The Ultimate L.A. Dining Guide Find the Best Restaurants & Bars

Los Angeles is a city like no other. There are almost 19 million residents in the whole of L.A. County – a higher population than most countries in the world. It’s vast, it’s sprawling, it’s a city made up of smaller cities, all with their own personalities and subcultures. It’s a difficult city to navigate and comprehend without a local guide – not just because you need someone who can speak fluent freeway talk and knows whether to take the 405, the 101, or the 10 – but also because of the sheer number of restaurants in Los Angeles to choose from.

If you’re looking for celebrity hangouts in West Hollywood or places you might run into reality TV stars, this is not the guide for you. But if you’re looking for the best restaurants in Los Angeles – from casual hole-in-the-wall gems to world-class tasting menus – keep reading. From spots discovered by former L.A. Times food critic Jonathan Gold to Michelin-starred dining rooms, we’ve eaten extensively around the city and are excited to share our favorite places to eat in L.A. in this foodie map.

You can explore the best restaurants in L.A. by scrolling through the list on the right or clicking the points on the map. Filter by category or opening hours to plan your perfect Los Angeles food itinerary. All locations are listed in geographical order.

When people ask us where to eat in L.A., our first answer is always Bavel. Dynamic duo Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis – the husband-and-wife team behind the Italian hotspot Bestia – opened a second restaurant as a tribute to their Middle Eastern roots. The flavors here are on fire – literally – thanks to the wood-burning oven. From the lamb neck shawarma to the oyster mushroom kebab to the 'nduja hummus and pita, this is some of the boldest, punchiest food in the city. You absolutely need a plate of the life-changing grilled prawns on your table, along with the malawach – a buttery, layered bread served with dill crème fraîche, aged egg, and strawberry zhoug. Didn't make a reservation? No problem – you can walk in and order the full menu at the bar.

Chef Ki Kim previously worked at Korean fine dining legends Atomix and Jungsik in New York before opening his own restaurant. Ki received its first Michelin star just months after opening. This is one of L.A.’s toughest reservations – the counter has only ten seats and there’s only one seating per night. The twelve-course tasting menu features Korean flavors and local ingredients. One of our favorite dishes featured foie gras mousse, white peach jelly, and artistically arranged cubes of Fuji apples and mini croutons. Another highlight was a layered bowl filled with grilled romanesco, charcoal-broiled clams, oscietra caviar, tangy citrus sauce, and crispy spinach. After just one visit, Ki became one of our favorite Korean restaurants in the world, and one of our top recommendations in Los Angeles.

Sonoratown’s flour tortillas are the stuff of legends. Made with melted lard, they have a rich, buttery flavor and are so thin they’re almost translucent. The resident tortilla experts bring them to life – hand-pressing fresh tortillas all day long. You’re going to want to order a chivichanga – we love the one with chicken, roasted chile peppers, and blistered tomatoes. You also need to try the caramelo, stuffed with chorizo, pinto beans, cheese, avocado, and red salsa. Just want a taco? The costilla (grilled steak) is fantastic, thanks to its wood-fired flavor. Sonoratown is our favorite taco joint in all of Los Angeles – and the world. They’ve recently added a second location in Mid-City, and a third in Long Beach.

Chef Jon Yao showcases the Taiwanese flavors of his childhood in a fine dining setting at Kato, with a menu inspired by the food he grew up eating in the San Gabriel Valley. One signature is the yóutiáo, a Chinese doughnut filled with sea urchin and a brown butter emulsion, topped with a slice of jamón and a healthy dollop of caviar. This just might be the best bite in L.A. Kato currently has one Michelin star, but they’re clearly pushing towards a second. This is one of the most technically precise, unique, and delicious fine dining experiences in Los Angeles right now. Kato also has one of the most impressive wine programs in North America, featuring the largest Champagne selection outside of France. They also serve one of the most creative house-made non-alcoholic pairings we’ve tried. Want to dip your toes in without committing to the full tasting menu? Book a seat at the bar for an abbreviated menu.

