A guide to Mar Vista

This casual chef-driven spot features an excellent lineup for breakfast, lunch and family-style dinner pickup. The morning menu includes breakfast tacos and sandwiches and loaded “hangover” potatoes. At lunch, chef Derek Walker offers a range of delectable tacos with fillings like brisket, carnitas and veggie options like the irresistible butternut corn nut. There’s also sandwiches like the green chickpea falafel or salmon with arugula. Grab a bite and a cold-pressed juice and head to the spacious patio in back, or take home one of the daily family-style dinner specials.

This bustling neighborhood favorite, which has expanded in recent years, serves addictive Taiwanese comfort fare like scallion pancakes and Sunday gravy with five-spice pork, and updates on Chinese-American classics like kung pao chicken and walnut shrimp. Chef/owner David Kuo, whose childhood nickname was Little Fatty (“Xiao Pang”) also serves excellent vegetarian options including General Tso’s cauliflower. You’ll never go thirsty either, thanks to the exceptional cocktail lineup at Accomplice, Little Fatty’s bar, perfect for an impressive date night or enjoying a tipple and light bites before dinner. The thoughtfully creative cocktail selection changes frequently, and they also offer great wines, craft beers and a happy hour (Mon–Fri 5–7pm).

Serving an excellent array of Oaxacan specialties alongside other Mexican favorites, Quiadaiyan (pronounced “kia-dine”) is an all-day, family-run restaurant. From the bold, vibrantly painted walls to the exuberant staff, Quiadiayn exudes warmth and comfort—and that’s especially true when it comes to the food. Can’t-miss dishes include the tlayuda mixta, barbacoa de chivo and mole Coloradito. There’s also an extensive vegetarian menu, refreshing cocktails made with agave wine (a full bar is in the works) and an exceptional flan. The Martinez family makes all of the addictive salsas and tortillas in-house, and you can preorder tamales. They also offer outdoor seating, and frequently host celebrations with live music.

For years, Eric Stogsdill built a loyal following of coffee lovers, peddling his single-origin beans at farmers’ markets around L.A. Now the passionate coffee roaster has a permanent home in Mar Vista (and WeHo, too) with fellow coffee expert Erin Ward. Named after Stogsdill’s daughter, the sleek space allows you to see the entire roasting process, grab some beans, get expert brewing advice and enjoy a cup—either inside, on the benches in front or on the lush, shaded patio in back with plenty of tables and cozy nooks for catching up with friends or working on that screenplay.. In addition to pour-overs, cold brew, tea and espresso drinks, you’ll also find the Pirate’s Chai made with matcha alongside locally baked pastries and frequent special events.

This modern German restaurant, part of a trio that includes Rasselbock Long Beach and Wirtshaus, is the place to go for an extensive lineup of hearty eats and over 30 German and Belgian beers (including liter steins and two-liter boots!). The laid-back, jackalope-adorned spot works just as well for a lively date night as it does for clinking steins at the communal tables with friends. Besides the indispensable Bavarian pretzel, the menu features excellent burgers, schnitzels and sausages, including the smoky Hungarian debreziner and the spicy vegan. (And save room for apple strudel.) They also have a covered beer garden in back and host events, including Oktoberfest celebrations, Karneval (the Rhine version of Carnival) and soccer matches.

The chic, open-air patio of this French-inspired spot is the perfect place to enjoy a laid-back brunch or while away the hours for a leisurely lunch or dinner. Start the morning with a classic French omelette, a croque madame or an excellent shakshuka with eggs. At lunch, you’ll find refreshing salads, a great bistro burger, thin-crust pizzas and steak frites. The dinner menu extends the lunch offerings and adds heartier options like mussels, duck confit and an eight-hour braised lamb shank.

