The Best Date Night Restaurants in Los Angeles

Botanica Restaurant and Market is known for its simple yet surprising Californian food, with a focus on fresh ingredients. The menu features a range of dishes, from salads and bowls to more substantial evening meals, all influenced by Mediterranean cuisine. The atmosphere is lively and friendly, making it a must-visit spot for a meal that leaves you feeling satisfied yet light.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer – Washington/Los Angeles, USA

Great Californian food reminds me of Italian and Greek food in that it lacks the complexity of French food but instead focuses on bringing out the simple features of a few ingredients. This simplicity is anything but easy, as a great Cacio e Pepe can show, and certainly requires access to fresh ingredients, something both Greece, Italy and California are blessed with. There are a couple of neighborhoods in LA that stand for this type of food. Santa Monica and Venice on the coast with places like Gjusta and Rustic Canyon and then more inland there is the Los Feliz and Silver Lake area with places like Kismet. Botanica, just south of the Silver Lake reservoir is one of the best examples of this type of LA Californian food. Simple but surprising and no matter which month of the year the ingredients taste like they just came fresh from the farm. Like the White Beets and Persimmon (salad or plate) was so simple but full of subtle flavors. The Seared Pointed Cabbage with the touch of Gouda. And then for the main the Striped Bass in probably the lightest coconut broth I have ever had and an edge from the charred radicchio and squash. While all these dishes were outstanding and made me think about when I could squeeze in another visit, the highlight of the dinner was the date desert. This was just perfection. Dates on a bed of fluffy tahini and olive oil and rosemary drizzled all over. It could have been a starter or a desert, but no matter which, it was amazing.

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Enjoy a unique dining experience at Anajak Thai Cuisine, where you can delve into a rich menu featuring classics like Massaman Brisket Curry and Southern-Thai Fried Chicken. The restaurant offers a diverse wine selection, including traditional and vanguard wines from Mosel, Champagne, and Burgundy. Special events like Thai Taco Tuesday add a fun twist to the dining experience, with a rotating menu of tacos and tostadas.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney – Palma, Spain

Thai restaurant with a nice wine selection in Sherman Oaks. This was one of our favorite meals, if not the favorite meal of this trip. First of all, Sherman Oaks is becoming cooler by the minute, we want to explore this area more on our next trip, as on our way there we saw many cool spots and just a nice general vibe. We really enjoyed the restaurant's atmosphere, the sommelier was super friendly, as was the rest of the team, and perhaps the only downside is that it can be a touch tight depending on where you get seated. Regarding the wine, they have a pretty wide selection, and it includes a couple of natural wines so there’s a little bit for everyone here. Now, focusing on the food, we had the following: * Massaman Brisket Curry. * Southern-Thai Fried Chicken. * BBQ Pork Collar, coriander molasses, soy & sesame. * Pad Thai. Except for the Pad Thai, which wasn’t bad, but we wouldn’t order it again, we absolutely loved the rest of the dishes, and the one that stood out the most was the Massaman Brisket Curry, this was the best Massaman we’ve had so far, it’s super rich in flavor, with a nice thick texture, the brisket was still juicy, just a great dish. Definitely one of our new favorite spots in the city, and a place we want to come back to on our next trips.

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With a reputation for solid, crave-worthy food, Bestia is a must-visit spot for many. The restaurant is particularly known for its roasted bone marrow with homemade gnocchi, a dish that has been described as addictive. Despite the multitude of dining options in Southern California, Bestia stands out as a place that people make a point to visit time and time again.

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Mimi Lan

Chef/ Consultant/ Foodie – Jacksonville, USA

It’s so many great restaurants in SoCal, why should I go back to any restaurant, when I travel there with limited time? Yet I made a point of visiting Bestia every time bc it’s THAT good- just solid good food that you crave for more. Their roasted bone marrow with homemade gnocchi is addictive. You have to check it out when you’re in LA.

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Situated on a bustling stretch of Hyperion Avenue, Ceviche Project offers an immersive culinary experience that transports you to a blend of 1950's Saint-Tropez, Acapulco, and the Copacabana. The menu focuses on fresh fish, prepared in a variety of ways but primarily served raw or as ceviche. The dishes, such as the Sea Bass Ceviche and the Green Shrimp Aguachile, are a feast for the eyes and the taste buds, with a special mention for the scallops on the half shell served with optional uni.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer – Washington/Los Angeles, USA

There are few places in Los Angeles that cool you off and transport you into another dimension like Ceviche Project. The place that Ceviche Project’s Octavio Olivas (owner and chef) transports you to, is a mix between 1950’s Saint-Tropez, Acapulco, and the Copacabana. You will find this amazing restaurant on a busier stretch of Hyperion Avenue (borderline Silver Lake and Los Feliz) in a small little space. The best place to sit at is right at the bar, allowing you to watch Olivas as he prepares the various dishes. Fresh fish is what is on the menu, prepared in various ways — but all raw (or ceviche). The restaurant opens at 5pm and closes when they are out of fish, so I would recommend going between 6 and 7. The dishes are a feast for both your eyes and your taste buds. If there is a special I would highly recommend ordering it. And all ceviches (Mexican style, not Peruvian) are to die for. I especially loved the Sea Bass Ceviche. Another highlight for me was the Green Shrimp Aguachile, where you could see the raw shrimp “cook” in the aguachile in front of your eyes as you poured the green sauce over the ingredients. Another must have are the scallops on the half shell (and order them with the optional uni) — this is one of the best starters I have ever had. The olive oil combined with the uni coats the mouth as the flavors burst in your mouth. And in a city where you find raw fish tostadas nearly at every street corner, do not skip the Kanpachi Tostada, which will blow you away with its fresh ingredients. Each of my visits has been outstanding, and even before leaving I was hashing out my next visit.

