Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Los Angeles

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Baran’s 2239

5.0

5 (1415)

$31 to $50

American

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Baran’s 2239 is committed to serve exceptional food in a casual atmosphere. The idea formed when brothers Jason and Jonathan Baran linked up with long time friend and chef Tyler Gugliotta. Hours of prep and creativity go into every single dish, using only fresh and homemade ingredients. Baran’s 2239 has over 40 craft beers and extensive wine list. Recognized on Michelin's Bib Gourmand 2018 list

Top review

ChrisVIP

Dined on Jun 1, 2025

Always amazing. We loved the new dishes. Incredible!

SHU - Sushi House Unico - Bel Air

4.9

4.9 (666)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Bel-Air

About the restaurant

Nestled in the canyons of Bel Air, SHU is a dining experience like no other - a fusion of Japanese, Italian and Latin flavors and influences. The menu features traditional dishes as well as signature offerings, inspired by Giacomino Drago’s love of blending Japanese, Italian and Latin cuisines. SHU’s environment is well-suited to singles, couples and families. The bar seats up to ten people and there is a special booth that seats six people. Private dinning room is available to accommodate up to 12 guests. Signature dishes included halibut carpaccio with sun-dried tomato, Kobe Beef sashimi and albacore sashimi with shaved truffles.

Top review

Karine

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Great food. Very worth it. Loved the ambience as well.

La Vecchia Cucina

4.9

4.9 (2116)

$31 to $50

Italian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

La Vecchia Cucina has been Santa Monica, California's finest neighborhood Italian restaurant since 1990, located by the blue Pacific on historic Main Street. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite, a full course dinner, an evening snack, or something in between, La Vecchia Cucina offers outstanding Italian cuisine, a great wine list, a luxurious selection of desserts, a full bar, great service and a relaxed atmosphere.

Top review

Deepali

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Wonderful experience! Food was great ! They customized the food to accommodate food allergies and preferences.

Teru Sushi

4.9

4.9 (628)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Studio City

About the restaurant

Teru Sushi in Studio City was created in 1979 and opened to rave reviews at the beginning of the sushi craze in LA, It was the first in the Valley to combine fine Japanese cuisine with a warm and lively ambiance and is widely known for a consistently high quality of food and friendly efficient service.

Top review

eleenag

Dined on Mar 9, 2025

Have been coming to this place for 20 years. Best sushi in Studio City.

Monty's Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (2674)

$50 and over

American

Woodland Hills

About the restaurant

Monty’s Steakhouse has been proudly family-owned and operated for over 80 years by three
generations of the Levine family.
Monty Levine’s start as a restauranteur came in 1940, while he was working for a wholesale beverage
distributor. When one of the customers on his route—who owned a small bar and burger joint on the
corner of Fair Oaks and California Boulevard, Pasadena—fell severely ill, Monty extended him personal
credit until he recovered. Touched by the generosity of this gesture, the customer offered Monty his
burger bar in settlement of his debts…and the original Monty’s was born.
For the rest of the story, read the back of our reto menus when you dine with us.
Dennis and Michael thank you for being a part of MONTY’S history.
The Levine Family

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Awesome dining experience! Seabass with citrus cream sauce over spinach melted in your mouth! The server was amazing! She was always one step ahead of your request!

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Popular dish

Chicken Parmigiana

Fishing With Dynamite

4.9

4.9 (2964)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Manhattan Beach

About the restaurant

A celebration of summers spent on Virginia’s Eastern Shore and SoCal’s vibrant beach communities. The cheerful, 32-seat restaurant is anchored by a lively oyster bar and features a menu of “old school” traditional seafood fare and “new school” dishes highlighting flavors from around the globe. Chef and co-owner David LeFevre and Fishing with Dynamite have been celebrated for serving only the most pristine seafood with accolades that include “Best Oyster Bar” and Best New Restaurant by Los Angeles Magazine, OpenTable’s 100 Best Restaurants in America (2016, 2017 and 2019) and a Michelin Plate in 2019.

