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  3. These 15 Los Angeles restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
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These 15 Los Angeles restaurants crush the outdoor dining game

A photo of Red logo
by Lisa Kwon, Karen Palmer
Updated May 29, 2024

Los Angeles has mastered the year-round patio dining game with spectacular waterside seating, nature-filled decks, and charming courtyards. Sunsets, ocean breezes, and umbrellas all dial up the dreamy Californian vibes in the city’s best outdoor restaurant setups.

A Spanish-style courtyard at a local Cali Mediterranean staple is ideal for an outdoor celebration. The Pacific breeze sets the scene for leisurely lunches at a beachside seafood cafe in Malibu. An open-air dining room known for award-winning cocktails has views of a historic bell tower.

The City of Angels doesn’t lack top-tier places for an alfresco meal, but some rise above the rest. Here are LA’s 15 best restaurants for dining outside.

A photo of Casaléna restaurant
4.6
4.6 (1710)
$31 to $50
Italian
Woodland Hills
About the restaurant

Mediterranean restaurant Casaléna is sweeping in every sense of the word: The sprawling space has several different dining rooms, and the menu spans everything from Greek salads to housemade pastas to chicken Santorini. The photogenic garden, which clocks in at 2,000 square feet, is equally impressive in both scale and beauty. It’s the sort of comfortable spot where you could happily brunch with mimosas made with fresh-squeezed juice, or spend a romantic evening splitting a Wagyu tomahawk steak.


Top review
Stevenvip
Dined 2 days ago
Fantastic food, service and ambience, especially when you sit outside in the patio area in back
A photo of Fia restaurant
4.6
4.6 (2508)
$50 and over
Italian
Santa Monica
About the restaurant

Fia’s garden patio is magical, made extra-romantic with string lights, old-growth trees, and an outdoor bar that brings the buzz. Come with a date to bask in the charming space and bond over Californian Italian plates like housemade cavatelli with brown butter and black truffle and whole-grilled seabass with tomato bruschetta. Go for the prix-fixe garden brunch for a daytime hangout, bookable through OpenTable Experiences.


Top review
OpenTable Diner
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent for a special occasion or just a really great night out overall. The service was outstanding - did not rush us, but we weren’t waiting around for the next course, either. We had the tasting menu - which was really well portioned and gave us the chance to try a bit of most plates (we shared). Arancini was a really interesting blend between Californian and Italian - the arribiata and truffle pastas were fantastic. The steak was perfectly cooked and the trout was well-paired with the lemon orzo. Recommend them all. The sommelier - Isaac - was also a delight. Well informed and clearly loved what he does. We gave him a price point and some wines we like and he was able to come back with a great selection that paired well with the diverse meal. We were impressed! Well done, overall. Really enjoyed the full experience.
A photo of Perch LA restaurant
4.6
4.6 (11780)
$31 to $50
French American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Perch LA’s two-story rooftop overlooks Pershing Square, Downtown, and beyond. Couches, cane chairs, tables, plants, bars, and live music come together to create a lively scene. Toast the stunning view with a well-crafted cocktail like Penthouse Passion (tequila, mint, lime, and passionfruit) and French classics like steak frites and an unmissable orange cardamom crème brûlée.


Top review
Shaddai
Dined 2 days ago
BEAUTIFUL VENUE! The service was wonderful and everyone was so warm and friendly. The view is amazing and the food is great. Definitely a good vibe.
A photo of AOC - 3rd Street restaurant
4.7
4.7 (5088)
$30 and under
Californian
Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.
About the restaurant

A.O.C. in Beverly Grove has long been a go-to for special occasions thanks to chef Suzanne Goin’s refined Californian Mediterranean small plates. The restaurant’s Spanish courtyard-style patio is a stunner all year round, full of ivy, trees, and even balconies. Grab a seat and order favorites like bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with Parmesan and green quinoa dumplings with sumac yogurt. The wine list is also a winner for its extensive organic, biodynamic, and sustainable selections.


Top review
Timvip
Dined 1 day ago
a.o.c. has long been one of our favorite places but for some reason we haven't been in months. It was a pleasure to be back and discover that our favorite dishes are still fantastic, and the new dishes we tried are just as good.
A photo of Openaire restaurant
4.4
4.4 (2319)
$31 to $50
Californian
Koreatown
About the restaurant

A lush rooftop garden is the draw at Openaire, set on the second floor of the trendy Line Hotel. Award-winning chef Josiah Citrin—behind the two-MICHELIN-starred Mélisse—runs the kitchen, and his menu celebrates California-centric flavors and local ingredients in dishes like charred sprouted cauliflower and slow-roasted trout with cannellini beans and pea tendrils. A chic brunch, with bottomless mimosas and bloody marys, pairs especially well with this swanky poolside venue.


