The Most Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles

Featuring elevated modern American cuisine by Executive Chef Javier Lopez, 71Above is the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi and boasts spectacular views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with the Los Angeles basin and the surrounding mountain ranges. Lopez's three-course tasting menu changes seasonally, with recent highlights such as Yellowfin Tuna Crudo, Crispy Octopus, Heritage Pork, Grilled Ribeye, Young Chicken, Raspberry Granita and Chocolate Cremeux. For a more casual experience, head to the bar and nosh on a la carte bites, sip craft cocktails named for LA neighborhoods, and enjoy the gorgeous city views.

The newest location from the LA-based Bacari group, Bacari Silver Lake opened in the former Cliff's Edge space in June 2021. Built around a huge Ficus tree, the beloved neighborhood spot is perfect for date night - the lush surroundings include string lights and fire pits on the patio, and the Mediterranean inspired cicchetti-style dishes are meant to be shared.

Executive chef and co-owner Lior Hillel features a variety of hot and cold plates, including shrimp ceviche, crispy polenta, burrata caprese, Oaxacan Pasta, shawarma tacos, and a bowl of Prince Edward Island mussels. Vegan or gluten-free options available.

Designed to give guests the impression they're dining in a jewel box, Beauty & Essex occupies 10,000 square feet of space at the Dream Hollywood hotel on Cahuenga Boulevard. The experience begins when you step into the pawn shop-inspired retail store, which sells an eclectic collection of vintage and one-of-a-kind treasures. The double-height main dining room offers natural light from a 20-foot oval skylight, while outdoor seating is available in the ground floor courtyard and a patio on the second level. Other spaces include the Locket Room and the Pearl Lounge.

Chef Chris Santos features shared plates like Sea Bass Ceviche, Little French Dips, Margherita Pan Pizza, Tuna Poke Wonton Tacos, and the signature Grilled Cheese, Smoked Bacon & Tomato Soup Dumplings. For heartier appetites, there's Roasted Cauliflower Bolognese, Oven Braised Chicken Meatballs, and Mexican Street Corn Ravioli. Save room for Beauty's Wonder Wheel - the chef's selection of desserts for two.

Be sure to book ahead for groups and special events like anniversaries and holiday parties.

More than 30 years since Pretty Woman was released, Cicada is still known as the “Pretty Woman restaurant.” Located in Downtown LA’s historic Oviatt Building, Cicada is a stunning Art Deco restaurant and special event venue that was known as Rex Il Ristorante when Julia Roberts had her snail-eating mishap in that classic scene.

On select nights, the restaurant transforms into the 1940s style Cicada Club, a classy evening of dinner and dancing with nostalgic music performed by swing and jazz bands.

Located in the burgeoning Sycamore District, Gigi's boasts a stunning Art Deco interior from Osvaldo Maiozzi - the late architect's final project, along with his other notable restaurant designs that include Otium, Redbird and Bestia. The French fare is as stylish as the setting - Croquettes with Duck Confit, Caviar Service, Steak Tartare and Steak Frites. For a livelier night out, opt for the bustling, celeb-filled patio.

Founded in the early 1970s by Dr. Ralph and Lucile Yaney, The Inn of the Seventh Ray is nestled in the heart of Topanga Canyon, adjacent to Topanga Creek and surrounded by a forest of sycamore, oak and pine trees. The picturesque setting makes the Inn a popular wedding location - whether it's a bright, sunny day or a warm evening, there isn't a bad table on the fairytale patio. On cooler nights, seats by the fireplace are highly coveted.

A longtime advocate of vegan and vegetarian cuisine, the restaurant continues the Yaneys' mission of offering their guests the benefits of cooking without chemicals or artificial additives. The wine list includes a large selection of organic and Biodynamic wines.

Dinner highlights include 8-Hour Black Vinegar Braised Short Rib, Char-Roasted Mary's Free Range Half-Chicken, Pan-Seared Loch Duart Salmon, Gnocchetti Pasta with Sunflower Pesto, and Crispy Half Cauliflower. The lavish Sunday Brunch Buffet offers Traditional or Vegetarian options with a complimentary glass of bubbly.

Follow the neon green lime to LA Cha Cha Chá, a rooftop hidden gem in the Downtown LA Arts District. Like the Mexico City original, the spacious restaurant's Mid-Century design draws influences from Acapulco to Palm Springs. Get seated in an intimate outdoor booth and start with ceviche or aguachile. Explore shared plates from Mexico City native / LA-raised chef Alejandro Guzman (Sqirl, Eggslut) like Pescado Cha Cha Chá (grilled huachinango with charred lettuce), Carnitas (pork shoulder confit, braised beans, pico de gallo) and Steak Pa' Taquear - New York strip steak with beef butter and red wine salsa. Don't miss the Flan de Zanahoria (carrot flan with cream cheese frosting).

Originally opened in 1923, the current incarnation of The Lobster opened in 1999. With romantic 180-degree views from its location at the top of the historic Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster has famously hosted several marriage proposals a day. If you're planning on popping the question, be sure to book one of the highly-requested window tables.

