The best rooftop restaurants in L.A.

What is it? The third-story pink marble rooftop bar that sits atop Evan Funke’s multi-level 90210 restaurant.

Why we love it: I consider Funke, the downstairs restaurant, one of the city’s best restaurants. This designation extends to the food offerings at Bar Funke, which includes the full dinner menu if you’re able to score a reservation. However, given the lack of height, the views while seated at Bar Funke aren’t much to look at. If you can overlook this, however, you’ll be treated to some of the city’s best Italian dining, including a section of handmade pastas you can’t find anywhere else in Los Angeles and amazing seasonal desserts by pastry chef Shannon Swindle. Walk-in guests can still enjoy the immaculately constructed, fairly pricey cocktails (most are north of $26) and a smaller aperitivi menu that includes some of the city’s fluffiest focaccia (available plain or topped with a cheesy, umami-rich pomodoro sauce) and deep-fried, ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are released seven days in advance at 9am on Resy, so plan ahead if you want to secure a table at Bar Funke.

Address: 9388 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–11pm; Fri, Sat 5pm–midnight

What is it? Wolfgang Puck’s newest hotel restaurant, located atop the Sun Rose West Hollywood (formerly the Pendry). 

Why we love it: Whether you’re in the dining room or outside on the patio, the views of the city are stunning at Merois—and the food is better than it needs to be. Other WeHo hotel restaurants might possess a similar winning combination of ritzy, ultra-chic interior design and breathtaking urban vistas (plus the glitzy patrons to match), but only Merois aspires to do more than just coast on its looks. Pairing aesthetics with actual substance, Merois demonstrates that later works in a longtime celebrity chef’s oeuvre, even one as expansive and commercialized as Puck’s, can still delight and outright impress more seasoned diners. These days, the restaurant also offers breakfast and lunch (which includes a burger plus many of the dinner staples), but I still recommend coming here after dark, when you can grab a solid rendition of Peking duck for two with seasonal fruit compote alongside crowd-pleasing appetizers like spicy chicken dumplings, a lobster spring roll with sweet chili sauce and a crab-inflected crispy rice salad. 

Time Out tip: Order two desserts, and make sure the Spikey Lemon is one of them.

Address: 8430 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Daily 7am–3pm, 5:30–10pm

What is it? A mostly outdoor second-story Arts District restaurant from Mexico City that boasts eye-catching design, impeccable cocktails and great food.

Why we love it: Though you can now find chef de cuisine Paco Moran flexing his creativity in the seafood department at Frogtown’s Loreto (and its daytime counterpart Mariscos Za Za Zá), Cha Cha Chá still makes for a solid option in the Arts District whenever food and vibes are of equal importance. The newly refreshed menu includes a shrimp aguachile negro, carnitas dorados (crispy tacos) and a wood-fired rockfish topped with salsa veracruz. I also love the tequila-forward cocktail list. The addicting house-made tortilla chips, thicker than most you find in this city, make an order of guacamole an essential for any table—and you can now also add chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) for extra crunch and protein. Combine that with a couple rounds of drinks and tacos and the sunset, and it’s the perfect way to spend a relaxed evening out in the city. 

Time Out tip: During lunch hours, Cha Cha Chá offers smaller, individually sized portions of most appetizers, plus more brunch-leaning options like chilaquiles and a breakfast burrito.

Address: 812 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5–9pm; Fri, Sat noon–4pm, 5–10pm; Sun noon–4pm, 5–9pm

What is it? The ritzy 90210 hotel rooftop outpost of an award-winning New York City cocktail bar with amazing drinks and sweeping views of the hills.

Why we love it: The Maybourne’s ninth-floor vantage point is gorgeous no matter what time of day you arrive, but Dante Beverly Hills isn’t just any old rooftop bar—it serves some of the best all-around drinks in town. There are 10 different iterations of the martini (all equally great), plus Dante’s signature “fluffy” orange juice Garibaldi and a few agave-based creations unique to Los Angeles. Given the area code, drink prices are higher than average; most run in the $19 to $30 range, but the overall quality and consistency makes them well worth the price. Food-wise, however, is a slightly different story—the seasonally inspired all-day Italian fare is straightfoward but not particularly memorable. Nevertheless, the luxurious ambience makes for a wonderful backdrop whenever. One more unique aspect of Dante for the caffeine-sensitive: It’s one of the few places in town where you can find a decaf espresso martini.

