49 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

This enchanting French brasserie offers a charming library, a bar with a fireplace lounge, a private dining room, a beautiful covered outdoor dining patio, and a large interior dining room. The talented chefs prepare traditional French fare that includes the best French onion soup, sliced baguette with Normandy butter, garlicky escargot, steaks, duck, fish, and pasta. Select from an appealing range of California and French wines to pair with your meal. Save room for the vanilla crème brûlée and chocolate mousse cake with pistachio ice cream. Sip mimosas during the elegant Sunday brunch.

For an extravagant dining adventure, step into Barton G and start with a tantalizing nitro-cocktail with a flaky lobster pop tart baking inside a bright yellow retro toaster. Drinks and dishes here are to be admired and appreciated in this fun and glamorous setting. A large carnival-style popcorn machine is delivered to various tables with Old Bay spiced popcorn and crispy shrimp with a sriracha aioli dipping sauce. Save room for a smoking treasure box with Valrhona 66% double chocolate bittersweet brownies and house-made Tahitian vanilla bean nitro ice cream, and a wig of pink cotton candy piled on a Marie Antoinette silver head.

A celebrity favorite for vegan and vegetarian diners, Crossroads's level of plant-based inventiveness knows no bounds. The dining room is dimly lit with red-leather booths and a full bar. Diners enjoy the artichoke oysters, eggplant short rib, pizzas, and house made pastas. They serve coffee and pastries on the weekends on the outdoor patio starting at 10 in the morning.

Gracis Madre is known for its creative plant-based Mexican cuisine made from scratch. Everything is organic, non-GMO, and vegan, sourced from local and regenerative farmers. The large patio is popular on warm days and evenings. 

Sunday brunch at James Beard Award Finalist Wes Avila's MXO has churro French toast, yellow corn pancakes, and Puerto Nuevo lobster on the menu. Located in the heart of vibrant West Hollywood, the menu is a tribute to Chef Avila's Mexican roots and Los Angeles upbringing; the MXO stands for "Mexican Origins." The wood-fired preparations are at the heart of traditional Mexican cuisine infused with seasonal California ingredients. Try the sweet potato taquitos, grilled cabbage Caesar salad, and pork al pastor.

Uchi, which means "house" in Japanese, is the brainchild of James Beard Award–winning chef Tyson Cole, one of the few American sushi masters. Locals and visitors appreciate the nontraditional Japanese cuisine with signature tastings, sushi, and a seasonal ten-tasting omakase experience. The food is a work of art including tins of caviar with scallion pancakes and house cultured butter. The extensive menu includes hot and cold tastings; blue fin, nigiri, and sashimi; daily specials; and fascinating desserts.

James Beard Award winner Suzanne Goin prepares innovative Mediterranean-inspired starters, shared plates, and entrées that pair nicely with her partner (and fellow James Beard Award winner) Caroline Styne's perfectly curated wine pairings. Try the Spanish fried chicken; wood-oven brioche with prosciutto, Gruyère cheese, and an egg; or arroz negro (black rice) with squid.

As one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants, chef-owner Gino Angelini's consistently prepares impressive classic dishes, like whole branzino, tagliolini al limone, veal chop alla Milanese, as well as lasagna oozing with besciamella (Italian béchamel sauce). Be sure to select one of the Italian wines to complement your meal.

Fans of Bestia have been lining up for stellar Mediterranean cuisine at this Arts District hot spot, which is owned by the same restaurateurs. Rose-gold stools give way to marble tabletops as the open kitchen bangs out hummus and baba ghanoush spreads, along with flatbreads and lamb-neck shawarma. The vibe is lively, the staff is chill, the patio is a scene, and the food is out of this world. Reserve early, as this place gets filled fast.

The ultimate for steak and seafood, this scenic spot on the border of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills is an indoor/outdoor gem. Be sure to order the table-side Caesar salad, before perfectly prepared cuts of prime rib, signature 40-day aged steaks, or a grilled fish entrée. For starters, order the freshly baked Parker House rolls with two butters, and the signature goat cheese baklava topped with pistachios and honey. Elevated side dishes include a decadent truffle or lobster enhanced mac and cheese, and perfectly cooked grilled asparagus. The cheesecake is light and served with a scoop of salted caramel ice cream. A crowd favorite is the handmade giant cookies with vanilla ice cream.

