Los Angeles knows how to put on a show, and sometimes the best seats aren’t inside a theater. They’re high above the streets, where palm trees meet the skyline, the Pacific Ocean stretches toward the horizon, and dinner comes with a spectacular view of the city.
From glamorous hotel rooftops in Beverly Hills to laid-back terraces in Venice, LA offers elevated dining experiences for just about every occasion. Some restaurants are destinations for a full evening of food and cocktails, while others are better suited to sunset drinks and a few shared plates.
These ten spots prove that the setting can be just as memorable as what’s on the menu.
Blondie
West Hollywood’s rooftop scene has a playful newcomer on Melrose Avenue. Opened in May 2026, Blondie trades the formality of luxury hotel bars for a more relaxed atmosphere, complete with string lights, leafy surroundings, and views toward the Hollywood Hills.
Located at 8457 Melrose Avenue, the rooftop is designed for lingering over drinks with friends rather than dressing up for an elaborate dinner. The menu has a slightly adventurous streak, with Japanese sweet potatoes dressed in harissa butter and fried shallots, prawn toast with red curry aioli, and a burger topped with horseradish onions.
Heartier choices include pan-seared snapper and ribeye steak.
Cocktails are another draw, with creative combinations and prices that are relatively approachable by West Hollywood standards. As daylight fades and the lights come on, the atmosphere shifts from casual neighborhood hangout to lively evening destination.
Blondie is a refreshing alternative for diners who want rooftop views without an overly formal setting.
Calabra
A Mediterranean-inspired escape awaits above the Santa Monica Proper Hotel, where Calabra combines coastal breezes with an elegant rooftop setting. The restaurant sits at 700 Wilshire Boulevard, with a circular bar, poolside seating, and inviting lounge areas that make the most of the Southern California sunshine.
The menu draws inspiration from Mediterranean flavors while incorporating seasonal California ingredients. Diners can start with hummus, baba ghanoush, or muhammara served with warm za’atar naan before moving on to grilled branzino, lamb, or a burger finished with harissa tomato chutney.
Weekend brunch brings additional choices, including avocado toast and fresh market fruit.
What makes Calabra particularly appealing is its balance of style and comfort. The ocean provides a distant backdrop, while the rooftop’s greenery and relaxed seating create a vacation-like atmosphere.
Whether stopping by for a leisurely lunch or settling in for cocktails as the sun begins to set, it’s an inviting place to enjoy Santa Monica from above.
Cara Cara
Downtown Los Angeles looks entirely different from the 15th floor of the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel.
At Cara Cara, the surrounding towers become part of the scenery, creating an impressive backdrop for lunch, dinner, or cocktails beneath the open sky.
The rooftop at 1100 South Broadway is arranged with greenery, comfortable seating, and fire pits that make the space inviting well after sunset. Its California-inspired menu emphasizes fresh produce and bold flavors, with dishes such as hamachi ceviche, short rib barbacoa tacos, grilled branzino, and a porcini-rubbed steak.
The selection makes it easy to share a few plates or settle in for a complete meal.
Cara Cara’s biggest attraction is the contrast between its relaxed atmosphere and the energetic city below. During the day, the rooftop feels bright and airy.
By evening, illuminated skyscrapers and the glow of downtown transform the setting into something much more dramatic.
Catch
Few West Hollywood restaurants have mastered the combination of glamorous surroundings and lively dining quite like Catch. Located at 8715 Melrose Avenue, the rooftop restaurant has long been associated with celebrity sightings, fashionable crowds, and an atmosphere that feels distinctly Los Angeles.
Following a refresh for its tenth anniversary in 2026, Catch introduced an updated design and menu while keeping seafood, sushi, and steak at the heart of the experience. Signature dishes include the Catch Roll, truffle sashimi, and Wagyu fried rice, alongside newer additions such as Angry Lobster Pasta and grilled shishito peppers.
The rooftop setting adds another layer of appeal, with lush greenery, open-air seating, and views across the surrounding neighborhood. It’s a restaurant where the evening often feels like an event, making it particularly appealing for celebrations and special occasions.
Those looking for a quieter meal may prefer an earlier reservation, before the nighttime energy takes over.
Élephante
The Pacific Ocean steals the spotlight at Élephante, a stylish Santa Monica restaurant where coastal scenery meets Southern Mediterranean cooking. Perched above Second Street at 1332 2nd Street, the restaurant is known for its airy design, natural textures, and a Sunset Room with sweeping ocean views.
The food is a major part of its appeal. Whipped eggplant served with warm puccia bread has become one of the restaurant’s recognizable dishes, while the menu also includes fresh seafood, handmade-style pasta, and pizzas.
Choices such as branzino, spicy vodka pasta, and wild mushroom pizza complement the restaurant’s relaxed coastal character.
