We absolutely love Stoa Wine Bar. We've been several times now since it is our local restaurant and…read morehave never been disappointed. The wine director is phenomenal -- every single recommendation has been spot-on. He really listens to what you like and somehow always introduces you to something even better. The pizzas are fantastic (perfect crust, great flavor balance), and the Tomato Goddess salad is so good it's non-negotiable at this point -- fresh, vibrant, and completely addictive. Great wine, great food, and someone who truly knows how to guide you through both. We'll keep coming back.

We made a dinner reservation well in advance for my husband and me. When we arrived, we were seated…read moreat a low coffee table with a low "bench" instead of a proper dining table. We asked if we could be moved to an actual table so we could comfortably enjoy our meal, but the request was declined. As a result, we sat awkwardly with our plates on our laps, shared one small mediocre pizza, and left shortly after. To top it off, the server seemed condescending and dismissive when we asked for different seating, which made the experience even more uncomfortable. Overall, the experience did not match the expectations set by having a reservation, and we left disappointed.

My friends and I went here for a late night bar session, and we are amazed that it was so packed…read more There is a long line out the door. The decor inside was pretty modern. And the people inside were very nice. It didn't feel too pretentious vibe. The staff were very friendly. There was one off experience with one of the bartenders, but it was a good place to hang out and end of the night.

FUN new bar on Abbott Kinney!! I love this place, it's indoor and outdoor and the pizza is…read moredelicious but the drinks are better! The service on the other hand is mid - the staff seem a little arrogant and somewhat helpful. It seems like they're trying to be Vanderpump bartenders? But I do think trying this place out is worth it

What a pleasant surprise to have found this beautiful gem in Venice!!! We walked in on a Saturday…read moreafternoon and the front of the restaurant was empty so I was skeptical. The food and the ambience in the back patio definitely surprised us!! Everything was amazing but the highlights are definitely the spicy feta dip, the chicken skewers, and the grilled squid. The iced tea was also perfect and so refreshing for a hot day! The back patio is so calm and vibey. I'd definitely come for food and bring a book to read or hang out. Such a beautiful and welcoming environment. Can't say enough good things about this place. So impressed!!

We were having an absolutely incredible night here--the atmosphere on Abbot Kinney is great, and…read morethe overall experience was fantastic until the bill arrived. Without any warning or clear disclosure on the menu, a 4.7% service charge was tacked onto our final check. Under California law (SB 1524), restaurants are required to clearly and conspicuously disclose these types of fees before you order. Sneaking it in at the very end feels completely deceptive and instantly put a damper on what should have been a great memory. I'd love to come back for the food, but I won't support businesses that rely on sneaky billing traps. Check your receipts closely before you pay!

Long time visitor, first time reviewing. I love Dudley Market. It's such a perfect spot in Venice,…read moreslightly hidden off the boardwalk. The restaurant is always consistent, always packed. They don't take reservations, so be prepared to wait. There's a few bars nearby if you're waiting. Once you're able to sit down, you'll find a cute wine bar with amazing food that doesn't disappoint. Don't skip the fries. They're some of the best things I've eaten. I dream about those fries. The Peruvian scallops are dreamy. Very light, very refreshing. The same can be said about the cucumber salad. The standout of the evening was by far the burger. I've been to Dudley Market a handful of times, and I'd yet to try it. I'm so glad that I did. It was probably one of the best burgers I've ever had before. I highly recommend ordering this. Overall, Dudley Market is a fantastic restaurant in Venice Beach and I hope it stays our neighborhood spot for a long time.

So supposedly they don't take reservations during peak dinner period but we met someone that had a…read morereservation so if you do walk up like we did before prepared to wait. We waited about an hour. The food was delicious though. Almost every item we got was a hit, but the sweet potato dish was a hit and the burger was as advertised. Would recommend going again but maybe not with the wait. The restaurant is tucked away from the boardwalk but it's pretty lively inside and maybe during the warmer months they spill out into the street.

