Romancing through a Latino Los Angeles- 20 Day Date Ideas
Day dates can be difficult, usually lacking in good music options, open bars, delicioso dining options. But fear not, we have a great list of Latinx-themed date ideas sure to impress el amor de tu vida! Go out and explore Los Angeles. From tacos and pupusas to mariachi and comic books, Mitú’s got your back!
1. La Monarca
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With more than a few locations throughout Los Angeles County, La Monarca bakes some mean pan dulce, a variety of brunch treats, and sells locally roasted Oaxacan coffee with hints of native spices and brown sugar. Tastiest caffeine ever!
2. Tlayuda LA
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Latina chef, Laura Guerrero, has certainly brought Oaxacan cuisine up a notch, perfectly crafting the tlayuda- a pizza de Mexico straight outta Oaxaca. You can easily scarf this down with your date while surrounded by a simple, yet cozy, dining room.
3. Candela’s Guitars
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If you and your date are musically inclined, test out a few handcrafted guitars at Candela’s, made by master-craftsman, Tomas Delgado, who comes from three generations of luthiers (the correct term for guitar maker), He considers his business a labor of love. Make sure to take a tour of his studio, where all the wood-working magic happens!
4.CaCao Mexicatessen
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Even a lunch for dos is bound to sport some mole at Cacao, this unique Mexican deli. But the true day date draw comes from the wonderfully flavorful champurrado– decadent hot chocolate with a delicious blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and other spices.
5. Latino Outdoors
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This NPO has made it their mission to get the urban population (Latino or not!) to leave the concrete and feel the dirt under their feet. This is a perfect day date to get out of the city and unwind while learning something too! Some of their classes include birdwatching, restoration projects, and just plain old hiking!
6. La Chuperia #1
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Day date are sometimes just extensions of night dates, right? Your and your cariño can will away your hangovers with these over-the-top Bloody Marys, complete with fruit and vegetable garnishes and thirst-quenching locally crafted cervezas. If you are staying well into the night, make sure you boogie down on their dance floor!
7. Artists & Fleas
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Find all of L.A.’s best artists at this one-stop-fair! Showcasing dozens of local craftspeople selling anything from local honey to alpaca scarves. Perusing Arts & Fleas will have you finding the perfect birthday gift for your date (which you’ll obviously have to buy on the sly).
8. Plaza de la Raza
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This cultural/community center always has something nifty going on. Immerse your date in some seriously colorful latin culture. Even if you are feeling not so artsy that particular day, grab some tacos and have a picnic in the surrounding bonito Lincoln Park.
9. Templo San Muerte
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The “death saint” was the culmination of pagan gods from South America assimilating to Spanish Catholicism. Glimpse into this religious sect for a strange and enlightening day date… Even if you get nothing else out of it, at least Instagram-worthy!
10. Museum of Latin American Art
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If you find yourself strolling through Long Beach with your date, making a stop at MOLAA is an absolute must. WIth a meticulously curated collection of Latinx contemporaries, this modern museum is a gem for the Hispanic humanities. Social commentary on the Latin experience was never so beautiful.
11. America Tropical Interpretive Center
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Wow, your date with your extensive knowledge on Los Angeles history by introducing them to this almost century-old mural by David Alfaro Siqueiros- a pioneer in murals that depicted the heritage, social struggles, and daily lives of L.A.’s Latino community. Hundreds of other street art examples are also on display and worth the trip- especially with free admission!
12. El Coraloense
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The ceviche at this restaurant will impress your date- hook, line and sinker. With a husband/wife duo hailing straight from the shores of the Gulf of California, the seafood is perfectly prepared and always muy authentico. For a well-rounded meal, share the ceviche sampler platter and swordfish “wings.”
13. Amara Coffee & Cafe
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Not sure if you had figured it out yet, but Latin countries and chocolate go together like leche e galletas… This quaint little Venezuelan cafe has some sweet homemade azucarados to woo your date- because chocolate is totally an aphrodisiac. Also, the churros are known to sway anyone’s sensibilities.
14. El Pueblo de Los Angeles
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Tagged the “Birthplace of Los Angeles”, this historic district is in the heart of L.A.s famous Olvera Street, South California’s epi-center of Mexican culture. Go back in time on a city-funded tour of the area and buy some baratijas for your honey at the local shops.
15. Cactus Store
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Maybe you and your date live together or you want to give them an undying token of your love (because who can kill a cactus, right?). The Cactus Store is the best spot to pick out the next little addition to your relationship. For added cliche, you can give it a cute name.
16. Mariachi Plaza
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For decades, Mariachi have been gathering at this gazebo in the middle of Boyle Heights, looking for any gig they could find. Sometimes, it still happens today and there is now a museum dedicated to the musical genre. So, while you and your amado are meandering through the square during festival season, toss the guys a few bucks and request your song!
17. La Pupusa Urban Eatery
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Sometimes the quaint hole-in-the-wall Salvadorian pupuseria is just what the date needs. Nothing is more satisfying than seeing your S.O. across the table mauling down some excellent frybread topped with pickled cabbage and salsa. It’s so much tastier than it sounds!
18. Casa 0101
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Rife with heritage, this cultural center, founded by Real Women Have Curves author Josefina Lopez, sports a theatre, art gallery, and classrooms designed to help advocate for the Latin American demographics in L.A. and throughout the country. Before catching an early evening play (with optional dinner!), you and your date can peruse the Deleage Gallery which features local artists.
19.Taqueria Vista Hermosa
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Walking in here might seem unimpressive to your date, it does kind of look like just a regular old taqueria. But watch their face melt into a foodgasm and pat yourself on the back. This local taqueria, run by Raul Morales, is well known for its al Pastor tacos- a (maybe Lebanese inspired) recipe that has been passed down for generations. You’re lucky he’s even sharing it with you, let along your S.O…
20. Seite Books & Zines
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Sometimes it’s great to unplug and read for a while, it’ll perk up the conversation between you and your beloved. This independent bookstore specializes in a variety of topics like LGBTQ, the Latin Experience, Revolutions, Comics, Independent magazines and more! They even have a slew of events and host the Annual East Side Zine Market.
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