Venice Lately: A Few Spots in My Regular Rotation
I've realized my favorite places all have one thing in common.
They make you want to linger.
As someone who calls Venice home, these are the spots I find myself returning to again and again. Some are newer additions, some have become neighborhood institutions, but all of them have soul, character, and the kind of energy that turns a quick coffee or dinner into something more memorable.
If you're looking for some of the best restaurants, wine bars, and coffee shops in Venice, California, here's what's been in heavy rotation lately.
Fromagerie by Vin on Rose
The newest addition to the Vin on Rose family and already one of my favorite corners of Venice. Equal parts cheese shop, sandwich counter, wine bar, and neighborhood gathering place, it has that effortless European energy I find myself drawn to again and again. The daily-changing sandwich menu keeps things interesting, the tinned fish selection is dangerously good, and somehow I always leave with something I didn't intend to buy. Come for lunch, stay because you run into someone you know.
Badmaash
One of Abbot Kinney's newest additions and already firmly in the rotation. Family-owned, candlelit, and buzzing with the kind of energy that makes you want to order another cocktail and linger a little longer. Equal parts neighborhood restaurant and date-night destination, Badmaash somehow feels both elevated and effortless. The butter chicken is reason enough to go, though the music, atmosphere, and hospitality are what keep me coming back.
Force of Nature
Hidden upstairs inside Only The Wild Ones, Force of Nature feels less like a bar and more like an invitation. Natural wines, a softly lit rooftop, and communal tables overlooking the garden below create the kind of atmosphere that encourages conversation and lingering. Beautiful, intentional, and quietly magical, it's one of my favorite places in Venice to watch the sun go down.
Dudley Market
One of those places that somehow gets everything right. Equal parts seafood destination and neighborhood hangout, Dudley has a distinctly European ease about it. A glass of natural wine on the sidewalk, oysters or crudo to start, and whatever beautiful fish is coming out of the kitchen that day. Even the vegetables have a way of stealing the show. And then there's the burger, which has developed something of a cult following for good reason. Effortless, unpretentious, and endlessly charming, it's the kind of place that reminds me why I love Venice.
Fast Times Coffee
Hidden behind Buck Mason on Abbot Kinney, Fast Times feels like one of those places you almost want to keep to yourself. Equal parts café, bookstore, and design shop, it's the kind of space that invites you to slow down. Come for the nitro cold brew, stay to browse the books and beautifully curated ceramics, and don't be surprised if an hour somehow turns into two. Cozy, thoughtful, and quietly cool. Sweater optional.
RVR
Possibly the hardest reservation in Venice right now, and deservedly so. RVR brings an izakaya sensibility with a distinctly California point of view, serving beautifully executed Japanese-inspired dishes in a space that somehow feels both intimate and electric. The cocktails are excellent, the energy is undeniable, and the line out the door has become part of the experience. Equal parts neighborhood favorite and destination dinner, it's earned every bit of the hype.
Si! Mon
Always a yes. One of my favorite places in Venice right now, Si! Mon strikes that rare balance of being both lively and genuinely welcoming. I love grabbing a seat at the bar and seeing where the evening takes me. Current favorites include the baked oysters and kanpachi, and a side of rice is non-negotiable. Full of warmth, energy, and the kind of hospitality that makes you want to linger, it's become a regular in my rotation.
The Art of Lingering
One of the things I love most about Venice isn't just its soul or proximity to the beach.
It's the culture of lingering.
The places that become part of your routine. The familiar faces. The restaurants where they know your order, and where over time you've come to know the people who pour your coffee, recommend the wine, and greet you when you walk through the door. The small conversations and chance run-ins that slowly make a neighborhood feel like home.
Because a neighborhood is more than a collection of homes—it's a collection of relationships, routines, and experiences.
And these are a few of the places I've been loving lately.
