Posted by Most visitors to Los Angeles will have a visit to Venice Beach on their to-do-list, with its beach boardwalk made famous in countless movie scenes and social media posts. And whilst the wide beach and eclectic boardwalk is the perfect place to start your beachside exploration, ideally with a sunny walk or bike ride from Santa Monica to Venice Beach, do make sure you head inland to discover the ‘real’ Venice, as this beach locale is a district of contrasts.
Wander along the historic canal residential district that lends the area its name, shop and snack along uber-cool Abbott Kinney Blvd, or make a beeline for Rose Ave where there’s a low-key collection of cafes and bars that are almost the domain of locals. And don’t miss those stunning Venice sunsets, ideally enjoyed with a beverage in hand at one of the beachside bars or from an elevated vantage at High Rooftop Lounge. One visit is possibly enough to make Venice one of your favourite places in LA!
And of course there’s a lot more to LA than just the fabulous beach culture, so don’t forget to check out Travis’ guide to West Hollywood and its fascinating surrounding districts.
This Guide to Venice Beach was updated in June 2025.
Just Coffee…
Little Lunch | 50 Brooks Ave
Just off the Venice boardwalk, they serve up killer coffee – maybe the best in town – alongside simple bites like burritos and pastries. The space is breezy and bright, with high ceilings, big windows, and chill lounge seating. It’s got a laid-back beach vibe that fits the neighbourhood perfectly. Coffee lovers take note: their single-origin Colombian beans are the real draw. Little Lunch
Menotti’s Coffee Stop | 56 Windward Ave
Situated just off the Venice boardwalk, this smart looking coffee shop is so very different to the neighbouring tacky tourist shops. With shiny white tiles and a just rustic-enough look, it attracts a very hip but well-to-do Venice crowd. They serve some of the best coffee around, though service can be slow at peak caffeine-hit times. Menotti’s Coffee Stop
Intelligentsia Coffee | 1331 Abbot Kinney Blvd
A Chicago based chain, this is one of the go to places for good coffee in LA. Set in a large warehouse space with high ceilings and skylights, it’s light, airy and generally noisy. It’s busy, but they have two coffee machines and multiple baristas on the go, so the wait for your caffeine fix should not be too painful. The ‘oh-so-LA’ clientele sit busily tapping away on their laptops whilst upbeat music provides the background soundtrack. Intelligentsia Coffee
Breakfast & Brunch…
Great White | 1604 Pacific Ave
This breezy café with indoor and outdoor dining delivers a lovely Californian coastal menu and fab coffee, though it has a distinctly Aussie vibe which means it just as could easily be on Bondi Beach. Breakfast and lunch is when Great White is at its best, though it opens into the evening offering relaxed dinner service. A clear neighbourhood favourite, expect to line up for a table, but it’s certainly worth the wait. Great White
Fig Tree | 431 Ocean Front Walk
Fig Tree sits in a prime northern boardwalk spot, perfect for people-watching from the patio. Inside, it’s coastal rustic with a central table flanked by lush greenery. The Latin American–inspired menu shines at breakfast – think chilaquiles, burritos, and a seasonal omelette. Even the granola gets an upgrade with dates, honey, and bee pollen. Solid coffee, great vibes, and a front-row seat to Venice life. Fig Tree
The Butcher’s Daughter | 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd
A stylish vegetarian café that now has outlets in other parts of LA and NYC, the extensive breakfast menu is very good and even the keenest meat eater will be satisfied. The décor has been styled down to every last detail, it’s got an old butcher shop vibe with while tiles and concrete floors, with a touch of Hampton’s beach house added to the mix. The staff are often as hip as the clientele here! The Butcher’s Daughter
Gjusta | 320 E Sunset Ave
An expansive bakery and café by the Gjelina team, Gjusta is housed in a warmly renovated warehouse. Upon entering, the enticing aroma of freshly baked treats will grab your attention first, followed by the attractive display cabinets which are well stocked with said goodies. Breakfast favourites like croque madame, huevos rancheros and an egg sandwich are a great start to the day, whilst there’s a broad variety of market sandwiches, salads and rotisserie meats to tempt you as the day gets later. The service, despite the busy-ness of the place, is bright and breezy, and they have a leafy courtyard to linger and enjoy their fabulous fare in. Gjusta
Lunch & Dinner…
Gjelina | 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Gjelina is likely to be on the recommended list of any serious foodie, and it’s also a hangout for the odd celebrity or two. Serving produce-forward New American fare on a menu that changes regularly, put simply it’s just fabulous food, no matter what time of the day you dine or what dish you order. The dining room has a rustic-chic vibe, abundant with recycled timber, cobblestone flooring and there’s also a serene courtyard dining area at the rear. They also have a takeout store next door if you can’t score a seat in the restaurant, and their bakery Gjusta is ideal for brunch or some baked treats. Gjelina
