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    Esperanza Cocina de la Playa

    4.4 (1k reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    ESPERANZA COCINA DE LA PLAYA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Trendy
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Esperanza Cocina de la Playa

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    Fried Horchata Ice Cream
    Mcnealt ..

    I wish I had 5 more stars because I would give my experience a 10! The honest truth..... I loved my first experience at Esperanza so much so that I took my fiancé for dinner. The second experience was not great. It was an extremely busy night, and the service was not what I expected. I told the waiter I was displeased. He apologized; however, I was disappointed and we left. After I left, I received a message from my server, Ben, asking for an opportunity to to make it right and inviting me back. Two months later, I took him up on the offer. He booked my reservation right away. Upon arriving at the restaurant with my Mom, we were seated right away and given such good treatment, we felt like celebrities. And the food, AMAZING! The churros for dessert - Chef's kiss. What makes this stand out for me is that Ben went so far above and beyond to make sure that I had a good experience. His apology was sincere enough, but he didn't stop there. A lot of people are not willing to go the extra mile like he did that day. I am very grateful and appreciative, and I do not take it for granted. The food at Esperanza speaks for itself, but the SERVICE 100/10! No notes. Thank you Ben.

    Pescado del día  sea bass
    Genesis D.

    We went to Esperanza Cantina on Juneteenth for brunch with my in-laws, and overall we had a really nice time. The space is bright and beautiful, and everyone was kind and accommodating. The only issue we had was with the corner seating. It gets a little tricky when your party is seated in a corner and the party next to you is also cornered into their seats. Anytime someone needs to get up or go to the restroom, both parties have to shift and adjust. The party next to us seemed visibly and verbally frustrated, and it felt like they were blaming us for blocking them, even though we were just seated where the restaurant placed us. They made a few comments under their breath, which made the situation feel awkward and a little uncomfortable. Also, the tall tables are a bit wobbly, so if you are getting in and out of the booth, definitely grab your drinks first, especially if you ordered a Big Daddy Margarita. No one wants that beauty tipping over. That said, the food was amazing. I had the pescado del día, which was sea bass, and our waiter recommended it with the wine sauce, corn, and rice. Omg, it was so good. The fish melted in your mouth and was so moist and delicious. We also ordered two Big Daddy Margaritas, which we already love from their sister restaurant, Palmilla. Overall, we'll definitely be back. I'm still thinking about that sea bass and will absolutely be coming back for it soon.

    Huevos and carne asada
    Maylee W.

    Delicious! Went for Brunch - loved the flour tortilla appetizer, ordered guacamole and Chips and the huevos with carne asada. Mimosas were $10 or the pitcher was $40. Ambiance - had a table on the first floor - nice! Service - excellent. Well done!

    La Asada con Salsa
    Mehul M.

    The asada was very good and flavorful. They give you tortillas as appetizers alongside with chips which was nice. Service was great and nice ambiance inside. For parking, you can do street or any of the nearby structures.

    Rija K.

    Really underwhelming mexican food. One start for large servings but taste was not good. Also, the owners should really look at the cleanliness of their restaurant like how could you just have your couches stained and allow that to be a representation of you. I really dont get some owners. I would never leave anything stained. Also, extremely loud chaotic not peaceful atmosphere with music on way too loud.

    Achiote Beso Salmon
    Sue F.

    Had a business dinner here and what a fun experience! Restaurant is beautiful, has a lovely area upstairs with a fire pit and a bar upstairs and downstairs. The noise level can be a bit loud and it can be crowded but the service, drinks, and food were exceptional! Their menu offered a nice variety of foods- from vegan to seafood, and their drink menu offered a nice variety of options. Their guac was chunky and delicious and their churros were superb! The churros were not heavy and texture and taste were excellent! Their sangrias were refreshing and oh so tasty! I ordered the Achiote Beso Salmon (per our waiter's suggestion), and it was perfectly cooked, presented beautifully, and tasted great! Can't wait to come back!

    Short Rib enchilada, chile relleno, black beans, and rice
    Michael V.

    The Chile Relleno: 5/5 This was the highlight for me. It was rich and filling, and the batter was thick and airy with the perfect crunch. After asking, I learned that they make it with Modelo Negra, which they have on tap. I will definitely be back for it. Short Rib enchilada: 3/5 It was good, but the sauce masked the short rib, which seemed to be tender and well prepared. I will likely try the taquitos instead next time. The drinks were the right kind of strong. Sound seems to echo and travel, so parts of the conversation were hard to hear across the table, but it was still a great atmosphere with the lighting and decor.

    Michelle Z.

    I came into Esperanza the other day and had such a great experience! Our server Ben was very helpful with his recommendations, he talked me into getting the Asada Con Salsa and the watermelon cooler and they were both delicious! The chimichurri sauce on the steak was top notch and the margarita was so refreshing with the perfect amount of spice! I will definitely be back again! (My homemade chimichuri is just a tiny bit better)

    Veggie Two Enchiladas
    Kassandra S.

