183 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

Tucked into the back of Sugarfish (a popular sushi chain) in the middle of Beverly Hills, this secret omakase (chef's choice) sushi spot has only 10 seats, where master chef Osamu Fujita slices up the freshest cuts of raw fish from a 20-course tasting menu. If you ever wanted to get a one-on-one with a culinary wizard, this is your chance as you sit a foot away from the chef while he prepares your perfect portions. Reservations aren't easy, but can be made 60 days in advance.

Opened in 1924 by Dewey Logan, this classic diner's former claim to fame is that it never closed in the entirety of its run. Currently owned by former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan, the diner has more limited hours and serves American food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for cakes, pies, steaks, and chops. The establishment is also a Los Angeles historic cultural monument.

As the rooftop dinosaur and Lady Liberty statues suggest, this leprechaun-green roadhouse, tucked into the hillside of Pacific Palisades, is a maximalist ode to the past crammed with memorabilia ranging from British railway signs to cheeky bronze statuettes. An Old World portrait of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in epaulets lords over the proceedings, along with Arnold's throne, which you can request to be seated in. Solid breakfast options include the chilaquiles with a generous topping of sliced avocado or the beyond-immense breakfast burrito. For lunch or dinner, come for the just-right fish and chips or the Pot of Gold burger, and try to resist adding the house-made potato chips and banana cream pie. Waitstaff are brisk and friendly and big band and Great American Songbook tunes keep the atmosphere lively.

With a modest, you’ll-hardly-notice-it’s-there exterior and a small, packed-like-sardines interior, you're likely to have to wait in line to get into Petit Trois. But the wait is worth it for the incredible classic French dishes inside. When you're finally eating the steak tartare, you'll forgive the restaurant for any momentary hassles.

A boisterous vibe permeates PCT as groups of twenty- and thirtysomethings feast on fresh guacamole under the graffitied walls. There are 10 or so tacos on the ever-changing menu, from grilled octopus and Baja fish to pork belly and shrimp. Tortillas are made in-house (as are the chips). Wash things down with something from the cocktail menu heavy on tequila and mezcal and get your night started right.

Since 1963, this small and charming diner has done two things really well—pies and burgers. Most seats are counter-style, with a griddle searing up patties. Along with limited outdoor seating, there's also a smattering of tables for larger groups, where you can spy on the oversize cake and pie slices in the back. Burgers are on the simple side, but the pies range from banana and lemon meringue to apple and blackberry. It's the perfect way to end your day after a long trudge in the Huntington Gardens.

This is not the typical Chinese restaurant you might expect; it's a fast-casual, often locally sourced Taiwanese restaurant housed in a modern setting. The menu changes based on season, the wine and beer list updates constantly, and the tea menu is carefully curated.

Chef Nancy Silverton, of Osteria Mozza, owns this upscale pizza and antipasto eatery. The pies—thin-crusted delights with golden, blistered edges—are more Campania than California and are served piping hot daily. Like the dishes, the wines on the Italian-only list are both interesting and affordable. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar.

Essentially just a concrete shack with a roofed outdoor dining space populated by picnic tables, no-frills Playita Mariscos is a beloved local joint lauded for its Baja-style tacos.You'll also find beer-battered fish and shrimp tacos that evoke feelings of the sun-dappled Baja Mexico coast. Be sure to add the aguachile and ceviche to your order.

Polka Polish Cuisine, like most restaurants in L.A., went through a makeover during the lockdown, and now boasts a more modern interior and an airy patio that offers outdoor seating. But the food here---traditional Polish fare like pierogi, schnitzel, and stuffed cabbage rolls---is just as delicious and comforting as ever. Note that as it is comfort food, it tends to be on the heavier side, especially since most entrées come with a soup, salad, and hot vegetables. You may want to resurrect those pandemic stretchy pants to allow for paczki to top your meal off.

