Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Westside

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Westside? 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!

Casa Sanchez

4.9

4.9 (944)

$30 and under

Mexican

West Los Angeles

About the restaurant

At Los Angeles’ Casa Sanchez Mexican Restaurant patrons will enjoy delicious, authentic Mexican cuisine, amazing cocktails as well as a live mariachi band. At this LA Mexican restaurant you can sit back on Tuesdayy- Sunday and listen to the live music or enjoy dinner and drinks under the stars on the outdoor patio.
Whether you are looking for a romantic evening, out with a group, or just grabbing a quick bite you will enjoy the very diverse Mexican menu. The friendly and knowledgeable wait staff at Casa Sanchez Mexican Restaurant will assist you with anything you may need.

Top review

Wendy

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Wonderful decoration we went last week for my mother’s birthday, the mariachi are pleasant. The food was tasty, the Cadillac have too much salt in them I returned 2 of them and they made it way better. The indoor decorations were the highlight of my night.

The Venice West

4.9

4.9 (181)

$31 to $50

American

Venice

About the restaurant

The Venice West is an eclectic restaurant and live music venue located in Venice, California. TVW offers a supper club vibe serving “upscale comfort food” accompanied by a full bar featuring an array of tasty cocktails and a great selection of beers on tap.

Chef Diego’s mouth watering creations will delight you. From main dishes like the Crispy Chicken & Waffles to a savory selection of unique Neapolitan-style pizzas, salads, sandwiches, share plates, and desserts. The menu truly offers something for everyone.

The Venice West provides a true “dinner and a show” experience and will not disappoint. Our goal is simple: create a welcome place for music fans and artists alike to enjoy great food, music, and good times. Thank you and we hope you enjoy the show!

*Dinner served from 6-9pm. Show tickets must be purchased separately at www.thevenicewest.com, on Ticketweb, or at the door (if not sold out).

Top review

Suzanne

Dined on Dec 30, 2024

We had reservations for dinner and to stay for the concert. The service was excellent, Nick our server was great and the food was delicious.

Discover more

Experience

Live Show Reservation 2 Guests

Experience

Live Show Reservation 3 Guests

Experience

Live Show Reservation 4 Guests

Sushi Roku - Santa Monica

4.7

4.7 (1143)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Sushi Roku combines the finest, freshest fish from pristine waters around the globe with the kind of artistry that can only be provided by a mature sushi chef ensuring superlative traditional sushi, together with a splash of California innovation. Sushi Roku is a pioneer of contemporary sushi, incorporating diverse, non-traditional ingredients from Latin America (e.g. jalapeños) and Europe (e.g. olive oil) into its edible works of art. This unique culinary experience that bridges past and present is the result of an eagerness to embrace new ideas and a profound respect for tradition. Sushi Roku’s bold and diverse menu also offers an array of hot and cold specialty appetizers and an extensive selection of exotic entrées. Delivery Available through ChowNow.

RobataBar, located behind Sushi Roku features robatayaki style skewers, tapas style sashimi dishes, and sushi.

Top review

DolphinVIP

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

We have our teacher get togethers at Sushi Roku periodically and the assistant GM Grant Schrodetzki took good care of us. We also had desserts for the first time and their chocolate fondant with ice cream was amazing as well as the flaming cheesecake surrounded by cotton candy. A fabulous show! In addition to their good sushi

Caravan Swim Club at Hotel June

4.7

4.7 (306)

$30 and under

Californian

Playa Vista

About the restaurant

Connected to Hotel June, the breezy Baja-inspired Caravan Swim Club is a 2-story poolside gathering place for everything from cabana drinks to fire pit gatherings and creative meetings. The menu takes you on a culinary road trip from Santa Barbara to Northern Baja, Mexico. Enjoy our Baja inspired setting with local caught grilled fish, seasonal salads, ceviche and other shareable items paired with biodynamic wines, craft beer, and small-batch tequilas.

"ONE OF THE HOTTEST RESTAURANTS IN LA RIGHT NOW" - EATER LA

Top review

Rebecca

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Fabulous service! The food was great! Would recommend.

Discover more

Experience

Mezcal Monday

Experience

Taco & Tequila Tuesday

Experience

1/2 Off Wine Wednesday

PLANTA Brentwood

4.7

4.7 (7)

$30 and under

Vegetarian / Vegan

Brentwood

About the restaurant

At PLANTA, we see plants differently.

