Luminarias Restaurant & Special Events

The food was decent, but nothing stood out. Plus, there are no vegetarian options. The salads are basic. So, ordering sides to make a meal that comes out very pricy. The fries were perfect & crispy. Cocktails are good. The espresso martini was exceptional. The lava cake was delicious. The view of the San Gabriel mountains is great. Our server Evan made the evening even better with his sense of humor.

We haven't been here for the longest. Probably more than 10 years. This is an awesome property. With ample parking and beautiful views. Top notch place for events. Very romantic if you're on a date. I was going to give the service 5 stars, but had to hold back because it took them more than 20 minutes to get out desserts. That was just to long. Other than that, the food was good. We ordered the skirt steaks, ribeye, salmon and the 4 choices of meat grill. I didn't think they are open for lunch, but definitely nice place to show off to new friends.

We really appreciated the portions, they’re not huge but definitely large enough, so good value overall. We were not super impressed with the flavors, the fish was fresh so no major complaints but nothing extraordinary. The service was not good, she had a little bit of an attitude but not terrible. The best thing was the chocolate dessert.

We visited Luminarias for the Sunday brunch. The brunch menu was kinda limited, in my opinion. Our server was great up until our food came out then he just disappeared. The presentation of the food was fantastic. The french fries were very tasty and so were the empanadas de birria. I had the chilaquiles and while the portion was very generous it locked on flavor. My son had the chicken and waffles. The restaurant itself was beautiful with views of the freeway (not the best view). Overall, not a place that I would drive an hour to go to again.

Food was great. Service not so great. Runners dropped off appetizers. Different servers did bring food out. Our server seemed stressed out covering such a large part of the floor. Floor manager along with GM didn't move around much till they needed to. Meal was good. Would have loved to try desserts. To get that menu took 12 min. For her to come back and ask what t we wanted from that menu was another 13. At that point we just wanted the bill. We couldn't find anyone to get it to us. Took several more minutes. At the end of the day I'd go back for the food. At some point. It service was horrible. Poor couple next to us sat down hadn't gotten a menu at least for 15 minutes we watched. Coordinate your service. Food is great. Good value for the money.

We dined here to celebrate our wedding anniversary and were very impressed with everything this restaurant had to offer! The food was masterfully put together. Flavor pairings and presentation were out of this world and tasted amazing. We caught the last bit of happy hour and tried some of the skillfully crafted cocktails. We sat outdoors and enjoyed the vibe of the seating area and the views from the perched patio. Our server Mariela was friendly, attentive to our needs, and took great care of us. A wonderful experience to celebrate a special occasion. Will certainly be coming back.

An Afternoon Above the City: Lunch at Luminarias Some places don’t just serve food they pause time. Luminarias Restaurant is one of those places. I had the privilege of spending lunch there with my team our entire group of shift managers hosted by our Regency Manager in a gesture that spoke volumes. Not just appreciation, but intention. The kind that says: you matter, your work matters, and today we slow down together. From the moment you arrive, Luminarias announces itself without arrogance. Perched above the city, it offers sweeping views that feel cinematic Los Angeles stretched out below you like a living mural. The architecture alone is worth the visit: warm arches, elegant lines, and a sense of old-world Mexican grandeur that feels both timeless and welcoming. You don’t feel rushed here. You feel invited. Then came the food and this is where “good” becomes an understatement. Every plate that hit the table was intentional, beautifully presented, and deeply satisfying. Rich flavors, bold but balanced, clearly crafted by people who respect tradition while mastering execution. This wasn’t just lunch; it was an experience that demanded your full attention. Conversations slowed because bites required silence. That’s how you know the food is real. But what made the afternoon unforgettable wasn’t just the cuisine or the view it was who I shared it with. Sitting with my fellow managers, breaking bread outside the pressure of shifts, metrics, and daily demands, reminded me why leadership matters. Why teams matter. Why moments like these are not luxuries, but necessities. Laughter flowed easily. Stories were exchanged. For a while, titles disappeared, and camaraderie took the lead. Our Regency Manager didn’t just treat us to lunch he created space. Space to breathe, connect, and feel seen. And Luminarias was the perfect setting for that kind of moment. I left full of incredible food, yes, but more than that, full of gratitude. Grateful for strong leadership, a solid team, and a place that understands how atmosphere, flavor, and human connection can come together seamlessly. If you ever want to experience Los Angeles from a higher vantage point literally and figuratively Luminarias is not just a recommendation. It’s a reminder of how good things can be when done right.

