Where to Dine Al Fresco in LA

From glamorous rooftops to relaxed beachy cafes, Los Angeles abounds with alfresco bars and restaurants. Here’s our pick of where to eat, drink and play during early summer in LA.

Even picky eaters will be perplexed by the vast and varied selection on offer at the semi-alfresco, locally provenanced Original Farmers Market, at Third and Fairfax. In business since 1934, it’s packed to the clouds with rows of gourmet grocers and restaurant-quality food stands, selling everything from crepes to tacos to Texas barbecue. There’s seating inside and out.

Perched atop The Peninsula, like a jewel in the Beverly Hills crown, The Roof Garden caters to a health-conscious crowd with a menu of Cali-fresh classics. Balmy summer weekends are especially buzzy, when the house chefs put on a theatrical BBQ feast – order the sublimely juicy Angus Beef Burger served with Maui sweet onion and Hook's two-year-aged white cheddar, and vye for a lounger beside the fire pit.

Take advantage of the plain-Freeway-sailing on Sundays, and zip up the Pacific Coast Highway to luscious celeb-safari Malibu. After a leisurely stroll along the pier, pausing to admire the mountain-meets-ocean outlook, drop anchor at Malibu Farm Pier Cafe. This sea-ney, sunny, family-run, pier-perched farm-to-tabler is rave busy for its healthy organic lunches and brunches. Better yet, call ahead to place your order and picnic on the beach.

Cliff's Edge / 3626 Sunset Blvd / Silverlake / +1 323 666 6116 / dinner Mon-Sat, brunch Sat-Sun / cliffsedgecafe.com

The Original Farmers Market / 6333 W 3rd St / +1 323 933 9211 / 9am-9pm Mon-Fri, 9am-8pm Sat, 10am-7pm Sun / farmersmarketla.com

The Roof Garden / 5/F / The Peninsula / 9882 S Santa Monica Blvd / Beverly Hills / +1 310 975 2855 / 7am-9pm daily / peninsula.com

Malibu Farm Pier Cafe / 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy / Malibu / +1 310 456 1112 / 8am-4pm Mon-Fri, 8am-6pm Sat-Sun / malibu-farm.com