Visit 5 of the best restaurants in Century City, California

Now that restaurants in Los Angeles are beginning to open their doors again for dine-in services, you can add the best restaurants in Century City to your foodie bucket list. Keeping in mind updated CDC guidelines and the mask mandate, popular California cities like Century City – named after 20th Century Fox Studios – have become a hot spot for rekindling your love for exceptional restaurants.

If you’re within the parameters of West Los Angeles or visiting from a neighboring city, know that the options aren’t all that extensive, but these Century City restaurants are worth considering if you’re looking for a spot to eat with a fresh vibe and ambience. With new indoor and outdoor developments and renovations on the rise after a long year of the pandemic, the best restaurants in Century City are awaiting your arrival.

Javier’s

With a handful of locations scattered across California, Javier’s has been serving elevated Mexican Cuisine since they opened in Laguna Beach in 1995. After making such a great impact on the community, Javier’s extended their rich heritage of Mexican cuisine to multiple cities, including the Century City commercial district in Los Angeles, California.

The décor and aesthetic of each of their restaurants is unique in its own way, with elegant, refined touches that add to the classy ambience. Staff are dressed to match the culture that Javier’s embraces, so it  really does feel like you’re on vacation when you step inside. While there are a number of intimate private dining rooms available for reservation, the al fresco patios are what really set the mood apart for first time visitors.

Expect to be served the highest quality and freshest ingredients in an open aired dining area while you choose from one of the West Coast’s largest selection of fine tequilas. Start out with the Empanadas de Cameron, stuffed with shrimp, rajas, crema Mexicana and salsa quemada before moving onto one of the house specials, like the Maine lobster empanadas or the Carnitas done in Michoacan style. With such an upscale take on Mexican cuisine, it’s easy to see why this ranks on our list of the best restaurants in Century City.

Craft

Originating in New York, Chef Tom Colicchio decided to explore California in 2007 and share his passion for cooking with his renowned restaurant Craft. With an award-winning history and Brian Rigsby as chef de cuisine, Craft is undoubtedly one of the best restaurants in Century City. New York’s Colicchio is known for his signature “what’s local is best” cooking style, so you’ll enjoy seasonal ingredients sourced from the best the West Coast has to offer.

Because the restaurant wanted to mirror the hospitality and experience of dining in someone’s home, the design of the space has an updated modern indoor aesthetic. Long dim-lit light bulbs hang above some of the main dining tables to set the mood, while the bar is accessorized with red high top stools.

With most available seating spaced eight-feet apart and private patios available for reservation, Craft LA is back with indoor and outdoor dining services. Starters like the Ahi Tuna Crudo or Pork Belly with Date and Peach will whet your appetite before launching into mains like the Wagyu Sirloin with Chimichurri or the Diver Scallops with Young Corn and Lime.

Margot

You can now visit one of Los Angeles’s cooler dining experiences at Margot by placing a reservation for either indoor or outdoor dining. This Mediterranean market-driven restaurant offers a wide variety of different vegan-friendly options as well as some unique twists on meat and fish options. Menu features like their Chili Marinated Prawns served with avocado mousse, pickled onions and masa harina socca or their Seafood Risotto with Manila clams, shrimp, scallops, chorizo and saffron are hot with the locals.

The indoor dining area has wide-window views of the city and lively plants surrounding cozy lounge couches, and the outdoor patio has plenty of seating available and an open-sky rooftop bar. Thanks to the designers Thomas Schoos and Lisa Gill, the interior and exterior of the restaurant has a vibrant and grand stylish ambience. If you’re looking for a swanky rooftop experience for lounging with some friends, Margot could be it.

Hinoki & The Bird

Hidden in between the high-rise buildings just past Fox Studios is a Japanese-American restaurant known as Hinoki & The Bird. A travel-inspired concept leads their menu, and executive chef Brandon Kida prepares shareable dishes that’ll make you second guess ordering just one plate. Kida’s background in New York tending to Blenheim Hill Farm’s eco-farm while serving as executive chef gave him an appreciation of using seasonal ingredients in true farm-to-table cuisine.

Menu items like their local sashimi with heirloom tomatoes and yuzu kosho will pair well with the Spanish octopus with garlic aioli and pecorino or Black Cod with water spinach and dashi. Test the flavors of refined Japanese surf and turf by adding the NY Strip with chimichurri or the Lamb Chop with summer beans and szechuan peppercorn. Ordering two dishes here is common, but if you’re feeling indecisive, try sharing plates with the whole table and split the bill evenly so you can try a bit of everything on the menu.

The Crack Shack

When it comes to chicken, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Century City. Since 2015, The Crack Shack has specialized in fried chicken. CEO Michael Rosen leads the one-of-a-kind “coop,” and this is truly a chicken lover’s restaurant. By infusing their Southern California spirit into the experience, you can chow down on some perfectly fried chicken while enjoying things like lawn games or their open flame fireplaces.

Expect is a seasoned variety of Jidori fried chicken, with everything from gluten-free options to 10-piece combos to share with your family. They’re known for sandwiches like the Senor Croque, a crispy Jidori chicken layered with bacon, fried egg, cheddar and miso-maple butter on brioche. Smaller bite options include their Chicken Oysters or Fire Nugs, which are perfect for on-the-go snacks.

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