By Gina Yarbrough
Los Angeles, CA–Skywalker Grill, the signature full-service restaurant at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, is scheduled to open Sept. 22, bringing a new dining destination to Los Angeles’ Exposition Park.
Designed by Rockwell Group and operated by Rhubarb Events and Hospitality Collection, part of Oak View Group, Skywalker Grill draws inspiration from the welcoming atmosphere of George Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch. The restaurant will offer classic American cuisine, California-grown ingredients and expansive views of Los Angeles.
The restaurant will be open to museum visitors as well as the general public, serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. It will remain open after the museum’s galleries close, allowing diners to enjoy the restaurant and panoramic city views into the evening.
“Skywalker Grill is a natural complement to the Lucas Museum experience, offering an inviting space for guests to connect over great food and conversation before or after visiting our galleries,” said Tracey Bates, CEO of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art. “We are equally excited for it to serve as a destination for Angelenos from across the city to enjoy exceptional hospitality and beautiful surroundings.”
The menu will feature a combination of familiar American favorites and contemporary preparations. Dishes will include Dungeness crab cakes, lobster corn dogs, crispy chicken Milanese, honey miso-glazed salmon and the Skywalker Ranch Wagyu burger. Guests also will be able to choose from house-made pastas, seasonal salads and shareable starters.
“We are incredibly honored to have been part of this remarkable project, and we set out to create a dining experience worthy of it,” said Katie Harel, managing director of Rhubarb Hospitality Collection and Oak View Group Hospitality. “The menu is inventive yet approachable, designed to welcome everyone.”
Cherry wood panels wrap the walls and ceiling, providing warmth and texture throughout the dining room. Softly illuminated white onyx Corian surfaces create contrast, while a sculptural bar serves as a focal point.
Skywalker Grill also will include a private dining room featuring switch-glass walls that can transition from clear to frosted, providing privacy when needed. An outdoor terrace surrounded by landscaping will offer additional seating.
“The Lucas Museum celebrates the power of storytelling, and we wanted Skywalker Grill to become part of that narrative,” said David Rockwell, founder and president of Rockwell Group. “Our design echoes the museum’s craftsmanship and innovation while introducing moments of intimacy, warmth and surprise.”
George Lucas and Mellody Hobson co-founded the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art to celebrate the universal tradition of storytelling through images. The museum’s collection and exhibitions span visual storytelling from prehistoric cave paintings to contemporary screen art, exploring how images can inspire people, shape beliefs and ideals, and bring communities together.
The Lucas Museum is housed in a 300,000-square-foot building designed by Ma Yansong of MAD with Stantec. The structure was created to reflect the emotional power of narrative art and evoke a sense of wonder, possibility and connection.
The museum is part of an 11-acre campus that includes a park designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA. The green, multilayered gathering space is intended to serve local communities while providing opportunities for outdoor learning, programming and engagement.
