Sofia Richie and boyfriend Elliot Grainge walk hand-in-hand to lunch in Malibu

They began dating after spending years as close friends.  

And Sofia Richie and her new man Elliot Grainge stepped out in the sunshine in Malibu, California on Saturday to enjoy lunch at Taverna Tony’s.

Model Sofia, 22, and her beau, 27, who is the founder and CEO of Los Angeles indie record label 10k Projects, walked hand-in-hand as they arrived at the eatery.

Coupling-up: Model Sofia Richie, 22, walked hand-in-hand with new boyfriend Elliot Grainge, 27, as they arrived at Kardashian-approved Taverna Tony’s in Malibu, California on Saturday

Sofia looked comfortable in a pair of casual denim jeans and a black vest top while her long blonde hair rested down on her shoulders.

She carried a small black bag in her hand which matched the comfortable flat shoes she wore on her feet.

Elliot appeared equally relaxed in a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt as hid behind a pair of circular mirrored shades.

He wore a pair of white sneakers on his feet and clutched his phone in his hand as he walked. 

Casual attire: Sofia looked relaxed in a pair of jeans and a black vest top while she held a black bag in her hand which matched the dark shoes on her feet for her mean out with her beau

Sofia, who is the youngest daughter of legendary singer Lionel Richie, split from Keeping Up With the Kardashians star Scott Disick after three years of on-again, off-again dating last year, and she and Grainge are reportedly ‘happy together and having fun’. 

‘They have been friends for years and Elliot is also close with Sofia’s brother, Miles,’ a source told Entertainment Tonight last month.

The insider went on to note: ‘It’s very nice for Sofia to date someone who her family approves of and likes.’

‘Moving on: Sofia previously dated Scott Disick of Keeping Up With the Kardashians fame, something Sofia’s father Lionel Richie was reportedly unhappy with at first

Like father, like daughter: Sofia is the daughter of legendary singer Lionel Richie and also the sister of reality original Nicole Richie

The pair started out as friends before things turned romantic with a source telling US Weekly: ‘Their relationship took off and they have been getting closer and closer and spend practically every day together.’

Her father Lionel had reportedly been ‘wary’ of her relationship with Scott but is said to have ‘approved’.

And before dating Elliot she had been linked to a string of eligible bachelors including Cha Cha Matcha founder Matthew Morton and Israeli shipping heir Gil Ofer.

Her new man is more age appropriate than her ex-boyfriend Scott Disick, 37, who she called it quits from over the summer last year.

Scott has since moved on with Amelia Hamlin, 19, who is the youngest daughter of Lisa Rinna and Harry Hamlin.

Romance: Sofia and Elliot started out as friends before things turned romantic, with a source telling US Weekly: ‘Their relationship took off’