In other words, the best place to eat on the west side by the beach. There is a lot of ground to cover here, but I am going to try and make it as concise as possible and pick the best of the best, including different budget options. This will include coffee shops, bars, restaurants, and dessert places as well as places that are just great for ambience.
(I was originally going to include Santa Monica into this list, but Santa Monica is so big, with so many different options, I felt like it deserved its own blog post).
Venice
Gjusta: If you could imagine the most hipster (are we still using that term?) and bougie deli style restaurant that boasts amazing baked goods, bread, coffee, and pretty much everything, then this is it. They somehow make farmhouse urban look cool and have a cobblestone parking lot turned patio thanks to the pandemic. Going on a Sunday morning? Be prepared for long lines. Pro tip: weeknight dinner here tends to be less crowded and just as delicious as brunch.
Scopa Italian Roots:
Want to know what to order here? Everything and anything. I have never had anything here I didn’t like and this is my go-to fancy place when visitors are in town. The tequila selection is stellar and the cocktails are even better. Pro-tip: Make reservations.
Butchers Daughter:
Every girl in your life will swoon when they walk into this place right in the middle of Abbot Kinney Blvd. Copper fixtures, tile floors, a million vegetarian + vegan options, juices, cocktails, pretty much anything for anyone remotely health conscious.
Chulita: Another solid one where I have never had a bad dish or bad cocktail. Impressive mezcal and tequila selection.
Wallflower: They finally put a sign out so it is much easier to find!
Indonesian and Southeast Asian snacks, family dinners, and again, amazing cocktails. Be prepared to bust open the wallet on this one, as you’ll want to try as many dishes as possible.
La Isla Bonita: (Taco truck)
Great tacos, even better ceviche. This truck usually sits at the corner of 4th and Rose. Pro tip: It’s never there on Thursday evenings.
Salt n Straw vs Jeni’s Ice Cream:
I cannot pick either or. If I had to have one dessert forever it would be ice cream. Salt n Straw definitely pushes the boundaries on weird flavor combos and have fun to try flavors, while Jeni’s is more classic and not nearly as rich. I say you’d have to go to both and decide on your own!
Other places that I haven’t been to since pre-pandemic or ever, but people rave about: Menotti’s ($$$ coffee shop), Great White, Felix Trattoria.
Malibu:
Santa Monica Seafood
Good little seafood joint to stop and get lunch or dinner. Take advantage and hike up the trail for beautiful views of the ocean to work up an appetite.
Neptune’s Net
Another great seafood place to hit up after hiking Sandstone Peak, surfing county line, or a morning at Matador Beach. This is on the county line of LA and Ventura counties. Come here on a Sunday morning to hang with bikers.
Malibu Farm (on the pier)
Full service cafe at the base of the pier with good food, decent drinks, and a fun vibe. Walk to the end of the pier for a more casual style dining experience, yet still with good food and views of surfers shredding the gnar.
Malibu Café at Calamigos Ranch
Great for bachelorette and birthday parties and wine lovers. Has lawn games and wide open spaces if you bring your littles. It does NOT have ocean views and gets very hot, so plan accordingly.
Duke’s
This is great for kids or your cousin who visits and can’t stop talking about going into the ‘buuuuuuuuuuuu. It is on the water, and generally very busy.
Vintage Grocers
Right before you head into Matador Beach, stop at this grocer and get some snacks or sandwiches from the deli.
Other yummy + trendy spots: Nobu, Moonshadows, Cholada Thai.