Alisa
Abbot Kinney, Venice
Restaurant in Venice, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Alisa is a practical Abbot Kinney choice for a polished Venice night when location and ease matter more than a clearly defined cuisine or chef-driven format. Use it for a date, small celebration, or drinks-leaning dinner plan; choose Felix Trattoria, San Damián, or Gjusta if you want a more specific food brief before committing.
About Alisa
For Alisa in Venice, the most reliable planning details are direct: it is open in the evening Monday through Friday, opens earlier on Saturday and Sunday, lists a smart casual dress code. Use it when the plan calls for a polished Venice stop without needing to build the night around unverified specifics such as cuisine, chef, awards, pricing, or menu format.
Use it for a low-friction Venice night, not a researched tasting-menu mission
The case for Alisa is ease. With little verified public detail around cuisine, chef, awards, or pricing, the safer recommendation is to use it when the group wants a dressed-up but not over-planned Venice meal. If the night needs a more clearly defined alternative, compare it with Felix Trattoria or San Damián before deciding.
For drinks-led planning, Alisa is better treated as a social evening anchor than as a documented destination for a specific beverage program. Keep expectations practical: go for a Venice setting, conversation, a flexible plan, not for an unverified signature-drink experience. If the night is mainly about bar-hopping, use Pearl's Venice bars guide to build a tighter drinks route.
Who should choose it over comparison options
Choose Alisa when you want a Venice option with smart casual expectations and hours that work for an evening plan. Skip it for diners who need strong advance certainty on menu style, price, or format. In that case, compare the verified details you need against Gjusta or The Butcher's Daughter before booking.
Readers comparing the wider area can use 's full Venice restaurants guide for other Venice dining options. For a broader trip plan, pair that with 's Venice hotels and experiences guides.
Planning details
- Location
- 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- alisarest.com
- Phone
- +13104868722
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Alisa reads as a focused, intimate neighborhood restaurant tucked into the Abbot Kinney corridor. The room is small—under fifty seats—and the service and regulars are attentive enough to notice when the kitchen shifts direction. That scale produces a dining experience that rewards conversation and repeat visits: the restaurant stakes its identity on a clear point of view and thoughtful sourcing rather than theatrical staging. On a busy block known for independently run restaurants, Alisa feels deliberate and composed, the kind of place where the details of execution and a quietly considered menu matter to its clientele.
Best For
Alisa is best-suited to evening dining and reservation-led visits: the Abbot Kinney stretch fills on Thursday through Saturday nights and smaller rooms often require advance booking. First-time visitors should plan ahead rather than expect a walk-in on busy weekends; the write-up notes meaningful lead times for weekend slots and recommends contacting the venue directly to confirm availability. The room’s size and attentive atmosphere make it a reliable pick for date nights, special occasions and low-key gatherings where a focused meal and conversation are the priorities.
Ordering Tips
The menu is described as changing with some regularity, so come with a flexible mindset and ask the staff what’s current. Signature items to look for include the chicken skewers, grilled branzino and lamb chops—good candidates to order and share at a small table. Given the intimate format and the restaurant’s emphasis on a clear point of view, lean toward a few well-executed plates rather than an expansive spread. Confirm current offerings with the team when you reserve, since the kitchen is prone to pivots and seasonal adjustments.
Venue details
Ambiance
Warm, inviting, and laid-back atmosphere infused with vibrant Los Angeles energy.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Chicken skewers
- Grilled Branzino
- Lamb chops
Planning details
Location
Also consider
If Alisa is not the right fit
Choose San Damián if the group wants seafood with a clearer point of view. Choose Gjusta if the plan is more casual and easier to price in advance.
Restaurant context
How Alisa compares in Venice
Alisa is the lower-friction choice for an Abbot Kinney evening when the priority is an easy social setting rather than a tightly defined cuisine. Felix Trattoria is the better pick for diners specifically chasing Italian, while San Damián gives the clearer food identity for mariscos and Pacific Coast seafood.
For value clarity, Gjusta is easier to size up before committing because its deli format sets expectations faster. The Butcher's Daughter is a better casual daytime or lighter-meal alternative. Alisa fits better when the night wants a more evening-oriented room and the group is comfortable with less advance detail on cuisine and price.
Alisa wine & friends is the closest name comparison, but the safer planning distinction is simple: use Alisa for a Venice dinner plan with a social, drinks-friendly angle; cross-shop the peers when a specific cuisine, daytime format, or more predictable meal structure matters more.
Explore Venice
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Alisa guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Alisa
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alisa | Venice | ; | No published awards |
| Alisa wine & friends | Los Angeles | ; | No published awards |
| Felix Trattoria | Los Angeles | Italian | Star Wine Lists 2026 · #12026 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #132025 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #142024 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #112023 OAD Casual in North America Ranked · #3 |
| San Damián | Venice | Mariscos / Pacific Coast seafood | No published awards |
| Gjusta | Los Angeles | Delicatessen | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #452025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #222024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #182023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Ranked · #11Pearl Recommended Restaurants |
| The Butcher's Daughter | Los Angeles | ; | No published awards |
How Alisa Venice compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I wear to Alisa?
Alisa lists a smart casual dress code, so aim for neat, polished clothes that still feel comfortable for a Venice meal.
What should a first-timer know about Alisa?
Plan it as a flexible Venice option rather than a restaurant where every detail is defined in advance. Verified details include its hours and smart casual dress code; specifics such as cuisine, chef, awards, pricing, menu format are not confirmed here.
What are alternatives to Alisa in Venice?
Consider Felix Trattoria, Gjusta, San Damián, The Butcher's Daughter, or Alisa wine & friends depending on what kind of outing you are planning. Alisa works best as a Venice option with verified hours and a smart casual dress code.
Is lunch or dinner better at Alisa?
Alisa is open 5–11 PM Monday through Friday, 12–11 PM on Saturday, 12–10 PM on Sunday. Choose the day and time that best fits your plan, while avoiding assumptions about a separate lunch format unless you confirm directly.
Is Alisa good for solo dining?
It can work for a solo Venice meal if the hours and smart casual setting fit what you want. For a more specific plan, compare Alisa with options such as San Damián before deciding.
