Venice has become one of the hippest areas of the West Side. Here are my top ideas for fun and interesting dates in Venice.
1. Abbott Kinney Blvd
Abbott Kinney was named “The Coolest Block in America” by GQ magazine. This short, diagonally running street runs from Venice Blvd to Main Street, and is a super-hip avenue with lots of great restaurants, bars, and stores. During the day it’s hoppin’. At night, a lot of the stores close, but you can still window shop.
Probably our favorite high-end restaurant on Abbott Kinney is Felix Trattoria helmed by chef Evan Funke, someone so “maniacal” about pasta that there was a documentary movie made about him and this restaurant. If you want to impress a foodie, a fun date night would be to watch the movie first, then dine at the very restaurant featured in it! When we went, we saw Funke at work in his central glass-walled pasta lab!
I had the best focaccia bread there (I think it was fried), and needless to say, their pasta is excellent. Reservations are a “must”, at least a month in advance.
Serving “elevated Mexican cuisine”, Atla is next door to Felix and has a great date ambiance as well. Don’t believe the mediocre reviews; the crowds waiting to get in prove this place is legit for dinner and great Mexican desserts.
Owa is a newer entry featuring Japanese cuisine with a cool ambiance, perfect for a date night.
Another very popular restaurant for lunch or dinner on Abbott Kinney is Gjelina (pronounced like “Angelina” without the first “A”), serving modern American cuisine, pizza, and small plates. Be sure to make reservations for dinner, as this place is always crowded. There’s a walk-up counter on the side, and some people actually prefer the food there to the sit-down restaurant.
There’s also The Butcher’s Daughter, an extremely popular vegetarian restaurant with a cool farm-like ambiance.
There are also tons of healthful juice bars around.
For dessert, have amazing ice cream at Salt and Straw. They’re usually open late. I highly recommend checking out their unusual ice cream flavors!
These are only a small fraction of the restaurants on Abbott Kinney. There are many more that I’m looking forward to trying!
After dinner, walk around and go window shopping. Most of the stores close after dark, but it’s still can be interesting. With so many things to do, Abbott Kinney is an ideal romantic date destination!
2. Restaurants on Rose
There’s a charming section of Rose Avenue around 5th and 6th Avenues with a concentration of date-worthy restaurants, many of which have romantic outdoor seating areas, not to mention great food.
Wallflower (Indonesian)
For us, the standout is Wallflower, serving Indonesian cuisine. With bistro lights overhead, the romantic outdoor patio is probably where you want to be on a dinner date. The inside is nice too, with its dark, vintage decor and skylights overhead.
Since we weren’t that familiar with Indonesian cuisine, we went with our server’s suggestions, and we didn’t regret it! We loved every dish we had, starting with duck egg rolls with a savory dipping sauce and papaya salad. Next came the crab rendang curry dip with puffed rice. Our mains were their signature Indonesian spiced soft-cooked beef, banana leaf wrapped fish, and wok fried rice with fried egg and chicken skewer. For dessert, we had their chocolate ice cream topped with peanuts. All were excellent.
Everything was flavorful, and we loved the crunchy textures of some of the toppings. One warning though, the papaya salad and fish were pretty spicy, and others probably are too. If you have a low tolerance for spicy food, look elsewhere.
Dinner for two with no drinks ran us $275 including tip, so this place is pricy. Most of the gripes on Yelp! are about price. I think part of the issue is that no one expects to pay this much at a Chinese or Thai food place (but they have no problem paying this much at an Italian or French restaurant with the same level of quality).
In any case, Wallflower has amazing food, romantic ambiance, and great service, making it an ideal date night restaurant, as long as you can handle moderately spicy food. We’ll definitely be back on a special occasion!
Wabi on Rose (Sushi)
If you’re in the mood for sushi, Wabi on Rose is another great date restaurant with a charming outdoor seating area – very Instagrammable!
