Any insider tips for Emporium Thai?

Ask for heat levels honestly—southern dishes can run very spicy.

What should I order at Emporium Thai?

Southern curry seafood, pad Thai, mango sticky rice.

When should I visit Emporium Thai?

Prime dinner hours when the room feels festive and full.

Who should go to Emporium Thai?

Spice-loving groups planning a fun, relaxed celebration.

Any insider tips for Violet Bistro?

Request a courtyard table and allow time for a long meal.

What should I order at Violet Bistro?

French onion soup, steak frites, a seasonal dessert.

When should I visit Violet Bistro?

Golden-hour into dinner when the courtyard lights come on.

Who should go to Violet Bistro?

Couples and small groups planning an elegant night out.

Any insider tips for Wolfsglen?

Reserve a banquette table if you’re hosting a birthday crew.

What should I order at Wolfsglen?

Signature burger, steak or chop, one of the house cocktails.

When should I visit Wolfsglen?

Prime weekend evenings when the bar and dining room buzz.

Who should go to Wolfsglen?

Groups and couples who want energy with their dinner.

Any insider tips for Lulu Restaurant LA?

Book an earlier seating to wander the Hammer galleries first.

What should I order at Lulu Restaurant LA?

Daily three-course menu, seasonal salad, roasted main course.

When should I visit Lulu Restaurant LA?

Weekend evenings or sunny lunches after exploring the museum.

Who should go to Lulu Restaurant LA?

Families, art lovers, and groups celebrating big milestones.

Any insider tips for Frida Mexican Cuisine – Westwood?

Start with patio margaritas, then linger over coffee and dessert.

What should I order at Frida Mexican Cuisine – Westwood?

Guacamole en molcajete, mole poblano enchiladas, shrimp tacos.

When should I visit Frida Mexican Cuisine – Westwood?

Primetime evenings when the patio fills with celebrations.

Who should go to Frida Mexican Cuisine – Westwood?

Groups wanting sit-down Mexican with strong drinks outdoors.

Any insider tips for Tacos 1986?

Grab your tray and claim a sidewalk table before you order.

What should I order at Tacos 1986?

Adobada tacos, mushroom mulita, carne asada quesadilla.

When should I visit Tacos 1986?

Evenings when the walk-up window and patio are busiest.

Who should go to Tacos 1986?

Students and taco fans wanting fast, affordable outdoor bites.

Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Westwood (90024)

6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated

Notable Picks

#1 Emporium Thai

8.7

$ Westwood

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots Comfort Food Classics Birthday & Celebration Central

Emporium Thai is a family-run Thai restaurant with bright curries, southern specialties, and a dining room that fills up with celebratory tables. Awards, long lines, and a deep menu make it a strong choice for birthdays, graduations, and group dinners that still feel casual.

Must-Try Dishes: Southern curry seafood, Pad Thai or pad see ew, Mango sticky rice

What makes it special: Award-winning, family-run Thai with bold southern curries and big portions.

View Full Review →

#2 Violet Bistro

8.6

$$$ Westwood Village

Vibes: Date Night Magic Outdoor Dining Oasis Birthday & Celebration Central Trendy Table Hotspots

Violet Bistro is a Cali-French restaurant with a glowing courtyard patio and an upstairs cooking school, built for slow, celebratory meals. Classic dishes, a serious wine list, and intimate tables make it a go-to Westwood pick for anniversaries and pre-theater dates.

Must-Try Dishes: French onion soup, Steak frites, Coq au vin or trout amandine

What makes it special: Romantic courtyard French bistro with refined cooking and strong cocktails.

View Full Review →

#3 Wolfsglen

8.4

$$ Westwood Village

Vibes: Birthday & Celebration Central Girls Night Out Approved Trendy Table Hotspots Group Dining Gatherings

Wolfsglen pairs a handsome, clubby dining room and bar with New American plates and serious cocktails, making it feel more like a downtown spot than a college neighborhood restaurant. It’s where locals book group birthdays, promotions, and high-energy date nights in Westwood Village.

Must-Try Dishes: Wolfsglen burger with candied bacon, Dry-aged steak or chop, Beef tartare with house cocktails

What makes it special: Cocktail-driven New American spot with a downtown-feeling dining room.

View Full Review →

#4 Lulu Restaurant LA

8.3

$$ Hammer Museum Courtyard

Vibes: Date Night Magic Luxury Dining Elite Outdoor Dining Oasis Group Dining Gatherings

Set inside the Hammer Museum, Lulu serves a daily-changing, produce-driven menu that leans into Alice Waters–style California cooking. A sun-soaked courtyard and multi-course prix fixe options make it a polished choice for birthdays, graduations, and dinners with visiting family.

Must-Try Dishes: Three-course seasonal prix fixe, Focaccia with market vegetables, Roasted chicken or fish of the day

What makes it special: Museum-adjacent, seasonal California menus in a refined courtyard setting.

View Full Review →

#5 Frida Mexican Cuisine – Westwood

8.3

$ Westwood Village

Vibes: Birthday & Celebration Central Group Dining Gatherings Outdoor Dining Oasis Trendy Table Hotspots

Part of Vicente Del Rio’s Frida group, the Westwood outpost pairs polished regional Mexican cooking with a sidewalk patio overlooking Lindbrook. It’s where families, students, and office groups settle in outside for guacamole, mole, and mezcal margaritas before or after neighborhood events.

Must-Try Dishes: Mole Poblano Enchiladas, Guacamole en Molcajete, Shrimp Tacos Gobernador

What makes it special: Lively regional Mexican cooking with a central patio for mezcal-fueled meals.

View Full Review →

Worthy Picks

#6 Tacos 1986

7.9

$ Westwood Village

Vibes: Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Quick Bites Champions Outdoor Dining Oasis Solo Dining Sanctuaries

The Westwood Village location of Tacos 1986 brings Tijuana-style adobada tacos, mulitas, and quesadillas to a casual counter with sidewalk seating. Late student crowds and a constant line at the window turn the Kinross patio tables into one of the neighborhood’s most reliable cheap outdoor meals.

Must-Try Dishes: Adobada Taco, Mushroom Mulita, Carne Asada Quesadilla

What makes it special: Tijuana-style tacos from a cult-loved stand with busy sidewalk seating.

View Full Review →