Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Beach Cities

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Beach Cities? 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!

mar'sel at Terranea Resort

4.7

4.7 (1883)

$50 and over

Californian

Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates

About the restaurant

Set overlooking the Pacific Ocean with stunning views, Forbes Four-Star award winner, mar'sel offers the ideal location for an elegant dinner or seasonal Sunday brunch. Located just south of Los Angeles on the verdant Palos Verdes Peninsula, mar'sel (a play on the Spanish word for sea, mar and the French word for salt, sel) offers a decidedly inventive twist on international cuisine. Chef Fabio Ugoletti's seasonally rotating fine dining menu that features locally sourced ingredients (including citrus and herbs from the resort's grounds), as well as playful takes on culinary favorites, mar'sel combines approachable luxury with a breathtaking setting perfect for every palate.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 1 day ago

We celebrated our daughter Andrea's 24th Birthday at Terranea Resort last night at Mar'Sels! We had a lovely night as family celebrating the beautiful woman she is. She makes us proud everyday with her motivation and love for life and her studies at Cal State Fullerton and setting her goals for the future. May God guide her, protect her, and give her many more years happy, healthy, and full of greatness and love!

Georgia's Lounge

4.9

4.9 (226)

$31 to $50

Lounge

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

A sophisticated, sleek lounge where the bartenders remember your name. The eclectic tapas menu offers comforting bar bites and rich treats to satisfy those late-night munchies. The cocktail program features classic and uniquely crafted cocktails from fresh, local ingredients. Expect local craft Beers and spirits to challenge the more adventurous drinkers. We have extra parking available every night from 6 pm -12:30 am. Look for the parking lot across the street from Georgia's Lounge, entrance via Huntington Lane at 1444 Aviation Blvd.

Top review

Zoe

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Georgia's is a treasure. The staff are warm and informative, the drinks are well crafted, and the outdoor area with firepits is lovely even on a cooler evening.

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Experience

Georgia's New Year's Eve Celebration

Experience

Cheers To You!

Zoku

4.9

4.9 (9)

$31 to $50

Japanese Speciality

Redondo Beach

About the restaurant

At Zoku, we are deeply committed to quality in every aspect of our menu. We work with local sommeliers in our wine selection, many of which are regionally sourced, that complement our appetizers and skewers. Our chefs have trained in “Hinai Jidori”, a prestigious level of yakitori training, dedicating thousands of hours in Japan to perfect their craft. With careful attention to flavors, textures, and colors, the dishes are crafted to provide a thoughtful and immersive dining experience rather than just a quick bite. From tables and chairs crafted in Japan to dishware carefully selected from around the world for each dish, we aim to blend authentic Japanese cuisine with the Redondo Beach aesthetic. We also use traditional Japanese 備長炭 binchotan charcoal instead of electricity or gas to impart unique flavors that only this specialized charcoal can achieve in yakitori.

Top review

Matthew

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

The food was outstanding, and the service was on point. I look forward to coming back!

Porterhouse Bourbon & Bones

4.8

4.8 (283)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

El Segundo

About the restaurant

Porterhouse, Bourbon & Bones in Downtown El Segundo combines the allure of a traditional steakhouse with a contemporary, rustic appeal. The cozy, stylish interior features exposed brick, warm woods and soft lighting. Our diverse menu, crafted by our culinary team, offers a modern twist on steakhouse staples. Our signature Porterhouse steak, an array of other meats, fresh seafood, and flavorful pasta cater to all palates. Our extensive cocktail menu, including a large variety of bourbons, pairs perfectly with our dishes. We aim to create an unforgettable dining experience, melding quality, innovation, and a warm atmosphere. Whether it's a special celebration, a casual outing, or a well-deserved treat, we ensure every meal turns into a celebration of splendid food, pleasant company, and joyous times.

Top review

Reza

Dined 1 day ago

An exceptional culinary experience awaits you, complemented by an unparalleled ambiance. I highly recommend reserving a seat in the outdoor area to fully immerse yourself in the ambiance.

Porsche Experience Center’s Restaurant 917

4.8

4.8 (1505)

$31 to $50

American

Torrance / Carson

About the restaurant

The Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles is a cash-free establishment. Guests visiting Restaurant 917 or Speedster Café are welcome to use their AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa card.

Located on the second level of the Porsche Experience Center Los Angeles, with stunning views of the driver development track, Restaurant 917’s sleek and modern setting echoes Porsche’s world-class design aesthetic. The name and decor were inspired by the legendary 917 race car, which gave Porsche its first overall wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1970 and 1971.

Porsche Experience Center’s Restaurant 917’s refined yet approachable seasonal menu is composed of ingredient-driven dishes that merge diverse flavors, inventive techniques and playful compositions. A unique fine-dining experience worthy of a special trip or serving as the perfect finish to an adrenalin-packed day, it is also an unforgettable venue for special celebrations and meetings.

