Best Family Friendly Restaurants in Marina del Rey
19 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Irori Sushi
Tatami-style seating and an omakase-and-bento format that balances tradition and value.
Notable Picks
#1
Irori Sushi
8.5
Irori Sushi is a long-running tatami-style restaurant tucked into a shopping center, known for floor-level seating, bento lunches, and a surprisingly affordable omakase. Regulars come for the mix of traditional ambiance and strong value on sashimi, nigiri, and hot dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
12-Piece Omakase, Bento Box Lunch, Yellowtail Collar
What Makes it Special: Tatami-style seating and an omakase-and-bento format that balances tradition and value.
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Akbar Cuisine of India is a longstanding Washington Boulevard restaurant serving richly spiced North Indian curries, tandoori specialties, and fresh-baked naan. Locals treat it as a reliable choice for sit-down dinners that work as well for a low-key date night as they do for larger gatherings.
Must-Try Dishes:
Coco Lamb, Chicken Tikka Masala, Lamb Biryani
What Makes it Special: Old-school Marina Indian dining with deep flavors and warm service.
8.4
Wharo Korean Charcoal BBQ is a long-running Lincoln Boulevard standby where meats and seafood hit real charcoal grills at the table, drawing steady crowds from the Westside and beyond. Known for its mix of classic cuts, approachable marinades, and a relaxed, slightly old-school dining room, it delivers the kind of reliable Korean barbecue experience people plan group dinners around.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bulgogi, Spicy Scallops, Miso Skirt Steak
What Makes it Special: Charcoal-grilled Korean barbecue with longtime regulars and approachable, traditional flavors.
8.4
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Business Lunch Power Players
Brunch Bliss Spots
J Nichols Kitchen is a long-running Marina del Rey standby where St. Louis-style pork ribs from Niman Ranch are smoked in-house alongside a broad comfort-driven menu. Locals lean on it for all-day dining, but the ribs stand out for proper smoke, bark, and meaty pull that feel more barbecue-joint than diner side dish.
Must-Try Dishes:
St. Louis Special Pork Ribs, Smoked Salmon Plate, French Mexican Omelet
What Makes it Special: All-day neighborhood spot with house-smoked St. Louis pork ribs.
8.3
Mendocino Farms at Marina Marketplace is the go-to fast-casual spot for chef-y sandwiches, seasonal salads, and polished counter service. Locals lean on it for reliable lunch runs, takeout picnics, and weeknight dinners with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-conscious options.
Must-Try Dishes:
Not So Fried Mary's Chicken Sandwich, Peruvian Steak Sandwich, Prosciutto & Mary's Chicken Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Fast-casual sandwich shop where chef-driven fillings meet health-conscious riffs.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Sampa's leans into Brazilian-influenced and classic pizzas, earning strong ratings on both Yelp and Google with nearly a thousand combined reviews. The menu runs from familiar combos to specialty pies, and the relaxed counter-service setup works for takeout, delivery, or a quick sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Greek pizza, Portuguesa-style Brazilian pizza, Classic pepperoni pizza
What Makes it Special: Brazilian-accented pies and creative toppings backed by high review volume.
8.3
Burger Lounge on Maxella leans into a modern, semi-fast-casual model built around grass-fed burgers, craft sides, and beer and wine. It’s a go-to for locals who want something more polished than a drive-thru but still quick enough for weeknight dinners and lunch breaks.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lounge Burger, Truffle Mushroom-Swiss Burger, Fresh-Cut French Fries
What Makes it Special: Grass-fed patties and a broad menu of burger builds in a casual-modern setting.
#8
C&O Cucina
8.3
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
C&O Cucina is a loud, carb-loving Italian-American standby where big platters of lasagna, endless garlic rolls, and red-sauce classics have fed neighborhood families since 2003. With thousands of multi-platform reviews and a menu built for sharing, it’s the most established choice in 90292 when you want heavy-hitting comfort lasagna in a lively setting.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Bolognese, Roasted eggplant lasagna, Killer Garlic Rolls
What Makes it Special: High-volume neighborhood institution known for garlic rolls and hefty lasagna platters.
8.2
Tajrish Kabob is a full-service Persian-Mediterranean restaurant where charcoal-grilled kabobs, stews, and seafood plates anchor a sit-down experience just inland from the marina. Regulars lean on it for well-seasoned koobideh, Cornish hen, and salmon kabobs in a space that now feels more polished after a recent remodel.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Koobideh Kabob, Cornish Hen Kabob, Salmon Fish Kabob
What Makes it Special: Remodeled Persian spot with charcoal-grilled kabobs and hearty plates.
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Taqueria Chihuahua is a counter-service Mexican spot where an extensive burrito lineup runs from carne asada and California-style to veggie and fish options at wallet-friendly prices. Regulars praise the hot-off-the-grill tortillas, generous fillings, and quick service that make it a go-to burrito stop a few blocks from the beach.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne Asada Burrito, Fish Burrito, Veggie Burrito
What Makes it Special: Broad, affordable burrito menu with made-to-order fillings and fast service.
