Best Casual Restaurants in Culver City

Running out of polenta was sad for my birthday selection -however the foods we did get were excellent. Thank you for celebrating my birthday with a sweet treat! Will return!

First, I wanna say thank you to our server Hassan T. He was great and saved me from being disappointed in ordering how I was going to order. I still got what I wanted but in a way it made sense. You have to appreciate a person that does that. He was doing his job but it didn’t feel like a job. He wasn’t overly friendly but wasn’t matter of fact. He was warm and fun. Observant as well. Good at reading the room. I ordered the lamb shank, collard green lasagna and the parker house rolls. Let me say that the collard green lasagna ISNT a lasagna. I thought it was along the lines of pasta with collard greens. It’s more like a spinach artichoke dip and instead of eating it with chips you eat it with the bread. IT WAS FIRE but I wouldn’t suggest it as an entree. It is definitely a starter. The rolls were fluffy and light. I’m not a fan of truffle butter but the butter on the parker house rolls was just the right amount. It came with butter on the side but I didn’t use it so I can’t rate it. The lamb wasn’t for me. The sauce it was in was good. It was cooked well just light on the flavor. The polenta was not good. It wasn’t horrible I just didn’t like it. I had the Sir Davis drink. Very good. The music, ambience and energy was very good. When I made my reservations I knew I was going to put on “real clothes” and it was nice to see my community is a space that makes them want to put on “real clothes”. I loved that I didn’t have to go far to have an upscale experience. I loved seeing elderly couples dressed up and enjoying themselves, knowing they didn’t have to drive far either. Overall it was just BAHM experience. I can’t wait to go back I brought the rest of my collard greens and rolls to my grandmother and she loved it. She’s ready to go try it lol. I guess she’s about to make her own reservation.

Wonderful all around experience. Beautiful restaurant which exudes so much old fashion charm. If you are looking for a special evening I highly recommend you check out Lillie’s at the Culver Hotel. The food, the service, the lights, the flowers and the live music provided the unparalleled night which we were seeking. Incredibly romantic too. We will definitely be back!

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.

The food was outstanding and the service was excellent. There are so many "fancy" restaurants in Los Angeles where the food is disappointing, but this was not one of them. Having known about Republique for many years and seeing it on many "best" lists I was prepared to be disappointed, but it met my expectations. My parents and I were very pleased with our meal, the service, and the ambience which is beautiful. It qualifies as one of the best restaurants we've eaten at in Los Angeles, and is deserving of its designation as one of LA's top restaurants.