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The 32 Most Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles, According to an L.A. Foodie

I curated the top rooftops, firepits and sexy seaside spots

romantic-restaurants-Los Angeles: Terrazza restaurant
Terrazza

As a longtime Angeleno, I know my restaurants, from the best rooftop spots to food trucks. Now that Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, I'm here to attest to the fact that nothing says romance more than a plate of sweet corn carbonara with pancetta. Or maybe a juicy tomahawk steak topped with 24k gold, shaved truffle and caviar. Or perhaps a perfectly risen chocolate soufflé. My point is the way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, and this is especially true when someone else is doing the cooking and we are free to focus on staring deeply into each other’s eyes (phones down, please). Whether you’re looking for a restaurant patiorooftop bar or sexy spot with a view, I’ve got you covered with this roundup of the most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles. (Psst: Be sure to keep an eye out for special Valentine’s Day menu items because we all know that date night can get pricey.)

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Most Romantic Restaurants LA - An overhead shot of pizza and other Italian-inspired dishes on a marble surface.
Mother Wolf

1. Mother Wolf

Evan Funke is an LA pasta-pizza God and his new Hollywood Old World Roman-inspired place is one of the most romantic rooms in town. Sure, you can go to his other famous spot on Abbott Kinney (Felix), but this one is four times the size with plenty of blush-hued banquettes for snuggling over delicate squash blossoms with ricotta or a spicy rigatoni with oxtail ragu. Don’t miss the mortadella di bologna stuffed in folded pizza dough (with pistachio and lemon, no less) along with a couple of negroni cocktails.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Hollywood (1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: date night
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A steaming dish from Ka'teen sits on a wooden platter with scorched vegetables. Everything is on a gray surface.
Andrea D'Agosto

2. Ka’teen

The sexy-romance vibes begin the minute you walk down the dark, twig-lined tunnel-like entry way to this new Mexican hideaway by chef Wes Avila on the ground floor of the Tommie Hollywood hotel. It feels like you’re in a jungle setting with lush foliage and plenty of private nooks that are dimly lit. The Volcan Tequila and Illegal Mescal cocktails will get you in the mood for ceviche tostadas, mole verde mushrooms or whole branzino with fresh salsas hand-made tortillas.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Hollywood (6516 Selma Ave., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: sexy times

3. Grandmaster Recorders

How about three romantic options in one venue? Brought to you by the owners of E.P./L.P., start your night with cocktails in the first-floor Studio 71 bar-lounge area with a DJ then move over to dinner in the open chic warehouse-style main restaurant for Petrossian caviar cannolis and crispy potato scallops with whipped cod row or the special Valentine’s Day “Chefs Menu for Lovers.” End the evening with a nightcap on the roof patio where the cocktails are flowing and the playlist spans Neil Young to Cool and the Gang, plus the anecdotal history and memorabilia of this former recording studio, where everyone from David Bowie to Gwen Stefani and Kanye West recorded, will give you all the feels.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Hollywood (1518 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$
  • Best for: first dates

4. L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele

You can’t go wrong with a hidden Hollywood patio that is the sister restaurant of the famous Naples pizzeria in Eat Pray Love (the one that made Julia Roberts gain weight, as if!). The space has been updated with a secret garden where you can sip cocktails and order the fantastic thin-crust pizza and pasta Nerano from the main menu. That’s amore!

Fast Facts

  • Location: Hollywood (1534 N. McCadden Pl., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$
  • Best for: second dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A soup dish from Caldo Verde that includes bread and mussels in a sauce. There is a gold spoon next to the dish and both the bowl and silverware are on a white and brown marble surface.
Dylan & Jeni

5. Caldo Verde

James-Beard Award-winning chefs Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne’s (of AOC fame) can be found most nights on the ground floor of the Kelly Wearstler designed Proper DTLA Hotel. The room mixes warm tones, vintage finds and an array European-inspired tiles with modern touches. Share a steaming bowl of Caldo Verde aka spicy fish stew and pretend like you are in Portugal for a night. After dinner, the Cara Cara rooftop awaits for cocktails, firepits and a city view.