Time Out tip: Not in the mood for a whole drink? Many of Dante’s signature cocktails can be made in half-portions, including a mini version of a Bloody Maria.

Address: 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 11am–midnight, Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? A 16th-floor rooftop Downtown restaurant featuring breezy small plates from A.O.C.’s Suzanne Goin. 

Why we love it: ​​With highly focused yet breezy cocktails and amazing views of Downtown, Cara Cara would easily land on our best rooftop bars list, save for one not-insignificant snag: tables take up most of its square footage, and come sunset they’re almost always packed with reservations. Compared to nearby Cabra, the food menu runs more snacky and straightforward. Think focaccia, tacos, burger and a lobster roll. (Goin and her business partner, Caroline Styne, generally put more culinary focus on Calabra, the Portuguese-inspired seasonal restaurant downstairs.) Walk-ins are forced to hover by the firepit or jockey for an empty table, making this excellent rooftop bar more of a light-bites lounge. Don’t let all the hoops deter you, though—the food, drinks and the view at this Downtown rooftop restaurant definitely justify the need for advanced planning.

Time Out tip: From 4 to 7pm, Cara Cara hosts Sunset Hour, which features discounted drinks and bites like piri piri fried chicken and shrimp tacos. 

Address: 1100 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Mon–Thu noon–11am; Fri, Sat noon–midnight; Sun noon–11am

What is it? A Tulum-like, all-day terrace restaurant and bar serving seasonal California Italian cuisine and breezy cocktails.

Why we love it: Vibes: the only word that comes to mind after the elevator ride up to Élephante. Located upstairs from the Laemmle Theater, Élephante boasts one of Santa Monica’s best indoor-outdoor spaces, with resort-like interior design that feels ripped from the pages of Conde Nast Traveler. Inside, chic modern wood furniture and a selection of cacti and lush houseplants set the stage for a stunning view of the ocean from the aptly-named Sunset Room. Meet friends during the day for brunch and lunch, then bring a date at night for low-lit romance. Our go-to is the whipped eggplant dip with puffy house-made flatbread, but there’s also excellent pizza, pasta and a sunny weekend brunch with the likes of soft polenta with eggs, crab and sweet corn.

Time Out tip: Don’t come here exclusively for the food—you’ll likely be disappointed.

Address: 1332 2nd St Rooftop, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10am–midnight; Fri, Sat 9am–1am; Sun 9am–midnight

What is it? The newest Westside location of Din Tai Fung which offers sweeping ocean views and booths shaped like steamer baskets alongside the same award-winning Taiwanese menu of appetizers, noodles, dumplings and stir-fried veggies,

Why we love it: ​The relatively new Din Tai Fung inside Santa Monica Place is easily one of the places in Santa Monica for a solid meal with a heaping side of ambience. Keep in mind the food quality falls short of other, more established DTF locations (I received lukewarm soup dumplings, for instance), but it’s hard to beat a golden hour reservation on the patio, where you can catch a glimpse on the Santa Monica Pier’s famous Ferris wheel. On my recent visit, I particularly liked the brand-new shaved snow with fresh mango and chocolate ganache-filled dumplings. As par for the course for a tourist-centric location, the friendly, efficient staff keep things moving; play your cards right, and you can be in and out of here with your belly full and eyeballs sated after about a hour and a change.

Time Out tip: If you want your food to taste better, ask for an indoor table (which is closer to the kitchen). If you want a great view, sit on the expansive patio.

Address: 395 Santa Monica Pl, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–9:30pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–10pm; Sun 11:30am–9pm

What is it? A third-story Asian-inspired hot spot concept in West Hollywood that originated in NYC.

Why we love it: The space and views are gorgeous, and the food is better than it needs to be. Catch LA is a definite place to see and be seen, but the restaurant’s pricey, globally inspired menu of seafood, sushi and show-stopping desserts delivers a consistent, crowd-pleasing experience that hits the mark every single time. This Melrose rooftop destination features breathtaking views of the Hollywood Hills and an open-air retractable ceiling that makes the restaurant a little cozier on colder nights. The floral-lined entryway might be among the most Instagrammed spots in West Hollywood, but that’s all part of the fun at Catch LA, whose glitzy ambience, crowd-pleasing fusion cuisine and excellent service combine for a nightlife-oriented dinner where every diner feels like a star.

Time Out tip: You can’t go wrong with any of the desserts, but my two favorites are the Hit Me, which consists of a smash-worthy chocolate ice cream cake, and the Carnival, a mini Ferris wheel of ricotta doughnuts.

