Locals know Bacari is where you go for a romantic dinner date or a night out with friends — and sitting outside on the restaurant’s expansive whimsical patio is a must. You’ll be surrounded by trees while you enjoy flavorful Italian and Mediterranean-inspired tapas like shawarma tacos and green falafel. String lights provide mood lighting, and the full bar is a great place to sip on one of the restaurant’s signature cocktails while enjoying the vibe at one of the best cozy restaurants in LA.

The Arthur J is a sophisticated steakhouse experience in a stylish setting. Start with a crisp Caesar salad or oysters before moving on to the main show: meat. Expect carefully sourced, premium steaks—think Japanese wagyu and R&R Ranch tenderloin—cooked over a natural wood-fired grill. Lattice wooden dividers and sleek leather bar chairs add to the throwback mid-century vibe enhanced by live jazz on the weekends.

Modern French cuisine is the name of the game at James Beard Award-winning chef Dave Beran’s pasjoli. The stylish Santa Monica restaurant is ideal for date nights and intimate gatherings with close friends. With elegant silk-patterned wallpaper, exposed brick walls, and arches, the space channels a modern Paris bistro—perfect for digging into show-stopping dishes like dry-aged steak tartare with nasturtium pesto or a pressed duck for two.

Located in the heart of Hollywood, celebrity chef Ludo Lefebvre’s French charmer Petit Trois L’Original has become a Los Angeles mainstay since it opened in 2014. A go-to gathering spot for locals, the restaurant boasts a charming patio and a compact indoor space with a bistro-like feel. Come for the famous big mec burger and steak tartare; stay for the standout cocktail menu with crowd-pleasers like the bubbly Pink 75 and a rosemary-infused gimlet.

At Tar & Roses, award-winning chef Andrew Kirschner fires up New American dishes like duck breast with polenta and glazed ribs with an international twist in a wood-fired oven. The ever-changing menu is inspired by seasonal ingredients, making it a place you’ll want to return to over and over again. Exposed bricks, warm mood lighting, and plush booths you can sink into make this one cozy Los Angeles restaurant you’ll want to stay all night at.

Tucked away in Pasadena, Magnolia House is housed in a stunning century-old Craftsman-style house. Known for inventive, shareable contemporary American plates like Moroccan spiced chicken wings plus top-notch cocktails, it’s a favorite for leisurely weekend brunches on the patio. Inside, warm hardwood floors, a roaring fireplace, and cozy seating make Magnolia House a late-night gem you’ll want to stay at for hours.

Dear John’s is practically a Los Angeles institution. While it served as a gathering spot for Hollywood stars like Frank Sinatra back in the day, it has since been reinvented by award-winning chefs Josiah Citrin and Hans Röckenwagner. Dear John’s still has all the hallmarks of an old-school steakhouse: dark lighting, a long bar counter serving stiff cocktails, and classic chophouse menu items that’ll make you want to linger into the wee hours of the night. Don’t miss the lobster thermidor.

For an old-school neighborhood trattoria, head to Via Veneto. Dine on hearty Italian classics like zucchini blossoms and exquisite pastas by candlelight. Level up a special occasion with a bottle of wine from the restaurant’s deep, Italian-leaning list. Grand chandeliers glitter from the ceiling and twinkle lights abound, making this one of the coziest restaurants in Los Angeles.

This gem in the heart of Beverly Hills is where you go for an elegant night out starring ultra-luxe, Japanese-forward dishes like sushi, dim sum, and caviar service. Don’t miss Jade’s exceptional cocktail menu featuring drinks made with premium Japanese whiskey and sake. The dining room, covered in various shades of green and decked with ornate meals, makes any meal here feel like a celebration.

Head to The Derby in the San Gabriel Valley for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Open since 1922, this landmark restaurant is part horse racing museum, part sports bar, and part old-school steakhouse. Settle into one of the deep red leather booths to dig into signature dishes like rack of lamb and pan-seared scallop pasta. A patio fireplace adds to the cozy ambiance.