According to one embodiment, an organic electroluminescent element includes: a first electrode having a first and a second major surfaces; a second electrode opposed to part of the first major surface; an organic luminescent layer provided between the first and the second electrodes; an optical layer having a third major surface opposed to the second major surface and a fourth major surface on opposite side from the third major surface. The fourth major surface includes a first region overlapping the second electrode, and a second region not overlapping the second electrode. The fourth major surface includes a first concave-convex provided in the first region and a second concave-convex provided in the second region. A planarization layer is provided on the second region and burying the second concave-convex.