The reality is outdoor dining is not going away anytime soon. Luckily, Los Angeles is usually great for outdoor dining with friends and family. Here is my ultimate LA Outdoor Dining Guide! Feel free to leave a comment with other places you think should be added.
I will continue to add to this list as I discover new places to eat! NOTE: I did not create a pricing section because everyone’s idea of expensive is different.
Outdoor Dining Pro Tips
ALWAYS make a reservation if you can!
Check if there’s a time limit for how long you can be at the table.
Check the restaurant’s Instagram or website to see if their hours or menu has changed.
Tip WELL! Our waiters and waitress’ have to wear masks and gloves all day to serve us.
Go ahead and order what you want. Enjoy the moment!
Dress up! Take pictures! Capture the memories!
A lot of places are not doing happy hour specials at the moment.
Rooftops usually have the longest wait so plan at least two weeks ahead for those or be okay with 1-3 hour waits.
The Ultimate LA Outdoor Dining Guide
Caravan Swim Club at Hotel June
Location: LAX Area
Type of Food: Mexican Food
Food Quality: SO GOOD!
Drinks: Known for great tequila options. I got the Rose Darling and a margarita; both we’re great!
Occasion: Weekend Lunch, Weeknight Drinks, Chill Date Night, Family Lunch
Vibe: Super cute and overlooks their hotel pool (for hotel guests only). The decor gives you upscale bohemian vibes. You can definitely rock your cute outfit with heels or come chill with sneakers.
Service: Amazing Service!
Parking: The hotel valet parking is expensive but you can park in the Ralphs parking lot for free (at your own discretion).
Website: https://www.thehoteljune.com/
Tin Roof Bistro
Location: Manhattan Beach
Type of Food: American
Food Quality: SO GOOD!
Drinks: Known for their huge wine selection! Buy a bottle or two and share it with the table.
Occasion: Girls Night Out, Super Cute Date Night (request the fireplace seating)
Vibe: The patio area is small, but it’s super cute at night. They also have additional seating in the terrace area. Perfect if you want to enjoy a really nice glass of wine with a great meal. You can dress up or come casual.
Service: Amazing Service!
Parking: Free parking everywhere and free valet available.
Website: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tin-roof-bistro-manhattan-beach
Mama Shelter Rooftop
Location: West Hollywood
Type of Food: American with lots of dietary options
Food Quality: I only got fries but my friend enjoyed her impossible burger.
Drinks: Super cute and yummy! My friend and I shared the pitcher of Rose Sangria.
Occasion: Girls Day or Night Out, Brunch, Date Night, LA Bucketlist
Vibe: I went at night and it was SO cute! Now I want to go back during the day. Dress up and wear the cute brunch outfit you bought online. The views are great, the music is good, and you’ll be happy you waited the long wait to get in. They do not take reservations.
Service: Amazing Service!
Parking: West Hollywood street parking…ugh.
Website: https://www.mamashelter.com/en/los-angeles/restaurants
Rush Street
Location: Culver City
Type of Food: American
Food Quality: Good! I always enjoy the food I order at Rush Street.
Drinks: Lots of great selections! I usually get the Peach Rasberry Pink Cadillac Margarita.
Occasion: Weekday dinner, Weekend lunch, Chill Date Night
Vibe: Request the back upstairs lounge for sure. Great service, great food, and great drinks. People also love to go there to watch sports! If you’re a heel girl, wear them but you can definitely come casual.
Service: Great Service!
Parking: Paid parking structure across the street or street parking.
Pink Taco on Sunset
Location: Hollywood – Sunset Blvd.
Type of Food: Mexican Food
Food Quality: Good! Great tacos and nachos!
Drinks: Great margaritas!
Occasion: Weekend Lunch or Dinner; Weekend Happy Hour
Vibe: Honestly, it’s just a great happy hour spot. Go to have some fun and order a taco. You can already be dressed up for your next move or come in your casual fit.
Service: Great Service!
Parking: Street parking sunset and I think they had valet!
Website: https://pinktaco.com/
Sunset Tower Hotel
Location: Hollywood -Sunset Blvd.
Type of Food: Fancy American
Food Quality: Great!
Drinks: I suggest sharing a bottle of Rose!
Occasion: Weekend Lunch or Brunch (with no breakfast on the menu LOL)
Vibe: This place is small so get a reservation for sure. It has a great pool view and great city views. Dress up and take your Instagram worth pics!
Service: Great!
Parking: $10 valet or street parking on Sunset
Website: https://www.sunsettowerhotel.com/restaurants-and-bar/tower-bar
Beachside Restaurant and Bar
Location: Marina Del Rey
Type of Food: American
Food Quality: Great food!
Drinks: More of an ice tea place but the drinks are good too! They do have mimosas!
Occasion: Brunch, Lunch, Family Breakfast
Vibe: This gives a “meet the parents” vibe in the cutest way possible. It has a water view without having to be in a crowded beach town. Go here when you want to be casual, not in the scene but still enjoying yourself. For reference, it’s right next to the Cheesecake Factory in the Marina.
Service: Great!
Parking: Free during COVID; usually they require valet. This is a hotel restaurant.
Website: https://www.jamaicabayinn.com/marina-del-rey-dining
North Italia
Location: El Segundo
Type of Food: Italian
Food Quality: Amazing! Everything is good!
Drinks: I love getting a glass of wine BUT we tried the pitcher of the Red Sangria and loved it!
Occasion: Weekend lunch, Dinner, Semi-Casual date night, Semi-Casual Girls Night Out
Vibe: This is one of my favorite restaurants specifically because the food is good and the service is great. If you want a pasta and wine vibe come here! It’s in a nice outdoor center which kind of cuts the dressy vibes but it’s still great for a sunny day lunch with friends or family or a cute little dinner for two.
Service: Amazing!
Parking: Free parking!
Website: https://www.northitalia.com/locations/el-segundo-the-point-ca/
Ruth Chris in Marina Del Rey
Location: Marina Del Rey
Type of Food: Steakhouse
Food Quality: Amazing of course! They are currently not doing their $13 happy hour.
Drinks: I always get the pomegranate martini, but honestly everything is good.
Occasion: Upscale Lunch and Dinner
Vibe: Everyone knows it’s pricey but it’s worth it. They’ve really transformed their outdoor patio space so dress up and enjoy yourself!
Service: Amazing!
Parking: Free parking!
Website: https://www.ruthschris.com/restaurant-locations/marina-del-rey/
Fuego Resturant at Hotel Maya
Location: Long Beach
Type of Food: Mexican Food
Food Quality: Good! I got the quesadilla and enjoyed it.
Drinks: Great margaritas!
Occasion: Brunch and Lunch
Vibe: A nice switch up from the usual LA scene! This is a water-front hotel restaurant. Nothing overly fancy but really nice for a good place to have lunch and brunch!
Service: Great!
Parking: Paid parking lot
Website: https://www.hotelmayalongbeach.com/fuego-restaurant
And If That Wasn’t Enough…
Below is a combination of restaurants I want to try or have been pre-pandemic that now offer LA outdoor dining!
Downtown LA
West Hollywood
Malibu
Venice
Culver City
Century City Mall
Thank you so much for reading my LA Outdoor Dining Guide! You can watch my experience at all of my favorite restaurants and brunch spots on my Instagram (@TheFabGrad)!
