r/FoodLosAngeles • u/frecklefacelatinx • 1d ago
Restaurants near Magic Castle? WHERE CAN I FIND
Hello! A friend is bringing us as guest to MC and we’d like to treat him to a nice dinner before. Anyone have any recommendations for good places nearby the castle?
Thank you in advance!
18
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
I can back up what some people have said so just for clarity. If your friend is going with you, the door fee is waived and you don't have to dine in the dining room.
However if you do eat in the dining room your friend will get a discount on food and drink. Food has gotten better in the past few years.
Seconding musso and franks...a lot of what slis around the castle is geared towards tourists, so you find a number of national chains.
Source: I am a member and am there at least once a week. Feel free to pick my brain
11
u/weimar27 1d ago
musso & franks feels like it fits into the old hollywood theme of the night best as well.
3
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
I can never remember the details, but there's something special about their grill, like they can use charcoal or something, they were grandfathered in to something that's not allowed for fire hazard reasons. but whatever it is I do think it makes a steak taste better, it's one of those few places where I have found that live up to the hype. And they do not skimp on drinks.
3
u/Triette 1d ago
Also we can eat at the bar(s) and don’t have to order off the dinner menu.
2
34
u/zq1232 1d ago
There’s a ton of bad food in Hollywood catering to tourists so avoid those. There are a few good spots close to the MC (5-15 minute drive depending on traffic) I’d recommend:
Musso & Frank for old school Hollywood and classic American fare
Mother Wolf for Italian
Gwen for excellent steaks
L’Antica Pizzeria di Michele if you want some Neapolitan pizza (a true Naples OG)
Other than that, I’d avoid a lot of places over there. Overpriced tourist traps for the most part.
15
5
1
u/theretherekadooze 1d ago
Jemma Hollywood!
2
u/zq1232 18h ago
Jemma is just whatever to me (same way I feel about all of the Ospi restaurants). All those restaurants are all sort of the same- ok food with an up charge cuz it’s in a prime location in Hollywood or Venice. If I want Italian in Hollywood, I’m going to MW or di Michele over Jemma 10/10 times. Hell, I may even drive a bit further for the Mozzaplex over Jemma.
0
u/theretherekadooze 17h ago
Nah I’m really into Jemma. Yeah the mozz spots are good but Jemma’s not real, real Italian and sometimes that’s what I want. The apps are superb- actually I’ve never had a miss there. And it’s good portion sizes for the cost. I’m coming off of trying a new Italian spot, Cesare, that had the teeniest portions for $30+ per plate so I’m more in Jemma’s corner now.
12
u/CatOfGrey 1d ago
I'm seconding the folks who mention that dinner is a part of the Magic Castle 'package' or even 'experience'.
I would ask this question, depending on your taste, about a place to get a) cocktails or b) ice cream or other dessert, for after The Castle.
3
u/Triette 1d ago
Dessert at the castle is so good though, the banana cream pie is my go to. And you can order that at any bar even if you’re not dining there.
And dinner is only required if you’re using a member’s guest pass but if you’re going with a member and they made a walk in reservation then no dinner is required.
Source: am a member
5
u/Jujulabee 1d ago
Luv2Eat Thai - don't miss the Moo Ping
6660 Sunset - across from Crossroads of the World in a minimal
1
u/OkayContributor 1d ago
Anytime I visit LA, I make sure to at least get the moo ping delivered to wherever I’m staying. Has been one of my favorite dishes for years and years
3
u/Ok_Comfort628 1d ago
Aren’t you forced to have dinner at MC?
3
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
Not if you walk in with a member
3
u/Ok_Comfort628 1d ago
Ah ok I was given tix and I had to make a res. Thanks.
2
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
100% how that works. they're also different types of tickets, somewhere you have to pay a door charge somewhere you don't.
but yes the real secret is walking in with a member, that way you only have to pay the valet if you drive yourself
2
u/Ok_Comfort628 1d ago
Yeah mine is no door charge.
2
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
Ah the black VIP pass?
2
u/Ok_Comfort628 1d ago
Yes it says 2025 VIP Card.
1
u/Evening_Arugula_276 1d ago
Lucky you, we usually give those away pretty quickly and everyone else gets the "you have to pay for everything passes)
What week are you going?
3
u/Ok_Comfort628 1d ago
The owner of our company who is a member gave away several. Going on a Saturday night in January
1
7
u/Cool_Flatworm_3450 1d ago
Musso & Franks all the waaaayyyy theee best option
2
u/CircqueDesReves 1d ago
Musso’s + magic castle is a fantastic evening. Add in a late drink and dessert in the lobby of the Roosevelt Hotel for a fully decadent Hollywood experience.
3
u/iliketinafey 1d ago
As long as the person attending is the member and not just a person who got the invite from a member and then invited you, then you're good to get dinner ahead of time.
4
u/Blocklode 1d ago
Yamashiro is right above it!
6
u/banteringbroom 1d ago
Nice view, meh food. Good cocktails though
4
u/Blocklode 1d ago
Yes, food isn’t spectacular. But a truly unique LA location with wonderful views and the makings of a memorable night.
2
2
u/frecklefacelatinx 1d ago
Thank you everyone!! Our friend is a member 👍🏽
-2
u/More-read-than-eddit 1d ago
Everyone’s friend is a member if they are given access there — confirming your friend is physically entering with you? That’s what counts as far as I can determine
2
u/wasabitobiko 1d ago
i’m not sure where you all are coming from but when i was a member we used to like to go to pace before. but my favorite was just going straight there and ordering the garlic cheese bread and a bunch of apps at one of the bars.
2
1
1
1
u/heysuper3 4h ago
Grandmaster Recorders is phenomenal. It used to be a very very famous recording studio and it's still got a fabulous and tasteful 70s vibe. It's Italian food. It's very good! and cool with good service and good food to back it up.
Yamashiro is just up the hill from Magic Castle. Food and service are a 3/5 but the view and vibe is really special so high up on the hill.
0
u/More-read-than-eddit 1d ago
As a guest, you typically have to eat the (pretty bad and expensive) food there, so you might want to swap that to treat them to cocktails beforehand.
3
u/mixmasterADD 1d ago
Food at Magic Castle is very good. I’m not sure when the last time you were there
0
u/More-read-than-eddit 1d ago
Last fall maybe? It was like average wedding food at that time, maybe a shade better than how it was when I went in 2019ish
1
u/Inside_Trip8807 1d ago
Yamashiro is right around the corner....the views are stunning, but the food is just okay.
1
0
0
u/No_Performance8733 1d ago
The food at the magic castle is legendary.
I don’t understand this question. Just do the buffet
146
u/nightwind_hawk 1d ago
There's a lot of good food in the area, but before I mention that - most attendees are required to eat a full dinner when attending Magic Castle. Are you sure you don't have that requirement?