The perfect way to extend a great date is to grab dessert at one of these spots!
You’ll definitely want to bookmark this article because there will be a time when you want to continue a good date into the evening after most restaurants close. Here are some great after-dinner dessert places that will keep the date going strong.
The list goes roughly from the West Side to Downtown, then loops back through the valleys.
To make my list, these places need to be open until at least 10 PM on weekend nights. Operating hours are constantly changing though, so please double-check before leaving!
Click a region below to see my recommended late-night dessert spots in that area.
Santa Monica
For a late-night dessert in Santa Monica up to 11 PM on Saturdays, I would go with Urth Caffe.
Urth Caffe (Main)
Open until 11 PM on Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. Urth Caffe is a perfect late-night hangout. Their bakery is excellent and a waiter brings your food to your table, unlike the chain coffeehouses. Most of their locations are downright charming as well.
SomiSomi (Third Street Promenade)
Open until 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other days. SomiSomi is one of our favorite dessert places in all of Los Angeles. Their thing is soft-serve ice cream served in a fish-shaped pastry. They also have freshly made pastries with yummy fillings like Nutella. Definitely a “must-try”!!
Papi Tacos & Churros
Open until 10 PM except for Mondays (closed) and Tuesdays (8 PM). It’s hard to think of a better late-night dessert than Churros! Papi Tacos & Churros is a brand new, lively little spot in Santa Monica on Wilshire not far from the Promenade that offers tasty freshly-made churros hot from the fryer!
Milo and Olive (Wilshire)
Open until 10 PM most nights. With amazing Italian dishes, it’s easy to forget that Milo and Olive on Wilshire has a bakery counter with some sumptuous goodies. Dine inside or in their backyard patio.
Sweet Rose Creamery (Main)
Open until 10 PM Friday through Sunday nights. If you’re on Main Street and craving ice cream after dinner, Sweet Rose Creamery is a good option!
DK’s Donuts (Santa Monica Boulevard)
Open 24 hours. Not a great ambiance or location, but one of the few establishments in Santa Monica that is open 24 hours, and they do have good donuts.
The Cheesecake Factory (Third Street Promenade)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. Whether you love or hate The Cheesecake Factory, you have to admit that they do have tasty cheesecake! A reliably pleasant and happenin’ place to hang out.
Brentwood
Sweet Rose Creamery
Open until 11 PM every day! Located in the Brentwood Country Mart, this Sweet Rose Creamery is open later than the Main Street location. You’ll always find folks hanging out for late-night ice cream here. Very charming and pleasant.
Winston Pies
Open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday nights, 9 PM other nights. These “pie-smiths” create full-size and hand-pies that really hit the spot.
Venice / Marina Del Rey
Salt & Straw
Open until 11 PM every night. There’s always a line at the Salt & Straw on Abbott Kinney, but that’s how you know the ice cream good, and it moves fast. This place never disappoints! There’s no in-store seating, but you can stroll Abbott Kinney while you enjoy your ice cream to go.
Wanderlust Creamery
Open until 11 PM every night. If you’re a bit more adventurous about your ice cream, Wanderlust on Lincoln is the place for you. The flavors like Sticky Rice + Mango and Japanese Neapolitan give you an idea of the international influences here.
The Cheesecake Factory (Marina del Rey)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights.
South Bay
Randy’s Donuts (Inglewood)
Open 24 hours. Randy’s is an L.A. institution. Note, only the famous one in Inglewood is completely open 24 hours a day. Only the drive-through at the Downey location is open 24 hours a day.
The Baked Bear (Hermosa Beach)
Open until 10:30 PM Friday and Saturday, 9:30 PM other days. If you’re in the South Bay, this is the place to go for late-night ice cream sandwiches and cookies.
Urth Caffe (Hawthorne)
Open until 11 PM on Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica, above for description.
The Cheesecake Factory (Redondo Beach)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica.
Rolling Zone Creamery (Lawndale)
Open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. Not the best location or ambiance but regulars swear by their rolled ice cream.
Long Beach
Obviously, I need some help with Long Beach. Leave your favorite LB dessert places in the comments and I’ll add them!
SomiSomi
Open until midnight Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica for description.
West L.A. and Sawtelle Japantown
West L.A.’s Sawtelle Japantown is one of the best areas of the city to go to for a late-night dessert. There are lots of unique options, and it’s just a cool area to walk around in.
