183 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

While there are plenty of great Thai restaurants in Los Angeles, if you're looking for something a little different, Summer Buffalo isn't just about classic Thai fare. Yes, you'll still find favorites like larb, curry, and pad Thai, but you'll also be able to sample chicken wings that come in four different sauces, including traditional grapow. It’s the perfect cozy yet casual little place to stop by for lunch while in Burbank.

Bread is in this restaurant's name and should be front and center on your dining plan here as it is freshly baked and delicious served with sides like fresh cheese and smoked trout. The light, bright, and open space and umbrella- and tree-filled patio is popular for coffee and baked bread and pastries early in the day; grain bowls, salads, and avocado toast for lunch and brunch (on weekends); and the oyster bar, Hippie burgers, sandwiches, pastas, and creative cocktails as lunch rolls in to dinner. Menus change with the season and cocktails are made with locally sourced spirits. Whatever you eat, don't forget to have some bread.

Fans of Lisa Vanderpump and the Vanderpump Rules reality show on Bravo will instantly recognize SUR as the backdrop for the series's endless drama, broken relationships, one-night stands, and countless drinks. The actual restaurant serves a melange of new American items that range from fried goat cheese balls to prime pork chops. Set right in the heart of West Hollywood, the restaurant is a great launching pad for a rowdy night out or the last drink before a one-night stand of your own.

Consistently rated one of the top sushi spots in L.A., Sushi Gen continues to dole out the freshest and tastiest fish in town. Sit at the elongated bar and get to know the sushi masters while they prepare your lunch. Sometimes the simplest sushi is the best, so forgo any fancy rolls and ask the chef what’s fresh and let them do the rest.

A calming effect comes over you as you enter this simple sushi bar on one of L.A.'s most fashionable streets. Chef Yoshimoto actually sharpened his skills inside Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market where he learned what the best quality fish really means, resulting in sushi that transports you to Japan.

Sweet Rose Creamery is the next-best thing you'll find to homemade ice cream—only with a much posher atmosphere in the Brentwood Country Mart. From-scratch offerings feature local farmers' fare and are all-natural. Come for the salted caramel and stay for seasonal specialties like the Santa Teresa lemon buttermilk sherbet. There are even heavenly options for the lactose-intolerant.

You likely won't notice this cramped little spot on Glendale Boulevard unless there's a line or you're a fan of the late, great Anthony Bourdain, who was a big fan. About that line—it's almost always there, especially weekend mornings, when Tacos Villa Corona caters to the hungover crowd.

It’s a bit of a specific recognition, but Tam O’Shanter is the oldest restaurant run by the same family in the same location in Los Angeles, operating for more than 90 years in its Tudor-style spot—that alone makes this place a worthy addition to any Atwater Village visit. Then there’s their delicious food whose $30 prices are completely worth it, not to mention the fact that, once upon a time, it was Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant.

Feast on Pan-Asian fare and dark and atmospheric faux-Asian decor as A- and B-listers do the same at neighboring tables in this dramatic 300-seat two-level restaurant and lounge next to the Dream Hotel. It's all about vibes here, and it definitely attracts celebratory groups for the sharing plates, DJ, moody candle- and red-lamp light, Asian-themed decor including the giant Quan Yin statue looking out over the ornate main dining room, and the lively patio, lounge, and bar. The menu focuses on Japanese, Thai, and Chinese ingredients. Lobster wontons, Peking Duck for two, and fresh sushi are popular offerings.

At first glance, TeaPop may seem to be doing too many things at once, but this tea-centric café, with its art gallery–slash–industrial modern interior and picturesque patio, is a perfect spot to not only study or take a breather, but also to catch pop-up events like comedy nights and workshops. Don’t let the hipster vibes turn you off—the service is fantastic and the drinks delicious.

