The 12 Best Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles (2024)

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Looking for the best romantic restaurants in Los Angeles? We’ve got you covered with these hidden gems.

Los Angeles, the city of Angels, is a great place for date nights, anniversary dinners, and other special occasions.

Sunset view of downtown Los Angeles

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Best Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles

These are the best romantic restaurants in and around Los Angeles.

1. The Little Door

Location: 8164 W. 3rd Street, West Hollywood, CA 90048

The Little Door has offered farm to table dining since 1996.

They offer rustic Mediterranean and European cuisine in a romantic courtyard, with a worldly wine selection.

Reservations are required, with outdoor and indoor dining options.

There is a food minimum of $35 per person, so make sure you come hungry!

The Little Door is open for dinner daily.

Their dinner menu features dishes like prime ribeye steak, filet mignon, lamb, salmon, housemade pappardelle, and more.

2. Yamashiro

Location: 1999 N. Sycamore Ave, Hollywood, CA 90068

Yamashiro offers mostly Japanese dishes, but there some other signature items as well.

I recommend starting your dinner with a hot, green tea.

We visited on a cold, rainy day in the middle of Winter and this tea just hit the spot.

green tea from Yamashiro Hollywood

For appetizers, I recommend starting off with the pork bao buns.

The veggies and sauce really brighten up an otherwise dense and heavy appetizer.

pork bao buns from Yamashiro Hollywood

For your meal, sushi lovers, this place is for you!

There are seemingly endless possibilities.

But if you want to try something different or if sushi isn’t really your thing, there are some hot dishes that are worth trying.

The Japanese A5 Wagyu Steak Garlic Noodles are a bit spicy, but still good overall.

Japanese A5 Wagyu Steak Garlic Noodles from Yamashiro Hollywood

The Crab Fried Rice also pairs well with these noodles.

crab fried rice from Yamashiro Hollywood

As a side, I recommend adding the Miso Creamed Corn.

It’s a little spicier than I like, but other than that it is so good!

miso creamed corn from Yamashiro Hollywood

Now for the desserts!

Yamashiro has a few unique options.

The banana doughnuts are served with a chocolate dipping sauce and they reheat well in an air fryer if you need to take them home.

banana doughnuts with chocolate dipping sauce from Yamashiro Hollywood

The Sticky Toffee Cake is also really good.

It’s a little denser than you’d expect, almost like a brownie or chocolate cake, but the combination of walnuts, toffee sauce, and crème fraiche is phenomenal.

sticky toffee cake from Yamashiro Hollywood

Lastly, since we were celebrating during our visit, our server gifted us each a glass of champagne and we shared a small cheesecake for dessert.

cheesecake and champagne from Yamashiro Hollywood

They also offer Smash Cakes in milk chocolate, dark chocolate, pink, and red.

To really enhance the romance, you can get a heart cake with chocolate and candy filling for $70.

The views and the setting here really cannot be beat.

view from Yamashiro Hollywood

3. 71Above Restaurant and SkyLounge

Location: 633 W 5th Street, 71st Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90071 (US Bank Tower)

71Above is a new romantic restaurant in the US Bank Tower in Downtown LA.

It’s the highest restaurant west of the Mississippi.

With the 360 degree views of this restaurant you can see all the way to Malibu and Laguna Hills.

Enjoy a meal at the bar, in the SkyLounge, or the main dining room, all with different vibes.

There is a dress code that does not permit hats, shorts, sweats, excessively ripped jeans, flip flops, beach attire, or athletic wear.

You also have to leave all large bags at coat check.

Jackets are not required for men, but they are suggested.

For now, reservations are required, except at the bar.

71Above features a 3 course dinner menu in the main dining room.

The menu items are listed from the lightest dishes to the heartiest dishes. You can always add more courses if you like!

4. Castaway

Location: 1250 E. Harvard Road, Burbank, CA 91501

Castaway offers multi-level seating, so no matter where you are, you can enjoy scenic views.

They offers a menu with several steak specialties and seasonally inspired dishes.

Castaway is also introducing a new patio with Downtown LA views, fireplaces, and little nooks.

They are open for dinner daily, plus brunch on weekends, and lunch on Wednesday-Friday.

5. Firefly

Location: 11720 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604

Firefly is open for dinners daily.

They offer a 3 course prix-fixe menu that includes meatballs, steak frites, and sticky toffee cake.

You can also order a la carte from the main dinner menu.

This cozy restaurant makes for a great romantic dining setting.

6. Marmalade Cafe

Marmalade Cafe has multiple locations around the Greater Los Angeles area.

We love to go for a late night patio dining experience to enjoy our favorite pasta dishes and a glass of wine.

I recommend the spaghetti and meatballs or blackened chicken penne.

7. Don Antonio’s Mexican Food

Location: 11755 W Pico Blvd, West LA, CA 90064

You may recognize this restaurant if you’ve ever seen The Hills.

It’s a favorite of Heidi and Spencer Pratt.

With the dark interior, it makes for a romantic evening of chimichangas and margaritas.

8. Smoke House

Location: 4420 Lakeside Drive, Burbank, CA 91505

Smoke House is a classic steakhouse in Burbank just across the street from Warner Brothers Studios.

