Best Group Dining Restaurants in Mar Vista
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Pitfire Pizza - Mar Vista
Chef-driven, wood-fired pizzas with hand-stretched dough and seasonal toppings that rotate regularly across a sprawling dog-friendly patio setting.
Notable Picks
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.
#2
Little Fatty
8
Chef David Kuo's Taiwanese-American kitchen delivers crowd-pleasing riffs on comfort classics—the orange chicken runs crispy and light, and the scallion pancakes hit that chewy-crunchy balance. The eight-table dining room shares a wall (and cocktail menu) with Accomplice bar next door, which means the vibe stays lively and tables stay tight. Works well for groups ordering family-style or couples who want drinks with their 3-cup chicken.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Chicken, Scallion Pancakes, Walnut Shrimp
What Makes it Special: Taiwanese-American fusion where traditional recipes get playful LA twists, from vegan adaptations to creative cocktail pairings
#3
Sakura House
8
Kushiyaki grilled over imported Japanese charcoal at a counter where you watch every skewer hit the flames — the kind of strip-mall spot that rewards people who know what they came for. Fifteen-plus years in Mar Vista with a tight menu of wings, ribeye skewers, and quail egg maki keeps regulars cycling back on a short rotation. Small room, loud on weekends, best enjoyed early or with a group that doesn't mind eating elbow-to-elbow.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Wings, Ribeye Skewer, Spicy Chicken Meatballs
What Makes it Special: Kushiyaki grilled over imported Japanese charcoal at a counter where you watch the chef work the flames, running strong for over 15 years in a strip-mall setting most people walk right past.
8
An Oaxacan kitchen where the mole is the anchor — the dish that regulars order first and judge the meal by. The back patio runs loud with mariachi and streamers, leaning into a group-dinner energy that pairs well with shared plates of tlayudas and barbacoa at prices that keep the table ordering generously.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole, Tlayudas, Barbacoa
What Makes it Special: Oaxacan kitchen on Venice Blvd where the mole recipe draws more praise than anything else on the menu
Worthy Picks
#5
Hatchet Hall
7.9
A wood-fired Southern kitchen that built its reputation on technique-driven comfort food—the shishito-cheddar cornbread and turkey meatloaf draw repeat visitors who know to order shareable plates. The sprawling patio under a pergola works well for groups, though the indoor dining room runs loud enough to strain conversation. Expect $50-60 per person for hearty, seasonal plates rooted in American culinary traditions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cornbread, Meatloaf, Bacon-Wrapped Dates
What Makes it Special: Southern-inspired wood-fired cooking in a rustic Culver City setting with a covered outdoor tent space
7.8
A neighborhood Greek taverna built for sharing—mezze platters, tableside flaming saganaki, and Sunday patio BBQ with spit-roasted kontosouvli draw groups who want to linger over wine and dips. The open garage-door setup gets loud during peak hours, so plan for lively conversation rather than intimate dialogue. Works best when you commit to the shareable format with a few friends and let the dip platter set the pace.
Must-Try Dishes:
Char Grilled Octopus, You Dip We Dip, Flaming Saganaki
What Makes it Special: Greek taverna with Sunday patio BBQ featuring spit-roasted kontosouvli and tableside flaming saganaki
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