American Beauty (Steak)
American Beauty has a wonderful Spanish-style outdoor courtyard. The stars of the show here are various cuts of beef and other grilled food. I love the ambiance, but just be aware, this isn’t a place for high heels, as the ground is gravel! So yeah, this place is casual, but it’s also upscale at the same time.
Venice Beach Wines
Venice Beach Wines is a popular wine bar featuring small plates, charcuterie, steak, seafood, and pizza. If you’re into wine, this is the one to pick.
Chulita (Mexican)
If you’re into Mexican cuisine, Chulita is always hoppin’ with diners and has a really nice ambiance that reminds me of Tulum. They describe themselves as “an Alta-Caliifornia-style modern Mexican restaurant and Mezcal/tequila bar”. I haven’t tried it yet but it has 4.5 stars on Yelp!
Cafe Gratitute (Vegan)
For plant-based food that even a carnivore like me will enjoy, check out Cafe Gratitude. Yes, the dishes have hokey names like “I am Humble”, but they taste great! I could eat the Buffalo Cauliflower all day long. We enjoy coming here for lunch.
Awan (Ice Cream – Coming Soon)
For dessert, coming soon is Awan, featuring dairy-free Indonesian-style ice cream. We love the one on Larchmont. Perfect after any of these restaurants, but especially Wallflower!
Vin on Rose (Mini Market and General Store)
After dinner, be sure to stop by Vin on Rose. The front part is a cute wine shop featuring curated gourmet foods for your next dinner party (their branded candles smell wonderful). But the real surprise is the “secret” store in the back that I almost missed! A narrow hallway past the beer coolers leads to a tiny vintage general store that has books, vinyl records, clothing, and various thrift-store-type items. Fun to peruse and sure to spark conversation after dinner.
3. Windward Avenue
The heart of the action in Venice is on Windward and Pacific Avenue, where you’ll find the multicolored Venice sign, along with lots of restaurants, shops, and even a rooftop bar. A short walk takes you to Venice Beach’s Windward Plaza, with even more stores and great sunset views if you time it right. If you’re looking for a fun, lively, and romantic date idea, this area is a great destination and with of the attractions within walking distance!
If you’re skeptical about whether Venice is safe at night, I was too. Not long ago, I wouldn’t have recommended this area at night, but it’s been totally cleaned up. We went on a recent Saturday night and felt completely safe. It was lively with lots of groups of people out and couples on dates.
There are three really hip “date-worthy” restaurants in this area that I’d recommend. The first is Market, featuring modern Italian cuisine. Housed in one of the oldest buildings in Venice, it has dim, moody lighting which is perfect for a quiet, romantic date. This is probably the “nicest” restaurant out of the three I’m recommending.
On the southeast corner of Windward and Pacific is the Venice location of Great White. This is a super hip and popular restaurant and always has a line, so definitely make reservations! The cuisine is healthy New American. It’s got a great open-air ambiance. The outdoor tables are just picnic benches, so try to get seating inside. The diners on a Saturday night were better dressed than I would have expected in a restaurant so close to the beach.
Probably the most popular and probably most rowdy of the restaurants I’m recommending is Belle’s Beach House. It’s a trendy new restaurant from the folks who brought you Elephante with a hip Tiki / Hawaiian vibe. Some reviewers say it reminds them of Tulum, Mexico. This is a hot spot and turns into more of a singles bar/club as the night goes on. But earlier in the evening, it could be a fine date idea if you don’t mind the crowd.
After dinner, there are a lot of options within walking distance. Go to the rooftop High Lounge at Hotel Erwin for awesome sunset views (see below for review). Get a drink at the Del Monte Speakeasy. Or, order an ice cream at Jeni’s walk-up window and take a stroll toward the beach to Windward Plaza. When we went on a Saturday night, there were lots of people out and we felt very safe!
Parking near Windward can be hard to find. I’d recommend the paid lot on 100 Venice Way (Great White will validate there). If you drive further away you can sometimes find street parking, but it’s very hit or miss.