One of our favorite cheeseburgers in L.A. is actually found at a cocktail bar – Everson Royce Bar. ERB is a cozy spot in the Arts District with a backyard full of string lights, picnic tables, and bocce balls. Good vibes – and a great burger. The burger isn’t too fancy – in fact, it’s pretty simple. A thin, juicy patty is topped with a slice of cheese and an incredible peppery sauce that gives it steak au poivre vibes. Don’t miss the flaky buttermilk biscuits, served with honey butter – they’re to die for. Wash it all down with a Smith & Cross daiquiri.

Bestia has been an L.A. hotspot for over a decade, and it’s still one of the city’s best restaurants today. Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’ first restaurant is most famous for their pizzas and pastas, and, while you absolutely need a lot of those on your table, don’t sleep on the scallop crudo with Meyer lemon, strawberry, and chili, or the veal tartare crostino – their take on a vitello tonnato with egg jam, tuna cream, and grilled bread. Another can’t-miss dish is the signature roasted bone marrow, scraped directly onto hot spinach gnocchetti, mixed with breadcrumbs, and aged balsamic. This one can never leave the menu!

Holbox is a casual, Yucatán-style seafood stand in Mercado La Paloma, a food hall just outside downtown L.A. Two evenings a week, chef Gilberto Cetina serves a tasting menu at his eight-seat counter, featuring fresh seafood from California and Mexico. We love the tasting menu at Holbox, but even if you don’t snag a reservation, many of these dishes are available à la carte. Try Holbox’s signature Northern Mexican blood clams with a smoky chile bonito sauce, and the sea urchin ceviche, where huge, buttery tongues of Santa Barbara uni are plopped on top of wild-caught white sea bass. But our favorite dish of all is the bluefin tuna tostada: fatty fish served on a house-made yellow corn tostada with avocado purée and a chile de árbol peanut sauce. The chefs are literally cutting open the seafood right in front of your eyes – it truly doesn’t get any fresher than this. Holbox received its first Michelin star in 2024.

These burritos are the size of tacos – slender, compact tubes with a tortilla folded around the good stuff. They might look simple on the outside, but there’s a lot going on behind the scenes. The magic of Burritos La Palma starts with their homemade flour tortillas, made from a secret family recipe. They’re buttery, pliant, and doughy – the perfect vehicle for the juicy, saucy fillings. Their small size means you can try a few flavors – our favorites are the birria (beef stew) and the bean and cheese. Thankfully, Burritos La Palma has expanded beyond their original El Monte location – with an outpost in Boyle Heights and another in Santa Ana.

Jonathan Gold’s favorite taco truck in L.A. – and a longtime fixture on his 101 Best Restaurants list – is the iconic Boyle Heights spot, Mariscos Jalisco. They’re known for one thing: the tacos dorados de camaron. Crispy, fried shrimp tacos are assembled and then fully submerged in bubbling oil – dunked and fried as one. It was one of Jonathan’s favorite bites in the city – the crunch of the hard shell, the juicy burst of shrimp inside, and the freshness of tomatoes, onions, and avocado layered on top. If you can handle some heat, don’t miss the aguachile – a crispy tostada topped with shrimp, cucumber, and avocado.

If you enjoy following in the footsteps of Jonathan Gold as much as we do, you’ve probably heard about the chile relleno burrito at Azteca Tortilleria. What is it? A whole chile stuffed with cheese, wrapped inside a bean, cheese, and tomato burrito – all tucked into a dreamy flour tortilla. Kaitlin usually isn’t a fan of chiles, but this changed her mind. It’s a delicious, one-of-a-kind burrito and well worth the drive to East L.A.

For the very best dumplings in L.A., head to Kang Kang Food Court. What you need to order here are the Shanghai pan-fried bao (shengjian bao), #79 on the menu. This is their signature dish – it’s what they’re famous for. It’s an absolutely essential L.A. bite: the bottom of the dumpling is crunchy and bready, the pork inside is juicy and flavorful, and the rich soup tastes like caramelized onion. There’s a maple syrup-like sweetness that reminds us of the flavors of American pancakes – with pork instead of bacon, and a doughy, caramelized dumpling in lieu of pancakes. (Just watch out for the squirt!) Another item we love here that flies a bit more under the radar is the “mooncake” – a baseball-sized baked pastry with a buttery, flaky crust, filled with a sweet barbecue pork meatball.