#11
El Tarasco
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
El Tarasco is a compact, old-school Mexican counter known for belly-filling burritos built on beans, rice, and grilled meats. Crowds cycle through from day to night for no-frills plates and tightly wrapped burritos that emphasize portion size and classic flavors over modern presentation.
Must-Try Dishes:
El Tarasco Burrito, Carne Asada Burrito, Shrimp Burrito
What Makes it Special: Classic counter joint where hefty, no-nonsense burritos have fed locals for years.
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Naab Mediterranean is a busy Lincoln Boulevard counter-service spot focused on Persian-influenced Mediterranean plates, hefty kebab combos, and reliable takeout. It’s the go-to for locals who want juicy koobideh, well-seasoned chicken, and generous platters that travel well for group orders and weeknight dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Koobideh Plate, Beef Koobideh Plate, Falafel Plate with Hummus
What Makes it Special: Counter-service Persian-Mediterranean plates known for portions and delivery reliability.
Worthy Picks
#13
Starbird Chicken
7.9
Starbird Chicken at Waterside Marina del Rey focuses on crispy fried chicken sandwiches, tenders, and salads with a modern, fast-casual feel. It’s the neighborhood stop for crunchy fillets, bold sauces, and app-friendly ordering before or after errands along Lincoln and Mindanao.
Must-Try Dishes:
Big Star Chicken Sandwich, Nashville Hotbird Sandwich, Crispy Chicken Tenders & Fries
What Makes it Special: Crispy fried chicken sandwiches with modern flavors and tech-forward ordering.
7.9
Vibes:
Sweet Treats Escapes
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Penguin's Frozen Yogurt is an old-school Marina froyo shop where self-serve swirls, classic toppings, and occasional hard ice cream keep it in the rotation for casual dessert runs. Regulars like the friendly, neighborhood feel and the ability to build everything from simple cups to fully loaded banana splits.
Must-Try Dishes:
Build-your-own frozen yogurt cup, Banana Split, Small yogurt with cotton candy or butter pecan
What Makes it Special: Throwback froyo counter with friendly staff, big portions, and customizable toppings.
#15
New India's Oven
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
New India's Oven inside the Marina Marketplace pairs a broad menu of familiar North Indian dishes with a daily lunch buffet and easy parking. Guests lean on it for convenient, sit-down meals with generous portions and a relaxed, family-friendly dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lunch buffet spread, Tandoori Chicken, Vegetable Korma
What Makes it Special: Spacious strip-mall Indian spot with buffet and big portions.
7.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Fresh Brothers is a regional mini-chain that brings a broad menu of pan, thin, and cauliflower-crust pizzas to Admiralty Way. The Marina del Rey location leans heavy on delivery and takeout, but still offers enough seating for casual family meals and game-night orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Da Works special pizza, BBQ chicken pizza, Cauliflower-crust cheese pizza
What Makes it Special: Regional chain with lots of crust options, including gluten-conscious picks.
#17
Golden Scoop
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Family Friendly Favorites
Hidden Gems Heaven
Golden Scoop is a counter-service spot on Lincoln Boulevard serving a short menu of Chinese-American plates alongside fried chicken, wings, and sides. Locals use it as a reliable takeout option for quick chow mein, orange chicken, and combo plates at wallet-friendly prices, especially on busy weeknights.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange chicken combo with fried rice and chow mein, Singapore-style rice noodles with vegetables, Fried chicken tenders with Cajun seasoning
What Makes it Special: Chinese takeout classics and fried chicken served fast at budget prices.
#18
East Coast Bagel
7.7
Vibes:
Brunch Bliss Spots
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
East Coast Bagel is a long-running counter-service bagel shop inside Marina Marketplace turning out New York–style rounds, breakfast bagel sandwiches, and coffee for office workers and locals. Lines form during morning rush for toasted everything bagels, super cinnamon rounds, and fully loaded egg-and-meat builds that lean more toward hearty fuel than dainty café fare.
Must-Try Dishes:
Everything bagel with lox and cream cheese, Super cinnamon bagel with sweet spread, Sausage breakfast bagel sandwich
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Marina Marketplace bagel counter known for big New York–style rounds and breakfast sandwiches.
7.6
Vibes:
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Business Lunch Power Players
Family Friendly Favorites
Sports Bar Central
Set inside the Hilton Garden Inn, Marina Bar & Grill serves classic wings, burgers, and cocktails overlooking the marina and pool deck. It’s less a destination wing joint and more a comfortable hotel bar where properly fried wings and drinks meet waterfront views.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic Buffalo wings, Lemon pepper wings, Wings and fries combo
What Makes it Special: Hotel bar and grill where classic wings come with marina and poolside views.