Coucou | 218 Main St
Coucou offers a modern French bistro experience with contemporary provincial decor, featuring concrete floors and distressed brick and timber accents. The intimate yet lively dining room gets busy and noisy. The drink menu includes classic aperitifs, French-inspired Coucou cocktails and a concise choice of wines. Start with oysters or enjoy appetizers like delicious fried olives and onion soup gratinée. Even the simple Santa Monica farmers market crudités with house-made hummus is exceptional. Mains include traditional bistro favourites like steak frites, mussels, and chicken paillard. There’s also a sister venue in West Hollywood. Coucou
Dudley Market | 9 Dudley Ave
Just steps from the beach, Dudley Market is a moody, candle-lit local favourite, buzzing with energy and upbeat music. The crowd’s young, the vibe’s fun, and the seafood’s the star – with menu items including plump oysters, sharp crudo, and a killer spicy fish sando. Wines lean natural, global, and well-priced, with a wall of bottles on display. Sit at the wide bar, on a romantic table for two or outside and enjoy this spot that nails simple, well-done dining. Dudley Market
Chulita | 533 Rose Ave
Your classic Cali-Mex eating and drinking house, this cosy place with beach-shack chic décor and a sunny patio has a lovely laidback atmosphere, paired with slick service and wonderful food. The menu spans all the Mexican favourites; fresh guacamole with tostados are a great place to start, though the zesty ceviche is just as good, and the tacos with house-made corn tortillas are spot on. The drinks list offers up Mexican themed cocktails and Pacifico beer on draft. Chulita
Belles Beach House | 24 Windward Ave
With a prime position on Windward Ave, Belles is a cool tropical oasis featuring cane lanterns, palms, and tiki lights that create a space that transports you to the Hawaiian Islands. The expansive interior includes lounging and dining areas, plus bar seating, while the spacious street-side pergola offers sunny outdoor seating. The menu features tropical Hawaiian inspired fare, including excellent sushi and sashimi, burgers, buns, salads, and bowls. Standout main dishes like Huli Huli Chicken complement classic cocktails and special house creations (with some available on draft), and an array of espresso martini flavours. Refreshing mocktails are also available for non-drinkers. Belles Beach House
Scopa Italian Roots | 2905 Washington Blvd
Scopa is big, bold and buzzing, a vast warehouse with a long bar, high ceilings and rough brick walls. The food is simple, old-school, honest and crowd-pleasing Italian with a few modern touches – and it’s good, very very good. There’s an extensive selection of cold cuts, fresh oysters and even the simplest of dishes on offer, like Maccheroni with meat sauce, is spot on. The wine list highlights Californian and European drops. Scopa Italian Roots
Wallflower | 609 Rose Ave
This rather compact restaurant & bar has quite the hip vibe. Serving up very yummy, spicy Indonesian fare that varies from traditional to more modern, the menu offers up street style snacks or more larger share dishes for when a feast is in order. The wine list is on the small side, with organic wines the focus (though you are able to bring your own, with a $40 corkage fee), whilst the kick-ass cocktails feature Asian flavours and ingredients. Wallflower
Ospi | 2025 Pacific Ave
Ospi offers a casual and comforting Italian trattoria dining experience with a straightforward menu. The food is well-prepared and presented, with generous portions of salads, pasta, and thin-crust pizza. The wine list features Italian and Californian selections, and the Negroni shines on the cocktail menu. The bright, airy dining room, contemporary furniture, high ceilings, and big windows create a welcoming space for an easy meal. Their playful sign, “Feed me pasta and tell me I’m pretty,” captures the friendly vibe here. Ospi
RVR | 1305 Abbot Kinney Blvd
RVR nails the cool, Venice laid-back vibe with open street-facing windows, a sunny side patio, and buzz all around. It’s a Japanese go-to for hand rolls, gyoza, and smoky skewers. The veg selection’s strong, and the small plates keep things interesting. The wine list is tight but thoughtful, leaning European, with a solid sake menu to match. Indoor-outdoor energy, killer flavours, and a vibe that’s effortlessly sharp. RVR
Drinks…
Kassi Venice Beach | Hotel Erwin, 1697 Pacific Ave
A very Californian rooftop bar with a dash of Greek style on the 7th level of the Hotel Erwin, Kassi’s open air sundrenched deck offers lovely views of Venice Beach and the Pacific Ocean. With northern vistas stretching from Santa Monica to the Hollywood Hills, it’s also a great place for watching planes landing and taking off from LAX to the south. It’s a very popular spot (and more so on weekends), so reservations are recommended. Kassi Venice Beach
Venice Beach Wines | 529 Rose Avenue
