Best Restaurants for Foodies in Mid-City

53 restaurants available nearby

1. Melisse

4.9

Exceptional(2007)

Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 3 times today

Chef & Owner Josiah Citrin has revived his Michelin 2-Star institution with an intimate, 14-seat restaurant with Chef/Partner Ken Takayama. In a setting that blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, Chefs and service staff guide guests through a 2.5-hour culinary experience.Collaborating with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley, Chef Josiah sources the most unique and exclusive ingredients available. An 8-course tasting menu is bookended by canapés, amuse-bouches and mignardise, all of which showcase global flavors using both modern and classic techniques.

2. Gjelina

4.7

Exceptional(2336)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 174 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. Lunetta

4.7

Exceptional(2189)

Price: Moderate

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 27 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.

A photo of The Penthouse Restaurant restaurant

4. The Penthouse Restaurant

4.7

Exceptional(4328)

Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Santa Monica

Booked 14 times today

The Penthouse Restaurant is a foodie's delight, offering a unique rooftop dining experience in Santa Monica with panoramic ocean views. The contemporary Mediterranean-inspired California cuisine is consistently praised for its high quality, as reflected in the high ratings for food. The ambiance, service, and overall dining experience also receive high praise, with many customers stating it's worth the high prices.

5. Tar & Roses

4.8

Exceptional(4249)

Price: Expensive

• American • Santa Monica

Booked 26 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!

6. Charcoal Venice

4.7

Exceptional(554)

Price: Expensive

• American • Venice

Booked 23 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.

7. AOC - Brentwood

4.6

Exceptional(3351)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Brentwood

Booked 13 times today

A.O.C is a small plates restaurant driven by seasonal ingredients, locally sourced. Our California French cuisine was developed by Chef Suzanne Goin, and has some Mediterranean influences as well. We have a large selection of wines by the glass and over 150 bottles chose from, curated by Caroline Styne, all of witch are either organic, biodynamic or sustainable. Featuring a full bar with premium spirits and specialty cocktails.

A photo of Benihana - Santa Monica, CA restaurant

8. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

3.9

Excellent(4114)

Price: Moderate

• Japanese • Santa Monica

Booked 41 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.

A photo of The Butcher's Daughter restaurant

9. 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.

10. STK - Los Angeles

4.3

Awesome(2595)

Price: Very Expensive

• Steak • Westwood

Booked 51 times today

STK Steakhouse is “not your daddy’s steakhouse,” offering a high-energy dining experience that artfully combines the superior quality of a traditional steakhouse with a Vibe Dining atmosphere unlike any other. Delectable cuisine, upscale cocktails and an elevated Happy Hour, along with an in-house DJ and chic décor, all come together to offer a memorable fine dining experience that keeps guests enjoying their evening from drinks to dinner to late night. STK’s menu features reimagined classic American cuisine for lunch, brunch and dinner with unique local flair infused into each location’s menu. The brand’s beef program focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks while emphasizing transparency and traceable sourcing practices.

‘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

E
EllyceVIP
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •31 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Food was wonderful, ambience was beautiful . It was our anniversary and brought us a card and free desert. A must go for any occasion .
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The Penthouse RestaurantPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Santa Monica
•
4.7
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
S
Shayne
Seattle / Eastern Washington •1 review
5.0
Dined on Jan 8, 2025
As a service industry person I am very particular in regards to a great dining experience. It was our first time to dine at Tar and Roses and I cannot find one area of improvement. The food was amazing and I feel like it’s hard to find good service these days. The service was impeccable. We will definitely be back!
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Tar & RosesPrice: Expensive• American• Santa Monica
•
4.8
J
Joris
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 3, 2025
I recently dined at Mélisse, and it was an incredible experience! The waitresses, Mia and Scarlet, were outstanding—so knowledgeable and attentive. The food was simply fantastic, especially the duck; it was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend Mélisse to anyone looking for a special dining experience! (Much love for the Cesar salad ❤️)
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MelissePrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Santa Monica
•
4.9

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Mid-City

Best Restaurants for Foodies in Mid-City

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Top Rated

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Award-winning

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53 restaurants available nearby

1. Melisse

2. Gjelina

3. Lunetta

4. The Penthouse Restaurant

5. Tar & Roses

6. Charcoal Venice

7. AOC - Brentwood

8. Benihana - Santa Monica, CA

9. The Butcher's Daughter

10. STK - Los Angeles

See what locals rave about

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