The Grill on the Alley

Should You Book The Grill on the Alley?

Getting a table here is not the ordeal it once was — booking is direct, which makes it easier to act on the recommendation than to talk yourself out of it. The harder question is whether this Beverly Hills institution still earns its place on your shortlist. Based on a 4.6 Google rating across 506 reviews and consecutive Opinionated About Dining Casual recognition in North America (Recommended 2023, #481 in 2024, climbing to #447 in 2025), the answer is yes — with some important caveats depending on when you go and what you're after.

The Experience

The Grill on the Alley sits at 9560 Dayton Way in Beverly Hills, operating as a classic American steakhouse-and-chop-house format that has long served as a default for business lunches, celebration dinners, and industry deal-making in one of LA's most high-net-worth zip codes. The room carries the kind of weight that comes from decades of use , dark wood, leather, and a kitchen that runs on precision rather than novelty. You are not here for a trend. You are here because the format works.

The OAD ranking trajectory tells a useful story: three consecutive years of recognition, improving position each time. That consistency is more meaningful for your decision than a single splashy review. It means the kitchen is not coasting.

Lunch vs. Dinner: Where the Value Sits

This is where the editorial angle matters most for your booking decision. The Grill opens for lunch Monday through Friday at 11:30 am, making it one of relatively few Beverly Hills destinations that operates a full midday service on weekdays. On weekends, the kitchen opens at 4 pm Saturday and 5 pm Sunday , dinner only.

Lunch at The Grill is the sharper value play. The room is less theatrical at midday, but the cooking is the same, and the Beverly Hills lunch crowd brings an energy that suits business meals or a long, unhurried catch-up. If you are bringing clients or celebrating something that does not need candlelight, the weekday lunch slot is the more practical and often the easier booking. You get the full experience without fighting the Saturday dinner competition.

Dinner , particularly Friday and Saturday , is where the room performs as a special occasion venue. The atmosphere tightens, the pace slows, and the setting justifies the occasion. For a date or a milestone dinner, the evening format is the right call. Saturday dinner (from 4 pm) gives you an earlier window if you prefer a quieter room before peak service. Sunday dinner from 5 pm is consistently the softest booking of the week and worth considering if you want the full experience with less friction.

For a comparison point: if your priority is a celebratory American dinner with a room that reads as occasion-appropriate in Beverly Hills, The Grill competes directly with Craig's for atmosphere and Dear Jane's for a more modern take on the same social function. The Grill wins on heritage and formality; the alternatives win on scene. Choose accordingly.

Who This Is Right For

The Grill works leading for: business lunches where the room signals seriousness, special occasion dinners where a classic American format is preferred over a tasting menu, and out-of-town visitors who want a Beverly Hills experience that delivers without requiring insider knowledge to execute. It is less well-suited to groups looking for a buzzy, high-energy room or diners whose priority is cutting-edge cuisine. For the latter, Agnes or Delilah serve different needs in the same city.

For American dining benchmarks elsewhere in the US: Selby's in Atherton and Hilda and Jesse in San Francisco offer instructive comparisons in the same broad category. Further afield, Emeril's in New Orleans and Smyth in Chicago sit in a different tier of ambition, while The French Laundry in Napa and Le Bernardin in New York City represent the ceiling of the format in the US if budget is no constraint.

Practical Details

Reservations: Easy , book through standard reservation platforms; walk-in availability is plausible on weeknights and Sunday dinner. Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 am–9 pm; Saturday 4–9 pm; Sunday 5–9 pm. Address: 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Price range: Not published, but the Beverly Hills American steakhouse format at this recognition level typically runs $$–$$$ per head depending on beverage spend. Dress: Smart casual is the safe choice; the room skews toward business and occasion dressing. Awards: OAD Casual North America #447 (2025). Google rating: 4.6 from 506 reviews.

For more LA dining options, see our full Los Angeles restaurants guide, our full Los Angeles bars guide, our full Los Angeles hotels guide, our full Los Angeles wineries guide, and our full Los Angeles experiences guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What should a first-timer know about The Grill on the Alley? It is a classic American chop house in Beverly Hills , not a trend-driven restaurant. Expect a formal-leaning room, a menu built around familiar American formats (steaks, seafood, classic sides), and service that is practiced rather than spontaneous. It has earned OAD Casual North America recognition three years running, so the consistency is real. Price will reflect the Beverly Hills address, so budget accordingly.
• Can I eat at the bar at The Grill on the Alley? The venue database does not confirm bar seating specifics, but American chop houses of this format in Beverly Hills typically offer bar or lounge seating as an alternative to the main room. Call ahead or ask when booking if bar access matters to your plan.
• What should I order at The Grill on the Alley? Specific menu items are not confirmed in our data, so we will not invent dishes. What the OAD recognition and the American chop house format do confirm: this kitchen is built around classic proteins and sides executed well. Order the format's strengths , steak, classic seafood preparations, and whatever the kitchen runs as a daily special.
• Is lunch or dinner better at The Grill on the Alley? For value and practicality, lunch wins , available Monday through Friday from 11:30 am, same kitchen, less competition for tables, and well-suited to business or casual occasions. For atmosphere and special occasions, Friday or Saturday dinner is the right call. Sunday dinner (from 5 pm) is the quietest evening slot and a good option if you want the full dinner experience with an easier booking.
• Can The Grill on the Alley accommodate groups? A Beverly Hills American restaurant of this scale and format almost certainly handles groups, but specific private dining or room capacity details are not in our database. Contact the venue directly to confirm group minimums, private room availability, and any set menu requirements for larger parties.
• How far ahead should I book The Grill on the Alley? Booking difficulty is rated easy, so last-minute reservations are feasible , especially on weeknights and Sunday dinner. For Friday or Saturday evening, or for larger groups, booking 1–2 weeks ahead is sensible. The OAD ranking means this is a known quantity in LA, so peak slots do fill.