A cute little wine store and bar, it’s grown in size in recent years, though still maintains an intimate feel with candlelight, low music and the noisy chatter of friends catching up over a glass of interesting vino. The wine by the glass menu is short but well rounded, the food focuses on wine friendly small plates, cheese and charcuterie. VBR is a more understated venue than some of the local hipster hangouts, the type of place you’ll be very comfortable lingering in for one, two or just too many. Venice Beach Wines
Townhouse Venice | 52 Windward Ave
Dating back to 1915, the Townhouse was a true speakeasy in the roaring 20’s, though these days it’s not such a secret. Whilst it’s still got an old world speakeasy charm, recent makeovers have given quite a lovely polished feel to the space, with red leather circular banquettes in a separate lounge, a long bar and candles dotted around the space. Cocktails and beer are the go-to drinks here (there’s only one of each colour wine on offer), and their specialty Townhouse Mules are quite potent. The later the night gets, the more lively the Townhouse becomes. Townhouse Venice
Gran Blanco | 80 Winward Ave
Gran Blanco offers a hipster vibe with earthy, pared-back decor, including high arched ceilings and caramel-painted concrete walls. The room is dominated by one striking piece of art, with luxe chairs and distressed timber stools, creating a stylish yet informal atmosphere. Sip on intricate and complex cocktails, a concise international wine list, with a dedicated section for orange wines. The menu, though short, delights with Cali style dishes like ceviche, yakitori skewers, and wonton tacos. Vibing tunes and a DJ setup make it the perfect Venice pitstop for a few beverages paired with very good food. Gran Blanco
The Brig | 1515 Abbot Kinney Blvd
Established in 1952, The Brig’s mid-century interior style is well-suited to the era it was born in. This very laidback locals ‘dive-style’ bar has quite a chilled vibe in the afternoon and early evenings, though later at night the vibe heats up, with nightly entertainment and plenty of action happening around the pool table. There’s plenty to choose from on the drinks list; house crafted cocktails and a variety of mojitos, an extensive choice of American whiskey (plus Irish and Japanese brands too), an interesting selection of Californian craft beers, and your choice of potent shots of course. There’s also a big and often bustling beer garden adjoining the bar. The Brig
The Lincoln | 2536 Lincoln Blvd
Behind the industrial looking façade you’ll find a spacious bar with a lovely retro style and a relaxed vibe. With this stretch of busy Lincoln Blvd being home to numerous auto-shops, they’ve incorporated this theme effortlessly into the design, but it’s the service and chilled atmosphere that really make this bar (though later at night the tempo goes up). The open air courtyard is a real treat on a clear night. The Lincoln
Venice Whaler | 10 Washington Blvd
A very relaxed yet rowdy beachside bar, well frequented by the Venice Beach locals since it was established in 1944. The first floor bar has an open deck with views of the beach, so it’s the perfect Venice spot for sunset drinks, or to kick on later into the night. Venice Whaler
Must Do…
The Venice Beach Boardwalk
Whilst the iconic Venice Beach Boardwalk can be a little scruffy, it’s a wonderful place for people watching and soaking up the LA beach vibe. The mood varies depending on when you visit, summer and weekends are obviously busier, whilst midweek mornings during the winter months it can be a rather quiet and serene. The people watching is a lot of fun, with countless weird and wonderful buskers, physics, tacky stall holders, roller-bladders and cyclists, whilst the muscle beach open air gym is the place to watch the attention-seeking muscle boys strutting their stuff. There’s plenty of quick and cheap food options (none really stand out from each other), a few bars to sit and watch the world go by in, and entertainment galore on the weekends. I recommend starting off from Santa Monica and wandering along to Venice Beach. The main action takes place between Rose Ave and North Venice Blvd.
Where to Stay…
There’s not an abundant choice of hotel’s actually in Venice, with Hotel Erwin being the fanciest and the Inn at Venice Beach offering a more affordable option, whilst Gjelina Hotel is a more recent addition offering a boutique style stay. Airbnb has abundant listings in the area though, so you may find a gem of a beach pad where you can truly live like a local!
Nearby Marina Del Ray has a wider choice of mid-scale and upscale hotels, whilst Santa Monica is also home to plenty of hotels, from the mainstream to those with more boutique style.
Travis’ Wish List…
Because there’s always more eating, dining and exploring than can be done in just one visit, Travis likes to keep a wish list so there’s an incentive to visit again! These are the places that are top of our list to try out on our next jaunt to Venice; starting the day with coffee at Boulevard Neighborhood Coffee. Come dinner time, we’ll be dining on upscale Italian at either Market Venice or Felix Trattoria, or innovative Japanese fare at Wabi on Rose. For after dinner drinks, we’ll be seeking some cheeky speakeasy action at Old Lightening or late-night cocktails at The Little Friend.
Featured Photo: ‘Welcome to Venice’ – Windward Ave, Venice Beach
Travis. 
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