Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Rated one of the best restaurants in L.A. I like popping in for late afternoon casual dining. Either book ahead or arrive early for happy hour. Takeaway recently added, which offers great sandwiches.
1062 locals recommend
Gjelina Take Away
1427 Abbot Kinney BlvdRated one of the best restaurants in L.A. I like popping in for late afternoon casual dining. Either book ahead or arrive early for happy hour. Takeaway recently added, which offers great sandwiches.
A bit expensive but worth every penny. Great food, great service and great atmosphere. Upscale, intimate, offering great French dishes. Also has a good wine list.
63 locals recommend
Joe's Restaurant
1023 Abbot Kinney BoulevardA bit expensive but worth every penny. Great food, great service and great atmosphere. Upscale, intimate, offering great French dishes. Also has a good wine list.
Drop in for a coffee, breakfast, a smoothie or a sandwich; great bagels. Sometimes has live music.
77 locals recommend
Abbot's Habit
1401 Abbot Kinney BoulevardDrop in for a coffee, breakfast, a smoothie or a sandwich; great bagels. Sometimes has live music.
The best pizza in town. Even New Yorkers will make a point of eating here. Next to Abbot’s Habit.
184 locals recommend
Abbot's Pizza Company
1407 Abbot Kinney BoulevardThe best pizza in town. Even New Yorkers will make a point of eating here. Next to Abbot’s Habit.
A Venice institution, an Italian restaurant with wonderful fresh baked garlic rolls. Very popular with local families, so you may have to wait for a table at peak times. I liked to walk down the beach
181 locals recommend
C&O Trattoria
3016 Washington BoulevardA Venice institution, an Italian restaurant with wonderful fresh baked garlic rolls. Very popular with local families, so you may have to wait for a table at peak times. I liked to walk down the beach
Small coffee shop just down the street, across the Circle, at the corner of Pacific and Windward. Has a limited menu but a good choice for a quick coffee or a light breakfast/brunch.
28 locals recommend
Cafe Collage
1518 Pacific AveSmall coffee shop just down the street, across the Circle, at the corner of Pacific and Windward. Has a limited menu but a good choice for a quick coffee or a light breakfast/brunch.
Bar and restaurant with Asian, Californian and Mexican dishes, including sushi. Located close to beach and across street from James Beach restaurant.
78 locals recommend
Canal Club
2025 Pacific AveBar and restaurant with Asian, Californian and Mexican dishes, including sushi. Located close to beach and across street from James Beach restaurant.
This is my top choice for breakfast on the beach. It’s worth the longer walk, which is very pleasant anyway. I would arrive before 8:30 a.m. for the ‘happy hour’ prices and always sit outside, though
86 locals recommend
Fig Tree
431 Ocean Front WalkThis is my top choice for breakfast on the beach. It’s worth the longer walk, which is very pleasant anyway. I would arrive before 8:30 a.m. for the ‘happy hour’ prices and always sit outside, though
Fun Japanese restaurant just down the street, on the Venice Circle; it’s a great favorite with locals. I really enjoy the happy hour menu, which is offered at the bar.
138 locals recommend
Hama Restaurant
213 Windward AveFun Japanese restaurant just down the street, on the Venice Circle; it’s a great favorite with locals. I really enjoy the happy hour menu, which is offered at the bar.
You might find a queue extending outside front door - so popular because alternative is to fly to Vienna or Amsterdam to find better coffee. Tea also excellent. You have to try once.
394 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Venice Coffeebar
1331 Abbot Kinney BlvdYou might find a queue extending outside front door - so popular because alternative is to fly to Vienna or Amsterdam to find better coffee. Tea also excellent. You have to try once.
Close to the beach and always busy. Check out the daily specials. Inside and outside seating. Across street from the Canal Club.
258 locals recommend
James' Beach
60 N Venice BlvdClose to the beach and always busy. Check out the daily specials. Inside and outside seating. Across street from the Canal Club.
Seating is available either inside or on front patio; on the pricey side but the organic food is good quality; service can be on the slow side.