B Sweet Dessert Bar
Open until 10 PM Friday through Sunday. B Sweet has freakin’ amazing bread pudding and other desserts in the heart of Sawtelle Japantown, home to many other great dessert spots. On some weekends they even have live music outside!
Millet Crepe
Open until 11 PM Friday through Sunday, 10:30 PM other days. Located in Sawtelle Japantown, Millet will satisfy your late-night crepe cravings.
SomiSomi
Open until 11 PM most nights except for Sunday, when it closes at 10:30 PM. See Santa Monica for description.
Honey Mee
Open until 9:30 PM on weekends, 9 PM on all other days. Honey Mee features milk ice cream and other sweets. There’s also a location in K-Town.
Brian’s Shave Ice
Open until 10 PM every day. Located at the southern end of Sawtelle Japantown, Brian’s serves Hawaiian-style shave ice and Boba. I like their Dole whip – just like Disneyland!
Boba Bear (hookah)
Open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, 1 AM on Sundays, and midnight other days. Make no mistake, Boba Bear is a hookah lounge that serves boba as well as desserts. Not for everyone, but if you’re out really late and craving some sweets, Boba Bear is an option.
Carvel
Open until 11 PM every night. If you’re craving late-night soft serve and don’t mind the mini-mall location, Carvel on Santa Monica near Sepulveda may hit the spot!
Westwood
Diddy Riese (ice cream sandwiches)
Open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, closed Mondays and Tuesdays, open until 11 PM other days. Diddy Riese is a UCLA institution for late-night ice cream sandwiches. At $3.50 each, you won’t find a better dessert deal in town that late at night, if you don’t mind standing in line outside with UCLA students. I assure you it’s worth the wait though.
DipnMix
Open until 2 AM Thursday through Saturday, midnight other days. DipnMix features late-night crepes on Gayley, very close to the UCLA campus. Great reviews on Yelp!
The Apple Pan
Open until midnight Friday and Saturday, 11 PM on Sunday, closed Monday, 9 PM other nights. The Apple Pan is a 1940s-style diner that specializes in pies… We’re talking’ banana cream, cherry, pecan, pumpkin, apple, and more. Of course, you can get vanilla ice cream with any of those!
Chocolate Bash
Open until 1 AM every day. Also features late-night crepes and waffles. DipnMix has slightly better reviews though, so you might want to come here only if DipnMix has closed for the night.
Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream
Open until midnight Friday and Saturday, 11:30 PM other nights. Mashti Malone’s is a favorite for late-night ice cream! It’s known for exotic flavors such as rosewater, saffron, and ginger. Located on Westwood Boulevard.
Saffron & Rose Persian Ice Cream
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other nights. Located on Westwood Boulevard south of Wilshire, Saffron & Rose features some great flavors like saffron pistachio, white rose, and taro and ube, along with old favorites like vanilla. On a random Thursday night after dinner, we were drawn to this place by the long line going out the door. This is a great after-dinner date idea if you’re in the Westwood area.
Culver City
In Culver City, there are three great late-night ice cream options. You can’t go wrong with any of these.
Ginger’s Divine Ice Creams – RECOMMENDED!
Open until 10:45 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 9:45 PM other days. Ginger’s is a cute little ice cream shop on Washington Blvd. that has some of the best ice cream in L.A. That’s a bold claim considering the competition here, but I’m standing by it. Ginger’s has rave reviews on Yelp and always a line to order. It’s also some of the most expensive ice cream you’ll find in Los Angeles, but it’s worth it!
Salt & Straw
Open until 11 PM every night. Nice location at the Culver Steps.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (at Platform)
Open until midnight every day. Another great option for late-night ice cream is Van Leeuwen, located in the Platform hipster shopping center near downtown Culver City. Expect a line and some great flavors!
West Hollywood and Beverly Hills
Bottega Louie
Open until 10 PM every night. If I had to pick a definitive Los Angeles “dessert restaurant”, it would be Bottega Louie. The downtown L.A. location has been a popular dessert destination for years and just re-opened. This location on Santa Monica Boulevard in the heart of West Hollywood is equally popular on weekend nights and has a great back patio. Most famous for their macarons, they also have Tiramisu, ice cream, and pastries. Note, the restaurant part is open later than the patisserie, so if it’s past 10 PM, you might still be able to get dessert on a limited menu.