Jaws drop upon entering this French hot spot in West Hollywood, thanks to the marvelous interior design with sloping wood ceilings, lush leather banquettes, angled mirrors, and open kitchen. But more important, French-food fanatics will salivate over the gooey cheese plates and duck leg confit. The cocktail program is equally good, as expert mixologists whip up original concoctions.

This farm-to-table eatery uses all local ingredients to whip up creative cuisine in a chic environment. Savory musts include the oysters with grapefruit mignonette, as well as the outstanding Mediterranean sea bass. Upon entry you'll notice a wood-beam ceiling, brick-laden bar, and hanging Edison lights that set the stage. Open for lunch and dinner with a revolving weekly special, the Arbour's cocktail menu includes a mezcal paloma emblematic of its Pasadena roots.

Located in the historic lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, this old-world Italian steak house features a glamorous, Old Hollywood feel with mirrored columns, floor-to-ceiling windows, and Spanish Colonial Revival details alongside an open kitchen, comfortable banquettes, a wood-fire hearth, and a menu that showcases chef Nancy Silverton's flair for Californian-Italian flavors. The deconstructed steak tartare has obtained cult status as have the dry-aged steaks, pasta al forno, poultry cooked over a wood fire, and the Barish Farmhouse rolls, served warm with Rodolphe Le Meunier butter on the side. Don't skip on a glamorous end to your meal with the gelato and sorbetto offerings.

Put on your bib and prepare to get messy, because this crab shack is not for stodgy eaters. Choices of blue, Dungeness, snow, and king are brought out in plastic bags where you can rip, tear, twist, and yank the meaty goodness out of their shells. At the end of your meal, your table will look like a murder scene---but that's just a sign that you've done things correctly. Wet naps abound.

Stop at this two-story locals' favorite for coffee and pastries, or choose from a long list of sandwiches for something more substantial. Sit out front and watch the crowds drifting in off the beach, or get cozy upstairs in one of the comfortable reading chairs.

The homemade pasta here, kneaded from imported Italian flour, guarantees this place a spot on the "must eat" list. The large Arts District eatery is carved from a converted warehouse and is held up inside by towering pillars. Try the Ligurian Focaccina Tradizionale (basically a bread stuffed with cheese), or, treat your dinner date to handkerchief pasta dripping with almond basil pesto. The cannoli are arguably the best in town, and the coffee isn’t too shabby either.

Big hotel restaurants are rarely ever good, let alone adventurous with their dishes, but the Front Yard is one of the very few exceptions. It has one of the best patios in the Valley, which like the hotel is furnished in that retro '70s style that makes you feel like you should linger all day. On that note, there is a rosé-all-day special with purchase of an entrée and a super popular brunch menu that includes hot chicken biscuits and shrimp and grits, as well as all the expected eggs and granolas. The menu changes regularly and might include short-rib pot pie and a variety of delicious vegan flatbreads. Order the Valley fried chicken with a sweet and spicy chili sauce and mac n’ cheese to share family-style. 

A friendly neighborhood Scottish pub, the Morrison comes with a bit of an upmarket flair, a kids' menu, and believe it or not, dishes for your canine friends. And, since this is L.A., it serves a damn fine brunch. Come here for a laid-back-pub vibe with slightly elevated dining.

The coolest kid on the Pasadena block, the Raymond 1886 is carved out of an old Craftsman cottage and has an expansive patio with long wooden tables and hanging lights. Chefs dish out everything from roasted acorn squash with "forbidden" rice to braised beef cheeks with mole sauce. Inside can be a little more claustrophobic, but makes for a perfect spot for intimate daters to get a little closer. Be sure to explore the daring seasonal cocktail menu, with intriguing names like the Princess Ain't Here and the Shepherd's Betrayal. Don't miss the truly killer chilaquiles on the brunch menu.

Los Angeles is not known for barbecue so when a place like the Swingin Door does it right, it’s worth taking note. Take a gander around and you'll see smokers slowly cooking all that meaty goodness, ready to be enjoyed on plastic-covered tables and doused with a variety of different hot sauces (which you can buy to take home). You might just think you'd died and gone to Texas.

