Best Restaurants for Special Occasions in Marina del Rey

Our SERVER was the best!!! And the other two assisting her were amazing too! Having great service makes ALL the difference. The food is consistently amazing. I was with a girlfriend and we were sharing a couple of dishes. They made it SO very easy for us! Thank you!

New Years Day and we wanted some place that we knew would be fantastic, so where else but Gjelina? It was busy but the hosts and servers were unfailingly polite. We ordered 6 things from the menu. My wife's vegan so she had the vegetable sandwich (she had to fight me for it, it was so good). Brussel sprouts, grilled fennel, and the frites were all great. My son and I split the anchovy and burrata toast - a first for me - and it's my new favorite. Finished with the excellent pomodoro pizza - no cheese and none needed, because the jammy tomato confit is the star of the dish. I love this place. It never lets me down. Happy 2025!

Vespertine delivered one of the most extraordinary dining experiences we’ve ever had in the United States, rivaling the caliber of Michelin three-star restaurants abroad, such as Boragó in Santiago. The food was a stunning combination of originality, flavor, and artistry, each dish a masterpiece that delighted the palate and the eye. Service was impeccable, with the timing of each course orchestrated to perfection. The building itself is a marvel, adding a unique and modern dimension to the experience. While the evening was nearly flawless, there were a few minor areas for improvement. The final dessert felt overly elaborate and heavy, making it challenging to fully enjoy at the end of such a substantial meal. The dessert room, located near the entrance, was uncomfortably chilly on a cool evening, requiring us to retrieve our coats. Lastly, the $20 valet charge came as an unwelcome surprise, especially considering the restaurant’s high price point and the fact that the parking lot is private and on-site. A clearer sign or complimentary parking would have better matched the overall premium experience. These small critiques aside, Vespertine was a truly unforgettable dining journey—one we would highly recommend to anyone seeking a world-class culinary adventure in Los Angeles.

Gorgeous location, sweet attentive waitstaff, and the most beautiful sunset I have ever seen. On Christmas no less!! Love this place.

Stuffed churros and prawns were amazing! Seated at table with view of marina.