Where to Find Great Food and Drinks on L.A.’s Rooftops? We’ve Got Ideas.

Atop Culver City’s Platform complex, Margot has sweeping views of the city from its glass-box dining room and outdoor lounge, a perfect perch for early evening cocktails straight through till last call. The menu leans Mediterranean: crudo, whole grilled fish, lots of seasonal vegetables, pastas, oysters — all of which go down easy while you ponder the sunset (and the Metro trains whizzing by).

Who says you need to drive several hours to get to the desert?  With trippy mushroom wallpaper, pink and yellow hues, and cacti and yucca everywhere, this Hollywood hangout above Hollywood’s Tommie hotel has a decidedly Palm Springs-meets-Pioneertown vibe. With indoor and outdoor space, expect 360-degree views of the hills to DTLA, making this one of the coolest new spots to sip a mezcal cocktail. There’s also live music, DJ sets, and a mechanical bull to remind you that the only thing keeping you from being a real cowboy is Tequila. Pro tip: Grab a drink here while you wait for a table at parent hospitality group Ten Five’s nearby hot spots, including Ka’Teen, Mes Amis, and Mother Wolf.

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It’s hard to find better Venice views than what you get atop the Hotel Erwin. The menu is refreshingly uncomplicated and perfect for the beach: guacamole, citrus sambal wings, rectangular slices from the Detroit-style pizzeria downstairs, and smash burgers. Frozen palomas and Oaxacan Old Fashioneds (barrel-aged in-house) only improve sunny attitudes while taking in grand views of the Boardwalk where, sometimes, a little distance can truly make the heart grow fonder.

There are two camps who hit this popular Santa Monica beach-house hangout: The sunset sippers and the nighttime partiers. Everyone in between is there for the endless list of Cal-Med dishes like whipped eggplant with puffy just-baked flatbread, kale salads with apple and pepitas, cacio e pepe pizza, plus lots of rosé and classic California views.

Not every rooftop needs a late-night party vibe. This daytime-only restaurant at the Thompson Hotel is the right place to be for breakfast and lunch meetups with a bit of sunshine and Hollywood Hills sparkle. The menu features everything from shakshuka and smoked salmon tartines in the morning to a green goddess-laced Little Gem salad, a burger with Comte and pickles, and shareable snacks throughout the afternoon. With its South of France-inspired aesthetic, do you even need to ask if there’s rosé?

It’s one thing to head to Culver City’s Citizen Public Market for coffee at Goodboybob, lunch at Nancy Silverton’s Pizzette, or shellfish happy hours at The Jolly Oyster. The bonus is in knowing that you can also find fantastic cocktails, a nice selection of beer and wine, and drink-friendly snacks on the roof at Bar Bohemien. It might not have the expansive views of other places on this list, but it’s open-air and above the ground, and sometimes that’s all you need.

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Packed since day one, the rooftop lounge at this Fashion District outpost of the hip hotel chain is perfect for drinks from early to late. Watch the sun dip behind the horizon as the “Jesus Saves” sign blazes up at night. In one direction, it’s Los Angeles sprawl in all its glory; in the other, you’ll see mountains rising behind the city skyline. There’s something for everyone, from frozen cocktails to easy-drinking seasonal sips and non-alcoholic numbers. Groups can order buckets of beer or wine, and Aperol spritzes by the pitcher. Bar snacks run the gamut as well, from ceviche and chips and salsa to taco plates.

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When things wind down in the ground-floor restaurant and bar, which was once a studio for the likes of Foo Fighters and Stevie Wonder, the GMR rooftop is just getting started. With the Hollywood sign and hills as a backdrop, the outdoor space is transportive, thanks to a lush green-tiled bar, native plants, and abundance of terrazzo tile. While cocktails and spritzes are a focus, there is snacky food on offer, including a chicken Parm-inspired sandwich and mini mortadella paninis. Closing later than most places in town, this one is for the late-night crowd.

When the Waldorf-Astoria and Jean-Georges Vongerichten combine, you know this isn’t just any rooftop social. Set 12 floors above Beverly Hills, the views at this high-end hideaway are some of the best in the city. With a lush garden setting and menu full of global flavors — French fries with caviar, sweet pea guacamole, lobster burgers, and tomahawk chops — dining here feels like an escape from it all. P.S.: If you don’t have a reservation (you’ll need one), aim for a walk-in seat around the bar.

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When you’re 73 floors above Downtown L.A., you can see some things. The sweeping views are the best reason to head to this towering rooftop at the InterContinental hotel, said to be the tallest this side of the Mississippi. Pink cocktails, lots of bubbly, a full menu of elevated (get it?) bar snacks await. Once you get past the rules ($60 minimum per person, two hour time limit, an upscale dress code), it’s a drop-dead gorgeous way to take in all of Los Angeles in one fell swoop.

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The rooftop partner to sister restaurant E.P., L.P. tends to get more attention from the party-hopping hordes who descend here on warm and chilly days alike. And what’s not to love, with twinkling lights of the Hollywood Hills as a backdrop, cocktails by the pitcher, and snacks like salt-and-pepper calamari, fried chicken sandwiches, and seasoned waffle fries? It’s first come, first served, and a six-person max per table, though tablehopping gets taken to new heights here.

The Arts District newcomer hails from Mexico City, but it feels more like Palm Springs circa the 1950s. That’s to say, it feels like a vacation no matter what. The almost entirely outdoor space faces west, with a lush urban oasis decor: think desert pastels, terracotta tiles, rich cedar wood accents, lots of greenery. Try the guacamole, ceviche, fresh salads, tacos, and especially the blackberry-hibiscus swizzle that goes with everything.

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Leave it to Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne to create one of the prettiest rooftop spots in DTLA. Perched atop the Fashion District’s new Proper Hotel, unobstructed views of the city include some of Broadway’s gorgeous Art Deco buildings and neon signs. The all-day menu features some of Goin’s seasonal best, like roasted cauliflower tacos, hamachi crudo, piri piri fried chicken, and mushroom-topped focaccia. Sit around the fire pit or the pool, or tuck into an intimate corner for drinks like a cucumber gimlet, passion fruit caipirinha, or one of the Styne-selected wines on offer.

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After shuttering for much of the pandemic, there’s no better place for a little tropical-inspired getaway than the Broken Shaker rooftop. There are usually floaties (and revelers) in the pool, a great soundtrack in the background, and something potent, quirky, and slushy on the menu. For food, you’ll find everything from carne asada fries to tuna tostadas and falafel salads — easy-eating options while you soak up the sun and stars.

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