4. The Venice Canals
You might dismiss the Venice Canals as a touristy cliché, but at around sunset, it’s actually a pretty charming and romantic place to go for a stroll. Parking can be difficult – you might have to circle the area a few times. I usually park on North or South Venice Blvd near Pacific Avenue, or on Eastern Ct. If there’s no street parking, there’s a pay lot right there.
The last time we went, at about 6 PM, we encountered other couples on date walks, dogs being walked, several Instagram models being photographed, lots of ducks, and more than a few residents having dinner gatherings. It was quite romantic. It’s fun to see all of the different types of homes along the canal; each is unique.
Be sure to be quiet and respectful of the locals inhabiting the neighborhood as you explore. Dogs on leashes are OK, but no bikes, boards, or blades are allowed. Also, at night, the canals are pretty dark and not so fun or safe, so don’t go at night. Just before sunset is ideal.
Allocate about thirty to forty-five minutes at the canals.
5. Ospi
Located at the corner of Pacific Avenue and Venice, Ospi Venice is a neighborhood restaurant focusing on Southern Italian cuisine. Chefs Jackson Kalb & Melissa Saka are known for their pasta, which is excellent, but we found their salads to be truly remarkable in their flavors. Definitely try a few selections from their antipasti menu. We loved the kale salad and the Persian cucumbers with spicy eggplant & zucchini!
We’ve also had their brunch menu and everything was awesome. The crab cake Benedict was loaded with large chunks of fresh crab, the lemon ricotta pancakes were slightly crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the shakshuka pizza was flavorful with a slight kick to it.
The interior ambiance is nice and modern. The atmosphere is bustling but not so noisy that you can’t hear the person you’re with. Obvious effort was put into taming the noise level, as evidenced by the acoustic panels added to the walls and ceiling.
Service is very cheerful and fast. The aforementioned brunch was $100 for two people after tax and tip.
There is $5 parking in the public lot across the street but be forewarned that you need exact change in cash to put in the dispenser, which is not manned. Neighborhood parking is almost impossible to come by, and there was no valet when we went on a Saturday night. Bring cash!
During the daytime, you can walk to the Venice canals or have a drink at the Erwin Hotel, just a short drive away, after your meal.
Overall, Ospi is a great Venice dinner date restaurant if you’re into fine pasta and salads, or if you’re trying to impress a foodie.
6. Barrique
I have a soft spot for restaurants in houses, and that’s exactly what Barrique is. Built in 1908, the yellow house was originally the home of the Venice train conductor. Now it’s an Italian restaurant with a Michelin-star chef, Antonio Mure. So, in addition to a cozy and romantic ambiance, the food is excellent too!
Although the immediate area around the restaurant isn’t that great, the happenin’ part of Abbott Kinney is just a few blocks away!
7. The High Lounge at Hotel Erwin
The High Lounge on the rooftop of the Erwin Hotel has been called one of the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles. Located near the “center of the action” on Windward Avenue in Venice, it’s within walking distance of a lot of great restaurants and bars. But it’s also a worthy destination in itself if you’re on the West Side. It’s got lots of cozy seating areas, it’s right next to the beach, and of course, it’s got great views in every direction.
Usually, it’s pretty happenin’ at night with lots of singles, couples, and groups. It’s an ideal before-or-after-dinner romantic destination on the West Side with a killer view! Note, it can get chilly up there at night, so bring layers.
8. Coucou
While Pasjole down the street in Santa Monica may be more famous, Coucou is a very worthy competitor for French cuisine.
The ambiance here is charming and romantic, with vintage lettering on the front window and bare brick walls. We enjoyed our dishes as well: their signature zucchini beignets, ceviche, bibb lettuce salad, veggie French dip sandwich, grilled Dorade (a white fish), and harissa roasted cauliflower. For dessert, they offer a simple soft serve with chocolate sauce that hardens as you pour it on. Service was fast and efficient.
