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Best Restaurants for People Watching in Playa del Rey

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50 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Élephante Santa Monica restaurant
1. Élephante Santa Monica
4.5
Awesome(1440)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Santa Monica
Booked 264 times today
Chic destination for elevated Italian cuisine in breezy, loungelike dining areas with ocean views.
A photo of Meat On Ocean restaurant
2. Meat On Ocean
4.7
Exceptional(3445)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Santa Monica
Booked 37 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 Wabi on Rose restaurant
3. Wabi on Rose
4.5
Awesome(1321)
Price: Expensive
• Sushi • Venice
Booked 20 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 Ivy at the Shore restaurant
4. Ivy at the Shore
4.8
Exceptional(3553)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Santa Monica
Booked 38 times today
To our Ivy family,Starting March 21st Ivy at the Shore will be open Tuesday - Sunday until the end of summer. See you soon!
A photo of North Italia - El Segundo restaurant
5. North Italia - El Segundo
4.7
Exceptional(3243)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • El Segundo
Booked 61 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 The Waterfront Venice restaurant
6. The Waterfront Venice
4.3
Awesome(192)
Price: Expensive
• Californian • Venice
Booked 15 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 Manchego restaurant
7. Manchego
4.8
Exceptional(1126)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Santa Monica
Booked 12 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 Blue Plate Taco restaurant
8. Blue Plate Taco
4.4
Awesome(975)
Price: Moderate
• Mexican • Santa Monica
Booked 27 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 Papille Gustative restaurant
9. Papille Gustative
4.2
Awesome(178)
Price: Moderate
• Farm-to-table • Santa Monica
Booked 2 times today
Papille Gustative LAFarm to table, seasonal 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 Blue Plate Oysterette restaurant
10. Blue Plate Oysterette
4.6
Exceptional(1586)
Price: Expensive
• Seafood • Santa Monica
Booked 16 times today
Blue Plate Oysterette was inspired by East Hampton summer lobster bakes and mouthwatering lunches at Montauk’s favorite roadside eateries. With influences like Pearl Oyster Bar and Mary’s Fish Camp in New York, Oysterette serves lunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu straight out of the seafood shacks you find on the East Coast. Chunky, overflowing lobster rolls, buckets of steamed clams in broth so flavorful that bread demands to be dunked, clam chowder, mussels in broth, ceviche, and raw shellfish so fresh you can smell the ocean. Filling the void in the Westside restaurant scene for a casual, beachy, seafood restaurant and buzzing neighborhood vibe appealing to both surfers and studio heads.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Tina
    Los Angeles •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    It was my first time at this restaurant. We ordered whipped eggplant with that famous “balloon”bread that is sooooo delicious! We also got Broccolini, Wild Mushrooms, Scallops and squid-ink Pasta. everything was delicious but Broccolini and wild mushrooms really stood out for me and my boyfriend. The Tiramisu was a bit heavy, I am used to a smoother texture but the delicious taste was there - not too sweet and right amount of espresso.
    More info
    Élephante Santa MonicaPrice: Expensive• Italian• Santa Monica
    •
    4.5
  • Clara
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    North Italia was amazing. The food was great and the ambiance was super cool for a birthday party.
    More info
    North Italia - El SegundoPrice: Moderate• Italian• El Segundo
    •
    4.7
  • BernadetteVIP
    Los Angeles •2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Came here for the first time for a Birthday celebration and everything exceeded our expectations! The food was just incredible, along with amazing service and ambiance. Highly recommend to check this place out if you haven’t already.
    More info
    Wabi on RosePrice: Expensive• Sushi• Venice
    •
    4.5
  • SusiVIP
    Los Angeles •21 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Fabulous‼️. This is categorically THE BEST steak anywhere. Period. The quality, the rub, and the exact cooking makes the anticipation worth it. Also try the crab cake. A delightful evening.
    More info
    Meat On OceanPrice: Expensive• Steakhouse• Santa Monica
    •
    4.7
  • KarenVIP
    Chicago / Illinois •23 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Love this place. Second time here and did not disappoint. Service was attentive and kind. Food was delicious. Started with fresh warm rolls brought to the table. For breakfast had escargot, lobster scramble, fish and chips, and huevos tomatillo. All were five star. Ambiance is perfect if you like people watching and a view of the Pacific. After brunch, it was a short walk to Santa Monica Pier. Highly recommend Ivy.
    More info
    Ivy at the ShorePrice: Expensive• Californian• Santa Monica
    •
    4.8

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