Fast Facts

  • Location: DTLA (1100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: anniversaries
romantic restaurants Los Angeles: De La Nonna
De La Nonna

6. De La Nonna

Behind the funky white-walled Arts District exterior, lies a charming garden and tree-lined area with Motown music wafting out from an indoor walk-up pizza ordering counter. The pies here are oblong squares, made with fluffy focaccia with perfectly crispy edges, but don’t miss an order of the eggplant caponata, which is caramelized (almost like a banana). It’s fun date food in any case, and do try the tequila-mezcal cocktails or house-made fennel lemon citrus limoncello. And be sure to pop into The Let’s Go Disco & Cocktail Club for great drinks and music to cap the night off.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Arts District (710 E. 4th Pl., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $S
  • Best for: late night meet-ups

7. Lady Byrd Café


This beloved all-day Echo Park casual spot has flipped the patio into a space with greenhouse-style pods where you can dine by candlelit in the evening. If you are an early bird (that was too easy), do try the lemon poppyseed pancakes for breakfast, or spicy pulled pork sandwich for lunch. At night, they break out the wine and cocktails and the pastas are very temping.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Echo Park (2100 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $S
  • Best for: brunch

8. Horses


If a dimly lit pub atmosphere is more your style, you’ll want to book this Sunset Blvd. newcomer in the former historic Coach & Horses space. The small red leather two-top side booths are just waiting for you and your date and the intimate back room is perfect for splitting a whole Cornish game hen or a brioche-bun burger and a bottle of bubbles or a vodka Vesper martini with a gin infused fig leaf.

Fast Facts

  • Location: West Hollywood (7617 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: chic dates
romantic restaurants los angeles fannys
Fanny's

9. Fanny’s

This long-awaited restaurant at the mid-city Academy Museum with chef Chef Jun Bum Oh at the helm, screams special occasion. The old Hollywood vibes feature plenty of red booths to sink into with your love and nostalgic art with a historical movie theme covers the back walls. Order the "tomahawk steak for two"From Russia with Spicy Vodka," a tableside Caesar and cheese plate along with ‘the world’s best martini’ by star-tender Julian Cox. If you come for lunch, go upstairs to the museum and accept your ‘fantasy’ Oscar on stage in a simulated experience as part of the date. It’s a win-win.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Midcity (6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$
  • Best for: anniversaries

10. The Little Door

Taking your date to this fancy French restaurant, located in a gorgeous hidden indoor-outdoor space, basically guarantees you sex post-dinner. Caviar, oysters with blood orange granita, champagne...and that's before you get to the main course options that include filet mignon, rack of lamb and, for the vegetarians out there, a vegan roasted cauliflower steak. The food is dependably well-executed and the outdoor heaters keep you cozy, and no Angeleno should miss this little Euro escape in the middle of the city.

Fast Facts

  • Location: West Hollywood (8164 W. 3rd St.
    West Hollywood)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: anniversaries

11. Republique

Located in a historic building originally built by Charlie Chaplin, this restaurant encompasses a bakery, café, bar and restaurant. It's owned by Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke, and a longtime force in the culinary arts (in 2023, Chef Margarita won a James Beard Award for her outstanding pastry here). French-inspired and locally sourced, the seasonal fare is impeccable (for example, the baguette is served with Rodolphe Le Meunier butter and optional pan drippings). Just remember to save room for dessert, like the Calville Blanc apple tart with armagnac caramel and 24-moth aged Comté.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Miracle Mile (624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles,)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: celebratory dinners
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A photo of the interior seating arrangement at Olivetta. It's dimly lit and has draped fabric hanging from the ceiling. The seats are wooden and upholstered.
Olivetta

12. Olivetta

With several separate convivial dining rooms giving off a roaring 20s celebratory vibe (think: vibrant gold-hued wallpaper, softened by billowing cloth draped ceilings), you’ll feel like you’re on a decadent vacation where more is more. This is also a good option on Melrose Avenue for excellent coastal Mediterranean dishes by chef Laurie Hudson. This includes a mini-loaf of toasted sourdough bread, a signature Bolognese or whole salt-encrusted branzino.

