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 Shamshiri Grill?

Order extra sangak bread and plan to take leftovers home.

What should I order at Shamshiri Grill?

Mixed kebab platter, lamb shank, tahchin with chicken.

When should I visit Shamshiri Grill?

Weekend evenings when the grill is packed and lively.

Who should go to Shamshiri Grill?

Families and big groups craving a hearty Persian feast.

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 Seaburry Restaurant?

Share several curries family-style to sample more of the menu.

What should I order at Seaburry Restaurant?

Lamprise, Lankan red curry, a string hopper pilaf.

When should I visit Seaburry Restaurant?

Weekend dinners when the room feels warm but not hectic.

Who should go to Seaburry Restaurant?

Adventurous diners celebrating with bold flavors and spice.

Best Special Occasions 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.

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#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.

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#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.

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#4 Shamshiri Grill

8.4

$$$ Little Persia / Westwood Blvd Corridor

Vibes: Group Dining Gatherings Family Friendly Favorites Comfort Food Classics Birthday & Celebration Central

A Westwood institution since the early 1980s, Shamshiri Grill serves generous platters of Persian kebabs, stews, and fresh breads in a space that turns from casual by day to softly romantic at night. It’s a neighborhood standby for multi-generational celebrations and big-group dinners.

Must-Try Dishes: Koobideh and barg kebab combo, Lamb shank with baghali polo, Tahchin with chicken

What makes it special: Long-running Persian spot known for heaping kebab platters and fresh bread.

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#5 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.

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#6 Seaburry Restaurant

8.2

$$ Westwood Blvd Corridor

Vibes: Date Night Magic Hidden Gems Heaven Group Dining Gatherings Trendy Table Hotspots

Seaburry brings a more polished Sri Lankan experience to Westwood, with colorful décor, thoughtful plating, and a menu that jumps from lamprise to seafood curries. It’s an intriguing pick for smaller celebrations where guests want something different from the usual Westside options.

Must-Try Dishes: Lamprise with slow-cooked meats and rice, Lankan red curry with lamb or seafood, String hopper pilaf

What makes it special: Colorful Sri Lankan plates and curries in a refined, intimate space.

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