It's a lot, from the mouthful of a restaurant name, and the caters-to-everyone extensive menu, to the oversized steampunk-style decor (think: airship mural and nearly 100-foot-high smokestacks), and the characters who interact with diners. But set in Universal CityWalk, it is the perfect amount of "a lot" to meet your fanciful, over-the-top mood after visiting theme parks. There's a bar, multilevel dining rooms, and a retail shop to purchase house-made chocolates. Start with pork belly sliders and nachos and then work your way through the robust burger menu, pastas, salads, pizzas, and more, or just swerve to crepes, sundaes, puddings, and over-the-top milkshakes if sweets are preferred. And don't forget that retail store to hit up on the way out.

While theme-park food is notoriously bad, the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head, both at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, are exceptions. Yes, you have to go into the park itself to grab a bite, but if you happen to be here (which, let's be honest, is probably the only reason you're in Universal City), you should wander in and feast on large helpings of traditional British fare and gulp down frozen butterbeer.

This rustic trattoria along San Vicente has been a favorite celebrity haunt for decades. Expect elevated sensory offerings, from its cozy atmosphere to its mouthwatering Tuscan and Italian fare (including carpaccio and gnocchi primavera) and excellent wine list.

The red building situated on the corner of York and North Avenue 51 houses a pizzeria that's as quirky and hip as the neighborhood it inhabits. Pizza purists, however, may cringe at some of the toppings, which include dried figs, corn, and mole. Vegans and vegetarians, on the other hand, will appreciate them.

It's hard to fathom that the pasta inside this small counter restaurant is flown in weekly from Bologna. But once you take a bite of the perfect cacio e pepe, amatriciana, or tortellini with crema parmigiano, you'll become an instant believer. If you're in the mood for a midday treat between museum visits or want to close out your night with a steaming bowl of bucatini, you can't go wrong with Uovo.

The ultratrendy Urth Caffé is full of beautiful people refueling on organic coffee and tea with a range of health-conscious sandwiches, salads, and juices. The outdoor patio is a great place to take in the scene or spot celebrities.

Most cafés treat tea as an afterthought, but at Valerie Confections, it’s the main event. Different varieties of tea take over half the menu and many of the morsels advertised only serve to complement the tea. The desserts, though, are the unique kind that only a celebrated chocolatier like co-owner Valerie Gordon could produce. Even those who don't enjoy tea may find themselves perfectly delighted.

This beachfront bar has been the local watering hole for musicians like the Beatles, the Doors, and the Beach Boys since 1944. It boasts an amazing view and serves tasty California pub food like fish tacos, pulled-pork sliders, and avocado toast with a basic selection of beers. The Whaler Double Burger is an institution in itself. Be prepared for rowdy crowds of sports fans and beachgoers at happy hour and on weekends. Ongoing special events include Cards Against Humanity on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, karaoke on Thursdays, and more. They also serve a great brunch.

Co-owned by trumpeter Herb Albert, Vibrato takes a high-road approach to a jazz club: this is a stylish, acoustically perfect venue where every table has a view of the stage. The kitchen is as notable as the music; it turns out contemporary American fare such as pan-roasted sea bass with a fennel-leek ragu, macaroni and cheese with bacon-parmesean crust, and USDA Prime steaks. Art on the walls was painted by the Grammy-winning owner himself.

Join the UCLA students in line at the venerable Volcano Tea House, where you can sample from a huge range of delectable bubble drinks. Stick with the house milk tea or brown sugar latte, or get adventurous with sakura jelly or matcha. Seasonal flavors like watermelon slushy will delight, and there are endless toppings and customizations. Volcano also offers a michelada-inspired seasonal option, reflecting the multicultural spirit of Los Angeles. If you're hungry, try the popcorn chicken with add-your-own spices.