Mini Kabob is a hole-in-the-wall kebab shop in Glendale that has been family-owned and operated since 1987. Everything is made from scratch – and with love. If it’s your first time, we recommend the combo plate: it comes with a chicken thigh shish kabob, pork tenderloin, chicken lule (a chicken and pork meatball), and soft, fluffy basmati rice. On the side: intense garlic paste, creamy hummus, fire-roasted veggies and peppers, onions with parsley and sumac, and soft, thin lavash bread. The meat was perfectly cooked – juicy, smoky, and bursting with flavor. The veggies were fresh and vibrant, and the sauces were seriously addicting, especially the garlic toum. Don’t miss the off-menu cottage fries: balloon-like potato pockets with a crispy edge and airy center, cooked to order. These are some of the best kebabs we’ve ever had in our lives.

Chef Brian Dunsmoor opened his eponymous restaurant with a dream of showcasing Americana comfort food and open-fire cooking. Sparks fly in the homey space as local, seasonal produce is cooked on the grill. The menu features hearty, nostalgic fare inspired by chef Brian’s cattle rancher roots. One must-order dish is Edna’s sour milk cornbread – a caramelized, sweet-and-salty skillet bread with white cheddar, hatch chile, cultured butter, and a generous drizzle of honey. Another signature is Aunt Emmy’s pork and green chile stew, served with flour tortillas and cheddar chive mashed potatoes. The mushroom-crusted pork chop with smoked lard and thyme is the best pork chop we’ve ever had: rich and fatty Mangalitsa pig with so much flavor. The meal comes full circle with another cast-iron-roasted carb: the signature sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream and butter sauce.

A wave of barbecue joints has opened in Los Angeles recently, and Moo’s Craft Barbecue might just be our favorite of the bunch. Of course, you need to try the brisket – order it moist! – but don’t skip the smoked brisket burger. Moo’s takes brisket trimmings, forms them into a patty, then seasons and smokes it for maximum flavor. It’s topped with cheese, raw onions, and aioli – a little smoky, incredibly juicy, and absolutely delicious. Pro tip: pre-order the burger online. It sells out fast!

David Chang’s Majordomo is the perfect place to bring a group for a family-style feast. Start with at least one bing per person – this fluffy Chinese flatbread falls somewhere between naan, pita, and a buttermilk pancake. We slathered ours with various toppings; our favorite was the whipped ricotta with chili crunch, but we also loved the butter, honey, and black truffle combo. Don’t miss the “Macaroni & Chickpea," coated in a rich brown butter sauce, and make sure to share one of the large-format meats. We went with the Smoked Bo Ssäm (pork shoulder), served with lettuce wraps, sauces, and pickles. The “MajorDonut” is a shareable party dessert, with a table-side presentation. Fluffy donuts are cut up and cooked in gochujang caramel with pineapple, macadamia nuts, and rum flambé, then served with vanilla bean ice cream.

There are very few foods we’d wait in an hours-long line for, but Howlin’ Ray’s is one of them. Husband-and-wife team Johnny and Amanda fell in love with Nashville-style hot chicken and studied the OGs – Prince’s, Hattie B’s, and Bolton’s – to perfect their own recipe. Howlin’ uses high-quality, all-natural, antibiotic-free chicken, and it shows. There are plenty of copycats around L.A., but none come close to the original – in flavor or in friendliness. When you walk through the door at Howlin’, you're greeted with a boisterous welcome that makes the wait worth it. The fried chicken sandwich on a brioche bun is our favorite, but we also tried the off-menu “Tim’s Style Sando,” which swaps the bun for two grilled cheese sandwiches. We went with the “medium” heat level – just spicy enough without being overpowering. If you prefer no heat, order “country,” or go all the way to “Howlin’” for extra, extra hot.

If you haven’t tried the #19 sandwich from Langer’s Deli, have you even been to L.A.? This is the order at Langer’s – world-famous pastrami piled high on double-baked rye, with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing, and coleslaw. The meat is sliced thick, almost like corned beef, with a deeply smoky, roasted barbecue flavor. Langer’s has been an L.A. institution since 1947 for one reason: they serve the best pastrami in the world.

