Best Instagram Worthy Restaurants in Culver City
20 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Market Pizza By Drew Butler
68-hour sourdough fermentation with wood-fired cooking in a secret garden setting
Notable Picks
8.9
Hidden gem tucked in Jackson Market's back patio, where Pizza Today Rising Star 2023 Drew Butler crafts 48-hour naturally fermented sourdough pies in a wood-fired oven. The tranquil garden setting with koi ponds and fountains creates an unexpected oasis for enjoying Neo-Neapolitan pizza made with farmers market ingredients.
Must-Try Dishes:
Margherita Pizza, Sausage Party Pizza, Mushroom Pizza
What Makes it Special: 68-hour sourdough fermentation with wood-fired cooking in a secret garden setting
#2
Destroyer
8.9
Chef Jordan Kahn's minimalist daytime cafe transforms breakfast into edible art with Nordic-influenced dishes like snap-pea tartine and house-made coconut yogurt. The futuristic built-in coffee machine and stark white aesthetic create an otherworldly dining experience where simple ingredients become complex flavor compositions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Avocado Confit with Onion Ash, Koshikari Rice Porridge, Persimmon French Toast
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized chef creating fine dining breakfast with futuristic presentation
#3
Mensho Tokyo
8.8
Michelin-recognized Tokyo import specializing in rich tori paitan chicken broth with housemade mochi noodles and premium toppings like A5 Wagyu, duck, and fermented pork chashu. The signature bowl features truffle oil and draws hour-long weekend waits for its gravy-thick, umami-packed broth that has earned acclaim across multiple cities.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Toripaitan with Trio Meats, Garlic Knock Out Ramen, Karaage Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition since 2017 for revolutionary chicken-based tori paitan broth
8.7
Former Providence chef Brandon Gray's pop-up serves 30-hour fermented Neapolitan-style pies named after LA hip-hop tracks inside Bar & Garden wine shop. The Thursday-Friday residency draws serious pizza enthusiasts for perfectly balanced pies like the FRIDAY pepperoni and creative seasonal specials.
Must-Try Dishes:
FRIDAY Pizza, Colors Pizza, Regulate Pizza
What Makes it Special: Fine-dining pedigree meets street-food format with hip-hop themed pies
#5
esme
8.6
This design-forward cafe blends California ingredients with Middle Eastern and Latin flavors in refined dishes like shakshuka and merguez sandwiches. Founded by Ivan and Gabby in their deeply personal vision from 2017, the bright space showcases thoughtful plating and a warm community atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshuka, Merguez Sandwich, Barbari Bread
What Makes it Special: Husband-wife founded cafe merging Middle Eastern-Latin flavors with California seasonality
8.6
California-based artisan doughnut shop making small-batch creations hourly with high-quality ingredients and creative seasonal flavors. Known for their huckleberry doughnut and brioche-based varieties that balance indulgence with refined technique. The bright, modern space attracts a steady crowd willing to pay premium prices for gourmet doughnuts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Huckleberry Doughnut, Butter & Salt, Saigon Cinnamon Crumb
What Makes it Special: Small-batch artisan doughnuts made fresh hourly with seasonal ingredients
#7
Juliet
8.6
Michelin-recognized modern French restaurant designed by Jeremiah Brent featuring seafood-forward cuisine and an extensive French wine program. The contemporary space with its posh patio draws a fashionable crowd for everything from breakfast through late dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mousse au Foie de Volaille, Sea Bream with Ratatouille, Duck Confit Cigars
What Makes it Special: Michelin Guide recognition with contemporary French aesthetic and fashion-forward design
Specialty coffee roaster with all-day brunch menu transforms into La Sabina Wine Bar evenings. Single-origin coffees and market-driven dishes like shakshuka and ricotta toast draw crowds to the cozy indoor-outdoor space with string lights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshuka, Ricotta Toast, Lawless French Toast
What Makes it Special: Dual identity as specialty roaster by day and wine bar by night
8.4
Chef David Movsisian's Michelin-rated handroll specialist operates in The Culver Steps with a sleek industrial bar setting and just 24 counter seats. The focused menu delivers fresh handrolls made to order alongside quality sashimi appetizers, Japanese craft beer, and loose-leaf teas served in traditional tetsubin iron teapots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baked Crab Roll, Negi Toro Handroll, Soft Shell Crab Roll
What Makes it Special: Michelin recognition for focused handroll-centric menu in modern industrial setting
#10
Margot
8.4
This rooftop Mediterranean stunner atop Platform delivers coastal Spanish-Italian cuisine with sweeping city views and psychedelic-chic design. Weekend brunch showcases wagyu steak and eggs alongside oatmeal pancakes, while the outdoor patio with pyramid heaters makes every meal feel like a sunset celebration.
