Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Playa del Rey

165 restaurants available nearby

1. Bacari PDR

4.7

Exceptional(1378)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Playa del Rey

Booked 25 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(2255)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 153 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. The Rose Venice

4.5

Awesome(2951)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 16 times today

The Rose Venice is a special spot for special occasions. With its 'impeccable' food, 'stunning' service, and a charming ambiance, it's the perfect place to celebrate milestones. As one reviewer mentioned, 'we love the special occasion diners with preset menus.' Not to mention, it's a place where 'friends from all over get together to share amazing food.'

A photo of SALT Restaurant & Bar restaurant

4. SALT Restaurant & Bar

4.5

Awesome(2233)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Marina del Rey

Booked 10 times today

Experience SALT Restaurant and Bar at the waterfront Marina del Rey Hotel. Set against sweeping marina views, join us for brunch, happy hour or dinner and choose from the best locally sourced California-seasonal dishes, and craft cocktails on the westside.

5. pasjoli

4.6

Exceptional(642)

Price: Very Expensive

• French • Santa Monica

Booked 11 times today

Pasjoli is an elevated French bistro from James Beard award-winning chef Dave Beran. The restaurant pays homage to French cuisine utilizing the bounty of produce available in Southern California. Rooted in classic French cooking and inspired by Parisian markets, pasjoli reflects Chef Dave’s thoughtful cooking style, showcasing his creative touches on bistro fare.We serve a five-course prix fixe menu in our dining room and our secret garden. You'll be able to select your seating preference when you confirm your reservation. Please visit our website to see the most current menu.Each evening, we have limited availability of pressed duck dinners. If you are interested in enjoying a pressed duck, please email info@pasjoli.com, and we will do our best to accommodate your request. Unfortunately, we cannot accommodate vegan diets.

A photo of The Butcher's Daughter restaurant

6. The Butcher's Daughter

4.6

Exceptional(162)

Price: Moderate

• American • Venice

Booked 27 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.

7. Lunetta

4.7

Exceptional(2161)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 20 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.

8. Charcoal Venice

4.6

Exceptional(529)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 21 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.

9. Dear John's

4.7

Exceptional(233)

Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Culver City

Booked 33 times today

In 1962, Johnny Harlowe made the jump from the silver screen to chef and owner of Dear John’s. Convinced by his pal Frank Sinatra, Johnny opened the iconic spot just a ways down from Sony Studios on Culver Blvd. It became the watering-hole for the Hollywood elite with Sinatra often in the corner playing the piano against the dark brick walls once lined with portraits of famous John’s. Seasoned chefs and entrepreneurs Hans Röckenwagner and Josiah Citrin have teamed up to re-open Dear John’s with an updated classic American menu and old-school cocktail list.

10. Caffe Pinguini

4.9

Exceptional(1632)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Playa del Rey

Booked 13 times today

We are open for curbside pickup, takeout and delivery and offering a 10% discount on all orders! Lunch will be open from 12pm-2:30pm & Dinner from 5:30pm-9:30pm.Italian owners, Tony Cotrufo and Enrico Fiorentini, both hail from Rome and have been serving fresh authentic Italian cuisine at their Playa Del Rey location since 1997. They offer homemade pastas, an excellent wine list, outdoor seating and daily specials. Caffe Pinguini was awarded with the "Marchio Ospitalita" Italiana - Seal of Authenticity". The seal distinguishes those restaurants with the highest quality of Italian hospitality.

‘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

VM
VeniceMomvip
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Best restaurant in Venice. From the food to the service, Gjelina is a must do in LA.
More info
GjelinaPrice: Expensive• American• Venice
•
4.7
W
Wellington
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
The experience was amazing. Starting with Juliana’s recommendations for the special options of the day, Steak Tacos and Burguer. Tacos was incredible, tortillas velvety and tasty, meat soft. Burguer exquisite, jam outstanding.
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The Rose VenicePrice: Expensive• American• Venice
•
4.5
G
Georgevip
Los Angeles •67 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Pasjolie is an excellent prix-fixe restaurant with two menu choices each evening. There is a limited list of wines by the glass -- and they are expensive -- but it doesn't matter because the list is all excellent. This is an exceptionally good restaurant with innovative Michelin star-caliber food and elegant presentation. The service is attentive and efficient. My wife and I were trying to figure out if our investment income is sufficient to allow us to visit once a month; it was that good. In terms of value for price, it is definitely worth it.
More info
pasjoliPrice: Very Expensive• French• Santa Monica
•
4.6
M
Mary Beth
Los Angeles •4 reviews
4.0
Dined 6 days ago
The food was delicious. I had a cheeseburger and my friend had the lobster bisque. We stayed inside since it was chilly outside. It was also chilly in the restaurant as well. Service was great!
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SALT Restaurant & BarPrice: Expensive• Californian• Marina del Rey
•
4.5
Z
Zivalani
Los Angeles •16 reviews
5.0
Dined on Nov 19, 2024
Having grown up in the restaurant biz and after running one of the most successful joints in town, I must say, THIS might be one of the most quintessential places in all of Southern CA. Makai (sp?)greeted us like we were family. Can’t wait to come back.
More info
Bacari PDRPrice: Expensive• Italian• Playa del Rey
•
4.7

Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Playa del Rey

Price

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Regions

Neighborhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

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Award-winning

Accessibility

165 restaurants available nearby

1. Bacari PDR

2. Gjelina

3. The Rose Venice

4. SALT Restaurant & Bar

5. pasjoli

6. The Butcher's Daughter

7. Lunetta

8. Charcoal Venice

9. Dear John's

10. Caffe Pinguini

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