Best Group Dining Restaurants in Ladera Heights
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Guelaguetza Restaurante
Celebrated Oaxacan moles and live music in a festive setting.
Notable Picks
8.7
A vibrant, family-run Oaxacan institution, Guelaguetza pairs live music with a legendary array of moles—showcased in their signature Festival de Moles. Locals return for the festive atmosphere, mezcal cocktails, and consistent excellence honed since 1994.
Must-Try Dishes:
Festival de Moles, Tlayuda Oaxaqueña, Chapulines (Grasshoppers)
What Makes it Special: Celebrated Oaxacan moles and live music in a festive setting.
#2
Star Crab
8.3
Casual Cajun-style seafood boil spot where bags of shrimp, crab, and mussels arrive drenched in garlic butter or house Cajun spice. Locals like it for generous portions, friendly staff, and an unfussy strip-mall setting near Westchester and LAX.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cajun shrimp and crab boil, Garlic butter peeled shrimp, Gumbo soup in a bread bowl
What Makes it Special: Cajun-style seafood boils with customizable spice and sauces near LAX.
8.3
Chef Luigi Contessi's family-run spot brings homestyle Italian classics to a casual, consistently bustling neighborhood trattoria. Locals flock for scratch-made pastas and the welcoming warmth that makes groups and kids feel at home.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, Ricotta Cheesecake, Tagliatelle with Angus Beef Ragu
What Makes it Special: Owner-chef Luigi's traditional recipes and familial atmosphere.
8
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Birthday & Celebration Central
Happy Hour Hotspots
An all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ built around woodae galbi — bone-in short ribs cut lengthwise from the 6th through 8th rib for a thicker, more textured sear than standard kalbi. The AYCE format stacks well for groups running through brisket, prime short ribs, and corn cheese without watching a tab climb, and the late-night hours keep it relevant past midnight. Expect volume — sizzling grills at every table and full-production birthday celebrations where the lights cut and the music takes over.
Must-Try Dishes:
Woodae Galbi (Bone-In Short Ribs), Brisket, Prime Short Ribs
What Makes it Special: Premium all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ anchored by woodae galbi — bone-in ribs cut lengthwise from the 6th to 8th rib for maximum tenderness and texture.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ built around a nightclub-energy format — EDM, flashing lights, and birthday celebrations are part of the package, not a side effect. Running since 2007 with one of Koreatown's widest grill-your-own selections, it works best as a loud, late-night group destination where volume and variety matter more than premium single cuts.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Tongue, Sirloin, Brisket
What Makes it Special: All-you-can-eat Korean BBQ with a nightclub energy — EDM, flashing lights, and one of Koreatown's widest selections of grill-your-own cuts since 2007.