LA's top romantic hotspots for date night

Love is in the air in Los Angeles, a city filled with romantic secrets perfect for a first date. From cozy wine bars tucked away in Chinatown to beachside, LA offers no shortage of spots primed to sweep that special someone off their feet. 

According to a recent report by local dating service Lasting Connections, over two-thirds of Angelenos believe ambiance is a key factor when selecting a restaurant for a big date night. Candlelight, garden patios, and roaring fireplaces set the mood, while exceptional food and drink inspire memorable evenings that launch relationships into the long term. “A good first date spot needs the right mix of intimacy, great service, and wow-factor touches that make the night feel special,” says Lasting Connections founder Chloe Raines.  

The eclectic array of the most romantic restaurants in Los Angeles reflects the city’s vibrant diversity. “With so many cultures represented in LA’s dining scene, there are romantic atmospheres to match anyone’s taste,” Raines explains. From upscale French bistros on the Westside to cozy Koreatown haunts, these eateries generate the chemistry that turns first dates into second ones.

Tucked away in Los Angeles’ Chinatown, Oriel Wine Bar and Bistro has become a favorite first-date destination. The French restaurant boasts floor-to-ceiling windows, candlelit tables, and an intimate patio wrapped in the sultry glow of red neon lights. “Between the romantic ambiance and fantastic wine list, Oriel really sets the mood for romance,” says head chef Claudia Suli. “We get a lot of couples who return to celebrate anniversaries in the same spot where their relationship began years before.”

Over in Koreatown, The Prince transports guests back in time with cozy red leather booths, dim mood lighting, and full suits of armor oddly but boldly decorating the walls. “The old-school vibes here foster great conversation,” says manager Leo Kim. “Our fried chicken and inventive cocktails tend to break the ice too.” Tucked away in nondescript strip malls, treasures like The Prince reveal LA’s knack for blending romance with a dash of quirk.  

For seaside daters, Ryla in Hermosa Beach brings a modern izakaya concept to the oceanside community's ever-growing dining scene. Ryla’s sleek yet intimate interior design and creative cocktails set an alluring tone, according to general manager Devon Hayes. “Whether guests snuggle up front by the bar or request a table on our candlelit patio, there’s no shortage of swoon-worthy moments here,” says Hayes. The beachfront setting, enhanced by crashing waves and sunsets over the Pacific, makes Ryla a South Bay favorite for first-time daters.

Further inland in Studio City, Firefly takes its fiery moniker to heart. Flickering flames shine from an expansive patio fireplace as patrons enjoy the restaurant’s garden-like environment, blooming with trees and terra cotta. “Few settings feel more romantic on a balmy Los Angeles night than Firefly’s patio,” says hostess Renata Flores. With a menu spanning steak frites to seafood pasta, Firefly provides plenty of shareable moments over an intimate meal.

Across town in Venice, chef Octavio Blancas has made his tiny restaurant Coucou his couples’ destination of choice. “From the cozy lighting to the brick-lined interior, Coucou captures old Paris charm with California freshness,” says Blancas. His deliberately compact space encourages affectionate encounters over Blancas’ signature beet salad topped with burrata cheese and chocolate-shell soft serve for dessert. For Westsiders seeking Gallic romance with SoCal ease, Coucou hits the sweet spot for first dates.  

What unites these restaurants is how their settings inspire lasting relationships. “Classics like cozy low lighting mixed with LA flair for the unexpected create date-night magic,” says Raines. “Small details make a huge difference in how comfortable and connected a couple feels exploring romance.” 

Oriel staffer Margot Sands sees this emotional spark firsthand. “Watching two people laugh over our crispy pork belly, then later share a kiss in the glow of our patio lights makes all my hard work worthwhile,” she says. For Sands, Oriel’s success stems from facilitating those initial heart flutters that build into something more. “Great dining ambiance doesn’t force the romance. It allows the chemistry between two people to unfold naturally, maybe with some liquid courage from our wine menu.”

Leo Kim of The Prince finds old-school LA charm catalyzes couples through shared nostalgia for vintage Americana. “Reminding Angelenos of simpler times gets conversations flowing,” Kim says. “And before you know it, over some comfort food and aged whiskey, first date jitters melt away.” By evoking the magic of yesterday, The Prince transports patrons to a realm where new affection thrives.   

At Ryla, Hayes says seaside panoramas sweep couples into the moment. “Watching the sunset with toes in the sand accelerates getting to know someone on a deeper level.” Picnic tables on Ryla’s ocean-facing patio set the scene for Hayes’ observation. “Taste sensations from chef Danielle Cacciatore’s menu entice patrons, but our beach views make a lasting imprint on their memories.” 

Renata Flores echoes Hayes on destinations imprinting romance at Firefly. “Wandering our garden pathways feels far removed from urban LA. People relax into themselves and each other.” Firefly’s lush landscape casts a spell, says Flores. “Strings of patio lights reflecting off wine glasses whisk couples away, lost in each other’s eyes instead of small talk.”

At Coucou, Blancas says his cozy bistro nurtures intimacy within a mini escape to Paris. “Bon appétit deserves being face-to-face, not yards away at long tables.” Blancas sees affection bloom over his signature beet salad and steak au poivre two feet across from smiling eyes. “Coucou’s snug atmosphere celebrates couples savoring their own private universe.”  

Los Angeles dining culture blends cuisines and atmospheres into restaurants tailor-made for dating. “The creative energy in LA translates to incredibly romantic restaurants primed for special nights,” says Raines. She believes the city’s vibrant spirit infuses eateries with exuberance, from Silver Lake to Santa Monica and points between. “LA inspires places where tentative new relationships blossom into lasting ones, one perfect date night at a time.”

Raines does offer advice for getting the most out of romantic restaurants in LA. She says to manage expectations for busy venues that might lack privacy. “The wow factor has tradeoffs, so embrace imperfection.” And while Old World ambiance dazzles, Raines finds modern minimalism also sparks connections. “Different spaces work for different couples. Focus more on who than where for the magic to unfold.”

Most importantly, Raines stresses arriving present and open to the other person. “You want surroundings to enhance that, not substitute. But the right restaurant reduces distractions, so you lose yourself in each other’s words...and eyes.” That’s Raines’ ultimate takeaway: Location sets the stage, but the stars of each romantic evening in Los Angeles remain the people, not the places.