Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Westside

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Westside? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyses more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favourites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Somerville

4.7

4.7 (59)

$31 to $50

American

Culver City

About the restaurant

Intentionally located along the Slauson Corridor in Historic View Park-Windsor Hills, Somerville is an ode to the past, a toast to the present, and celebration of the progress in between. We are a progressive American dining experience that highlights contemporary cuisine while honoring the rich roots of South Central Los Angeles. Each dish captures the bold and savory essence of California, blending traditional influences with modern techniques to elevate every bite.

Designed as an inviting space for locals, travelers, and culinary enthusiasts alike, Somerville cultivates community in a timeless setting, featuring a thoughtfully curated wine selection, skillfully crafted cocktails, and live entertainment -- creating the perfect backdrop for conversation and connection.

Top review

Marilyn

Dined 1 day ago

The food came out too slowly. People who came in after us got their food before us so the kitchen is still working things out. But the food was worth the wait! Really excellent! And the ambiance is incredibly well thought out. It’s a beautiful addition to South LA. Can’t wait to go back.

Tar & Roses

4.9

4.9 (4230)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Tar & Roses is a globally inspired culinary experience.
Chef Andrew Kirschner has transformed his kitchen into a local and welcoming home, focused on the element of the wood fired oven to bring out the best flavor in our dishes. Coming straight from the visionary mind of our award winning chef, our menu is created with only the highest quality ingredients and fresh, local products. This attention to detail helps makes our food a perfected craft which will inspire you to be adventurous, in the most approachable and delicious way possible.
When you step into Tar & Roses, you'll feel like you are coming home. Our entire staff awaits your arrival with warm smiles and thoughtful service ~ please, come share a meal with us!

Top review

Ali

Dined 3 days ago

Everything is always delicious. Oxtail dumplings and crabcakes are a must. If you have a group of 4 try the whole snapper. They cook it so well and you could bathe in the sauce it’s so good!!!

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Popular dish

Shellfish Pot

Popular dish

Whole Fried Snapper for Two

Popular dish

Lamb Shank

Upper West

4.8

4.8 (2679)

$30 and under

American

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

**Contact us today to schedule your next event! We can accommodate parties of 10 to 150 guests**

Upper West's ever-changing menu draws inspiration from around the world while maintaining eclectic flavors unique to them. The bar offers Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4:30-7:00pm serving refreshing craft cocktails, handcrafted beer. The dinner menu is always evolving and includes ingredients sourced locally from the Santa Monica Farmers Market as well as local farmers such as Weiser Farms and Niman Ranch. Upper West is the perfect place to book large events for 20 or more guests and is an excellent private party venue for hosting corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday festivities, rehearsal dinners, and more.

Top review

Sabrina

Dined today

The food was outstanding as usual and our waiter Mark was fantastic as usual!

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Curried Chicken Salad

Gjelina

4.7

4.7 (2300)

$31 to $50

American

Venice

About the restaurant

Gjelina is a restaurant specializing in New American cuisine. Open every day from 8 a.m. until 11pm, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. For breakfast, try 9 grain pancakes with butter and maple syrup or warm banana buckwheat loaf with butter and jam of the day. Brunch options include Moroccan baked eggs and 7 grain porridge. Gjelina offers a variety of oysters, crudo, charcuterie and salad options to start at lunch and dinner. Main courses include pizzas from our wood fired oven and entrees like duck confit, house made pastas and roasted organic half chicken.
*Only ADA certified animals are allowed in Gjelina
*A 20% Mandatory Service Charge is added to your check. Our belief is that every hourly Gjelina employee contributes to your service and 100% of the MSC will be distributed amongst them.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Granted, I'm a regular, but I'm a regular for a reason. Last night, the food was sublime. Truly. Everything was utterly delicious - welcome back, duck confit! - and I could have easily kept eating and ordering (along with my two equally delighted companions) if I hadn't looked at the table and realized that we'd demolished 10 items. Gjelina is justifiably a classic, and they proved it again last night.

Charcoal Venice

4.6

4.6 (544)

$31 to $50

American

Venice

About the restaurant

Charcoal Venice is an inviting neighborhood restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef and Owner Josiah Citrin that was inspired by the backyard barbecues he hosts on weekends for his friends and family. As the name suggests, everything is cooked indoors over live fire – whether over charcoal or in the coals. Citrin and Chef de Cuisine Dani McNish prepare a seasonal menu of craveable comfort foods featuring locally-sourced proteins and vegetables ideal for sharing family-style. Whether diving into a platter of smoky grilled chicken wings with a beer or classic cocktail at the bar, or splitting a 48 oz. dry-aged Porterhouse and a bottle of Bandol with friends, Charcoal Venice is an everyday dining spot.

Top review

O.T.VIP

Dined 3 days ago

Overall, this was a good experience. We had the duck and filet mignon, both of which were cooked to our liking. Also had the stuffed baked potato, which was huge. If you’re a carnivore you should add this restaurant to your list.

