Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Westside

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Westside? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Melisse

4.9

4.9 (2000)

$50 and over

Californian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Mark

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

One of the best meals of my life - absolutely wonderful experience!

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Experience

New Year's Eve - Chef's Tasting Menu

Experience

Christmas Eve - Chef's Tasting Menu

Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu, December- $399

Vespertine

4.8

4.8 (155)

$50 and over

Californian

Culver City

About the restaurant

We are excited to share the return of Vespertine, Chef Jordan Kahn's otherworldy culinary narrative. More than a restaurant, Vespertine transports diners through the twisted steel and glass structure designed by acclaimed architect Eric Owen Moss. Food, beverage, music, and art are woven throughout, creating an immersive, multi-sensory evening.

Awards Include
2 Stars - Michelin Guide, 2019 - 2024
Green Star - Michelin Guide, 2024
Most Beautiful Restaurants - Condé Nast
World's 100 Greatest Places - Time Magazine
Atmosphere of the Year - World Restaurant Awards

Top review

Sean

Dined 3 days ago

Extraordinary experiential dining. Everything was amazing.

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Experience

New Year's Eve

Caravan Swim Club at Hotel June

4.8

4.8 (305)

$30 and under

Californian

Playa Vista

About the restaurant

Connected to Hotel June, the breezy Baja-inspired Caravan Swim Club is a 2-story poolside gathering place for everything from cabana drinks to fire pit gatherings and creative meetings. The menu takes you on a culinary road trip from Santa Barbara to Northern Baja, Mexico. Enjoy our Baja inspired setting with local caught grilled fish, seasonal salads, ceviche and other shareable items paired with biodynamic wines, craft beer, and small-batch tequilas.

"ONE OF THE HOTTEST RESTAURANTS IN LA RIGHT NOW" - EATER LA

Top review

KevinVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

Felt misled. Made a reservation only to find out the kitchen had been moved to the normal hotel restaurant because caravan was having a holiday party. Food was good. Service was average. I’m an eternal optimist so most people would have thought the experience was below average

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Experience

Christmas at Caravan Swim Club

Experience

New Year's Eve at Caravan Swim Club

Experience

Mezcal Monday

Planta Cocina - Marina del Rey

4.8

4.8 (112)

$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Marina del Rey

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

EstelleVIP

Dined on Dec 11, 2024

“Crab” tostada a favorite! Mushroom taco pretty good except mushrooms are deep fried. Watermelon sushi terrible. Service was incredibly slow but friendly. In general, recommend this place.

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Experience

Maki Monday

Kusaki

4.8

4.8 (100)

$31 to $50

Vegetarian / Vegan

West Los Angeles

About the restaurant

Experience the first and only vegan omakase in Los Angeles, recognized as America’s Best Fine Dining Restaurant and Best Vegan Restaurant. Led by our 2024 Chef of the year, Head Chef Pearl Steffie, we specialize in omakase entrusting the chef to curate an unforgettable culinary journey.

Enjoy 10-course menu for $65 or a 15-course menu for $95 paired with our carefully selected wine, beer, sake and handcrafted cocktails. We proudly accommodate all dietary needs, with a special focus on gluten-free and celiac friendly options.

Top review

Jenny

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Excellent food, excellent service. The flavors are tremendous, the menu is very interesting, innovative, fun and delicious and I love that it is all vegan! Everyone should try this place and support the fabulous Pearl, her talents and her team.

LULU - Los Angeles

4.8

4.8 (149)

$30 and under

Californian

Westwood

About the restaurant

Conceived with legendary chef and food activist Alice Waters and led by acclaimed chef, writer, and cookbook author David Tanis, Lulu is a shared celebration of good food that is good for the planet. Lulu is a restaurant committed to prioritizing sustainability through local, regenerative food and design. Our mission focuses on procuring food directly from small, nearby farms practicing regenerative organic agriculture, which results in wholesome, delicious food grown using methods that combat the climate crisis.

