Whether you’ve made it to a third date or you’re celebrating a 10-year anniversary (congratulations!), the ever-expanding restaurant scene means you’ve got no shortage of the best date night restaurants in LA. These are some of my favorite date night restaurants in West Hollywood to set the mood and win you some brownie points.
Pace
A rustic Italian eatery off the beaten path
This cozy Italian restaurant is well worth the windy drive up Laurel Canyon. You’ve likely driven past the discreet, old brick building a thousand times on your way to the Valley. The menu features classic Italian dishes, ciabatta-crust pizzas, and homemade pastas like the can’t-miss tagliatelle. Don’t forget to put your order in for the famous chocolate cake — it takes an extra 20 minutes!
Olivetta
Chic Melrose hotspot highlighting the best of the Mediterranean
The bold-colored dining room at Olivetta is buzzing seven nights a week (with a DJ Thursday through Sunday nights). Although, you can opt for a quieter setting in the Bougainvillea Sun Room. It’s hard to pick favorites, but some standout dishes from the Mediterranean-inspired menu include the grilled branzino, yellowtail tartare, and roasted baby carrots. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Fiorelli restaurant without his signature pasta dishes like the lamb radiatore you’ll be dreaming about for days. Trust me, do not miss out on this dish. I don’t even like lamb and I crave this pasta. All.The.Time. It might just be my favorite pasta in all of LA!
Tower Bar
Upscale hotel restaurant with gorgeous views
The dimly-lit restaurant is elegant, sophisticated, and reminiscent of old Hollywood glamour, and it’s one of the best date night restaurants in LA. Located inside the Sunset Tower Hotel, Tower Bar offers live jazz music on select evenings, plenty of cozy corners for a little privacy, and outdoor seating for spectacular views. The menu pays homage to classic California cuisine so there is something for everyone — even vegetarians!
Cavatina
An enchanting oasis off the Sunset Strip with an outdoor terrace
This Sunset Strip stunner is one of West Hollywood’s best-kept secrets. Tucked away in the Sunset Marquis hotel, the indoor-outdoor restaurant features a beautifully lush garden, koi pond, and twinkling string lights wrapped around the trees to set the mood. The restaurant concept, originally created by James Beard-winning Chef Michael Schlow, has a menu that emphasizes local ingredients and changes with the seasons. Expect dishes like West Coast oysters, roasted poblano guacamole, homemade pappardelle, and Alaskan halibut.
Marvin
Small neighborhood French bistro and wine bar
Wine bars are plentiful in Melrose, but Marvin is more than just a wine bar. It’s a charming French bistro with a fantastic wine list sure to impress any Francophile. It wouldn’t look out of place along a Parisian street, serving up classic French fare like cheese and charcuterie plates, oysters, and steak frites in a simple, white-and-blue-walled dining room. Grab two stools at the mirror-backed, marble-topped bar, and get ready to act like you know the first thing about wines — or, just ask the knowledgeable bartenders for tips.
Merois
Swanky Wolfgang Puck restaurant with sweeping city views
Merois is a beautiful place for a special evening out. It’s located on the rooftop of the Pendry West Hollywood, adjacent to the pool so it offers panoramic views of the city skyline. There is a small outdoor bar area with lounge seating where you can order food and cocktails, except it is first-come, first-serve and seating is limited. The restaurant itself is mostly indoors with a few tables outdoors and features the standard Wolfgang Puck menu — Asian fusion with a dash of French and ingredients from California. Ospero, the hotel’s all-day cafe downstairs, is also overseen by Wolfgang Puck and features more casual fare including salads, handmade pasta, and Puck’s signature wood-fired pizzas. It’s good for a weekend brunch date.
Eveleigh
Alfresco dining in the heart of the Sunset Strip
The Aussie-owned establishment has managed to stick around on Sunset Blvd. longer than most of its neighbors, and for good reason. The rustic-chic restaurant features a gorgeous string-lit patio perfect for date night. A center wraparound bar that is almost always busy makes for great seating on a more casual date. They’re best known for their cocktails which are all made with fresh ingredients so skip the vino (albeit they do have a good selection), and try a cocktail instead.
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