🕯️ Best in LA

Best Date Night Restaurants in LA

The best date night restaurants in LA — romantic, impressive, and worth the reservation. From candlelit Italian to rooftop seafood. 2026 guide.

15 picks

LA has no shortage of restaurants that look good on Instagram but fall flat in person. This list cuts through that — these are the places that actually deliver on a date: good lighting, food worth talking about, and enough energy to carry the evening without being so loud you can't hear each other.

The best date night restaurants in LA hit a specific balance: interesting enough to give you something to talk about, but not so trendy or theatrical that the experience overshadows the conversation. Gjelina in Venice has that — candlelit, warm energy without being overwhelming. Horses on Sunset does it with a mid-century room and a menu that surprises. For something more special-occasion, Bavel in the Arts District or Felix in Venice are the benchmarks for a dinner that feels like a real event.

One practical note: the most popular date night spots in LA book out 1–3 weeks ahead on weekends. If you're planning for Saturday, start looking by Tuesday. Most restaurants are on Resy or OpenTable — check both, since availability isn't always synced. If you're flexible on neighborhood, Silver Lake and Los Feliz have a higher concentration of walk-in-friendly spots that don't sacrifice quality.

Melisse / Citrin

Melisse / Citrin

Modern American · French · Santa Monica · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.9 1,450

Santa Monica's refined tasting menu for the most special of occasions

Must-try: Full Tasting Menu ($295), Tomato Salad, Lobster Bolognese

📍 1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Full Details Reserve on Resy

Hayato

Japanese · Kaiseki · Arts District · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.9 860

Michelin two-star kaiseki in Row DTLA — Brandon Hayato Go's 17-course seasonal menu is the most refined meal in Los Angeles

Must-try: 17-course kaiseki, Binchotan-smoked bonito, Seasonal rice pot finale

📍 1320 E 7th St Suite 126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Full Details View on Maps

Sushi Park

Japanese · Sushi · Omakase · West Hollywood · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.9 420

West Hollywood's legendary word-of-mouth sushi counter — no menu, no photography, chef's choice only, and one of the highest sushi IQs in Los Angeles

Must-try: Seasonal omakase, Market daily fish, Uni preparations

📍 8539 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Full Details View on Maps

Heritage

Modern American · Tasting Menu · Long Beach · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 441

Long Beach's only Michelin-starred restaurant, inside a 1922 Craftsman home

Must-try: Kanpachi Crudo, Diver Scallop, 32-Day Aged Rib Chop

📍 2032 E 7th St, Long Beach, CA 90804

Full Details Reserve on OpenTable

Somni

Contemporary Tasting Menu · West Hollywood · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 214

Three Michelin Stars in an 8-seat WeHo room — avant-garde tasting menu at $745+ per person

Must-try: 20-course chef's tasting menu ($745+/person), Optional wine pairing ($285)

📍 9045 W Nemo St, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Full Details Reserve on OpenTable

Providence

Seafood · Contemporary American · Fine Dining · Hollywood · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 1,843

Hollywood's three-Michelin-star seafood cathedral — Michael Cimarusti's 20-course journey through the American coastline

Must-try: Chef's tasting menu (the only option), Ask for the Chef's Table private room

📍 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Full Details Reserve on OpenTable

n/naka

Japanese · California Kaiseki · Fine Dining · Culver City · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 1,234

Palms' two-Michelin-star California Kaiseki — Niki Nakayama's 13-course seasonal dinner that lands on every best-in-LA list

Must-try: 13-course omakase kaiseki (the only option)

📍 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Full Details Reserve on Resy

Kato

Taiwanese · California · Michelin-Starred · Tasting Menu · DTLA · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 1,400

Chef Jon Yao's Michelin-starred Taiwanese-California tasting menu — one of the most original restaurants in LA

Must-try: Chef's tasting menu (no à la carte), Cured fish course, Taiwanese-inspired dessert

📍 777 S Alameda St, Ste 170, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Full Details Reserve on Resy

Nozawa Bar

Japanese · Omakase · Sushi · Beverly Hills · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 680

