Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Mar Vista
11 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Rutts Hawaiian Cafe
Family-run since 1976, serving scratch-made Hawaiian plate lunch that earned a Guy Fieri visit on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
Notable Picks
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
A family-run Hawaiian plate lunch counter operating since 1976 in Mar Vista, turning out scratch-made loco moco, kalua pork, and short rib plates that earned a Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visit. The format is straightforward — order at the counter, grab a seat in the 30-seat dining room, and let the portions do the talking at diner prices. Fifty years of the same family cooking the same style means you get the same plate whether it's your first visit or your hundredth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Loco Moco Plate, Kalua Pork, Portuguese Sausage
What Makes it Special: Family-run since 1976, serving scratch-made Hawaiian plate lunch that earned a Guy Fieri visit on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives
8
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
A Westside diner holdout operating since 1972, known for crispy hash browns, hefty chilaquiles with black beans, and a garbage omelet drenched in Spanish sauce—all served in a wood-paneled cabin interior that hasn't changed since Maxwell retired and a local woman took over, keeping the original cooks and recipes. Works best for families and weekend regulars who want generous Tex-Mex-inflected breakfast plates at prices that haven't inflated with the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Eggs Benedict, Chilaquiles, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Classic American diner serving generous portions of Tex-Mex-inflected breakfast in a neighborhood setting since the 1980s
Wood-fired pizzas built on hand-stretched dough with seasonal rotations, backed by nearly three decades of refining the same core technique across multiple LA locations. The sprawling dog-friendly patio drives repeat visits from families and groups who treat it as a default neighborhood gathering spot. Sides and pastas—particularly the baked mac and cheese and crispy Brussels sprouts—pull as much weight as the pizza itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Zoe's Pepperoni, Margherita, Burrata
What Makes it Special: Chef-driven, wood-fired pizzas with hand-stretched dough and seasonal toppings that rotate regularly across a sprawling dog-friendly patio setting.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Comfort Food Classics
A strip-mall Oaxacan kitchen that has been slow-cooking complex moles from scratch and baking its own pan dulce for over two decades on the Westside—the same methods Jonathan Gold once praised for their depth and heat. Meals run around nine dollars with generous portions, making it a dependable weeknight spot for families and anyone who wants regional Oaxacan cooking without the drive to East LA. Cash only, no liquor, and service moves at its own pace, so come hungry and patient.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole Negro con Pollo, Tlayuda, Costillas en Salsa Verde
What Makes it Special: A 20-plus-year Mar Vista fixture slow-cooking complex Oaxacan moles from scratch and baking its own pan dulce in-house.
Worthy Picks
A single-product specialists doing traditional Dutch poffertjes from a three-generation family recipe, cooked live on a traditional griddle at the Sunday market. The mini pancakes land somewhere between a silver dollar pancake and a mini soufflé, served plain with powdered sugar or loaded with toppings like Nutella and strawberries or lemon curd. It works as a farmers market ritual—grab a plate, wander the stalls, and eat standing up while the DJ sets the pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic poffertjes with butter & powdered sugar, Seasonal berry poffertjes, Stroopwafel-topped puffers
What Makes it Special: Market-fresh mini pancakes from a three-generation family recipe.
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
A no-frills Mar Vista Thai spot that trades atmosphere for generous portions at Westside prices most Thai restaurants on this side of the 405 can't match. The curry and noodle lineup draws a steady repeat crowd of 560+ reviewers who treat it more like a neighborhood canteen than a destination — order the fried rice or panang, keep expectations calibrated to the price tag, and you'll leave full without thinking twice about the bill.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Thai Taste Fried Rice, Yellow Curry
What Makes it Special: No-frills Mar Vista neighborhood spot where generous portions and low Westside prices keep 560+ reviewers coming back for curries and noodles that punch well above the price point.
7.8
An Italian market-cafe hybrid in Mar Vista where fresh pasta and groceries share space with a sprawling patio that draws neighborhood regulars. The format works for families grabbing carbonara alongside wine and provisions, or couples settling into the outdoor seating for a low-key dinner. Expect a buzzing crowd, especially evenings—it runs on neighborhood energy rather than quiet intimacy.
Must-Try Dishes:
Squash Blossoms, Focaccia, Carbonara
What Makes it Special: Italian market-cafe hybrid where you can grab groceries, fresh pasta, and wine on a sprawling patio
Vibes:
Brewery & Beer Garden Republic
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Family Friendly Favorites
Pet Friendly Paradise
A full-scale Bavarian beer garden running 35-plus German and Belgian taps alongside a traditional kitchen built around schnitzel, pretzels, and potato pancakes. The open-air patio and communal hall layout make it a natural draw for groups and families who want the beer-hall energy without a flight to Munich. Expect loud weekend crowds and competitive street parking, but weeknight visits reward with easier seating and the same deep draft list.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bavarian Pretzel, Jäger Schnitzel, Grilled Brussels Sprouts
What Makes it Special: Full German beer garden with 35+ German and Belgian beers on tap and traditional Bavarian kitchen in Mar Vista
7.8
A straightforward New York-style slice shop on Venice Blvd that trades on generous portions and wallet-friendly pricing—the kind of place where a calzone and a few slices covers the whole family without negotiation. It runs the old-school counter-service playbook with a strip-mall setup that keeps overhead low and passes the savings through, making it a reliable pickup option when the priority is volume over ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes:
NY Style Pizza, Calzone, Wings
What Makes it Special: Old-school New York-style pizza joint on Venice Blvd known for generous portions at budget-friendly prices
#10
Angel City Pizza
7.7
A Westside outpost for foldable New York-style slices and square grandma pies, built around a tight menu that leans on dough technique over novelty toppings. The outdoor-friendly setup on Venice Blvd works well for families grabbing a quick round of slices without the sit-down commitment, and the gelato counter adds a useful second act. It delivers the no-frills neighborhood pizzeria format cleanly, though it's still building its footprint in a city with deep pizza competition.
Must-Try Dishes:
New York Pizza, Garlic Knots, Grandma Pizza
What Makes it Special: New York-style pizzeria on Venice Blvd delivering authentic foldable slices and grandma pies to the Westside
7.7
A Mar Vista strip-mall Thai kitchen that delivers reliable curries and noodles with a notably deep vegan menu. The low-key dining room stays conversation-friendly, making it a practical choice for families or groups splitting shareable plates. Works best when you stick to the curry and stir-fry standards rather than chasing anything elaborate.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pineapple Fried Rice, Pad See Ew, Panang Curry
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood Thai spot with strong vegan options and reliable takeout in Mar Vista