Let’s talk about some of the best date night restaurants in the beautiful city of L.A.
Dating is difficult, yay or nay? First dates require too much finger motion, second dates are arguably even worse unless they aren’t, and whew if you make it to a third date, you may just be living the dream! But what about the twentieth? Or the 120th date? Or, please, let’s not sit on the couch and have another Netflix and Chill night, well we could, but I digress. The point is, date night planning is NOT ALWAYS SIMPLE. But don’t worry, we’re here to help.
What better way to celebrate with your loved one than with a romantic meal? Whether you want to wine and dine on a rooftop, get cozy on a first date, or splurge for a special occasion, we’ve got you covered with a list of the best restaurants in L.A. that are sure to lay on the charm.
14 of the Best Date Night Restaurants in Los Angeles
Nobu Malibu;
While ocean views are plentiful in Los Angeles, Nobu’s rivals any we’ve seen, with waves crashing below, just a few sandy steps away from the Malibu Pier. The beach-house-style patio has the food to back up its good looks. Sushi legend Nobu Matsuhisa’s food is still as good as ever. So enjoy the patio and let the chefs guide you and yours through their mouth-watering menu.
Jones Hollywood;
Jones Hollywood can be called an ace restaurant, because, well, it will get the job done the first time – and then again and again. You can bring this casual Italian Weho spot out of your handy dandy pocket if you need a special idea for any kind of date, especially when you are wanting to impress. The menu features tried-and-true favorites like Margherita pizza and spaghetti and meatballs served in a skillet, as well as their signature briney. One of our favorite drinks in town is the Dirty Sue martini. The atmosphere inside is always that of a fabulous after-party in the Hills, but nothing to be afraid of! Everyone at Jones feels like a Hollywood insider. This really is a fantastic place to play Hollywood’s hottest couple with your date, *winks*
Mother Wolf;
Hollywood is slowly losing its reputation as a hedonistic playground and is quickly becoming a destination for some of the city’s most exciting fine-dining concepts. Evan Funke’s Mother Wolf features dim lighting, plush velvet seating, and metal accents in the historic Citizens News building. The menu is equally enticing, with handmade pasta. There are a few craft cocktails to choose from, but the extensive Italian wine list is well worth your time. The N/A-Groni with Lyre Aperitif Rosso, London Dry, and Italian Orange soda are all ideal for sober dates.
Firefly;
It’s been said, Firefly may be the closest thing to a modern-day secret garden in Los Angeles, complete with tangled ivy walls. The fine-dining restaurant in Studio City serves modern-American cuisine in a romantic, cozy setting: A heated, firelit patio is decked out in candles and twinkling lights, and the library-style bar area is ideal for a date night. In this hidden garden, you’ll be served exquisitely crafted dishes like veal meatballs swimming in San Marzano tomato sauce or an artistic roasted monkfish with pumpkin and salsa verde. Make your date goo-goo eyes by sharing a decadent butterscotch budino topped with Maldon sea salt. You’re welcome!
Geoffrey’s Malibu;
Looking for a patio with a spectacular view? This Malibu restaurant specializing in California cuisine allows you to dine right on the edge of the Pacific for an unbeatable sunset view. The unenclosed dining room allows for “indoor” views of the sea from every angle, and tall hedges to the side only add to the upscale feel of this high-profile spot. Straightforward seafood and steaks reign supreme here, though baked Brie in puff pastry and miso-braised tofu deviate from the American steaks and chops.
Sparrow;
Located in the historic Hotel Figueroa, Sparrow is a visual and culinary delight. Cathedral-like arched entryways, marble, tile insets, wood elements, and soft lighting characterize the European and Mediterranean-inspired architecture. The menu features updated Italian and Mediterranean classics, including standout creations like a Lamb Shank Osso Bucco and meatballs that will have you saying,” ‘Til death do us part.”
Ototo;
Echo Park allows you to drink on the sidewalk, making this much-needed downtime much more enjoyable. Inside, you’ll find a dark, seductive atmosphere, a delectable snack menu (the pan-fried yakisoba noodles and cheese okonomiyaki are standouts), and over 40 different types of sake. If your date night has gotten stale recently, or you’re looking for an excellent pre-show spot before seeing a show on the Eastside, put Ototo at the top of your list.