Fast Facts

  • Location: West Hollywood (9010 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: blind dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A soup dish from Lulu at the Hammer with mussels and bread in an orange sauce. It's on a light-color surface.
Justin Chung

13. Lulu At The Hammer

Legendary Chez Panisse founder Alice Waters opened her first LA restaurant with longtime collaborator David Tanis inside a courtyard patio at the Hammer Museum, presenting diners with an epic date opportunity. You can sit at the open-air bar or amid the alfresco tables of fresh produce and fruits that will likely show up in your garden lettuces salad or house daiquiri cocktail, and you can walk it off while you view the exhibits after that long lunch.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Westwood (10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: long lunch dates
los angeles romantic restaurants cobis
Facebook/Cobi's

14. Cobi's

Let’s start with the entryway and dozens of long stem roses hanging from the ceiling—and this is not just for Valentine’s Day but a signature design feature. Try to book the back patio where you will dive into sharable plates of Indonesian snacks, ranging from Curry Puffs with garam masala to a spread of gado gado with tempeh, peanut satay and cassava crackers washed down with natural wines and Asian lagers. For dessert, a shaved ice with berry granita and coconut tofu cream hits the spot.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Santa Monica (2104 Main St, Santa Monica)
  • Price Range: $$
  • Best for: weeknight treats
romantic restaurants los angeles centos pasta bar
Facebook/Cento's

15. Cento

Another must with great regionally-inspired Italian fare, Chef Avner Levi’s (Bestia) pasta pop-up has put down roots with a cozy patio space and an open chef kitchen with bar seating in the blossoming West Adams area. Coupled with a great wine list, sharable chicken liver crostino with aged balsamic, sweet corn carbonara with pancetta, crème fraîche and white truffle or the signature beet spaghetti with ricotta are a few indulgent options.

Fast Facts

  • Location: West Adams (4921 W. Adams Blvd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: double dates

16. Pasjoli

For a westside French bistro scene filled with gorgeous de Gourney wallpaper (and a sidewalk parklet option in front), where you will sip on Armagnac, chartreuse and cognac infused with white or black truffles, head to Main Street in Santa Monica. And nothing says romance like blinis with golden osetra caviar and smoked sturgeon rillette. Share a chocolate soufflé at the end of the meal and add a kir royale pour deux (that’s for two) with a half-bottle of Gaston Chiquet Cru Champagne and crème de cassis to seal the deal.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Santa Monica (2732 Main St., Santa Monica)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: anniversaries
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - Fish and meat dishes from Sugar Palm on different colored plates placed on a marble surface. There are hands in the frame cutting into the fish.
Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue

17. Sugar Palm Ocean Avenue

The Viceroy in Santa Monica has an indoor-outdoor main dining venue called Sugar Palm, and under the helm of Executive Chef Johnny Marin, it's worth a visit whether or not you're staying at the hotel. Opt for a seat at the wrap-around bar or sit out by the firepits and enjoy prawn meatballs, black aguachile, seared scallops and creative cocktails globally sourced, including from Santa Monica's world-renowned farmers' markets.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Santa Monica (1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica)
  • Price Range: $$
  • Best for: first dates

18. Terraza

If you crave an unobstructed ocean view sunset while you feast on fresh seafood and beef by chef de cuisine Chad Huff (who has worked with Curtis Stone, Michael Cimarusti and Evan Funke), Hotel Casa del Mar in Santa Monica is a great spot a twilight toast with your besotted over crispy skin branzino, handmade pasta or fruits de mer ceviche for two.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Santa Monica (1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: sunset dinners
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A white tray full of an array of tiny desserts from Wolfgang Puck.
Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air

19. Hotel Bel-Air

This is the quintessential OG romantic spot. From the floating swans in the pond as you walk the bucolic grounds to an enchanting patio restaurant with a marble fireplace in view, plus a bar you can tuck into after for a nightcap or view an art exhibit—currently celebrity photographer Norman Seeff—or check into a historic bungalow room. This spot has it all and there is always something new to discover.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Bel-Air (701 Stone Canyon Rd., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: celebratory dinners
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A giant rose gold tower of desserts featuring sparklers. A hand reaches into the frame and pours a sauce on some of the desserts.
The Green Room

