The most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? One of L.A.’s most quintessential seen-and-be-seen restaurants, complete with a stunning oceanfront location so close to the beach that you’ll overhear children playing on the sand.

Why we love it: Nobu Malibu is one of those places that’s so stunning, you may just hear yourself muttering, “Is this real life?” Whether you’re looking to gawk at celebrities or just want to celebrate a special occasion, the current location on PCH offers excellent views of the water during the day—and a moody, somehow even better atmosphere at night. The pricey fusion-style Japanese cuisine isn’t exactly cutting-edge, but in our experience it’s still quite delicious and extremely consistent, from signatures like the yellowtail jalapeño sashimi and miso black cod to newer seasonal dishes. Beyond food and ambience, top-notch service and plenty of well-lit nooks and crannies for snagging the perfect selfie make the hassle of booking a table here worth it. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are only available over the phone—310-317-9140—up to 30 days in advance, and the phone lines open at 10am.

Address: 22706 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90265

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

What is it? Another Malibu patio with breathtaking sunset views and a surprisingly solid menu of early aughts California cuisine.

Why we love it: Housed within what was once a hotel visited by Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe and John F. Kennedy, Geoffrey’s is the rare restaurant where every table in the house has a proper view of the ocean. This is possible due to the largely unenclosed dining room, which make even “indoor” views of the sea possible from every angle. Tall hedges on every side only add to this family-friendly spot’s exclusive vibe, and while Geoffrey’s is popular for birthdays, anniversaries and graduation dinners, it manages to feel just as romantic for couples and smaller parties—particularly if you’re able to secure one of the tables by the railing. The menu here contains steaks, seafood and a few culinary surprises, but you’ll find a few deviations by way of soy-glazed tofu, a vegan red curry and paella. The crowd favorite appetizer is the baked Brie in puff pastry, which comes with pear chutney, beurre blanc and toasted pine nuts. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant offers direct access to a lesser-known public beach—perfect for a leisurely stroll after lunch or before dinner.

Address: 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–8:30pm; Fri 11:30am–9pm; Sat 10am–9pm, Sun 10am–8:30pm

What is it? Wolfgang Puck’s newest upscale pan-Asian restaurant concept, and one of the best rooftop restaurants in the city.

Why we love it: Though other hotel restaurants might possess a similar winning combination of ritzy, ultra-chic interior design and breathtaking urban vistas (plus the glitzy patrons to match), only Wolfgang Puck’s fine-dining endeavor atop the Sun Rose in West Hollywood strives to do more than just coast on its looks. Pairing aesthetics with actual substance, Merois—pronounced "mehr-wha"—demonstrates that later works in a longtime celebrity chef’s oeuvre, even one as expansive and commercialized as Puck’s, can still be a source of culinary delight with modern fusion dishes like crispy rice crab salad and Singaporean baby back ribs. More relevant to this guide, however, are the colorful furniture, luxurious chandelier lighting and dazzling views of the hills, which make it perfect for a romantic dinner out. Plus, the restaurant serves the chef’s famous dark chocolate soufflé, which serves as a fitting end to a picture-perfect evening. 

Time Out tip: If you’re doubling down on dessert, order the Spikey Lemon as well.

Address: 8430 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–9:45pm

What is it? The West Hollywood EDITION’s stunning ground-floor restaurant, originally founded by Michelin-recognized NYC chef John Fraser. 

Why we love it: Equal parts celebrity hotspot and exceptional fine dining destination, this ultra-stylish Sunset Strip hotel eatery offers flawless "vegetable-forward" cuisine and an air of sweeping, expensive romance that’ll make you forget all about the fact you’ll have to pay $22 for the EDITION's valet parking, if not more. Here, staff in white resort-chic uniforms will usher you to the plant-filled, warm-hued dining room—and the overall effect is downright cinematic. Every dish that arrives dazzles here, from the must-order milk bread topped with caramelized beefsteak tomatoes to the skirt steak, which comes with garlic confit and an exquisite red salt. These days, executive chef Patricia Lalu is putting her own touch on the menu with seasonal items like tuna crudo and blistered patty pan squash. If you really want to impress your date, splurge on the eye-poppingly expensive gooseberry phyllo pizza drizzled with aged balsamic dinner; the tableside preparation and final product make it well worth the price. 

Time Out tip: Don’t even bother looking for street parking here—this part of the Sunset Strip is usually hopeless. 

Address: 9040 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 6–10pm, Sun 6–9pm

What is it? A Mexican restaurant in Los Feliz that offers stellar cocktails alongside a list of rare mezcals and tequilas, some of which you can’t find anywhere else in the United States.