While The Lobster is renowned for its signature Maine and California Spiny Lobsters, acclaimed Executive Chef Govind Armstrong has elevated the seasonally-driven menu. Start with the Chilled Seafood Platter for two, which includes a Half Maine Lobster, Tuna Tartare, 6 Oysters, 4 Gulf Shrimp and 6 Black Mussels. Entrees include Black Chitarra Pasta, Wild Dungeness Crab Gumbo, Seared Rare Yellowfin, Grilled Day Boat Scallops, and 8 oz Filet "Steak & Frites" with Half or Whole Maine Lobster add-ons.

Boasting one of LA's most romantic patios, Nic's On Beverly features an entirely plant-based menu for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Highlights include wood-fired Detroit-style pizzas, Tempura Avocado Tacos, Truffle Burger, Bloomsdale Spinach Lasagna, and Fish & Chips with beer battered Good Catch fish. Brunch adds Tofu Benedict, The Waffler Sandwich, and Florentine Omelette.

Originally opened in the Malibu Country Mart, Nobu Malibu relocated down Pacific Coast Highway in 2002 - the stunning beachfront location and refined Japanese cuisine have beckoned diners ever since. Enjoy the romantic ocean views at one of the coveted outdoor tables and sip the Cheers to Chichibu, Michelle French's Nationwide Nobu Cocktail Competition winner.

Longtime fans can expect Nobu Matsuhisa's signature dishes such as Tiradito Nobu Style, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, the decadent Lobster Tempura Truffle Amazu, and the iconic Black Cod with Miso. There's also a la carte Nobu Style Sashimi Tacos, nigiri and sashimi, and multi-course omakase tasting menus.

Chef Michael Cimarusti's two Michelin-starred Providence is renowned as one of the best seafood restaurants in the country. The elegant dining room evokes the ocean with design touches like deep blue seating, coral-like wall patterns and clustered seashells along softly lit walls.

Highlights of the luxurious Chef's Tasting Menu include Oyster, Tai Sashimi, Maine Lobster, Lingotti, Black Cod, choice of Wild King Salmon, Liberty Farms Duck, or A5 Wagyu Beef; and House-Made Hawaiian Chocolate. Pricing is $250 per person, with $115 optional wine supplement.

Chef Neal Fraser's flagship restaurant, Redbird showcases his modern American cuisine at a historic space in the former rectory building of Vibiana. Whether you're seated in the indoor dining room, open air Courtyard, or surrounded by olive trees in the Garden, a cocktail from Tobin Shea's award-winning seasonal menu is a must.

Starters include Shishito Peppers and Chawanmushi (Japanese steamed egg custard) with Maine lobster, enoki and Sichuan chili oil. Entrees feature a Bone-In Ribeye for Two, Red Wattle Pork Chop, California Sea Bass, and BBQ Smoked Tofu. Save room for the PB & C - dark chocolate cremeux, peanut butter anglaise, and caramelized banana ice cream.

Tucked inside a Bel-Air strip mall, Vibrato Grill is the brainchild of Grammy Award winning music legend Herb Alpert. One of LA's most romantic music venues, Vibrato features top notch jazz performances in a warm, elegant setting with soft lighting, superb sound design, and artwork by Alpert himself. Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane, who performs regularly at Vibrato, told The Hollywood Reporter, "I've been to jazz clubs all over the country, and Vibrato ranks with the best of them. The acoustics are fantastic; the vibe is great."

Couples usually opt for booths on the main floor or a cozy table on the balcony. The menu showcases the best of local seasonal ingredients, including a four-course Chef's Tasting Menu with gluten-free options. Cover and show times vary, for more info visit the Vibrato Performance Calendar.

Situated in a lush garden setting at one of LA's most storied hotels, Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air offers numerous options for lovers - lounge in a booth, sit at the outdoor bar, or reserve a private alcove overlooking Swan Lake. The romantic terrace comes to life after dark, lit by twinkling lanterns and scented by bougainvillea and lavender. The luxury appointments include heated floors and a retractable screen for year-round dining.

Day or night, enjoy classics from the legendary chef like Thai Style Chicken Salad, BBQ Salmon Salad (or Grilled Tofu), Organic Jidori Chicken Pot Pie, and Marcho Farms Veal Wiener Schnitzel.

Yamashiro has welcomed guests to its magical, romantic setting above Hollywood Boulevard since 1914, when it was built as a private estate. Boasting spectacular city views, stunning architecture and tranquil gardens, the restored "Mountain Palace" is renowned for its numerous movie and TV appearances, and is a popular venue for weddings and special events.

The first female executive chef in Yamashiro's history, Vallerie Castillo Archer showcases the restaurant's famed Asian fusion cuisine with Sushi Pizza, Small Sushi Boat for two, the vegan Portobello Steak, and Cowboy Steak served table side - 36 oz bone-in ribeye marinated in smoked shoyu and garlic, topped with grilled octopus, jumbo shrimp and broccolini.