A Rooftop for the Young & the Hipsters | I|O Rooftop, The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, CA

By Sophie Gayot

Hollywood, CA, April 2022

• GAYOT’s Rating: 13/20
• Cuisine: Eclectic / Lounge
• Open: Outdoor: daily 11 a.m.-midnight; Indoor: Mon.-Wed. 4 p.m.-midnight, Thurs.-Sun. 11 a.m.-midnight; Happy Hour Mon.-Fri. 4 p.m.-6 p.m.
• I|O Rooftop is on GAYOT’s:
– LA Best Rooftop Restaurants
– Best Hollywood Romantic Restaurants
– and Best West Hollywood, Hollywood & Mid-City LA Happy Hour Restaurants.

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood, which opened in September 2021, is proud to house the largest public rooftop venue in Hollywood. And it should. Perched on the seventh floor of a modern building, views span from the Hollywood sign to Santa Monica mountains, including Century City and Downtown LA skylines. You cannot see all of them from one vantage point, so have a promenade — and from a small corner, you will even see the iconic Capitol Records Building.

Before going up, take a look at the art on the hotel’s private driveway with its glittering concrete flooring and lobby. You will exit the elevator onto an indoor bar and dining area. But, of course, the pièce de résistance is the bar outside after the pool and by the waterfall fountain. By that is where you should sit on the sofas for drinks and to dine, but you will have to turn your head around to watch the sunset.

While the hotel claims to serve “light bites,” I found that they are not light bites but real menu items — and good ones. I started with the Tempura Shrimp, which were light and not greasy (I should have had two orders of them). Then came tasty Brussels Sprouts, and Miso Glazed Salmon topped with sesame seeds. The I/O Smash Burger is a must-have, in part because of the light brioche bun. The Godfrey Wings have a tad too much ranch drizzle and this applies as well to the I/O Spicy Tuna Roll covered with spicy mayo. I also suggest ordering the Tuna Poke Bowl. Finish with the yummy Brownie à La Mode. The wine list is very short, but the 12,000-square-foot rooftop calls more for cocktails. Too bad there are no lights on the table to add romance and to be able to see the dishes.

> Sophie‘s tip: The service is quite drawn-out, but it is a good excuse to stay longer and enjoy this Hollywoodish experience.