Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Culver City (90066)
5 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Hatchet Hall
8.7
A wood-fire cookery that treats steak like the main event, with deep char, careful resting, and bold Southern-leaning sides. The lodge-warm dining room and leafy patio make it feel like a neighborhood celebration spot rather than a white-tablecloth temple. Consistently high marks across thousands of diners and Michelin recognition keep it a Westside staple for serious meat cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dry-aged ribeye, Smoked short rib, Wood-fired biscuits & honey butter
What makes it special: Wood-fire technique delivers standout crust and smoke on every steak.
8.6
A newly revived Mar Vista institution turned Cal-Italian hangout with house-made pizzas, pastas, and a lively indoor-outdoor bar scene. The pizzas lean modern and ingredient-forward, making it as much a neighborhood dinner spot as a pizzeria.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta Zucchini Pizza, Margherita Pizza, Focaccia with Whipped Ricotta
What makes it special: A community-centric Cal-Italian restaurant where pizza shares the spotlight.
#3
Little Fatty
8.4
A Taiwanese-leaning Mar Vista standby that treats dim-sum-style small plates like a craft project, especially its soup dumplings and bao. The cooking is playful but grounded in strong technique, making it a reliable Westside spot for splitting baskets with friends. Expect a lively neighborhood room and a menu that rewards repeat visits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Squid Ink Xiao Long Bao, BBQ Pork Bao Buns, General Tso’s Cauliflower
What makes it special: Modern Taiwanese dim-sum energy anchored by standout XLBs.
8.4
A big, social Greek taverna built for mezze feasts, with open-air patio energy and tableside saganaki theatrics. The dip platters, grilled octopus, and slow-cooked lamb keep regulars coming back, backed by high-volume, steady ratings.
Must-Try Dishes:
You Dip We Dip platter, Grilled octopus, Moussaka
What makes it special: Lively Greek mezze culture with strong patio-and-bar scene.
8.1
Chef Craig Hopson’s modern French bistro built for ‘dress up a little’ dinners in Mar Vista. Expect classic technique with California brightness—think pâté en croûte, steak au poivre, and beautifully handled seafood—served in a sleek, low-lit space. A natural pick for anniversaries or out-of-town splurges.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature roast chicken, Chicken liver mousse with onion crackers, Steak au poivre
What makes it special: Modern French bistro cooking from a veteran chef in a fresh neighborhood space.