Top review
JFvip
Dined 6 days ago
The food was really outstanding, and the service was very, very good. The room is noisy and it was made worse by some of the music choices and the volume of the music. The lighting at night time is not ideal for a restaurant offering this quality of food. It would be nicer to enjoy the food and the service in an environment where you don't have to yell at each other. The acoustics of the room is difficult, so maybe it would be wise to tone things down a little bit.
A photo of Castaway - Burbank restaurant
4.5
4.5 (11209)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Burbank
About the restaurant

To properly earn LA stripes, you need to have an alfresco meal at Castaway. The scenic steakhouse is known for an outdoor dining area that has one of most breathtaking views of the city and the valley. Drink in the sunset with a cocktail like the citrusy-tasting Shiso Vain with shiso-infused tequila. No matter the occasion, the views at Burbank landmark will turn your night into a special memory.


Top review
Eloisa
Dined 1 day ago
It was our first time here and our server. Our server, Karen made it a great experience. She had a great attitude and made excellent recommendations on drinks and food. I was hesitant about the quality of the food after many reviews but I can confirm everything we ordered from the drinks, to the appetizer, to the entrees were delicious! The ambience was very nice and calm, with a beautiful view! We enjoyed celebrating our anniversary here and will definitely be coming back.
A photo of Calabra at Santa Monica Proper restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1569)
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Santa Monica
About the restaurant

Soak up the sun on top of the Santa Monica Proper Hotel at this Mediterranean-inspired restaurant. The poolside spot channels a coastal getaway with hand-woven furniture and palms that offer plenty of privacy. Impress out-of-towners or close friends with an elegant outdoor spread that includes charred octopus, hummus, and herbed labneh. For a heartier meal, Calabra serves mains like Moroccan-spiced grilled rack of lamb and a goat cheese-topped burger with za’atar fries.


Top review
Rick
Dined on Nov 21, 2024
Ricky made our experience at Calabra truly unforgettable! From the moment we sat down, his friendly and genuine demeanor gave us a warm, local vibe that made us feel right at home. He went above and beyond by recommending incredible cocktails tailored to our preferences and even crafting them to perfection himself. Ricky's smile never left his face, and his generous attention to detail elevated our dining experience. Combine his stellar service with Calabra's amazing Mediterranean food, and it was an evening to remember. Thank you, Ricky - you're a gem!
A photo of Manuela restaurant
4.8
4.8 (216)
$31 to $50
Californian
Downtown
About the restaurant

Like the Hauser & Wirth gallery that gives this Arts District favorite its home, Manuela is known for vibrant flavors. Its dog-friendly patio sits in a courtyard that art enthusiasts walk through to explore the exhibits, making it great for people watching. Executive chef Kris Tominaga can be found working in the courtyard’s kitchen garden, prepping vegetables for a seasonal Californian menu with dishes like roasted Liberty duck breast with smoked soubise and satsuma tangerines.


Top review
Nancy
Dined 5 days ago
It is a wonderful setting for a fancy work, family, anniversary or birthday dinner. We went for a family dinner occasion, my brother is in the military often travels so this was the first time we have been able to spend the holiday as a family in a very long time. We wanted to have a nice dinner, with great food and great atmosphere. Manuela provided that and more. As our first time at Manuela we didn’t know what to expect. Manuela provided a tranquil environment, not loud but not dead silent. The lights are dimmed and tables are provided with small candles, so it gives a warm tone. The food was delicious. We ordered the salmon, roasted oyster mushroom, burrata salad, pitman half chicken, roasted cauliflower, butterball potatoes, and blistered snap peas. All the market vegetables complemented every dish. We are a family of 6, and the market vegetables were enough to side everyone’s dish. The portions were perfect as well. For dessert we had the chocolate pie and cucumber and pear sorbet. They are also delicious. It is safe to say I will be going back. Last thing, if you are worried about parking because Downtown LA is not the best place to park, Manuela also provides valet parking, I paid $22 for 2hours and 4 minutes. Or you might be lucky enough to find street parking on the block.
A photo of Loreto restaurant
4.7
4.7 (253)
$50 and over
Mexican
Atwater Village
About the restaurant

Mexican seafood spot Loreto has thrilled Frogtown diners with its modern space, mezcal martinis, and dry-aged fish since it opened in 2023. Opt for a ceviche and tostada dinner alfresco on the compact outdoor patio, which brings the restaurant’s chic warehouse atmosphere outside. A showstopping zarandeado—a whole fish served with accouterments like black beans, avocado, habanero onions, and mini quesadillas—is a must for big groups who want a taste of the California peninsula.