Like many restaurants in Los Angeles, the noise level can get loud during weekend peak periods. On a Sunday night, it was fine though.
Note there is a 20% service fee on top of your bill, but you are not expected to tip on top of that (we confirmed this with our server).
Afterward, you can walk around Main Street Santa Monica, or take a short drive to Abbott Kinney to cap off a wonderful date night dinner.
9. Forma Venice
Compared to the original Forma on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Forma Venice on Main Street is much bigger and features outdoor seating.
Forma is famous for pastas tossed in a cheese wheel (for dinner only). It’s not just a gimmick, the pastas and all of the food here are excellent – even dishes not tossed in a cheese wheel.
We came to this location for lunch and the service was amazingly fast. Serving sizes are pretty small and designed for sharing. But, that means you’ll get to try lots of dishes, even if you’re just a party of two. In spite of the small serving sizes, the prices are pretty reasonable, given the quality of the food.
Street parking is tricky but they validate parking in the building’s underground parking garage. Unfortunately, that garage is very dirty, especially the stairs and pedestrian exits. That’s too bad because it detracts from the otherwise wonderful dining experience here.
10. Superba Food + Bread
Probably one of the best places in Venice for a brunch or coffee date is Superba on Lincoln. Their baked goods are simply amazing, from their warm cinnamon buns to their selection of freshly baked breads with choice of spreads. They also have a raw bar and serve salads, sandwiches, and burgers.
I love the indoor/outdoor ambiance of this place, where the full-height windows open up to the outside:
Superba is great for an informal “get to know you” first date or a casual brunch.
11. Wurstküche and Wanderlust
For a very informal but unique and fun date in Venice, check out Wurstküche on Lincoln. They offer a unique beer selection and of course amazing bratwurst and sausages, with your choice of two toppings. If you don’t know what to get, try their Bratwurst. The fries are amazing too.
There is usually ample indoor and outdoor seating. Indoor is largely communal, with large picnic-style tables, and is sometimes kind of loud with music. Outdoor seating is charming with a fireplace going at night. Place your food order at the kitchen next door through the hallway (you’ll see what I mean).
I love this place for a casual date. The only downside is the parking. Usually, you can find a spot about a block away on a residential street.
For dessert, wander next door to Wanderlust Creamery featuring really unique ice cream flavors inspired by cuisine from around the world, especially from Asia.
I personally find their flavors a bit too exotic, but some folks love it. Salt and Straw is not far away in Venice if you prefer other flavors.
12. Dudley Market
Dudley Market is actually a seafood restaurant and wine bar, located steps away from Venice’s ocean front walk. The food is highly rated (surprisingly for a seafood restaurant, folks rave about their burger as well), and the vibe and dim lighting contribute to a solid dinner date ambiance, although some folks complain about tight table spacing and slightly-too-loud music.
If you want to go, be sure to call to see if you can get a reservation. Strangely, sometimes they offer reservations, sometimes they don’t. Their website doesn’t offer any indication of reservations, and if you just show up, you can expect a wait of an hour or more at peak periods. Bottom line, call to try to make a reservation or expect to wait.
13. Gjusta
Gjusta is an artisanal bakery and restaurant with a vintage warehouse-like vibe. I’d describe the environment as “controlled chaos” – not somewhere you’d want to go for a formal sit-down dinner; in fact, there’s a good chance you’ll end up eating at the stand-up counter during busy hours – this place can get packed!
You order by grabbing a number, deli-style, and waiting for it to be called. In the meantime, go to the drink counter and buy drinks separately. We got number 45 and they were on 14, so we thought it’d take forever, but it went faster than we thought because so many people bailed out. Search for a stand-up counter space or an outdoor table and wait for your order to arrive.
The salads, burgers, bahn mi sandwiches, and breakfast burritos, are amazing. The desserts are outstanding as well. In spite of the informal atmosphere, this place is pricey. Lunch with drinks can run you $75. Gjusta can be a fun and tasty experience if you’re not looking for formal restaurant service. It’s number 92 on Jonathan Gold’s list of top 101 restaurants in LA.