Amazing experience at Casa 12! We had a party of 20 and were situated in the back area of the…read morerestaurant, which was perfect for our large group! All the servers took amazing care of us - they were friendly, patient, kind, and truly went out of their way to deliver the best service. The food was also great - everyone was extremely pleased with what they ordered. Highlights included the octopus, the branzino, the lobster ravioli. We appreciated that all the food came out at a reasonable time as well, despite us having a large party. Casa 12 delivers quality food and service for reasonable prices. Thank you to the Casa 12 team for an amazing dining experience!

We came to Casa 12 at 7:30pm on a Saturday night with a res for our anniversary dinner We arrived…read moreat the restaurant and an indoor table wasn't ready, so we had to wait about 5-10 minutes to be sat, which was pretty annoying. When we were sat, we were sat right by the bathroom door, and the man who I'm assuming was the manager told us we could move tables when a different party left. We got started with a bottle of wine, then had to move all of our things a few minutes later to a table that was so so so close to other tables that I struggled to get out when we left. Truly every single dish we had was delicious, I think the gorgonzola pasta was a standout! The service was okay on the whole, towards the end of our meal a sweet lady started helping us out, and she was fantastic. Whilst we were dining, the entire back area of the restaurant was filled with a large group that was quite rowdy, and it did detract from the intimate, Italian restaurant vibe we were looking for. The desserts were also yummy and the manager brought over some limoncello for our troubles, however with so many amazing Italian options in LA, I don't know if we'd return. Parking was easy-ish for Venice standards, we parked in a $5 lot about a block away on the beach.

My sister-in-law, Alexa M, took me here to VBW for a glass of wine before our dinner reservation on…read morea Sunday evening and it was great! We sat outside and enjoyed our wine and conversation while people watching, which was quite entertaining. Simone was our server and was helpful with some of our questions and supported our decision to go for a 1/2 bottle of Sancerre, which was delicious. We didn't order any food during this visit, but I would absolutely return to try some of the food (and more of the wine) menu in the future!

I highly recommend the spot for a cute date night!!! the ambience is so adorable and romantic, with…read morecandlelight tables everywhere and a.comrelaxing vibe. I went for our first time a few weeks ago and absolutely adored it! The setting is so intimate, and the staff was so nice and attentive. I got a flight and it was the perfect way to end the evening.

great spot that slowly turns into a full-on club as the night picks up. Starts off chill, but give…read moreit some time and it gets packed... like barely-room-to-walk packed. Energy goes way up with it though. Music is consistently great and the crowd matches it. Mostly a younger, high-energy vibe. If you actually want to enjoy your drinks and maybe chat with the bartenders, show up early. Once it gets going, it's all motion and noise. It's never disappointed us. You kind of know what you're signing up for, and it delivers every time. Ambiance leans classy without feeling vintage. Dim lighting, a touch of rustic, and just enough polish to set the tone without overdoing it. They've got a patio too, which comes in clutch when you need a breather or want to actually hear the person next to you. We usually do street parking and it's not too bad if you're willing to walk a bit. Reservation needed: Not really, unless you've got a big group and want your own section Parking: 6/10 - Street Crowd: 8/10 Vibe: 9/10 Service: 9/10 Music: 9/10 Drinks: 8/10 Price: $$

I love it here! Ever since their remodel, this has been a go to spot for me. The ambience is…read moreamazing, low light but enough to still set the tone. I had a Miami Manny and boy was that thing smacking. That mezcal boy o boy.... Our bartender was super cool and helped navigate through the wide selection of drinks. I highly recommend going here!

Love everything about this local gem. Sara is lovely as well…read more The bar or a table... every spot is cozy! Nice service and looooove their specials and all the raviolis. Fave is the polenta w ragu.

