Planning on spending a full day at the Getty Center? It’s not hard—not only is there plenty to see, but there are more than three meals’ worth of dining options at the Getty to keep you fed. Here are our picks, along the budget spectrum.
Cheap eats: BYO picnic
The Getty Center allows visitors to bring their own food and drinks to enjoy at locations on the Getty grounds. Set up at the picnic tables at the lower tram plaza, if you need to return coolers and supplies to the car, or bring a blanket and lounge on the lawn near the Central Garden. While you can’t BYOB, beer and wine are available for purchase at the coffee carts.
Grab-and-go: Coffee carts
If you just need a quick bite between exhibits, look for one of the coffee carts—one in the Museum Courtyard and one near the Tram Arrival Plaza. Choose from the collection of sandwiches, salads, soups, and snacks, plus espresso drinks, juice, wine, and beer.
Mid-range meals: the Garden Terrace Cafe and the Cafe
If you’re looking for something a bit more substantial than the coffee cart, head to one of the Getty Center’s two on-site cafés. The Garden Terrace Cafe is located on the lower level, underneath the Exhibitions Pavilion. Here you’ll find quick eats in a casual outdoor setting overlooking the Central Garden. Closer to the tram Arrival Plaza, you’ll find the self-service Cafe with hot and cold entrees, international cuisine, seafood, and pizzas.
Fine dining with a view: The Restaurant at the Getty Center
For an elegant lunch or dinner with one of the best views in Los Angeles, head up to The Restaurant, with seasonally inspired menus, a distinctive wine list, and a full bar. Try out the four-course prix fixe menu inspired by the current exhibit or indulge in The Restaurant’s Sunday Brunch. Inside the 150-seat dining room, you can check out the large, mixed-media art installation by L.A. artist Alexis Smith or snag one of the 75 seats on the outdoor terrace, which boasts views of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Reservations are recommended (book through OpenTable or by calling the Getty directly); limited same-day reservations may be available at the door or at the Museum Information Desk.