Venice, located in Westside Los Angeles, offers a vibrant and diverse dining scene with a growing emphasis on healthy and sustainable options. Restaurants in this area are committed to providing nutritious, locally-sourced meals that cater to various dietary needs, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices. This guide explores some of the best healthy restaurants in Venice, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to wellness.
Embracing Plant-Forward Cuisine at The Butcher's Daughter
The Butcher’s Daughter Venice is a plant-forward restaurant, bar, juicery, and “vegetable slaughterhouse” that treats fruits and vegetables with the same care a butcher would meat. Located in the vibrant Venice neighborhood, they chop, fillet, and carve fresh produce into healthy vegetarian dishes and press them into vibrant juices. Under the guidance of Culinary Director Richard Rea, the menu changes seasonally, offering 100% vegetarian dishes with many vegan and gluten-free options.
The restaurant takes pride in its selection of wines, craft cocktails, and mocktails, ensuring there’s something for every taste. Take-out and delivery options are available for those who prefer to enjoy meals at home. Named one of the best supper spots in Venice by the LA Times, The Butcher's Daughter serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, creating a celebrated dining experience with in-season ingredients that nourish both body and soul.
New American Cuisine at Gjelina
Gjelina specializes in New American cuisine, serving breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner until 11 PM. For breakfast, options include 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 also offers a variety of oysters, crudo, charcuterie, and salad options to start at lunch and dinner. Main courses include pizzas from a wood-fired oven and entrees like duck confit, house-made pastas, and roasted organic half chicken. Note that only ADA-certified animals are allowed, and a 20% Mandatory Service Charge is added to each check, which is distributed amongst all hourly employees.
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Rooftop Serenity and Mediterranean Flavors at KASSI Venice Beach
KASSI Venice Beach, a rooftop destination at Hotel Erwin, captures the essence of Greece’s serenity and laid-back charm. Inspired by the art of slow living, KASSI is a social gathering spot for locals where cultured style meets coastal spontaneity.
Modern Steakhouse with Healthy Options at Baltaire
Baltaire is a modern steakhouse and restaurant with a classic touch, offering high-quality steaks, seafood, and healthy, light fare options in Brentwood. The spacious dining room opens to a beautiful outdoor terrace, and an inviting lounge offers cocktails, wine, and live music. The Weekend DJ Brunch features a prix fixe menu, tableside bloody mary & cinnamon roll carts, and roaming caviar.
Mediterranean and California Cuisine with a View at Calabra
Calabra is an elevated rooftop restaurant and bar serving Mediterranean and California cuisine, prepared in an inspiring setting with the ocean as a backdrop. Views from the sundeck, circular bar, or indoor lounge are best enjoyed with boutique wines, seasonal cocktails, and small-batch spirits. All dishes are thoughtfully crafted with a seed oil-free approach for a dining experience that feels as good as it tastes.
Charcoal Venice: Backyard Barbecue with a Michelin Star Touch
Charcoal Venice is an inviting neighborhood restaurant from Michelin-starred Chef and Owner Josiah Citrin, inspired by backyard barbecues. Everything is cooked indoors over live fire, whether over charcoal or in the coals. Chef 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. Diners can enjoy smoky grilled chicken wings with a beer or cocktail at the bar, or split a 48 oz. dry-aged Porterhouse with a bottle of wine.
Beachside Restaurant & Bar: Waterfront Dining with a Latin Twist
Overlooking Mother’s Beach, Beachside Restaurant & Bar is the destination for waterfront dining in Marina del Rey. Enjoy Californian cuisine with a Latin twist in a lively setting featuring a full bar, indoor dining room, and an oceanfront patio just steps from the sand. Open for brunch, dinner, and happy hour, the dog-friendly patio welcomes your four-legged friends.
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Lunetta: Locally Sourced Californian Cuisine
Lunetta, a chef-driven neighborhood diner with a rustic California dining room and bar, is helmed by Chef Raphael Lunetta and Emilio Cuyuch. Lunetta serves great food paired with locally roasted coffee options, classic cocktails, a large selection of craft beer, and wines selected to complement the menu.
The restaurant buys the freshest ingredients available, cooking seasonally with a focus on local farmers and businesses. Menus are locally sourced and responsibly grown, using seasonal ingredients based on the abundant product available on the California Coast. The full bar features classic and craft cocktails using artisan spirits, mixers, and seasonal fruits and vegetables. The comprehensive wine list highlights small California producers and artisan winemakers from around the world.
Wabi on Rose: Pacific Rim Cuisine in a Chic Setting
Wabi on Rose embodies the Rose Avenue lifestyle with its innovative cuisine and vibrant bar scene. The restaurant suffered a fire in 2018 but triumphantly returned in 2020. The sexy, contemporary design frames this hip spot with a chic outdoor seating area. Neighborhood regulars enjoy the fresh-caught, Pacific Rim, sushi-inspired menu, and live fire grill.
The Waterfront Venice: California Beer Garden on the Boardwalk
The Waterfront Venice is a California Beer Garden with views of the Pacific Ocean. Situated between Rose and Navy on the Venice beach Boardwalk, the food & beverage menus celebrate California with carefully selected seasonal produce from local farms.
Customer Experiences and Recommendations
Verified diners rave about their experiences at these healthy restaurants. For example, one diner highlighted the outstanding food at The Butcher's Daughter, recommending the shakshuka and quinoa bowl. Another celebrated a 50th birthday at Belles Beach House, praising the friendly staff, great food, and outstanding ambiance.
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