Perched atop The Maybourne Beverly Hills, the west coast version of Dante brings with it the pedigree of its New York original—consistently ranked among the world’s best bars—and translates it effortlessly into a West Coast setting. Here, aperitivo culture meets Los Angeles polish, unfolding across a terrace where panoramic views stretch over Beverly Hills and into the Hollywood Hills beyond.

Inside, the room is as considered as the cocktails: blue banquettes line the space beneath a sweeping ceiling fresco of birds in flight by L.A. artist Abel Macias, lending a sense of movement and whimsy to an otherwise elegant setting. The palette is coastal yet refined, striking that delicate balance between Riviera ease and Beverly Hills sophistication.

The evening begins, as it should, with a martini. Dante’s signature version is as visually striking as it is precise: a crystal-clear pour built on Ford’s gin, Absolut, Noilly Prat, Dolin Blanc, and Nardini Cedro, lifted with lemon bitters and garnished with three olives, one of them delicately infused with beet, lending the faintest whisper of sweetness. It’s a drink that commands attention, then quietly earns it. We only hope they resume serving this in a proper martini glass instead of a plain coupe.

A dozen oysters follow, served with an array of accompaniments, the standout being a lime and ginger granita—icy, bright, and just sharp enough to cut through the brine. It’s refreshing in the way a good aperitivo should be, awakening rather than overwhelming. From there, the kitchen delivers with confidence. The bone-in veal Milanese arrives crisp yet remarkably light, avoiding the heaviness that can often weigh the dish down. A New York strip steak, paired with chimichurri and crisp fries, leans more classic, satisfying without excess. And then, dessert—arguably the evening’s most memorable moment. The tiramisu is exceptional, deeply flavored yet impossibly light, its airy texture belying its richness. It’s the kind of dish that lingers, quietly redefining expectations of a familiar classic.

Still, what sets Dante apart is not any single plate, but the totality of the experience. The room hums with energy, the terrace glows at sunset, and the crowd moves with an easy sophistication. It is, above all, a place to linger, to sip, to watch, and to let the evening unfold at its own pace.

— Ghalib Dhalla

Dante Beverly Hills
The Maybourne Beverly Hills, 225 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills
310-860-7989
dantebeverlyhills.com