Address: 8715 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 6–10pm; Fri 5:30–10:30pm; Sat 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–10:30pm; Sun 11:30am–2:30pm, 5:30–10pm

What is it? The sky-high restaurant situated—you guessed it—71 floors above street level at the US Bank Tower. 

Why we love it: This glitzy dining destination offers panoramic views of Los Angeles and modern American fare from chef Javier Lopez. At this altitude, you won’t find a better sky-high dining experience anywhere else in the city. During dinner, you can enjoy a prix-fixe menu ($103 per person, not counting bread service, steak supplements or additional courses) either in the dining room or at the bar, with your choice of straightforward dishes like grilled octopus and speck-wrapped pork loin. At lunch, 71Above serves a small à la carte menu that includes a tuna tostada, heirloom tomato salad and chicken schnitzel. The New American offerings skew conservative, but the fine-dining-level food never fails to please, and the service at 71Above is always impeccable. For a more private, culinary-focused experience, opt for one of the two chef’s table booths, which allows diners front row seats to the restaurant’s open kitchen. 

Time Out tip: Note the smart casual dress code, which encourages “polished elegance” and prohibits shorts, sweatpants, flip-flops and beachwear, among other casual clothing items.

Address: 633 W 5th St, 71st floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Opening hours: Mon 5–9pm; Tue–Thu noon–2pm, 5–9pm; Fri, Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A 10th-floor Spanish-meets-Californian seasonal fine dining concept by world-famous chef Jose Andrés.

Why we love it: You will pay handsomely for dinner here—my bill came out to over $300 for two after tax and auto-gratuity, and I didn’t order any alcohol—but if you’re in the market to gaze upon Walt Disney Concert Hall across the street and Downtown writ large as you enjoy your meal, San Laurel is a decent, if slightly snoozy, upscale option. Despite the restaurant’s culinary pedigree, the menu mostly skews quite safe in the style of most hotel restaurants. There’s a little gem salad, steak and octopus with potatoes and aioli. At the same time, I enjoyed the vermicelli “mac and cheese,” and you can’t go wrong with the pricey imported jamón ibérico or slices of Idiazábal cheese served with crackers and membrillo (quince paste). Lunch treads in familiar territory with salads and toasts, but you can also snag a $48 prix fixe option that’s, relatively speaking, quite a steal. The lunch deal includes oysters, scallops, hiramasa crudo and heirloom tomato salad, plus your choice of entrée. 

Time Out tip: If you’re driving, San Laurel validates for up to 3 hours: $15 for valet, or $4.50 for self-parking. It’s also fairly close to the Grand Avenue Arts/Bunker Hill Metro station.

Address: 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Daily 6:30–10:30am, 11am–2pm, 5–10pm

What is it? One of the oldest, most popular rooftop bars in the city. 

Why we love it: No matter how many new Downtown rooftops open, we always come back to Perch, one of the prettiest rooftop bars (and bistros) in town. Patterned tile floors, potted trees full of twinkly lights and charming seating combine nightly for a scene full of Downtown locals, plus a few hundred of their closest friends. While you can technically enjoy a meal here too, I actually prefer the food at Mrs. Fish downstairs. That being said, if you insist on coming here for dinner, you’ll find a menu of fairly average bistro staples like steak frites, French onion and a vegan-friendly plat provençale. The interior boudoir-themed bar can get crowded, though dine-in guests generally have plenty of room at their tables. The after-work crowd often likes to drop in for happy hour, which runs weekdays from 4 to 6pm, while late-night partygoers and music-lovers can enjoy frequent DJ sets and live bands.

Time Out tip: The bar offers several compelling non-alcoholic drink options.

Address: 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 4pm–1am; Thu, Fri 4pm–1:30am; Sat 10am–3:30pm, 4:30pm–1:30am; Sun 10am–3:30pm, 4:30pm–midnight

What is it? An indoor-outdoor restaurant in Burbank with sweeping views of the San Fernando Valley.

Why we love it: Castaway’s gem of a patio is hardly a secret. In fact, it’s been one of the San Fernando Valley’s special-occasion go-tos for decades. But the old-fashioned restaurant that native Angelenos might have gone to before prom now sports a whole new taste and look: Today’s Castaway boasts a revamped food menu and sleeker, more modern décor, while its stellar, sweeping views of the Valley, Downtown and beyond still remain as gorgeous as ever. Steaks, whole roast fish, impressive charcuterie boards and luscious pastas are now the norm, and make for perfect snacky fare, full dinner or bottomless brunch on that spacious patio with one of L.A.’s most romantic views. During brunch, it’s also one of the places in town where you can find bottomless mimosas in flavors like lavender activated charcoal and pineapple jalapeño. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant is particularly popular for major holidays like Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter—so if you’re trying to avoid the crowds, I recommend booking a table far away from those dates. 