Celebrities and industry professionals have been dining here for decades.

It’s a great place for prime rib and you have to try their world famous garlic cheese bread.

9. The Formosa Cafe

Location: 7156 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

The Formosa Cafe has been an LA staple since the 1930s.

Dine in the rail car for an even more romantic and cozy experience.

I recommend their soup dumplings and their chow mein.

10. The Nice Guy

Location: 401 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

The Nice Guy is a celebrity hot spot.

There are no photos allowed inside (unless you’re discreetly taking photos of your food or drink), so you can see how it makes for an intimate and romantic evening.

They have a phenomenal craft cocktail list and a variety of small plates.

11. Caffe Roma Ristorante & Lounge

Location: 350 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

UPDATE: PERMANENTLY CLOSED

You can visit their sister restaurant in Beverly Hills – Caffé Amici instead.

Caffe Roma is right in the middle of Beverly Hills.

We ate here one night while we were in town celebrating our anniversary.

We each had a glass of wine and then shared some pizza and pasta.

Our favorite part of the night though was the Chocolate Souffle.

12. Nobu Malibu

Location: 22706 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, California 90265

Nobu Malibu is a celebrity hot spot for a very good reason.

The ocean views and atmosphere just cannot be beat.

I’m not a martini drinker at all, but they have a melon sake martini that is as smooth as juice.

Their Old Fashioned is also delicious.

A great appetizer to snack on is their Edamame.

Getting sushi rolls for the table is also a great way to sample the menu.

We tried the spicy tuna roll, baked crab roll, California roll, and vegetable roll.


More Unique Dining Experiences in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has seemingly endless dining possibilities, with somewhere to go for any occasion.

These are some of our other most recommended LA dining experiences.

➡️ The Best Birthday Restaurants in Los Angeles

LA is a great area for birthday celebrations whether it’s as a couple, as a family, or as a group of friends.

This area really offers something for everyone.

➡️ The Best Places For Desserts in Southern California

If you’re looking to fulfill that sweet tooth craving, LA has plenty of dessert spots too!

➡️ The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Los Angeles

There are plenty of city, mountain, and ocean views from various rooftop restaurants throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.


Romantic Places To Stay in Los Angeles

Finish off your anniversary getaway or date night with a romantic stay at a local luxury hotel or resort.

➡️ Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills

This luxury hotel in Beverly Hills offers an outdoor pool, spa, several restaurants, and luxury accommodations.

Or try the Beverly Wilshire, another Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills.

the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California

👉 Click Here To Book Your Romantic Four Seasons Getaway Today!

➡️ Hotel Bel-Air Dorchester Collection

This luxury resort tucked away into the hills of Bel-Air offers all the best of the local area.

Outdoor pools, a full service spa, and a restaurant and bar make it the perfect seclusive getaway.

👉 Click Here To Book Your Romantic Bel-Air Getaway Today!


Fun Things To Do in Los Angeles

Before or after your rooftop dinner, you’ll probably want to enjoy a fun activity.

We have a guide on the best winery day trips around LA that features some local tasting rooms and the closest wine regions.

If you want to visit some lesser known areas around LA, we’ve compiled a list of secret spots most visitors don’t even know about.

The South Bay area also has a variety of activities and attractions if you’re looking to be out of the city a little.

Below are the most popular recommendations.

✔️ Griffith Observatory and Planetarium

Griffith Observatory has amazing night views of LA and the Hollywood sign.

It’s a perfect location for going on a hike too.

The planetarium show is a 40 minute immersive experience optional add-on.

 👉 Click Here To Book Your Griffith Observatory Guided Tour and Planetarium Tickets Today!

Griffith Observatory

✔️ Universal Studios Hollywood

This theme park is right in the center of all the action.

Enjoy a leisurely day exploring all the best attractions and taking the studio backlot tour.

Universal Studios Hollywood Main Entrance Gate

👉🏼 Click Here To Book Your One Day Admission Ticket To Universal Studios Hollywood Today!

✔️ Swan Boat Night Ride Rental in Echo Park

This is an iconic LA activity everyone has to do at least once and it’s a great addition to any day spent exploring LA.

 👉 Click Here To Book Your Birthday Swan Boat Ride Today!

Echo Park Swan Boat Ride Los Angeles

Explore More Of Los Angeles With GoCity!

A great way to see all that Los Angeles has to offer is with a GoCity Pass!

We’ve used them in several cities and it’s a great way to get discounted deals on many attractions around town.

GoCity attractions cards offer included admission to over 400 top attractions, activities, tours, and museums for one low price!

Save up to 50% compared to buying separate tickets at the attractions and receive a free full-color guide book with your purchase.

Choose from two options: Go City’s All-Inclusive Pass offers admission to top attractions and activities for one low price with a savings of up to 50%.

Build Your Own Pass allows you to customize a pass and save up to 20% on top attractions!

👉 Click Here To Book Your GoCity Los Angeles Pass Today!


Conclusion: Best Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has so much to offer to everybody.

There are so many different options for date nights, anniversary celebrations, and other special occasions that warrant a romantic evening out.

These are the 5 best romantic restaurants in Los Angeles that will make your date night unforgettable.