For your visit to Los Angeles, we have compiled a list of the most popular and best restaurants for you. So your culinary needs are taken care of every day at any time. Let yourself be inspired by our top list of the 28 best restaurants in Los Angeles.
Felix
The simple and unassuming name certainly does not suggest that behind Felix lies a temple for pasta and the legendary Italian cuisine. Evan Funke runs this chic restaurant in the legendary former Joe’s Space on Abbot Kinney. Start with the glorious focaccia, served at the beginning of the meal in a lavish round. Fresh salads, prepared with as much love as the pasta, are an essential part of every Italian meal. The main attraction is the handmade pasta: Rigatoni all’amatriciana, Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, and Pappardelle Bolognese.
n/naka
The phenomenal California-Japanese kaiseki by Niki Nakayama is one of the most popular restaurants in Los Angeles. No wonder the restaurant was awarded two stars when the Michelin Guide returned to LA. The hidden building in Palms houses one of the city’s most beautiful dining rooms, with fantastic wines and immaculate seafood prepared with a masterful touch. Reservations are required, often weeks or even months in advance, tho last-minute seats are available at odd hours.
Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
Dulan’s is the go-to place for soul food in Los Angeles, as well as for its charming owner Gregory Dulan. The cafeteria-style restaurant is not short on cheerful service and generous portions, especially of sides like mac and cheese, green beans and cornbread. Even the iced tea is bottomless.
Teddy’s Red Tacos
The birria scene has developed well in LA over the past few years, and Teddy’s Red Tacos has been there from the beginning. What makes Teddy’s special is that the tacos are made with tender beef instead of goat. Teddy’s makes its tortillas with beef broth, giving them a bright red color. Teddy’s also has a location in Venice Beach and a food truck in Echo Park.
Mariscos Jalisco This wonderful seafood truck in East Los Angeles offers one of the best street food experiences in the city. Fried shrimp tacos with fresh salsa are the right choice for every budget. If you’re a bit adventurous and love seafood of all kinds, you should pay a visit to this restaurant.
Nightshade
Mei Lin’s restaurant is located in a modest warehouse in the Arts District and offers a mix of Asian and American ingredients. The food fits the alternative setting, served in a modern space. Desserts are also a must, from the coconut mousse with lime granita to the guava cheesecake with white chocolate marble.
Majordomo
David Chang’s Chinatown restaurant was one of the most impressive openings in Los Angeles, and he has masterfully managed to combine seasonality with many of the Asian flavors and spices. The stripped-back industrial setting suits the often simple but stylishly presented dishes. Start with bread and dips, move on to pasta or raw seafood, and finish with smoked ribs.
Bavel
Bavel represents both types of Middle Eastern heritage in a lovely restaurant in the Arts District. The popular restaurant requires reservations for prime-time meals. Order the nduja duck hummus, grilled oyster mushrooms, spicy shrimp, and lamb döner for a typically modern Middle Eastern dinner.
Rossoblu
Steve Samson opened this ode to Northern Italian cuisine, particularly from the Bologna and Emilia-Romagna regions. The modern dining room is one of the most attractive spaces in the city. Nestled in a stylish ambiance, guests feel comfortable here while enjoying the typically high-quality cuisine.
Lum-Ka-Naad
Lum-Ka-Naad in Northridge is a Thai all-rounder that is popular in Los Angeles. Hidden deep in the Valley, this well-trafficked restaurant is wedged between a glass wholesaler and a massage parlor on a busy stretch of Reseda Boulevard. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, and offers a menu of northern and southern Thai cuisine. The owners are from different parts of the country and make a point of showcasing dishes from both regions. Expect excellent noodles, grilled meats, soups, and curries, as well as many salads.
The Arthur J. Mid-century ambiance and classic service, that’s what the Arthur J in Manhattan Beach stands for. The Arthur J. is one of the most popular restaurants in South Bay, offering a wide selection of classic home-cooked meals, grilled steaks, and fantastic seafood. The clientele is broad, from simple to affluent, and everyone feels at home. Don’t skip dessert by Uyen Nguyen, a talented pastry chef, and enjoy the extraordinary upside-down persimmon cake.
