The Resy Guide to Cozy Outdoor Dining in Los Angeles

Perched atop chic The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills, Dante has succeeded in creating a space that’s equal parts decadent and intimate. Whether you’re nestled in a semi-private, plush velvet booth or at a balcony table between potted olive trees, the views of the city below are jaw-dropping. While your mouth is open, snack on a wood-fired pizza, steak tartare, or pesto gemelli. Unwind even more with their signature Garibaldi or an expertly crafted martini, and enjoy the luxurious side of cozy.

Sip a michelada on a lazy afternoon in Loreto / Mariscos Za Za Zá’s desert garden and you might think you’re in a Baja beach town rather than along the L.A. River. The laid-back atmosphere and warm hospitality make this already-beautiful space a cozy daytime oasis. Grab a table under the umbrellas, order some shrimp-topped Frogtown Fries for the table, and save room for aguachiles afterwards.

There are few places in the city that feel as much like a dear friend’s house as husband-and-wife duo Tyler and Ashley Wells’ All Time. The enclosed outdoor seating is spaced between two low-slung buildings, with plenty of hidden corners and small nooks covered in cocoon-like vines. Brunch is strong here, so settle in for a warm cup of coffee and a hearty breakfast burrito during the day. If you find your way back for dinner, the expertly tailored wine list offers great pairings for pastas, steak, and their signature “Big Ass Salad.”

This Midwestern “restaurant and cheesery” from husband-and-wife team Thomas Kalb and Vanessa Tilaka is the perfect place to relax with friends or get cozy on date night. Order the grilled chicken with smoked gravy and lounge on the covered back patio as day turns into night. Stay a little longer as the heat lamps overhead warm up, and linger over a charcuterie-and-cheese plate, or a housemade choco-taco for dessert. 

Talk to any Angeleno and they’ll say Malibu is both an escape and a comfort. It holds the promise of the beach and glamor, and the canyons and quiet. So what could be a more perfect ending than an evening at the Saddle Peak Lodge in neighboring Calabasas? Sit under the stars on the outdoor patio and enjoy a steak dinner or pasta with shrimp as the scent of California sagebrush and coastal oak floats in from the surrounding hills. During the holidays, this rustic lodge gets dressed up with lights and wreaths, making an already charming space even more of a treat. 

In some ways, this is an extension of the buzzy California bistro Horses — specifically in terms of physical proximity, cuisine, and nomenclature. But for the most part, the Garden at Horses is a standalone restaurant with its own menu, an entirely al fresco dining room, and a dedicated waitstaff. The setting is lush and a little bit Bohemian, with a menu anchored in refreshing cocktails and wood-fired pizzette.

Red chairs, red linens, green Astroturf — it all seems very fitting for a new take on an old-school joint like Dear John’s. There are lots of plants, extra space, and plenty of heat lamps to make it cozy. Even better: A mural of the restaurant’s interior has been painted on an outside wall, so you almost feel like you’re inside, eating shrimp cocktail, sand dabs, and grilled steaks.

The L.A. venture from superstar chef Enrique Olvera had a lot of outdoor space by design, just one reason it’s a must-hit right now. With colorful murals on the walls, and plants as thick as a rainforest, you feel lost somewhere between Mexico City and DTLA. Look for dishes like Baja clams with salsa macha, a vegetarian pipián verde with mushrooms, stunning desserts, and so much more.

The patio alongside the Eagle Rock craftsman was always charming, and we love it as a haven for iceberg wedge salads, mac and cheese, French lentil risotto, and a great burger — simple and pure comfort food, served under a beautiful dusky sky and twinkle lights.

It’s not just the star-studded history at Cat & Fiddle — the parade of rock stars through its doors is legendary — but also, it’s where you’ll find the closest simulacrum to the cozy confines of a proper English pub as you’ll locate in Los Angeles. We won’t say that the patio will fully transport you to the winter English countryside, but the traditional pub food and good vibes will provide the perfect L.A. twist on that.

A patio complete with leafy trees, twinkle lights, and well-spaced tables is the perfect breezy setting for this Beverly Hills’ restaurant’s famous zucchini linguini, margherita pizzas, and plenty of wines that echo its focus on the Amalfi coast. Mismatched mirrors hanging on the “walls,” funky furniture, ivy, and Italian movies flickering on the walls complete the picture.

Knowing both their audience and their beach, chef-owners Brooke Williamson and Nick Roberts showcase the best of Playa del Rey in their restaurant, both in food and dockside vibes. It’s built for al fresco, too: Blankets on every chair for chillier days and nights; strings of lights adding a twinkle to dinner and drinks; and plants and ambience galore.