183 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

Some of the best sushi spots in Los Angeles are the most hidden and most discreet and come with zero fanfare, and the decades-old, no-reservations Hide (pronounced hee-day) is one of those restaurants. Walking through a curtained entryway, diners will find a smattering of tables and a sushi counter (which is where you should sit) where master sushi chefs slice raw cuts of the freshest fish in town. Keep in mind, this establishment is cash only, but it does have an ATM inside.

Founded by Santa Monica natives, Huckleberry brings together the best ingredients from local farmers and growers to craft diner-style comfort food with a chic twist. Nearly everything is made on-site, even the hot sauce and almond milk. The light, bright space is perfect for a quick brunch. Choose from savories like toad-in-the-hole with housemade chimichurri or a chicken shawarma wrap with beet and carrot slaw and Castelvetrano olives. Breakfast is served all day. Baked goods rotate frequently according to the seasonal whims of the pastry chef; favorites include the Meyer lemon hazelnut scones. Bonito Coffee Roasters coffee tempts from the extensive drink menu.

Los Angeles is known for wonderful hole-in-the-wall eateries tucked inside tiny strip malls, and family-owned Jitlada is Exhibit A, churning out delicious, spicy, southern Thai dishes since 2006. If the colorful yet low-key dining area doesn’t astound you, then the menu with more than 300 options just might. Consider this experience a dive deep into Thai cuisine and chef Tui Sungkamee’s creative mind.

Assemble a beach picnic like a Malibu local at this humble, health-conscious spot where sandwiches include the Surfer Princess (turkey and avocado) and the salads include the Quinoa Queen. You can also choose from smoothies and juices, salads, açaí bowls, snacks, drinks, and more. John's has served locals for more than four decades; you'll find yourself mingling with them in the sunny outdoor dining area.

Bringing Taiwanese food made with California ingredients to a formerly Central American--dominated neighborhood may have been a reach, but Joy makes it work by keeping close ties with the community, preserving its building's history, and naturally, making delicious affordable food. Pine & Crane's sister restaurant is more accessible, spice-wise, but the simple-to-make dishes on its small menu are still comforting, wholesome, and familiar to those who grew up eating some versions of them. Expect modest lines during the weekends, but the food rolls out quickly so wait times aren't too long.

Highly regarded sushi chef Katsuya Uechi turns out spicy tuna atop crispy rice, whimsical wonton cones filled with scoops of silky crab and tuna tartare, and larger plates like miso-marinated black cod. Don't neglect the plates from the robata bar, where skewers of meats are grilled over hot coals. Trend-conscious patrons sit in a seductive space designed by Philippe Starck. Glossy lips kiss the room's clientele from one wall, while kohl-rimmed eyes peer out from behind the sushi bar.

You may feel like you’re about to walk into a sauna rather than a restaurant because of its minimalist light-color wood on white-paint interior, but you'll find nothing but colorful, gorgeous, Middle Eastern dishes here at Kismet. This James Beard nominee perfectly blends comforting Middle Eastern and Israeli cuisine with California flavors and plant-based flair, all served in a modern space.

Born out of the owner’s need for more kitchen space for her growing production catering business, Kitchen Mouse has blossomed into a wildly popular neighborhood restaurant with a cozy rustic-meets-modern look and an inspired, mostly organic vegan--vegetarian menu. The food is bright with vibrant flavors.

Koi first opened its doors in 2002 and immediately became one of the buzziest restaurants in Los Angeles, attracting a who's who clientele salivating over their unique Asian-fusion cuisine. Today, it continues to deliver on every level: fun atmosphere, incredible food, and solid celebrity sightings. Favorites here are the Koi Crispy Rice and Miso Bronzed Cod, but the menu is littered with raw and cooked fish that dazzles. Though you can find Koi sisters in New York and Las Vegas, the original matters, as does the super professional waitstaff who have been here from the beginning.

If you like dining out to feel like an event, then tropical, Tulum-inspired La Mesa is for you, especially if you are visiting with a group or celebrating a special event. With lush greenery and palm trees, ambient mood lighting from candles and hanging lanterns and lamps, live music and outlandish live shows, and specialty cocktails, you might be forgiven for forgetting to eat. But you'd be missing out on the excellent modern Mexican fare of chef Brent Sick's kitchen. 

Just look for the swaying Italian flag at a strip mall on Hillhurst and Melbourne, and you’ll stumble into La Pergoletta, a cozy little space. Though the decor is decidedly frenzied, it still maintains a chic yet rustic quality that looks like it was cobbled together by an Italian nonna. More important, the food tastes like it was made by her, too.

Walking into woman-owned Lady Byrd Cafe is like walking through a portal to a fairy-tale land filled with whimsical decor, inventive greenhouse-sheltered tables, and grandma tableware, which explains its Insta-famous status. But, it’s much more than just a pretty place to eat; dishes are pretty delectable. Think: lemon poppy seed pancakes and salmon, pork, or classic eggs Benedicts for breakfast, and spicy pulled pork sandwiches, burgers, and pastas for lunch and dinner, all with house-made sauces and embellishments. To encourage an unhurried vibe, foliage is everywhere as are pillows and warm blankets. There are outlets if you want to work in an enchanted setting. 

The purveyor of the finest Belgian chocolate in all of Los Angeles, Lady Chocolatt is the perfect answer to the age-old question of what to gift on any special occasion. The ornate display case is filled with dark chocolate truffles, hazelnut pralines, Grand Marnier ganaches, and so much more, all handcrafted by a Master Chocolatier in Belgium. Post up for a late-afternoon espresso or heaven-sent hot chocolate, and let your chocolate dreams wander. 