What a lovely romantic place to dine. Nice local special occasion restaurant. I was here for a fundraiser in a large banquet room. ALL 400 people got an 8 ounce steak (we didn't get a choice on the cook, mine was well done, but my plus one got a medium rare.) The green pesto chimichurri was good, mildly tangy/spicy. 4/5. The mashed potato was stiff and lukewarm 3/5...the veggies included a couple spears of asparagus all nicely cooked almost al dented 4/5. The dessert was a multilayered chocolate cake, it was thick n' chocolatey probably would make chocolate lovers smile. 4/5. Coffee provided at a coffee station,, but not served. Servers 5/5 were quick to clear plates, and kept things tidy and moving along. Although, I didn't have a dessert spoon, it was easy to ask for one and I received it quickly.

Enjoyed the Peruvian ceviche and crab cakes! Cafe con leche was yummy. Thank you for the great service, Tony.

Lee is an amazing server! Food was great and filling! Nice inside and the views are pretty good too!

Took my girlfirend here for her birthday and it did not disappoint! It was very easy to get to the restaurant and there was plenty of parking available. We ordered the calamari and oyster for our appetizer and shared the seafod tower for our entree. Both were very good. Our server Lee was amazing!

Our server Evan was awesome Quick and very friendly We felt taken care of all night Will come back again soon

Tony was great!! Get the platter and the cake, meals are solid for lunch Next time I'll get some breakfast

Great ambiance for a work outing! Service was exceptional. Tony was great and the rest of staff. Cubano and dessert such as cheesecakes and lava cakes were divine. Classy place! Would definitely recommend for work events or for a romantic date.

We had brunch at Luminaria's as a party of 6 people. They do a good job of accommodating parties, as the restaurant is very large, parking is ample, and portions are generous. The food is a bit hit and miss. I enjoyed my Cuban Sandwich (without bread). Others tried the French Toast, which was practically a loaf of bread covered in cloyingly sweet sauces. The avocado toast was piled high with avocado but seems to be a poor value given the dish is merely bread and avocado. The eggs Benedict was well-liked, as was the hangover hash. The staff is friendly, but service is slow- we waited a long time for drinks to come out, and for refills. The view from the patio is great, and makes for a pleasant atmosphere. I'd come back but wouldn't be in a hurry to do so.

Great place for any special occasion! We celebrated a friend's birthday with dinner on a Friday night. We were seated in the patio overseeing the city. There was live music creating a lively atmosphere. Our server was knowledgeable and provided great recommendations. The Seabass was tender, mouth-watering and memorable! The food and desserts were excellent.

Came for happy hour. The first person you meet should at the very least , greet you with a smile. She was not very engaging. When she walked us to our table, we chose to sit on the patio, I noticed tables were dirty. She offered to clean them but not happily. I understand that it may not be her "job" , however I tried engaging in conversation as she did wipe but not too talkative. Our server, Jazlyn, was amazing! She made up for the first encounter. She was pretty busy but still made it a point to stop by often and heck on us. The food for happy hour was good. However, pretty much all the food was on the fried side. the empanadas were amazing but we tried the zucchini fritters and the oil ran from them. The mole sliders were great as the guacamole! I think we found our favorite place for a good meal and it's close to home!

I went with my work team today for my first time and the food was amazing. Get the Lumis platter and the cafe de leche dessert. Tony had great service, so we'll definitely be back!

It's been a long while since the last time I was here, but it was a wonderful dinner with friends. We ordered the duck fat fries and guacamole with chicharrons to start. Duck Fat Fries - a definite winner! They were crispy and had a great flavor Guacamole - good with the chicharrons and it had a nice kick. Chilean Seabass - it was so fluffy and perfectly seared with a great sauce. The fingerling potatoes were flavorful and I loved the pepperoni flowers. I would definitely get this again. Birria Pot Roast - this was super delicious! It was so tender and flavorful, great dish The view is nice, but we didn't see it until it was dark. I'll make sure to come for brunch or happy Hour next time. Love the renovations, it very modern and fun. It's a very beautiful setting. Reservations on OpenTable was a breeze. Service was great and we didn't feel rushed. Parking is plentiful in the lot. Definitely recommended!