20. The Green Room

For the best view of the San Fernando Valley, this longtime favorite hilltop spot, Castaways near the Burbank golf course has a Green Room speakeasy-bar that is just as inviting as the spacious patio with a fireplace. And you can nibble on a massive charcuterie board spread or try the surf & turf oysters, along with chocolate-covered strawberries, Champagne or fun cocktails from a fountain.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Burbank (1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: celebratory dinners

21. The Maybourne

Sometimes variety is the spice of life and romance. The beauty of this modern-Mediterranean central Beverly Hills hotel is you can dine on The Terrace patio overlooking the Beverly Cannon Park and fountain, have a more casual bite at the Café right next door, and a nightcap in the new chic lobby bar or head upstairs for an international flare in the Cigar and Whiskey Bar, if that’s your thing.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Beverly Hills (225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: sexy drinks dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - An overhead shot of a a wooden box style plate with different kinds of raw fish inside, similar to a bento box. There are different dipping sauces on the side.
Soko

22. Soko

With only eight bar seats, this new sushi haven is a perfect spot for a couples or a Galentine’s Day take-over, and it’s hidden inside the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows by the beach. But if you do come on a date, order the shareable bluefin tuna platter with a melt-in-your-mouth selection of nigiri from red snapper to Selva shrimp, and a carafe of primo sake or a cocktail made with yuzu.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Santa Monica (101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: special occasions
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A plate of bucatini pasta in a red sauce platted on a speckled white dish. The pasta is topped with a type of cracker. The dish sits on a white surface.
Innis Casey

23. Mr. T

New to LA’s Sycamore District, Mr. T is a contemporary French restaurant with a large patio, twinkling lights and a cozy interior with a bar and open kitchen. Restaurateur Guillaume Guedj - former owner of two Michelin-starred Passage 53 in Paris, and creator of the original Mr. T in partnership with Chef Tsuyoshi Miyazaki – is behind the concept. Here you can have a sinful bowl of mac-n-cheese flambeed with shaved truffles or a wagyu cheese burger that will also be lit on fire at your table.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Sycamore District (953 N. Sycamore Ave., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: anniversaries

24. Anna May Bar

Tucked inside highly the highly-regarded Beverly Hills staple, Crustacean, the pan-Asian signature dishes of matriarch Helene ‘Mama’ An can now be enjoyed in a sultry, bar-lounge setting paying homage to the pioneering silent film star Anna May Wong. Don’t miss the famous garlic noodles, ‘smoking’ tuna cigars and Dungeness crab legs, but if you’re feeling really decadent, go for the spoonful of caviar and glass of Champagne. On date night or girl’s night out, you can get a caviar ‘bump’ served on a rose gold compact for the ultimate keepsake.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Beverly Hills (468 N. Bedford Dr., Beverly Hills)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: second dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A plate of oysters sits on a silver platter. In the center there is a red sauce. There is a white person's hand in the frame holding a glass of white wine. There's another glass with a clear liquid and a twist of lemon. Everything is on a white surface.
Dylan & Jeni

25. Lillie’s at The Culver Hotel

This new indoor-outdoor French spot in the historic Culver City Hotel has a menu with classics such as steak frites, whole branzino and cheesy onion soup. It’s also the perfect spot to order dozens of oysters and a bottle of Champagne while listening to the Jazz quartets Thursday through Sunday nights. And hey, depending on how the night is going, you can also book a room and continue the romance.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Culver City (9400 Culver Blvd., Culver City,)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: drinks dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A bright pink pastry with raspberry garnish sits on a dark colored plate.
Niku X

26. Niku X

Niku X is a sultry, modern Japanese venue at the Wilshire Grand Center with Michelin-starred Chef Shin Thompson behind the grill. There is nothing more romantic than a view of the DTLA city lights while you nibble on a decadent Wagyu tasting menu and sip premium sake. You can also opt for a sleek booth with a built-in grill for a more interactive grilling experience.

Fast Facts

  • Location: DTLA (900 Wilshire Blvd Ste. 212, Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: first dates
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - An overhead shot of a variety of dishes offered at Kaviar along with different colored beverages. There are plates with different kinds of foods, some featuring caviar. Everything is placed on a dark surface.
KAVIAR

27. KAVIAR

The original Pasadena restaurant is one of the sexiest, dimly lit main dining rooms in town. Past the velvet drapes there are plenty of nooks and crannies to get cozy, from the bar to the plush banquettes, for Aureta caviar tasting and Casa Del Sol tequila pairings. Share the signature Billionaire’s Tomahawk topped with 24k gold with shaved truffle and caviar.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Pasadena (70 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: special events
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A photo of the outdoor seating arrangement at San Laurel. There are light wood colored tables and chairs that look out on metallic-colored LA buildings.
Conrad Los Angeles

28. San Laurel

Nothing says romance like a stunning view of one of the most iconic buildings in the world. Gaze out at the legendary architect Frank Gehry’s Walt Disney Concert Hall while you graze on Spanish-inspired food by humanitarian and chef Jose Andres. The menu at San Laurel inside the Conrad Los Angeles offers thinly shaved jamon Iberico, sizzling shrimp and grilled romaine with Manchego. The adjacent bar serves elevated cocktails such as the clear Japanese whisky milk punch.

Fast Facts

  • Location: DTLA (100 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: first/second dates, anniversaries, etc.
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - A photo of the interior of Casa Madera. It is a bright and airy space with light colored wood furniture as well as white booth seating and scenic views out the arched windows.
Casa Madera West Hollywood

29. Casa Madera West Hollywood

Located inside the Mondrian Hotel on Sunset Boulevard, this modern Mexican eatery was inspired by the Mayan Riviera and embraces outdoor dining year-round with an expansive patio and city views - along with a roving guitarist playing a Greek Lyra which really sets the tone. The concept is from Noble 33 who also owns the popular Toca Madera chain of restaurants around the city. The menu spans from duck carnitas to wagyu beef and Dover sole with fun drink concoctions such as the sea blue Quintana Roo topped with a little salt filled floating seashell.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Sunset Strip (8440 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: second dates

30. Caviar Kaspia

Another Paris transplant, this caviar haven is spread out amid a secret garden atmosphere with Tiffany blue colored table linens off Melrose Place in West Hollywood. All the caviar is farm-raised and you can really splurge here with a baked potato topped with options from Royal Sturgeon to Sevruga, smoked salmon blini or squid ink spaghetti with uni butter. Famed mixologist Dushan Zaric of Employees Only created the sake-based cocktails and pairings, while the brand’s own vodka and Champagne labels are also a good way to go.

Fast Facts

  • Location: West Hollywood (8475 Melrose Pl., Los Angeles)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: anniversaries
Most Romantic Restaurants LA - Veggie heavy dishes from Paloma are featured on different sized and shaped white plates. There is also a glass of white wine. Everything is on a light colored surface.
Stan Lee

31. Paloma

On the westside, Paloma in Venice is an expansive indoor-outdoor Mediterranean oasis draped in Bougainvillea that is a perfect backdrop for a romantic meal under the stars by the fire pit. In the kitchen is chef Raul Cerritos from Italian staple Madeo’s who for decades made pasta for its celebrity clientele. Order seabass crudo, tomahawk steak or lobster spaghetti and a few negronis.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Venice ( 600 Venice Blvd., Venice)
  • Price Range: $$$
  • Best for: first dates

32. Steak 48

New to the 90210 area, this Chicago and Texas import is a steakhouse stunner with several private rooms and booths set up near the open-view kitchen and wine wall for a sexy super club vibe. The menu offers high-end prime cuts of Australian Wagyu that will impress any date but dining at the bar is also a good option for a full view of the action, and do order the skillet bread service with butter croissant rolls and a martini.

Fast Facts

  • Location: Beverly Hills (9680 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills)
  • Price Range: $$$$
  • Best for: anniversaries

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purewow author

Freelance PureWow Editor

Carole Dixon is an avid traveler, eater, wine drinker, spa-goer, beauty junkie, and design buff who has been contributing to PureWow since its inception 2010 from her home-base of Los Angeles. When not on the West Coast, she is usually wandering around London where she used to live.