While West Los Angeles may not have the tallest buildings in town, it is home to several rooftop restaurants and lounges that offer awe-inspiring views of the city or the Pacific Ocean. To help you celebrate the warmer weather, we have rounded up the best rooftop bars and eateries on the Westside. From glamorous terrace restaurants to laid-back lounges, these five rooftops are varied, but they each offer spectacular views. Save this guide for your next outing with friends or family! 

• Merois, West Hollywood

Situated on the rooftop of Pendry West Hollywood, Merios is a chic eatery by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. The restaurant is well-loved for its delicious pan-Asian food offerings and panoramic vistas of the city’s skyline. Guests can expect flavorful dishes from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, and beyond, along with a raw bar and sushi menu. Order the Spicy Chicken Dumplings, Wok Seared Broccolini, Stir-Fried Noodles, Red Thai Curry, or the Crispy Rice Crab Salad, and you will not be disappointed. 

In addition, Merois hosts interesting pop-up events and special menus. For instance, to celebrate Holi, the Hindu festival of spring, the restaurant collaborated with the team of Badmaash, a leading Los Angeles-based Indian eatery, to craft a delectable Indian-fusion menu comprising scrumptious dishes such as Goan Style Sea Bass Curry, Paneer Saag Lasagna, and Masala Chai Tiramisu.

At Merois, mains are priced from $16 onwards.

• High Rooftop Lounge, Venice

Perched atop Hotel Erwin, High Rooftop Lounge is a trendy bar overlooking Venice Beach and the Pacific Ocean. I suggest checking out this lounge during sunset and grabbing a table directly opposite the ocean. The rooftop lounge serves delicious Californian small bites, snacks, and lip-smacking cocktails. From their food menu, the Quinoa Avocado Salad, Shrimp Ceviche, Baja Fish Tacos, Chicken Katsu Sandwich, Wild Mushroom Flatbread, and Fries are crowd favorites. The beverage list boasts signature and classic cocktails, wine, beer, and mocktails. The Espresso Martini, Pina Colada, and Old Fashioned are worth trying. 

The food dishes at High Rooftop Lounge range from $10 to $28 and cocktails are $19. Moreover, High serves a special Happy Hour menu on weekdays from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The Happy Hour menu includes snacks for $5 onwards and cocktails for $15.

• Grandmaster Recorders, Hollywood

Grandmaster Recorders is a 15,000-square-foot, multi-level space boasting an expansive studio bar, a coastal Italian and Australian-inspired restaurant, and a charming rooftop space with panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills. Helmed by husband and wife Australian duo Culinary Director Monty Koludrovic and Executive Pastry Chef Jaci Koludrovic, the eatery’s culinary crew is composed of industry veterans hailing from leading restaurants. The rooftop menu comprises small plates, pizzas by the slice, and a range of specialty cocktails, wines, and beers. I tried the Pepperoni Pizza Slice, Pork, and Veal Meatballs served with Grilled Focaccia and an Aperol Spritz, and was very impressed. The food was simple, yet greatly satisfying.

Small plates at Grandmaster Recorders are priced $10-$24 and cocktails are $19.

• The Rooftop by JG, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills

Located on the 12th floor of the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills hotel, this upscale eatery is perfect for a celebration. Locals and tourists frequent this rooftop eatery for its impeccable service and stunning setting. Offering obstructed vistas of Beverly Hills and Hollywood, the lively restaurant serves a mix of Latin American, Southeast Asian, and California cuisine. They also have a large variety of vegan and vegetarian options. Highlights from their offerings include the Lobster Burger, Eggs Benedict, Grilled Octopus, ​​Spicy ‘Thai’ Beef Burger, Linguine with Shrimp Scampi and Calabrian Chili, ​​​​Spaghettini with Fava Beans and Pistachios, and Grilled Lamb Chops. The dishes are innovative and nuanced.

Main dishes at The Rooftop by JG are priced at $30 onwards.

• Canopy Club, Culver City 

Inspired by the carefree atmosphere of Palm Springs, the Canopy Club is a vibrant poolside restaurant and bar situated on the rooftop of the Shay Hotel in Culver City. Canopy Club’s ambiance instantly makes you feel like you’re on holiday. The eatery’s culinary team is led by Chef Michael Santoro who crafts a seasonal selection of California-inspired dishes. At this rooftop eatery, I ordered the Canopy Club Burger, Rosemary Fries with chipotle aioli, and the Organic Black Kale Salad, which was served with pickled apricots, sourdough croutons, pecorino, onions, sunflower and lemon. The perfectly balanced food was made of fresh ingredients and packed a punch. I suggest visiting Canopy Club with a big group of friends so that you can try a bunch of mouth-watering appetizers. 

The regular menu food is $10 onwards and cocktails are $18. The Canopy Club also offers a Happy Hour menu Monday – Thursday from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Cocktails are priced at $10 during Happy Hour.

Photo of High Rooftop Lounge courtesy of Hotel Erwin.