Summer is officially here and with the warmer weather people will want to head outdoors for all sorts of activities, including dining. Thanks to our sunny days there are plenty of restaurants that offer patio dining, which can range from rooftop lounges to beachside spots and hidden gems.
So with that in mind, here are 15 places in Los Angeles County to dine al fresco.
Ballast Point Tasting Room & Kitchen, at 110 Marina Drive in Long Beach. Long Beach. The restaurant offers an active outdoor patio (Photo by Stephen Carr / Daily Breeze)
Ballast Point Long Beach
110 Marina Drive, Long Beach; 562-296-4470, ballastpoint.com
Located at the tail end of Marina Drive, overlooking Alamitos Bay Marina, this active patio offers fire pits, views of boats sailing by plus more than 60 beers on tap.
Bar Bohemian at Citizen’s Public Market
9355 Culver Blvd., Culver City; barboho.com
Located on the roof of this trendy food court, the patio is part of Bar Bohemian, a craft cocktail bar located on the second floor. But it’s open to anyone who buys food at any of the vendors in the market and just walks upstairs to eat. The patio is lined with plants and tables sit on a wood floor under string lights. In the daytime it’s a more chill destination while at night there’s more of a party atmosphere that often includes a DJ.
Bardot in Claremont offers patrons outdoor patio seating day and night. (Photo by Erin Hughes Photography)
Bardot
206 W Bonita Ave, Claremont; 909-621-2255, bardotrestaurant.com.
Claremont’s Bardot offers guests patio seating that can be warmed with heaters or enjoyed with the incoming breeze. Al fresco dining is best paired with brunch on the weekends and daily refreshing cocktails like the Strawberry Gimlet Thyme and dinner time’s Colorado Lamb Chops.
ALSO SEE: 7 of the best outdoor dining spots in Orange County with killer views
The Belvedere Lounge
123 S Lincoln Ave 2nd Floor, Monterey Park; 626-888-7907, thebelvederelounge.com.
The Belvedere Lounge invites guests to try dishes inspired by the best Asian, Mexican, American, Italian and Indian cuisines. Located on the second floor, the restaurant boasts rooftop seating with a horizontal central fire pit where guests can sip cocktails, enjoy shareable appetizers and take in the view of the San Gabriel Valley city.
Big Dean’s Oceanfront Cafe
1615 Ocean Front Walk Santa Monica; 310-393-2666, bigdeansoceanfrontcafe.com
Not all restaurant patios need to be fancy and fashionably decorated to be a good and fun place to eat and hang. The front patio at Big Dean’s, which has been around for decades, is one of these simple places that’s just simply fun. It’s made up of a few picnic tables under umbrellas with some plants here and there. But it’s right on the boardwalk in front of the Santa Monica Pier so the main views are watching the tourists, locals and the many entertaining characters that walk by all day.
Cabra Los Angeles
1060 S. Broadway, Los Angeles; 213-725-5858, cabralosangeles.com
The rooftop restaurant’s patio sits around a pool and offers panoramic views of the city. It’s decorated with tables as well as lounge chairs and couches. The views at night at this Peruvian restaurant are particularly stunning.
ALSO SEE: 6 places to enjoy al fresco dining in the Inland Empire
Castaway Burbank
1250 East Harvard Road, Burbank; 818-848-6691, castawayburbank.com
Perched atop a hill, this restaurant has been around for about six decades, yet the scenic views from its patio never get old. The patio at this classic restaurant, which serves a seasonally-inspired, steak-forward menu, offers a commanding panoramic view of the entire valley as well as several gas fire pits. It feels like you’re floating above the city as you eat.
Clandestino Gastro-Bar in Azusa serves breakfast, lunch and dinner, Tuesday through Sunday. (Photo by Merrill Shindler)
Clandestino Gastro-Bar
353 E Foothill Blvd, Azusa; 626-646-4164,. clandestinogastro.com.
You don’t need to travel to the tropics to find paradise when you’re being served beautiful cocktails on a fresh Spanish-inspired patio. Whether you’re there for brunch, lunch or dinner, the Clandestino Gastro-Bar offers signature margaritas with chamoy rims, Mexican Candy Shots and a full menu of Mexican fare such as the Rib Eye Chilaquiles.