The walls of this iconic Chinese restaurant tell a story with rows of black and white headshots of the Hollywood actors, and photos of directors and celebrities who have dined here since 1939. When the 1933 Group took over the building a few years ago, they refreshed the Chinese-inspired design with red lanterns, intricate woodwork, and Asian motifs. The scenic bar is popular during Golden Hour into the evening. What makes this restaurant extra special besides the delicious Chinese food and craft cocktails is the allure of dining inside a historic street car. Menu favorites include orange chicken, veggie bao dumplings, fried tofu and Chinese chicken salad. They offer a weekend brunch menu with avocado toast, steak and eggs, mimosas, and a classic Bloody Mary.

Legendary Italian chef Massimo Bottura opened this spot, his first L.A. eatery, to loads of fanfare and celebrity sightings. The restaurant mirrors the Florence, Italy, location of the same name with a menu filled with favorites like a mouthwatering tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano crema. The locale sits atop the roof of the Gucci retail outlet on Rodeo Drive with prime positioning for watching the high-end shoppers and glitzy denizens of the neighborhood.

Heaven for carnivores, this upscale European-style butcher shop and fine-dining restaurant serves wood-fire-cooked meats in a copper-and-marble art deco setting. From Australian celeb-chef Curtis Stone and his brother, Luke, and named for their grandmother, Gwen's butcher shop serves up quality cuts of humanely raised meats to locals during the day, while the elegant dining space within view of the glass-enclosed dry-age rooms, charcuterie curing, and roaring firepit elevates the smoking, searing, and roasting of those quality meats to an art form by night. The focus is obviously meat here but the seasonal sides, cocktails, desserts, and Australian coffees are superior, too. Daytime there's coffee and pastries available; sit at the outside patio for a refined coffee break.

Katana is a unique high-end Japanese robatayaki-style restaurant with a terrace above Sunset Boulevard. Diners enjoy robata skewers grilled over bincho charcoals, infusing meats, seafood, and vegetables with rich smokiness. Sit on the outdoor patio with sake and colorful cocktails, while popping array of signature rolls, sashimi and nigiri into your palate. During the week, Happy Hour in the bar is from 5:30 to 7 pm. There is a sexy vibe, a live DJ, and dramatic candlelight.

For a grand savory adventure inside the Kimpton La Peer Hotel, chef Charbel Hayek prepares an array of winning Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired menu items, such as a mezze platter to pair with a vibrant cocktail. Start with an array of dips, olives, and pita bread, before ordering one or more wood-grilled menu items. Popular dishes include dry-aged Rohan duck and olive-crusted rack of lamb, plus some satisfying vegetarian fare to enjoy with a glass of Old World, Ancient World, and New World wines. 

You would never just stumble upon this out-of-the-way spot in Chinatown, but world-famous celeb chef David Chang likes it that way. The beautifully designed minimal spot with spacious patio, an exposed-duct ceiling, and elongated wood bar has a cuisine style that defies any singular category. Can't-miss dishes include the mac and chickpea, the crispy pork belly, and the whole plate short rib with beef and rice—a dish you'll dream about for years. Reservations are hard to come by, but the bar is first come, first served, and a great way to sample the unique menu.

It's a gem tucked within a treasure box: hidden within Citrin, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, is Mélisse, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Chef-owner Josiah Citrin entrusts chef/partner Ken Takayama to blend his modern French cooking with seasonal California produce at this Santa Monica institution. On any given night, the rotating,18-course tasting menu might feature Santa Barbara uni cromesquis, Kagoshima A5 Wagyu beef or a hojicha macaron. The cheese cart is packed with domestic and European selections, and the dining room is contemporary yet elegant, with well-spaced tables and fine china. The tasting menu can be made vegetarian.

A trio of restaurants by star chef Nancy Silverton, MozzaPlex consists of Pizzeria Mozza, an elevated pizza and wine spot where you can watch them toss, top, and pour; celebrity hot spot Osteria Mozza, a beloved upscale Italian restaurant with memorable pastas; and Chi Spacca, a local favorite for grilled proteins, salads, and savory pies. Be sure to look at the all-Italian wine list offering bottles from Piedmont, Friuli, and Tuscany.

Here’s one place where you can experience authentic, old Hollywood glamour. Since 1919, the old-school steak house has welcomed stars beginning in the silent era (Charlie Chaplin), to Hollywood’s Golden age (Humphrey Bogart and Marilyn Monroe) to now. The Academy Award winning film, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood boosted the fortunes of Hollywood’s oldest restaurant when it featured the eatery in a key scene. A-listers and film industry pros prefer the clubby wood booths or a stool at the 1930s-era Mahogany-topped bar. The menu is printed daily and adheres to tradition: shrimp and crab cocktail starters are crisp and fresh, steaks are cooked over the wood fire grill, and sides are decadent. Cocktails are classic, too. Sip a martini while taking in the dark wood decor and the efficiency of the red tuxedo-clad waiters. Reservations are essential for table seating; walk-ins are welcome at the counter and bar.