Led by Founder and CEO Steven Salm and Co-founder and Executive Chef David Lee, PLANTA was born in 2016 to expand the accessibility and acceptability of plant based dining; dining as it should be — an unguilty pleasure. Creating a premier hospitality collective of 100% plant-based restaurants, PLANTA reimagines, reinvents, and revitalizes, providing flavorful proof that the power of plants can change the world.

Top review

BillVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

This was our first time to Planta, everyone was wonderful. The server walked us through her favorites along with the most popular menu items. Everyone we encountered appeared to be having fun working there. We look forward to going again and trying other offerings.

Pacific Catch- Santa Monica

4.6

4.6 (21)

$30 and under

Seafood

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Pacific Catch is a seafood restaurant that offers a variety of fresh, sustainable seafood dishes with Pacific flavors. The restaurant has a modern, casual atmosphere and is located in Santa Monica, California. The menu features a variety of dishes, including ceviche, poke, sushi, tacos, burgers, bowls, and Fresh Catch plates. The beverage program includes tiki cocktails and a variety of non-alcoholic drinks. The restaurant also has a full cocktail bar, dining room, and extensive sunny patio. The airy, beachy interior offers a mix of intimate booths and group-friendly tables for any occasion. Pacific Catch is committed to serving the most sustainable fish available and being a positive force in the communities it serves.

Top review

Merv

Dined today

We have lived here 14 years and tried most seafood restaurants in Santa Monica, Pacific Palisades and Beverly Hills and I would when you take all the different rating points I would rate Pacific Catch as the best on this side of the 405

Bar Toscana

4.5

4.5 (212)

$30 and under

Contemporary Italian

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Bar Toscana is an intimate, chic cocktail bar next door to sister restaurant, Toscana, in the heart of Brentwood. Bar Toscana’s Executive Chef Justino Quirino curated a simple yet elegant menu with small plates, entrees, and "Street Food" Specials. Menu highlights include Bruschetta, Prosciutto e Melone, Caesar Salad, Beet Salad with goat cheese and hazelnuts, Tuna Tartare, Wagyu Truffle Sliders, and Polpette al Sugo, veal meatballs. Bar Toscana also features Pinsa, pizza’s airy, crispy-crusted, less caloric cousin. Spaghetti Squash and Homemade Lasagna are available, as well as some of Toscana's most popular dishes, such as Ravioli Pomodoro, Pappardelle Funghi, Salmon, Branzino, Veal Milanese, and Bistecca. Cocktails are hand-crafted, and the wine list is largely Italian-focused. This neighborhood lounge opens nightly at 5:00 PM and is ideally fashioned for unique cocktails, intimate dinners, and sparkling conversation. Takeout & delivery through Uber Eats.

Top review

Richard

Dined on Oct 12, 2024

Our Brentwood favorite (over the siblings Toscana next door) for quality Italian food and crowd energy. Super friendly service. Great place to hang at the bar, watch a Dodgers game (no sound), and enjoy a quality cocktail.

The Waterfront Venice

4.3

4.3 (192)

$31 to $50

Californian

Venice

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Jordan

Dined on Dec 8, 2024

The food buffet was good and had lots of option. The bottomless drinks were not very nice. The espresso martini was not nice at all!

El Rincon De Los Dolidos - Santa Monica

4.2

4.2 (31)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Rincón de los Dolidos somos un bar en donde transformamos el despecho en alegría en donde celebras la diversión cantando desde el corazón la música más iconica te hará olvidar todo.
¡Ven a disfrutar y dejar atrás las penas, únete a la fiesta de despechados!

***For the health and well-being of our employees, a 20% service charge will be added to your bill***

Top review

Marie

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Customer service was excellent, food choices were okay. The drinks were extremely sweet, ordered mineral water on the side and it helped. The ambiance is great and everyone was very friendly. Overall enjoyed the night.

Discover more

Experience

Todas las Botellas 2x1 / All bottles are BOGO

Neighbors Playa Vista

3.5

3.5 (104)

$30 and under

Californian

Playa Vista

About the restaurant

Located inside the beautiful Runway complex. Neighbors is a restaurant offering a beautiful place for the playa vista community to call home. From our famous neighbors burger, to our amazing brunch menu selections. We have something to cover everyone’s appetite.

Top review

Tia

Dined on Oct 6, 2024

I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve been to the R&B Brunch. Always a good time!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Westside

Explore more Diners' Choice lists