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This restaurant, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele, is known for its traditional, old-school Neapolitan style pizza. It offers a cozy and romantic atmosphere with several fireplaces, and is situated in a side street of touristy Hollywood. The Marinara pizza is a popular choice, with a divine, mouthwatering tomato sauce that will transport you to Italy.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer – Washington/Los Angeles, USA

Might just be LA’s best pizza. On the one side knowing a great pizza place in a city is important (pizza can fill all kinds of needs — from quick snack, to comfort food, to a fun time with friends, even to a romantic dinner). At the same time, I think there is little as contentious as a pizza place — I think it’s rare for even two foodies to agree on the best pizza joint in a city. So let me start by saying that for me a great pizza is an Italian style pizza, not the cheese and gluten monstrosities they serve in Chicago (if this last sentence offended you, no need to read further 🙂). Thin crust, crispiness on the edges of the crust, a little burn, nice acidity in the sauce, and overall simplicity, that is what I am looking for in a great pizza. LA might not be a traditional pizza country, with the more famous slices being those strange creations at places like Spago that add salmon and caviar. Nice but way too over the top for me (at least when it comes to pizza.) L’Antica is a special place, on the other hand, a place where I have driven from Santa Monica because I wanted some pizza. It is traditional, old school Neapolitan style pizza, served in a side street of touristy Hollywood, in a place that is modern Californian (with lots of open space) yet cozy and romantic with its several fireplaces. I usually have a Marinara and a salad or pasta on the side. The tomato sauce on the marinara is divine, mouthwatering. I won’t go into the whole connection between this LA restaurant and its Neapolitanian namesake (think more franchise than the second restaurant), but the pizza will transport you to Italy.

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This restaurant, Saffy's, is known for its heartwarming meals prepared by Chef Ori. The dishes are characterized by their joyful burst of flavors, indicative of the high-level operations in the kitchen. Notably, the service is marked by cheerful and passionate staff, making the dining experience a favorite for many.

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Robert Dentice

Food | Wine Connoisseur – LA | NYC, United States

Chef Ori is Cooking From His Heart An absolutely stunning meal. Flavors burst with joy. Chef Ori has the kitchen operating at an extremely high level. Service is wonderfully cheerful and passionate. An instant LA favorite!

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With a surprising interior that belies its unassuming exterior, Scratch|Bar & Kitchen offers a captivating dining experience. The restaurant features a unique dining layout where guests start with snacks and cocktails at the bar area before moving to the dining area, often seated at a counter with a direct view of the cooking process. The menu is praised for its remarkable consistency, with standout dishes including the live Maine lobster seasoned with soy sauce and ponzu, squab liver mousse with brown butter, and a unique dessert of toasted brioche with cheese ice cream.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney – Palma, Spain

We found out about this place on our first visit to Los Angeles and have been going ever since. This is one of the best places we've eaten and when we knew the Michelin inspectors were returning to Los Angeles we were convinced they would get a star (unfortunately we were wrong but it deserves one in our opinion). The place is located in a little plaza in Encino, where when you see the outside you would never expect to find something so fascinating inside. First, you get seated at the bar area where you get served some snacks (the best popcorn on earth amongst them), appetizers and some world-class cocktails. After that, you get seated at the dining area in the next room, where if you are a party of 2 or 3 you will most likely get seated at the counter and see them directly cooking in front of you. This is one of the few menus where every item on the menu is fantastic and many bites will be unforgettable! The chef, Phillip, used to work for Alinea and has been a finalist for a San Pellegrino "Young Chef 2015" and he is the main responsible for the savory dishes. His wife, Margarita, is in charge of the desserts, and her desserts are some of the best ever! Our favorites from Scratch were: -Live Maine lobster seasoned with soy sauce and ponzu, a layer of Santa Barbara Uni on top, another layer of chopped gelatine made with local tomatoes and wild thyme, puffed quinoa, fresh flowers from their own garden and salted cream on the side. -Squab liver mousse with brown butter and sea salt on top and mini parker house rolls. -Toasted brioche with butter and brown sugar on one side. Cheese ice cream with smoked honey and chives on the other side. Definitely a must on every trip to LA!

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Specializing in kappo cuisine, Shibumi offers an elegant and mesmerizing Japanese dining experience with a focus on seasonality. The intimate 40-seat restaurant, run by Chef David Schlosser, is known for its unique and rare selection of beverages paired with seasonal offerings. The dishes are prepared using the highest quality local, organic, and sustainable ingredients and are served on handmade ceramics, adding to the overall aesthetic experience.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice – Stockholm, Sweden

It’s no surprise that Shibumi, a Japanese restaurant that specializes in kappo cuisine, tops our list of food experiences in Los Angeles! To be frank, Downtown LA was a​ disappointment for us but one restaurant not​ to miss out on is Shibumi - a restaurant that specializes in kappo cuisine, which results in an elegant and mesmerizing Japanese dinner with a focus on seasonality. We tried their medium-range omakase, twelve very different and beautiful dishes by chef David Schlosser.

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This Japanese restaurant, Tsubaki, is known for its intimate ambiance and flavorful sharing plates. The recommended dishes include prawns and chicken skewers, which are particularly popular among the visitors. With its roots in Japan and a California mindset, Tsubaki provides both indoor and outdoor dining experiences.

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Margaux Koopman

Foodie – London, United Kingdom

Delicious Japanese restaurant. Delicious Japanese sharing plates in Echo Park with intimate ambiance. I particularly recommend the prawns and chicken skewers.

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