While visiting Los Angeles, we stayed in Hollywood and spent some time doing the obligatory tourist…read moreactivities, walking Hollywood Boulevard, checking out the celebrity stars, and taking in all the sights. After a while, our feet were ready for a break, and we were looking for somewhere to grab some food and, hopefully, a beer or two.
A quick Yelp search turned up The Hollywood Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, just steps away from where we were standing. Part of our group decided to head off for burgers at In-n-Out burger down the street, while the rest of us decided to give the rooftop a try. I'm glad we did!
First, finding this place is practically an adventure in itself! For a restaurant in such a prime tourist location, it's amazing how little signage there is. There are apparently two ways up: a staircase from the street or an elevator inside Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. We took the elevator route, navigating through the crowds visiting the museum. Despite all the people, I couldn't find any obvious signs directing visitors to the rooftop restaurant. You'd think they'd want to make it easier for people to find!
Once we finally arrived, we were surprised to discover a beautiful rooftop space that appeared capable of seating around 100 people, yet there were only TWO other customers! Considering the crowds on Hollywood Boulevard below, it felt like we'd discovered a secret hideaway.
The weather was perfect for rooftop dining, warm but not uncomfortably hot. The restaurant has plenty of comfortable seating, including shaded areas, and a relaxed, open-air atmosphere. There's also complimentary self-serve water, which was especially welcome after walking around Hollywood.
The ordering process is casual and straightforward. You line up at the counter, order your food and drinks, take a number, and the staff brings everything to your table.
The food was surprisingly good, and so were the drinks! Everything we ordered was enjoyable, and we had a great time relaxing above the hustle and bustle of Hollywood Boulevard. The prices are definitely geared toward tourists, but that's hardly surprising given the location. We felt the experience was worth it.
One particularly fun feature is the collection of celebrity wax figures scattered around the rooftop. I remember seeing James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, and Scarlett Johansson, among others. It's a nice touch that adds a little Hollywood character to the experience, and you can get some fun photos without fighting the crowds downstairs.
Overall, this was a really enjoyable discovery. Great rooftop atmosphere, good food, refreshing drinks, comfortable seating, and an unexpectedly peaceful escape from the crowds below.
My only real suggestion would be to improve the signage! I suspect a lot more people would visit if they actually knew how to find the place.
If you're exploring Hollywood Boulevard and need somewhere to rest your feet, grab a bite, or enjoy a cold beer or Aperol spritz, I highly recommend making your way up here. Even if you're not hungry, it's absolutely worth stopping in for a drink or two.
Four stars for a fun, unexpected Hollywood rooftop experience!