Best Restaurants for People Watching in Playa del Rey

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodMexicanJapanese

Regions

Beach CitiesWest Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Mid-WilshireWestside

Neighborhoods

Bel-AirBeverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsBrentwoodCentral Los AngelesCulver City

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

43 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Élephante Santa Monica restaurant

1. Élephante Santa Monica

4.6

Exceptional(1526)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Santa Monica

Booked 209 times today

Chic destination for elevated Italian cuisine in breezy, loungelike dining areas with ocean views.

2. Meat On Ocean

4.7

Exceptional(3466)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Santa Monica

Booked 35 times today

Meat On Ocean is a meat-centric, modern steakhouse in Santa Monica that offers both a sense of adventure and breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Beyond the offerings of a world-class steakhouse, Meat On Ocean features an artisanal charcuterie bar, an exhibition dry-aging room and a variety of prime beef – from dry-aged domestic cuts to Japanese A-5. Integral to the operation is a highly trained crew of servers and butchers, who communicate directly with Guests about the beef, organically farmed chickens, house made sausages, choice seafood and more.Located on the corner of Ocean and Broadway, Meat On Ocean is steps from the action - including the Santa Monica Pier, shopping and hotels.Starting May 2024, Meat On Ocean is also your headquarters for private dining and events, with customizable spaces that are perfect for social events, corporate meetings, birthday parties, anniversary celebrations, wedding receptions and ceremonies, with full audio/visual connectivity.

3. Wabi on Rose

4.6

Exceptional(1326)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Sushi • Venice

Booked 30 times today

This local hot spot suffered a fire in 2018 and triumphantly returned in 2020. With Chef Rain's innovative cuisine and vibrant bar scene, Wabi on Rose embodies the Rose Avenue lifestyle. Sexy, contemporary design, frames this hip spot with a chic outdoor seating area. Neighborhood regulars enjoy the fresh-caught, Pacific Rim, sushi inspired menu,and live fire grill. Swimsuit to business suit, all are welcome.

4. Ivy at the Shore

4.8

Exceptional(3566)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 32 times today

Escape to Paradise at Ivy at the Shore Nestled near the iconic Santa Monica Pier, Ivy at the Shore offers a quintessential LA dining experience with stunning ocean views and a vibrant atmosphere. Indulge in fresh seafood like signature crab cakes, swordfish tacos, and Icelandic salmon. Explore Californian cuisine with classic dishes such as the Ivy Caesar salad, juicy burgers, and flavorful pasta. Immerse yourself in a tropical paradise with lush greenery, vibrant decor, and a spacious outdoor patio overlooking the ocean. Enjoy the renowned hospitality of The Ivy, with attentive staff ensuring a memorable dining experience. Perfect for special occasions, celebrate a romantic date night with breathtaking sunset views or enjoy family gatherings in a lively atmosphere. Impress clients with sophisticated business lunches. Make your reservation today and escape to paradise at Ivy at the Shore.

A photo of North Italia - El Segundo restaurant

5. North Italia - El Segundo

4.7

Exceptional(3256)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • El Segundo

Booked 88 times today

At North, we focus on what we do best: Italian from scratch. Enjoy any of our handmade pastas and pizzas, created with seasonal ingredients and inventive flavors. Or, try a different signature dish, prepared with our fresh flavors from the garden, farm, and sea. We’ve hand crafted seasonal cocktails that pair great with our food, creating a real modern Italia experiences perfect for any occasion.

A photo of The Waterfront Venice restaurant

6. The Waterfront Venice

4.1

Excellent(195)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Venice

Booked 20 times today

The Waterfront Venice is a California Beer Garden with views of the Pacific Ocean. Situated between Rose and Navy on the famous Venice beach Boardwalk, our food & beverage menus celebrate California with carefully selected seasonal produce from local farms.

7. Manchego

4.8

Exceptional(1135)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica

Booked 16 times today

Manchego also offers walk-ins!Manchego is a Spanish Tapas restaurant in Santa Monica that focuses on delicious small plates and a cozy atmosphere. We recently relocated a few doors down, to a larger space with a romantic patio in the back.Manchego has always been one of the best kept secrets in Santa Monica, and now locals can enjoy our bigger, more accommodating space that offers outside dining on our beautiful patio. Always a great spot for romantic dates or meeting up with friends and family.We also added a specially curated Spanish wine list that offers mainly small-production, unique wines. Our Spanish wine distributor spends his time traveling the Spanish countryside, sourcing hard to find wines from small, mom-and-pop wineries. The wine list also includes a few South American selections and a great local, organic wine.Follow us on instagram at instagram.com/manchegorestaurant

A photo of Blue Plate Oysterette restaurant

8. Blue Plate Oysterette

4.7

Exceptional(1589)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Santa Monica

Booked 19 times today

Blue Plate Oysterette was inspired by East Hampton summer lobster bakes and mouthwatering lunches at Montauk’s favorite roadside eateries. With influences like Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary’s Fish Camp in New York, Oysterette serves lunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu straight out of the seafood shacks you find on the East Coast. Chunky, overflowing lobster rolls, buckets of steamed clams in broth so flavorful that bread demands to be dunked, clam chowder, mussels in broth, ceviche, and raw shellfish so fresh you can smell the ocean. Filling the void in the Westside restaurant scene for a casual, beachy, seafood restaurant and buzzing neighborhood vibe appealing to both surfers and studio heads.

A photo of Casa 12 Ristorante restaurant

9. Casa 12 Ristorante

4.8

Exceptional(82)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Venice

Booked 9 times today

At a location once known for the French restaurant “12 Washington” as well as the Italian restaurant “Casa Ado”, Casa 12 has now open in the same cozy spot at 12 Washington Blvd. Serving Tradition Italian Cuisine, an extensive wine list, sangria’s, spritz, and beers. Only steps away from the beach, enjoy a fun atmosphere with the option of indoor or outdoor dining on the Venice Pier in Marina Del Rey!

10. Cento Pasta Bar

4.7

Exceptional(942)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Mid-City

Booked 46 times today

BREAKING THE MEDITERRANEAN MOLD. CENTO RESTAURANT IS INSPIRED BY THE MEDITERRANEAN AND LOCATED IN LOS ANGELES.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

G
Gary
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great food, excellent service , very classic California
More info
Ivy at the ShorePrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Monica
•
4.8
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •1 review
4.0
Dined 3 days ago
I do hate how close the tables are together. We can hear everyone’s conversation so we asked to be moved and they moved us. But also good food and service.
More info
Élephante Santa MonicaPrice: Moderate• Italian• Santa Monica
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 6 days ago
First time being there and it was great love everything we had. I would definitely return again.
More info
Meat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica
•
4.7
OT
OpenTable DinerVIP
Los Angeles •12 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 2, 2025
North Italia is a great local restaurant. We go there often. It’s consistently reliable. Service is a bit slow but staff are always friendly and helpful.
More info
North Italia - El SegundoPrice: Moderate• Italian• El Segundo
•
4.7
S
Spencer
Utah •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
Great vibe and food. Little gold flakes in the sushi was cool
More info
Wabi on RosePrice: Expensive• Sushi• Venice
•
4.6

Explore OpenTable

Neighborhood
People watching

Playa del Rey

Alhambra
Hawthorne / Gardena
Burbank
Glendale
Venice
Naples Island
Calabasas
Culver City
Koreatown
Encino
Malibu
Universal City
Silver Lake
Hollywood
San Gabriel
Bel-Air
Santa Monica
Little Tokyo
Torrance / Carson
Mid-Wilshire