The 101 guide to the restaurant scene in Venice
If you live in LA, you’ve probably got a scrappy notes section on your phone with a bunch of restaurant names in random neighborhoods. Or worse, you might be relying on some mental list of restaurants you need to reconstruct everytime you’re in a new part of town.
What a terrible way to live!
When hunger calls, you want options at your fingertips. For those times days you're hanging out in or passing through Venice, we want you to be equipped with the best places to eat or at least solid options to fall back on in times of need.
With its laidback vibe and creative spirit, Venice offers a pretty diverse food scene at all levels - from laid back beachside eateries to fine(r) dining destinations (let’s face it, even the fine stuff feels pretty casual when you’re by the beach).
Whether you're craving some fresh seafood, looking for a sunny brunch-spot, an easy place for a lunch meeting, or even a nicer place for a more specialler night out, we’ve got you covered. This is the 101 guide to the best local restaurants in Venice to give you the baseline - what you need to know.
Venice Restaurants 101
10-and-a-half spots to keep in your back-pocket for the next time you’re hangry in Venice.
When it comes to dining in Venice, CA, there are several top-rated restaurants that have gained a reputation for good food and friendly dining. We’ve highlighted our 10 go-to restaurants in the neighborhood right now and one that we’re giving a half spot on the list (why, oh why would you have a half spot on the list?! We’ll tell you right at the end because… clickbait innit).
Gjelina
Gjelina - Mediterranean-inspired eatery and local favorite - known for its wood-fired pizzas, seasonal vegetable dishes, and rustic charm and because Gwyneth said so - Gjelina has a cozy outdoor patio and a great atmosphere right on Abbot Kinney. They’ve got something for everyone: I personally like having pizza and wine on their rooftop patio.
Felix Trattoria
Felix Trattoria is from chef Evan Funke, who’s also behind Mother Wolf in Hollywood. There are a lot of spots for pasta lovers in Venice but Felix is arguably the spot for handmade pasta and Italian flavors and the menu changes daily based on the freshest ingredients available.
The Rose Venice
With a lot of dining space, patio space, a coffee bar, and a bar bar, the Rose is a good hub for anyone passing through Venice or working in the area. I’ve been there for dinner. I’ve done lunch meetings there. I’ve been the person in the corner with a laptop. It just works.
Scopa
I’ve never not had a good time at Scopa. Classic American-Italian food with reasonably priced (slightly smaller-than-usual) bowls of pasta so you can try them all at the same time and not have to choose one over the other. But who’s there for the food? We’re just there for the scene. OK and the food.
Gjusta
A local favorite from the people behind Gjelina (and now also the Gjusta Grocer). The bakery and deli has gained a following for its great bread, bagels, smoked fish, pastries, and pizzas. The lines are usually pretty long and you have to take a ticket and wait patiently to order. But most people agree it’s worth it.
Great White
A clean and bright all day breakfast restaurant right by the Venice sign. I’ve seen some criticism about it being designed for the gram and being too zeitgeisty. But isn’t that what we’re all here for anyway! In all seriousness, it’s great place for lunch and solid pizzas in a nice environment.
Dudley Market
Dudley Market is a seafood and wine spot on the back side of the boardwalk that gives that slightly-upscale-but-casual-European feel. It’s menu changes with the catch of the day. I’d write about how much I love the atmosphere (it’s really great) but last time I was there they didn’t have any bread to soak up the juices at the bottom of my moules-frites and I’m still trying to get over it. I’ll get there eventually, things like this just take time…
Ospi
More pasta in Venice you ask!? There seems to be some space for this one - a fresh take on Italian comfort food by the Venice canals, by chef Jackson Kalb that also runs Jame in El Segundo.
Coucou
Who doesn’t love “Aperitivo time” - that time of day when, per European tradition, it’s totally fine to have a few cocktails before dinner and go hard on the gossip because God and Karma aren’t paying attention. So this new “boozy french bistro” (their term, not mine) is a welcome addition to the neighborhood.
Classic French-bistro food with an Americaine touch and a great aperitif menu.
Paloma
An indoor-outdoor patio in Zinque’s old spot on Abbot Kinney & Venice Blvd. Their brunch & lunch menu makes it a good place for casual daytime meals & weekend drinks while the more extensive dinner menu has made it our new go-to spot for evenings on the westside.
A recent addition to the repertoire for visiting friends, family, and group dining among the more is more team…
The Tasting Kitchen
Dear Tasting Kitchen, w’ere keeping your spot warm while you’re out!
The Tasting Kitchen has been closed for a while but we’re still giving it a half spot on the list since it is due to reopen soon. A placeholder for the big return.
The spot on Abbot Kinney for locally sourced and seasonal food. It’s a mainly Italian menu (with some amazing seafood dishes) by chef Travis Passerotti, who recently also set up a roman-style flatbread sandwich concept, Tre Mani.
See the Full LA Food Map
You can find the full list of restaurants on the Westside and the rest of LA on the abstract food map. If you want to contribute your recommendations, we’d love to hear them.