Came here on a whim with my best friend and wow it did not disappoint! I got the crab cake Benedict - it was so excellent. Even better was the view, and the service: thank you Tony for being the best host for us, we had a blast!

my partner and I had a lunch date here for a belated Valentine's Day treat. The views were amazing and the food was delicious. we we're also welcomed very well. our server, Tony was kind and attentive. He recommended the chilaquiles and it was delicious! thank you all!!

We visited the location for Valentines night and we were so impressed with the presentation from the entrance to the inside of the restaurant. It was 4 course meal which was excellent and the staff was very polite and professional. Live music and every couple looked they were having awesome time as well. The view was beautiful because sits on a hill. Overall definitely he must place to visit with your partner.

Everything was absolutely amazing! We made reservations and were seated promptly. The service was stellar, the food was maginificent, and the ambiance was great for a night, out they even had a live band. The seafood pasta was the BEST!

Luminaria is a beautiful spot to eat, especially is you go around sunset. They have enough heaters to have one or two per table, so make sure you ask for that! From one angle, you just see the freeway and Cal State LA, but from the other angle, it's the rolling San Gabriel mountains. Gorgeous! The happy hour menu is solid. The drinks are delicious. I don't drink alcohol, so I asked them to make it and swap out the alcohol for sparkling water. The must gets are the empanadas and the duck fat fries. Also, the wedge salad was refreshing! Tony was such a kind and fun server. He talked up the beef birria empanadas, and we ended up with three orders!!

Evan treaded us with so much respect and gave us good tips on what to order . Evan was very attentive and polite . Evan gave us a good first time experience.

We were on the hunt for a last second restaurant for my mother in laws birthday. Luminarias was the pick and a great surprise. As we entered, everyone was welcoming, the open space in front of the bar was a joy, and everyone enjoyed their food - definitely get the empanadas. The main star of the show was Evan, lead server. He was on top of it every point of the way, making each person at our table feel special. He also went above and beyond by informing us that a large party is about to order food, so we should get our orders in so we don't have to wait too long for it came out. Really appreciate him taking care of us. Overall, the place was really nice and I would definitely recommend it.

Had a great dinner tonight with friends. We had great service by Christy. She was very attentive and gave recommendations on drinks. Everything tasted delicious and fresh. The roasted chicken is a huge portion and very tasty. The la muerte drink was very flavorful. Mango and tequila with a chamoy candy. Will definitely get again. There were some appetizers but unfortunately no pictures. The birria empanadas were very good! Brussel sprouts is a must and the guacamole. The bread and butter is amazing! Overall wonderful and delicious dinner! Thank you!

First time coming here for brunch and it did not disappoint. My friend and I didn't have reservations and were seated pretty quickly. We sat outside and it was a beautiful day with a beautiful view....music was playing, birds were chirping, great way to start a Sunday. Tony was our server and he was so kind and friendly. We orders the birria empanadas, french toast and hangover hash. I didn't even think I was that hungry but we licked our plates clean. I would come back and order the same exact thing I got!

Each time I've been here, I enjoy the views, food and venue. A neighborhood restaurant and special event space in the Monterrey Park area. With floor to ceiling windows capturing a wide view of the city. Full service bar providing your beverage of choice. A menu with an array of entrees and cuisine of Asian and Mexican flare. Banquet rooms and small dining areas are available.

My review is geared towards the Happy Hour Menu, mostly! I live close by and adore coming here for happy hour! Reservations are easy to make (there's a specific section for Happy Hour Guest) and there's plenty of parking I've brought multiple friends to enjoy their drinks and views because those are winners. The food is generally good but some misses Drinks: loveee the One in a Melon and we usually get some tequila shots too heheh the old fashion is solid too and creeeps up Food Hits: beef birria empanadas, guacamole, duck fat fries and shrimp skewers Food Misses: zucchini fritters (goes soggy quickly). most of the skewers are misses LOL they're pricey, small and underwhelming. the grilled oysters are okayy (if you eat them immediately). chicken mole sliders (super dry) I just noticed i named more misses than hits hahah but i'd still return for the drinks, views and vibes!

