The Resy Guide to Date Night in Los Angeles

A meal at any of pasta maestro Evan Funke’s restaurants (which include Mother Wolf and Felix) is bound to be special. But his three-level flagship in Beverly Hills might just be his magnum opus. This romantic restaurant offers impeccable service a glass-encased pasta room that churns out a new selection of nonna-style, hand-rolled pastas, “fatta a mano,’ and world-class pastries (save room for the meringata and citrus panna cotta). Make sure to stop by the rooftop bar to snuggle up for a cocktail—and possibly some caviar—on one of the comfortable couches or at the pretty Cristallo Rosa quartz bar on the way out.

There’s something inherently romantic about a dimly-lit French bistro, and Ludo Lefebvre’s Petit Trois is one of the best in town. His buttery escargot, airy omelets and rich French onion soup are so well done, they may even outperform the versions you’ve had in Paris. Both locations of this essential L.A. restaurant (including L’Original on Highland and Melrose) make for great date night spots, but this more expansive site in Sherman Oaks offers a bit more space and privacy for couples looking to get cozy over steak frites and a world-class bottle of Burgundy.

Internationally acclaimed chef Enrique Olvera’s first Los Angeles restaurant in the Arts District pairs a modern California sensibility with Mexico City soul. The mostly outdoor restaurant combines neutral tones and cool concrete accents with so many plants, it’s basically like dining in a greenhouse. The menus are just as special, with dishes blending farmer’s market produce with Japanese and Korean influences, along with traditional Mexican flavors and techniques. Start with a margarita or another one of its no-waste agave-infused cocktails before digging into uni tostadas, carne asada, and the Insta-famous hibiscus meringue.

This beautiful Culver City spot seamlessly blends Paris and Los Angeles with modern bistro-inspired ambience. Envisioned by Architectural Digest 100 designer Jeremiah Brent, the chic space boasts a mix of neutral tones, black and white bistro-style tiles, marble tabletops, and an expansive outdoor terrace that still manages to feel intimate. It’s prime date-night vibes, but what sets this place apart is the extensive, all-French wine list—with one of the best Champagne selections in town—paired perfectly with its modern Parisienne fare. Make sure to ask one of the somms to match these excellent bottles to fun, seasonal dishes like duck confit cigars, sea bream, or endive salad. And do save room for brown butter Madeleines at the end.

Rustic Canyon has been holding it down in Santa Monica for nearly 20 years, and it’s a date-night standby for a reason: wood-inflected decor; warm, refined service; and the wildly creative brain of chef Jeremy Fox at the helm. The menu is heavily seasonally influenced, with much respect paid to local farms. It’s romantic any night of the week, but for Valentine’s Day specifically, Fox is offering a six or eight-course menu with classics like peas and white chocolate, duck leg confit with red wine-braised cabbage and rhubarb, and black truffle add-ons.

Dinner in a Valley strip mall may not be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a great date, but this James Beard award-winning Thai restaurant is unquestionably one of the best—and most unique—dining experiences in town. Those who score one of its hard-to-come-by reservations will be richly rewarded with incredibly flavorful fare like lime-infused Southern Thai-fried chicken, spicy papaya salad, and arguably the best pad Thai in the Southland. While the local ingredients certainly give this place an edge, the highly-curated wine list, with well-paired bottles from the Mosel, Champagne, Burgundy and other esteemed regions send it over the top.

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 Sandro Hernandez 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.)

 A paved tunnel opens into an olive tree-lined courtyard at this romantic Fairfax hideaway. Marble staircases overlooking the patio below, private gazebos, and a fireplace lounge set the mood, while the wide-ranging, crowd-pleasing menu drives it home further. Expect bright salads, hand-cut pastas, seafood and a half-dozen or so specialty steaks; along with an extensive craft cocktail list and brunch on weekends. 

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.

Sometimes, you need a weekday date night spot in your regular rotation. Enter Market Venice, a perfect neighborhood spot where you can enjoy any number of seasonal dishes and then cap it all off with some hard-to-find Italian liqueurs for dessert.

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.

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 hotspot 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 spot 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 Griffith 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.