Perch ★8.9

Perch — a French bistro floating over downtown

Rooftop bars usually make you choose: the view or the food. Perch refuses the trade-off. Perched atop the historic Pershing Square Building in the heart of DTLA, it runs a proper French bistro kitchen fifteen floors above the street — steak frites and escargots served against an unobstructed sweep of the Los Angeles skyline.

The concept

Perch spreads across two levels: an elegant bistro floor with open-air terraces and, one flight up, a rooftop lounge where fire pits and skyline views do the talking. Executive Chef Gerardo Benitez cooks playful takes on French classics built on seasonal California produce, while the bar leans Parisian — clean, spirit-forward cocktails, more than two dozen wines by the glass, and a rare-for-LA collection of Cognacs and Armagnacs. Live music plays nightly, giving dinner a supper-club pulse.

What to order

The steak frites is the signature — flat iron with maître d’ butter, bordelaise and truffle-cheese fries. Mussels arrive in a saffron broth with cherry tomatoes and crostini for dunking; escargots come classic, in garlic butter and parsley; the crispy duck confit is the coldest-evening comfort. At weekend brunch, the eggs Benedict has a devoted following. Finish with a Cognac upstairs by the fire.

The space

Inside, it is all Parisian salon — velvet, dark wood, low lamplight. Outside, wraparound terraces with outdoor fireplaces, twinkling lights and lounge seating face the towers of downtown; from the upper rooftop deck the city unrolls in every direction, spectacular at golden hour and glittering after dark.

Who it’s for

Date nights that need a guaranteed wow, visitors who want the DTLA skyline with real cooking behind it, cocktail lovers chasing atmosphere, and anyone celebrating something worth toasting above the rooftops.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation? Strongly recommended, especially for sunset time slots and weekend evenings; walk-ins fare best on weeknights.

Is there a dress code? Upscale casual — presentable jeans are fine. Late on Friday and Saturday nights the venue turns 21-and-over.

When is the best time to come? Arrive about an hour before sunset: you get the daylight panorama, the golden hour and the city lights in one sitting.

Is there live music? Yes — live performers most evenings, typically from early to mid-night, with a rotating lineup.

Can I just come for drinks? Yes. The rooftop lounge level is built exactly for that — cocktails, fire pits and the skyline, no dinner commitment required.

Opening hours