Nothing says Beverly Hills quite like the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel. This classic, monied spot is home to Hollywood royalty and entertainment luminaries noshing on lobster Nicoise or the famed Wagyu burger during power lunches. A beautiful flower-lined courtyard provides a modicum of privacy for celebrity A-, B-, and C-listers, while inside features live piano music every night of the week. Afternoon tea is a favorite for locals and the Sunday jazz brunch is the perfect way to end your weekend. Note that there's a loose dress code here, which means no baseball hats, ripped jeans, men's tank tops, or the like.

Waiting in line at Porto's is as much a part of the experience as is indulging in one of its roasted pork sandwiches or chocolate-dipped croissants. This Cuban bakery and café has been an L.A. staple for more than 50 years, often drawing crowds during lunch. Counter service is quick and efficient, though, so go for one of the tasty sandwiches like the pan con lechon (roasted pork), or try the potato balls (heaven). Just don’t skip dessert.

At the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the whole country, chef Tara Punzone makes you believe her caprese has real mozzarella, her meatballs come from cows, and her cacio e pepe is filled with dairy. The food is exceptional, the atmosphere screams New York, and the best part is that no animals were harmed for any of it. Her sister pizzeria is also right next door.

Every night is different at this elegant, one-Michelin-starred omakase (chef-selected) sushi joint. It all depends on what's the freshest and what's the absolute best. The Zen-like space mostly consists of a long, simple wood bar, abacus-lined wall, hanging orb lights, and the master chef Hiroyuki Naruke serving each customer. On any given seating you can find bluefin tuna, giant clams, Hokkaido scallops, Japanese bonito, and more. There are roughly 15--20 courses and each bite is better than the last.

Whether you want to fill up before perusing L.A.’s best art galleries or simply grab a drink to soak in the priceless sculptures at the LACMA, Ray’s and Stark Bar is the perfect complement to any museumgoer's experience. Situated just outside the main entrance of the museum, the restaurant/bar offers a variety of Americana cuisine like pizza, burgers, and pastas. Come on the weekend if you’ve got your four-legged friends with you, as the restaurant hosts a “Barky Brunch” with special treats for your pups.

Escape the glitz and glamour at this decades-old, down-home Malibu institution. Long wooden tables and booths are often filled with fish-loving families chowing down on mahimahi sandwiches and freshly caught swordfish. Get in line and choose your fish and sides, then nab a table. Outside, an expansive, dog-friendly lower patio lets patrons enjoy the sounds and smells of the ocean across the street while they wash down their conquests with ice-cold brews and lemonade. Drivers zip by this wooden fish shack on the Pacific Coast Highway every day, completely oblivious to the fresh bounty waiting inside.

Nestled in the heart of the NoHo Arts District amid newly minted high-rises, Rodini Park’s “build your own” concept and highly rated homemade pastries make it the place to go for a quick, fresh, and delicious take on Greek cuisine. Between the multiple protein, topping, and sauce offerings, it offers something for all palates.

Roscoe's is the place for down-home Southern cooking in Southern California. Just ask the patrons who drive from all over L.A. for bargain-priced fried chicken and waffles. The name of this casual eatery honors a late-night combo popularized in Harlem jazz clubs.

This indoor--outdoor restaurant has served Venice for more than four decades but constantly reinvents itself, serving mouthwatering California cuisines and offering multiple patios, a full bar, and a bakery. Creative types sip espressos and tap on keyboards under the macramé chandeliers, while young families gather out back to snack on smoked radiatore carbonara and crispy brussels sprouts. Perfect for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Rose is a sophisticated yet unpretentious wonderland in the heart of Venice.

A Santa Monica mainstay, the seasonally changing menu at this farm-to-table restaurant consistently upends norms and has even earned a Michelin nod. The homey, minimalist space offers sweeping views of Wilshire Boulevard. On any given night, the menu of California cuisine may include lamb merguez with freekeh or Brandt prime sirloin steak with grilled broccoli. Everything is made in-house, down to the sea salt. Ask the knowledgeable staff for suggested pairings from the never-ending wine list.

