Best Restaurants For A Double Date In Los Angeles
The double date can be either a fun outing or one that you dread. Hopefully, it's the former, and luckily for you, Los Angeles offers a myriad of spots around the city that are geared for you and your special someone and your favorite other couple. Whether it be restaurants that specialize in shared plates or romantic garden patios, we've collected a list of the best double date spots which will ensure a night out with your favorite couple is double the fun and double the pleasure for all.
Terrine
8265 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(323) 746-5130
www.terrinela.com
At this approachable California Brasserie, you can show your special someone that Angelenos can be just as cultured and romantic as the French. A charming garden patio is where it's at when you're looking to set the mood; the focal point is a rustic chic tree in the middle of the patio whose leafy kisses periodically float down onto guest's cheeks. There's something special about eating shareable snacks set atop mismatched vintage plates, spirit-forward cocktails, and romantically regional wine that transports you to the cobblestone streets of France. Even if your name happens to be Pepé Le Pew, Chef Kris Morningstar's indulgent dishes will have you eating out of each other's hands sooner than you might think.
Sotto
9575 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(310) 277-0210
www.sottorestaurant.com
Sotto can best be described as the Christian Grey (Fifty Shades of Grey) of restaurants. It's intriguing, dark, and handsome, beckoning you to enter its townhouse basement level, where pleasures of the palate abound. The heart of the kitchen lies in its fiery artisan wood-burning oven, where Neapolitan style pizzas are made alongside housemade pastas and other Southern Italian delectables. Subdued lighting, superb hospitality, and a delightfully unexpected play list makes for an evening of conversations that are conducive to getting up-close and personal with your respective dates. Come hungry and go family style with the phenomenal Bistecca Alla Fiorentina, a substantial 35-ounce USDA prime, aged a minimum of 28 days. And of course, why not whet her whistle with a wittily named cocktail, like the Foxy Lady or the Aloe Me To Reintroduce Myself to show off your playful side.
Redbird
114 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 788-1191
www.redbird.la
Carved into the historic Vibiana rectory cathedral, Redbird offers a comfortable elegance which is the name of the game here, and like your date, it's not just a pretty face when you've got Chef Neal Fraser in the kitchen. Modern American is what you'll find on the menu, with refined yet approachable selections to share. Let's not forget that the foie gras ban has been lifted in California, so there's no better place to enjoy it than right here underneath the stars, thanks to the restaurants retractable ceiling. As for libations, Julian Cox is a name synonymous with many of the best cocktail programs in LA, and Redbird is no exception. If your duo dates are going smashingly, the wraparound bar is a great place to linger.
The Factory Kitchen
1300 Factory Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 996-6000
www.thefactorykitchen.com
A quick after work meet up with your retired wingman and his lady fair doesn't have to be your typical ho-hum happy hour, especially when you've got options like the Arts District masterpiece known as The Factory Kitchen. From Monday through Thursday between the hours of 5pm – 7pm you can pull up a seat at the bar to enjoy small bites of Chef Angelo Auriana's traditional Italian fare. Sip playful cocktails and wine with abandon, made even easier to swallow with their wallet friendly prices. Be warned, however, the delicate house-made pastas being made on exhibition are a tantalizing sight, so don't be surprised if your dates want to stay for the Mandilli di Seta (silk handkerchief pasta) before leaving for some sugar. It's a perfect place to share some drinks and some small plates.
Night + Market
9041 W Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 275-9724
www.nightmarketla.com
The term "Aharn glam lao" is to Thai's what cheerful is to LA. So, if authentic Thai food, booze, and having fun sounds good to you, then Night + Market will help you cross those to-do's off your date night list. Chef Kris Yenbamroong knows all about this, and it's the reason his restaurant exists and thrives. While casual and unassuming, the dishes take on a refined slant that elevates it beyond the late night Thai town eateries we all know and love. So if your flirtatious foodies are game for an adventurous date you all won't soon forget, order the Luu suk, made with raw pork blood.
The Church Key
8730 Sunset Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(424) 249-3700
www.thechurchkeyla.com
The key to your beau's heart is through his stomach, especially when you pick a place that knows how to have fun with food in a memorable way. The Church Key is the spot to worship your whimsical side with tasty bites and tropical bevies. Cheeky Tiki drinks like The Professor and Blue Hawaii will make you feel like you're on vacation, minus the damage on your bank account. Double daters will feast like kings and queens with shareable items like the pu-pu platter, fondue, shabu-shabu dishes, irresistible donuts, and punch bowls to wash it all down. Don't miss the Odder Pop cart, it's a nostalgic homage to the icy pops of your childhood, except boozier with options like the Zombie and Mango Daiquiri.
Saint Martha
740 S Western Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90005
(213) 387-2300
www.saintmartharestaurant.com
If surprise and delight is what you're going for, make a reservation for four at Koreatown's strip mall unicorn. Upon parking at this eatery, you might be met with quizzical looks from the ladies, but once you open the red door to this wonderland, they'll don Cheshire Cat grins in no time. Inside you'll find an intimate, yet lively modern space with religious overtones. The dining room/bar seats just 38, so it offers the perfect excuse to cozy up with your cutie. As for the cuisine, it's unlike anything else you might expect in this part of town. Here, Chef Nick Erven serves up ambitious Modern American cuisine accentuated by a list of 50 wines to choose from. Get bonus points after dinner by continuing the evening at a nearby karaoke bar.
Firefly
11720 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 762-1833
www.fireflystudiocity.com
The current day Firefly isn't what you remember from years past. This Studio City mainstay has emerged from its cocoon to reveal a relevant destination for lovers everywhere to enjoy. Behind its ivy-covered façade, the dining room's indoor and outdoor space creates a wonderful escape from the busy city streets. Executive Chef Paul Shoemaker brings his culinary pedigree and expertise to the table, providing a fresh and elevated menu you'll have to taste to believe. Hang out and enjoy the ambience, it oozes sophisticated romance, with a "library" lounge and cozy cabanas, offering several nooks and crannies to whisper sweet nothings into her ear over after-dinner drinks.
République
République
624 S La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(310) 362-6115
www.republiquela.com
For a magical evening made for you and your precious, Republique will leave you spellbound. Housed in Charlie Chaplin's former office that had proceeded as the home to some of the pioneers in LA's food scene, beloved LA Chef Walter Manzke continues this tradition alongside Chef Margarita Manzke here. This power couple created this labor of love by incorporating materials old and new, resulting in the striking beauty it is today. Its gothic arches and details will make you feel like you're in the Great Hall of Hogwarts Castle, complete with geometric tile flooring that is an Instagrammer's dream. In fact, it's one of the loveliest setting to enjoy classic bistro fare and refined family-style dishes in the city.
Joy Bitonio has the phrase "Joie de Vivre" tattooed on her shoulder, a reminder to enjoy life every single day. She has a voracious appetite for fun, adventure, food, good cocktails and works out like a madwoman to keep it all together. Check out what else she recommends around Los Angeles in the links below.
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