Best Special Occasions Restaurants in Marina Del Rey (90292)
8 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
Dear Jane's
9.1
Dear Jane's is a chef-driven, marina-front seafood restaurant from Josiah Citrin and Hans Röckenwagner, pairing classic American seafood dishes with a polished, retro-inspired dining room. Since opening in 2022 and earning a place in the Michelin Guide, it has become Marina del Rey’s most talked-about seafood destination for special-occasion dinners and serious seafood fans.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp Louie, Trout amandine
What makes it special: Michelin-listed, chef-driven seafood with retro coastal glamour and marina views.
Notable Picks
8.8
Killer Shrimp is a long-running waterfront spot famous for its spicy, slow-simmered shrimp broth served with crusty bread and strong cocktails. Locals treat it as a go-to for indulgent seafood plates, marina views, and a lively bar scene that runs from happy hour through late dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Killer Shrimp Original, Killer Shrimp & Lobster, Lobster Mac
What makes it special: Signature spicy shrimp broth recipe served for decades on the marina.
#3
Casa 12
8.5
Casa 12 is an intimate Italian ristorante just off the Venice Pier, combining candlelit tables, live-music nights, and handmade pastas for a classic romantic date formula. Guests praise the lobster ravioli, slow-cooked Bolognese, and grilled octopus as much as the warmly lit room and European-feeling sidewalk seating.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lobster Ravioli, Fettuccine Verdi alla Bolognese, Grilled Octopus
What makes it special: Cozy Italian spot near the pier with handmade pastas and live music.
8.4
United Bowl Nation is a waterfront café-bar where Mediterranean-leaning grain bowls, mezze, and global plates share space with wine nights and specialty coffee. Locals come for the plant-forward menu, marina views, and a relaxed, all-day hangout energy that works for laptops by day and mellow dates by night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mediterranean Power Bowl, Vegan Lentil Cigar Rolls, Baklava Selection
What makes it special: Waterfront café pairing Mediterranean-leaning bowls with wine nights and views.
8.4
Located inside Jamaica Bay Inn on Mother’s Beach, Beachside Restaurant & Bar serves coastal American fare from brunch through dinner with an emphasis on seafood and classic comfort dishes. The broad menu and beachfront patio make it a versatile choice for everything from pancakes with kids to sunset cocktails.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crab Cake Benny, Beachside Burger, Fried Chicken & French Toast
What makes it special: Beachfront American dining with all-day service and a large patio.
8.2
SALT Restaurant & Bar, opened in 2015 inside the Marina del Rey Hotel, focuses on California seasonal cooking with an American bent, from chowder to braised short ribs. Diners come for polished plates, cocktails, and one of the better waterfront dining rooms on the harbor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Marina Clam Chowder, Shrimp & Grits, Braised Short Rib
What makes it special: Hotel waterfront restaurant marrying seasonal California dishes with marina views.
#7
Cast & Plow
8.1
Cast & Plow at The Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey is a waterfront farm-to-table restaurant where housemade ice cream and sorbet headline the dessert menu after harbor-view dinners. Guests linger on the terrace over chocolate lava cake and rotating ice cream flavors that feel more composed and plated than parlor-style.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chocolate lava cake with housemade ice cream, Housemade ice cream and sorbet selection, Seasonal dessert served à la mode
What makes it special: Hotel waterfront dining where polished desserts lean on housemade ice cream and sorbet.
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Birthday & Celebration Central
Live Music Showtime
Sports Bar Central
Open since 1969, The Warehouse Restaurant is a kitschy, Polynesian-themed steak-and-seafood house overlooking the marina, known for big portions, strong drinks, and party-friendly energy. It’s a nostalgic choice for prime rib dinners, family gatherings, and waterfront celebrations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Prime Rib, Shrimp Scampi, Clam Chowder
What makes it special: Retro marina steak-and-seafood institution with tiki décor and big portions.