113 locals recommend
Kreation Organic Kafe & Juicery
1202 Abbot Kinney BlvdSeating is available either inside or on front patio; on the pricey side but the organic food is good quality; service can be on the slow side.
Cafeteria style fast food, offers basic seating, a couple hundred yards from the apartment on corner of Venice Blvd. Has excellent quality sandwiches & salads that are ideal for takeout.
516 locals recommend
Lemonade
1661 Abbot Kinney BlvdCafeteria style fast food, offers basic seating, a couple hundred yards from the apartment on corner of Venice Blvd. Has excellent quality sandwiches & salads that are ideal for takeout.
Maxwell’s is just a block further inland from Costco. very popular with locals for breakfast or brunch. Good food, reasonable prices, & attentive staff. Very busy at the weekends.
52 locals recommend
Maxwell's Cafe
13329 Washington BlvdMaxwell’s is just a block further inland from Costco. very popular with locals for breakfast or brunch. Good food, reasonable prices, & attentive staff. Very busy at the weekends.
If you journey up to the Ocean Park area, this is a pleasant choice for breakfast or brunch. Offers indoor and outdoor seating. Has a deli counter and a bakery.
347 locals recommend
The Rose Venice
220 Rose AveIf you journey up to the Ocean Park area, this is a pleasant choice for breakfast or brunch. Offers indoor and outdoor seating. Has a deli counter and a bakery.
Popular converted firehouse in Ocean Park area. Classic American breakfast menu; salads, burgers, sandwiches, sushi and typical diner fare. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., bar until midnight (8 p.m. Sundays)
44 locals recommend
The Firehouse
213 Rose AvePopular converted firehouse in Ocean Park area. Classic American breakfast menu; salads, burgers, sandwiches, sushi and typical diner fare. Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., bar until midnight (8 p.m. Sundays)
Across street from The Otheroom. A cute café offering innovative ‘Germanesque’ breakfast & lunch dishes from Hans Röckenwagner.
16 locals recommend
3 Square Cafe
1121 Abbot Kinney BoulevardAcross street from The Otheroom. A cute café offering innovative ‘Germanesque’ breakfast & lunch dishes from Hans Röckenwagner.
Wabi Sabi rated as one of best Japanese restaurants in L.A.; has happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30 every day.
128 locals recommend
Wabi on Rose
512 F Rose AveWabi Sabi rated as one of best Japanese restaurants in L.A.; has happy hour from 5:30 to 6:30 every day.
The Sidewalk Cafe
1401 Ocean Front WalkHas satellite sports and ten TV’s, including three big screens
Cabo Cantina is the ultimate sports event and pay-per-view fight destination, with up to 50 extra-large HD flat screens and drink specials all night long.
172 locals recommend
Cabo Cantina
6669 Hollywood BlvdCabo Cantina is the ultimate sports event and pay-per-view fight destination, with up to 50 extra-large HD flat screens and drink specials all night long.
Drinks & Nightlife
The best variety of on tap beers in the neighborhood. No food but you can bring in your own and there are several restaurants within a block where you can grab a sandwich or a burger.
262 locals recommend
the otheroom Venice Beach
The best variety of on tap beers in the neighborhood. No food but you can bring in your own and there are several restaurants within a block where you can grab a sandwich or a burger.
Authentic Irish pub’s interior shipped from Dublin to Ocean Park! Offers Irish grub, Guinness, over 100 whiskeys and live music; has afternoon and late night happy hours.
32 locals recommend
Finn McCool's
2702 Main StAuthentic Irish pub’s interior shipped from Dublin to Ocean Park! Offers Irish grub, Guinness, over 100 whiskeys and live music; has afternoon and late night happy hours.
Very Popular bar. Live Jazz on Sundays and Mondays. Food is nothing special. I only go for the jazz or a drink with a friend. Can be noisy.
139 locals recommend
Hal's Bar and Grill
1025 Abbot Kinney BlvdVery Popular bar. Live Jazz on Sundays and Mondays. Food is nothing special. I only go for the jazz or a drink with a friend. Can be noisy.
