Since Brennan and I started dating, we’ve always loved exploring our neighborhood eateries. I didn’t know this at the time, but he was keeping a list of our favorite LA restaurants, and ones that he wanted to have on hand for when we needed a new one to try.
At first it just made me really happy to know he was keeping track of all of this – I thought it was so cute. But then I quickly realized I should be doing the same thing!
It wasn’t until a girlfriend of mine texted me saying she was in LA for a few days and needed some suggestions. I was able to bust out about 20 suggestions in different parts of town in just a few minutes (that’s how much we eat out I guess lol). It inspired me to keep a list that I’ve since expanded on and already shared with many.
So it only makes sense to share it with you now! I’m just going to list them out below based off of westside neighborhoods, but trust me when I say these are hands down all of our favorites that we frequent ourselves as well. NOTHING on here is sponsored in any way shape or form – this is a copy & paste directly from the notes in my iPhone 🙂 Enjoy, and tag me in our stories if you visit any!
DOWNTOWN SANTA MONICA
- The Misfit (moderate pricing, great drinks, cool vibe)
- We always split: chicken sandwich, chorizo mac and cheese, bacon wrapped dates, avocado toast, French fries. EVERYTHING is good. They also have aperol spritz, great beer, and Brennan’s favorite: The Yellowjacket. It’s a spicy mezcal cocktail.
- Fritto Misto – BYOB, local Italian restaurant. Small hole in the wall, very casual, everything is amazing
- They have the same specials everyday, but they’re incredible. The lobster ravioli is insane, trust me! You can’t go wrong with anything on this menu.
- Cha Cha Chicken – BYOB, outdoor near the beach, inexpensive, a local favorite
- Urth Cafe – very popular LA staple, lots of salads, sandwiches, smoothies, pizza, teas
- I love their avocado toast and Chicken Curry sandwich
- Little Prince – higher price point but incredible unique menu; the interiors are also really great; definitely a place with a cool vibe
- Elephanté – CRUCIAL to get a reservation if you want to sit down for dinner. It’s not even really a place I recommend going without a reservation even for drinks. But it is amazing.
- The whipped eggplant is my favorite thing on the menu, and their house tequila is Nosotros – my favorite! Dress code is strict so just dress cute if you go there.
- Non-stop Sushi – hole in the wall sushi place but good prices and fun vibe. Loud-ish music, casual, just fun.
- They have a cheap all you can eat menu, and great combo dishes.
- Bruno’s – hole in the wall Italian food by the beach
- Get the Carbonara and a bottle of Montepulciano.
- Seaside on the Pier – rooftop restaurant right on the Santa Monica pier, amazing views, amazing chef. This is a new find for us and we’re obsessed!
- Bodega Wine Bar – this place doubles as my favorite place to work out of during the day, and my favorite wine night spot by night. It’s FULL of creatives during the day when they serve their coffee menu, and Wine Wednesday’s is packed every week. It’s a great spot for day or night.
- Big Dean’s – best place to go for a burger and a beer. It’s a small sports bar right off the Santa Monica pier and it has the best vibe. It gets crowded during games, but if you can get a seat you’re set.
- Groundwork – my favorite organic coffee bar with locations all over the city!
- The Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel – this spot is great for brunch or drinks – you’ll have the better view during the day (360 views of Santa Monica – and don’t forget to check out the restroom, the ocean views are amazing and you’ll get why I’m saying this after you see for yourself) but the atmosphere at night is also great.
- The Lobster – This is the restaurant right at the beginning of the Santa Monica Pier – for the longest time I thought it had to be a tourist trap because it sounded too good to be true. A good view, lobster dinner, conveniently in the heart of Santa Monica – surely it couldn’t be GOOD food too?! Well…I’m SO HAPPY to report that I was 100% wrong. You guys…I’m NOT kidding when I say it was one of the best dinners I have ever had to date. It was on the pricier side (hello it’s lobster) but OH WOW was it worth it. Plus, they serve Nosotros Tequila, so you know I’m already a fan of the drink menu!
- Little Ruby – This is a new Australian gem we’ve recently discovered and when I say that EVERYTHING on the menu is good, I am not saying that lightly. I can wholeheartedly say that I could point my finger anywhere on that menu and no matter what dish it landed on, I would order and thoroughly enjoy. SO GOOD. Picture proof below:
VENICE
- Rose Cafe – pricier, shareable plates, amazing menu, amazing vibe
- Bluestone Lane new Australian spot, moderately priced, patio seating)
- Venice Beach Wines – intimate, tiny wine bar, cute spot with yummy food
- Southend – complete hole in the wall, pizza, cheese boards, charcuterie, great wine, small, casual, neighborhood vibe
- Scopa – pricey and hard to get a reservation, but extremely good Italian food and has a speak easy, one of the best restaurants I’ve been to!
- Gjelina – amazing restaurant on abbot Kinney, semi pricey but amazing menu and vibe ( anywhere on abbot Kinney is worth checking out honestly )
- Hotel Erwin – rooftop bar in Venice; it doesn’t have the BEST setup, but if you’re going with a small group and aren’t trying to mingle with the crowd, then it’s a fun spot with 360 views of Venice beach.
- Tocaya – organic Mexican food, casual spot but so yummy and inexpensive
- The Butcher’s Daughter – this will forever be my favorite place for brunch. The vibe is calm, the interiors are the ultimate mixture of beachy and bohemian, and the food is incredible. All Vegetarian and vegan menu.
MARINA DEL REY
- Salt – MDR hotel restaurant, great happy hour. Pricier after happy hour but it’s on the water so it’s a fun vibe. Outdoor fire pits, and they serve Miraval.
- Mendocino Farms – Basically health fast food – very casual, salads and sandwiches, inexpensive. Usually my go-to for lunch; they have an extensive vegetarian / vegan menu and the curry couscous is my favorite. I always order the Impossible Taco Salad
- Baja Cantina – Our go-to Mexican food spot. Get the enchiladas suizas and Spicy Cucumber margarita!
- Killer Shrimp – They have a restaurant side and a cafe side; you can go dressed in whatever which is nice. Amazing Lobster Bisque
- Hinano’s – Similar to Big Dean’s in Santa Monica, but I prefer these burgers. Cash only!
- Night Market – authentic Thai food, I order the Pad Thai – it’s super spicy but SO GOOD.
- SUGARFISH – amazing sushi, $$$$. I order the Trust me every time
- sweetgreen – my favorite salad spot! I build my own every time; their Spicy Cashew dressing lives up to all the hype.
