A lithium metal electrode and a lithium metal battery that includes the lithium metal electrode are disclosed. The lithium metal electrode includes a current collector; a lithium metal layer on exposed portions of the current collector; an ionic diffusion layer on the lithium metal layer; and a porous electrical insulation layer. The porous electrical insulation layer includes an insulation layer disposed on the current collector and having at least one through hole that completely surrounds the lithium metal layer and the ionic diffusion layer; and an inhibition layer disposed on the insulation layer and having a plurality of second through holes. Lithium dendrites will mostly plate in the at least one through hole of the insulation layer and will not plate upwards due to the inhibition layer. Hence, the lithium dendrites will not penetrate through the electrical insulator so that safety of the lithium metal battery is greatly improved.