The best rooftops in Los Angeles

Italian fare meets ocean air at Élephante, perched above Main Street in Santa Monica with a rooftop terrace that frames the Pacific in every direction. The setting is nothing short of cinematic — rattan furniture, trailing greenery, and golden-hour light filtering through the palms — and the Italian-leaning menu keeps pace. Expect Roman-style pizzas with a crisp, charred base, house-made pastas that skew seasonal, and sharing plates built for long, leisurely evenings. The bar program leans into Amalfi Coast spirits and spritzes, making Élephante one of the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles for a sunset aperitivo. It draws a laid-back crowd who come for the views and stay for the whole occasion. Reservations are tight on weekends, so book ahead on OpenTable and stake out a spot before the sky turns pink.

Castaway has commanded some of the most sweeping views in the San Fernando Valley since it opened in the hills above Burbank, and the steakhouse menu does justice to the setting. The rooftop-adjacent terrace looks out across the city lights and the hills beyond — the kind of panorama that makes a special occasion feel earned. The kitchen focuses on prime-cut steaks, from bone-in ribeyes to a well-aged New York strip, alongside roasted sides and a deep wine list that rewards exploration. Castaway is a strong case for Burbank as a genuine destination rather than just a Hollywood suburb, and it holds its own against any of the best rooftop restaurants in Los Angeles proper. Block out a long evening, go for the chef’s recommendation on the cut, and book your table for a summer to remember.

San Laurel brings Spanish-inflected cooking to the upper floors of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, with a terrace that commands some of the most dramatic skyline views in the city. The restaurant sits within striking distance of the Staples Center and the arts district corridor, making it a natural anchor for a Downtown dining night. The menu draws on the Iberian larder — jamón, Manchego, Basque-style seafood, wood-fired proteins — and pairs cleanly with a Spanish-forward wine and cocktail list. For a best-in-class rooftop dinner in Downtown LA in summer 2026, San Laurel is hard to beat. Arrive in time for the light show as the city switches on.

Cara Cara sits on the rooftop of the Downtown LA Proper Hotel, a beautifully restored historic building that gives the space a rare sense of character among the city’s crop of hotel rooftops. The pool deck and lounge area create a resort-in-the-city atmosphere, and the kitchen turns out a menu that punches above typical rooftop bar fare. The cocktail program is a particular strength — inventive, season-driven, and well-balanced — and the small plates are designed for sharing across a long afternoon or evening. It draws a creative, Downtown-adjacent crowd who treat the rooftop as an extension of the neighborhood. For one of the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles, look no further than Cara Cara.

Gemma occupies the rooftop of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills with the kind of confidence that only comes from one of the most prestigious hotel addresses in Los Angeles. The Asian-influenced menu brings together Japanese and Pan-Asian cooking traditions in a setting that balances luxury with restraint — stunning city and Hollywood Hills views, precise service, and a room that manages to feel intimate despite the scale. Signature dishes lean on premium seafood and curated omakase-style experiences, and the cocktail and sake selection is extensive. This is a destination for a milestone meal or an out-of-town guest who expects the best. For a high-end rooftop dining experience in Beverly Hills in summer 2026, Gemma awaits.

Calabra crowns the Santa Monica Proper Hotel with a Mediterranean rooftop that manages to feel both effortlessly cool and genuinely delicious — a balance not every hotel restaurant achieves. The menu takes its cues from the coastal cuisines of Southern Europe: Calabrian-spiced dishes, charred flatbreads, mezze-style sharing plates, and grilled fish that would be at home on any terrace from Marseille to the Amalfi Coast. The rooftop itself is one of Santa Monica’s most sought-after outdoor dining spots, with Pacific breezes and a sunset-watching crowd that ranges from hotel guests to savvy locals. Drinking here is as much a draw as dining — the bar program is strong, the spritz menu seasonal. Among the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles for a long summer evening, Calabra is a must-book. 

