Part 2 : Restaurants and Bars with the Best Views
Los Angeles is blessed with spectacular geography—from towering mountains to beautiful beaches—making it one of the few major cities in the world with easy access to both. It’s no surprise that L.A. is home to countless restaurants and bars with breathtaking views. Thanks to the city’s mild year-round climate, outdoor dining is a way of life. Whether perched atop a downtown skyscraper, nestled into a mountainside, or overlooking the Pacific from a cliff or the beach, these spots offer unforgettable settings.
Here are my favorite restaurants and bars with the best views, in no particular order.
Yamashiro (Hollywood Hills)
What could be more quintessentially L.A. than a slice of Hollywood history, an incredible backstory, and breathtaking views? If there is one place worth splurging on, this is it.
Perched 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard, Yamashiro offers million-dollar views from one of the city’s most historic buildings. Designed to resemble a Japanese palace in the Yamashiro mountains near Kyoto, it was built in 1914 by the Bernheimer brothers to house their extensive Asian art collection. The estate was once surrounded by more than 10 acres of terraced Japanese gardens, complete with a koi pond, a 600-year-old pagoda imported from Japan, and a Summer House featuring a Buddha statue—all overlooking the Los Angeles basin.
After Eugene Bernheimer’s sudden death, the estate was sold in 1924 and much of the art collection was auctioned off. The property briefly became the exclusive 400 Club, a favorite gathering place for Hollywood’s elite. During the Great Depression, visitors could tour the gardens for just 25 cents. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, anti-Japanese sentiment led to extensive vandalism of the property. It was later converted into a military boys’ school and, after World War II, into an apartment building. In 1948, businessman Thomas O. Glover purchased the estate and transformed it into the Hollywood Hills Club, a popular cocktail lounge. His son later converted it into the restaurant that exists today. Yamashiro was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2012 and has appeared in numerous classic films.
The food is expensive and, admittedly, mediocre—but who really cares? The extensive Pan-Asian menu includes quirky offerings like sashimi pizza, but the real attraction is the setting. Make a reservation around sunset, arrive early, and wander through the gardens before dinner. Watching the sun sink into the Pacific while the city lights begin to sparkle—from Downtown’s skyscrapers to the hills of Hollywood and Beverly Hills—is pure Los Angeles magic.
Pro Tip: You can visit the gardens without dining at the restaurant.
Spire 73 (Downtown Los Angeles)
Located atop the tallest building west of the Mississippi, Spire 73 delivers true jetliner views. Sitting 73 stories—more than 1,000 feet—above the city, the rooftop offers spectacular panoramas, especially after dark.
The spacious outdoor lounge features comfortable seating around fire pits, while glass railings provide uninterrupted views in every direction. The menu focuses on cocktails and elevated bar bites, but if you’re looking for a full dinner, head two floors down to La Boucherie for fine dining.
It’s definitely worth the splurge.
Pro Tip: Just grab a drink.
Perch (Downtown Los Angeles)
Occupying the 15th- and 16th-floor rooftops of a historic building in Downtown’s Historic Core, Perch is a French-inspired bistro with lush gardens, live jazz, and one of the city’s most romantic atmospheres.
The Parisian ambiance pairs beautifully with sweeping 360-degree views of the skyline. The menu features elevated French bistro fare alongside creative cocktails. Reservations are highly recommended.
Pro Tip: You can often visit the 16th-floor bar for drinks without a reservation.
71 Above (Downtown Los Angeles)
Located on the 71st floor of the U.S. Bank Tower, 71 Above offers breathtaking 360-degree views through floor-to-ceiling windows. At nearly 1,000 feet above the city, the nighttime panorama is unforgettable.
Reserve a table and request seating along the western windows, where you’ll have all of Los Angeles spread out beneath your feet. The menu showcases modern American cuisine with seasonal, regional influences.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience, and one I highly recommend.
Nobu (Malibu)
One of my longtime Malibu favorites, Moonshadows, was tragically destroyed in last year’s devastating fires. Fortunately, Nobu Malibu remains one of Southern California’s most iconic waterfront restaurants.
Founded by acclaimed chef Nobu Matsuhisa, this celebrated Japanese restaurant occupies an unbeatable location overlooking the Pacific Ocean, surrounded by the multimillion-dollar homes of Malibu’s coastline. Of all the Nobu locations around the world, this one boasts the most spectacular setting. From the outdoor terrace, you can hear the waves crashing directly below while watching the sun set over the Pacific beneath a golden California sky.
Make a reservation around sunset—it’s worth every penny.
On a Budget?
If you’re looking for great views without the high price tag, grab a drink at one of the many rooftop bars in Downtown Los Angeles or West Hollywood. You’ll still enjoy spectacular skyline views for the cost of a cocktail. Likewise, many oceanfront restaurants in Santa Monica, Manhattan Beach, and Long Beach offer beautiful coastal scenery without the premium prices of destinations like Nobu.
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