Another romantic spot in Topanga makes the top ten list
This Valentine’s Day, as Cupid aims his golden arrow, those celebrating love may be delighted to know that two Malibu restaurants have earned the top two spots as the most romantic dining destinations in Los Angeles. According to Time Out’s latest Los Angeles guide, the path to a lover’s heart appears to lead straight up Pacific Coast Highway to two Malibu establishments at the pinnacle of amorous dining experiences.
Leading the newly updated list of 11 venues, recently trimmed down from 18 selections,
the most romantic of all is Nobu Malibu, the iconic Japanese restaurant that Time Out Group media describes as so stunning visitors might find themselves muttering, “Is this real life?” The celebrity hotspot, which relocated from the Malibu Country Mart to its current beachfront location in 2002, offers what the guide calls quintessential “see-and-be-seen” dining with spectacular ocean views that somehow become even more atmospheric after sunset.
The largely unenclosed dining room allows sweeping water vistas from virtually every angle, while tall hedges create an exclusive yet intimate ambiance. Diners can indulge in Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature dishes, including the famous Black Cod with Miso and Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño, all while positioned mere feet from crashing ocean waves. But be forewarned. Nobu features one of the priciest menus on the list and reservations fill up fast, 30 days in advance and are only taken by phone. If you miss out this Valentine’s Day, there’s always next year.
The number two spot in Time Out’s rankings is the gorgeous Geoffrey’s Malibu, praised for its dramatic clifftop perch at 27400 Pacific Coast Highway. The restaurant manages to balance family-friendly appeal with undeniable romantic allure, particularly for couples securing coveted tables along the railing that offer unobstructed Pacific panoramas.
The menu features California cuisine with global influences, from classic steaks and seafood to unexpected offerings like soy-glazed tofu and vegan red curry. The crowd favorite remains the baked Brie in puff pastry, served with pear chutney, beurre blanc, and toasted pine nuts. The restaurant also provides direct access to a lesser-known public beach, perfect for romantic strolls before or after meals.
What gives these two Malibu restaurants their romantic edge? According to Time Out’s assessment, it’s the unbeatable combination of natural beauty, culinary excellence, and that ineffable California coastal magic. Time Out’s updated guide specifically highlights beachside and rooftop venues with stunning views, and these two Malibu establishments delivered on both fronts.
The guide’s editors noted that today’s diners expect more than just good food when celebrating special occasions. They want experiences that create lasting memories and probably a few selfies that provide a stunning backdrop. Whether it’s the sound of waves crashing during dinner at Nobu or watching the sun set, painting the sky pink and purple over the Pacific from Geoffrey’s tropical terrace, these venues offer sensory experiences that transcend typical dining.
While Malibu restaurants took the two top spots on the list, the fairytale, multi-tiered patio at Inn of the Seventh Ray in nearby Topanga Canyon earned the 7th spot on the list of romantic dining venues. The Inn of the Seventh Ray, that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary is a popular site for weddings, hosting more than 100 a year and likely proposals too. Time Out called the “Inn” a “bucolic city escape” perfect for “love-stricken diners.” In the daytime, the wooded setting is serene, next to a sometimes-babbling brook. At night, under twinkling lights draped around lilac and oak trees, the scene becomes more dramatic and alluring for young lovers and those young at heart, celebrating lasting relationships.
Rounding out Time Out’s list, two Santa Monica restaurants made the cut – the swanky Penthouse at the Huntley Hotel, 18 floors up, featuring stunning ocean and city lights views and the chic and bustling Elephante. Elephante’s indoor/outdoor space is one of the buzziest, casually elegant spaces around, serving seasonal California Italian cuisine and breezy cocktails.
Interesting to note that no restaurant in Beverly Hills made the list.
Rounding out Time Out’s most romantic establishments are: Wolfgang Puck’s pan-Asian eatery Merois, perched high atop the Sun Rose building in West Hollywood, offering a glitzy setting and views; celebrity hotspot Ardor at EDITION in West Hollywood; Mirate in Los Feliz, offering Mexican delicacies and cocktails in a dreamy open-air dining room; Cara Restaurant whose outdoor dining room surrounds a stunning reflective pool with an occasional live jazz band; the dark and moody Firefly in Studio City, featuring a cozy fireplace, secret garden, and twinkling lights; and finally at number 11, downtown Los Angeles’ 71 Above that boasts views from Malibu to Laguna Hills.
