Best Date Night Magic Restaurants in Highland Park
5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Hippo
James Beard–decorated chef-driven Cal-Italian with standout pastas in a lofty room.
Notable Picks
#1
Hippo
8.8
Tucked behind a former post office, Hippo is chef Matt Molina’s Cal-Italian dining room with handmade pastas and wood-grilled mains in a tall, buzzing space. It sits at the intersection of neighborhood hangout and destination date-night, with a menu that changes often but leans heavily on seasonal produce and technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hippo house rolls with honey butter and sea salt, Tagliolini with duck ragù, Ricotta tortelloni in lemon butter
What Makes it Special: James Beard–decorated chef-driven Cal-Italian with standout pastas in a lofty room.
#2
Nativo
8.8
Nativo is a modern agave-focused cantina where chef-driven Mexican plates meet one of Highland Park’s strongest cocktail programs, with owners Gabriel Paredes and Corissa Hernandez steering the vision. Weekday happy hour brings discounted tacos, snacks, and signature drinks, making the back patio and bar a go-to early-evening hangout for locals.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mole-covered tater tots, Street-style taco trio (tinga, mole verde, barbacoa), Cucurrucu mezcal cocktail
What Makes it Special: Cocktail-bar energy with serious regional Mexican cooking and agave.
#3
Checker Hall
8.6
Checker Hall transforms a restored 1920s Masonic hall into a Mediterranean-leaning supper-and-cocktails room with shareable mezze, skewers, and composed plates. The menu blends California produce with dishes like labneh, seared halloumi, and harissa-spiced vegetables, so it works as well for a full dinner as it does for snacks with drinks. A buzzy bar, balcony views over Figueroa, and ties to the Lodge Room music venue make it a fixture of Highland Park nights out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted Harissa Carrots, Seared Halloumi Salad, Baja Shrimp Skewers
What Makes it Special: Part restaurant, part cocktail den, Checker Hall pairs Mediterranean-leaning plates with a dramatically lit 1920s Masonic hall setting.
#4
Yi Cha
8.5
Yi Cha is a modern Korean pub from chef Debbie Lee, bringing pocha-style drinking food, creative small plates, and a serious soju and cocktail program to Highland Park. Open late on weekends, it’s become a neighborhood destination for shared plates like Korean fried chicken, gamjatang, and playful bar snacks in a neon-lit, alley-like dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gochujang buffalo Korean fried chicken, Wagyu bone marrow corn cheese, Gamjatang (spicy pork and potato stew)
What Makes it Special: A true Korean pocha experience with serious cocktails outside Koreatown.
#5
Mala Class
8.5
Mala Class is a modern Sichuan dining room where crisp mala wings share menu space with dan dan noodles and numbing small plates. Opened in 2024, it’s already a buzzy York Blvd destination for sharp, chili-forward flavors and a compact, design-forward room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Mala Wings, Dan Dan Noodles, Mushroom Fries
What Makes it Special: Modern Sichuan dining where mala wings share spotlight with noodle classics.