Venice landmark and one of the best American restaurants in LA. The all-in-one space operates as a market, bakery, coffee shop, and craft cocktail bar and serves up modern California fare from chef Ray Garcia. For lunch, grab a latte and one of the stellar sandwiches like brisket on ciabatta or a breakfast burrito. Then return for drinks and dinner—get the wagyu ribeye—on the charming outdoor patio.
For standout sushi at a top restaurant Venice Beach Los Angeles – check out Wabi on Rose (Venice)
At Wabi on Rose, plush booths and neon signs set the scene for chef Rain Pantana’s elegant Japanese dishes, including top-notch sushi and sashimi. The menu also includes wood-fired dishes ranging from crispy Brussels sprouts to skirt steak skewers along with elegant handrolls. For special occasions, go all in on the chef’s tasting menu. Or linger on the floral-strewn patio with a glass of bubbles or yuzu old fashioned.
For laid-back, French-inspired bistro fare at a top restaurant Venice Beach Los Angeles – stroll into Zinqué (Venice)
Zinqué is a European-inspired escape in the heart of Venice Beach. Exposed brick walls, wooden chairs, rough-hewn tables, floor-to-ceiling windows, and patio dining on colorful tiles are the ideal backdrop for an elegant, French-leaning menu. Dig into hearty quiches and breakfast toasts by day and mainstays like steak frites and coq au vin by night. Come at happy hour for mini pizzas, made-for-sharing small plates, and wine from the pitch-perfect, French-forward list.
For peak Pacific views at a California-style beer garden – head straight to The Waterfront (Venice)
Located on the iconic Venice Beach boardwalk, The Waterfront is a sprawling, indoor-outdoor spot known for its California fare and laid-back, beer garden vibe. The restaurant serves up an all-day, crowd-pleasing menu of hearty nachos, tacos, and sandwiches—get the grilled hamachi collar. Grab one of the low-slung outdoor seats or a table inside the beach house-inspired dining room—both are ideal for people-watching and Pacific views.
For a full-on Mediterranean feast at a top restaurant Venice Los Angeles – visit Paloma (Venice)
One of the best outdoor dining options in LA, Paloma is a destination for elegant, seafood-forward Mediterranean-inspired dishes in 1960s Palm Springs glam setting. Choose for three seating areas—a stylish dining room outfitted with plush banquettes, a bougainvillea-draped patio with a retractable roof, or a shady, greenery-strewn deck complete with a cozy fire pit. Start with oyster shooters or ceviche and chips before moving on to refined pastas and mains like a grilled tomahawk.
For standout Japanese fare and cocktails at one of the best restaurants in Venice Beach – stop in at Ōwa (Venice)
Stellar sushi, excellent Japanese drinks and cocktails, late-night dancing—Ōwa in Venice Beach has it all. Grab a spot at the counter or in the sophisticated dining room with exposed brick walls and vibrant Japanese paintings to feast on Edo-style sushi and signature dishes like spicy tuna crispy rice and miso black cod. Don’t miss live music and DJ sets on the weekends, fueled by free-flowing sake, Japanese beer, and clever cocktails like a Manhattan riff made with shiitake-infused whisky.
At laid-back and artistic Venice Beach, you can find everything from stellar sushi to elegant French bistro classics and exquisite pastas. Whether you’re in the mood for late-night dancing and Japanese cocktails or kicking back with some tacos and killer ocean views, find a top restaurant Venice Beach via OpenTable.
