Best Restaurants for Foodies in Playa del Rey

43 restaurants available nearby

1. Bacari PDR

4.6

Exceptional(1404)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Playa del Rey

Booked 39 times today

Bacari PDR is a Venetian-inspired small plates restaurant featuring Mediterranean-influenced dishes by Chef Lior Hillel. We are the 2nd restaurant of Kronfli Brothers, a family-owned, growing group of restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Alongside our delicious tapas, we offer a rotating curation of small-production wines and eclectic beers, unique craft cocktails & mocktails, and we are also known for our one-of-a-kind 90-minute open bar special.Our team provides warm hospitality in our comfortable, intimate indoor patio or in our spacious, breezy outdoor patio. You will feel like home when dining at Bacari PDR.We welcome but do not require reservations — we love to accommodate walk-ins and large parties, even on busy nights. Bacari PDR is the go-to spot for our neighbors, and we look forward to hosting you soon!

2. Gjelina

4.7

Exceptional(2336)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 172 times today

Gjelina is a restaurant specializing in New American cuisine. Open every day from 8 a.m. until 11pm, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, try 9 grain pancakes with butter and maple syrup or warm banana buckwheat loaf with butter and jam of the day. Brunch options include Moroccan baked eggs and 7 grain porridge. Gjelina offers a variety of oysters, crudo, charcuterie and salad options to start at lunch and dinner. Main courses include pizzas from our wood fired oven and entrees like duck confit, house made pastas and roasted organic half chicken.*Only ADA certified animals are allowed in Gjelina*A 20% Mandatory Service Charge is added to your check. Our belief is that every hourly Gjelina employee contributes to your service and 100% of the MSC will be distributed amongst them.

3. Charcoal Venice

4.7

Exceptional(554)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 22 times today

Charcoal Venice is an inviting neighborhood restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef and Owner Josiah Citrin that was inspired by the backyard barbecues he hosts on weekends for his friends and family. As the name suggests, everything is cooked indoors over live fire – whether over charcoal or in the coals. Citrin and Chef de Cuisine Dani McNish prepare a seasonal menu of craveable comfort foods featuring locally-sourced proteins and vegetables ideal for sharing family-style. Whether diving into a platter of smoky grilled chicken wings with a beer or classic cocktail at the bar, or splitting a 48 oz. dry-aged Porterhouse and a bottle of Bandol with friends, Charcoal Venice is an everyday dining spot.

A photo of The Butcher's Daughter restaurant

4. The Butcher's Daughter

4.7

Exceptional(175)

Price: Moderate

• American • Venice

Booked 25 times today

The Butcher’s Daughter Venice is a plant-forward restaurant, bar, juicery, and “vegetable slaughterhouse.” Located in the vibrant Venice neighborhood, we treat fruits and vegetables with the same care a butcher would meat: chopping, filleting, and carving fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and pressing them into vibrant juices. Under the guidance of our Culinary Director Richard Rea, our menu changes every season, offering 100% vegetarian dishes with many vegan and gluten-free options. We take pride in our great selection of wines, craft cocktails, and mocktails, ensuring there’s something for every taste. We also offer take-out and delivery for those who prefer to enjoy our meals at home. Named one of the best supper spots in Venice by the LA Times, we serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, creating a celebrated dining experience with in-season ingredients that nourish both body and soul.

5. Lunetta

4.7

Exceptional(2189)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 25 times today

Chef Raphael Lunetta and Emilio Cuyuch chef driven neighborhood diner with rustic California dining room and bar. Lunetta serves great food paired with locally roasted coffee options, classic cocktails, large selection of craft beer and delicious wines that we enjoy drinking with our family & friends.We buy the freshest ingredients we can find. We cook seasonally because that’s what is fresh and best. We support local farmers and businesses whenever we can, because the best flavor naturally follows. Menus for Lunetta are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. Our full bar features classic as well as craft cocktails using the finest in artisan spirits, mixers and seasonal fruits and vegetables. Our comprehensive wine list highlights small California producers and artisan winemakers from around the world.

6. Tar & Roses

4.8

Exceptional(4249)

Price: Expensive

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 24 times today

Tar & Roses is a globally inspired culinary experience. Chef Andrew Kirschner has transformed his kitchen into a local and welcoming home, focused on the element of the wood fired oven to bring out the best flavor in our dishes. Coming straight from the visionary mind of our award winning chef, our menu is created with only the highest quality ingredients and fresh, local products. This attention to detail helps makes our food a perfected craft which will inspire you to be adventurous, in the most approachable and delicious way possible. When you step into Tar & Roses, you'll feel like you are coming home. Our entire staff awaits your arrival with warm smiles and thoughtful service ~ please, come share a meal with us!

A photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA restaurant

7. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

3.9

Excellent(4114)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 44 times today

Welcome to Benihana, a dining experience unlike any other! Our guests are seated at communal tables in groups, where your personal chef will perform the ancient art of Teppanyaki. Watch as we slice and dice, preparing a meal that will dazzle your eyes as well taste buds, whether you choose mouth-watering steak, tender chicken or succulent seafood. You can also enjoy sushi prepared by a talented sushi chef and indulge in a specialty cocktail.

8. Zinqué - Venice

4.7

Exceptional(864)

Price: Moderate

• French • Venice

Booked 33 times today

Zinqué in Venice is a foodie's paradise with its French-inspired dishes, craft cocktails, and uniquely curated wine/beer selection. Reviews rave about the 'chill yet vibrant French bistro vibe', 'super yummy and healthy food', and the 'excellent food and drinks'. It's also noted for its 'beautiful ambience' and 'attentive staff', making it a go-to neighborhood restaurant for many patrons.

9. Upper West

4.9

Exceptional(2688)

Price: Moderate

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 22 times today

**Contact us today to schedule your next event! We can accommodate parties of 10 to 150 guests**Upper West's ever-changing menu draws inspiration from around the world while maintaining eclectic flavors unique to them. The bar offers Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4:30-7:00pm serving refreshing craft cocktails, handcrafted beer. The dinner menu is always evolving and includes ingredients sourced locally from the Santa Monica Farmers Market as well as local farmers such as Weiser Farms and Niman Ranch. Upper West is the perfect place to book large events for 20 or more guests and is an excellent private party venue for hosting corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday festivities, rehearsal dinners, and more.

A photo of True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica restaurant

10. True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica

4.4

Awesome(1539)

Price: Moderate

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 10 times today

True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. At our table, delicious dining and conscious nutrition go hand in hand, without sacrificing flavor, creativity or indulgence. Our expertly trained chefs craft flavor-forward dishes, handcrafted cocktails and freshly pressed refreshers so you can enjoy epic food experiences that aren’t just good for you, but good to you. Join us in Santa Monica for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch. New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.

‘About the restaurant’ descriptions have been generated using an artificial intelligence model comprised of OpenTable proprietary data that has not been independently verified by OpenTable. The content is presented as-is, for informational purposes only.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

M
MattVIP
Dallas - Fort Worth •10 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Never disappoints always amazing on every level. They do vegetables better than anyone where one could become a vegetarian if they could eat here everyday. The anchovy pizza I understand is seasonal due to the Brussel sprouts being seasonal. Please find a different vegetable and keep that pizza year round. I might make a suggestion that the cabbage dish would be an amazing topping on their pizzas. This place is truly the best and I am looking forward to trying their new restaurant RVR if I can a reservation (hint hint).
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GjelinaPrice: Expensive• American• Venice
•
4.7
J
Jeff
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Great food and vibe. Always a winner. Book with confidence
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LunettaPrice: Moderate• Californian• Santa Monica
•
4.7
A
AndrewVIP
San Francisco Bay Area •9 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
Wonderful experience. Our waiter, Sara, was super attentive, fun, and creative with suggestions. Thank you also to Tony, our diligent bus man, and Erick, the amazing bartender, for leveling up our experience. Of course it wouldn’t have been a true dining experience without the unique talents of Chef Johnny and owner Josiah Citrin. We can’t wait to go back!
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Charcoal VenicePrice: Expensive• American• Venice
•
4.7
M
marie
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 7, 2025
Bacari is always reliably tasty,friendly and accommodating - As we were leaving my son said"That was really good " I'm glad we went as he goes back to school tomorrow and it was a special dinner for us . We will be back 🙂
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Bacari PDRPrice: Expensive• Italian• Playa del Rey
•
4.6
AP
AjayP
Orange County •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 5, 2025
Great place to come for vegetarian food near Venice Beach. Wish the menu was a little more extensive but we found various items that caught our attention. (Menu changes seasonally)
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The Butcher's DaughterPrice: Moderate• American• Venice
•
4.7

Best Restaurants for Foodies in Playa del Rey

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

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Award-winning

Accessibility

43 restaurants available nearby

1. Bacari PDR

2. Gjelina

3. Charcoal Venice

4. The Butcher's Daughter

5. Lunetta

6. Tar & Roses

7. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

8. Zinqué - Venice

9. Upper West

10. True Food Kitchen - Santa Monica

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