Kinkan;
It’s rare to find a sushi experience that genuinely surprises us outside of the world of $400 omakase. But that’s exactly what we found at Kinkan, a new half-Japanese, half-Thai restaurant in Virgil Village that feels like a dinner party with friends. This will not be a cheap night (the nighttime omakase runs about $150 per person), but if you’re looking to splurge and experience one of L.A.’s most unique restaurants, don’t hesitate to make a reservation. The 10-course meal changes regularly, but expect dishes like roses shaped from seared fish slivers, ikura served in teacups, and red-hot pepper stews.
Ardor;
Inside this dinner spot at the West Hollywood EDITION, you can’t help but notice a little bit of that trying-a-little-too-hard Sunset Strip scene. However, any drawbacks are easily outweighed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser’s veggie-focused menu and the astonishingly lush garden interior (seriously, you might be competing for your date’s attention with a wall of palm fronds).
Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant at the Hotel Bel-Air;
Since its inception in 1946, Hotel Bel-Air has served as the location for Old Hollywood’s (then-new) city escapes, from honeymoons to camping in the secluded hills away from the lights. Couples should reserve a booth on the patio overlooking the verdant gardens and expect to pay top dollar for top-notch food. The Mediterranean-influenced menu sees glimpses of old and new with updated Puck favorites like a composed loup de Mer, veal Weiner schnitzel, and hand-cut tagliatelle with truffles. Finish with a nightcap in the glam bar with a live pianist or a stroll around the fabled Swan Lake for a fairy-tale ending.
Perch;
With patterned tile floors, dead-on views of the Central Library and other DTLA landmarks, and an ambiance full of potted trees and twinkly lights, not to mention beautiful locals—plus a few hundred of their closest friends—this rooftop lounge is one of the prettiest in town. The eclectic French décor inside features a series of tasteful boudoir paintings over the bar and a scattering of plush sofas. Try the wide selection of kir and wines (and bubbly) by the glass, and come in for “Apéritif Hour” on weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m.
Downtown Caldo Verde;
Caldo Verde, a Portuguese-inspired, California-refined gem, is located in the Downtown LA Proper Hotel. The structure is lovely and historical, and the interiors are updated, lush, and vibrant, with tropical murals adorning the walls. Our favorites are their spicy Piri-Piri Chicken and their eponymous Caldo Verde, a hearty seafood stew with local rock crab, grilled linguiça sausage, kale, mussels, and potato. Oysters with Piquillo Mignonette, Blinis and Caviar with local miner’s lettuce, Diver Scallops with patatas panadera and Jamón butter, duck with preserved citrus peel, and Slow-Roasted Westholme Wagyu with traditional Portuguese broa (cornbread) stuffing are all available for Valentine’s Day.
II Cielo;
If a restaurant could make you weak in the knees, Il Cielo would have customers dropping like flies. The romantic Italian family-owned spot, which serves lunch and dinner under a canopy of twinkling lights, aims to be a “country restaurant in the city,” with bubbling fountains and white tablecloths creating a darling ambiance evoking a Tuscan trattoria. Before diving into the surf-and-turf entrées, try the risottos, pasta, and carpaccios. Because dolce is the most romantic course of all, we recommend splitting a plate of tiramisu before Il Cielo completely sweeps you off your feet.
Cara;
This open-air restaurant in the newish Cara Hotel near the base of Griffith Park feels like you’ve been transported to white sand beaches along the European coast, complete with a shallow pool that serves as the property’s centerpiece and California palm and olive trees scattered throughout. Choose from the courtyard in front of the hotel or two patios for dining, but don’t forget to bring an extra jacket or scarf because each table has its own heat lamp—or you decide to the best thing – cuddle up with your date. The menu is European-inspired and seasonal, with plenty of options for all dietary needs.
Plus, vegetarians and vegans will love the Hamachi Crudo, Yucatecan Ceviche with red snapper, and Mediterranean Branzino. In contrast, vegetarians will love the Roasted Butternut Squash Soup before diving into the Lemon Pasta with 48-month aged parmesan. If you like meat, you’ll be wowed by a tempting menu that includes a 16-ounce Tasmanian New York Strip steak and Grilled Australian Rack of Lamb. Desserts such as Olive Oil Cake, Warm Apple Pie, Hot Sticky Toffee Pudding, a Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie served a la mode, and others add to the decision fatigue. It’s a one-stop-shop experience!
Well, there you are! There’s so much to explore for you and yours in the beautiful city of L.A. city. We hope this list of restaurants makes it on your itinerary. We request you do nothing more than have a splendid time, and oh! Feel free to reference this list anytime! If you need additional romantic date night ideas in Los Angeles, we are once again here for you!
Cheers!