Top review

GeysaVIP

Dined 6 days ago

This is our fourth time eating at FWD and it never disappoints! Friendly service. Deliciously fresh food. We prefer to seat outside and enjoy the sunshine. We shared a Lovely Caesar salad with shrimp as appetizer that they kindly split in two bowls. I had the steamed mussels and my husband had the halibut. Both were amazing. Nice drinks also. Totally recommend and can’t wait to go back!

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Popular dish

Seared Diver Scallops

4.9

4.9 (232)

$31 to $50

Lounge

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

A sophisticated, sleek lounge where the bartenders remember your name. The eclectic tapas menu offers comforting bar bites and rich treats to satisfy those late-night munchies. The cocktail program features classic and uniquely crafted cocktails from fresh, local ingredients. Expect local craft Beers and spirits to challenge the more adventurous drinkers. We have extra parking available every night from 6 pm -12:30 am. Look for the parking lot across the street from Georgia's Lounge, entrance via Huntington Lane at 1444 Aviation Blvd.

Top review

BrendaVIP

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

Terrific cocktails and yummy food options. The vibe is dark and mellow on the inside and beautiful patio on the outside. The perfect place to unwind

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Experience

Cheers To You!

West Tasting Room

4.9

4.9 (79)

$30 and under

Wine Bar

Thousand Oaks

About the restaurant

A Finalist for Best Wine Tasting in Ventura County by the LA Times, West Tasting Room is a wine bar and light-fare restaurant showcasing boutique wineries throughout the West Coast regions of California, Oregon and Washington. Our wine list rotates weekly as we pour 20+ wines by the glass, offer a build-your-own wine flight experience and pair it all perfectly with charcuterie boards, artisanal pizzas and salads.

Our wine selection varies from natural wines like Pét-Nats to Burgundian-Style Oregon Pinot Noirs to Napa Valley Cabernets and more. Try one of our guests' favorite pizzas like our Burrata, Prosciutto and Honey or our Leek & Ricotta. We offer wine & cheese pairing packages, host monthly Winemaker events, and even teach wine classes led by one of our six sommeliers on staff.

All wines poured by the glass are also available to purchase from our bottle shop. Pizza and charcuterie are also available to-go.

Please note that guests of all ages are welcome in our tasting room.

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Awesome service and wine selection. We had a great time

Cafe Pacific at Trump National Golf Club

4.8

4.8 (1309)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

About the restaurant

Experience five-star service and exceptional cuisine at Trump National Golf Club, Los Angeles
Highly-regarded among locals in Southern California, Trump National offers upscale and casual dining facilities with breathtaking ocean views, scenic outdoor dining, exceptional wine lists and a relaxing ambiance. Open to the public for lunch, dinner and in-between, Trump National provides the perfect setting for a casual group gathering or beautiful evening out on the California coast.

Enjoy our indoor and outdoor culinary offerings Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00am to 8:00pm. We look forward to seeing you for lunch, dinner and happy hour. Reservations are highly recommended.

Our High Tea is only offered Three days a week (Wed, Thurs,and Fri) from 2:00pm - 3:00pm, we do need 48 hour Advanced notice before the day of your Reservation. Please call and Book your reservation with our Hostess. (310)303-3260

Top review

JohnVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Exceptional dining experience as always. Thank you.

Canyon Lake Country Club Bar & Grill

4.8

4.8 (121)

$30 and under

American

Lake Elsinore

About the restaurant

Overlooking Canyon Lake's beautiful golf course, the Country Club Bar & Grill is a laid-back, casual atmosphere restaurant that is open to the public. The restaurant offers a casual menu that integrates nicely with the leisure of a golf course with daily specials and happy hour all through the week. Our outdoor patio overlooks the beautiful golf course and features fire pits and lounge areas to relax and enjoy bites and drinks with friends and family. We are located in Canyon Lake, California, and service the nearby areas of Menifee, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, Sun City, Murrieta, and Temecula.

Top review

Liz

Dined on May 9, 2025

Trivia Night at the Country Club. Good time had by all. Friendly but competitive

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