Gelato Festival
Open until 10 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 9PM other days. Tucked away near the end of Melrose Avenue where it meets Santa Monica Boulevard, Gelato Festival features artisanal hand-crafted gelato flavors with an impressive 4.5 stars on Yelp. If you don’t do milk, their vegan gelatos are highly-rated as well. The interior is fun and whimsical with oversized spoons adorning the walls.
Insomnia Cookies
Open until 2 AM Thursday through Saturday, 1 AM other days. Living up to its name, Insomnia Cookies might be your best option past midnight. They feature Yelp-approved cookies and ice cream sandwiches in the heart of West Hollywood (across from Bottega Louie). A Westwood location is supposedly coming soon.
Urth Caffe (Beverly Hills)
Open until 11 PM on Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica, above.
Salt & Straw
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice above.
The Cheesecake Factory
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica.
Mid-City
Mid-city has some great dessert spots, unfortunately, some like the Magnolia Bakery and Milk are not open that late anymore. But there’s still Better Than Sex, my top late-night date destination in the area!
Better Than Sex – A Dessert Restaurant
Open until midnight Thursday through Sunday, closed other days. Better Than Sex is exactly what this list is all about – it’s an after-dinner date dessert restaurant. This place is definitely more high-end than almost any other place on this list; they even serve wine and beer! They feature pies, cakes, and dessert drinks. This is the place to go for late-night dessert in mid-city!
Urth Caffe (Beverly Hills)
Open until 11 PM on Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica, above.
Swingers (Beverly Grove)
Open until 11 PM every day. Swingers has been a late-night pit stop for me on many an occasion. For dessert, they’re famous for their brownie sundae, but they also have pies, cupcakes, peach cobbler, and homemade cookies.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (Larchmont)
Open until 11 PM every night. We love that this location is open late every night. There’s always a line, but it’s worth the wait! The vibe is bright and fun.
Los Angeles has lots of gourmet ice cream places, but Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams has some of my favorite flavors. How about Brambleberry Crisp, which has real chunks of oven-toasted oat streusel along with blackberries and blackcurrants? or Whole Orange Sorbet & Sweet Cream, a flavor that tastes like an orange creamsicle with real chunks of orange in it?
Salt & Straw (Larchmont)
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice above.
Wanderlust Creamery (3rd Street)
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice, above.
Milk Bar LA
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. Not to be confused with Milk, the ice cream place in mid-city, Milk Bar is known for their famous layer cakes. Cute spot but not a lot of seating.
The Cheesecake Factory (The Grove)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica.
Hollywood
Jones
Open until 1:30 AM every day. Jones is an old-school Italian restaurant, complete with dark interior with red and white checkered tablecloths. But they’re famous for their apple pie for two, served on a sizzling platter with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Who wouldn’t want that at 1 AM?
Afters Ice Cream
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. I like the vibe of this local ice cream chain; it’s slightly nicer than other artisanal ice cream joints. Great ice cream too!
The Pie Hole
Open until 10 PM. I like Pie Hole’s savory and sweet pies. Great for a late-night snack or dessert!
Mashti Malone’s Ice Cream
Open until 11:30 PM Friday and Saturday, 11 PM other nights. This location doesn’t have the best location or ambiance, but they’re open late. Mashti Malone’s is known for more exotic flavors such as rosewater, saffron, and ginger.
Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop
Open until 10PM on Friday and Saturday nights, 8PM other nights. Located in the heart of Hollywood next to the El Capitan theater; only recommended if you’re already in the area and don’t mind the tourists.
Los Feliz
Alcove Cafe & Bakery
Open until 11 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 9 PM other nights. The outdoor garden here is one of the most charming dining areas in Los Feliz. A perfect way to end a date. Check out their pastry counter.
House of Pies
Open until 2 AM every night. House of Pies is a venerable late-night after-clubbing institution. I remember going after dancing at the Derby (RIP). At 2 AM, you can’t go wrong with these pies. I understand a new location is coming to Venice soon.
Fred 62
Open until 3 AM Friday through Sunday, 1 AM other days. This is a classic diner that offers all-day breakfast (waffles anyone?) and create-your-own shakes with a ton of different toppings. I’d say that counts as dessert!
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice, above.