Beverly Hills counter omakase from the legendary Nozawa family — intimate 10-seat sushi bar, Michelin-listed, and one of the most focused meals in the city

Must-try: Seasonal omakase nigiri, Chef's daily market fish, Uni hand roll to close

📍 212 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Full Details View on Maps

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Japanese · Omakase · Sushi · Downtown LA · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.8 720

Michelin two-star omakase in DTLA — the Los Angeles outpost of the legendary Tokyo original, serving the finest traditional Edomae sushi in the city

Must-try: Seasonal Edomae nigiri omakase, Otoro tuna, Live shrimp (kuruma ebi)

📍 609 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

Full Details View on Maps

Republique

French · Californian · Mid-Wilshire · $$$

★★★★½ 4.7 8,900

Parisian brunch meets California produce in a stunning space

Must-try: Croque Madame, Butter Croissant, Roasted Chicken

📍 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Full Details Reserve on Resy

Avra Beverly Hills

Avra Beverly Hills

Greek · Mediterranean Seafood · Beverly Hills · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.7 1,680

Greek seafood flown in daily — Mykonos transplanted to BH

Must-try: Charcoal Grilled Octopus, Whole Grilled Sea Bass, Crispy Chips with Tzatziki

📍 233 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Full Details Reserve on Resy

La Parolaccia Osteria

La Parolaccia Osteria

Italian · Roman · Long Beach · $$

★★★★½ 4.7 2,057

Roman trattoria vibes, killer carbonara, and a waitlist that proves it's worth it

Must-try: Carbonara, Totti (half pizza/half calzone), Cappellacci di Zucca

📍 2945 E Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90803

Full Details Reserve on OpenTable

Seline

Contemporary Tasting Menu · Santa Monica · $$$$

★★★★½ 4.7 318

Michelin-starred 15–18 course tasting menu in Santa Monica by Chef Dave Beran — one seating per night

Must-try: 15–18 course chef's tasting menu, Seasonal wine pairing

📍 3110 Main St, Ste 132, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Full Details Reserve on OpenTable

Quarter Sheets

Pizza · Wine Bar · Echo Park · $$

★★★★½ 4.7 1,200

Echo Park's neighborhood pizza cult — Detroit-style slices and natural wine

Must-try: Detroit-style pizza, Antipasto, Natural wine by the glass

📍 1305 Portia St, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Full Details View on Maps

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most romantic restaurant in LA?

Felix Trattoria in Venice and Osteria Mozza in Hollywood consistently top romantic restaurant lists — great lighting, intimate tables, and food that gives you something to talk about. For a bigger occasion, Providence in Hollywood is the most impressive dining room in the city.

What's a good date night restaurant in LA that's not too expensive?

Felix Trattoria and Found Oyster in Hollywood are both excellent at the $$$ range. Gjelina in Venice is another strong choice — the small plates format works well for dates.

How far ahead should I book a date night restaurant in LA?

For the top spots, 1–2 weeks ahead is standard. Providence requires more lead time. If you're booking last-minute, check Resy for cancellations — spots often open up the day before.

What is a good first date restaurant in Los Angeles?

Gjelina in Venice is the ideal first-date restaurant in LA — small plates create natural conversation, the room is casual enough to be comfortable, and the food is good enough to discuss. Horses on Sunset is another strong option: beautiful mid-century room, interesting menu, the right amount of energy without being overwhelming.

What are the best rooftop restaurants for a date in LA?

Catch LA in West Hollywood has one of the best rooftop settings for a date — multiple levels, good views, and a menu built for sharing. Perch in DTLA has sweeping downtown views. For something lower-key with great food, the rooftop at Cara Hotel in Los Feliz is worth knowing about.

Where should I take someone on a date in LA under $100 per person?

Gjelina and Horses are both achievable under $100 if you manage the wine order. Found Oyster in Hollywood is another excellent option — outstanding quality at accessible prices. Night + Market Song in Silver Lake or a well-chosen Koreatown restaurant can make for a great evening well under budget.