A quick shout-out to my favorite Italian restaurant! Although I haven't visited in person lately,…read moreI still order delivery through Grubhub. My go-to dishes are the Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe and the Bruschetta Avocado. The Cacio e Pepe may literally mean "spaghetti with cheese and pepper," but it's so much more than that. The pasta is perfectly coated in a silky, savory sauce made from Pecorino Romano and freshly cracked black pepper--simple ingredients that come together into something incredibly rich, comforting, and flavorful. The Bruschetta Avocado is another favorite and pairs beautifully with the pasta. I highly recommend both. And I'm sure Sara, the owner and operator, is still as chill and wonderful as ever.

I've wanted to eat at Kustaa for a long time, so I had high hopes, but unfortunately, my experience…read morewas a major letdown. I visited on a Friday in the early afternoon. It was pretty quiet, yet we were barely greeted by the staff. To make matters worse, another patron was changing their 2-year-old's diaper right there on the patio. It was completely "butt baked" and extremely unappetizing while trying to eat. Food we ordered : * Pâté Sandwich: The pâté itself was actually good, but it was ruined by a ton of mustard. I had to scrape it off just to eat it as the mustard completely overpowered the sandwich. * Salmon Sandwich: Very bland and lacked flavor. Side sales were bland. We had to ask for extra dressing. * Iced Coffee: There was something "weird" floating in my coffee. Between the hygiene issues on the patio, and the mediocre food, I won't be back. Maybe I should have just stuck with wine and cheese.

I loved their relaxed and comfortable setup. The place feels very inviting and pleasant…read more Our waiter was amazing and his recommendations were on point. I recommend trying their raclette and pair it with a good wine. Their selection of cheeses is great and they also sell them at their front store. Everything I tried there was delicious and hope to be back soon.

First time at this Zinque location after visiting others, and it did not disappoint. We had to…read morequickly pivot for a group dinner of ten when our original spot fell through... called Zinque, they were happy to accommodate, and we were seated within minutes. Clutch! We sat outside on the patio, which is lovely. Fair warning: it IS outdoors. As in, nature-outdoors. A cricket made a cameo on the wall behind us. Totally fine, just good to know! The vibe is lively and buzzy, which is great, though a little noisy for a group of ten that actually wanted to catch up with each other. Service was so-so. Our server checked in occasionally, but when we actually wanted to order another round of drinks, he was nowhere to be found and had to do some significant amount of watching to find him and get his attention. One thing that worked really well: he took orders by seat, which made checkout shockingly painless. Scan the QR code at the table, select your seat, and all your items are right there. Splitting ten ways was easy. Note: if you're paying via Inkind, you can't split by seat but you can enter your specific amount. Food: * LeBowl: My order and I'm absolutely coming back for this. Grains, veggies, and a surprisingly generous portion of chicken on top. Hearty, fresh, and satisfying. * Hummus appetizer: We got two for the table. The menu says it comes with focaccia... the bread was oiled and toasted and delicious, but I wouldn't call it focaccia. No complaints though! * Wine: Picked one blind off the menu, enjoyed it. Easy win. It is a little pricey... but maybe that's just Los Angeles these days. Parking: There is a big lot in the back. I somehow did not know this and parked a block away. At least I got a little post-dinner stroll in!

Zinqué is one of the most reliable and well-balanced spots in Santa Monica for a casual but…read moreelevated café and wine bar experience. The atmosphere is what immediately stands out. It has a relaxed, European feel with a clean, open layout that works just as well for a morning coffee as it does for an evening glass of wine. It is comfortable, social, and easy to spend a few hours in without feeling rushed. The food is consistently good and well executed. The menu leans toward simple, French-inspired dishes done right rather than anything overly complex. Everything feels fresh, well portioned, and thoughtfully prepared. It is the kind of place where you can order a few items to share and know they will all be solid. The drink selection is another strong point. The wine list is approachable but well curated, and the coffee program holds up for daytime visits. It transitions seamlessly from café to wine bar, which is part of what makes it so versatile. Service is efficient and low-pressure, which fits the overall concept perfectly. Overall, Zinqué is not about being flashy. It is about consistency, atmosphere, and quality across the board. A great go-to spot whether you are meeting friends, working during the day, or having a relaxed dinner.