CA GUIDE: MAMA SHELTER

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file this under the “places i saved on instagram that turned out to be ten times better than expected” category, okay? wow wow wow — all i can say is i am truly obsessed with mama shelter, my new favorite LA spot! we checked it out when my friend sarah [all you OG blog readers might remember her!] visited LA a few weeks ago! keep scrolling for the prettiest hollywood rooftop views, the most delicious dinner, + so much more!

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much to my surprise, what i thought was solely rooftop dining turned out to be a hotel with a full bar + restaurant in the lobby as well as a rooftop hang serving food + drink! we arrived around 5:30 or 6pm on sunday night + entered into a scene that was already going strong! parking was a little tough — there are street spots right outside the hotel, but they’re mainly thirty minutes or less. fortunately, there’s a few locally managed parking lots a few blocks in each direction.

as soon as you walk through the door, you’re immersed in the bar. walking further into the lobby, you enter into the indoor restaurant seating, pictured above! they nailed the entire vibe, both indoors + out — lots of colorful textiles, bold patterns, + dark playing with light.

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can you even handle all that outdoor rooftop goodness? be still my midwestern heart, that hollywood sign will never get old, truly! i know it’s such a normal things for those who live in LA, but i won’t ever tire of seeing it through trees while driving along the freeway or from the griffith observatory or other small moments throughout the city.

we timed it just perfectly for sunset + it did not disappoint. i had to get up from my seat many times to walk around the roof taking endless photos + seeking the best view. to one side, you’ve got the business district complete with [the few] los angeles sky scrapers + to the other, you’ve got the mountains displaying the hollywood sign. both directions make for the perfect sunset canvas.

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we truly had the best time! although the menu is limited on the rooftop, it’s worth it for the experience. their fries are to die for! we started off with their version of truffle fries [aka. bougie fries] , + while they could have used a little bit more truffle, they were a hit. between sarah, claire + i, we ordered a hummus plate, chicken wings, + mama’s classic burger.

if you’re ever visiting LA, you know exactly where to stay! if you’re looking for the perfect rooftop spot, you’ve got your newest rec! i truly cannot stress my newfound love for this place enough — mama shelter, you’re too good!!


post + images by molly garvin

see mama shelter’s website here + instagram here

this post is not sponsored, + all opinions are my own :)