Different dining areas offer different experiences. The Cactus Garden is surrounded by greenery and has a more sheltered atmosphere, while the Sunset Room brings diners closer to the ocean-facing balcony.
For a quintessential Southern California evening, the combination of sea views, Italian-inspired dishes, and warm coastal light is hard to beat.
Force of Nature
Not every memorable rooftop requires an elevator ride to the top of a skyscraper. In Venice, Force of Nature occupies the upper floor of a century-old house on Abbot Kinney Boulevard, offering a more intimate alternative to Los Angeles’s glamorous hotel terraces.
The entrance is tucked inside Only the Wild Ones at 1031 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, with stairs leading to a softly lit bar and outdoor patio. Rather than looking out over a vast skyline, guests find themselves among trees, overlooking the neighborhood and the nearby Cooks Garden.
The setting is particularly atmospheric around sunset.
Founded by Leena Culhane, the concept emphasizes wines and spirits made by women, along with thoughtful design and creative collaborations. Food is more limited than at a traditional rooftop restaurant, with light bites and occasional offerings complementing the drinks.
Force of Nature is best approached as a peaceful place for a cocktail, conversation, and a different perspective on Venice.
Gemma
Beverly Hills gained a striking new rooftop dining destination in May 2026 when Gemma opened atop the Waldorf Astoria. Twelve stories above Wilshire Boulevard, the restaurant offers expansive views of the Santa Monica Mountains, Beverly Hills, and the Hollywood Sign.
Chef Peleg Miron’s menu brings together California ingredients and Pan-Asian influences, creating a dining experience that feels as ambitious as the setting. Sushi, sashimi, and dim sum share the menu with seafood and premium steaks.
Dishes such as lobster wontons, shrimp har gow, and Japanese Wagyu reflect the restaurant’s emphasis on refined flavors and presentation.
The space itself is equally impressive. Plush seating, sculptural lighting, warm earth tones, and a dramatic stone bar create an elegant setting that changes character throughout the day.
Weekend brunch offers another opportunity to enjoy the views in daylight, while evening reservations bring a more glamorous atmosphere as the city lights appear below.
Lemon Grove
Hollywood’s famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine is home to a rooftop retreat that feels surprisingly removed from the bustle below. Lemon Grove sits atop The Aster at 1717 Vine Street, offering an inviting combination of outdoor dining, greenery, and views across the neighborhood.
The restaurant takes inspiration from California’s seasonal produce, including ingredients grown in its rooftop culinary garden. Its changing menus feature vegetable-forward dishes alongside more substantial options for brunch and dinner.
The setting includes a garden, bar, lounge areas, and outdoor spaces designed for everything from relaxed meals to evening gatherings.
Lemon Grove’s location is part of what makes it special. Hollywood landmarks and the surrounding cityscape provide a distinctly local backdrop, while the rooftop garden softens the busy urban surroundings.
Although The Aster operates as a private membership club, the restaurant also welcomes nonmembers, making this elevated Hollywood hideaway accessible beyond the club’s membership.
Openaire
Stepping into Openaire feels more like entering a lush greenhouse than a conventional Los Angeles restaurant. Located on the second floor of The LINE hotel at 3515 Wilshire Boulevard, the dining space is filled with plants and natural light, creating a garden-like retreat in the middle of Koreatown.
Chef Josiah Citrin oversees a menu that reflects the city’s diverse culinary influences. Breakfast might include cornflake-crusted French toast with yuzu-berry compote, while other offerings range from seafood crudo to Korean-inspired skewers and seasonal dishes.
The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner on selected days, and weekend brunch.
Unlike the high-rise rooftops elsewhere on this list, Openaire’s appeal comes from its greenery and open-air terrace rather than sweeping views of the skyline. Its greenhouse setting offers a different way to dine above the street, with a relaxed atmosphere that feels especially inviting during daylight hours.
Spire 73
For sheer height, few Los Angeles venues can compete with Spire 73. Perched on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, this open-air rooftop bar offers an extraordinary perspective on the city, with skyscrapers stretching below and distant mountains framing the horizon.
The venue is designed around the views, with stylish seating, glowing fire pits, and a dramatic setting that becomes especially memorable at sunset. Its menu focuses on cocktails, small bites, and casual dinner options rather than elaborate fine dining.
Guests can enjoy food and drinks while taking in one of the highest open-air vantage points in the city.
Spire 73 is particularly striking after dark, when downtown Los Angeles becomes a landscape of illuminated towers and streets. Located at 900 Wilshire Boulevard, it’s a fitting destination for anyone who wants to experience the city’s skyline from an entirely different perspective.
Whether the attraction is an ocean sunset in Santa Monica, an intimate garden terrace in Venice, or a breathtaking view from 73 floors above downtown, Los Angeles offers rooftop experiences that go far beyond an ordinary night out. The best part is that each neighborhood reveals a different side of the city.
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