Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Westwood
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Violet Bistro
Romantic courtyard French bistro with refined cooking and strong cocktails.
Notable Picks
8.6
Violet Bistro is a Cali-French restaurant with a glowing courtyard patio and an upstairs cooking school, built for slow, celebratory meals. Classic dishes, a serious wine list, and intimate tables make it a go-to Westwood pick for anniversaries and pre-theater dates.
Must-Try Dishes:
French onion soup, Steak frites, Coq au vin or trout amandine
What Makes it Special: Romantic courtyard French bistro with refined cooking and strong cocktails.
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Trendy Table Hotspots
Part of Vicente Del Rio’s Frida group, the Westwood outpost pairs polished regional Mexican cooking with a sidewalk patio overlooking Lindbrook. It’s where families, students, and office groups settle in outside for guacamole, mole, and mezcal margaritas before or after neighborhood events.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole Poblano Enchiladas, Guacamole en Molcajete, Shrimp Tacos Gobernador
What Makes it Special: Lively regional Mexican cooking with a central patio for mezcal-fueled meals.
#3
Toranj
8.3
Just off Broxton, Toranj pairs polished Persian plates with a sidewalk patio that feels made for lingering lunches and casual date nights. The kitchen is known for its buttery "Juicy Chicken" and properly charred kabobs that skew more upscale than the average student spot.
Must-Try Dishes:
Juicy Chicken, Beef Koobideh, Tahdig with Stew
What Makes it Special: Refined Persian kabobs and stews with campus-adjacent patio seating.
8.3
Set inside the Hammer Museum, Lulu serves a daily-changing, produce-driven menu that leans into Alice Waters–style California cooking. A sun-soaked courtyard and multi-course prix fixe options make it a polished choice for birthdays, graduations, and dinners with visiting family.
Must-Try Dishes:
Three-course seasonal prix fixe, Focaccia with market vegetables, Roasted chicken or fish of the day
What Makes it Special: Museum-adjacent, seasonal California menus in a refined courtyard setting.
Broxton Brewery & Public House pours house beers inside the historic Janss Dome and leans into elevated bar food, including a seared smash-style burger that’s a staple for late nights. The combination of brewpub energy, patio seating, and a central Westwood Village location makes it a popular stop for burgers and pints after concerts, games, or movie premieres.
Must-Try Dishes:
House smash burger with cheddar, Brewpub burger with bacon and aioli, Crispy fries with house dipping sauces
What Makes it Special: Craft beer brewed on-site pairs with a standout smash burger in a historic dome space.
Worthy Picks
#6
Tacos 1986
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Outdoor Dining Oasis
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
The Westwood Village location of Tacos 1986 brings Tijuana-style adobada tacos, mulitas, and quesadillas to a casual counter with sidewalk seating. Late student crowds and a constant line at the window turn the Kinross patio tables into one of the neighborhood’s most reliable cheap outdoor meals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Adobada Taco, Mushroom Mulita, Carne Asada Quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Tijuana-style tacos from a cult-loved stand with busy sidewalk seating.
7.8
Perched just off the main Westwood Village drag, Lazy Daisy is a casual corner café with a small sidewalk patio and a menu of omelettes, pancakes, and Californian-leaning scrambles. Execution can wobble on busy weekends, but it remains a convenient sit-down option when you want a traditional plate breakfast near campus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Buttermilk Pancakes, Veggie Breakfast Burrito, Avocado Toast
What Makes it Special: Sunny corner cafe with a small patio, classic American breakfasts, and Californian touches.