Traditionally, cocktails toe the line between refreshing, sweet, fruity, and spirit-forward. In recent years, however, the savory cocktail has taken over L.A.’s bar and restaurant scene. Though the dirty martini reigns supreme as the ultimate savory cocktail—with places like Tower Bar, Musso & Frank’s, and Dan Tana’s serving up some of the city’s most iconic renditions—Los Angeles mixologists continue to push boundaries and prove that savory flavors can successfully extend beyond your dish and into your drink.
Veggies like bell peppers and tomatoes (yes, we’re aware it’s technically a fruit) have become some of the most popular ingredients for salty libations, while seaweed, algae, and furikake have been used to enhance umami undertones. At Afro-Caribbean eatery Lucia, okra takes center stage in a briny martini, while Bar Benjamin uses everything from saffron to red curry in its savory creations. The Valley’s Daisy Margarita Bar dedicates an entire section of its drink menu to salsa-inspired sippers, and Casa Madera complements its modern Mexican food menu with tomatillo-infused tipples.
Whether you’re craving a pizza-inspired margarita or a rich, mushroom-infused martini, we’ve rounded up the best places to sip savory cocktails in Los Angeles.
—
### Maydan
4301 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
The namesake restaurant at the new Maydan Market in West Adams, this Middle Eastern eatery is the ultimate spot for creamy dips, hearth-roasted veggies, and flavorful kabobs. However, you’ll also find a solid selection of premium cocktails, a few of which fall on the savory side.
– **The Hummus Among Us**: A can’t-miss creation made with Four Pillars Olive Leaf Gin, bell pepper syrup, cumin liqueur, and creamy aquafaba.
– **The Za’atar Martini**: Features olive oil-washed vodka and sumac-sesame oil for a Mediterranean spin on this timeless tipple.
– **The Gin Basil**: An herbaceous sipper with La Bay Lebanese gin, basil, and lemon.
—
### Mírate
1712 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Mírate is a Los Feliz hotspot that functions as both a restaurant and a bar. Ranked as the 12th Best Bar in North America, the multi-level establishment’s award-winning beverage program is led by Maxwell Reis, boasting an array of tequila and mezcal-forward options.
– **The El Taquero**: A crowd favorite with savory undertones and a smooth finish. It features an asiento and tostada-washed mezcal as the spirit, combined with Oaxacan pineapple brandy, Alma Tepec, and lemon. The star ingredient is a house-made cilantro and avocado oil that coats the mouth with a silky texture.
– **The El Guero**: Highlights aguachile, a nopales granita, coconut, and avocado-washed tequila.
—
### Daisy Margarita Bar
14633 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Backed by the same team as Mírate, Daisy Margarita Bar slings one-of-a-kind tequila cocktails in the heart of Sherman Oaks. As the name suggests, margaritas are the focus, and while you can keep things simple with a Cadillac or house margarita, we recommend exploring the savory salsa bar section.
– **Salsa Verde Margarita**: Features charred tomatillo, green chile, cilantro macho, derrumbes salmiana, and fresh lime.
– **Frozen Guacamole Margarita**: Served with a tortilla chip garnish.
– **Baja Slaw Marg**: Tangy and unique, made with purple cabbage, vinegar, fish sauce, and more.
—
### Bar Benjamin
7174 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
After walking up a steep staircase that leads to a secret second floor at The Benjamin, guests enter an elegant, English-style bar with tufted booths, wood-paneled walls, and Art Deco chandeliers. Drinks here are treated as an art form, and the menu is divided by flavor profile.
– **The Last Laugh**: A smoky mezcal base complemented by yellow bell pepper, fermented mango, acid-adjusted pineapple, and saffron.
– **Tommy Boy**: A Thai-inspired intricate libation made with olive leaf gin, coconut rum, red curry, ginger, cilantro, fermented mushroom green tea, pineapple, red jalapeño, and a coconut lemongrass foam.
—
### Death & Co. Los Angeles
818 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Located in Downtown L.A.’s vibrant Arts District, Death & Co. is a cocktail bar known for masterful mixology. The dim-lit, speakeasy-style bar is in a swanky basement behind heavy curtains. Though you might need your phone light to read the menu, cocktails are conveniently organized by flavor profile.
The seasonal menu rotates every few months, but the current main savory offerings include:
– **Fool’s Gold**: Combines fresh citrus flavors, orange bell pepper, and habanero for solid spice and balanced saltiness.
– **Revenant**: Features savory hints from Thai bitters and Basil Eau de Vie.
—
### Rokusho
6630 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Rokusho is a Tokyo transplant that recently revamped its food and drink menu for the better. The brutalist restaurant on Sunset Boulevard has found its footing in the L.A. dining scene, and one of its biggest highlights is the **Suzuki Sour**.
This bright green cocktail can be made with tequila or mezcal and includes Midori, Alma Tepec liqueur, lime, and cilantro. A delicate bundle of fresh cilantro rests gently on top, adding extra savoriness and texture. Pair it with dishes like the Katsuobushi Caesar salad, sweet shrimp and scallop tartare, or the signature A5 Wagyu and bluefin tuna carpaccio.
—
### Lucia
351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Lucia takes your taste buds on an island escape with elevated Afro-Caribbean cuisine and tropical cocktails to match. Alongside plenty of ube and fruity libations, there are savory concoctions to quench your thirst.
– **Okra Martini**: One of the restaurant’s most popular orders, featuring infused vodka with pickled okra brine, escovitch, lemongrass, and a thyme and bay leaf vermouth.
– **Chado Beni Eastside**: A sage-forward, earthy, and herbaceous beverage that pairs beautifully with the coconut leche-topped scallop crudo.
—
### Cosetta
3150 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405
Helmed by L.A.-native chef Zachary Pollack, Cosetta blends Italian cuisine with California farm-fresh produce, offering a balanced menu from hand-tossed pizzas to refreshing crudos and crispy milanesas. The cocktails shine here as well.
– **Sasa**: A martini-style beverage composed of gin, caramelized artichoke, Cynar, Pecorino, Rinomato Americano, and a crispy, cracker-like garnish.
– **Margherita Cocktail**: Perfect with pizza, this tequila cocktail features housemade blood orange and tomato cordial, served with your choice of basil salt or toasted Calabrian chile salt.
—
### Thunderbolt
1263 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Consistently ranked as one of the coolest cocktail bars in Los Angeles, Thunderbolt is a hip, laid-back hangout spot in Echo Park. The food menu boasts Southern-style bites like fried green tomatoes and fried chicken biscuits, while the cocktail list is complex and elegant.
– **Sunomono Vesper**: A briny and boozy spirit-forward sipper made with wakame algae, sesame-infused vodka, gin, and cucumber vermouth.
– **Worldwide Web**: Offers an earthy and umami palate with brandy, shiitake mushrooms, chaga, butter, Bual Madeira, Pineau des Charentes, and green peppercorn.
—
Los Angeles’s savory cocktail scene continues to thrive, offering innovative and delicious ways to savor your drinks. Whether you prefer herbaceous, briny, or umami-rich flavors, these spots deliver unforgettable cocktails that extend the culinary experience beyond the plate. Cheers!
https://observer.com/list/los-angeles-best-savory-cocktails-restaurants-bars/
