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From charcuterie boards to snack trays, girl dinners are all the craze! Though nothing beats gathering with your favorite gals over wine and a random assortment of your favorite foods at home, Los Angeles is the perfect place to enjoy a more elevated take on “girl dinner.” Whether you’re looking to chow down on your favorite Mexican apps in Beverly Hills or grab a beautiful charcuterie board for a beachside picnic, planning the ideal girl dinner is easier than ever. Enjoy the ultimate combo of girl time and grazing when you visit these 11 LA restaurants.
The Hideaway
The spacious patio, cozy fireplace and lush greenery set the scene for a chic girl dinner in the heart of Beverly Hills. The Hideaway specializes in modern Mexican cuisine, making it the ultimate place for margaritas and a zesty spread of appetizers. The pink margarita with Rosa Tequila and elderflower liqueur screams girl dinner, but the One Night in Tulum with passion fruit is another lady-friendly libation. In addition to the standard chips and guacamole, be sure to order the snapper ceviche, pan-roasted octopus and tuna tartare. You can also up the ante with some caviar and chips.
Location: Beverly Hills
Golden Hour at Level 8
Located at the recently opened Moxy Hotel in DTLA, Golden Hour at Level 8 is a lively and vibrant poolside lounge. The carousel-inspired bar boasts carnival lights and beautiful chandeliers, while the palm-leaf-motif cabanas and lounge chairs add a tropical yet timeless touch. Snack on empanadas while you sip on pineapple-infused cocktails at sunset. The craft cocktails are 100% Insta-worthy. If you’re looking for a new place to gather with the girls downtown, Golden Hour should be at the top of your list.
Location: DTLA
Sogno Toscano
Put an Italian twist on girl dinner when you shop at Sogno Toscana. If you’re hosting at home, this authentic Italian specialty food store has everything you need to bring a taste of Tuscany right to your outdoor patio. Build the ultimate charcuterie board with their special selection of cured meats, cheeses, crackers and breadsticks. Sogno Toscana also sells a unique array of Italian cookies and sweets, ensuring that your grazing board can cover every kind of craving. Don’t forget to curate the ideal wine pairing!
Location: Santa Monica
Lady & Larder
Lady & Larder is one of the most beautiful and charming cheese shops in all of Los Angeles. The sister-owned business is located in Santa Monica, allowing you to grab all of your girl dinner goodies before setting up a picnic on the beach. Since Lady & Larder is a cheese shop, there are tons of unique varieties to explore. However, you can also pick up some pre-made platters if you’d like to save some time. Don’t forget to throw in a bottle of chilled red, a baguette and some tinned fish at checkout.
Location: Santa Monica
Capri Club
Capri Club is one of the hottest bars in East LA. The timeless pink interior invites you and the girls to settle in for classic cocktails. With a variety of spritzes and their famous frozen negroni, there truly is a drink for every kind of palate. Though the drinks are certainly the star of the show, you can snack on beloved bar bites like fried fava beans, olives, almonds and a light tuna crudo plate. The bruschetta caprese on Bub’s Bread is another solid addition to your girl dinner spread.
Location: Eagle Rock
Girl & The Goat
Created by the talented Chef Stephanie Izard, Girl & The Goat brings a globally-inspired menu to the heart of DTLA’s bustling Arts District. The innovative menu is meant to be shared, making it easier than ever to curate your ideal girl dinner among a group with diverse tastes. Some can’t-miss dishes include naan and dips, chickpea fritters and roasted oysters. The farmer’s market margarita changes with the seasons, but there’s no denying that a crisp glass of orange wine always hits the spot.
Location: Arts District
5/4
Le Great Outdoor
As the name suggests, Le Great Outdoor is a brand-new dining concept that creates a nostalgic backyard BBQ experience for guests. The farm-to-table menu features French and Brazilian influences, and you can always expect the freshest produce and meats available. Share creative dishes like olives with feta, confit potatoes and albacore-stuffed peppers. Heartier protein options include lamb chops, whole branzino and peri peri chicken skewers. Once you’ve made your selection of shared bites, order a bottle of orange wine for the table and enjoy catching up with your best gals in this lively and alfresco atmosphere.
Location: Santa Monica
Sōgo Roll Bar
To put it simply, hand rolls and girl dinner are a match made in heaven. Located in Los Feliz, Sōgo Roll Bar is a charming and sleek hand roll bar that is open for lunch and dinner every day. Every true sushi lover knows that hand rolls are best enjoyed fresh when the rice is still warm, and Sōgo Roll Bar has mastered the art of this delicate dish. Kick things off with a tangy cucumber salad before digging into the main course. Depending on how hungry you and your girls are, you can choose between a three or six hand roll set.
Location: Los Feliz
Barra Santos
Between the cozy bistro tables and beautiful tiling, Barra Santos is one of the most beautiful and transportive restaurants in East LA. This Portuguese eatery takes no reservations, but it’s great for an early, post-work girl dinner during the week. The cheese of the day is always worth trying and is served alongside a seeded baguette. However, we recommend taking things up a notch with an order of Iberico ham on the side. If you’re a fan of seafood, add tuna crudo to the mix along with some fried whole sardines.
Location: Cypress Park
Fluffy McCloud’s
Since there’s no real rules when it comes to girl dinner, who says you can’t skip the meal and go straight to dessert? This retro ice cream shop is a must-visit for the girlies who have a chronic sweet tooth. The banana split comes with six different ice cream flavors of your choice, making it a great option for patrons hoping to get a taste of everything Though it might not be the first thing you’d expect to order at an ice cream shop, don’t skip the frozen grapes. Play your favorite song on the classic jukebox, and let the good times roll.
Location: Echo Park
OTOTO
Caught a craving for sushi and sake? OTOTO is a special sake bar that is ideal for gal pals looking to bond over Japanese cuisine and rice wine. If you’re new to sake, OTOTO is a great place to dip your toes, as you’ll find some of the best bottles in the city. However, your culinary spread is just as important when trying to get the full girl dinner experience. The otoro sashimi is topped with freshly grated wasabi, while the fried jidori chicken wings come smothered in a sweet soy glaze and golden sesame.
Location: Echo Park
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
