Best Places For Sangria In Los Angeles
With beverage lists flooded with creative cocktails and local craft beers galore, one beverage in particular remains to quench thirsts – sangria. As Google's reigning, most-searched cocktail, this delicious wine and fruit-infused beverage can be created in a variety of tasty ways. In honor of sangria lovers everywhere, this one's for you!
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose Ave
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 978-2170
www.graciasmadreweho.com
This isn't your typical Mexican restaurant. For starters, Gracias Madre serves plant-based Mexican cuisine without meat. Yep, it's a vegan restaurant, so you won't find much meat here on the menu. But, the food is impossible not to like regardless of that small fact. When you add in their uber-delicious cocktails to the trendy setting, it's a must visit. From the founders of Café Gratitude, this restaurant is all about farm fresh and organically grown ingredients, making every dish and beverage taste inspired and unique. Gracias Madre is also home to an excellent happy hour menu with sangria by the glass for only $5! You certainly get a lot of bang for your buck, as their seasonal sangria is notably on the strong side.
PUMP
8948 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 657-7867
www.pumprestaurant.com
Known as the "sexy, garden restaurant in the heart of West Hollywood," PUMP is a feast for the senses! Walk into the gorgeous outdoor dining area, adorned with imported trees and decorative lights, smell the beautiful, fresh florals placed all over the venue and on each table and you'll soon realize why it's a perfect setting to sip on a variety of sangria inspired drinks. Their famously delicious sangria, brought to you by restaurateur and Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Lisa Vanderpump, can actually be purchased by bottle form aside from just at the restaurant. But, for those looking to sip in the restaurant, its available in both pink and red selections. Try a glass on it's own, with fruit, or in one of PUMP's yummy champagne cocktails, like the LVP Pink Fizz!
Bacaro LA
2308 S Union Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 748-7205
www.barcarola.com
Small bites, and amazing drinks make up this downtown LA hotspot. Specializing in Mediterranean small-plate style options, or cicchetti, Bacaro LA has a little something for everyone's hungry palettes. In addition to their delectable food menu, stop in for their house made sangria. Made fresh daily, their sangria has become a mainstay item. With great deals on sangria pitchers, and its USC adjacent location, Bacaro LA is a popular hang out among students. Bring your friends for a night of good eats and delicious drinks!
Saint Felix
1602 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 469-5001
Multiple Locations
www.saintfelix.net
Serving both gastropub style food and specialty cocktails, both Saint Felix's Hollywood and West Hollywood locations are a great late-night drinking spot. Whether you're leaving a show at the Troubadour or Hotel Café, or bar-hopping in Hollywood, a visit to this venue is sure to satisfy your thirst given their tasty cocktail menu. One drink that stands out is Saint Felix's sangria, which is not only sweet in flavor, but in sentiment as well. House made daily, their sangria is derived from the owner's Grandma Delores' recipe. Served in a mason jar for an authentic feel, ordering a glass will not only keep you cool, but looks cool as well! Saint Felix also serves Grandma Delores' cheesecake recipe. Talk about one talented lady!
El Cholo
1121 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90006
(323) 734-2773
www.elcholo.com
When you're craving authentic Mexican fare, you must check out one of El Cholo's many LA locations. Established in 1923, their menu is simple and to the point – no razzle dazzle here, just delicious, traditional recipes and equally delicious drinks. Though El Cholo is known for some pretty outstanding margaritas (the L.A. Lemonade is a must-try), their sangria also serves up satisfied customers. Advice: order a pitcher. You'll end up having more than one glass. It's that good.
Simmzy's
37 W Washington Blvd
Venice, CA 90292
(424) 835-6580
Multiple Locations
www.simmzys.com
With Gastropub eats and a huge selection of local craft beers to choose from, Simmzy's is also acclaimed for their wine selection and, you guessed it, their sangrias! Offered only on weekends, Simmzy's sangrias are worth the weekly wait. Typically offered in red and white selections, ask your server about what special sangria they have available this season. Their white sangrias are always very refreshing on a weekend brunch outing.
The Ivy
113 N Robertson Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 274-8303
www.theivyrestaurants.com
Located on the trendy Robertson Avenue, this celebrity-frequented restaurant is beautifully decorated, making you feel as if you've walked into a European countryside cottage. The menu offers a variety of comfort food and decadent options, and their specialty sangria is a perfect example. The $25 extravagant beverage is mixed with French Rosé Champagne and fresh from the farmers' market fruit, including Fuji and green apples, tangerines, and plums, all served in a goblet. If you're willing to spend the extra dollar, this sangria is flavorful as it is beautiful.
Cha Cha Cha
656 N. Virgil Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
(323) 664-7723
www.theoriginalchachacha.com
The first thing you'll notice when walking through the doors of Cha Cha Cha's is the enticing aroma. Most likely it will be the Jamaican Jerk Chicken which is the restaurant's famous signature dish. The second thing you'll notice is a pitcher of sangria on almost every table. It's not too sweet or bitter but perfectly tangy and fruity. Generous amounts of fresh fruit complement the house red wine to make it refreshing and irresistible. But don't ask for the recipe because Cha Cha Cha won't give it up.
WoodSpoon
107 W. 9th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 629-1765
www.woodspoonla.com
With so many places serving sangria, it's nice when an establishment cares enough to add a little twist. WoodSpoon uses house Brazilian red and white wine for its sangria which already adds an exotic flavor. But with a touch of cinnamon and strawberries for the red and passion fruit and oranges for the white, the WoodSpoon's house sangria exceeds expectations.
Spitz
371 E. 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 613-0101
www.eatatspitz.com
When searching for truly great sangria, Little Tokyo isn't the first place that comes to mind. But the sangria at Spitz will certainly change your mind. Spitz offers three kinds, each made with a special syrup to bring out the flavors in the wine. Red gets burgundy, cardamom, cinnamon and apple. The white gets pinot, peach nectar, basil and orange. And the customer favorite rose includes blush, mint, apple and lime. You can score a pitcher for $22 or a glass for $5 during happy hour.
Bossa Nova on Sunset
7181 W. Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 436-7999
www.bossanovafood.com
The staff at Bossa Nova keeps its sangria recipe a guarded secret, and for good reason, it's exceptional. They won't divulge all of the ingredients but the red has apple and champagne and the white has apple juice. However, if allergies are a concern, simply tell your server what you cannot have and he/she will instruct you to order accordingly. But with sangria this good, it just might be worth breaking out the EpiPen.
Grub
911 Seward St.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 461-3663
www.grub-la.com
Better known for its comfort food, Grub serves one of the most delicious sangrias you will ever have. Maybe it's the converted 1920s bungalow structure or the relaxed atmosphere that adds to the flavor. Or perhaps it's simply because the sangria is made with robust red wine, fresh cranberry, apple and orange juice and a zingy ginger syrup. Plenty of fresh fruit tops off this fruity beverage known as grub's "White Trash Sangria." Their sangrias are seasonal though, so right now they're offering a gingerbread version of a sangria!
