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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Playa del Rey

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54 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Wabi on Rose restaurant
1. Wabi on Rose
4.5
Awesome(1313)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Venice
Booked 24 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.
A photo of Meat On Ocean restaurant
2. Meat On Ocean
4.7
Exceptional(3410)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Santa Monica
Booked 42 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.
A photo of The Waterfront Venice restaurant
3. The Waterfront Venice
4.4
Awesome(189)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Venice
Booked 17 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.
A photo of North Italia - El Segundo restaurant
4. North Italia - El Segundo
4.7
Exceptional(3208)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • El Segundo
Booked 71 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 Manchego restaurant
5. Manchego
4.7
Exceptional(1118)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 10 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 Mama's Boy at Winston House restaurant
6. Mama's Boy at Winston House
4.4
Awesome(109)
Price: Expensive
• Comfort Food • Venice
Mama’s Boy is an Italian dinner club with a Southern accent, brought to you by Michelin-starred Chef Wes Whitsell. Situated inside Winston House – a popular community hub with live music and DJ sets – Mama’s Boy is the perfect start to a night out. With lively dishes that embody Chef’s Texan roots and mom’s home-cooked Italian food, the menu strikes a balance between comfort and creativity. At Mama’s Boy, he presents his most innovative menu yet: a fusion of nostalgic Italian cuisine with a Southern twist - a true ‘Spaghetti Western’. Each dish is a nod to his upbringing, a journey home where every bite tells a story of love, tradition, and the connection of family.
A photo of Blue Plate Taco restaurant
7. Blue Plate Taco
4.5
Awesome(973)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 14 times today
Blue Plate Taco is a coastal Baja-meets-Santa Monica destination on Ocean Ave. We are dedicates to creating all our food from scratch including the agua frescas and margaritas from the bar, the tortillas are made by hand fresh all day, and our salsas are made daily. The entire menu is fresh, light and delicious. We hold most of our tables for walk-ins so if you don't see any reservations, don't fret! We'll get you seated after a short wait while you're admiring the Pacific and taking in the famous Santa Monica pier.Reservations are limited to 90 minutes, we hold reservations for 10 minutes.
A photo of Piccolo Venice restaurant
8. Piccolo Venice
4.8
Exceptional(611)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Venice
Booked 11 times today
Chef Antonio Mure's new take on an old Venice favorite, Piccolo.
A photo of Papille Gustative restaurant
9. Papille Gustative
4.3
Awesome(173)
Price: Moderate
• Farm-to-table • Santa Monica
Booked 4 times today
Papille Gustative LAFarm to table Artisan foods, single origin, sustainably grown and certified Coffees and Teas, as well as local craft beers and organic, biodynamic wines. Open for Breakfast, Lunch and Brunch . A low impact, Zero waste facility located in Santa Monica CA. Cozy private room and patio. One block to the Santa Monica beach.
A photo of Casa 12 Ristorante restaurant
10. Casa 12 Ristorante
4.8
Exceptional(66)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Venice
Booked 8 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!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Jessie
    Los Angeles •5 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    We celebrated my mom’s birthday here at North, and had such a blast. We keep coming back because the food is fresh, delicious, and you get the most bang for your buck. We ordered the Lasagna Bianca Al Forno, Squid Ink Tonnarelli & Tuscan Half Chicken. There was plenty to share, with leftovers. Our server was nothing short of lovely - she took care of us with a smile on her face. We sat on the patio with our pup - it had started raining, so the patio area was covered and the heaters were on. Such a warm and toasty ambience. The dining room is so gorgeous, but got a little too loud - there was an echo that made conversation a little hard (even from the patio), but we all loved people watching. Thank you, North Italia! We’ll keep coming back for consistent, amazing, authentic Italian food. We have a blast with y’all.
    More info
    North Italia - El SegundoPrice: Moderate• Italian• El Segundo
    •
    4.7
  • Clairevip
    Los Angeles •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    My boyfriend and I had an amazing experience celebrating our anniversary together at Meat on Ocean. The staff were so friendly and welcoming and both the hostess and our server was so sweet to wish us a happy anniversary. The food was amazing, the service excellent and we had a WONDERFUL time! We cannot wait to go back!
    More info
    Meat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica
    •
    4.7
  • Genelle
    Los Angeles •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    Music could have been lower otherwise everything was good
    More info
    The Waterfront VenicePrice: Expensive• Californian• Venice
    •
    4.4
  • Guy
    Los Angeles •3 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 6 days ago
    The sushi was excellent! Our server, Katie was very attentive. The hot Sake was delicious. We especially loved the Ikura sushi!
    More info
    Wabi on RosePrice: Expensive• Sushi• Venice
    •
    4.5
  • karen
    Los Angeles •20 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Nov 18, 2024
    Just the best staff ever- so attentive and welcoming. The food was delicious and we enjoyed every dish that was served. Overall one of the best dining experiences we've had in a long time!
    More info
    ManchegoPrice: Moderate• Tapas / Small Plates• Santa Monica
    •
    4.7

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