LAGuide
The Best Restaurants In Marina Del Rey
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Most people think of Marina Del Rey as a sleepy stretch of waterside restaurant/bars with bad food and bland vibes. And they’re not necessarily wrong. But things are changing. No longer just a kitschy, man-made harbor where you take your parents when they want to go on a whale-watching cruise, Marina Del Rey has some great places for waterfront dinners, exceptional plates of seafood, and much more. Here’s our guide to the best spots in MDR.
THE SPOTS
photo credit: Nikko Duren
What this casual spot lacks in curb appeal (it’s under a block of condos on the Playa Vista/MDR border) it makes up for with its concept. Mom, Please is part coffee shop, part Ukrainian restaurant, and part frozen dumpling supplier. In addition to the beef-filled pelmeni and varenyky slicked in olive oil, the massive bowl of borscht is a must-order. The ruby-colored beet soup arrives hot with chunks of cabbage, potatoes, and carrots, which turns pinkish once you swirl in the whipped sour cream dollop on top. There’s seating inside the small dining room—which we’d affectionately describe as "coastal cottagecore”—but the umbrella-shaded sidewalk patio overlooks a peaceful little park, so grab a table outside if you can.
photo credit: Jacob Cummings
Meet MDR’s best option for a waterfront dinner that just so happens to be vegan. Planta Cocina's glitzy space is right on the boardwalk, and it feels like the West Coast version of the Versace mansion. Expect vegan sushi, pasta, and bar snacks that, for the most part, hold up against their meat-and-fish counterparts. We especially love the miso-glazed eggplant nigiri, which beats whatever you’d find at your average sushi spot. Book a table on a “Maki Monday” (AYCE rolls) or “Pour Decision Wednesday” (half-priced wine bottles) to make the most of Planta’s weekly specials and hopefully impress that vegan DJ you met on Hinge.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
There’s an unwritten LA law that says any growing local chain has to add a Marina Del Rey branch at some point, and Brentwood-based Pizzana is the latest to join the list. This sit-down space in the back of a shopping plaza is casual enough to drop in for pizza and wine after paddle-boarding, but also moody enough for a low-stakes date night. The menu has a mix of antipasti, salads, and pasta, but your focus should be on the pizzas, which surprisingly are better the more complicated the toppings sound (like the vodka pie with smoked cheese, coppa, fresh oregano, and a drizzle of pesto).
Venice Ramen is a small ramen counter on Washington Blvd. that's smack dab on the Marina Del Rey/Venice border. The Tokyo-style ramen here isn’t flashy, but the deeply flavored broths and handmade noodles make this one of the best bowls of the Westside, if not all of LA. Tonkotsu ramen is the house specialty, but if you want something lighter, try the fantastic Chuka Soba: tender-chewy noodles in a clear pork broth topped with chashu, scallions, bamboo shoots, and a hard-boiled egg, which the owner will tell you is the way it’s done in Shibuya.
photo credit: Holly Liss
There are just a few things you need to know about C&O, a casual Italian spot on Washington Boulevard: Order the garlic knots, choose an entree to share because the portions are big enough to feed several people, and sit outside on the very pleasant patio. This charming neighborhood hang is the perfect spot to bring your parents after you finish driving them around the marina and briefly show them the Venice Boardwalk (from the comfort of the car, of course.)
Much like the cast of Three’s Company, Kazunori, Uovo, and HiHo are a trio with tons of loyal fans. The three restaurant concepts are all local mini-chains run by the same team, and in Marina Del Rey they conveniently are located in the shopping complex (with parking) right along the waterfront. Together, they form a very solid 3-in-1 pick for a quick lunch near Pier 44, with each place offering something distinct, whether it’s lobster hand rolls, cacio e pepe, or a wagyu double cheeseburger. Even if you're with a group of indecisive eaters, there will be a waterside option to satisfy everyone.
photo credit: Jakob Layman
Although most people associate it with Venice, Scopa is technically in Marina del Rey (so says their 90292 ZIP code). This common mix-up is understandable considering it's has all of the elements of a Venice restaurant: located just off of Abbot Kinney, always crowded, and home to a swanky bar in the back. Regardless of it is geographically, Scopa is an ideal spot for a loud, sceney dinner with friends or a hot date. From a solid assortment of antipasti—get the rice ball and the crispy squash blossoms—and pastas like the chitarra with pecorino and pepper, to great cocktails, you'll have a great time. They also have a great brunch menu if you're looking to day drink and eat carbonara on a Sunday afternoon.
First opened as a diner in 1974, J. Nichols is the kind of good-at-everything spot every neighborhood needs. The casual space got a major facelift in 2011, but the food remains as dependable as ever. From pulled-pork pancakes with maple pecan butter to a selection of Benedicts and burgers that are surprisingly creative, J. Nichols is at its best during breakfast and brunch (expect to wait for a table during the latter), but you can find something good no matter the time of day.
POWERED BY
This tiny Italian spot has been a well-kept secret for nearly a decade, thanks almost entirely to its location on a nondescript stretch of Lincoln Blvd. But as soon as you step inside, you’ll forget there’s a car wash next door. From the Fiat-sized bar, stocked with Italian aperitivos and wines, to the low-lit dining room, Locanda is ideal for an intimate meal, and the menu is filled with pastas that are perfect for sharing. Our favorites include the pappardelle with braised wild boar, and the ravioli in a rich truffle sauce, but if you need guidance, the gregarious owner is there to help—and more than willing to pour you another glass of wine, too.
photo credit: Irori Sushi
Tucked between a jeweler and a taco shop in a weird shopping center cul-de-sac, Irori has long been Marina del Rey’s best-kept secret. Well, the secret’s out: From their massive $25 bento box lunch to their 12-piece omakase (for $80), this is one of the best bang-for-your-buck meals on the Westside. The fish is always high-quality and the rolls are creative (get the blue crab and salmon roll with truffle), plus, they make you remove your shoes when you enter, if you’re looking for a little bit of tradition, too.
POWERED BY
A true Marina del Rey original, The Warehouse is a sprawling spot right on the water that first opened in 1969. Fittingly, the outside is a tangle of frayed rigging lines, corrugated metals, and all manner of wharf ephemera, while the inside feels like you’ve stowed away on a shipping freighter (or are waiting to tee off at a Polynesian mini-golf course). The food isn’t anything special—it’s the usual assortment of seafood and steaks—but locals don’t flock here for the refined cuisine, they come to take in marina views on the patio, drink rum-based cocktails served in souvenir barrels, dance to live music, and get their fill of crab legs at the Warehouse’s Sunday brunch. Follow their lead.