Top review
Marcy
Dined 4 days ago
I had a birthday dinner at the restaurant and everything was absolutely wonderful! Five stars all around!
A photo of Paradise Cove Beach Cafe restaurant
4.3
4.3 (5990)
$30 and under
Seafood
Malibu
About the restaurant

For a meal smack-dab on the Pacific shore, go to Paradise Cove, an idyllic cafe on its namesake pier. With tables set up—quite literally—in the sand, it might be some of the closest oceanfront dining in all of Los Angeles. After you’re done sharing a seafood tower and fish tacos piled high with guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream for lunch, mosey on over to the rental table to reserve a chaise lounge or a palapa on-site and make an entire day of it.


Top review
Karina
Dined 7 days ago
Great location, food was really good. Overall a great experience.
A photo of Gracias Madre - West Hollywood restaurant
4.7
4.7 (6612)
$31 to $50
Mexican
West Hollywood
About the restaurant

With a sweeping green patio and tables covered with fringed Mexican fabrics, Gracias Madre is the ideal place for a pitch-perfect margarita and jalapeño-studded guacamole served with chips. Vegan Mexican food is the name of the game here, and with plenty of shareable dishes like queso fundido (made with cashew cheese) and soy chorizo empanadas, it’s a go-to for gathering with a crew on a sunny Sunday afternoon.


Top review
Cindy
Dined 2 days ago
Overall my group had such a great time here. I took them to celebrate 2 work promotions and our waiter was so amazing! Very kind, energetic, and attentive! He made the celebration special. Food and drinks were amazing! Glad I was able to introduce Gracias madre to my group. We’ll all definitely be going back!
A photo of Redbird - Los Angeles restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3075)
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Downtown
About the restaurant

Chef Neal Fraser’s Redbird sits in a former cathedral in Downtown LA and is easily one of the most stunning restaurants in the city. Its open-air dining room with views of the cathedral’s bell tower is a gorgeous place to experience Fraser’s elegant New American food. Get cozy in a cherry-colored banquette under the stars while you dig into shishito peppers with bottarga and a knockout heritage pork chop. And don’t miss a pre-dinner cocktail from Redbird’s award-winning list.


Top review
Declanvip
Dined 4 days ago
Great food and service. Recommend that anyone visit!
A photo of Ardor restaurant
4.6
4.6 (751)
$50 and over
American
West Hollywood
About the restaurant

With a pedigree that includes MICHELIN-starred restaurants, chef John Fraser is known for next-level vegetable-forward cuisine. He brings that approach to the West Hollywood EDITION hotel with Ardor, where highlights also include an oasis-like terrace with leafy plants that seem to cover every possible square inch. It’s a fitting backdrop for Fraser’s deftly prepared produce, such as cedar-grilled asparagus with truffle aioli and cured egg yolk or roasted oyster mushrooms with lemon garlic oil.


Top review
Mercenevip
Dined 6 days ago
Everything was a good as it gets. This chain will be our first pick whenever its available. The food, service, and rooms were exceptional. Only one glitch- we made a dinner reservations two months ahead for Ardor on Thanksgiving. They wanted to seat us outside (with no prior notice) in cold weather with my 95 year old mother. We ended up waiting 25 minutes for inside table.
A photo of Cafe Santorini restaurant
4.7
4.7 (2075)
$30 and under
Mediterranean
Pasadena
About the restaurant

Located in a charming two-story brick building in the heart of Old Town Pasadena, Cafe Santorini is one of the area’s longest-standing restaurants. Its transportive second-floor balcony, surrounded by plants, offers bird’s-eye views of the courtyard below. Settle in for a Mediterranean meal of classic mezze like hummus and baba ganoush before moving on to moussaka or whole-roasted branzino with lemon.


Top review
Jacquievip
Dined 7 days ago
Patrick was great!!! Great food and love this place
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