Home to iconic gay bars, world-class restaurants, the Design District, and a thriving nightlife scene, West Hollywood is the beating heart of Los Angeles’s vibrant LGBTQ community. The city itself was founded on a spirit of activism that continues to this day: In 1984, a group of LGBTQ renters, activists, and seniors rallied to make West Hollywood its own city within LA County to fight against the threatened end of rent control in Los Angeles.
Today, more than 40% of residents here identify as LGBTQ, and WeHo is home to one of the largest and most spirited Pride celebrations in the world. To celebrate, check out these LGBTQ-friendly restaurants in the neighborhood, which are always big on Pride festivities.
WeHo Bistro
This LGBTQ-owned, French-inspired restaurant near the Sunset Strip has been a neighborhood gem for more than a decade. “We are at the heart of WeHo, and we think we are the heart of WeHo,” owner Jeff Douek says. You’ll recognize it by the 200 Pride flags flying outside, and the restaurant is doing a drink special this month. Snag one of the bistro tables on the wraparound patio to watch the action along La Cienega and Sunset Boulevard, or go for the chic, greenery-lined atrium for a chill vibe.
La Boheme
You won’t see an empty seat in the house come brunch at this bustling brasserie. “Being part of the WeHo community during Pride means engaging in a joyful, supportive, and inclusive celebration, while continuing to advocate for equality and acceptance,” CEO Lucian Tudor says. Get comfortable at roomy round booths in the whimsical garden. The menu is packed with classics with a twist like lobster Benedict. Bottomless mimosas and sangria pitchers keep the party going into the early evening.
Caviar Kaspia
It’s all about roe and revelry at this swanky lounge, and it should come as no surprise that they go big on Pride celebrations. “Last year, for our Pride Disco, we hung a giant disco ball, cranked vinyl tunes, and served caviar and Champagne to celebrate,” general manager Chelsie Hoff says. Expect more of the same as you luxuriate in the open-air garden done up in Caviar Kaspia’s blue and white tones with Art Deco accents and travertine flooring.
Gracias Madre
It’s always a rollicking, margarita-fueled time at this vegan Mexican stunner with one of the most popular patios in the neighborhood. The inside of the restaurant is gorgeous, too, with white-washed brick walls, sky-high ceilings, and a blue-and-white tiled bar. No matter where you sit, dishes like mushroom quesadillas and roasted butternut squash enchiladas are the perfect foil for refreshing mezcal and tequila drinks from the bar.
Catch LA
There’s plenty of eye candy at Catch LA, a New York seafood export with a high dose of style. Not only is the rooftop hotspot with a flower-adorned wraparound terrace one of the most beautiful restaurants in the city, but it also serves elegant dishes like truffle sashimi, sesame-seared salmon, and miso-glazed sea bass. Cocktails that riff on classics like the mojito and manhattan add to the sophisticated vibe.
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