    Incredibly beautiful restaurant! We came on a Tuesday evening table for three people with a reservation. We were sat down quickly towards the back & put in our order for drinks! They served us handmade tortillas with a dripping sauce tray. We all enjoyed it very much & the tortillas were incredibly tasty! I will say, it was busy and our drink order took longer than expected The drinks were delicious! All their margs can be make into mocktails Once we put in our food order it took approximately 45 minutes for it to come out! The food, nonetheless, was tasty! I will say the crispy taco with braised short rib was dry, however, the chile relleno was perfectly tasty!! Overall cute restaurant. The food/drinks took quite a bit to come out, then for our server to bring the check. By this time many people had left. Perhaps some servers didn't come into work today. I always like to give their staff the benefit of the doubt. Will come again to re-rate the service & try different plates!

    Tacos de Langosta
    Carmen D.

    Super cute location! The handmade tortillas with butter are amazing. I tried the langosta tacos and they had a nice mixture of flavor. My husband also enjoyed the carnitas plate, while my aunt thought the chile relleno was okay. Drinks were okay.

    Flour Fresh Tortillas with Honey Butter and Salsa
    Nada S.

    The food was average--nothing particularly unique stood out. I ordered the chicken chipotle with mushrooms; it was fine, but the rice and salad weren't appealing to me. What really elevated the experience was the service--our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and offered thoughtful recommendations, which I appreciated. The ambience is definitely the highlight of the place: lively, stylish, and full of people dressed up, giving it a fun, happening vibe. Cost $50 / person

    Exterior
    Brenda F.

    Food is excellent. The flan is to die for... not the plantains.. would come back. Service holds up. Atmosphere fun and lively especially nights and weekends.

    Quesadilla de Parilla
    Jordan S.

    I was not expecting to like this place too much but wow was this place really good. I will say the prices are a bit high but I think it's still worth a try. They have Mexican cuisine here and if you like mexican food, this place is great. I love the way they cook their tortillas. I usually am not a fan of corn tortillas but at this place. they were so good. They had the best texture. I recommend the Tacos de Filet Mignon! It was super good and delicious. The meat was well seasoned and the tortilla was perfect. It was sooo good!!!! The restaurant was also so cute and peaceful but at night, this place does get louder because people come here to drink. Their drink menu was fairly large!! The staff here were also really nice and accommodating. Overall great experience and very much worth a try! I would come here again and try a different item on the menu.

    Inside/front of store

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    20 days ago

    Amazing drinks, food, and service! I love the coconut pineapple margarita. Always ask for Devin; he's the best!

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    13 days ago

    Fantastic food. Had a wonderful experience, our server Sadie was excellent. Great vibes , fun atmosphere

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    Page 1 of 26

    Esperanza Cocina de la Playa Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Esperanza Cocina de la Playa

    Do we have to reserve? For a party of 5?

    Yes, we strongly suggest making a reservation for a party of 5. Cheers!

    Would it be easily accessible by person on wheel chair.?

    I went and use a cane and it was slightly difficult to move around as the tables and chairs are close together. I think a "path" could be made to get a wheelchair through but it would be tight.

    What's the parking situation here?

    There's a city lot behind the restaurant (and you can enter from the back) but it's often full. There is metered street parking - but hard to find a spot. I parked in Manhattan Village and took the walking path (1.5 miles)!

    Are walk-ins welcome or is by reservation only?

    Yes they take walk ins

    Is this a GREAT place for after dinner drinks on a Saturday night around 8p?

    Is this place good for kids?

    Not really but they are definitely welcomed

    I saw your hours are updated - do you have a brunch menu or is it the same as the dinner menu?

    Hi Sharan! You're correct, we now open at 11am every day and we serve our regular lunch/dinner menu. We're working w/ our Chef on developing a full weekend brunch menu right now, and will be opening Sat & Sun at 9am in the coming weeks. Cheers!

    Are vaccinations required ? Is there a limit of guest per table?

    Hello- We follow all LA County Covid guidelines. Proof of vaccination is not required nor are there any limits regarding guests per table. Cheers!

    Is there a happy hour?

    I don't think so .

    Can I reserve a party of 12 in your outdoor area?

    Hi Monica- Please call the restaurant at 424-422-0057 or email reservations@esperanzamb.com to inquire about availability. Cheers!

    When does your kitchen close on Friday nights?

    Kitchen closes btwn 11-11:30pm on Friday (based on demand).

    Is there outdoor seating?

    Yes, there is a covered patio for outdoor dining.

    Are kids allowed?

    Yes, absolutely!

    View All 21 Questions

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    This was my first time visiting Purple Orchid, and I wanted to try a tiki bar close to home…read more Overall, I had a really fun time! The vibe is very classic, no-fuss tiki bar, and they have two pool tables inside, which adds to the laid-back feel. The drinks were great, and everyone there was really nice, which made the experience even better. The only thing I'd say could use some improvement is the music. Omg, I was definitely wishing the playlist had a little more energy or personality. Better music would take the vibe up a notch for sure. Other than that, the drinks were solid, the people were friendly, and I had a great Saturday night. I'd definitely come back for a casual tiki drink night.