Must-Try Dishes:
American Wagyu Steak & Eggs, Patatas Bravas, Fried Chicken with Calabrian Honey
What Makes it Special: Rooftop location with 360-degree views and Mediterranean coastal cuisine
#11
Roberta's
8.4
Brooklyn's legendary pizzeria brings Neapolitan-style wood-fired pies to Platform's sun-drenched patio. The Bee Sting pizza balances soppressata, chili, and honey with cultish precision, while house-made pastas and inventive salads round out a menu that respects tradition without being precious about it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bee Sting Pizza, Famous Original Pizza, Japanese Sweet Potatoes
What Makes it Special: West Coast outpost of Brooklyn's iconic pizzeria with cult-favorite pies
#12
Dear John's
8.3
Frank Sinatra's former hangout revived by acclaimed chefs Josiah Citrin and Hans Röckenwagner brings Old Hollywood glamour to modern Culver City. The dimly lit, vintage steakhouse serves standout dishes like mozzarella-stuffed chicken parmesan and buttery sand dabs, though steaks can be inconsistent. Strong martinis and tableside Caesar salads complete the classic experience.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Parmesan (stuffed), Sand Dabs with Lemon-Caper Butter, Frank's Spaghetti & Clams
What Makes it Special: Frank Sinatra's historic 1962 steakhouse revived with vintage dark-room ambiance
#13
Go Go Bird
8.3
Chef Brandon Kida's LA-style fried chicken concept inside Citizen Public Market blends Japanese technique with local nostalgia. The Jidori chicken marinates 24 hours in koji, white soy, and bonito before frying, then gets finished with Sichuan chili oil for umami-forward complexity.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thunder Bird Wings, Chicken Sando, Japanese Cheddar Biscuits
What Makes it Special: Japanese marinade technique meets LA's Pioneer Chicken heritage with Sichuan finish
#14
Bianca
8.2
From the Madeo Ristorante family comes this Italian-Argentinian-French bakery-restaurant with a European courtyard feel. Ricotta pancakes and Spanish tortilla highlight the breakfast menu, while the adjoining bakery fills the space with the aroma of house-baked organic breads and pistachio tarts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ricotta Pancakes, Spanish Tortilla, Tomato Bisque-Avocado Toast
What Makes it Special: Family-run European bakery-restaurant with organic breads baked daily on-site
#15
The Red Chickz
8.1
Nashville-style hot chicken specialist serving halal, hand-breaded tenders and sandwiches with seven customizable heat levels from Cool to Inferno. The crispy coating delivers authentic spice without sacrificing crunch, complemented by signature comeback sauce and creative loaded wedges.
Must-Try Dishes:
Original Sandwich, French Toast Sandwich, 3 Tender Meal
What Makes it Special: Halal-certified Nashville hot chicken with customizable seven-level heat scale
8.1
International chain from Fukuoka known for silky Hakata-style tonkotsu broth with dramatic, generously portioned toppings including fried enoki mushrooms and niku-miso bolognese. Opened in 2024 at The Culver Steps, offering both classic and elaborate bowls plus strong vegan options with plant-based broths that match the richness of traditional pork versions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Karaka Spicy Ramen with Niku-Miso, Nirvana Classic Vegan, Takoyaki Balls
What Makes it Special: Historic Japanese chain since 1985 with elaborate toppings and excellent vegan menu
#17
Loqui
8
A Tartine Bakery alum hand-rolls sourdough flour tortillas to order at this Platform LA counter, filling them with Yucatan-style cochinita pibil and chile-oil mushrooms that reward anyone who pays attention to the tortilla as much as the filling. The breezy outdoor setting at the shopping complex works well for a quick, focused meal where the craft is in the dough itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sourdough Flour Tortillas, Pork Cochinita Taco, Mushroom Taco
What Makes it Special: A Tartine Bakery alum hand-rolls sourdough-based flour tortillas to order, wrapping Yucatan-style cochinita pibil and chile-oil mushrooms at a breezy Platform LA counter
8
James Beard-nominated pastry chef Nicole Rucker applies her Gjelina/Gjusta training to a focused pie program built on all-butter crusts, seasonal fruit, and Guittard chocolate. The shop draws bakers and dessert-focused eaters who want craft technique over volume—key lime, banana cream, and chocolate chess hold down a tight rotation. A KCRW Good Food Pie Contest winner operating out of Culver City with the pedigree to back up the price of admission.
Must-Try Dishes:
Key Lime Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Chocolate Chess Pie
What Makes it Special: James Beard-nominated pastry chef Nicole Rucker, a KCRW Good Food Pie Contest blue-ribbon winner and former Gjelina/Gjusta baker, builds every pie on an all-butter crust with seasonal fruit and Guittard chocolate.
Worthy Picks
#19
Nardò Italian
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
#20
Butterfly
7.6
José Andrés Group's rooftop taco concept atop The Shay Hotel brings polished small plates and agave cocktails to Culver City's skyline. The Baja California fish tacos and coconut ceviche deliver chef-driven technique, though the setting and celebrity pedigree drive the experience as much as the food itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Baja California Taco, Coconut Ceviche, Queso Fundido con Tequila
What Makes it Special: Celebrity chef pedigree meets rooftop setting at boutique hotel