Black Love's Picks For A Sweet Valentine's Day In LA

Linden - Los Angeles

Go to Linden if you're trying to impress bae for Valentine's Day. We love the cocktails—and be sure to get the sweet corn truffle and pea agnolotti. Bonus points for the Lobster Spicy Reggaetoni, it's a delicious curry lobster cream sauce. Give yourself time to visit the speakeasy in the back!

Alta Adams

We love Alta in West Adams for the vibes! That said, the food is good and there are vegan options. The restaurant is laid back yet chic. There's a bomb wine bar, and a cool patio, which makes for a great experience.

Gritz N Wafflez

This is our go-to catering spot for everything—from our kids' birthdays (the grown ups deserve to eat well!) to brunching at home with our homies. For Valentine's Day, you can grab breakfast with your love or cater! Just remember to get the waffles, the catfish, and ALL of the sides.

1010 Wine and Events

We love this Black sibling-owned restaurant & wine bar and being able to grab good food and our favorite Black-owned wines like Brown Estate, Wade Cellars, and La Fete.

Post & Beam

Owned by Roni and John Cleveland, Post & Beam is familial in the best sort of way. This offers the comfort of a diner with a classicaly trained chef. We are lucky to call Post & Beam a neighborhood staple, and while we're sad to say it'll be closing soon, you can still enjoy Post & Beam until February 27th.

Somerville

Somerville is all the rage right now because it's new and it's owned by Issa Rae. But we love it because it's actually GOODT and brings folks to our neighborhood along the Slauson corridor. Everything here is tasty, so grab bae and have a night!

Two Hommés

This spot is gooooood! Pair any protein with jollof or garlic noodles and the apps are fire, too. Importantly, the music is quality and they have record covers on the walls giving it a 90s vibe and paying homage to great music.

Bludso's BBQ

Sometimes on Valentine's Day, you just want to go IN. Let's not be demure. The meat at Bludsoe's is perfect and the BBQ sauce options offer something for everyone. But—as usual—it's the sides for us. Hush puppies, baked beans, greens, oh my. Take the one you love and fill them up as you celebrate your love.

My 2 cents

This intimate LA staple serves everything from oxtail tacos to catfish and greens and goat cheese salad, to amazing desserts like peach cobbler. And they have vegan options, too!

Joyce Soul and Sea

As a Texan, Codie likes this spot because of it's upscale southern dishes from the shrimp and grits to the oysters and beignets!