Back on the Beach

4.9

4.9 (184)

$30 and under

American

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Back on the Beach Café is situated along a wide, sandy white beach that offers jaw-dropping views of the ocean waves, the pier, the mountain range and of course, Catalina Island. There is both indoor and outdoor seating which allows you to enjoy the sea-salt air and sandy toes while you dine.

The café takes reservations for 2-12 guest. Reservations are available one month in advance. To accommodate our reservations in a timely and orderly manner, the café has carefully designed time frames in which to dine. The café designates 25% of the restaurant for reservations, 75% is available for walkup service.

For reservations of 12 or more guest, please contact the restaurant directly. We don't take multiple group reservations. Please note that large group reservations requires a customizable menu. We only seat complete parties.

In consideration of all guest, we kindly remind you that tables are reserved for 1.5 hours.
We take a maximum of two credit cards payment per table.

Top review

valerieVIP

Dined 1 day ago

A singular experience. Right on the sand. Fresh groceries as a baseline, well cooked and served with pleasant attentiveness. Not fancy. Not fine dining just a good solid menu with fresh ingredients in an epic location. New cocktail menu. Love it here.

The Butcher's Daughter

4.6

4.6 (168)

$30 and under

American

Venice

About the restaurant

The Butcher’s Daughter Venice is a plant-forward restaurant, bar, juicery, and “vegetable slaughterhouse.” Located in the vibrant Venice neighborhood, we treat fruits and vegetables with the same care a butcher would meat: chopping, filleting, and carving fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and pressing them into vibrant juices.

Under the guidance of our Culinary Director Richard Rea, our menu changes every season, offering 100% vegetarian dishes with many vegan and gluten-free options. We take pride in our great selection of wines, craft cocktails, and mocktails, ensuring there’s something for every taste. We also offer take-out and delivery for those who prefer to enjoy our meals at home.

Named one of the best supper spots in Venice by the LA Times, we serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, creating a celebrated dining experience with in-season ingredients that nourish both body and soul.

Top review

marcella

Dined 4 days ago

The Butcher's Daughter is a great place for vegetarian / vegan food. We went to the. Abbot Kinney location, which is always a fun area to bop around. They offer many great options in different types of preparations, for example fried calamari made from mushrooms, vegan pizza, pad thai, on and on. We tried lots of things I'd never had before. Cocktails were great too. Only little thing was they are very serious about closing time and all four of us felt that sort of crept up on us sort of suddenly. But a great time, we'll be back.

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Experience

Happy Hour Mon - Thurs 4pm - 6pm

Experience

Bubbles & 'Caviar' for NYE!

Belles Beach House

4.7

4.7 (288)

$31 to $50

American

Venice

About the restaurant

Owned by seasoned restauranteur Nick Mathers and Wish You Were Here Group, Belles Beach House aims to transport guests from Los Angeles to a tropical destination whilst staying in the heart of Venice Beach. An ode to the retro Tiki Bar and legendary artist Larry Bell, Belles Beach House exudes the laid back, island vibes of the 1970s serving Hawaiian-inspired dishes with a touch of Japanese influence, vibrant craft cocktails and a thoughtful wine list.

Top review

MollyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Sam was an amazing server and food was excellent. I enjoyed the quiet atmosphere for lunch and wish the restaurant had that experience more often. At night it's loud like a nightclub.

Brizo Bar & Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (829)

$31 to $50

American

Marina del Rey

About the restaurant

Savor a unique culinary experience at Brizo Bar & Restaurant in Marina del Rey. With stunning views of the Marina and Chef-driven Southern California inspired cuisine, our restaurant will make you want to come back again and again.

Enjoy a quiet sunset while sipping local beers and California wines, or try our elevated menu made from locally sourced ingredients. Whether you want to spend a fun evening with friends or have an informal business discussion, our restaurant is the ideal spot.

For parties of 15 or more, please contact Brianna Guerra- bguerra@hardagehospitality.com

Top review

Jaclyn

Dined 7 days ago

The food was very good, the view was wonderful, cocktails were fabulous, service was great too. Highly recommend giving this place a try.

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Popular dish

Lobster Toast

Popular dish

Braised Short Rib Tacos

The Rose Venice

4.6

4.6 (2976)

$31 to $50

American

Venice

About the restaurant

The Rose is an iconic restaurant in the heart of Venice, serving locals and travelers alike since 1979.

The Rose presents modern California cuisine that is globally influenced and seasonally driven by local farms. The menu is complimented by a thoughtfully curated wine list, highlighting boutique producers focused on self sustainable practices. The bakery celebrates American classics, as well as some of the original Rose classics, re-conceptualized with their innovative techniques.

The sprawling space has indoor and outdoor dining areas including ample patio seating, a full market and bakery, coffee bar, and 40-foot craft-cocktail bar. If you're unable to find a reservation at your desired time don't worry, we always reserve some of our service areas for walk-in traffic for all services.

Top review

BRENTVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Terrific place, always. Been coming for years. Nothing better around, period.

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Group Brunch at The Rose Venice

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