Valley Inn Restaurant and Bar Reviews

Always a great meal and great atmosphere here, old-fashioned with great food and service. Great happy hour and specials all the time, just ask to be added to the email list.

Our first night in the area, we went to this restaurant on a whim and totally random, the food was great and the staff was to kind and helpful! Had a true star struck moment....

WHAT GREAT FOOD

We had 4 people and the bill was $270. Service was sub par much to many problems. Very long waits between courses. My $50.00 steak was cold dry and not flavorful this was a total bust. This is actually a up scale diner with higher prices.

This restaurant was recommended by the hotel staff. Since it was well within walking distance we tried it. From location (next to the 405 Freeway) and the exterior (unassuming and non-descript) you could easily pass this place up as a worn out dive. This would be a sorry and unfortunate mistake. Upon arrival we were instantly greeted and seated. Mark, our waiter, immediately met us and took our drink order. We chose the escargot for an appetizer. It was great. Dinner was the fish special and the filet Alexander. Both were exceptional. To finish up we had the carrot cake and coffee. Another set of winners. Mark's service was impecable. He never missed a beat but wasn't overbearing. Best of all this restaurant has a personal atmosphere. It's a place you have to "know about" to appreciate. Without hesitation we recommend the Valley Inn Restaurant. Once you find it you will want to come back again and again for the excellent quality food and service. Is it any wonder why they have been in business since 1947. From our experience we know why and wish them another sixty-five years of success.

Unique, old-school dining and bar environment.....it has been in business since 1947. Interesting, comfortable, untrendy. All six in our party enjoyed their food. They loved the special soup, a mixture of white and red clam chowders. Salad dressings are homemade and very tasty. It would have been quieter in the room we were in if there weren't so many regular patrons visiting with the waitresses! But nice to know people love The Valley Inn and return for the service, food, and ambience. WE will return!

Classic Great food and would recommend to anyone. I had the pasta with shrimp. The sauce was very good. Server and staff did a excellent job.

Great steak, excellent wine and impeccable service. Had a wonderful experience and plan to return this month!

If you like a real old-fashioned meat-and-potatoes type restaurant, this is the place for you. Great soups, salads, baked potatoes, steak, ribs(!), liver and onions and chicken... The food might clog your arteries, but your taste buds will thank you as you're going down! And the prices are very reasonable for the quality and portion sizes. Such a throwback - with an older clientele, but they don't mind families. And there's a nice private room in the back for parties of say 10 or more... Very nice for special occasions...

We recently met some friends for dinner (Saturday night) at the Valley Inn Restaurant. The menu was the perfect blend of meat, pasta, chicken and seafood. The food was excellent. We especially enjoyed the cream corn which was an add-on to our meal but well worth the extra money. The prices are reasonable for this type of high-end restaurant which started in 1947. The interior was beautiful. Would recommend for anyone looking for a celebration-meal, wanting something alittle different with a slow-paced atmosphere. My only complaint was the waitress (the wait staff has been there a long time) could not split our checks "because she had already written our order down?" Although the service was excellent - lots of additional staff pouring water, tea, coffee, etc - our waitress didn't want to change her way of taking orders.

Just went here for the first time on Mothers day, and I was GLAD I did. First you are greeted by a Staff that makes you know they are happy you came to Their Restaurant, wow that is nice. Frank the bar tender has a ton of great stories about the place, and the wonderful Client who"s pictures line the walls, and makes great drinks. The wine was a bit pricy, but the meals were in the $20-35 range, but what Quality, and NO Skimpy small portions here, you will most likely have a doggie bag. Check the internet, or call for Regular pricing, but the Huge shrimp scampi, and my Roasted Chicken Great, Mom had a beef dish that looked so good, and was huge. The Coffee was real nice, and some of the customers were so Friendly, Was a John Wooden UCLA, Favorite, thanks coach you were so great. Great Ownership that you can talk to, they are cool.

Yummy food, somewhat pricey, but get on their email list for specials. We love the two lobster tail special. Like dining with the Rat Pack, nice clubby atmosphere. Friendly and attentive service. A lovely little gem of a restaurant.

The restaurant has been in the same pace for a long time according to the son that lives up the hill. We tried it saturday night. Two prime ribs and one fried chicken. Chicken needs more time. Dinner comes with a salad and the salads were very good. Corkage is $15. The prime ribs was outstanding; the fried chicken is to super...

Have been coming her for 30 years. Old school style, great food, large plates, easy parking and great staff. If you like fried chicken this has some of the best in LA but you need to call ahead or order once you arrive. Takes at least 30 minutes.

had a meeting close by and didn't feel like a chain restaurant lunch. walked a block and saw the vally inn. Had a nice lunch at the bar. seemed like a throw back place. dark and quiet with a lot of old LA sports memorabilia surf on walls. My beer was cold and sandwich/soup sastifying. Wonder how popular this spot was in the 70s and 80s. Definitly a good change from the chains

The wife and I were staying at a hotel on Sepulveda in Sherman oaks, that only had a Denny's, and we wanted something more upscale. I googled restaurants and found this gem. Wonderful decor, from a time long gone, but well kept. The service and food were excellent. Our server Mark was just fantastic, friendly and efficient. We each had a pasta dish, and just loved it. Prices are quite reasonable especially for that area, which is not far from Beverly Hills. We will definitely be back, I saw a plate of Prime Rib being delivered to a table near us, and it looked fantastic!

Denny's stand-in.

Enjoyed lunch with colleagues. Diverse, traditional and modern entrees with very attentive service. Quiet atmosphere in heavy leather. Perfect for business lunch.

We LOVED this place. It's been around for 65 years. You feel like you are stepping back in time to an old school steak house. The bar even has saloon doors and an old fashioned cash register. The food was super yummy too. The meatball appetizer is a must! We can't wait to go back!

overall is ok with nothing to brag about a little bit outdated

Turns out kitchen closes at 10 pm on weekdays so get there early to try what looked like an amazing prime rib. Nice friendly little bar that seems to be mostly regulars. Cool "old school" family steakhouse decor.

We've gone to the Valley Inn and had great culinary experiences in the past. However, our last experience for Mother's Day (actually Sat. the night before) was what we felt was a complete disaster and we will never go back there, again. We used to go there for special occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Besides being overpriced, the service was very slow even thought there were not too many customers in the restaurant at 6:30 p.m. for which I made our reservation. I ordered the most expensive dish on the menu - 1/2 roast duckling ($33) and what I got was TWO DRUMSTICKS! When I asked the waitress what happened to the rest of the half duckling, she claimed that that's how they receive it, which has to be a bunch of BS. All of the food we received was very BLAND! I had to ask the waitress if I could have freshly ground pepper placed on my salad and then I had to ask for some extra SAUCE for my duckling! I don't know if they had a substitute chef or what, but everyone in our party (6 1/2 people) was extremely dissatisfied with the food -- the preparation such as the bland flavoring and some of the food was very overcooked, etc. It's not as if they had to rush or that they were preparing a lot of orders since we were one of the first people in the restaurant that evening (which opens at 5:30 p.m.). I think Denny's or Carrow's or someplace like that has as good if not better than the Valley Inn, especially for the exorbitant price that obviously is way overcharged!!

I've been here on a few work trips. I love the old school supper club feel. Menu ranges from steaks to seafood to burgers. I had the beef stroganoff with mashed potatoes and minestrone soup. It was flavorful but a bit soupy. This is a perfect stop for a hearty meal and cocktail after a long work day when traveling for business.

Went early on a Saturday to beat the crowds. Joined friends who love the place. Plus the lady in charge came by and when she saw we still had menus, asked if we had ordered. We said "no" and she said "why not". Told her waiter had not taken our orders and my husband wanted the chicken and it takes longer. She let us know that she would be needing our table soon. So rude!!! Waiter came back and took our orders but appetizers were late and mixed up. My husband's chicken came out first and then we got our appetizers. I ordered pot roast which was thinly sliced roast beef. Tasted fine but not pot roast as I have ever had. Husband said chicken was just ok. Something wasn't going right there and it was early on a Saturday. Waiter was very nice though and they brought us a free dessert to make up. Eh.

Every time I'm in California, I must go to the Valley Inn. Have been going there for more than twenty years, and it is still one of my favorites because the food, service and the ambience doesn't change. Fantastic steaks.

In think of Disneyland whenever entering the restaurant - but without the Disneyland prices. While not cheap, the food is consistently good and the service is friendly. I use it as a lunch business meeting place and have never been disappointed.

We arrived well before the usual Saturday night mob as I wanted a banquette rather than the uncomfortable wood ( at least the seat is padded) straight back chairs. But, I wander. We were there because Mrs. Channel 70 Productions loves their bone-in rib eye (as do I) and insisted we make the drive. The meal was perfect, as usual. The service was perfect, as usual. My Amex card squealed a bit afterward, but just in passing. The Valley Inn could only get better if they installed cell phone jammers and more comfortable chairs.

The restaurant has been in this same spot for over 70 years. It's an old-fashioned steak house and I love it. When you order a steak here it's a meal. it comes with soup or salad choice of potatoes etc. Unlike other places, when you order a steak, you get a steak only and everything else is extra. There food and drink prices are fair and there is an extensive menu. A friend and I were there early on a Monday night and by the time I left it was crowded, but we could still talk and be heard. There is no parking lot, it's street parking only, so bring some change for a meter or try to find a place around the corner.

My family and I visited on Thanksgiving. The restaurant has seen better days and looked a little worn and outdated. I initially thought perhaps it was intended to give a off a nostalgic air, but I was wrong. It’s just old. There was no effort made to make us feel welcome. The waiter never cracked a smile. No bread was ever brought to the table. The meal was rushed and the food was average at best. Luke warm prime rib served with flavorless dry mashed potatoes and string beans (the tastiest item on the plate). The rest of the party each had the turkey plate which had the usual Thanksgiving items, but at $50 a plate it was a little skimpy and without butter or gravy being brought to the table. There are definitely better dining options nearby with better food and friendlier service.

My family has dined at Valley Inn 3 times now and every time the meal was absolutely perfect. It's a clubby but not dated atmosphere with private rooms for larger groups. Great selection of aged prime steaks, incredibly good slow-cooked prime rib and southern fried chicken, and a wonderful assortment of other main dishes, side dishes, and salads. Excellent service, and the bar makes really good drinks. Can't recommend this place enough if you're in the SF Valley and want a great upscale meal that's not with a chain.

Frequented this place many years ago - it is still the same and just as good as it use to be. Very friendly service with really good food. Had lunch - so good- went back the next day for dinner

We tried this restaurant for the first time for a Saturday date night dinner. I ordered the prime rib and my husband had the pot roast. He gave it a 10 out of 10. My prime rib was tasty and was a very generous size. The thousand island salad dressing was amazing and in house made. We had the carrot cake to share for dessert. It was a huge piece. The ambience was excellent and the booths were very comfortable. We will return to try some other tasty sounding dishes on the large menu.

Step back in time in the delightful restaurant. Quilted booths, delightful staff and terrific food. Do not miss the come back for more historic fried chicken dinner. Excellent. And the clam chowder, both Boston and Manhattan, wonderful.

Restaurant itself is dated, but the food is good. My husband had the chicken piccata, my mom had the shrimp scampi and I had a Cobb salad minus the meat. Oh yeah, they started off with the clam chowder. My mom says it’s the best!

This restaurant was a terrific find. Staying at an area hotel their sign was visible and we just tried it by chance. The rich dining room was old world charm. Booths and tables set in a dark wood room where guests could have a conversation at the table without yelling to be heard. The waiter was great, knowing how things were prepared and attentive without being ever-present. The food was terrific, sea bass to die for and the ahi tuna excellent. What a great location for a quiet and wonderful experience. Try it you will not be disappointed when in the Sherman Oaks area right off the 405 and Ventura blvd.

Wow what can I say except the food is incredible. Everything is homemade and fresh to order. The atmosphere is fun yet professional. The owners Sophia and Boris go out of there way to make sure everything is to your liking. Whenever we are in LA we go to this resturant. They also host partys such a baby showers ect. The waitress are always pleasant . Iwill eat and visit here evertime we are back

I dined at Valley Restaurant on Wednesday evening and it was so enjoyable I returned with business associates on Thursday evening. On Wednesday I dined alone in the bar area. Larry the bartender made a "killer" martini. Met several very nice locals. Enjoyed prime rib. It was perfect. On Thursday night I returned with two business associates. All three of us raved about the food, service and atmosphere. I enjoyed tuna and once again it was perfect and our waitress provided superior service. We learned that the restaurant had been in business since 47 and is frequented by vips and stars. Many pictures adorn the walls which are very interesting. I can understand why this restaurant is a local favorite. I enjoyed it very much and highly recommend it. From a pricing standpoint it offers superb value. I believe my tuna and drinks (2) totaled $45 plus tip.

