First/Early in the Game Dates
Most Popular Guides
Guide
The Best LA Bars For A First Date
From cocktail spots to neighborhood dives to wine bars, these are our go-to spots in LA for first dates.
Guide
The Best First Date Spots In LA
Don’t screw things up by picking the wrong restaurant. Here’s where you should go.
Guide
Where To Have An Affordable Date Night
22 spots where you can go on a date and also not empty your wallet.
Guide
Where To Go On A First Date With Someone You Met On The Internet
Dating in 2021 is weird, but a lot less weird than 2020.
Guide
The LA Outdoor Happy Hour Guide
21 spots in LA with great Happy Hours, patios, and nightly specials.
Guide
The Best Spots For Cheese & Charcuterie In LA
When you need some fresh mozzarell’ and salumi, stat.
First/Early in the Game Dates
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LAReview
Cafe Stella
French bistro Cafe Stella has been a Silver Lake hotspot since Arcade Fire's first album—and it's still a charmer with good cocktails.
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Offhand Wine Bar
Offhand Wine Bar is the only natural wine place in Santa Monica where you can groove to vinyl DJ sets.
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Vicky’s All Day
Vicky's All Day in West Adams dances on tightrope between cozy diner and neighborhood pizzeria. You'll want to become a regular from the minute you walk in the door.
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Los Balcones
This casual Peruvian spot in Hollywood is currently hosting a great year long pop-up called Colibri.
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Tagine
Tagine is a small, tucked-away Moroccan restaurant in Beverly Hills that’s ideal for a romantic dinner.
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Augustine Wine Bar
Augustine in Sherman Oaks is the kind of wine bar that makes other wine bars look like they're phoning it in.
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Eszett
Eszett is a casual strip mall spot in Silver Lake with great wine and excellent, snacky-shareable dishes.
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Seabutter
Seabutter is a modern, subway-tiled sushi bar that offers fresh nigiri, dressed up sashimi, and affordable omakase.
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Fishing With Dynamite
Fishing With Dynamite is one of LA’s best restaurants for consistently great seafood.
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Black Market Liquor Bar
Black Market Liquor is a bar/restaurant in Studio City with good cocktails, a big craft beer list, and solid small plates.
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Cobras & Matadors
Cobras & Matadors is a BYOB Spanish tapas place in Beverly Grove with serious charm.
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Ceviche Project
Ceviche Project is an excellent Eastside date night spot, with inventive and interesting takes on raw fish.
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Sushi Nikkei
Sushi Nikkei is a neighborhood sushi spot with a exciting scene in North Long Beach.
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The Blind Barber
The Blind Barber in Culver City is a speakeasy behind a working barber shop.
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Tokki
Tokki, a Korean small plates restaurant in Koreatown, is trendy, with all the weird baggage that comes with that term—but still genuinely fun.