Our restaurant is named after a wise Provencal cook, Lulu Peyraud, whose cooking and hospitality at Domaine Tempier in Bandol, France has always inspired David and Alice.

Top review

Antonis

Dined 2 days ago

A very pleasant lunch due in equal parts to service, food and ambiance.

Sushi Roku - Santa Monica

4.7

4.7 (1141)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Sushi Roku combines the finest, freshest fish from pristine waters around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be provided by a mature sushi chef ensuring superlative traditional sushi, together with a splash of California innovation. Sushi Roku is a pioneer of contemporary sushi, incorporating diverse, non-traditional ingredients from Latin America (e.g. jalapeños) and Europe (e.g. olive oil) into its edible works of art. This unique culinary experience that bridges past and present is the result of an eagerness to embrace new ideas and a profound respect for tradition. Sushi Roku’s bold and diverse menu also offers an array of hot and cold specialty appetizers and an extensive selection of exotic entrées. Delivery Available through ChowNow.

RobataBar, located behind Sushi Roku features robatayaki style skewers, tapas style sashimi dishes, and sushi.

Top review

FlawLESS

Dined on Nov 21, 2024

I love this place. Friendly service, fun patio, the octopus crudo is one of my favorite things to eat anywhere!

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Experience

Say Hello to 2025 at Sushi Roku!

Somerville

4.7

4.7 (59)

$31 to $50

American

Culver City

About the restaurant

Intentionally located along the Slauson Corridor in Historic View Park-Windsor Hills, Somerville is an ode to the past, a toast to the present, and celebration of the progress in between. We are a progressive American dining experience that highlights contemporary cuisine while honoring the rich roots of South Central Los Angeles. Each dish captures the bold and savory essence of California, blending traditional influences with modern techniques to elevate every bite.

Designed as an inviting space for locals, travelers, and culinary enthusiasts alike, Somerville cultivates community in a timeless setting, featuring a thoughtfully curated wine selection, skillfully crafted cocktails, and live entertainment -- creating the perfect backdrop for conversation and connection.

Top review

Marilyn

Dined 1 day ago

The food came out too slowly. People who came in after us got their food before us so the kitchen is still working things out. But the food was worth the wait! Really excellent! And the ambiance is incredibly well thought out. It’s a beautiful addition to South LA. Can’t wait to go back.

Papille Gustative

4.3

4.3 (177)

$30 and under

Farm-to-table

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Papille Gustative LA

Farm 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.

Top review

julieVIP

Dined 7 days ago

My sister and had had a lovely brunch seated outside.

Marelle

4.3

4.3 (40)

$30 and under

Californian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Welcome to Marelle, where the culinary mastery of Chef Raphael Lunetta meets the serene beauty of Santa Monica's coastline. Marelle is nestled on Ocean Avenue, just steps away from the sandy shores, offering an elevated dining experience that celebrates the vibrant flavors of California.

Marelle, meaning "Star of the Sea," offers a menu that celebrates the bounty of land and sea, featuring signature dishes like Hamachi Crudo, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake, Pan Roasted King Salmon, and 12 oz New York Steak. Our bar program, curated by Amanda Fewster, includes unique cocktails such as “La Vie En Rose” and “Star of the Sea” (our famous seashell cocktail). Designed by Gulla Jónsdóttir, Marelle's space reflects natural beauty and elegance, creating a seamless blend of indoor and outdoor dining.

Join us for an unforgettable dining experience that captures the essence of Coastal California.

Parking is $10 for the first 4 hours with validation.

For private events, emailreservations@marelle.com.

Top review

DanielVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The hamachi, wings, beef carpaccio, chicken fingers, fries and rapini were delicious, and the chocolate fondue was amazing!

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Experience

DJ's Brunch

Experience

Elevate your afternoons with Marelle’s Golden Hour

Experience

New Year Eve Party

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