Vegan food can be satisfying, filling, and incredibly delicious; and Sage Vegan Bistro, situated in an industrial-modern space on busy Sunset Boulevard, is proof, with its vegan beer and anything made with jackfruit. And like any quality vegan place in L.A., the food is made from locally sourced and organic produce.

With pierced steel-paneled walls covered with fanciful designs, this tucked-away, twin-concept Thai palace has an extensive menu that varies a bit between the two neighboring locations; compare the menus before settling on a location. Next door to the indoor Saladang proper, Saladang Garden offers an outdoor dining space that's also used for special events. You'll find all the SE Asian favorites, including satays, curries, and pad Thai. But also consider the restaurants' other specialties, like the Thai omelet with ground chicken or the fried taro rolls served with a cucumber salad. Be sure to save room for the mango with sweet sticky rice for dessert. 

Featuring all locally sourced meat, seafood, and produce, an all-day lunch menu, and a popular patio, this former West Hollywood spot proves that despite appearances, Californians love traditional meat-based staples and cocktails just as much as they love their kale salads and smoothies. If you're in doubt, just take a good look at this joint's hearty sandwiches.

A Southern California favorite that seems like a tourist trap at first blush but decidedly isn't, this Italian seafood haven has been serving up fresh fish since 1939. This freshness comes from its pedigree as the largest seafood distributor in the Southwest. Come for lunch or dinner, but make sure to take time to stroll around the market, read up on the history, and enjoy free tastings of the specials. The simple menu lets the freshness speak for itself, with options including pan-roasted Baja striped bass with butternut squash, as well as sandwiches (try the gorgeous Maine lobster roll with lemon aioli and chopped chives in butter-toasted Rockenwagner brioche), soups, plates for kids, and an oyster bar.

This kappo (cooking and cutting) restaurant in the middle of Downtown is offering up some of the most inventive raw, steamed, grilled, and fried Japanese dishes you’ll ever try. Chef David Schlosser serves you personally from the 400-year-old cypress bar. Order the Japanese sea bream sashimi or the grilled rice balls with pumpkin and ginger. Always ask for what’s off the menu from this Michelin-starred spot—it’ll surprise you.

Now a franchise with several locations around Los Angeles (and a random one in Concord, NC), this spot in the heart of the city’s hipsterville is the original and the best. The go-to ramen joint for Silverlake and Echo Park denizens is just the ticket if you’re in dire need of some comfort food while also partaking in L.A.’s multicultural food scene.

If you’re searching for some of the spiciest and most succulent tacos in L.A., look no further than Sky’s. This quaint taco joint offers up beef, chicken, turkey, seafood, and vegan options that will leave your mouth on fire and your belly full in all the best ways possible. Chef-owner Barbara “Sky” Burrell also dishes out steaming breakfast tacos and has an enormous vegan and vegetarian menu to boot.

Paying homage to the Mexican border town where owner Teo Diaz-Rodriguez Jr. grew up, Sonoratown is a Downtown L.A. joint that serves some of the best tacos in the entire city. Handmade tortillas, mesquite wood-fired carne asada, and supercheap prices have made this spot a neighborhood favorite and a must-have on any trip Downtown.

In a city where food trucks can be successful enough to have their own brick-and-mortar spaces, and where Filipino food has quickly become a craze, it’s no surprise that Spoon and Pork has found its rightful place in the neighborhood. With a name that cleverly plays on the traditional Filipino way of eating (using both spoon and fork), this modern Filipino food spot is the perfect introduction to the cuisine.

The haute cupcake craze isn't going away, so expect lines that extend out the door and down the block here. If you need an after-hours fix, not to worry: Sprinkles also has the world's first cupcake (and cookie) ATM, open round the clock. The most popular flavor? Red velvet, of course.