Situated inside the Hotel Normandie in a minuscule space, Le Comptoir is a 10-seat French restaurant helmed by chef Gary Menes that features veggie-forward food in an unstuffy setting. The counter spot earned a Michelin star for its organic kitchen and intimate atmosphere that gives guests one-on-one attention from the chef who is making and plating your food right in front of you.

Almost just your typical sports bar, there are a couple of things that elevate Link N Hops above its competitors, like excellent hot dog sandwiches and 24 craft beers on tap. And about those signature links: there are around 20, some of which are made with more exotic ingredients like rattlesnake, duck, and bacon, not to mention a choice of toppings.

With a vintage bar and dapper barkeep who mixes up seasonally inspired retro cocktails, an attached Italian deli where you can pick up a pizza kit to take back to your Airbnb or kitchenette, and a $25 Monday-night supper, it's not surprising that Little Dom's is a neighborhood gem. Cozy and inviting, with big leather booths you can sink into for the night, the restaurant puts a modern spin on classic Italian dishes such as rice balls, fish piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs.

If you’re in the mood for good old-fashioned fun coupled with hearty Mexican fare and delicious margaritas, then you’ll want to consider Los Amigos, whose legendary fruity margaritas alone are worth the drive. Pair those with something from the Platillos Mexicanos menu on karaoke night, and you’re guaranteed a good time until the wee hours of the night.

Tucked away from the frenzy of Hollywood, this Los Angeles outpost of the famous Naples-based pizza spot (featured in Eat Pray Love) attracts patrons of all L.A. varieties, from industry folks looking for hearty Italian classics to tourists needing respite from the touristing. L'antica serves comforting yet elevated Neapolitan pie and pasta dishes in an expansive and relaxed classic Italian-meets-modern-Californian indoor-outdoor space accented with lush greenery. You're here for the century-old authentic-Italian pizzas cooked in the signature stone oven, but you should try the pastas, the slow-cooked short rib, and the Italian-style spritz menu. You might care that this is also one of the very few places in L.A. to enjoy zucchini flowers.

Family-run Marouch is somewhat of a rarity in Hollywood in that it deviates from all the usual fanfare and instead delivers a more casual and authentic home-cooking approach with a you're-part-of-our-family attitude. So, while it doesn't constantly reinvent itself a la buzzy Hollywood spots to get you to come back, you will return for the quality and flavor of the traditional Lebanese and Armenian meze plates that have been passed down in the family for generations. Saturday evenings are its busiest, but the owners encourage you to partake in the chaos, as that's when it feels the most like home.

While Masa of Echo Park does do excellent “bistro pizzas,” as the restaurant calls them, it's mostly known for the delectable deep-dish pies that may just be the best you’ll find this side of Chicago. Be prepared, though—it can take a while to get seated and up to 45 minutes to get that deep dish you ordered, so it might be best to call ahead.

This steak house doesn't just feature the best views of the beach; it's also a great place to scope out A-listers. You may be paying for the ambience, but mouthwatering Wagyu steaks, Dungeness crab, and lobster mashed potatoes just seem to taste better when the ocean is nipping at your feet. Live jazz can be heard every night of the week, and a lively brunch on the weekends is always a scene as well. To get a reservation, try booking at least three weeks in advance.

Matū is a steak restaurant that features 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef from New Zealand. Diners here are treated to a cavalcade of meaty options, but you should opt for the (surprisingly) affordable Matū dinner that comes with five courses and includes everything from steak tartare to eight-hour braised beef cheek. If you come for lunch (Wednesday to Sunday only), you can partake in the best Philly cheesesteak in the city made with the same exceptional beef.

For a wholly authentic Ethiopian experience, you can’t really go wrong with Merkato. Not only does it serve the classics like spongy injera bread, spicy beef, and grilled fish, but there’s also a market where you can buy Ethiopian ingredients to make your own mouthwatering cuisine at home.

If the charming, Italian square--inspired interior doesn’t turn you into a sappy mush, then Miceli’s musical servers serenading you with Italian opera will. Studio City might not be the most romantic place in L.A., but one dinner at this restaurant might make you feel like you're in a Hollywood version of Rome.

Michael’s, a Santa Monica institution, was one of the first to introduce "California cuisine" to a then-skeptical public more than four decades ago. Its rotating menu runs the gamut from 30-day dry-aged Wagyu bolognese with pappardelle to Japanese amberjack crudo with sweety drop peppers. The expansive space features a stunning plant-lined patio with a retractable roof, which attracts a well-heeled crowd without being stuffy. The happy hour menu is a steal.

A longtime darling for Angelenos, Milk Bar is a sweets shop that will cure any sugary cravings. The Milk Bar pie and cereal-milk soft serve are favorites, but you can also take classes with owner Christina Tosi to become your own baking master.

The perfect pairing of simplicity and complexity, Momed serves Mediterranean fare that is comforting yet upscale. The welcoming atmosphere is just as perfect for a romantic date night as it is for a more boisterous brunch with friends.

A 100% plant-based establishment in Koreatown shouldn't be a thing that works, but Monty's Good Burger has the neighborhood fooled, as its Impossible Burger makes believers out of the most devout carnivores. Perfectly pressed plant-based patties come with oozing vegan cheese and fries or tots that melt in your mouth. The small counter spot usually has lines out the door (especially late night) of Angelenos who are now hooked on healthy burgers, epic shakes, and perfectly fried food.

A longtime refuge from California's lean cuisine, Nate 'n' Al's serves up steaming pastrami, matzo ball soup, and potato latkes. Big-time media and entertainment insiders are often seen kibbitzing at this old-time East Coast–style establishment.

There can be a bit of a wait, so plan accordingly.