Sky-High Dining: 12 Stunning Rooftop Restaurants To Try In California
California’s dining scene just got a whole lot loftier. Imagine savoring fresh, flavorful dishes while the sun dips below the horizon, painting the sky with colors you never knew existed.
These rooftop restaurants serve more than just great food. They deliver views that take your meal to new heights.
Perfect for those who believe the best dining experiences happen where the atmosphere rises as high as the plate.
1. High Rooftop Lounge: Venice Beach Vibes With Altitude
Surfers paddle in the distance while hipsters sip craft cocktails at this laid-back rooftop haven atop Hotel Erwin.
The casual, colorful atmosphere captures Venice Beach’s quirky spirit perfectly—just with an elevated perspective.
Sunset here is practically a religious experience as the sky erupts in pink and orange hues over the Pacific.
Grab a blanket (they provide them when the ocean breeze picks up), order their famous fish tacos, and watch skateboarders cruise the boardwalk below while planes take off from nearby LAX.
2. Yamashiro Hollywood: Dine Like Royalty Above Tinseltown
Perched atop the Hollywood Hills since 1914, this Japanese-inspired architectural gem offers breathtaking 180-degree views of Los Angeles that will make your jaw drop.
The historic restaurant was originally built as a private residence designed to replicate a palace near Kyoto.
While feasting on Asian fusion cuisine, you’ll overlook the sprawling city lights with the iconic Hollywood sign visible in the distance.
Their sushi is fresh, their cocktails are inventive, and the koi pond and Japanese gardens transport you to another world entirely.
3. LA Cha Cha Chá: Urban Jungle Meets Mexican Flair
Who knew downtown LA could feel like Mexico City? This lush, plant-filled oasis brings serious south-of-the-border energy to the Arts District.
Hanging greenery creates intimate dining nooks while string lights twinkle overhead against the urban skyline.
The amazing guacamole and grilled cactus tacos will transport your taste buds straight to Mexico. Their mezcal-based cocktails pack a delicious punch—try the spicy cucumber margarita that locals rave about!
Between the excellent food and Instagram-worthy decor, this hidden gem delivers big on atmosphere.
4. The Rooftop Beverly Hills: Hollywood Glamour In The Clouds
Celebrity spotting reaches new heights at this ultra-luxe rooftop perched atop the Waldorf Astoria.
The moment the elevator doors open, you’re greeted by panoramic views stretching from downtown LA to Santa Monica—paired with service that makes everyone feel like an A-lister.
White marble tables, sleek fire pits, and plush seating create an atmosphere of understated elegance.
Their lobster rolls are legendary, as are the truffle fries that somehow taste even better when eaten 12 stories above Wilshire Boulevard. Reservations are absolutely essential, especially for sunset cocktail hour.
5. Merois: Wolfgang Puck’s Starry Night Masterpiece
Legendary chef Wolfgang Puck’s newest rooftop venture at the Pendry West Hollywood blends Asian flavors with California ingredients in a setting that feels like dining inside a modernist jewel box.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the Hollywood Hills while the outdoor terrace offers front-row seats to the glittering cityscape.
The crispy suckling pig is life-changing, and their signature yuzu cocktails complement the sunset perfectly.
A-list celebrities frequently hold court in the corner booths, though the staff remains refreshingly down-to-earth. The heated pool glows blue as night falls, creating a magical dining backdrop.
6. Catch LA: Where The Beautiful People Feast Under Stars
Imagine dining in an enchanted garden—except this garden sits atop a West Hollywood building and attracts more celebrities per square foot than the Oscars.
Flowering trellises and twinkling lights create a fairytale setting that’s become Instagram famous for good reason.
Their seafood tower arrives with theatrical dry ice smoke, while the truffle sashimi melts in your mouth.
Fashion models somehow manage to devour the massive hit-me cake (chocolate with liquid dulce de leche center) without spilling a crumb.
Despite its see-and-be-seen reputation, the food genuinely lives up to the hype.
7. Cara Cara: Downtown LA’s Mediterranean Escape
Proper Hotel’s crown jewel brings Spanish sunshine to downtown LA with its terracotta tiles and citrus trees.
From this 11th-floor sanctuary, the city’s historic buildings take on a golden glow at sunset, while downtown’s skyscrapers create a dramatic backdrop.
Wood-fired pizzas emerge crisp and bubbling from the outdoor oven, paired perfectly with sangria that flows freely.
Weekend brunches here are legendary—their shakshuka with freshly baked flatbread causes regular lines at the elevator.
Even on rare rainy days, the covered section keeps the Mediterranean vibes flowing under heat lamps.
8. Butterfly at The Shay: Culver City’s Coolest Perch
“Secret garden” doesn’t begin to describe this hidden gem in the heart of Culver City’s booming tech district.
Butterfly offers two distinct vibes: a lush garden lounge and a swanky poolside retreat where creative types from nearby studios mingle over craft cocktails.
Their Korean-Mexican fusion menu reflects LA’s cultural mashup perfectly. Try the kimchi quesadilla that shouldn’t work but absolutely does!
The retractable roof means weather never cancels the party, while fire pits keep things cozy after dark. Fun fact: The rooftop’s name comes from the building’s former life as a butterfly warehouse in the 1940s.
9. Terra at Eataly: Italy In The Sky Above Century City
Forget flying to Tuscany—just take the elevator to the third floor of Eataly instead!
This rustic-chic rooftop transforms the Century City shopping district into an Italian countryside escape, complete with olive trees and a wood-burning grill that infuses everything with smoky goodness.
Handmade pasta dishes arrive steaming at your table, while the focaccia with rosemary could make an Italian grandmother weep with joy.
Their negroni cart rolls tableside for custom-mixed cocktails that pack a delicious punch.
Between bites, you’ll spot the Hollywood Hills in the distance and maybe a famous face or two from nearby talent agencies.
10. The Rooftop Lounge: Laguna’s Seaside Sanctuary
Margaritas taste better when sipped 50 feet above crashing Pacific waves.
This Laguna Beach institution at La Casa del Camino hotel offers front-row seats to what might be California’s most spectacular coastal panorama—from Catalina Island to San Clemente.
Beach casual is the vibe here, with locals often arriving sandy-footed after surfing. Their famous “Mozambique” nachos could feed a small village, while the fresh ceviche captures ocean flavors perfectly.
Sunset transforms the space into a romantic wonderland as the sky and sea merge in watercolor brilliance.
11. Offshore 9: Huntington Beach’s Wave-Watching Paradise
Nine floors might not sound impressive until you realize you’re towering above everything else in Huntington Beach!
The Waterfront Beach Resort’s crown jewel offers 360-degree views where surfers appear like tiny dots on the waves below.
Fire pits crackle as dolphins occasionally leap offshore—I’m not making this up; it happened during my last visit!
Their seafood is predictably excellent, but the unexpected star is their lobster grilled cheese that pairs perfectly with local craft beers.
Pro tip: Request a west-facing table at least 30 minutes before sunset for nature’s best show.
12. Top of the Hyatt: San Diego’s Sky-High Spectacle
Forty floors above San Diego Bay sits this glass-enclosed marvel that makes you feel like you’re floating above the city.
The Manchester Grand Hyatt’s pinnacle offers breathtaking views stretching from Coronado Bridge to Point Loma, with Mexico visible on clear days.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the harbor where aircraft carriers look like toy boats.
Their craft cocktails come with clever names nodding to naval history, while the small plates menu focuses on local seafood caught just hours earlier.
When the sun sets and the city lights twinkle on, you’ll understand why locals call this the most romantic spot in San Diego.