The most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles

Nobu Malibu is one of those places that’s so stunning, you may just hear yourself muttering, “Is this real life?” With a menu designed by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the iconic restaurant—overlooking Surfrider Beach and Malibu Pier—is so close to the beach that you can overhear children playing on the sand. Its minimalist aesthetic complements its natural environment, and the sushi and modern Japanese food are just as disarmingly beautiful as the setting. Mini tacos are filled with deliciously creamy uni, and Nobu’s signature tiradito—thin slices of whitefish dotted with chili—are wonderful. 

Time Out tip: Unless you’re fine with eating at the bar, reservations here are basically a must, and are only available over the phone—310-317-9140. Bookings are taken 30 days out, with the phone line open from 10am to 5pm.

Looking for a patio with a breathtaking view? This Malibu restaurant specializing in California cuisine lets you enjoy a meal right at the Pacific’s edge for a sunset view that can’t be beat. The unenclosed dining room makes even “indoor” views of the sea possible from every angle, and tall hedges to the side only add to this high-profile spot’s exclusive vibe. Straightforward seafood and steaks reign supreme here, though you’ll find a few deviations from the American steaks and chops by way of soy-glazed tofu and paella.

Time Out tip: It’s a little basic, but I love the baked Brie in puff pastry here.

Though 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), only Wolfgang Puck’s fine-dining endeavor atop the Pendry in West Hollywood strives 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 seasoned diners. French Californian dishes with plenty of Asian culinary influences, all atop the Pendry's rooftop, which features stellar views and an opulent interior? Sounds like a date to us. 

Time Out tip: If it’s your first time, order the Spikey Lemon for dessert.

With a stunning reflective pool, olive and palm trees and an open-air skylight, this trendy Los Feliz-ish hotel restaurant 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.

Hidden away on Beverly Boulevard, this impeccably designed French restaurant takes over the old Dominick’s space. True to its name, Amour conjures visions of romance with a candle-lit dining room, cozy lounge seating by the fireplace and a brick-lined, checker floored courtyard. Step into the little library on your way back from the and leave your loved one a message in a book—it's not only allowed, it's encouraged. The Japanese-inflected haute cuisine runs on the pricier side, but the dreamy setting, first-rate service and excellent cooking make Amour an ultra-dreamy dining destination fit for date nights, anniversaries and of course, Valentine's Day. The kitchen's precise saucework translates into strong entrées, a standout steak tartare and French classics like onion soup, escargot and frog legs.

Time Out tip: If you’re booking ahead, ask for the fireside table. It’s one of the best pair of seats in the house.

Forget the Topanga 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: Take extra caution while driving to and from here at night—the roads are windy and poorly lit, and impatient drivers tend to tailgate behind you.

Vibes: the only word that comes to mind after the elevator ride up to this extremely popular Santa Monica rooftop restaurant and bar serving seasonal California Italian cuisine and top-notch cocktails. 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. 

Time Out tip: When it comes to ordering, 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.

Skyscraper-topping restaurants always seem like perfect go-big date ideas, but many end up coasting on views alone. But 71Above—you guessed it, it’s 71 floors up in the U.S. Bank Tower—backs up its height with a delicious prix-fixe feast that features the likes of sea bream crudo, grilled ribeye and New Zealand salmon with cockles. Try the bar for a sunset-facing seat, and look out for a pair of tables pushed right up to the edge of the windows.

Time Out tip: Budget $15 and tip for valet parking—71Above is in the heart of Downtown and you’ll save yourself the time and headache.

This Mexican restaurant and bar in Los Feliz always 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 on date night. 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: While all of the cocktails are great, my personal favorites are Tu Compa, a carbonated take on a paloma, and La Sonadora, Reis’s cult-favorite clarified milk punch spiked with passionfruit, almond and green tea.

This rooftop bistro is one of the prettiest in town, 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. Inside, the eclectic French décor displays a series of tasteful boudoir paintings over the bar and a scattering of plush sofas. Sample the wide selection of kir and wines (and bubbly) by the glass, and drop in for happy hour—dubbed “Apéritif Hour”—on weekdays from 4 to 6pm.

Time Out tip: While Perch technically serves dinner, we’d rather direct you to its Japanese sibling, Little Fish, if you don’t mind changing locations twice in a niht. Located in the basement, it’s a slightly better option in terms of culinary prowess.

Wouldn’t it be romantic to whisk off to Mexico City for an impromptu vacation? Well, you’ll still be firmly in the Arts District, but you sure won’t feel like it on this palm and cacti-lined patio escape. The aesthetic details at LA Cha Cha Chá are divine, as is head chef Paco Moran's seafood and tequila-forward menu at this CDMX-inspired terraza. Order a tuna tostada and a painkiller or two and you’ll feel as though you’ve slipped away to paradise.

Time Out tip: Bundle up—even with ample patio heaters, the nearly fully outdoor restaurant can get chilly.

The sprawl of the Valley may not typically scream romance, but it sure does when it’s twinkling a few hundred feet below you. Burbank’s Castaway swapped its over-the-hill country club atmosphere for a hillside retreat that feels more fresh, with steaks, whole roast fish and impressive charcuterie boards. The patio, with a clear shot of the entire SFV, is the place to sit, as is the adjacent subject-to-availability bar, the Green Room.

Time Out tip: If you’re looking for a romantic vibe, avoid Castaway during brunch; the restaurant serves bottomless mimosas.

Palos Verdes’ sumptuous resort Terranea boasts a couple of oceanside outdoor dining options, but Mar’sel is the go-to for an impress-your-date kind of place. The peninsula-topping patio looks out toward the rugged Palos Verdes coastline and Catalina Island; it’s the kind of privileged setting that you simply won’t want to give up when you’re done. On my recent visit last fall, I enjoyed the vegan-friendly cauliflower and white chocolate soup and the deconstructed old-fashioned for dessert. Dinner here can quickly climb into the triple digits, so consider the three-course Sunday brunch for (a still expensive) $95 if you want to keep things a little more in check.

Time Out tip: You don’t necessarily need to valet at Terranea if you’re visiting mar'sel; diners can also can park their car in the outer lots.