Had lunch, and was a little taken back after walking in from the warm sunshine. It had the old world feel, with subdued lighting and dark wood. It was actually cozy and had a warm feel to it. They specialize on their meat dishes. I tried the pot roast since I felt it was had to find in restaurants. Expecting a bowl or dish, I got several cuts of meat with some gravy and potatoes. It was very good, just a surprising presentation. Had an issue with a chipped glass which they replaced right away. Help was professional and well dressed. Price was good, maybe a bit higher for lunch than normal. Overall a nice place, they say established in 1947. I guess the décor is based on that era, but it is interesting and one of a kind.

We had a good dinner splitting a fillet, recommended red and white chowder and wedge. Nice cheesecake and delicious limoncello sorbet. Service was good but waiter clearly overloaded with three two tops and a party of 12 so steak and sides just warm. We enjoyed its history and food was fine but this isn’t a prime steakhouse anymore even though priced as such. Deserves better than a 3 but it’s not quite a 4.

This restaurant has been in business for 65 years and is a throw-back to another time when dining out was a real experience. It is mainly a steak house and the décor with leather seats and dark wood could be considered masculine, but it is refined and elegant. It is very popular and seems to be a favorite of many movers and shakers. The menu focuses on filet mignon, prime rib (aged for 28 days) and other steaks cuts, but there are many other options including pork chops, rack of lamb, duckling. More specialties include sautéed calf liver and two dishes from 1947, country fried and oven roasted. And then are also seafood and pasta dishes. What a menu! And the food is superb. My filet mignon topped with crab meat was dynamite. My wife, not as hungry, had the Kitchen Sink salad and French Onion soup which she thoroughly enjoyed. There is also a very nice wine list. Our server, Kari was absolutely the best – efficient, professional but very friendly, and well versed in the food.

Nice old style dining area with comfortable booths or tables. Fried chicken is great. Prime rib so-so. Coconut macadamia shrimp underwhelming. Menu says served on a bed of rice pilaf. More like a tablespoon of rice. Fortunately the waitress brought me more rice. Soup was good and so was dessert. Service not so great

dark and cozy bar (felt like one of those places you would meet someone maybe you outta not be meetin)...bartender "on his game" Very attentive but still gave us "space"...I had a New York and it was fine (bout a 7) but the server and the atmosphere made it seem more like a 9...I Really like this place and will stop in again when I visit L.A.

If you like the dark, classic, leather chairs and booths this is the place for you. Totally old school menu for lunch and dinner that is well executed. Service is excellent and friendly.

This restaurant has been here for decades. Nice warm interior with very nice bar and bartender. TV in the bar. The restaurant carries the usual fare: steaks, lamb, chicken dishes, etc. Seems to have an older crowd that comes in here. Very good food but expensive. Parking along the street in front.

For sure this restaurant is old-fashioned. It does not try to be anything else. Autographed pictures of celebrities on the wall, cool little bar with friendly bartender, varied but traditional menu. Warm greeting at the door, friendly service. The food is well executed. The place seemed authentic to us and we had a relaxing dinner.

The Valley Inn and Martini Bar have been a fixture at the same location for years. It is family owned and the proprietors are always there to make sure that the service is prompt and the food is properly prepared. This is an old-fashioned restaurant that serves excellent food. There are always numerous specials that one has to choose from. It is a pleasure to go to a restaurant that is not part of a chain or group and be personally greeted by the owners and the staff. There are also private rooms which are excellent for family gatherings and celebrations

Went here for a work dinner on a Tuesday evening. The place was not crowded and the service was acceptable. We love the decor of the place and the ambiance was very nice. However, I just have to say that the food was just not up to expectations for anyone in our party. I had the duck which was overcooked and dry, several of our team ordered the fried chicken which was given an "ok". And the carrot cake for dessert was again, only "ok". So overall, I was disappointed with the experience. I might give it another try with different menu choices because friends have had wonderful meals there, so we will have to see...

Recently went to the Valley Inn while in town on a business trip. Folks in my group ordered everything from the ribs, fried chicken, to a Filet. Reviews were mixed, some felt prices were a bit high for what they got. I enjoyed my meal, while it was not the best Filet i'd ever had it was pretty good. Order ahead if you want the fried chicken. Note: Soup and Salad are a la carte, they were not included with our dinners

Valley Inn takes you back in time when Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley were growing and still maintaining a friendly place to visit and enjoy a good meal. The bar is old style and the food is excellent. The owners are very friendly and warm to customers. A great place to enjoy lunch or dinner or a drink at the bar. The Carrot cake is outstanding!