Kassi brings Greek-Mediterranean cooking to Venice Beach with a rooftop that captures the creative, freewheeling energy of the neighborhood while adding genuine culinary substance. The menu reads like a well-edited tour of the Aegean — spanakopita, lamb chops, grilled whole fish, and a selection of mezze built for sharing over conversation and natural wine. The rooftop terrace channels Greek island hospitality: unhurried, warm, and built around communal dining. It’s a local spot that draws from across the city, which says something about the quality of the cooking and the setting. For those exploring the best rooftop restaurants in Los Angeles on the Westside, Kassi is a standout worth crossing town for. 

Durango Cocina & Rooftop brings Northern Mexican cooking to Rancho Cucamonga with a rooftop terrace that makes it a must-visit dining destination. The kitchen focuses on the cuisine of Durango state: slow-cooked meats, chile-forward stews, handmade tortillas, and regional preparations that go well beyond the standard SoCal Mexican repertoire. The rooftop setting — open-air, lively, and community-minded — suits the cooking perfectly. It’s a restaurant that rewards curiosity, drawing guests willing to make the journey east for food with real regional identity. The margarita list and mezcal selection are both well worth exploring. For a rooftop dining experience in the greater Los Angeles area that prioritises regional Mexican cooking, book at Durango. 

The Peninsula Beverly Hills has long been one of the city’s most storied hotel addresses, and The Roof Garden is its open-air crown — an elegant retreat above the hustle of South Santa Monica Boulevard. Contemporary American cooking anchors the menu: refined seasonal dishes, expertly sourced proteins, and a wine list that reflects the hotel’s broader commitment to exceptional hospitality. The setting is manicured and serene, with lush plantings and discreet service that makes it feel more private estate than a hotel terrace. It’s a destination for a business lunch that carries into dinner, or a romantic evening that doesn’t require shouting over a DJ. Among the best rooftop restaurants in Los Angeles for pure elegance and calm, The Roof Garden holds a distinct position. 

Head over to Koreatown to find Openaire at The Line Hotel — a glass-roofed, greenhouse-style dining room that blurs the line between indoor and outdoor without losing the sky-above feeling that makes rooftop dining compelling. The Californian menu is produce-led, hyper-seasonal, and quietly ambitious, drawing on the extraordinary diversity of ingredients available across the state. Koreatown’s energy and culinary density make it a fitting neighborhood for a restaurant this thoughtful. The menu changes frequently, which keeps regulars returning and rewards repeat visits. Openaire is the kind of place where a solo lunch feels as considered as a big group dinner — the space works for both. For rooftop dining in Los Angeles with genuine culinary vision, this remains one of the city’s essential addresses. 

Loulou brings a French accent to Santa Monica’s rooftop scene, with a terrace that channels a bit of Riviera ease just blocks from the beach. The menu covers classic brasserie territory — steak frites, moules marinières, plateau de fruits de mer — alongside a cocktail and wine list that skews toward Champagne and southern French whites. The mood is convivial and social, with a lounge area that transitions smoothly from dinner into the evening. Loulou occupies a sweet spot: it’s festive enough for a group celebration and relaxed enough for a weeknight dinner that doesn’t require a special occasion. Among the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles for a Francophile evening, Loulou is a must-visit. Make sure to order the seafood tower for the table.

Lemon Grove is a rooftop Italian restaurant in Hollywood that manages to feel like a discovery even as it builds a loyal following. The menu takes a modern approach to Italian-American cooking — wood-fired dishes, seasonal pasta, cured meats, and a bar program that leans into Sicilian and Calabrian spirits. The Hollywood setting brings an energetic crowd, but the kitchen stays focused: this is a place that takes the food seriously even when the terrace is buzzing. Natural light floods the space during the day, transitioning to a warmer evening atmosphere as the city settles into night. Lemon Grove is a top addition to Hollywood’s dining landscape and holds its own among the best rooftop restaurants in Los Angeles.