The Foolproof Valentine’s Day Guide for Each L.A. Neighborhood

Los Angeles isn’t just one city—any resident of the City of Angels is will tell you that L.A. feels like a dozen little cities in one. A few miles on the freeway can drop you into somewhere totally different from the neighborhood you just left. A trip down the 405 can feel like you’ve just taken a trip to another state. As you prepare for your SoCal Valentine’s Day, remember that you have a great weapon at your disposal in your quest to conquer your lover’s heart: options.

From the bustling blocks of Western Ave. in Koreatown to the laid-back boutiques of Abbot Kinney, there are numerous places that can set you up for Valentine’s Day success. There’s no reason why you can’t find the perfect option for the person of your dreams. Here is The Foolproof Valentine’s Day Guide for Each L.A. Neighborhood.

Yes, Hollywood means wading through crowds of tourists, especially if you are hanging out east of WeHo. However, there are a number of great places for locals to feel romantic without feeling overcrowded. In fact, there are so many restaurants in Hollywood that it is impossible to detail every great option without republishing the Zagat guide. Some local favorites include hearty Italian and steaks at Musso & Frank’s, sushi at Yamashiro or Murakami, and the daring and delicious food at Ink.

Hollywood might have more restaurants per capita than anywhere in the U.S., so please understand that we are barely scratching the surface of your options. The same is true for bars and dessert spots (though you can’t go wrong with Pour Vous for cocktails and treats from Joan’s on Third). You could make one of these lists just from your options on Larchmont alone.

Hollywood has a ton of movie theaters, and many of them play far more than your standard blockbuster fare. The Egyptian Theatre is playing Breakfast at Tiffany’s the night of the 14th, as is Cinespia. The New Beverly hasn’t announced what they’re up to yet as of this writing, but its sure to be interesting. And if you want to see a new release in its full glory, it can’t get much better than the Arclight.

Along with downtown, K-Town has the most urban feel in Los Angeles. Instead of the suburban neighborhoods of the west side, you get tall buildings and bright lights along Western and Wilshire. Great restaurants are practically pressed elbow-to-elbow in K-Town. There are more than a few spots where you’ll see a Korean BBQ place across the street from another Korean BBQ place; they may even share valets. There are dozens of barbecue places in K-Town, so once you figure out your price point, you can start narrowing things down. A few great spots include Bud Namu, Ma Dang Sae and Castle 2. You should consider cost and wait time as you figure out which Korean BBQ is right for you. If you aren’t into a carnivorous diet, tofu houses (like Beverly Soon Tofu House and So Kong Dong) and noodle spots also abound; just like with the barbecue spots, the hardest part will be choosing between the many worthy options.

Once you’ve whittled down your dinner choice, your night is just getting started. Celebrate your love over Soju at one of K-Town’s many bars (like Thirteen XIII or 2nd Floor Soju Lounge). Once you get drunk enough to convince yourself it’s a good idea, rent a karaoke booth at a spot like Gaam or Feel and profess your undying devotion to your beloved with the help of Katy Perry and Ke$ha.

If you prefer sushi to Korean BBQ, head to Little Tokyo. Hama Sushi, Sushi Gen, Toshi Sushi, and Sushi Enya are all neighborhood sushi spots with over four stars and hundreds of reviews on Yelp. If you’ve still got room after you down that sushi, try the famous ramen at Daikokuya or the unreal Japanese snacks at Mitsuru Cafe. If it’s Japanese booze you’re after to end your evening, hit up Far Bar, which offers dozens of Japanese beers. For American flavors and American kitsch check out The Escondite, where you can play some board games and listen to some indie rock. If this will be your first time in Little Tokyo, check out the Japanese Village Plaza for a cross-section of best restaurants and shops in Little Tokyo.

The area around Echo Park (the lovely park for which the neighborhood is named) offers some of the most eclectic experiences in Los Angeles. Echo Park is home to the Dave Eggers-run Echo Park Time Travel Mart (a zany shop that kicks its profits towards tutoring children) and the avant-garde art/workspace The Machine Project. As you make your way around the park and the hip storefronts nearby, there are also a lot of great drinking and dining options for a romantic evening.

If you’re interested in hearty American fare, The Park has you covered. For delicious vegan fare, Sage Vegan Bistro is a must. Red Hill is doing the gastropub thing as well as anybody right now. Echo Park also has one of the best bar scenes in the city. Mohawk Bend, with over 72 brews on tap, is a beer snob’s dream. The ultra-hip El Prado is known for its fancy bar food and all-vinyl playlist. The Echo is not only one of the hottest watering holes in the city, but the venue offers some of the best, most interesting live music in all of L.A. If you’re up for it by 10, check out the Echo’s funk/soul party, aptly titled Funky Sole.