Fine Dining: The food was great, the ambiance old LA and the server first rate as I did not have a reservation and dined at the bar,

great retro restaurant with good food (prime rib/steaks etc) and a famous old time bar. Very good prices and the prime rib was tops.

The Valley Inn is a nice spot to stop for dinner while in the Sherman Oaks/Encino area. They have a good menu and offer very good service and hospitialiy.

We have been dining at the Valley Inn for about 4 years now and it has become our go to place when we want a great meal, great service and just a warm overall experience. The menu has a ton of options and so does the bar. We take our two year-old as the place is a nice family-friendly restaurant. The chef has been there for something like 30 years and all of the recipes are homemade, even the salad dressings. Funny how some in LA might make a comment that it isn't trendy looking, but I could care less. It is classy, old school, clean, warm, friendly and damn good. You just cant find places with substance in LA, or at least its pretty hard to do so.

Great food, charming atmosphere and wonderful service!!!

Have been coming here for 10 years and my parents went here 30 years ago. Haven't eaten the food, but the bar is small and great. Very old fashioned bar with sports photos on the walls. Great place for a drink. Very quiet.

Decided to dine at the Valley Inn on the recommendation of our hotel concierge while visiting So CA. This valley restaurant was established in 1947 and has a retro feel to it with its dark panelling and old world ambiance. Service was efficient and friendly, food delicious and portions large. We started with soup and/or salad (included with entée). We enjoyed all of our entrées, but particularly loved the fried chicken and the kobe beef burger. If I lived in the area, I would definitely be a regular of this restaurant. It's not fancy, but good food, good service and moderate prices make it a winner.

Terrible service.The prices are like beverly hills steakhouses lets say Boa or Mastros , but the food like in Dennys.

If you like to experience a flashback in the Fifties, yes this coould be the right choice. Outdated menu, old fashioned decor and old schoold recipes aimed at an average octogenarian clientele, nostalgic abut the times gone by. Wines also reflect the dusty atmosphere. Definitely to saty away for a romantic dinner if you don't want to face a depressive tete-à-tete

Wonderful atmosphere in both the bar and the restaurant. Food was prepared to order and came out piping hot. Service was way above excellent. Great people watching if you like the Hollywood types.

Valley inn has been here for 40 plus years. The present owner are very accommodating and serve some of the best food in the entire valley. Steaks, ribs, chops, and fried chicken. It a must visit and has a great bar as well.

There where two couples that went to the Valley Inn for dinner. All of us had eaten there before. Unfortunately it was not as good as any of us remembered. The consensus was that the food was just OK. And the service about the same. The restaurant badly needs an update and if they cant raise the quality of food, there would be no reason to re do the place. Maybe they have just been doing it too long and the passion is gone.

Neat place to try with lots of history and celeb clientele over the years. The food was as expected, good but nothing to write home about. The wait staff was very attentive but seemed to be ‘mailing it in’. We were a bit underdressed after a day at Santa Monica Pier and perhaps that influenced their behavior? I would not rush back...

This restaurant was recommended by our hotel as the best in the neighborhood. It was also just half a block away, so after a demanding day, we thought, "Why not give it a try?" Well, it was okay, but not very special. Both the decor and the menu (in the sense of what was on offer) was tired, a flashback to a sixties steakhouse without updating the rooms or the food. We had prime rib and pot roast -- again, okay but nothing to shout about. We would give praise to the waitress, though, who was run off her feet but doing her best to give good service with a personal touch. All in all, we thought we paid more than we got.

Was looking for a nearby restaurant and Found Valley Inn. Ambiance was that of a steady neighborhood restaurant that has been a fixture for many years. Food, while not fancy, was good. Prices were reasonable. Would definitely return if in the area again. 3.5 stars.

Staying at the Marriott across the road, dropped in for a drink at the bar after a tiring flight from London. Bar like going back in time and seemed as though we had stumbled on the cast of cheers. Barman friendly and served a large J D and ice. Stayed for a couple of drinks and felt very welcomed. Did not try the food but was told by others in our group that it was good. Thank you to the locals for a nice hour relaxing.

The bar is like Cheers, everybody will know your name. Mediocre food, good company, good drinks.

All orders were fine food with diverse needs/want met by our wait staff. Delightfully delicious evening! :-)