Best Happy Hour Restaurants in Culver City
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Bacari
House-baked bread with roasted garlic olive oil sets the tone for creative small plates
Notable Picks
#1
Bacari
8.4
Venetian-inspired small plates from Chef Lior Hillel featuring Mediterranean and Italian influences in a rustic downtown setting. The Kronfli Brothers' eighth location excels at shareable tapas, craft cocktails, and their signature 90-minute open bar special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sea bass with tarragon aioli, Glazed pork belly, Lamb hummus
What Makes it Special: House-baked bread with roasted garlic olive oil sets the tone for creative small plates
8.1
Chef Ray Garcia's neighborhood evolution of his acclaimed DTLA modern Mexican restaurant delivers signature dishes like five-day chicharrón and refried lentils with quesillo at accessible prices. The Shure-designed space with sage-green tiles and wood accents creates a warm backdrop for his 'authentically inauthentic' Mexican cooking, where wood-fired flautas and duck albondigas draw regulars seeking refined flavors without fine-dining formality.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicharrón with Garlic Mojo, Refried Lentils with Quesillo, Fideo Verde
What Makes it Special: Chef Ray Garcia's 'authentically inauthentic' Mexican cooking delivers refined flavors at neighborhood-friendly prices in a warm, community-driven space.
#3
AFURI
8
Tokyo-based concept featuring signature yuzu-infused shio ramen with bright, citrusy chicken broth that diverges from heavy tonkotsu styles. Known for lighter, refreshing bowls alongside creative items like hazelnut tantanmen and quality dumplings, with outdoor patio seating at The Culver Steps and all-day happy hour at the bar.
Must-Try Dishes:
Yuzu Shio Ramen, Spicy Yuzu Ramen, Chicken Karaage
What Makes it Special: Signature yuzu citrus-forward ramen with lighter, refreshing chicken-based broths
Worthy Picks
7.9
Gianni Chiloiro's homage to his Puglian mother launched in 2024 with contemporary Southern Italian dishes and wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas from a custom Stefano Ferrara oven. Bright murals and tropical plants create Instagram-ready surroundings, though the kitchen is still finding its rhythm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nardò Pizza, Gnocchi Ortolana, Branzino
What Makes it Special: Naples-imported wood-fired oven and Puglian family recipes from 2024
7.9
Modern Indian restaurant with full cocktail bar and visible tandoor ovens, opened in 2021 by aerospace engineer-turned-restaurateur Mihir Lad and Executive Chef Sagar Ghosh. The menu takes contemporary liberties with classics while maintaining authentic spice profiles, served in a stylish space with two patios and sports bar elements. Creative touches include fusion appetizers alongside traditional curries, though the kitchen performs better with South Indian specialties than North Indian standards.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goat Curry, Butter Chicken, Garlic Fries
What Makes it Special: Contemporary Indian fusion with craft cocktails in modern lounge atmosphere with visible tandoor kitchen
7.9
This approachable Japanese restaurant near Sony Studios offers classical ambiance with extensive outdoor seating on a shaded patio. Known for generous portions and daily happy hour from 4-7pm with half-price specialty rolls, the menu spans traditional sushi alongside teriyaki and tempura options at neighborhood-friendly prices.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lady in Red Roll, Yellowtail Jalapeño Sashimi, Crunchy Onion Albacore
What Makes it Special: Extensive outdoor patio dining with heating lamps and strong happy hour program
#7
Simonette
7.9
All-day French café and bistro inside Palihotel Culver City reimagining a 1920s boarding house with a charming courtyard. The menu delivers approachable French-American classics from morning croissants through evening beef bourguignon in an unpretentious, light-strung setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Moules Frites, French Onion Soup, Dijon Burger
What Makes it Special: Hidden courtyard setting with tree growing inside creates magical garden atmosphere
7.8
Vibes:
Happy Hour Hotspots
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Group Dining Gatherings
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Texas-style smokehouse using peach wood smoking techniques serves wood-fired meats in a casual industrial setting with outdoor patio seating. While brisket can run dry, sandwiches and tacos showcase the meats better, and the honey-glazed poblano cornbread is exceptional. Daytime drinkers and coworkers on lunch breaks fill the patio for beer and BBQ.
Must-Try Dishes:
Poblano Cornbread with Honey Glaze, Spare Ribs, BBQ Tacos
What Makes it Special: Authentic Texas BBQ using whole peach wood logs for smoking
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Happy Hour Hotspots
Hidden Gems Heaven
Family-owned neighborhood taqueria serving traditional Mexican fare since opening in Culver City. The carnitas and al pastor benefit from daily-fresh preparation, while the homemade tortilla chips and complex red salsa have developed a loyal following among locals seeking unpretentious authenticity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas Tacos, Al Pastor Burrito, Beef Birria Tacos
What Makes it Special: Family recipes and generous portions at prices that honor working-class roots
#10
The Corner Door
7.7
A cocktail-first New American kitchen that rotates its Italian-leaning menu with the seasons, anchored by a bar program that has drawn Culver City regulars since 2012. The food rewards shareable ordering—charcuterie, tacos, and a sticky toffee pudding that outlasts most menu changes—but the concrete-and-industrial room runs loud enough that conversation takes effort, so plan for energy over intimacy.
Must-Try Dishes:
French Fries Carbonade, King Crab Tacos, Short-Rib Ravioli
What Makes it Special: Craft cocktail-driven New American kitchen with Italian influences and a menu that rotates with the seasons
#11
Fire My Pasta
7.6
Italian eatery established 2018 offering handcrafted pasta and pizza with vibrant cocktails in a cozy Palms neighborhood setting. While pasta is the primary focus, wood-fired pizzas with quality ingredients provide solid Italian-American options for the area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Italian Sausage Pizza, Carbonara Pasta
What Makes it Special: Pasta-focused Italian with late-night hours and cocktail program