Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Mar Vista
24 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
My Lai Kitchen - Venice
Women-owned Vietnamese fast-casual where every bowl, banh mi, and egg roll is built to order with housemade sauces and pickled vegetables
Notable Picks
8.3
Modern fast-casual Vietnamese-American spot built around mix-and-match bowls, crisp bánh mì, and bright, herb-forward salads. Locals swing through for reliable flavors, lots of fresh toppings, and a back-patio hang that feels easy and sunny.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mama Mai's Chicken & Garlic Rice, Pork Egg Rolls, Bomb Banh Mi
What Makes it Special: Women-owned Vietnamese fast-casual where every bowl, banh mi, and egg roll is built to order with housemade sauces and pickled vegetables
#2
Sunny Blue
8.1
A walk-up counter window shaping oversized onigiri to order since 2010—the first shop of its kind in the country, and the format hasn't drifted. The rice balls run bigger and bolder than traditional versions, with fillings like miso beef and spicy salmon built for a full lunch rather than a snack. It works as a no-fuss, cash-and-carry stop where the line moves fast and the price stays low.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy Salmon, Miso Beef, Miso Mushroom
What Makes it Special: The first made-to-order onigiri shop in the U.S., open since 2010, shaping oversized rice balls fresh with every order.
8.1
A fast-casual Korean bowl operation built on saucy, sautéed proteins over rice with a rotating lineup of house-pickled vegetables that punch above their weight class. The Mar Vista outpost delivers the same formula that's kept the mini-chain busy since 2017: counter-order efficiency, portions that stretch into tomorrow's lunch, and bowls that stay under $15. Works best for weekday refueling when you want flavor density without the wait or wallet damage of a full Korean BBQ spread.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bulgogi Bowl, Spicy Chicken Bowl, Pork Bowl
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual Korean BBQ bowls with generous portions at budget-friendly prices
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
A production bakery where German technique meets California pantry — laminated doughs, fresh-milled flours, and a pretzel program that anchors most of the menu. Hans Röckenwagner's operation runs around the clock out of a 20,000 sq ft facility, so everything behind the counter was made that day. It works best as a morning or midday stop on the Westside where you grab a pastry and a sandwich without ceremony.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pretzel Croissant Sandwich, Lox & Everything Bagel Danish, Pretzel Burger
What Makes it Special: German-trained chef Hans Röckenwagner applies Old World baking techniques with California ingredients in a 20,000 sq ft facility that operates around the clock, producing everything fresh daily.
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.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A Japanese-Hawaiian comfort food counter where familiar formats—burgers, sandos, noodles—get reconfigured with kurobuta pork belly, shoyu-garlic jam, and katsu technique. Mar Vista locals treat it as the go-to when they want something more considered than a drive-through but still casual enough for a weeknight with kids. The back patio gives it a second gear for lingering, though most of the draw is in the food itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Hambaga, Three Little Pigs, Katsu Kare Sando
What Makes it Special: Japanese-Hawaiian comfort food fusion where tater tots get the kurobuta pork belly treatment and burgers come with shoyu-garlic jam
#8
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
7.9
A wood-fired bakery built around naturally leavened doughs baked in-house daily, with a Mediterranean-leaning menu anchored by fresh pita, shakshuka, and ricotta toast. The buzzy weekend brunch scene draws Mar Vista locals willing to hunt for street parking in exchange for bread with actual technique behind it.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shakshuka, Avocado Toast, Fresh Pita
What Makes it Special: Wood-fired bakery where all bread, pastries, and pita are baked in-house daily using naturally leavened doughs
7.9
A small-batch roaster in Mar Vista that builds its menu around housemade almond milk and inventive espresso drinks like the Chipotle Mocha, with a pastry case anchored by guava and almond croissants. The draw is the back patio—a lush, quiet courtyard that turns a coffee run into a longer sit, especially for remote workers and dog owners. Skip the front patio facing Venice Blvd unless you enjoy street dust with your pour-over.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chipotle Mocha, Matcha Latte, Guava Croissant
What Makes it Special: A small-batch roaster in Mar Vista with a lush tropical back patio, housemade almond milk, and creative espresso drinks like the Chipotle Mocha.
#11
Electric Bleu
7.8
A Mar Vista French bistro that delivers bistro staples—roast chicken, liver mousse, seasonal salads—with enough technique to justify date-night positioning. The main room runs loud when full, so couples often drift to the patio for a quieter meal with the same kitchen output.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roast Chicken, Chicken Liver Mousse, Persimmon Salad
What Makes it Special: French bistro classics executed with care in a Mar Vista neighborhood setting
7.8
A straightforward West LA Thai kitchen that runs a tight rotation of curries and noodle dishes at prices that let you eat here twice a week without thinking about it. The rear patio is the main draw for regulars who treat it as a low-key weeknight default rather than a destination. It delivers reliable comfort-level Thai cooking where the value proposition does most of the heavy lifting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad See Ew, Mango Sticky Rice, Panang Curry
What Makes it Special: A West LA Thai kitchen where consistently executed curries and noodles come at neighborhood-friendly prices with a well-loved patio.