Open for over two decades in Koreatown, Park’s BBQ is hands-down the best place for Korean barbecue in L.A. The quality of meat here is exceptional; they serve prime and wagyu beef of extremely high quality, and the staff grills it for you to ensure it’s cooked perfectly. Go with a group and center your order around one of Park’s sets, so you can try a variety of meat. We love the "Chef's Cut" set, which serves 2-3 people and comes with thinly sliced A5 wagyu ribeye, marbled ggot sal beef, a thick, juicy wagyu ribeye cap with a perfect pink center, marinated ribeye beef bulgogi with soy and scallions, and Park’s signature galbi, prime beef short rib. If you’re still hungry, add on an order of the seasoned pork belly, fatty candy with a crispy edge, and a kimchi pancake.

L.A. is home to the largest Korean population outside of Korea – which means we’re lucky to have some of the most authentic Korean food in the world. Our favorite spot in K-town is Sun Nong Dan, a no-frills, strip mall restaurant made famous by the late Jonathan Gold. It’s open 24/7, but even at midnight, you might find a line out the door. And yes, it’s worth the wait. Their signature dish is galbi jjim – a massive, bubbling cauldron of braised beef short rib stew brought straight to your table. Be sure to add cheese on top, which they torch tableside, creating a gooey, cheesy, bubbling, beefy bowl of pure comfort. It’s one of the best dishes in all of Los Angeles. (Note: Sun Nong Dan now has four locations.)

Budonoki is an izakaya with an L.A. twist. The vibe is relaxed, buzzy, and moody, with a dark interior illuminated by blue and pink neon lights and a menu of playful, Japanese-inspired snacks. There are DIY spicy tuna hand rolls, a few types of oshizushi (pressed sushi), and charred Japanese sweet potatoes oozing with miso butter and topped with a generous amount of chives. But the two dishes you can’t leave without ordering are the naem (Thai pork sausage) with crispy rice balls and herby coleslaw, and the signature “Budo-gnocchi,” where tteokbokki (rice cakes) are topped with black winter truffle, shimeji mushrooms, and a parmesan foam. Buttery, creamy, cheesy, and packed with umami – this bowl was total comfort food. Finish with a seasonal soft serve – on our visit, the flavors were strawberry milk and pandan coconut vanilla.

If you’re looking for great natural wine, healthy Californian cuisine, and just plain good vibes, look no further than Botanica. Our favorite dish is the Turkish eggs, but we also loved the mezze platter and all of the pastries. There’s a charming back patio with outdoor seating, and an all-day market at the front where you can pick up bottles of natural wine to go.

Kismet is one of those places we keep coming back to in L.A. This Turkish-inspired spot from female chef duo Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson serves healthy-ish food that’s absolutely packed with flavor. The menu features lots of marinated vegetables and greens, but our favorite dish is the “flaky bread” – a take on Middle Eastern malawach, made from laminated dough that’s layered like a croissant and super buttery. The fried chicken schnitzel sandwich is an absolute beast: two slices of rich, buttery brioche hug the crispy chicken in a sweet embrace, with aioli, olive oil, and just the right acidity from pickles and veggies. Oh, and did we mention the stellar natural wine list?

Chef Ori Menashe and his wife, Genevieve Gergis, know the secret to creating red-hot restaurants. Their first spot, Bestia, opened over a decade ago and is still one of the hardest-to-book tables in L.A. Bavel followed in 2018 and became even more beloved, taking the open-fire cooking concept one step further with bold Middle Eastern flavors. Their third restaurant, Saffy’s, opened in 2022 in East Hollywood. The venue is smaller than Bestia or Bavel but features a charming design and, of course, an open kitchen. The food shares a similar flavor profile to Bavel – stop by in the morning for gooey challah French toast with maple syrup and fried sage, grab a fluffy pita sandwich for lunch, or indulge in a kebab or shawarma plate in the evening.

California is a seafood lover’s paradise, and Found Oyster showcases the best of the coastal offerings. The blackboard menu of specials changes daily depending on the catch, but you’re guaranteed to find several varieties of oysters (which you can top with caviar if you’re feeling fancy). On our visit, we enjoyed a crab cocktail with Ritz crackers, a grilled kanpachi collar, a cheesy artichoke brandade with tortilla chips, and a lobster roll. But the must-order dish is the scallop tostada with yuzu kosho, apple, and basil – it was so good, we had three! Incredibly fresh seafood, fun wines, and good vibes all around. Also check out Found's sister restaurant, Queen St. Raw Bar & Grill, in Eagle Rock.