Opened by husband-and-wife team Shad and Traci Phan Davis, Mỹ Lai offers delicious fast-casual Vietnamese fare, including build-your-own bowls, vermicelli salads and banh mi. Choose from a colorful array of fresh vegetables and toppings, house sauces, and protein options that include grilled pork, chicken or beef, as well as crispy tofu and Impossible “meat”. You’ll also find family recipes like Mama Mỹ’s chicken and rice and Chau’s chicken salad. Grab a quick bite in the chic, minimalist interior, or unwind on the back patio and be sure to grab freshly baked cookies from Do House.

This relatively recent addition to the neighborhood offers a cozy and colorful destination for craft beer, local art and live performances. Beer lovers will find a well-curated and rotating selection of pours from breweries both local and from afar, including Belgian ales, IPAs and ciders. To tide you over between rounds, order a gourmet grilled cheese or the house-made hummus and pita (plans are in the works for a full bar and kitchen). The eclectic array of artwork from local artists rotates regularly (and is available for purchase), and the stage in back is put to good use for everything from comedy, magic and trivia to drag shows, burlesque, bands and DJs.

This family-owned café, market and wine bar re-emerged a few years back after a fire nearly wiped out the whole block. Grab a seat on the side patio for hearty brunch fare like the lemon ricotta pancakes, or at lunch, the braised short rib panini or the fried green tomato sliders—and definitely get the avocado fries. The well-curated wine list is extensive with choices by the glass, bottle or flights, and there are plenty of local craft beers. They also frequently host winemaker dinners, and you can stock up on provisions for a picnic.

This iconic L.A. institution, run by Ralph and Celia Primo, has been rising early to bake hot and delicious donuts since 1956. You’ll find all the classic hits here, including both yeast and cake donuts, as well as “fancy” flavors like maple bacon crunch bar and chocolate churro, plus gluten-free and vegan options (get the blueberry), all packed into those instantly recognizable pink boxes. The legendary buttermilk bar is a must-order, as is the apple fritter. You won’t find seating in this no-frills bakery (unlike their new, spacious Westwood spot), so be prepared to take your sweet treats to go.

Stop by this sleek and stylish coffee shop for your caffeine fix and light bites—and a bouquet of flowers while you’re at it. In addition to well-made renditions of your favorite coffee beverage, you’ll also find matcha, chai and golden lattes, and a range of teas. Food options include a veggie-loaded bagel, a vegan mushroom sandwich, and pastries. Before heading home, you can snag a few staple veggies, cartons of oat and soy milk, and Mavro-branded shirts and totes in bright pastels.

This family-run hidden gem recently revamped under new ownership, serving all-day breakfast (including house-baked pan dulce and an excellent breakfast burrito), as well as burritos, tortas, huaraches, and larger platters. The fish tacos on homemade blue corn tortillas are also not to be missed. Seating is limited inside this casual spot, which is fine, since the place to be is the small front patio, surrounded by wooden planter boxes full of lush greenery and flowers, and illuminated by string lights at night.

This easygoing neighborhood stalwart has been serving inexpensive Hawaiian comfort fare since 1976. The decor is sparse, apart from splashes of tropical colors and a tiki hut bar, but the regulars are here for hearty fare, not frills. Start your day right with spam and eggs, French toast made with King’s Hawaiian sweet bread, or the signature Royale—an egg scramble with rice and your choice of protein. Come hungry for the plate lunch with options that include loco moco, kalua pork, katsu chicken and coconut shrimp—perfect with a cold beer. And don’t miss the shave ice.

It’s impossible to talk about food in Mar Vista without mention of this long-running, hugely popular Japanese supermarket. In addition to aisles of imported pantry items, specialty produce, fresh fish and meat, sake and sushi to-go, you’ll find excellent dining options in the small food court. Chief among them is the cash-only Santouka Ramen, beloved for their hearty bowls of noodles and rice combos. Other tempting options include tempura from Hannosuke, udon from Sanuki Sandou and takoyaki from newcomer Gindaco, plus sweets from Hamada Ya Bread Bar and Coffee. You’ll also want to stop by the adjacent Kinokuniya for Japanese books, magazines, toys and stationery.