Inclusive Restaurants for Group Dining & Events

guelaguetza

At the heart of LA’s communities simmers the universal language of food – the powerful connector of cultures, stories and traditions. Here, it's about nourishing the body and the soul for everyone from locals to visitors to meeting and convention attendees.

When planning professionals and groups choose conscious dining at socially inclusive restaurants in Los Angeles, they not only enjoy some of the world’s best food but also enrich their experience and become a part of something bigger. Good food and doing good—it’s a win-win.

LA is full of inclusive restaurants and communities for group dining and events. Discover a sampling from the list below.
 

asterid by Ray Garcia 1
asterid by Ray Garcia

1010 Wine and Events 

  • Inglewood's first and only wine bar

  • Serving the largest selection of Black-owned wines in California

  • Official supplier of the Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission (LASEC) Business Connect program

  • Full-size bar and full-service kitchen for private events

  • 5 miles from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

  • Near unique hotels and major venues in the Beach Cities/LAX region

  • Owned and operated by sisters Leslie and LeAnn Jones

 

asterid by Ray Garcia 

  • Reception capacity: 220

  • Full restaurant buyout available; indoor and outdoor lounges; outdoor patio 

  • 2 miles from the Los Angeles Convention Center (LACC) and L.A. LIVE campus

  • At The Music Center's Walt Disney Concert Hall

  • Owned and operated by Chef Ray Garcia

 

Bludso’s BBQ

  • Bludso’s cookbook was one of "The Best Cookbooks of 2022" by The New York Times and LA Times

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Catering available

  • Minutes from Hollywood’s unique venues

  • Owned and operated by Chef and Pitmaster Kevin Bludso – TV personality, James Beard Award-winner and two-time Steve Harvey Hoodie Award-winner

 

Bon Vivant Market and Café 

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Catering available at any location or rentals of Bon Vivant Market and Café in Atwater Village, Boardner’s in Hollywood, Dave’s Bar in Glendale and The Sportsman’s in Kernville

  • Minutes from Hollywood’s unique venues

  • Owned by Tricia LaBelle

Sunday Dinner Special at Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen in Inglewood
Sunday Dinner Special at Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen | Photo: @byandreachang, Instagram

Candela La Brea

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Max capacity: 350 seated guests; 800 standing guests

  • Spaces include a main room, lounge and patio

  • Availability for half-room rental for smaller gatherings

  • Near Westside’s unique venues 

  • Owned and operated by The Piovra Group 

 

Darrow's New Orleans Grill 

  • Down-home cajun cuisine down in Carson, California

  • 4.7-star average rating from 799 Google reviews 

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Catering available for corporate parties, meetings and more

  • Owned by Norwood J. Clark Jr.

 

Dulan’s on Crenshaw Soul Food 

  • Deep commitment to enriching the local community, regularly engaging in charitable initiatives and local support activities

  • James Beard Award-nominee

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Banquet hall and full-service catering options for large groups and events

  • Located in South LA 

  • Owned and operated by LA native Gregory A. Dulan – proudly carrying on his father Adolf Dulan's legacy as the "King of Soul Food" 

 

Flavors From Afar

Botana Oaxaqueña at Guelaguetza in Koreatown
Botana Oaxaqueña at Guelaguetza | Photo: Postmates

Guelaguetza Restaurant

  • Recognized by the James Beard Foundation’s America’s Classics award and featured in notable publications such as LA Times, The New York Times and Travel + Leisure

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Catering available

  • Located in the heart of Koreatown

  • Owned and operated by Paulina, Fernando Jr., Elizabeth and Bricia Lopez 

 

Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen 

  • Community hub fostering creativity and connection within the neighborhoods served

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Catering and private event space available  

  • Located in the diverse neighborhoods of Slauson, Inglewood, Eagle Rock and Downtown LA 

  • Co-owned by Yonnie Hagos, Ajay Relan and actress, writer and producer, Issa Rae

 

Joyce Soul and Sea

  • Celebrating family, connection and joy through reimagined Southern cuisine

  • Kitchen led by Michelin-award-winning Chef and co-owner Sammy Monsour (formerly of LA’s Preux & Proper) 

  • Catering available

  • Located in Downtown LA

  • Founded and operated by Prince and Athena Riley

 

Lavender Blue Restaurant & Lounge

  • Exceptional live jazz and blues performances paired with delicious food

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Available for catering on-site and for external venues

  • Flexible private event space includes the Main Room, Lounge Room and VIP Room

  • Located in Inglewood; 6 miles from LAX

  • Near unique hotels and major venues in the Beach Cities/LAX region

  • Founded and owned by Marsha Tekeste

M Grill
Steak at M Grill

M Grill

  • Highly regarded for its traditional and authentic Brazilian Churrasco style BBQ and over 100 wines by the bottle

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Large event availability and a private room for intimate gatherings

  • Located in Koreatown 

  • Owned by Manny Kim

 

Martin's Cocina y Cantina 

  • Full-service restaurant and lounge

  • Live music and nightlife

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Located in Downtown Inglewood

  • 5 miles from LAX

  • Near unique hotels and major venues in the Beach Cities/LAX region 

  • Owned and operated by the Martin family

 

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament

  • One of the most popular dinner theater franchises in the U. S.

  • European-style castle features a soaring tower, elaborately decorated Hall of Arms, the Knight Club, an outdoor courtyard, an extensive gift shop, Museum of Torture and an indoor stable area 

  • Offering shows 365 days a year

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Inside Capacity: 1,100; buyout available

Rack of lamb at Redbird in Downtown LA
Rack of lamb | Photo: Redbird, Facebook

Redbird

  • James Beard Award-winner Pastry Chef, Dahlia Narvaez 

  • Event spaces include the main dining room, lounge and various unique private rooms available on multiple floors 

  • Several rooms feature private open kitchens, great for cooking classes, cocktail demonstrations and first-hand interaction with Chef Neal Fraser and his team

  • Capacities: 27 inside; 150 outside; 225 reception

  • 2 miles from the LACC and L.A. LIVE campus

  • Located inside the former rectory building of Vibiana 

  • Owned by Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser

 

Socalo 

  • Award-winning restaurant located in Gateway Hotel Santa Monica

  • First women to receive the Julia Child Award from The Julia Child Foundation for Gastronomy and the Culinary Arts

  • Seating capacity: 35

  • 2 private room options available; 2 spacious outdoor patios

  • Owned and operated by Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken – both James Beard Winners of the “Who's Who of Food & Beverage in America” awards; Events & Operations Manager, Brianna Gallardo

 

Zapien's Restaurant Group, Inc.

  • 11 miles southeast of Downtown LA

  • Seating capacity: 100

  • Dining room available for private banquets 

  • Community involvement includes food and supply donations, sponsorship, youth mentorship and more

  • Official supplier of the LASEC Business Connect program

  • Owned by the Zapien Family