Spoon by H Yoonjin Hwang’s modest but charming restaurant is very popular in Los Angeles, as guests enjoy innovative yet typically Korean home-cooked meals, accompanied by high-quality fruit teas and wonderfully crispy waffles. Spoon by H is a true example of what makes eating in L.A. so great, from a bowl of pork dumpling soup to a killer spam rice. Be prepared to wait, as the tiny kitchen isn’t set up for large volumes, but the fantastic food is worth it.
Kali
The clear, minimalist interior appeals to both businesspeople and those looking to celebrate a special occasion. The menu features dishes that represent classic American cuisine and unadulterated products. These are served in an elegant, stylish manner and pair wonderfully with the excellent selection of wines.
Auburn
Auburn is located in the former Hatfields/Citrus space on Melrose Avenue. The menu remains flexible, offering a choice of 4, 6 or 9 courses from around a dozen dishes of modern Los Angeles cuisine. A fantastic restaurant for special occasions with the right service.
Here’s looking at you
Jonathan Whiteners well-visited restaurant in the heart of Koreatown serves some of the most creative and delicious dishes in Los Angeles. The food is hard to categorize, but it is definitely international in flavor. The brunch is considered one of the best in LA.
Republic
When Walter and Margarita Manzke took over the legendary Campanile space, they knew they had a lot at stake. And who in L.A. would have thot they would do so well offering an excellent breakfast and dinner menu with a French accent? The menu probably appeals to everyone. Margarita’s desserts, breads and baked goods are as good as expected, while the charcuterie plate is a showstopper.
Park Barbecue
In Los Angeles, one of the epicenters of Korean cuisine is located. In the park, you will find everything from grilled meat to stews to creative casseroles. Anyone who likes grilled food and Korean cuisine should give this combination a chance.
Nite + Market Song
Nite + Market Song offers excellent Thai dishes—pork toro, Bangkok mall pasta, and larb—in a fun, convivial atmosphere on the Eastside.
Sonoratown
This tiny spot in Downtown LA is one of the most impressive taco spots, serving Sonoran-style tacos and quesadillas with grilled meats and flour tortillas. Don’t forget to order the chivichanga, a burrito with cheese and shredded chicken or machaca beef. Everything is also very affordable, although parking in this part of downtown is difficult and not exactly cheap. It’s better to arrive by public transport.
Bon Temps
Pastry chef Lincoln Carson brings decades of experience to the kitchen of his first solo restaurant in LA’s dynamic Arts District. Bon Temps’ unusual but appealing layout doesn’t get in the way of a tasty meal. Carson’s high-end, Euro-influenced cuisine shows off the elegant side of L.A.’s dining scene. Bon Temps also offers pastries, sandwiches and coffee during the day.
Spago & Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air
No story about celebrity hotspots would be complete without mentioning Wolfgang Puck, one of the most famous restaurants in Los Angeles. At Spago (176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills 90210), it’s all about the airy courtyard. Puck’s longtime culinary partner Lee Hefter works with executive chef Tetsu Yahagi to vary the menu by season. The menu is internationally focused. Sommelier Christopher Miller offers over 30,000 bottles of wine. This development contributes to Puck being frequented regularly by high-profile guests.
The innovative redesign at Stone Canyon has paid off. Stephane Lacroix, director of Hotel Bel-Air Food & Beverage, said: “The exclusivity and tranquility of Hotel Bel-Air has always attracted celebrities, and we have been a true sanctuary for high-profile personalities in the past.” This is still the case today, and Wolfgang Puck at Hotel Bel-Air is another reason for celebrities to dine with us on a consistent basis.”
