The Resy Guide to Date Night in Los Angeles

This Michelin-approved spot has a lot going for it in the date night department. Its location in the heart of Old Town Pasadena is prime for a romantic stroll before or after a meal, and the sidewalk tables, set beneath warm bistro lights, are straight-up idyllic. Then there’s the food. Owner Marie Petulla and executive chef Chris Keyser have created a rustic yet refined menu of Cal-Italian handmade pastas, seafood, and meat, most of which are sourced from local farms and fisherman. It’s all paired with a thoughtful selection of Italian and Californian wines and can’t-miss desserts. (Word to the wise: order the olive oil cake.)

Chef Evan Funke’s West Hollywood ode to Roman cuisine has been one of the most coveted reservations in town since opening last year. It’s not just hype. His Eternal City classics, like cacio e pepe, fried squash blossoms, pizzas, and scottadito (lamb rib chops with salsa verde) are some of the best versions this side of the Atlantic. That’s reason enough to set a Notify, but the top-notch service and old Hollywood ambiance, complete with plush red leather banquettes and cozy marble two-tops, set it over the top.

It’s hard to beat the views at this Hollywood Hills mansion that boasts spectacular panoramas of the entire city, from the Griffith Observatory and surrounding hills to the Pacific Ocean. Translating to “mountain palace” in Japanese, this 1910 house is a replica of a Kyoto palace with a garden courtyard (complete with koi pond) and a 600-year old pagoda from Japan that’s supposedly the oldest structure in California. It’s just about as picturesque as it gets, with well-prepared Asian fusion fare, ranging from sushi boats and rolls to tableside grilled Wagyu and duck yakisoba, accompanied by cocktails and artisanal sakes.

Set in the same building as its tasting menu sister restaurant Mélisse, chef Josiah Citrin’s namesake Michelin-starred spot offers similar special occasion fare with more freedom—that doesn’t take up two-and-half-hours of your date night. The four-course prix fixe offers upmarket options like caviar, lobster bolognese, and an excellent Valhrona chocolate dessert. But some of the biggest hits are on the a la carte list, like an almond-crusted Dover sole that’s become a mainstay for good reason.

It’s hard to beat watching the sun set over the city from above when seeking a romantic experience. Time it right and that’s exactly what you’ll get at this sprawling greenery-filled rooftop restaurant set atop the Hoxton Hotel downtown. The kitchen, run by Stephanie Izard (Girl & The Goat), serves a selection of flavorful, Peruvian-inspired small plates that are ideal for sharing. Order some empanadas, a ceviche or two, and some skewers, and wash it all down with a pisco sour or spritz as the moon rises over the horizon.

Back in its day as one of Hollywood’s top recording studios, artists spanning from David Bowie and Stevie Wonder to Beck and Kanye West cut discs at this infamous spot. Nowadays, the Australian-Italian restaurant and lounge maintains its rock ‘n roll bonafides with glam tributes to the artists who recorded there and a bold menu that ranges from Baja tuna crudo and clam pizza to dry-aged duck and caviar. While the dimly-lit restaurant offers a more elevated, extensive menu, it’s hard to go wrong with snacks and cocktails on the vibey rooftop, too. 

From the Southern-inspired food to the pergola-covered patio and vintage-inspired dining room, this Culver City favorite nails the romantic date night atmosphere. Whether you dine outdoors, on a tufted leather banquette, or at an intimate wooden table, chef Wes Whitsell’s wood-fired and historic American cooking techniques will make you rethink any preconceived notions of Southern cuisine. Local products are highlighted in nuanced dishes like collard greens with smoked turkey, braised Peads & Barnett pork belly, and housemade ricotta toast. There’s no going wrong at this Michelin-starred spot—as long as you add biscuits to your order.

Get a taste of modern Mexico City at this gorgeously serene mostly outdoor stunner. The concrete space is sultry and loaded with so many plants, it feels like eating in a rainforest. With globally-revered chef Enrique Olvera at the helm, the food is world-class, too. Come for beautifully-presented, elevated riffs on Mexican classics such as duck carnitas, an uni tostada, octopus huaraches, and carne asada with sweet potato and bone marrow. Pair your meal with hard-to-find Mexican wines and cocktails made from small-batch tequilas and mezcal. And don’t sleep on dessert—the hibiscus meringue is one of the best items on the menu.

Curtis Stone’s petite tasting menu destination has transformed yet again, from a monthly-changing menu focused on a single ingredient, to a study on the great wine regions of the world, to a love letter to the Golden State. These days, the nine-course tasting menu highlights California’s finest ingredients from both land and sea with ever-changing plates that are as beautiful as they are delicious. The menu features dishes like squab, pasta with black truffles, and abalone with Suncoast Farm beans, clams, and ham hock, served in a dimly-lit 24-seat space that couldn’t be any more intimate.

This Loz Feliz newcomer is the place to go when you wish you could take that special someone on a romantic trip to Tulum, but can’t afford the tickets. The massive sister to Mírame in Beverly Hills hits all of the Yucatan design notes with woven light fixtures, minimalist furniture, and a jungle’s-worth of greenery. There’s no beach nearby, but the retractable roof and view of the Observatory might just make up for it. Snag a table up there, order some mezcal cocktails, and share a selection of creatively reimagined flautas, tacos arabes, ceviches, and more.

James Beard award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti’s two Michelin-starred temple to sustainable seafood has been one of L.A.’s top special occasion destinations for nearly two decades. While the tasting menu changes daily according to what’s in season, a perennial hit is the uni egg, a warm blend of sea urchin in a Champagne beurre blanc with brioche croutons stuffed into an actual egg shell. As to be expected, the fancy fare is matched by impeccable white tabl cloth service and a comfortable, upscale atmosphere. More information here. 

While chef Nobu Matsushisa’s food is definitely good—his signature black cod with miso has been copied all over the world—the demand is mostly due to the unparalleled views. Nearly every seat in the house boasts panoramas of the Pacific Ocean. Just try beating that at sunset. If you can snag a seat, you’ll be rewarded with a flavorful selection of Japanese-infused dishes, such as tiradito and yellowtail sashimi, ribeye with yuzu butter truffle sauce, and Kobe beef with crispy shiitakes. More information here. 

With multiple patios featuring intimate cabanas along the sides and a towering wall of ivy, two fireplaces, an intimate bar and library-like foyer, this Studio City mainstay has long been considered one of the most romantic restaurants in the Valley. It’s downright gorgeous and the food is solid, too. Pick and choose from upscale New American dishes including steak frites, bigeye tuna tartare, fried olives, and mushroom pappardelle. More information here.