Address: 1250 E Harvard Rd, Burbank, CA 91501

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–10pm; Sun 11am–9pm

What is it? A Long Beach brewery with stunning sunset ocean views.

Why we love it: Alright, Ballast Point can barely be considered a rooftop, but it still offers a pretty great view from its two-story space right on the water. Head upstairs for the best seats in the house, throw in the straightforward food menu and a couple of firepits and Ballast Point easily wins the title for brewery with the best views in L.A. County. If you’re looking for ordering recommendations, I like the Baja fish tacos, Filipino-inspired pork ribs and garlic fries, and you can’t go wrong with either the chicken wings or fish and chips. Walk-ins only (but reservations are accepted for parties of nine or more).

Time Out tip: This is one of the most popular places in Long Beach—so expect to wait for a table if you show up at peak hours. 

Address: 110 N Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803

What is it? Eataly’s grill-focused third-floor rooftop restaurant and bar inside Westfield Century City. 

Why we love it: Perched high above Santa Monica Boulevard, Terra offers surprisingly scenic views for an eatery inside a mall. Head upstairs from the Italian cuisine emporium’s second-floor market to find a gorgeous patio eatery offering homemade pastas, plus straightforward vegetarian-friendly grilled entrées, for a delightful plein air meal that just happens to be at Westfield Century City. Casual drinkers can post up for refreshing Italian spritzers at the bar, while Terra’s cozy fire pit is the ideal place to bring groups of four to six. If you’re rolling that deep, I recommend one of the family-style grilled meat or seafood platters (though you only need a minimum of two to participate). Don’t miss the tableside gelato cart for dessert, complete with a bevy of traditional toppings, including amarena cherries and crushed almonds.

Time Out tip: Terra also offers a $65 seasonal tasting menu—but since it’s served family-style, everyone in the table is required to participate. 

Address: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard, Roof, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–4pm, 5–10pm; Fri 11:30am–11pm; Sat 10:30am–11pm; Sun 10:30am–10pm

What is it? A sixth-story Mexican rooftop restaurant and bar by Jose Andrés Group. 

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a sit-down meal that comes with the best views in Culver City, Butterfly is your best option. The food and drink menu is small but somewhat similar to Oyamel, the hospitality group’s popular longtime Mexican concept in Washington, D.C. This includes the chef’s famous Salt Air Margarita, which features a cloud of sea salt-flecked foam. (The drink can also be made non-alcoholic.) The snacky menu includes crowd-pleasers like queso fundido, crispy brussels sprouts and sea bass ceviche, plus salads and tacos. The most interesting dishes, in my opinion, are the ahi tuna ceviche, which comes in a Maggi-based lime dressing and the shrimp in jet black mojo de ajo marinade. If I were you, I’d use this place as a stop for margaritas and light bites before heading elsewhere in the area—Roberta’s, Pasta Sisters or Zaytinya downstairs—for dinner. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant offers validated valet parking ($18 for up to three hours), but if you’re willing to walk a little you can normally find parking along National Boulevard.

Address: 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Daily 7am–9pm

What is it? The rooftop restaurant and lounge at the Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills.

Why we love it: You’ll find most food items you order astonishingly mediocre and overpriced at the ultra-expensive luxury rooftop atop the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, but the 12th-story vantage point means that the Rooftop Beverly Hills boasts the highest, arguably best 360-degree views in the area. This makes it perfect for special occasions, and is the primary reason why it still earned a spot on this list. More restaurant than bar, the Rooftop reserves the best seats in the house for diners, while walk-ins are consigned to the first-come, first-served bar and lounge area. When it comes to food, skip almost everything but the ginger marinated tuna tartare. Oh, and the guacamole with taro chips and crudités. Those are good, too.

Time Out tip: Budget $20 for validated valet parking and a little bit of extra time if you plan to park on-site—the valet area can get quite crowded. If you want to save some money or just don’t want to chance a long wait for your car, you can also park at 485 North Roxbury Drive, which is about a 10-minute walk away.

Address: 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–10pm; Sat, Sun 10am–10pm