Why we love it: Mírate wows us with its dreamy open-air dining room and excellent seating options—from well-appointed tables and low-slung armchairs to stools at the glittering bar. The towering tree overhead gives the space an enchanted forest-like feel, and the various nooks and crannies add a dimension of coziness for pairs and even groups of four. The Baja-inspired menu of tasty tacos and other drinking snacks make for light date night fare that, let’s just say, will leave you light enough for plenty of post-prandial activity. Toss in Max Reis’s award-winning cocktails—Mírate was recently named one of North America’s 50 Best Bars—and the list of painstakingly sourced tequilas and mezcals, and you’ve got yourself an excellent date night destination.

Time Out tip: If you or your date don’t like tequila and mezcal, opt for the La Sonodora, a gin-based clarified milk punch.

Address: 1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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

What is it? A trendy, vibes-first Los Feliz hotel restaurant popular among Netflix employees. 

Why we love it: With a stunning reflective pool, olive and palm trees and an open-air skylight, Cara will transport you far, far away from the chaos of Thai Town, located just a few minutes’ walk around the corner. Come nightfall, the space’s mood lighting transforms Cara’s coastal Mediterranean design from merely breezy to downright romantic. Book a reservation to snag a seat by the pool and order from a crowd-pleasing, straightforward menu, including a tasty prosciutto and burrata starter paired with grilled sourdough from Santa Monica’s Jyan Isaac Bread. Walk-ins are likely to end up in the front patio and bar area, so make a reservation if you want to dine poolside. Throw in the solid food and cocktails, and it’s no wonder Cara has become a shoo-in for anniversary dinners and other special occasions.

Time Out tip: Head here on Wednesday nights of salsa dancing and Sunday afternoons for live jazz.

Address: 1730 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 8am–10pm; Fri, Sat 8am–10:30pm; Sun 8am–10pm

What is it? A beloved hotel restaurant hidden within Topanga Canyon. 

Why we love it: Forget the area stereotypes of burning sage and healing crystals. Off Old Topanga Road, love-stricken diners can enter a bucolic, wooded city escape thanks to Inn of the Seventh Ray’s multi-tiered outdoor dining space draped in lights, lilac and oak trees—and, okay, the wafting scent of incense that hits you on your way in. Take in the serene, creekside scene under heat lamps and twinkling stars, then start with a glass from their organic-leaning wine list and follow with the likes of roasted-mushroom toast with sherry tarragon cream, and then, grass-fed filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes or a dish of black-vinegar-braised short ribs with BBQ-spiced carrots. Nostalgic Angelenos will be happy to know that it’s still veg-, vegan- and gluten-free–friendly, and has been romancing diners for nearly half a century.

Time Out tip: Check ahead for road closures and take extra caution while driving to and from here at night—the roads are windy and poorly lit. In recent months, Topanga Canyon Boulevard has also been subject to frequent closure due to emergency work or inclement weather. 

Address: 128 Old Topanga Canyon Rd, Topanga, CA 90290

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 10am–2:30pm, 5:30–9:30pm; Fri 10am–2:30pm, 5:30–10pm; Sat, Sun 9am–3pm, 5:30–10pm

What is it? A New American restaurant in Studio City with a fireplace on the patio and a cozy bar with a libraryesque feel. 

Why we love it: Firefly’s heated patio may be the closest thing to a modern-day secret garden in L.A., walls of tangled ivy included. Decorated in candles and twinkling lights, it’s the main reason to book a table at Firefly, which serves straightforward, crowd-pleasing New American fare that includes mushroom pappardelle, miso glazed cod and shrimp spaghetti. As for appetizers, the menu contains all the usual suspects: meatballs, burrata, a little gem salad, crudo and a tuna tartare. In other words, don’t expect any surprises here—though I will say that the food is generally well-executed. For dessert, I like the sticky toffee cake and white chocolate creme brulée.

Time Out tip: Firefly is extremely popular, so I recommend making reservations for dinner—or at least managing your expectations as a walk-in.

Address: 11720 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–midnight; Thu 5pm–1am; Fri, Sat 5pm–2am; Sun 4:30–11pm

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. At night, the low lighting and beachside vibes make for an ideal Westside date night. My 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 sky-high New American 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—the perfect setting for a little romance. 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 elevated cuisine never fails to please, and the service at 71Above is always impeccable. For a more casual date, try the bar for a sunset-facing seat, and look out for the pair of tables pushed right up to the edge of the windows.

Time Out tip: Budget $18 and tip for valet parking, which starts after 5pm; the restaurant is in the bleeding heart of Downtown and you’ll save yourself the time and headache.

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

Opening hours: Mon 5–9pm, Tue–Thu 4–9pm; Fri 4–10pm; Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm