The best restaurants for outdoor dining in L.A.

Nobu Malibu is one of those places that’s so stunning, you may just hear yourself muttering, “Is this real life?” With a menu designed by celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the iconic restaurant—overlooking Surfrider Beach and Malibu Pier—is so close to the beach that you can overhear children playing on the sand. Its minimalist aesthetic complements its natural environment, and the sushi and modern Japanese food are just as disarmingly beautiful as the setting. Mini tacos are filled with deliciously creamy uni, and Nobu’s signature tiradito—thin slices of whitefish dotted with chili—are wonderful. Take note: Reservations here are a must. 

Burbank’s gem of a patio is hardly a secret. In fact, it’s been one of the San Fernando Valley’s special-occasion go-tos for decades. But the Castaway that native Angelenos might have gone to before prom has a whole new look: Today’s Castaway boasts a revamped food menu and sleeker, more modern décor, while its stellar, sweeping views of the Valley, Downtown and beyond still remain as gorgeous as ever. Steaks, whole roast fish, impressive charcuterie boards and luscious pastas are now the norm, and make for perfect snacky fare, full dinner or brunch on that spacious patio with one of L.A.’s most romantic views.

Situated on a buzzy block in Hollywood, Ka’teen channels sceney Tulum resorts with a reed tunnel entrance, a lush outdoor dining room and an expansive, Yucatan-inspired menu by award-winning local chef Wes Avila. Here, Guerrilla Tacos’ former head chef offers plenty of crowd-pleasing small plates, though larger format dishes like lamb neck barbacoa and pescado zarandeado (grilled whole fish) easily steal the spotlight at Ka’Teen. For those who can snag a reservation, the beautifully designed space is perfect for a dressy girls’ night, a stylish date night and, well, any night for the typical area crowd. 

This vegan Mexican eatery in West Hollywood is home to one of our favorite patios in all of L.A. County. Despite its scene-y neighborhood, Gracias Madre’s beautiful patio manages to create a lively atmosphere that’s welcoming to all—chalk that up to its 80-year-old olive trees, umbrellas in the afternoon, and a fireplace and heat lamps on cooler winter evenings. To start, dip into a bowl of guacamole and order one of the bar’s phenomenal cocktails, and consider ordering one of our favorite entrées from Gracias Madre: the potato pimiento flautas.

Hidden away on Beverly Boulevard, this impeccably designed French restaurant takes over the old Dominick’s space. True to its name, Amour conjures visions of romance with a brick-lined, checker floored courtyard that even has a fireplace with cozy lounge seating. The Japanese-inflected haute cuisine runs on the pricier side, with five-course ($150) and eight-course ($222) tasting menus, plus vegan and vegetarian options ($111). If you’d rather order à la carte, the kitchen's precise saucework translates into strong entrées, a standout steak tartare and the comte cloud, a truffle-covered cheesy poached egg. Either way, El Bullí-trained head chef Dani Chavez-Bello and owner Thomas Fuks (who also runs Hollywood nightclub Members) have crafted an upscale French dining experience worth traveling for.

This 10th floor Downtown rooftop comes courtesy of Stephanie Izard, whose Girl & the Goat outpost in the Arts District has also drawn rave reviews. In similar Chicago-to-L.A. fashion, Cabra is the second location of the Top Chef winner’s Peruvian-inspired small plates concept, with Izard’s usual sharp, playful takes on dishes like striped bass ceviche and lomo saltado. From appetizers to dessert, there’s something memorable and delicious for everyone to love at Cabra—but the outdoor patio situation, especially at sunset, is one of the dreamiest places in Downtown L.A.

With a stunning reflective pool, olive and palm trees and an open-air skylight, this trendy Los Feliz-ish hotel restaurant will transport you far, far away from the chaos of Thai Town, located just a few minutes' walk around the corner. Come nightfall, the space's mood lighting transforms Cara's coastal Mediterranean design from merely breezy to downright romantic. Book a reservation to snag a seat by the pool and order from a crowd-pleasing, straightforward menu, including a tasty prosciutto and burrata starter paired with grilled sourdough from Santa Monica's Jyan Isaac Bread. Walk-ins are likely to end up in the front patio and bar area, where Wednesday salsa dancing and weekend DJs liven the space up for an impromptu date night. Throw in the solid food and cocktails, and it's no wonder Cara has become a shoo-in for anniversary dinners and other special occasions.

Located in the sprawling former Le Jardin space, this upscale Middle Eastern concept comes from Top Chef Middle East winner Charbel Hayek, the Lebanese-born chef behind West Hollywood’s Ladyhawk. The fully outdoor restaurant offers a minimalist-meets-Tulum design, complete with a fire pit and two bars perfect for catching a drink before or after a nearby show. Among Laya’s smaller appetizers,we enjoyed the Australian Wagyu kibbeh nayeh and freshly made pitas paired with olives, balls of goat cheese and za’atar spice in olive oil. There’s also a section of straightforward, vegan-friendly kebabs and larger entrées. For dessert, ask about the off-menu knafeh, which pairs sweet cheese and phyllo dough with a fragrant simple syrup, or opt for the showier rose soft serve topped with a delightful cotton candy cloud.

Vibes: the only word that comes to mind after the elevator ride up to this Tulum-like, all-day rooftop restaurant and bar serving seasonal California Italian cuisine and top-notch cocktails. Located upstairs from the Laemmle movie theater, Elephante boasts one of Santa Monica’s best indoor-outdoor spaces, with resort-like interior design that feels ripped from the pages of Conde Nast Traveler, including chic modern wood furniture and a stunning view of the ocean from the aptly-named Sunset Room. Meet friends during the day for brunch and lunch, then bring a date at night for low-lit romance.

With multiple dining rooms, an atrium and a sunken garden, this enormous events-venue-turned-restaurant in Woodland Hills is shaping up to be the San Fernando Valley’s next go-to spot for date nights, big group dinners and other dining occasions, big or small. Casaléna’s ambiguously Mediterranean menu might offer little in the way of surprise, save for the fact it’s extremely well-executed, from the delicious spicy vodka pasta to the airy slices of bread accompanying the whipped eggplant dip. There’s Wagyu meatballs, pizza, pasta, steak and chicken parm: What’s not to love? In truth, however, the tasty food and cocktails are only half the equation here—you’re visiting, of course, for the downright stunning ambience.

Approaching the imposing orange door to E.R.B. (Everson Royce Bar, technically speaking), it’s hard to know what to expect behind it. The concrete exterior of the downtown Arts District haunt seems intentionally non-descript, but behind it hides one of the city's best burgers, affordable drinks and a surprisngly spacious patio that's great for large groups and warmer evenings. No matter which experience you choose, you’ll be ordering some of L.A.'s best cocktails. They come inspired by Los Angeles and seasonal produce—we recommend the long-time favorite Yo LA Tengo, which comes packed with mezcal, grapefruit, Aperol, ginger and lime, or the You'll Rhubarb the Day, which involves, you guessed it, rhubarb—and the food follows suit.

Inside the tranquil indoor-outdoor courtyard of UCLA’s Hammer Museum, David Tanis utilizes the same farm-to-table approach pioneered by Alice Waters, Lulu's co-creator and the trailblazer behind Berkeley's legendary Chez Panisse. Though we love Lulu for the elegant daytime prix-fixe offering and equally delicious dinner menu, the space itself is compelling enough to stop in for a relaxing meal on the Westside. Above, Jorge Pardo's striking indoor-outdoor orange lanterns (now part of the Hammer’s permanent collection) hanging in the trees and inside the semi-enclosed dining room light up after dark, which gives the entire restaurant a dreamy feel in the evenings. By day, the courtyard feels a bit more casual, but the ever-changing bill of fare determined by the farmers' market makes for an excellent lunch destination for catching up with friends or family.

If you’re on the Westside, stop by for a cappuccino or a relaxed meal at this breezy all-day café and market along Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue, where high-quality Italian imports combine with a charming string-lit patio for one of the best sandwich experiences we’ve had all year. Made with airy focaccia slices from Culver City’s Bianca Bakery, they come stuffed with the finest prosciutto, mortadella and salami—and though pricey ($25 and up), each handheld can easily feed two. The wine selection and family-style charcuterie plates, naturally, are also excellent, as are the veggie-forward appetizers drizzled with extra-virgin olive oil. For a bit of decadence, order the Deliziosa (aged pecorino, 24-month-aged prosciutto and black truffle sauce).

Perched atop a luxury fitness club, this Hollywood restaurant offers lush design details inside and out, but the outdoor dining area is one of our favorite rooftop restaurants in town thanks to the delicious, elegant and wellness-oriented fare and glamorous design scheme. By day, the plant-lined patio, pink banquettes and checkered floor make for a breezy backdrop for brunch and lunch, but the atmosphere gets sultry later on with excellent views of the sunset and stylish table lamps that set the mood on date night. Though the vegan-friendly menu integrates "functional ingredients" thought to confer health benefits, the eclectic dishes stand on their own in terms of quality and flavor, from the shiitake mushroom larb to the rossejat de fideos, a pricey seafood vermicelli skillet meant to serve two.

This destination-worthy Frogtown eatery comes from the team behind LA Cha Cha Chá. While the industrial-chic dining room is already home to a see-and-be-seen locals’ crowd, it’s the heated outdoor patio that truly sets Loreto and its daytime counterpart, Mariscos Za Za Zá, apart before and after dark. Dine on head chef Paco Moran’s elevated mariscos, made with fresh catch almost exclusively sourced from Baja and ingredients pulled from the global pantry. Marvel in the decadence of the tostada a la Joaquin (made with fatty tuna, avocado and a creamy sauce) or opt for Loreto’s stripped-down, ultra-fiery red shrimp aguachile. In truth, there’s more than one way to cut a fine meal here: The large-format zarandeados, the array of nuanced botanas (bar snacks) and the various raw seafood configurations all ensure you’ll find your own path to postprandial bliss.

The second location of Highly Likely offers something a little something for everyone, plus a beautiful patio filled with olive trees, greenery and an outdoor bar. As with the West Adams original, it's a neighborhood coffee shop with delicious grain bowls, salads and other all-day fare, plus a fully loaded espresso, tea, beer and natural wine. During the day, the U-shaped indoor bar is a haven for local remote workers. Unlike the original Highly Likely, however, the Highland Park location stays open until 10pm, when the space transforms into a mood-lit dinner spot perfect for casual date nights and get-togethers. After dark, snack on tasty dishes like koji chicken schnitzel, crispy brown rice salad and harissa meatballs. 

It’s hard to deny the cool-kid vibes at Zizou, a French-Moroccan wine bar in Lincoln Heights. The gorgeous outdoor patio is lined with plenty of foliage and mood lighting, there’s an excellent sound system inside and the interior design is nothing short of immaculate. Even if the cuisine were bad (which it isn’t), you’d still probably find this place packed to the gills every weekend with see-and-be-seen types sipping on Aperol spritzes and natural wine. Fortunately for those of us who care about what we eat, not just who we’re sitting next to, straightforward dishes like steak frites and almond-apricot tagine are delicious enough to satisfy anyone’s craving for Middle Eastern cuisine.

This Virgil Village wine bar has one of our favorite patios in the city—and the ever-changing list of small-producer and organic wines offers a compelling introduction to the now-ubiquitous world of pet-nat. Plus, Melody's ever-changing food pop-ups by local chefs and occasional vintner nights add flair to a drinking experience here; depending on which evening you stop in, you'll find anything from wood-fired pizzas to Southern-inspired Filipino food.  Some nights, especially in warmer weather, the converted Craftsman-style house is full-on scene, but the egalitarian ethos and approachable wines keep conversation flowing and vibes generally still quite good. As of late, Melody's resumed hosting live DJ sets on the weekends, plus an all-new Tuesday night drag show, for those who prefer a glass of wine or two with a little extra atmosphere.