Top review

Rosy

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

I took my boyfriend here for his birthday and when we first walking into the building it was really cool and nice getting to look at the cars, the little shop, and cafe. I also now see why the wait to land a reservation here is pretty long because walking in, it did not feel packed or too chaotic. I’m a very anxious person and get uncomfortable whenever I’m at a setting where there’s a lot of people so this was extremely nice for me. Now, for the restaurant, I’m a pretty picky eater so not much stood out to me on the menu other than the classic 917 burger which happened to be delicious along with the side of fries that it came with. The bill for me and my partner didn’t come out to a lot or what I was expecting but I mean we did only have the burgers and no alcoholic drinks. Overall really nice and calm place, I felt comfortable and like I could talk to my boyfriend freely and admire the cars together. The service was also really good! I loved everything and my boyfriend enjoyed it a lot as well.

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4.9

4.9 (1635)

$31 to $50

Italian

Playa del Rey

About the restaurant

We are open for curbside pickup, takeout and delivery and offering a 10% discount on all orders! Lunch will be open from 12pm-2:30pm & Dinner from 5:30pm-9:30pm.

Italian owners, Tony Cotrufo and Enrico Fiorentini, both hail from Rome and have been serving fresh authentic Italian cuisine at their Playa Del Rey location since 1997. They offer homemade pastas, an excellent wine list, outdoor seating and daily specials.

Caffe Pinguini was awarded with the "Marchio Ospitalita" Italiana - Seal of Authenticity". The seal distinguishes those restaurants with the highest quality of Italian hospitality.

Top review

Tony

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

The food and staff at Caffe Pinguini are exceptional. In all my years of dining their, I've never been disappointed.

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Eddie V's - El Segundo

4.8

4.8 (1545)

$50 and over

Seafood

El Segundo

About the restaurant

Eddie V's Prime Seafood is a luxury dining destination known for the seafood flown in from pristine waters around the world, as well as its premium hand-carved steaks. Dishes are artistically prepared and feature an ever-changing array of seasonal seafood, along with critically acclaimed prime center-cut steaks broiled to perfection. The restaurant's award-wining wine list, which has been recognized by Wine Spectator, has more than 300 wines curated by Eddie V's very own Advanced Sommelier. In the V Lounge, guests can sip classic and creative cocktails, and enjoy signature appetizers against a backdrop of live music trios.

Top review

SandyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

I always enjoy Eddie Vs. it’s a classy high end restaurant with excellent service. Quite expensive, but a wonderful choice for a special occasion or just to treat yourself to a great meal in a quiet reserved atmosphere.

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10 oz Center Cut Filet Mignon

Steak & Whisky

4.8

4.8 (1077)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Steak & Whisky is a decidedly Californian take on the American Tavern featuring classic American dishes with a modern twist.
Join us for nightly dinner or weekend happy hour, a cozy night out with friends or simply a weeknight meal, Steak & Whisky brings exceptional ingredients and attention to detail to every dining experience.

Each cut of meat has been hand-selected from a single-source herd of cattle to give you the highest quality meat available. Smoked Pork Meatballs, S&W Dry Aged Burger, as well as a selection of quality steaks.

Enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail, 100 plus curated whiskey list, or one of our many by-the-glass wines, a selection from our chef-driven menu, and the cozy ambiance of our intimate dining room. Signature dishes include our Seared Scallops, Butter-Poached Whole Lobster, and our hand-selected steaks, including the Tomahawk, Filet Mignon, and Prime Porterhouse.

*Table Time Limits Enforced*
1-2 people: 1.5hours
3-4 people: 2hours
5+ people: 2.5hours

Top review

Jazmin

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

The restaurant was perfect for cozy holiday dinner with friends. The food was amazing. I ordered my steak medium and they cooked it to perfection. They also had my table ready when I arrived and had a small sign with my name on it which was a nice touch. I will definitely return.

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Geoffrey's Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (9142)

$50 and over

Californian

Malibu

About the restaurant

Magnificent views of the Pacific coastline complimented by waterfalls and tropical plants create a romantic Mediterranean meets Malibu atmosphere. Guests can enjoy a relaxing weekday lunch and weekend brunch or candlelit dinner with surrounding fire pits. Our international Californian cuisine can be enjoyed while spectacular dolphins and whales showcase their water displays.

Top review

Helen

Dined 4 days ago

Stunning ocean views, delicious but pricey foods served in small portions (only 3 scallops in the scallops dinner!). But the ambiance is lovely and service is excellent. Wonderful place for a special occasion meal. Maybe you shouldn't come here super hungry if you have a big appetite, lol.

Bottle Inn Hermosa

4.9

4.9 (1940)

$30 and under

Italian

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

The Bottle Inn is a neighborhood gem nestled in the residential seaside community of Hermosa Beach, just south of LAX Airport. We have been catering to our regular patrons, guests, tourists and celebrities for 50 years. Our restaurant is known for it's romantic, cozy ambiance and it's consistently outstanding classical Italian Cuisine. In addition to our recently renovated ocean-view patio, wine bar & cozy dining room, our intimate wine cellar is available for parties of 2 up to 20 guests. Our menu features a variety of authentic Italian entree & pasta dishes, fresh seafood & appetizers. Top off your meal with one of our signature homemade cheesecake & desserts. We are conveniently open nightly for dinner @ 5:00pm. We also offer facilities for private dining & events. ~ A little corner of Italy in your neighborhood! Salute!

Top review

TimVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a large group with little kids and we sat outside. It was wonderfully warm and we had a very gracious waitress who was patient and stayed with us and did very special treats for the little birthday girl in our party. Thank you bottle inn!

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