One of L.A.’s most popular restaurants is a tiny hole-in-the-wall tucked inside a Thai Town strip mall. The menu showcases dishes from the Chiang Rai region of Northern Thailand, built around simmered, aromatic broths and deeply flavorful curries. Our favorite dishes include the sai oua (herbal sausage), khao soi gai (egg noodle curry with chicken), and the gaeng hang lae (pork curry). Amphai Northern Thai Food Club has only twelve seats, but if you don’t snag one, you can always order takeaway.

Chef Lord Maynard Llera serves Filipino food “his way” at his hole-in-the-wall East Hollywood restaurant, Kuya Lord. Filipino food is all about family-style sharing, so the best way to sample a bunch of dishes is to order a Kuya tray, which comes with your choice of protein, garlic rice, sweet-and-spicy chami noodles, and pickled green papaya. The signature lucenachon is a must-order – a slow-roasted, rolled pork belly that tastes like Filipino lechon meets Italian porchetta. But our favorite dish of all was the lechon kawali: extremely fatty, braised-and-deep-fried pork belly with perfectly crispy skin. The desserts are equally unique – we loved the fresh calamansi tart with pandan whipped cream, but the most surprising sweet treat was the bibingka mamon, a coconut-flavored, steamed-and-spongy rice-flour cake topped with panutsa butter, a dark caramel sauce made with palm sugar.

Chef Chad Colby once tended the flames at Nancy Silverton’s Chi Spacca before opening his own spot, Antico Nuovo. The vibe is inspired by an agriturismo – the kind of rustic, relaxed dinner you’d share at a farmhouse in Italy. It’s rustic, it’s relaxed, and surprisingly affordable for L.A. The focaccia here is some of the best we’ve ever had – good thing, since it shows up in nearly every dish. Their version of a grilled cheese is made with focaccia. It’s served scarpetta-style to mop up the sauce from your ziti. The juicy chicken is served on top of a grilled focaccia. Sometimes there’s even focaccia-flavored ice cream! We missed that seasonal special, but we did get to try the honeycomb ice cream topped with salted caramel and the sweet potato pie ice cream with speculoos crumble.

If you follow us on Instagram, you’ve probably seen the iconic purple ice cream cone covered in rainbow sprinkles. It’s Kaitlin’s favorite ice cream in the world: Salt & Straw’s honey lavender! This delicious scoop shop hails from Portland, but now has locations all over the country. Salt & Straw is known for its wildly inventive flavors made with seasonal, local ingredients – think avocado toast, black olive brittle with goat cheese, or strawberry and coconut water sherbet. Around Thanksgiving, they even roll out a full holiday menu in ice cream form, with flavors like candied turkey and mashed potatoes.

Chef Nancy Silverton and Phil Rosenthal are behind L.A.’s hottest diner. They’ve crafted the ultimate elevated diner experience with their spin on classics, from breakfast to dinner. It’s one of the hardest tables to snag in Los Angeles, and it’s walk-in only, so put your name on the list and be prepared to wait. Luckily, breakfast items are served all day! We loved the pancakes, served simply with butter and maple syrup, with a fluffy center, a crispy edge, and a lemony zing. The patty melt is another must-order – a dry-aged beef patty topped with cheese, caramelized onions, and spicy mayo, served on butter-toasted rye bread. Be sure to get a side of the beef tallow French fries! But our favorite item of all was the waffle with maple butter – totally unique, with a deep, rich, hearty flavor. The secret ingredient? Guinness! It might be the best waffle we’ve ever had.

Carnivores, gather round – some of the best meat in L.A. isn’t found in a typical steakhouse, but at chef Curtis Stone’s Hollywood restaurant, Gwen. It’s basically the motherland of meat. If you’re looking for something unique to cook at home, you can choose your cut from the butcher shop at the entrance – or opt for the tasting menu in the dining room. We chose the latter. Highlights included the house-made charcuterie, terrines, and duck speck, and we especially loved the boneless short rib. But the star of our dinner was the 30-day dry-aged, bone-in rib eye from Creekstone Farms in Kansas – a tender, melt-in-your-mouth cut of beef, perfectly hot pink in the center. This is not the kind of place that asks how you want your meat cooked.