    Wish I could leave zero stars.. This was the absolute worst…read moreMai tai I have ever had. It tasted like sour/rotten juice with some sort of fermented swill floated on top. No mint on top, zero lime flavor, but a cherry on an umbrella. I literally took one sip and pushed the glass back to the edge of the bar. Not one bartender or bar back came to check on my party after sitting our drinks down. After about twenty minutes of being ignored someone came and grabbed my husbands empty glass but left my completely full glass sitting on the bar mat. Another ten minutes or so of still not being checked on and we finally decided to leave. I'm out the twelve bucks for my drink but I consider it a twelve dollar lesson in not coming back here again. Sadly, the only reason we chose to get drinks at this bar was because I insisted I wanted a drink before heading home.

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    Scorpion
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    Flora Rooftop Bar

    Flora Rooftop Bar

    3.8
    (227 reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$

    This place is a great spot for hosting dinner parties! It's located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel…read morein El Segundo, and the views definitely add to the experience. We came here to celebrate my cousin's graduation after she became a doctor, and it was the perfect place for a special occasion. The food was delicious, rich, flavorful, and satisfying. The drinks were great too! I enjoyed the wine and champagne, which were smooth and not overly strong. A special shoutout to our server, Daniel, who did an amazing job taking care of our group. He was attentive, friendly, and always checking in to make sure we had everything we needed. One thing to keep in mind: it can get pretty windy up there since you're close to the airport, so bring a light jacket or dress accordingly. Thankfully, they have fire pits and heat lamps that help keep everyone warm and comfortable. Overall, we had a wonderful time and I'd definitely come back to try more items on the menu. Thank you for a great experience!

    My friends and I were looking for a cute rooftop bar near kia forum so we decided to check out…read moreFlora. First off, the vibe is lovely. It's located inside a hotel and the rooftop was decorated with florals and there were couches near the fire pits. If you sit at the fire pit, the table is going to be super small by the way. I ordered the grapefruit grove, but they ran out of grapefruit so I had to sub for pineapple. The drink still tasted good. My friends ordered the bird of paradise and the LA fruit cart and they liked their drinks as well. For food, we all tried the flora fries, garlic parmesan wings and the ahi tuna poke nachos. This is where it was lacking. I only liked the flora fries. They were crispy and garlicky. However, the garlic parmesan wings were extremely bland. I couldn't taste any flavor, we had to ask for some salt. The ahi tuna poke was not what i was expecting. I literally got 4 small pieces of tuna on some crispy wonton chips and it was $23 lol. Overall, if I were to come back, I would just come for drinks and ambiance but not the food.

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    Interior vibes
    Interior vibes
    Dirty martini
    Dirty martini
    Vibey

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    Vibey
    Porterhouse

    Porterhouse

    4.6
    (256 reviews)
    2.3 mi
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    We love great steak houses and we have been to a lot. Porterhouse is now our new favorite. It was…read moreour first time here and it was so good. It is located on a great street in the middle of El Segundo. There are a lot of places to eat there and we will need to try them all. Parking is free, but mine the signs or you will not be happy. It is on the street. It will get crowded so make a reservation. You will be seated on time and the staff is great and will take good care of you from the minute you get there until they say goodbye. They know the menu well and can explain it all. They have a great menu and their selection of steaks can't be beat. They have a porterhouse which is so great. They also have huge streaks as well. What is really great is they have a few things we have never seen before. They have a Thai curry wagyu beef pasta that is just perfect. It has shaved wagyu filet, shimeji mushrooms, bell pepper, snow peas, rice noodles, and peanuts all in a yellow curry sauce. It is just great. You also need to try their halibut. Their sides are the best and you will love them all. This place really has it going.

    This is hands down the best steakhouse in Southern California. We have been more than once and each…read moretime it was great. It is getting popular so make a reservation. This time we took my husband there for Father's Day. We got an early reservation so it was not crowded, but by the time we left it was full. Parking is easy on the street and for the most part free. This is a fine dining place so it is expensive and for 4 people we spent a little over $400.00--no alcohol. They have a beautiful full bar but we were not drinking. You can also go solo there and eat at the bar. The steaks here are the best as is all their food. They make their own rolls and they have an interesting vegan salad made with kale. Their coffee is just great. All of their sides are wonderful, but you must get their jumbo asparagus and their mashed potatoes. They also have great desserts, but add something chocolate please for those of us not fond of carmel or toffee. A must have is their starter crab cake. They have the best sauces for all their food and they are all made from scratch. The service is the best. You will want for nothing. They are so spot on and kind. The place is comfortable and spotless. It is a must try.

    Photos
    More seating on Outdoor Patio
    More seating on Outdoor Patio
    Chilean sea bass
    Chilean sea bass
    Casual seating / dining are in the back room.

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    Casual seating / dining are in the back room.

    Esperanza Cocina de la Playa - seafood - Updated July 2026

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