Venice institution - classic American dive bar, favorite with the locals. 3 pool tables (75 cents a game, winner holds table), live music, free popcorn, good burgers.
318 locals recommend
Hinano Cafe
15 Washington BlvdVenice institution - classic American dive bar, favorite with the locals. 3 pool tables (75 cents a game, winner holds table), live music, free popcorn, good burgers.
One of the oldest businesses on Abbot Kinney. Used to be a Hells Angels hangout but has mellowed into a popular local bar with a pretty good pool table. It’s very busy and noisy at weekends.
220 locals recommend
The Brig
1515 Abbot Kinney BlvdOne of the oldest businesses on Abbot Kinney. Used to be a Hells Angels hangout but has mellowed into a popular local bar with a pretty good pool table. It’s very busy and noisy at weekends.
Close to Boardwalk. Lots of game time drinks specials. Breakfast menu & Bloody Mary Bar weekends. Late menu till 1:00 a.m.; 1/2 price apps on Mon. Happy hour 4-7 p.m., extended Fri 4-9 p.m.
28 locals recommend
Nikki's
72 E Market StClose to Boardwalk. Lots of game time drinks specials. Breakfast menu & Bloody Mary Bar weekends. Late menu till 1:00 a.m.; 1/2 price apps on Mon. Happy hour 4-7 p.m., extended Fri 4-9 p.m.
Tavern has every game, every day. Where locals catch all the collegiate & NFL action. Features 40 draft beers & >60 additional bottled brews, 50 wines by the glass, a full bar and a huge menu.
63 locals recommend
Tony P's Dockside Grill
4445 Admiralty WayTavern has every game, every day. Where locals catch all the collegiate & NFL action. Features 40 draft beers & >60 additional bottled brews, 50 wines by the glass, a full bar and a huge menu.
Daily happy hour from 12:00 -7:00 pm. Kitchen open all day; closes at 1:00 a.m.
30 locals recommend
O'Brien's Irish Pub
2941 Main StreetDaily happy hour from 12:00 -7:00 pm. Kitchen open all day; closes at 1:00 a.m.
Sightseeing
You can't visit Venice and not take a quick walk down the front to the world famous Muscle Beach
234 locals recommend
Muscle Beach Venice
1800 Ocean Front WalkYou can't visit Venice and not take a quick walk down the front to the world famous Muscle Beach
Shopping
Take Venice to Lincoln, turn left, on left hand side of road after several blocks.
1701 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
225 Lincoln BlvdTake Venice to Lincoln, turn left, on left hand side of road after several blocks.
Essentials
At corner of Lincoln and Washington, just a five minute drive away. Albertsons, In N Out and Starbucks are on the same block and Maxwell’s Café is a block further on.
130 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
13463 Washington BlvdAt corner of Lincoln and Washington, just a five minute drive away. Albertsons, In N Out and Starbucks are on the same block and Maxwell’s Café is a block further on.
Windward Market
105 Windward AveConvenience store just down the street, across the circle.
Everything Else
Every Friday. Just around the corner, across the street from the library, off North Venice Blvd.
101 locals recommend
Venice Farmers' Market
500 Venice Blvd.Every Friday. Just around the corner, across the street from the library, off North Venice Blvd.
Food trucks, open galleries and late-night shop hours— This popular Abbot Kinney celebration brings out locals and distant Angelenos on the first Friday of the month for bites and sales.
1065 locals recommend
Abbot Kinney Boulevard
Abbot Kinney BoulevardFood trucks, open galleries and late-night shop hours— This popular Abbot Kinney celebration brings out locals and distant Angelenos on the first Friday of the month for bites and sales.
Arts & Culture
The Mint
6010 West Pico BoulevardLive music and bar. Local bands. Reasonable bar food.
The Talking Stick
1411 Lincoln BlvdA local venue for local talent. Great coffee and smoothies.
Offers live music most evenings from local talent. Decent bar with pretty good bar food.
27 locals recommend
Witzend
Offers live music most evenings from local talent. Decent bar with pretty good bar food.