Came here for my birthday last night I was taken aback by how beautiful the view is. We sat outside to enjoy the view & we had Mr. Lee as our most amazing server! He was juggling a huge party & our table but he was so attentive & so efficient We ordered the seafood tower, seafood pasta (the noodles were squid ink), crab cake, street corn, skewers, pork ribs & salmon. Everything was sooooo soooooo good! Mr. Lee even brought me a little birthday dessert~ Definitely want to return here

We had a great Dine LA experience, so we tried again. We really enjoyed the vibe here, felt lively and upbeat, yet chillaxing. FYI, they don't have a separate menu, so remember to ask. The food was great (as expected), and the service was exceptional. Our server, Lee, walked us through the menu making sure we know what was changed/added, and introduced/recommend us the food again. He was super awesome as he thought we were here for celebration, so he offered a cornbread starter and an extra dessert in the house. The food quality is great. What made the experience excellent was the service.

Great customer service from Tony, a pleasure to have him our server. He was amazing he was the best waiter ever and the fries were good. - my 7 year old niece.

This place was amazing!! LEE !!! The best person in the world!! Out of this world service!! The aesthetic and the ambience is amazing!!! Definitely coming back, it's a must try spot !!

Evan is great. I can't wait to come back! He was such a great server. We really enjoyed his service.

Get the Lumis Sampler! Great view, food and service. Tony provided the best service. It's been a great place for our office lunches.

PROS: - Parking is plentiful here. There is a parking structure along with just parking spaces on the property. - The property is actually really nice and you feel like you're in a secluded area even though you're right smack in the middle of the city. - The event staff were great here. CONS: - I was here for a banquet style company luncheon and ordered the skirt steak. It was probably the worst piece of meat I've had in a long time. It was so dry I felt like I was chewing a wad of beef jerky. FINAL THOUGHTS: - I'd like to be back sometime in the future just for their regular menu, but this is not a great place to book for a big special event, especially when it comes to the quality of the food.

Great place to have lunch or brunch- beautiful views and atmosphere plus our amazing waiter Tony made my friend's birthday extra special with wonderful service and suggestions. Great place to come any time not just on a special occasion.

It was my husband's birthday and he wanted to go to Luminaria's to celebrate. The venue itself is beautiful and very welcoming. However, the server took a long time to come back and get our order. I believe it took about 11 minutes. Our daughter was getting very hungry and we had to flag her down. The server looked flustered. Normally, in this case, I wouldn't mind having to flag down our server. But- this is "fine dining" and the pricing on the menu is expensive. After we placed our order, the food took quite a while. At least the food tasted good. I have a few suggestions for you: 1) The server uniforms need to be updated. It doesn't fit the vibe and atmosphere of the restaurant. 2) The lighting was too bright. It should be dimmed for a romantic/cozy ambiance. Overall, I most likely will NOT come back. The prices are too high for the lack of good service and ambiance.

Excellent food , amazing service from Lee and beautiful views . Definitely a place I would recommend to anyone looking to have a great night .

Food was bananas, view was amazing and Tony was the absolute best. 5/5! No notes! Try the empanadas and duck-fat fries!

Food was really good but the service was outstanding--, our server Tony handled a large group with aplomb. Make sure you try the empanadas

Tony was amazing! Attentive, wonderful, hilarious and a delight that elevated our experience at Luminarias. We'll come back for him!

Decided to try the bottomless mimosa brunch and it was amazing! The birria empanada is a must have! Tony was our waiter and he was quick to recommend some of the house favorites. Great service and recommendations from Tony! Definitely will return

Evan is the best server! He took care of us in every detailed. Food was 10|10! Mimosas delicious!!