14. The Venice Boardwalk During the Day
Locals may think of Venice Beach Boardwalk as somewhat of a tourist trap. But, it can be fun to people-watch on the boardwalk amidst the bizarre street performers, vendors, shops, and restaurants. We enjoyed watching the skateboarders at the skate park the last time we went. It’s dirty, artsy, weird, and crazy at times. That’s Venice Beach! Bring a hat and wear sunscreen.
During the pandemic the boardwalk descended into pretty bad condition. Now it’s safe and very happenin’. The photos below are from a visit on a Sunday afternoon in 2025. Sure, there were the usual weirdos there, but it was safe.
If you’re looking for a great lunch, I’d recommend getting off the boardwalk and going a few blocks inland on Windward Avenue to Ggiata Deli. This place is a legit East-Coast style deli, where locals, not tourists, dine. We really enjoyed our meatball sandwich and salad there, and the eggplant fries are an absolute “must” and pretty unique! There is limited seating; it’s mostly just a walk-up window, but you can easily take your lunch to the grassy area closer to the beach and have it there.
15. Biking on The Strand
If you’re in the mood for something more active, bring or rent bikes to ride up the strand which runs through Venice Beach. Ride north to Santa Monica or south around Marina del Rey and onto Manhattan Beach. It’s a great ride and a really unique and underrated date idea!
It can get crowded on weekends, so we stopped at a bike shop to buy bike ringer bells to politely alert folks that we were coming through.
16. Satdha Plant Based Thai Kitchen
I am not vegetarian, but we make it a point to keep Satdha in our regular restaurant rotation. Their fried “catfish” eggplant is a “must” if you go. All of their dishes are very good, even for a carnivore like me.
The ambiance is casual – this isn’t an “anniversary dinner” type of place; just a place to get great Thai food, especially if you’re going on a date with a vegetarian, or if you are one yourself. Despite the great reviews, it never seems to be very crowded so you’ll probably get seated immediately.
There’s not much to do within walking distance of this part of Lincoln Boulevard, but it’s an easy drive away from other attractions in Venice or Santa Monica.
17. First Friday Food Trucks on Abbott Kinney
On the first Friday of every month, food trucks descend on Abbott Kinney from about 5 PM to 11 PM for Abbott Kinney First Fridays. When I went, there must have been around 50 food trucks, but according to their website, they’ve been limited to 17 food trucks now by the LA City Council.
Just a few caveats: Parking is very difficult – you might have to park far away and walk. The crowd is young and densely packed (the crowd reminds me of Coachella or other outdoor concert). Lines are long for the most popular food trucks, so don’t show up starving. There’s also nowhere to sit so you might want to bring beach chairs or a towel. But, if you’re in for some culinary adventures and don’t mind the crowds, First Friday can be a fun outdoor dining adventure. Here are more details of my visit.
18. The Mart Collective
If the idea of going to a furniture store on a date sounds strange, bear with me. The Mart Collective on Lincoln Blvd. is more like a permanent indoor flea market, with many items acquired from estate sales. It has some of the quirkiest and coolest home furnishings around, from a lamp made from a trumpet to sections of jet fighter fuselages with pinup paintings on them. If you’re into vintage, mid-century modern, steampunk, military, or basically any decor that is out of the ordinary, you’ll be in heaven at The Mart Collective. I think many people would have fun going here.
19. The Street Taco Stand on Lincoln Outside of Whole Foods
If you want some of the best al pastor tacos in town, look no further than the street taco stand outside of the huge Whole Foods on Lincoln. The video speaks for itself:
Obviously, I wouldn’t go here on a formal date, but if you’re itching for a GREAT authentic al pastor taco, you can’t beat this place. I also love their steak tacos.
What Else?
Those are my favorite hangouts in Venice! What are yours? Please leave a comment below! – Brian
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