It’s hard to be hip, earthy, and chic all at the same time, but that’s exactly what Venice manages to pull off. On Abbot Kinney, the shopping and dining center of Venice, you’ll see high-end boutiques nestled next to stores selling funky knick-knacks across the street from rustic cocktail bars. If you’re going out in Venice you might as well try something quirky like Gjelina, which offers dishes like squid ink chitarra, little neck clams, chili and parmesan, or The Tasting Kitchen, which has both Moorish Quail and Lambic Battered Apple Fritters on the menu.

After dinner, browse the shops of Abbot Kinney while trying to avoid maxing out your credit cards. Then, head to one of the many cool bars in the area for a nightcap. The Townhouse, The Otheroom, and the High Rooftop Lounge are all nice ways to end a romantic evening—or begin one, if you know what we mean.

For years, Silverlake and Los Feliz were constantly jockeying for the honor of being L.A.’s coolest neighborhood. Though downtown has recently emerged as one of the coolest neighborhoods in the country, these two neighborhoods still boast some of the hippest offerings in the city. When one gets a hip wine bar, the other gets a cool brunch spot. Just when the coolest vintage store drops into one neighborhood, the other opens the doors of a vegan bakery. Rather than try to pick between the two, we’ll let you decide. Let’s start with Silverlake.

Cliff’s Edge probably tops the list of desirable Silverlake Valentine’s Day dining destinations. Not only is the food beloved citywide, but the restaurant offers outdoor seating most restaurants would die for. The pastas and meats at Blair’s and the Mexican platters at Malo are also hard to beat. If your going for something a little more casual, you’ll find offbeat Thai and American spots peppered throughout the neighborhood.

After dinner you have all kinds of options. You could go to the weekly dance party at The Satellite. You may want to look out for a repeat of El Cid’s flamenco and burlesque Valentine’s Day Weekend. Or you could just hit some of the coolest bars in the city, like Hyperion Tavern, The Black Cat, and the Cha Cha Lounge. You’re sure to have a great time no matter what path you choose.

It’s going to be tough to narrow down all of the great V-Day choices Los Feliz has to offer. One of the best brunch spots in L.A., The Alcove, hosts an adult prom in honor of St. Valentine. MessHall is known for its Valentine’s Day prix fixe menu. Neighborhood standbys like Rockwell Table & Stage, The Dresden, and Figaro are sure to please. Most of these spots double as excellent bars, and there are others to check out, like 4100 Bar and Harvard & Stone.

Keep an eye out for cool events in the area as V-Day draws near and venues start announcing how they will draw in the young and bohemian. The Rockwell is playing host to a new production of Romeo and Juliet, featuring songs of Pat Benatar on the Feb. 14, and if we know Los Feliz, a number of other strange, amazing events in the area will be announced in the days ahead.

If your lady has a taste for rock, you will want to hit the strip this Valentine’s Day. The moment you cross into the Sunset Strip, you can feel rock ‘n roll history all around you. This V-Day, you could head to The Viper Room and hear Fan Halen (L.A.’s favorite Van Halen cover band). There is a raucous slate of bands scheduled on Feb. 14 at the historic Whiskey A Go Go. If you’re into something a little more contemporary, you can take in the sonic anthems of PAPA at The Roxy. Even if hip-hop is more your style, the Strip has you covered. RiFF RAFF is playing the House of Blues that night.

Dining options on the Strip are just as eclectic as the tunes. Nonna of Italy offers top-shelf Italian cuisine. BOA Steakhouse is prepared to satisfy all of your surf and turf needs. Talesai offers a hip vibe and top notch Thai. And, of course, a rock ‘n roll neighborhood wouldn’t be complete without a solid collection of bars. Whether you’re in the mood for a high-class drink at the historic Bar Marmont or you want to get down and dirty at Rock ‘N Reilly’s Irish Pub, you’ll find the nightcap vibe that is right for you.

Historically, Downtown Los Angeles doesn’t conjure up images of romance. The city and many businesses have put a lot of effort towards changing that. You can check out one of a number of awesome Valentine’s Day events planned for DTLA, including an ’80s adult prom at The Standard, and a Vaudeville Freak Show at The Regent. Of course, you can check out spots that always have something going on like the swank rooftop bar at the Ace.

Before you join any bustling crowds, you’ll probably want some romantic time, and downtown has you covered there, too. DTLA has become home to lots of new and exciting cuisine in recent years. Hip, delicious restaurants like Bäco Mercat, Alma, and Mo-Chica are bringing diners to the area in droves.

Once you’ve finished dinner, allow yourself to discover what much of the city already has: the Downtown Arts District. Grab a beer at Angel City Brewery or get a, espresso at Stumptown to keep you awake and exploring the shops, galleries, and bars of rejuvenated DTLA.