This place is a hidden gem. Ambience 10/10. This is a Perfect date night spot because the view of the hills of Monterey park is absolutely stunning. You can even see the beautiful view from inside. Everything about this place makes you feel like you are at a fine dining restaurant in Beverly Hills or Hollywood but you are actually tucked away in a suburb of East LA. Service 10/10 the wait staff was Amazing. Everyone was really helpful and our waiter whose name I forgot but he was a really tall gentleman was extremely helpful with recommendations and checked on us enough to fulfill our needs but not invade our intimate moments. Food 10/10 RUN don't Walk to this place. The food was BOMB, like someone's ancestors inhabited the bodies of the chefs and produced flavor masterpieces. We got the sea bass which was perfectly tender and lightly crisp on the outside cushioned in a bath of tangy citrus sauce. The salmon was also highly delicious, tender and flavorful. There was a jalapeño cornbread that was moist and buttery. The Mac and cheese was a salivating combination of butter and various cheeses and the broccolini was a nice al dente tangy side dish. I absolutely love this place and will definitely be coming back for brunch or other dinners.

Stopped by in November for a double birthday celebration. I was honestly disappointed with this establishment. I heard it's basically a sister restaurant to Castaway so I expected the same quality experience. The view is overlooking the freeway traffic. The menu wasn't very impressive and they don't do charcuteries anymore (they did in the past). The flavor of the food was something I could have ordered from a little diner. The fancy drinks are also just for looks (very light on the alcohol pour). Also, they took away the glass and plate as soon as my drink was delivered and I was able to capture my video. The waitress also failed to acknowledge our birthdays which was the whole reason we were there with a large table. Sadly, we didn't have a great experience here.

Amazing service and food! Lee was a great and attentive server. First time here and it was definitely worth it! We will be coming back for sure. The ambience was very nice sitting outside under the lights with a great view.

Our Brunch experience was amazing, we celebrated our dear friend's Birthday! Food was amazing, the restaurant is beautiful and our server Evan is top notch! He made our time extra fun!

First time trying brunch at this restaurant. We love Orangehill in Orange so I was delighted to know they were both affiliated. We had a birthday event and we all happy with our food. We had the crab benny's, French toast, avocado toast, egg scrambles.. all delicious. The service was good, didn't show up too much to check in on us but when she did it was good. The ambiance was super cool. Their huge patio was very family friendly with a huge cool bar.

We enjoyed brunch today for my mom's birthday and couldn't have had a better experience. Evan was our server and he went above and beyond to make it special. Even though my mom didn't ask for a drink, he brought a celebratory special drink for her anyway, which she appreciated. The food, ambiance, and servers were all great. Will definitely come back!

I love breakfast foods so when I found out they had brunch here I had to come check it out. Came here with a few girlfriends of mine and we sat out in the patio area. It was a little chilly but they had heat lamps stationed around so it wasn't too bad. We ordered the Crab cake Benedict, hangover hash (which was a braised short rib with potatoes, wild mushrooms and poached egg) and a salmon BLT. The food was delicious and the view was nice. Service was just a little slow for me but other than that we had a great time and will definitely come back. I heard they have a good happy hour too!

Celebrated my mom's birthday here today, thank you so much for your great service Christy! Happy Holidays!

Tony was amazing! It was my sister's birthday, and he made our dining experience exceptional! There need to be more servers like Tony!

Tony is such a great server, he made great recs on food!!!!! Beautiful restaurant w great view, food is surprisingly great

First off, our waiter (shoutout TONY!!) Tony was great! He was very attentive and kind. We were very large party, so I understand how things may be delayed. The food was AMAZING! I had the steak frites and they were great. They were with the duck fat fries. We also had the raw and grilled oysters. My family has been a fan of oysters, and we LOVED them. For dessert, the brunch menu wasn't too expansive. I'm sure that there are more desserts for dinner. But, we had key lime pie and the french toast. I was surprised by the French toast- not what I was expecting. BUT, it was surprising in a good way. I'm not too big of a key lime pie fan, but it was still great.

Thanksgiving was sooo good. Greeted by great hostess, waitress was so sweet, but the star was the 4 course meal. Bottomless mimosas, two appetizer platters, select main course, salad and desert platter. Everything was scrumptious. Thanks Chef Alex and the whole crew