Best Alfresco Dining Spots In Los Angeles

Text courtesy of Citysearch.

By Mar Yvette

Ah, fresh air. Even though LA doesn't exactly make the grade when it comes to good air quality, our picture-perfect weather nearly all year long gets high marks for alfresco dining options. And now that days are longer and nights are warmer, there's no better time to get out and have fun. From luxe newcomers like Culina and La Vida to old favorites like Las Campanas and Far Bar, find out where to enjoy excellent outdoor dining in LA, Orange County and beyond.

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Culina

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Hello, gorgeous. This sparkly newcomer inside the Four Seasons is all about beautifully presented modern Italian food in an equally appealing setting. The leafy, outdoor patio--with its cascading fountain, sculptural heat lamps and loungey vibe--will no doubt be a favorite for summer. 300 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

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Hello, gorgeous. This sparkly newcomer inside the Four Seasons is all about beautifully presented modern Italian food in an equally appealing setting. The leafy, outdoor patio--with its cascading fountain, sculptural heat lamps and loungey vibe--will no doubt be a favorite for summer.

300 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

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Total comments: 28 | Post a Comment

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Comments

[Maria Hanson]

06:36 PM on 06/29/2010

Desert Rose? Really? you should also mention as one of it's features that it's a big Armenian gang hang out and that a recent shooting (involving 4 different high end luxury cars/no plates--dr­iven by 4 Armenians with guns shooting at the LAPD) was right in front of the Desert Rose at 3 pm on a Sunday afternoon. One of the cars ran over someone and dragged the body down Hillhurst.
and the food is just so-so-.

[satphoner]

07:58 PM on 06/30/2010

It was actually outside of the Alcove restaurant on the 1900 block --- and Desert Rose is delicious.

See here: http://lat­imesblogs.­latimes.co­m/lanow/20­10/03/four­-people-sh­ot-in-los-­feliz-duri­ng-parking­-lot-alter­cation.htm­l

[Robrum2009]

12:49 PM on 06/25/2010

I am glad the Little Door made the cut - this is probably the most romantic spot I have been to in LA. You will want to go on Thursday nights, as they feature live music and have an artist (painter) painting live to the music and then he washes away his art and starts over. Very European scene and they have the 'Little Next Door' cafe right next door which is cheaper and more of a french coffee house!

[Timtom]

10:37 AM on 06/25/2010

I love the Sunset Marquis. It's quite possibly the coolest spot in town. Great article.

[PreferDineLA]

06:26 PM on 08/02/2010

Couldn't agree with you more. We picked Sunset Marquis for today's PreferDine deal because it has a restaurant that hardly ANYONE knows about. And we wanted to highlight Chef Guillaume Burlion because we think he's a genius. Check out the deal for RESTAURANT at Sunset Marquis, $30 for $60 at PreferDine­.com.

[foodisgood]

11:07 PM on 06/24/2010

I think this is a solid list - I've actually been to a number of the places ... it seems like the idea is to feature nice places rather than just any old dive - especially in LA where you can pretty much eat outside anywhere all year long... and just because a place is nice doesn't mean it's over-price­d.

[Helpcomputer]

07:24 AM on 06/25/2010

Ok, are you a friend of the author or one of the restaurant owners or something? You posted 3 comments on a 17 comment thread defending the terrible choices on this stupid list.

[foodisgood]

10:17 AM on 06/25/2010

I just signed up for huffington­post yesterday and this article caught my eye - but its not the only one I have commented on or read - sorry to let you down.

[hdohighdesertobserver]

09:01 PM on 06/24/2010

Did the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe used to be called the Sandcastle­?

[Bill Swadley]

07:46 PM on 06/24/2010

I agree with the hotel comments. There are loads of great restaurant­s with awesome outdoor areas in LA without including those poolside at hotels. If you haven't had dinner at Cafe des Artistes, you haven't alfrescoed­, baby. And what about Sunset Plaza? Cravings & Le Clafoutis give you great food and a constant stream of people to watch as they flit from overpriced shop to overpriced shop on the boulevard. (Desert Rose, BTW, is 1700 Hillhurst. Drop the North or your GPS will get confused.)

[romigua]

05:16 PM on 06/24/2010

What about Costco in Burbank? Cheap and good. No reservatio­ns.

[Joe in Hollywood]

10:40 AM on 06/29/2010

Polish dog , and a drink, $1.50.

It's the best deal in town.

Pizza's not bad either for $10.

[rBecky]

05:00 PM on 06/24/2010

You know what would be really great? A list of outdoor restaurant­s in Los Angeles.

[rollingrock]

03:29 PM on 06/24/2010

Hotel restaurant­s?

I can see why they all appear devoid of customers.

[dansup]

03:27 PM on 06/24/2010

I'll stick with my local taco stand, thanks anyway

[elsancho]

02:31 PM on 06/24/2010

#9 Los Feliz is NOT THE EASTSIDE!

[foodisgood]

11:33 PM on 06/24/2010

Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park --- you can practicall­y touch the Los Angeles River --- when most of us hear 'eastside' we think of those areas too... but yes you are technicall­y correct - not sure if you needed all caps, but yes... you are right.... feel better?

[ChangeurMind]

01:36 PM on 06/24/2010

"Best Alfresco Restaurant­s in Los Angeles to Meet With Arr1anna.

[ChangeurMind]

01:35 PM on 06/24/2010

Who in LA goes to Hotels to eat ? These LA lists are lame. Riverside is so far from LA. Malibu is not LA. Not one within a mile of downtown LA was even mentioned.

[foodisgood]

11:03 PM on 06/24/2010

I go to hotels to eat all the time (especiall­y brunch) - you can count on the quality and it's a nice experience - like a day-cation­.

[MartyinLA]

01:23 PM on 06/24/2010

There are soooooooo many alfresco places in LA, this is a joke.

[chrisoleary]

12:26 PM on 06/24/2010

If by "best" you mean "prettiest­", you also mean "most expensive"­. I would put Taco Zone, the taco truck in Echo Park high on my own version of this list. But I couldn't responsibl­y afford to eat in any of the places listed here.