Salt’s Cure’s signature oatmeal griddle cakes are the best pancakes we’ve ever had. These aren’t your typical pancakes – they’re made with an oatmeal-based batter and cooked thin, with crispy edges. No syrup is served, but you won’t miss it thanks to the generous dollop of cinnamon molasses butter on top. They pancakes are so good, they’re on the menu all day. Don’t sleep on the signature pork chop, either. For variations on the famous pancakes, check out their breakfast-only spinoff, Breakfast by Salt’s Cure.

Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s French bistro is the closest thing to Paris you’ll find in Los Angeles. In this tiny space, classic French dishes with rich, buttery sauces are served at the bar. The escargot, French onion soup, and French omelette are the best versions of each we’ve ever had. And Ludo’s signature “Big Mec” burger is easily one of the best in L.A. – two thin patties topped with caramelized onions, garlic aioli, American cheese, and a red wine bordelaise sauce.

Meteora, helmed by the visionary chef Jordan Kahn of Vespertine, is more than just a restaurant; it's an immersive journey into a world of culinary artistry. As you step into the unique, jungle-like space, you're transported to another realm. At its heart, Meteora champions the purity of ingredients, focusing on nutritious and soul-nourishing cuisine. The tasting menu showcases Kahn's unparalleled creativity in blending unexpected flavors and textures, challenging and delighting the palate. It's not just a meal, but an adventure in gastronomy and art. This L.A. gem is a must-visit for those seeking to challenge their culinary boundaries and immerse themselves in a thought-provoking dining experience.

For simple, delicious Italian food, head to Nancy Silverton’s Italian empire – affectionately dubbed the “Mozzaplex” by Jonathan Gold. Her trio of restaurants shares a corner in Hollywood, each offering something unique. Osteria Mozza is pasta-focused: you’ll want one ricotta and egg yolk raviolo per person, plus one of Nancy’s signature Caesar salads for the table. Chi Spacca is a meat-centric grill, but don’t leave without ordering the cheesy, stuffed focaccia di Recco. Pizzeria Mozza is a walk-in, all-day pizza counter with a wood-fired oven. Nancy’s dough is more reminiscent of bread than traditional Neapolitan crust, topped with seasonal ingredients like squash blossoms. It would be a crime to skip the butterscotch budino – it's one of the best desserts in L.A.

If you brave the line stretching down La Brea on a weekend morning, you’ll be rewarded with our favorite brunch in Los Angeles. The interior looks more like a cathedral than a restaurant – fitting, since Republique is basically a shrine to breakfast. There’s an entire pastry case of sweets to choose from, alongside a full brunch menu with items like shakshuka, kimchi fried rice, and chicken and waffles. But what you’re really here for is the best French toast in the world – a super-thick brioche, cooked pain perdu-style – perfectly soft and fluffy, with crispy edges and a gooey center. Dinner at Republique is a more formal affair, with caviar-adorned small bites and fresh uni. Don't miss the potato and leek beignets or the handmade agnolotti.

The pizza at Ronan is the stuff of dreams. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s one of the best we’ve ever had. The dough is excellent – pure, fermented, Neapolitan-style goodness. It’s spongy, bouncy, fluffy, and a teeny bit sour, with charred bubbles around the edges. (No crusts left behind here!) Toppings are seasonally-inspired – we love the Sweet Cheeks with guanciale, cacio e pepe ricotta, and honey, and the Zucca with zucchini and stracciatella. The wood-fired focaccia with cultured butter is also to die for, and the selection of house-made ice cream is not to be missed. To drink, there are craft cocktails and loads of natural wine.

Chef Michael Cimarusti is best known for his three-Michelin-starred fine dining spot, Providence – but it’s his casual seafood shack, Connie & Ted’s, that we keep coming back to. The creamy New England-style clam chowder and crispy fish and chips are excellent, but the lobster roll is the main event. You can order it hot and buttered or cold with mayo – we’ve tried both, and the hot version wins. The butter melts perfectly into the house-made brioche bun, making this one of the best lobster rolls we’ve ever had. Save room for the blondie brownie, which is topped with house-made vanilla ice cream and sea salt caramel – it’s one of our favorite desserts in L.A.

