At the Inn of the Seventh Ray, lovers find waterfalls and sycamore trees in a taken-over-by-nature setting that easily leads to romantic feelings. That's especially true if you sit out in the slightly wild garden, where a welcoming fireplace gives a soft glow to the whole space. And being in Topanga Canyon, it's no surprise that the chefs at this iconic restaurant actually forage for the herbs they use in the organic dishes they concoct. Plus, most of the produce used in the menu selections are sourced locally and the chef makes sure that many dishes can be made gluten-free or vegan. Carnivores should be sure to try the 8-hour Plum Braised Short Ribs for a swooningly great dish.
Nestled inside the Sunset Marquis Hotel, Cavatina Restaurant is a beautifully situated eatery, tucked in amongst the greenery with a pretty patio that's perfectly suited for a romantic tryst far from prying eyes. It certainly helps that the James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schlow is at the helm, offering up sensual crudos like his Hamachi (yellowtail) with aji Amarillo, pickled mushroom and black rice; delicious appetizers including Avocado Toast with burgundy truffle and pistachio; and main courses ranging from Mediterranean Sea Bass to perfectly prepared Beef Tenderloin. Be sure to look away from your lover's eyes now and then, too, as the Sunset Marquis Hotel is famous as a favorite haunt of world-renowned rock stars. You never know who might be sitting next to you here!
Ready for a lover's tryst in a special place? Then head to The Little Door â" which actually has a little door at its entrance on Third Street â" and you'll find a winning combination of intimate ambiance and sensually delicious fare. Choose seating in the intimate, dimly lit courtyard or perhaps sit in one of the out-of-the-way tables tucked into a private spot. Wherever you sit, expect top-notch service and a wide range of tastes. The menu at The Little Door features plenty of classic California cuisine with a French influence â" think organic chicken, fresh kale salads and locally sourced cheese, seafood and more â" as well as a special French-Moroccan 3-course chef's menu served on Sunday and Monday evenings. No matter what you choose to partake in, the restaurant's extensive wine list offers bottles from the world over.
Absolutely baroque in its opulence, the huge dining room at La Boheme in West Hollywood is ornamented with massive chandeliers, dining balconies for romantic privacy and lush garden space complete with a fireplace surrounded with beautiful roses and gorgeously scented night-blooming jasmine. Go for a prime seat near that fireplace and you'll feel the love-filled atmosphere wash over you. Add in a bottle from the restaurant's well-thought-out wine list of mostly California vintages and pair it with their perfect-for-sharing platters of charcuterie, cheese or vegetables. Savor the Porcini Ragu or dig into the classic Bouillabaisse for a meal to remember with the one you love.
Culina at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills is a delicious Italian eatery with a lovely garden that is a perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner, complete with cozy booths designed for snuggling. There are comfortable booths inside as well; in either setting, the fresh, locally sourced seasonal menu presented by Chef Denis Della Stritto features impeccable raw crudos for starters, melt-in-your-mouth house-made pasta, beautiful main course choices and even pizza (if you're feeling casual). Culina's extensive wine list features some of the world's best wines, particularly from Italy and California. To really impress the one you love, splurge and choose a Super Tuscan to share: bottles of Tignanello, Ornellaia and Sassicaia await in the restaurant's cellar for celebrating that special occasion.
Luigi al Teatro has a romantic vibe the moment you approach, for this beautiful Italian restaurant makes its home in an old building (once a power station, a temple and a theater) with a wonderful Spanish adobe facade studded with stained glass windows. Walk along the side path to the entrance to discover a back terrace, where beloved dogs are welcome to join their owners for a bite. Inside the main dining room, stunning frescoes of characters from theatrical productions look down on the warm, inviting room. There, in a long open kitchen, Chef Luigi Fineo whips up dishes reminiscent of his Puglia, Italy, home. He's a Michelin-starred cooking master, who has worked with Thomas Keller at The French Laundry and other top-notch toques along the way. Now at his own restaurant, Fineo offers a seafood-heavy menu with delicate crudi (raw fish), hearty house-made pastas and perfectly presented "secondi" (halibut, tuna, salmon). With an eclectic wine list, impeccable service and cozy seating, this special, tucked-away Santa Monica eatery is a place where romance and fine dining go hand in hand.
Located inside the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Wolfgang Puck's CUT has been at the top of the culinary hierarchy in Los Angeles since it opened in 2007. The strikingly modern interior, designed by famed architect Richard Meier, welcomes guests to an unparalleled dining experience. There's a steak for every taste here, ranging from U.S.D.A. Prime Beef aged 21 or 35 days; Grass-Fed Angus Beef; American Wagyu from famed grower Snake River Farms; and 100 percent Japanese Wagyu imported from Kyushu. No matter which type of beef or cut you choose, there's one thing certain here: your steak will be perfectly cooked and served with sauces that will make you swoon (be sure to try the Argentinean Chimichurri). Attention to every detail, charming service and â" often â" a chance to say "Hi" to the master chef himself make Puck's CUT a true cut above the rest.
Yamashiro Hollywood is one of the most iconic restaurants in all of Los Angeles, simply by virtue of its fantastic location and decor. Set above Hollywood Boulevard in a gorgeous pagoda with stunning views of the whole city below, Yamashiro also boasts a beautiful Japanese garden and classic interior. What began as a private home in 1911 has long been a classic Japanese restaurant serving up everything from sushi to shoyu-glazed black cod, with some seafood tempura, seaweed salad and Asian baby back ribs thrown in too. After changing ownership in 2016 (and a moment when it looked like Yamashiro was going to be shuttered for good), this romantic restaurant is happily back and better than ever.
Los Angeles is where it all began for Nobu Matsuhisa, the acknowledged king of Japanese cuisine, who now has high-end eateries all over the world. His first restaurant, Matsuhisa, is a tiny place on La Cienega Boulevard; Nobu Los Angeles is further north up that same street; and the prettiest of them all, Nobu Malibu, is perched right on the sand on Pacific Coast Highway in the heart of that posh beach community. Malibu gets our vote for the best of three solely on location, for the stunning ocean views and sleek restaurant design somehow make Nobu's signature dishes like Black Cod Miso and Yellowtail with Jalapeno seem even more delicious when eaten there (and they are seriously fantastic no matter where you taste them). Make sure to get a table with a view and let the romance begin.
Il Cielo owners Pasquale and Pattie Vericella have given Angelenos one of the most swooningly romantic restaurants in Southern California ever since they opened the doors of this Beverly Hills restaurant back in 1986. Combining classic Italian fare with a gorgeous garden area as well as a beautiful main dining room and even a few private rooms designed just for dinner for two, Il Cielo is arguably L.A.'s favorite spot for proposals, weddings and anniversaries. Be sure to include the Il Manzo filet mignon carpaccio served with shaved black truffles, paired with a lovely bottle of sparkling Prosecco as part of your meal, for nothing says "I Love You" quite like truffles and bubbly.