While its slightly above average food might be expensive, the views simply can’t be beat at Catch LA. At the New York City-based chain's West Hollywood location, you’ll find an open-air dining room with a retractable rooftop and sweeping views of the hills that are particularly gorgeous at sunset—although the restaurant also offers weekend brunch. Mind the traffic jam around its charming flower-lined walk-up area near the elevator and host stand, often crowded due to Instagram photoshoots, and you’ll find special occasion-worthy cocktails, an excellent lobster mac and cheese and whimsical desserts, like their iconic “Hit Me” chocolate cake and Ferris wheel of donut bites. An excellent spicy mayo crispy cauliflower and king oyster mushroom sushi roll ensure vegans and vegetarians aren’t left out of the dinnertime spectacle.

This Los Feliz restaurant and bar wows us with its dreamy open-air dining room and excellent seating options—from well-appointed tables and low-slung armchairs to stools at the glittering bar. The towering tree overhead gives the space an enchanted forest-like feel, and the various nooks and crannies add a dimension of coziness for pairs and even groups of four. Chef Josh Gil’s Baja-inspired menu of tasty tacos and other drinking snacks offer the same cutting-edge blend of global ingredients and Mexican culinary traditions that has made the 90210 original popular across the city. Stop by on the weekends for a standout brunch that includes horchata-soaked French toast and housemade tepache, a pre-Hispanic fermented beverage made with pineapple.

This former pizza pop-up's brick-and-mortar in the Arts District includes an expansive, string-lit patio space. A pandemic-era pizza project by veterans of Tartine, Felix and Chicago’s Boka Group, De La Nonna offers natural wine, raw seafood and personal-sized focaccia pies that are seasonal, delicious and—most importantly—relatively affordable. Founded at a time when everyone needed a seat at an outdoor table, the restaurant holds most of its space for community walk-ins, though it also accepts limited reservations.

Waterfront? This spot’s water-on. The dual-concept restaurant bookends the famous Malibu Pier, serving fresh California fare at both the full-service Malibu Farm restaurant (located at the entrance) and a more casual counterpart, Malibu Farm Cafe (all the way at the end). There's even a patio for making the most of the breezy setting, and healthful, produce-forward dishes such as cauliflower pizza as well as some serious grass-fed burgers at both. Enjoy organic veggies, farm-fresh eggs and more all while perching over the Pacific. Not bad, not bad at all.

Wouldn’t it be great to hop on a plane to Mexico City next weekend? While you might still be on U.S. soil at this palm and cacti-lined restaurant in the Arts District, the elegant, seafood-focused take on Mexican cuisine and general vibe at LA Cha Cha Chá are more than capable of whisking diners away to the tonier streets of CDMX, the location of its original outpost. Order a tuna tostada and a cocktail or two (or three, if you’re headed to its late-night indoor bar, La Barra) and you’ll feel as though you’ve slipped away to paradise.

At this Eastside outpost of this Mediterranean-leaning local mini-chain, you’ll find shareable small plates, an excellent happy hour and one of L.A.’s best patios in the city. Lined with huge trees, plants and wrought-iron fencing, Bacari Silver Lake’s patio invokes a more romantic, grown-up Rainforest Café without the overpriced, humdrum food and scores of gleeful children running around.

Firefly may be the closest thing to a modern-day secret garden in L.A., walls of tangled ivy included. Found on a more popular stretch of Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, the fine-dining restaurant offers modern-American cuisine in a romantic, cozy setting: The heated patio is decorated in candles and twinkling lights—it’s almost as pretty as the carefully constructed dishes you’ll be digging into, like Firefly’s truffle cream mushroom pappardelle or their porterhouse-cut pork chop served with roasted brussels sprouts, bacon, anchovies and mustard cream.

This restaurant's hidden patio off Wilshire Boulevard is one of Santa Monica's best date night spots, with string lights, trees overhead and a generally secluded feel that wouldn't feel out of place in Topanga Canyon or the far, hillier side of Silver Lake. The food here, which leans broadly Californian and coastal Italian isn't half bad either; chef Brendan Collins, who also runs Fia Steak inside, offers delicious handmade pastas, wood-fired meat and seafood and excellent starters and happy hour bites.