Leave your expectations of Nonna’s rustic, traditional cooking at the door – this is modern Italian food with a twist. The signature dish at Jon & Vinny’s is the spicy fusilli: an addictive, vodka sauce–based pasta with a kick. We also love the L.A. Woman pizza, topped with tomato, burrata, and basil. There’s always a lively vibe and a solid natural wine list at this Fairfax Avenue hotspot. Bonus: Helen’s Wines, the tiny shop tucked in the back, has one of the best natural wine selections in town.

Chef Daniele Uditi grew up making pizza in Naples, but at Pizzana, he blends Italian tradition with American creativity. His signature pie is the Neo Margherita, topped with basil powder so you get basil in every bite. The Cacio e Pepe pizza – with fior di latte and parmigiano crema – is a must-order, but don’t stop there. Chef Daniele’s vegetable and side dishes are just as impressive, with everything from polenta fries to pine nut “risotto” on the menu. And don’t skip dessert: Candace Nelson, the legendary pastry chef and founder of Sprinkles Cupcakes, leads the sweets program here. (Note: Pizzana now has five L.A. locations.)

Somni – which means “dream” in Catalan – is the vision of chef Aitor Zabala, who trained at the legendary restaurant El Bulli in Spain. With a price tag of $500 per guest, this is the most expensive tasting menu in Los Angeles – but it’s worth every penny. Guests are served nearly 30 bites each night: modern, playful interpretations of familiar dishes. Somni is an overwhelming sensory experience – in the best possible way. It’s easily the most boundary-pushing, groundbreaking restaurant in Los Angeles. Zabala draws on his Spanish heritage, combining it with the flavors of California to create an absolute masterpiece. It’s a highly technique-driven meal – but first and foremost, it’s delicious. After our meal we had no doubt that Somni had a star-studded future, and in 2025 it became the first-ever L.A. restaurant to earn three Michelin stars.

There are places in L.A. where you don’t feel cool enough – places that are stuffy and pretentious – but Night + Market is for everyone. It’s got a great vibe while still feeling welcoming and unpretentious. The Thai food is killer, and the natural wine list is one of the best in L.A. Chef Kris Yembamroong’s empire now includes Night + Market Song in Silver Lake and Night + Market Sahm in Venice, but only the original West Hollywood location takes reservations. We love the cold noodles, the crispy rice salad (one of the spiciest dishes in L.A.), the crab and cream cheese wontons, and the world-famous fried chicken. If you’re a natural wine nerd, be sure to ask for the “reserve wine list” featuring chef Yembamroong’s favorite bottles.

Anajak Thai Cuisine has been around since the ’80s, but it wasn’t until chef Justin Pichetrungsi took over his parents’ restaurant in 2019 that it began attracting serious media attention. During the pandemic, they launched their now-famous “Thai Taco Tuesday” (TTT), featuring a special menu of tacos and tostadas served in the alley beside the restaurant. This weekly street food party has gained a cult following, drawing long lines of hungry Angelenos willing to wait for a seat at this Sherman Oaks hotspot. On other days, the menu highlights Thai classics like curries, noodles, and their signature Southern Thai crispy fried chicken.

Chef Marcus Jernmark was the head chef of three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm before opening in L.A. The concept at Lielle is approachable fine dining, with a seasonal four-course menu featuring dishes like a kelp chawanmushi with mushrooms, an umami-rich pork broth, and a dollop of caviar. Our favorite dish combined grilled abalone with a dashi emulsion, koshihikari rice, and crunchy Brussels sprout leaves. Dessert was another highlight: a sea buckthorn sorbet, with oolong tea mousse, caramelized pumpkin seeds, and honeycomb. This was amazing on its own, and even better when combined with the fluffy, cardamom-studded Swedish punsch bun. Lielle is Frantzén DNA, in a more casual, buzzy setting, and at the low price point of $150 per person, it’s a place you can return to frequently for the constantly changing menu. This is L.A.’s most exciting new restaurant.