7.8
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 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
7.8
A Mar Vista breakfast counter built around blue corn tortillas and house-made salsas, executing Mexican morning staples with enough technique to separate it from generic brunch spots. The sunny patio makes it a neighborhood default for early risers who want chilaquiles without the weekend wait of larger venues.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Chilaquiles, Huevos Rancheros
What Makes it Special: Mexican-inflected breakfast spot using blue corn tortillas and house-made salsas on a sunny Mar Vista patio
#16
Beethoven Market
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
#17
Fatty Mart
7.7
Chef David Kuo's converted bodega runs a multi-format kitchen—wood-fired pizza on 4-day fermented dough alongside Taiwanese breakfast rolls and Vietnamese banh mi—with more range than most full-service restaurants attempt. The patio and curated market floor make it a neighborhood anchor for Mar Vista, though pricing lands closer to restaurant than corner-store territory, and a 16% one-star rate on Google signals enough off nights to temper expectations.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pizza, Banh Mi, Ice Cream
What Makes it Special: A tiny Mar Vista convenience store turning out wood-fired pizza, Vietnamese banh mi, and Taiwanese staples from the same kitchen
#18
Outdoor Grill
7.7
A no-frills BBQ stand parked next to a car wash on Washington Place, running a tight smoke program focused on ribs and tri-tip at prices that undercut most sit-down BBQ joints by a wide margin. The draw is the price-to-quality ratio on smoked meats—order at the counter, grab a spot outside, and eat well without thinking about the check. Best suited for a fast weekday lunch or a low-effort takeout run when you want real smoke flavor without the production.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ribs, Tri-Tip, Mac and Cheese
What Makes it Special: Counter-service BBQ stand tucked next to a car wash, turning out legit smoked ribs and tri-tip at rock-bottom prices on Washington Place.
7.7
A charbroil-focused sports bar in Mar Vista built around game-day energy—wall-to-wall screens, pool tables, and an outdoor patio that stretches the experience past closing time at quieter spots. The menu leans into grilled burgers and shareable bar staples like shrimp toast and chile fries, paired with craft cocktails on tap. It fills a specific lane for the neighborhood: a dedicated watch-party spot with food that holds up beyond typical bar fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cheeseburger Combo, Shrimp Toast, Buffalo Burger Combo
What Makes it Special: Mar Vista's dedicated sports bar with wall-to-wall TVs, pool tables, outdoor patio, and a charbroil-focused bar menu with craft cocktails on tap
#20
El Chucho
7.7
A drinks-only natural wine dive bar that kept the bones of the former La Potranca cantina — pool table, soccer screenings, cheap beer — and layered in a curated natural wine list and weekend vinyl DJ sets. The bartenders know the wine list cold and pour tastings before you commit, though the $16 four-ounce pours divide opinion between wine-literate regulars and casual drop-ins. Go on a weeknight for conversation at the bar; go on a weekend to sweat through a loud, packed scene that feels transplanted from Silver Lake.
Must-Try Dishes:
Braised Meat Tacos, House Tofu Taco, Seasonal Taco Special
What Makes it Special: Mar Vista's first natural wine dive bar, built inside a former cantina with the original pool table and soccer screenings intact
#21
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
#23
The Arepa Stand
7.7
A sibling-run Venezuelan counter spot in Mar Vista where every arepa is hand-pressed from scratch with gluten-free corn dough and stuffed with fillings that split the difference between Caracas and LA — think Mexican chorizo with chile de arbol salsa alongside traditional pabellón. The operation is small and still building its following with only 42 Google reviews, but the 81% five-star rate and tight menu suggest a focused kitchen that knows exactly what it wants to do.
Must-Try Dishes:
The 405, Pabellón Arepa, Reina Pepiada
What Makes it Special: Venezuelan siblings hand-make 100% gluten-free arepas with organic local ingredients and LA-inspired fillings like Mexican chorizo and chile de arbol salsa
#24
Blueys Mar Vista
7.6
An Australian-rooted all-day cafe that channels Westside surf culture into a globally-influenced brunch menu—the breakfast burrito and fried egg sandwich land consistently, while the kitchen's strength tilts toward savory plates over the sweeter options. The bright, patio-forward space with no WiFi by design draws regulars who treat it as a neighborhood living room, though portions run small for the price point and dinner service is still finding its footing compared to the daytime menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blueys Burger, Sweet Squash Pancakes, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: Australian-inspired kitchen built around locally sourced produce, creative all-day plates, and some of the best coffee on the Westside.