Silverlake
Pudu Pudu
CREAMO by Donut Friend
Open until 10 PM, closed on Monday and Tuesday. Brought to you by the folks from Donut Friend, Creamo serves vegan ice cream, donuts, ice cream sandwiches, and shakes!
Pazzo Gelato
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM Sunday, 9 PM other days. This neighborhood small-batch gelato place offers unusual flavors and vegan options.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (Hollywood, Silverlake)
Open until midnight every day. Another great option for late-night ice cream is Van Leeuwen. Expect a line and some great flavors! There is a location in the heart of Hollywood, and one in Silverlake.
Yoga-urt
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other days. Yoga-urt features plant-based soft-serve, frozen yogurt, and smoothies.
Koreatown
Koreatown is probably the best area of Los Angeles to find unique late-night desserts. My top late-night dessert pick in Koreatown is shaved ice at Sul & Beans. For ambiance, Yellow House Cafe. For really late night munchies, check out California Donuts, open 24 hours a day every day!
Sul & Beans
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10:30 PM all other days. Located on the third floor of the bustling MaDang Courtyard, Sul & Beans serves Korean-style Bignsoo, or shaved ice. Popular flavors include Taro and Strawberry. Very light and perfect after a heavy meal. Our favorite K-Town dessert, although the ambiance is very casual and crowded at night.
Anju House
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other days. Formerly Yellow House Cafe, Anju House is now blue, and only outdoor seating is offered. but offers the same type of food and dessert fare.
I used to go to Yellow House for their wide variety of desserts ranging from Tiramisu to smores that you roast at your table! I don’t know if this is still offered, so let me know in the comments!
California Donuts
Open 24 hours every day! If you’re out LATE, you can’t go wrong with California Donuts, located just west of Vermont on 3rd. Not only are they open 24 hours, but they also have cute Instagram-worthy donuts like their famous Oreo panda donut.
Oakobing
Open until 11 PM Friday through Sunday, 10 PM other days. Oakobing serves fluffy, flavored, shaved ice (Bingsoo) with fruit toppings. The servings look huge but two people should be easily able to finish a plate. And, these are not as sweet as Western shaved ice, so they are not as insane as they look. But they are still delicious!
Bumsan Organic Milk Bar
Open until 11 PM Fridays and Saturdays, 10 PM other days. Bumsan is famous for its signature ice cream cones adorned with cereal as well as its unusual soft-serve flavors like taro, matcha, and guava. There is no seating here; it is truly a bar where you grab and go! Get your phone out because you’ll want to post your dessert on Instagram!
Honey Mee
Open until midnight every day. Located in the Brown Derby Plaza, Honey Mee features milk ice cream and other sweets.
Melo Melo Coconut Dessert
Open until 10 PM every day. With its super cutesy decor, Melo Melo serves unique Asian coconut desserts in glass jars. People don’t know what to expect but they love it. Perfect if you’re a little adventurous.
SomiSomi
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10:30 PM other days. Located on the second floor of the MaDang courtyard. See Santa Monica for description.
The Dolly Llama
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. The Dolly Llama features ice cream in a unique waffle cone with lots of toppings to choose from.
Boba Bear (hookah)
Open until 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays, 1 AM other days. See West L.A. for description.
Downtown Los Angeles
Bottega Louie
Open until midnight on Friday and Saturday, 11 PM other nights. Located at the corner of 7th and Grand, Bottega Louie IS the definitive Los Angeles dessert spot. They serve regular meals too, but they’re known for their macarons enjoyed late at night. It’s a great place to end up after a great date. I’m so glad this location has re-opened after the pandemic!
Paradis Ice Cream
Open until midnight. Tiny ice cream shop in downtown, but the ice cream gets five stars on Yelp!
The Dolly Llama
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. The Dolly Llama features ice cream in a unique waffle cone with lots of toppings to choose from.
SomiSomi (Little Tokyo)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other days. See Santa Monica for description.
Downtown Arts District
Urth Caffe
Open until 11 PM on Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. All Urth Caffes are nice, but I especially love this location in the Arts District. Perfect place for a late-night pastry.
Salt & Straw
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice above for description.
The Pie Hole
Open until 11 PM Thursday through Sunday and 10 PM other days. A great option for a late-night savory snack or dessert.
Van Leeuwen Ice Cream
Open until midnight every day. Another great option for late-night ice cream in the Arts District is Van Leeuwen.
