Best Restaurants for People Watching in Marina del Rey

60 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Calabra at Santa Monica Proper restaurant

1. Calabra at Santa Monica Proper

4.8

Exceptional(1569)

Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Santa Monica

Booked 50 times today

Calabra at Santa Monica Proper Hotel (One MICHELIN Key 2024) is located on the hotel's rooftop. The elevated garden terrace provides an inspiring atmosphere, with the ocean as a backdrop. Whether from the pool sundeck or circular bar, the views are best enjoyed with dinner, boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. Serving Mediterranean & Californian cuisine with a view. Seating arrangements for all reservations at Calabra may include outdoor dining, bar area, as well as our indoor/ outdoor covered lounge space. Be sure to dress warmly.**Dinner reservations are for dining only. Drinks will be accommodated upon first come first serve at the bar area. Private Couch Alcoves are available with a rental and minimum spend**

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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.

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.

7. 1212 Santa Monica

4.6

Exceptional(1775)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Santa Monica

Booked 26 times today

1212 Santa Monica is a unique New American Cuisine restaurant located in the heart of Downtown Santa Monica on the Third Street Promenade. Our menu highlights the palette and diversity of the SoCal landscape. Complimenting the food, our beverage program includes select wines and creative cocktails to enhance your dining experience.Join us for All Night Happy Hour starting daily at 5pm & Bottomless Brunch every Friday, Saturday and Sunday with bottomless mimosas for only $28. On specific Saturdays & Sunday brunches we charge a $10 Entertainment Fee for those enjoying drag shows in our Main Dining Area.Enjoy the beautiful beach weather on the patio, or indoors in our massive dining room. Plan a private event or meeting on our Balcony, Private Dining Room or Patio.

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.

9. Farmshop LA

4.9

Exceptional(564)

Price: Expensive

• Californian • Brentwood

Booked 62 times today

In 2010, chef Jeff Cerciello opened Farmshop in a space that denotes rustic elegance. Located in the beautiful Brentwood Country Mart, bordering Santa Monica, the restaurant has become a dining destination featuring the very best local ingredients, simply prepared, served in casual fine dining style.

A photo of Lillie's at The Culver Hotel restaurant

10. Lillie's at The Culver Hotel

4.3

Awesome(417)

Price: Expensive

• French American • Culver City

Booked 24 times today

Lillie's offers a refined dining experience inspired by European cafe culture. With elegant interiors, a relaxed patio, and a signature live music lineup. Proper attire and good manners required. Open Monday for hotel guests/events only.Join us forBreakfast served 7am-11am. (Tue - Fri)Breakfast served 7am-10am. (Sat, Sun)Lunch served - 12pm-4pm. (Tue - Fri )Garden Hour - 3pm-5pm. (Tue - Fri)Dinner served - 5pm -10pm. (Last seating 9:30pm).Afternoon Tea Sat and Sun - 10am-2:30pm.Bar service until late - Sun, Tue & Wed 11:00pm close.Thur, Fri & Sat - Midnight close.Live Music:Tuesday & Wednesday - 7 pm to 10 pm.Thursday, Friday & Saturday - 8 pm to 11 pm.To note: A 5% wellness fee is added to all checks to support our staff's health. A 20% gratuity will be included for parties of 6+. A fee of $5 per person is charged for any dessert brought from outside of the restaurant.Parking: Valet 7am-11pm $15/- for 3 hours (validated), $20/- over 3 hours, $52/- overnight

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

C
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
G
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
G
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
R
Rick
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on 21 Nov 2024
Ricky made our experience at Calabra truly unforgettable! From the moment we sat down, his friendly and genuine demeanor gave us a warm, local vibe that made us feel right at home. He went above and beyond by recommending incredible cocktails tailored to our preferences and even crafting them to perfection himself. Ricky's smile never left his face, and his generous attention to detail elevated our dining experience. Combine his stellar service with Calabra's amazing Mediterranean food, and it was an evening to remember. Thank you, Ricky - you're a gem!
More info
Calabra at Santa Monica ProperPrice: Expensive• Mediterranean• Santa Monica
•
4.8
K
karen
Los Angeles •20 reviews
5.0
Dined on 18 Nov 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

Best Restaurants for People Watching in Marina del Rey

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Areas

Top Rated

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Seating Options

Accessibility

60 restaurants available nearby

1. Calabra at Santa Monica Proper

2. Wabi on Rose

3. Meat On Ocean

4. The Waterfront Venice

5. Manchego

6. Mama's Boy at Winston House

7. 1212 Santa Monica

8. Piccolo Venice

9. Farmshop LA

10. Lillie's at The Culver Hotel

See what locals rave about

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