Chef’s Table star Niki Nakayama helms this Michelin-starred kaiseki fine-dining establishment. Small and intimate, any given night might feature sashimi with kanpachi, sea bass with uni butter, or Myazaki Wagyu beef. Wine and sake pairings are tailored to your palate and never miss the spot. The meal is three hours, and not cheap, but worth every minute.

The best way to dine at the popular Nobu is to share a few cold items and some of the hot ones off the extensive menu. Dishes are a fusion of Japanese ingredients with Peruvian flavors, such as the creamy and spicy rock shrimp tempura, yellowtail with a jalapeño slice on top, and the tender and flavorful miso black cod. There is a large drink menu that includes Hokusetsu sake and Nobu champagne. This restaurant is so popular that now there is a Nobu restaurant in almost every major city around the world.

At famous chef-restaurateur Nobu Matsuhisa's coastal outpost, super-chic clientele sails in for morsels of the world's finest fish. It’s hard not to be seduced by the oceanfront property; stellar sushi and ingenious specialties match the upscale setting. Exotic species of fish are artfully accented with equally exotic South American peppers, seared toro (tuna belly) with truffle teriyaki, and a broth made with matsutake mushrooms. The chef's tasting menus are also a solid bet. Order the bento box Valrhona chocolate soufflé and enjoy the ocean from every seat in the house. If you want to eat here, you'll need to make reservations exactly one month in advance.

This is widely considered one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, and chef-owner Michael Cimarusti elevates sustainably driven fine dining to an art form. The elegant space is the perfect spot to sample exquisite seafood with the chef's signature application of French technique, traditional American themes, and Asian accents. Pastry chef Mac Daniel Dimla’s exquisite desserts are not to be missed. Obsessed with quality, Cimarusti maintains a network of purveyors who often tip him off to their catches in order to ensure that the fish on your plate is the freshest in the city. The drinks menu is equally elevated with a creative non-alcoholic beverages available that can be paired with each course.

This stunning expansive restaurant was originally built for Charlie Chaplin back in the 1920s. Now there is a line of fans waiting to enter and smell the enticing scent of handmade croissants by award-winning pastry chef and owner Margarita Manzke. In 2023, Chef Margarita won a James Beard Award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker for her work at République. Her French delicacies and baguettes are better than most in the city. Her husband and co-owner Walter is known for his Dover Sole A La Meunière, beef short ribs, and roasted Liberty duck. A full bar keeps things buzzing throughout the evening.

Wolfgang Puck's flagship restaurant is a modern L.A. classic. Spago centers on a buzzing redbrick outdoor courtyard (with retractable roof) shaded by 100-year-old olive trees, and a daily-changing menu that offers dishes like smoked salmon pizza or off-menu schnitzel. Dessert is magical, with everything from an ethereal mango soufflé to artisanal cheeses. Opt for the tasting menu as it comes with a personal tour of the kitchen, and if you’re lucky, a meet and greet with Puck himself.

The successful Sugarfish concept is to simplify one's dining experience by focusing on fresh, high-quality fish with warm and tender rice to allow the natural flavors to shine. Order off the "Trust Me" menu, where the chef curates a selection of nigiri, sashimi, and rolls based on what’s freshest that day. This approach takes the decision-making out of the dining experience and ensures customers get the best possible sushi without having to navigate a menu.

Yardbird is a colloquialism for a domestic chicken, and as the name suggests, fried chicken is one of the main attractions here. Crispy white and dark meat chicken is made in a 27-hour process of coating, brining, and dredging in Grandma Lewellyn’s secret herbs and spices before going in the fryer.

As its name suggests, this sky-high dining den sits on the 71st floor, 950 feet above ground level. With that elevation comes the most stunning views of any restaurant in L.A., and the food is close to matching it. This fine-dining experience has a quarterly rotating menu, but you'll typically find fresh seafood, innovative veggies, delicious scallops, and more. A dress code is loosely enforced, but you can't come in wearing shorts, hats, flip-flops, or any athletic gear. Keep it classy here, bring a date, and get sucked into the twinkling lights of the city as the sun sets over the ocean.

This rooftop restaurant has great views and a Hollywood crowd. Sit at the large bar or get cozy in one of the teal brushed-leather booths for seafood and sushi. Signature favorites include truffle sashimi and Japanese Wagyu cooked table side on a hot rock. 

Inspired by the original Mayfair location in London, this modern classic Italian restaurant offers a menu filled with small Italian appetizers called ciccetti, ethereal handmade pastas with delicious sauces, and wood-fired pizzas and proteins.