Glendale / Burbank / Highland Park
Wanderlust Creamery (Glendale)
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice, above.
Afters Ice Cream (Highland Park)
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. I like the ambiance of this local ice cream chain; it’s slightly nicer than even other artisanal ice cream joints. Great ice cream too!
Donut Friend (Highland Park)
Open until 10 PM Friday and Saturday, 9 PM other nights. Donut Friend offers vegan donuts that actually taste great!
The Baked Bear (Burbank)
Open until 10 PM. Good place to go for late-night ice cream with amazing toppings.
Yoga-urt (Glendale)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM other days. Yoga-urt features plant-based soft-serve, frozen yogurt, and smoothies.
The Churro Man
Open until 10 PM. Make no mistake, this is a food truck, not a fixed store. Also, make no mistake, these will be some of the best churros you’ve ever had. Obviously, I probably wouldn’t bring someone here on a formal date but aside from that, these churros will win anyone over. Check their Instagram feed for locations in Burbank and the Valley.
El Munchies (Glendale)
Open until 2 AM! El Munchies features Mexican-themed and regular desserts including ice cream and churros. Not the best ambiance for a date, but could be your only option if you’re out really late.
The Cheesecake Factory (Glendale)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica.
Pasadena / Arcadia
Salt & Straw
Open until 11 PM every night. Great ice cream flavors in the heart of Old Town Pasadena. Can’t really go wrong.
Wanderlust Creamery
Open until 11 PM every night. Another great ice cream joint in Old Town Pasadena.
The Pie Hole
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday and 10 PM other days. A great option for a late-night savory snack or dessert. I like the vibe of this location near Old Town Pasadena.
The Cheesecake Factory (Pasadena and Arcadia)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights.
Alhambra / San Gabriel
Not on this list is Love to Go in San Gabriel, because they are closed Saturday and Sunday! They serve “Cruffles” and waffles with a variety of toppings. If you’re out on a weekday night before 10 PM, check them out.
Afters Ice Cream (Alhambra)
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. I like the vibe of this local ice cream chain; it’s slightly nicer than even other artisanal ice cream joints. Great ice cream too!
Melo Melo Coconut Dessert (San Gabriel)
Open until 10 PM every day. See description under Koreatown.
San Fernando Valley
Beignet Box Café (Studio City)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday, 10 PM on Sunday, 9 PM other days. This is a really charming little dessert spot, perfect for an after-date hangout. If you’ve been to New Orleans, then you know that Beignets are a perfect late-night dessert/snack.
Republic of Pie (Toluca Lake)
Open 10 PM Friday and Saturday, 9 PM other nights. They feature home-made pies in a really awesome down-to-earth space. Great place for a date in the Valley.
Afters Ice Cream (Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills)
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. I like the vibe of this local ice cream chain; it’s slightly nicer than even other artisanal ice cream joints. Great ice cream too!
Paradis Ice Cream (Sherman Oaks)
Open until midnight. Open late and rated five stars on Yelp. Vibe is playful and fun.
Salt & Straw (Studio City)
Open until 11 PM every night. See Venice above for description.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams (Calabasas)
Open until 11 PM on Fridays and Saturdays, 10 PM other nights. Located in the Commons at Calabasas, Jeni’s is a popular after-dinner destination in the Valley.
The Dolly Llama (Sherman Oaks)
Open until midnight Friday through Sunday, 11 PM other days. The Dolly Llama features ice cream in a unique waffle cone with lots of toppings to choose from. Good location on Ventura Boulevard in the heart of Sherman Oaks.
The Churro Man (Truck)
Open until 10 PM. Make no mistake, this is a food truck, not a fixed store. Also, make no mistake, these will be some of the best churros you’ve ever had. Obviously, I probably wouldn’t go here on a formal date, but aside from that, these churros will win anyone over. Check their Instagram feed for their spot in Sherman Oaks.
The Funnel House (Northridge and West Hills)
Open until midnight (Northridge opens until 1 AM Friday and Saturday). Funnel cakes and hand-twisted churros with lots of topping options. Good to share late at night.
The Cheesecake Factory (Sherman Oaks, Canoga Park)
Open until 11 PM Friday and Saturday nights, 10 PM other nights. See Santa Monica.
What Did I Miss?
I’m sure I missed some great late-night dessert spots! Please leave your favorites in the comments below! – Brian
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