If you want to experience Chef Jordan Kahn’s food without spending $300 on a tasting menu, head to Destroyer – his casual café located across the street from Vespertine. It showcases his creative style of cooking in a more relaxed setting and makes for a great breakfast or lunch spot. Most dishes are under $10, and they taste just as good as they look. We tried the avocado toast and tomatoes with lavender for breakfast, and the chicken confit with grits for lunch.

Chef Josiah Citrin first opened Mélisse in 1999. Twenty years later, he renovated the space, turning the large dining room into Citrin – a more casual, bistro-style eatery – and transforming Mélisse into a tiny speakeasy-style restaurant hidden inside. Step through the graffitied back door into a true foodie paradise. Mélisse plays with classic French techniques, modernizing them and making them more fun. The kitchen is tiny but mighty, turning out some of the absolute tastiest food in L.A. These dishes made us gasp, lick the plate, and beg for more. The vibe is intimate and fun, with amazing music playing on vinyl records in the kitchen.

Our favorite doughnut shop in the world is Sidecar Doughnuts. It was founded in Orange County but now has several locations around L.A. Every flavor is seriously delicious, but our personal favorites are the huckleberry, the butter & salt, and the country ham & egg – a savory doughnut stuffed with a poached egg, ham, and basil hollandaise. Limited quantities available, so go early to make sure you snag one!

Chef Dave Beran previously worked at three-Michelin-starred Alinea in Chicago, but Angelenos are more likely to know him for his fine dining restaurant Dialogue (now closed) or his French restaurant Pasjoli. Beran’s newest fine dining venture, Seline, is tucked away in a secret garden in Santa Monica. Step through the double black doors and enter a culinary wonderland where chef Beran serves a tasting menu with over fifteen courses. The menu is ingredient-driven and Southern California-inspired – Seline works with local farmers to craft its creative dishes. You might encounter unusual combinations like leek, banana, and eucalyptus, or a mid-meal serving of sweet and savory chestnut and brown butter ice cream. Our favorite dish was a dry-aged beef tartare with savory granola, preserved cherry, horseradish remoulade, and thin slices of salt-baked celery root. This is easily some of the highest-level cooking you’ll find in L.A., and we’re confident that a Michelin star is in Seline’s future. Added bonus: the non-alcoholic pairing is perhaps the best we’ve ever had.

Si! Mon is a Central American-inspired restaurant from Panamanian chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas. Located just steps from the beach in Venice, the venue is gorgeous, with a jungle-like outdoor patio filled with plants and string lights. Highlights from our dinner included the tuna carpaccio on a thin, crispy yuca tostada with cachucha pepper aioli, smoked achiote oil, and black lime; the aromatic kanpachi ceviche with coconut leche de tigre, crispy corn, red onion, and plantain chips; and the curry-spiced hamachi sashimi. Save room for the coconut flan topped with brown butter-toasted coconut.

Vin Folk in Hermosa Beach is a neighborhood wine bistro from two former fine dining chefs. The vibe here feels like eating in a friend’s living room – it’s Michelin-level food, without a tasting menu. We tried almost everything on offer, from a fresh scallop ceviche with leche de tigre and lemongrass to a risotto-like dish inspired by Singapore chili crab. Our favorite dish of the night was the mussels tart, like a pot pie filled with leek cream and smoked clams, topped with glazed mussels – rich, acidic, buttery, and balanced. Finish with the turon, their twist on the classic Filipino dessert, with a bruléed banana, crispy phyllo dough, banana cream, and muscovado syrup. It’s the flavors of bananas foster in a mille-feuille!

Our favorite bakery in L.A. has opened a sit-down restaurant in San Pedro. The all-day concept offers brunch in the morning, with egg dishes, breakfast sandwiches, and avocado toast alongside their world-class pastries and specialty coffee. Don’t miss the kouign-amann – it’s the best version we’ve ever had, with a caramelized edge and a gooey, buttery center. We also love the cinnamon knot, the O.G. chocolate chip cookie, and the savory ham and cheese croissant. In the evening, the menu centers around their insanely delicious sourdough pizzas. Our favorite is the white pie, topped with a thick layer of ricotta cream, mozzarella, and olive oil – and we always add roasted garlic as an extra topping. Colossus is truly a paradise for gluten lovers!