Coco Palm in Pomona overlooks the mountains, residential homes and the 10 Freeway. (Photo by Cindy Yamanaka, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Coco Palm
1600 Fairplex Drive, Pomona; 909-469-1965, cocopalmrestaurant.com.
When driving up along the hills of Pomona to reach Coco Palm, it’s not difficult to feel immersed in the restaurant’s elegant white interiors and exteriors surrounded by palm trees. The restaurant, which often hosts weddings, serves classic Cuban staples such as lechon asado and pollo a la plancha and an all-you-can-eat brunch on Sundays.
Outdoor dining at Fuego in the Hotel Maya in Long Beach on Wednesday, June 19, 2024. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/ SCNG)
Fuego at Hotel Maya
700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach; 562-481-3910, hotelmayalongbeach.com/fuego
The views from the patio at this seaside modern Latin restaurant include the Queen Mary and the downtown Long Beach skyline across the Queensway Bay. After dinner people can sit by the various fireplaces or walk along the sand. It’s also a very active restaurant with live music and holiday-themed food specials.
Brian Holland and Emily Johnson dine in Gladstones patio overlooking the ocean in Malibu on Tuesday, June 18, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Gladstones
17300 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades; 310-454-3474, gladstones.com
This beachside spot has been around for more than 50 years and the view from the patio has been one of the main attractions. Diners sit just perched above the sand and can hear the waves and smell the ocean air from their seats. There’s also a fire pit nearby and the restaurant just added a new summer menu.
Granville in Pasadena offers patrons rooftop patio seating to enjoy food and beverages al fresco. (Courtesy of Granville)
Granville
270 S Lake Ave., Pasadena; 626-360-7633,. granvillerestaurants.com.
Granville boasts new-American fare, like the Santa Barbara chicken sandwich and refreshing cocktails, such as its Picante Pineapple margarita. The interior and exterior design was inspired by midcentury-modern architecture. The best part about this restaurant is the Tulum-esque rooftop seating that provides a daytime view of the San Gabriel mountains and a sea of glimmering city lights at night.
ALSO SEE: These are 10 of the oldest restaurants in Los Angeles County
The Hollywood Roosevelt Rosy Cafe
7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles; 323-785-7000, thehollywoodroosevelt.com/dine-drinks/rosy-cafe
This cozy patio has a tropical feel with several plants and other greenery dotting the space. It sits under string lights and palm trees adjacent to the hotel’s pool. The place recently unveiled a new summer menu that includes dishes like the Rosy benedict, Challah French toast, and duck confit.
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe is a great place to dine with a view of sand and sea.(Photo by John McCoy/Los Angeles Daily News (SCNG)
Paradise Cove Beach Cafe
28128 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu; 310-457-2503, paradisecovemalibu.com
This Malibu gem is a bit of a hidden spot located at the end of a narrow road off Pacific Coast Highway. But once there you can eat just a few feet away from the ocean at its patio. The tables are right on the sand, so wear sandals or other comfortable shoes. After eating, go on a walk along the secluded beach.
ALSO SEE: The secrets of Southern California speakeasies: How to find one, how to get in
Pomona Valley Mining Company
1777 Gillette Road, Pomona; 909-623-3515, pomonavalleyminingco.com.
Right next door to Coco Palm, the Pomona Valley Mining Company offers a stunning view of the San Gabriel Valley. A wooden panel interior resembles a rustic, cozy cabin decorated with firepits, chandeliers and lanterns. The ambiance and the view make the bacon-wrapped filet, ribeye, prime and pork baby back ribs much more delicious. It also boasts a cocktails menu that includes the Strawberry Fields cocktail, similar to a Gin Sour, and the Grandma’s Medicine, with a hint of coffee and chocolate.
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