Abbot Kinney Boulevard: The Complete Guide for 2026
Abbot Kinney Boulevard has been called “the coolest block in America” so many times that locals roll their eyes at the phrase. But here’s the thing: the mile-long stretch of Venice still deserves it. Behind the Instagram-friendly storefronts is a genuinely great mix of restaurants, independent shops, wine bars, and galleries that makes this one of the most walkable and interesting streets on the Westside. Here’s our complete guide to Abbot Kinney Boulevard — the spots worth your time, and the ones you can skip.
Where to Eat on Abbot Kinney
Gjelina. Still the anchor of the street and still one of the best restaurants on the Westside. The wood-fired pizzas are perfect, the vegetable dishes are better than they have any right to be, and the communal tables create the kind of energy that most restaurants try to manufacture and can’t. No reservations for parties under six — put your name on the list and walk the block. The butterscotch pot de crème is non-negotiable.
The Butcher’s Daughter. The plant-based cafe that even non-vegans love. The space is bright, airy, and covered in plants (obviously), and the menu is the kind of creative vegetable cooking that makes you forget you’re not eating meat. The açai bowl is huge, the cold-pressed juices are excellent, and the avocado toast — yes, we know — is actually one of the best versions in LA.
Felix. Evan Funke’s pasta temple. The hand-made pasta is as good as anything in Italy — we’ll say it — and the patio on Abbot Kinney is one of the most pleasant places to eat dinner in Venice. The cacio e pepe and the bolognese are the correct orders. Reservations are essential; walk-ins can try the bar.
“Abbot Kinney is a mile long, but you could spend an entire day on it and still miss something. That’s the point.”
Where to Drink on Abbot Kinney
The Brig. The dive bar that anchors the south end of the street. Strong drinks, a pool table, a jukebox, and a patio that gets rowdy on weekends. It’s the counterweight to everything precious about Abbot Kinney, and we love it for that. Come after dinner for a nightcap or come early for a cheap beer before everything else opens.
Force of Nature. The women-owned natural wine bar in a century-old Victorian home just off the boulevard. The wine list rotates constantly, the rooftop has a pulley system that delivers pizza from next door, and the whole experience is unlike anything else on the Westside. This is the bar for people who want something genuinely different.
Intelligentsia Coffee. The original Abbot Kinney coffee shop, and still one of the best. The pour-overs are meticulous, the baristas take their craft seriously, and the sidewalk seating is prime people-watching territory. Come before 9am on weekdays for the shortest line.
Where to Shop on Abbot Kinney
Burro. The quirky gift shop that perfectly captures Abbot Kinney’s personality. Locally made candles, ceramics, art prints, and the kind of stuff you buy for yourself and call it a gift. Two locations on the same block, somehow both always busy. This is where you come when you need a birthday present and don’t want to order from Amazon.
Heist. The boutique that dresses half the stylish women in Venice. The curation is sharp — emerging designers, independent labels, and a few established names that feel more interesting here than they do at Nordstrom. Not cheap, but the staff is knowledgeable and won’t pressure you.
Salt & Straw. Yes, the ice cream shop. The line is always there, but the flavors rotate monthly and the unusual ones (bone marrow and smoked cherries, anyone?) are genuinely worth the wait. The Abbot Kinney location was the first in LA, and locals still come back despite having half a dozen closer options now.
What to Skip
The pop-up experiences that rotate through the empty storefronts — most are overpriced photo ops disguised as “immersive art.” Also skip any restaurant with a velvet rope on a Tuesday. And the parking meters — more on that below.
