When I heard that a restaurant called Skywalker Grill was opening at the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, I was expecting a wonderland of Star Wars-themed food and drinks (not dissimilar to the Blue Milk and Ronto Wraps served at Disneyland’s Galaxy’s
Edge) in a hyperfuturistic dining room. My predictions were entirely wrong. Skywalker Grill is a beautiful and modern museum restaurant with a menu that doesn’t feel as enthralling as a space opera saga between good and evil. Still, if you can manage to get a reservation and temper nerdy expectations, Skywalker Grill is worth a visit, if only to appreciate the modern architecture, stunning downtown views, and simple — but serviceable — menu.
What to order
- Tangles of fried calamari in a craggy batter that feels light and crisp, tossed with aromatic fried basil and sliced Fresno chiles, arrive steaming hot. For me, what made this shareable appetizer was the smoky kick of the accompanying chipotle aioli.
- The chopped salad is the most beautiful rendition I’ve ever seen, with jewel-toned beets, perfectly cubed cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, bacon, boiled eggs, corn, and chickpeas — all underneath a visually impressive sliced avocado. There’s creaminess from the avocado, crunch from the bacon bits, and a pleasing earthiness from the beets. The salad is delightfully fresh, with an acid-forward balsamic vinaigrette that ties it all together.
- Order pigs in a blanket for the table for snackable bites of hot dogs encased in a flaky croissant dough topped with everything bagel seasoning. The punchy mustard for dipping stands in stark contrast to the saltiness of the dog.
- You should get one of the meatier dishes from the menu to try Skywalker Ranch beef. I recommend the burger, which has classic backyard burger vibes thanks to toppings of grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and a slice of cheddar cheese, all on double sesame seeded buns. The bolognese also highlights Skywalker Ranch beef in a meaty ragu over al dente gemelli pasta.
The vibe
Skywalker Grill offers a stunning view of Downtown Los Angeles from its expansive patio — optimal on a sunny Los Angeles day. The interior looks nothing like the Millennium Falcon; instead, the space oozes with warm, ambient lighting and wood tones, with swooping, futuristic architecture vaguely reminiscent of The Jetsons.
Insider tip
You don’t actually have to have tickets to the Lucas Museum to drop into Skywalker Grill. Instead, upon entering the museum, go straight to the elevators designated for the restaurant.
The takeaway
I don’t expect a museum restaurant to blow my culinary mind, and Skywalker Grill certainly does not. Although I wish the restaurant took bigger and more inventive swings when it comes to the menu, the space is gorgeous enough to make me overlook the ordinariness of the food. At this restaurant, the dishes have to be approachable and appeal to a mass audience; they’re secondary to the vibes of the space and lore of George Lucas. Maybe that’s okay. Maybe that’s the point. Regardless, I think Skywalker Grill is worth at least one visit, whether you’re a tourist in Los Angeles or want to bear witness to the prettiest new restaurant in LA.
