Castaway
Steak house · Hillside
1250 E Harvard Rd, Burbank, CA 91501
Highlights
Californian cuisine & cocktails with scenic hilltop fire pit views
Californian cuisine & cocktails with scenic hilltop fire pit views
"Castaway is a Valley classic that sits on a hill overlooking Burbank. They recently had a big renovation, and now the place looks and feels like an expensive hotel rather than a relic of the ’90s. Although they’ve also overhauled the menu (think steaks, crab cakes, shrimp cocktails), it’s still pretty boring and expensive. But you don’t come here for the food, you come for the view, which spans from the north parts of the Valley to DTLA. If you bring some out-of-towners here for snacks and drinks at sunset, and they’ll insist you come back every night for the rest of their trip. RESERVE A TABLE WITH RESERVE A TABLE" - Jess Basser Sanders
"For views that stretch across the San Fernando Valley, head to Burbank’s castaway. The longtime restaurant underwent a multi-million dollar renovation in 2017, and is now the place to bring family, a date, or anyone without leaving the Valley. It might not be on a literal rooftop, but this location might as well be the rooftop of the Valley. Try to reserve an outdoor table and marvel at the vistas. Castaway’s happy hour (called golden hour), runs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., and offers chilled oysters, garlic fries, and discounted drinks." - Rebecca Roland
"One of Burbank’s most iconic hillside wedding and events venues with incredible views, Castaway has kept up its menu and cocktail menu over the years to cater to modern tastes. The main choices on the wedding menus are still going to be mostly grilled chicken or pan-seared salmon, though the enhancements of lobster or prime rib give wedding menus an additional luxe element. There are many different events spaces and nooks on the property, so be sure to book the one that gives the wedding party the most access to those expansive views of the city." - Nicole Adlman
"It’s not every day you’re going to be able to convince yourself (or anyone else) to drive up into the Burbank hills for brunch or a fancy dinner, but when it involves The Castaway, anything is possible. Yes, price points can get a little high here ($100 a head if you really want to get after it), but the meat-heavy menu is good (the charcuterie and cheese bar is a particular bright spot) and the views from the patio physically couldn't improve. So grab another glass of red, huddle up next to an outdoor fire pit, and gaze out over the San Fernando Valley, which until this moment, you never realized was so beautiful." - brant cox, arden shore, sylvio martins, cathy park
"Between the Tom Hanks reference and formatting the entire menu to look like a script, nothing screams “Showbiz, baby!” quite like a meal at Castaway. This is the perfect place to take an out-of-town friend that wants to be impressed but doesn’t want to eat at Pump. Plus, the patio offers a gorgeous view of LA, and the brunch menu has everything from a $185 seafood tower to a cheese and charcuterie bar. Deal: $30 mix-and-match bottomless mimosas. Flavors include dragonfruit-watermelon, cucumber-mint, lavender-charcoal lemonade, and pineapple-jalapeño. Weekends 11am-3pm." - brant cox, nikko duren
