Are you in the mood to try something new? For the perfect change of scenery, be sure to check out these five rooftop restaurants in L.A.
E.P. & L.P.
603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnWqqkoAnNB/E.P. & L.P. soared to the top of L.A.’s roof scene with its mix of poppy Palm Springs-style decor, Southeast Asian-inspired food and drink, and a view of the Hollywood Hills. The main dining room is downstairs, but up here you can still savor Louis Tikaram’s softshell crab bao, crisp tofu fries, and turmeric pork skewers with your Kriss Kross—a gin-powered libation featuring lime, coconut water, and boba pearls.
Commissary
3515 Wilshire Blvd., Korea-town.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeOWIOnBJXn/Roy Choi’s poolside joint at the Line Hotel pushes the definition of alfresco—the communal tables and hanging plants are enclosed in a supersize greenhouse. But most days the structure’s sides stay open, and the diffused sunshine still finds its way in. Stiff drinks arrive in cheeky Tupperware containers, and an illustrated menu skews vegetable-centric, revealing a different, lighter side of Choi that suits the airy digs.
The Roof on Wilshire
6317 Wilshire Blvd., Mid Wilshire.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bm15iZhBwrG/Hovering over the Miracle Mile’s relatively desolate dining scene is this smattering of loungey nooks and fire pit-adjacent tables around the Hotel Wilshire’s turquoise pool. The expanse allows plenty of room to take in the cityscape over a quinoa, broccoli, and squash salad; roasted branzino; or a spiffy grilled cheese sandwich. Considering that chef Eric Greenspan also runs a fast-casual concept dedicated to the last, the gooey sammie is pretty much de rigueur.
Perch
448 S. Hill St., downtown L.A.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnVfORNgF3_/
Few had seen downtown L.A. from this angle until Perch started pouring rosé on the 15th floor of the historic Pershing Square Building. A private elevator whisks guests to the Moroccan-tiled roost, where a knockout vista greets diners before they settle into low-slung seats for cheese spreads, bouillabaisse, and steaks with truffle fries. Sunset is aperitif hour, when dosing bubbly with a shot of crème de cassis costs only $6.
The Wine Bar at the Hollywood Bowl
2301 Highland Ave., Hollywood.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BHlKOPuAU-x/A roof is a roof, be it 20 floors up or 2. The Hollywood Bowl’s preshow dining loft doesn’t score points for altitude, but it sports a revamped menu this season, courtesy of Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne. Here the duo channel the vibe of their 3rd Street restaurant, A.O.C., with biodynamic wines and seasonal, shareable plates that, when paired just right, make for one tasty overture.