Tavern
A majestic rooster greets guests at the Tavern (11648 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles 90049), the versatile restaurant and bakery. At Tavern, everyone feels at home. The hospitality draws a fine line between being familiar and warm-hearted and being intrusive, and it meets the needs of the guests, whether they are famous or not. You won’t find any paparazzi here. That means celebrities can enjoy their seasonal American cuisine in peace in the bakery and café or indulge in a rack of lamb in the airy dining room.
Nobu Malibu
Since 1987, chef Nobu Matsuhisa has been showing how to attract people. His restaurant empire stretches across the globe, but his LA restaurants are still the best. The Pacific location certainly helps attract guests of all stripes. Visitors to Nobu Malibu (22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu 90265) will find a floor-to-ceiling warm wood decor in the airy restaurant that is anything but dated. Notable dishes include monkfish pâté with caviar, black cod with miso and roasted king crab.
Culina, Modern Italian
Culina in Beverly Hills (300 S. Doheny Dr, Los Angeles 90048) has gained momentum while maintaining its celebrity clientele, not just during awards season. The sprawling indoor and outdoor space is located in the southwest corner of the luxurious property. Former chef Meredith Manee said: “Celebrities enjoy a pleasant dinner at Culina as they know they are treated with the best service and privacy without paparazzi.”
Many celebrities have their favorite tables, so we are working to accommodate specific requests and dietary needs. We can accommodate special dietary needs such as vegan and gluten-free.” Culina offers vegan, gluten-free, and juice-based options. Crudo bar chefs create combinations like salmon with blood orange, caviar, and chives. Yes, people (even celebrities) are known to enjoy heartier dishes like lasagna verdi and lamb chops. Hustler provocateur and frequent Culina guest Larry Flynt even has his own salad on the menu.
APL Restaurant
Adam Perry Lang first built a following in Hollywood by serving “Serious Barbecue” on Jimmy Kimmel’s backlot. He switched from smoked meat to house-made steak, opening APL Restaurant on Hollywood Boulevard (1680 Vine St., Los Angeles 90028) in 2018. Celebrities followed, including actors like Jake Gyllenhaal and Jason Bateman, as well as A-list directors like Jon Favreau and Alfonso Cuaron. They enjoy wedge salads with house-smoked bacon, ribs and steaks.
Catch LA
Catch LA (8715 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood 90069) is a sprawling 340-seat restaurant that Mark Birnbaum and Eugene Remm built on a rooftop. Celebrities feel just as at home on the plant-lined terrace with its stunning city views as regular folks. Popular dishes on Daniel Yes extensive menu include chilled seafood towers, salmon carpaccio and a luxurious A5 Japanese Miyazaki Wagyu roast on a hot stone. Guests sip champagne or cocktails while enjoying views of Los Angeles.
Beauty & Essex
The TAO Group built on its success in cities like New York and Las Vegas by designing a multifaceted Hollywood project in 2017. It includes the signature Asian Tao bistro, the Dream Hotel, the Luchini pizzeria and bar, and an upscale bar and lounge. The rooftop lounge is called The Highlight Room. The Grand Restaurant and Lounge Beauty & Essex (1615 Cahuenga Blvd, Los Angeles 90028) features a 20-foot oval skylight.
Cecconi’s
The Soho House Group has created one of LA’s most exclusive hospitality experiences by building a members-only outpost of its club high above the Sunset Strip. Cecconi’s (8764 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood 90069), one of the most famous restaurants in Los Angeles, is still glamorous but less exclusive, as anyone can use the plant-lined courtyard, the marble-floored dining room or the semi-private butterfly room with its bright orange heart.
GM & Sommelier Marino Monferrato: “We believe that celebrities enjoy dining at Cecconi’s for the same reason all our guests do.” It’s a safe haven where they can enjoy a great, relaxed meal at any time of the day. We treat all our guests like VIPs and make sure their culinary experiences are not compromised.” The seasonal, all-day Italian menu by Chef Andrea Cavaliere could include pasta such as Plin Agnolotti with black truffles, salmon roasts with rapini, and the Italian answer to tapas, cicchetti.
