As a resident of DTLA, I am so excited to share the best rooftop restaurants in LA. Now that it’s a little warmer and life is back to normal, I say it’s a great time to treat yourself to a rooftop visit! These are in no particular order, just places I’ve visited personally and like enough to recommend.
If you’re looking for more LA posts (food recommendations, events, shopping, and more!), click here for an endless list for planning your visit. Make sure you follow me on Instagram and TikTok for more real-time LA recommendations!
Perch
Oh, Perch. I feel like Perch is the first place people think of when they think of rooftop restaurants in LA. As a resident of downtown LA, do I think it’s a little bit overrated? A little. The bar and restaurant are separate, and I only recommend the restaurant. Unless you’re young, flirty, and looking for your one-night stand, of course. Then please, head right to the bar; it may be your perfect spot! The bar aside, while I don’t dine at Perch casually, I do enjoy taking visitors because the views truly are stunning. I’m a reservations stan, and thankfully they’re on OpenTable.
Pro-tip #1, you need to book way in advance. Pro-tip #2, don’t waste your money on valet. Park at the Pershing Square underground parking across the street.
Cabra
This Peruvian rooftop restaurant in DTLA atop the super chic Hoxton Hotel by chef Stephanie Izard. I am Girl and the Goat, her other restaurant downtown’s number one fan (no, literally, the Manager told me I’ve been there the most times out of all registered OpenTable guests, lol). As far as decor and vibes go, Cabra is one of the best rooftop restaurants in LA in my book. The food is tapas style, and you can’t go wrong with brunch or dinner.
Pro-tip: don’t waste your money on valet. Plenty of street and lot parking within a block.
73 Spire
Afraid of heights? Maybe keep scrolling since you’ll be up on the 73rd floor of the InterContinental Hotel in downtown LA. Keep in mind 73 Spire is more a bar than a restaurant; think drinks and bar food. The drinks are expensive (even for LA), and they charge a cover on weekend evenings unless you’re a guest at the hotel. Fun fact: this building is the highest building west of the Mississippi! The views are incredible. If you’re lucky, an LAPD helicopter will fly by and make you truly realize how high you are (“could I jump onto the helicopter….?” is a thought I’ve had many times).
Pro-tip: don’t pay for valet; park across the street at 7th + Fig. Buy a few things at Target and get your ticket validated for a great discount (you for sure need something at Target).
Broken Shaker
This super colorful and fun rooftop bar is Broken Shaker atop the Freehand Hotel. It’s a tiki-vibe bar with a full service restaurant. It gets extremely busy and popular, so make sure you make reservations at OpenTable! I can’t speak for the Freehand Hotel but Broken Shaker has great cocktails, food, and of course views.
LA Cha Cha Chá
More terrace than a rooftop, but I can’t write this post without mentioning LA Cha Cha Cha. They’re located in the Arts District of downtown LA, serving up delicious Mexican food and cocktails. The very popular location has the most stunning terrace rooftop. Perfect for Friday night drinks and/or dinner to wind down!
Pro-tips: Make reservations in advance via OpenTable and find street parking instead of paying for a lot.
The Rooftop at the Wayfarer
The Wayfarer is a popular hotel located in downtown LA. Located in the South Park area of downtown, you can always hear the loud music (if you’re into that) before you even enter the hotel. It’s not as big of a space as it may look in pictures but as long as you have reservations, you’ll be fine. The full dinner menu is decent with unique cocktails.
Bar Clara at Hotel Per La
The newcomer of rooftop restaurants in LA! Bar Clara is at the new Per La Hotel in downtown. In my opinion, they have one of the best bar food menus out of this list. The decor is quirky, and it’s worth checking out the entire hotel.
Fun fact: The building used to be a bank, and the hotel bathroom in the basement is a vault!
Pin this for later!
