Top 10 Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, a melting pot of cultures and cuisines, offers a diverse and exciting dining scene. From innovative fine dining establishments to beloved local institutions, the city’s restaurants cater to every palate and preference. Here’s a curated list of 10 must-visit restaurants that showcase the best of LA’s gastronomic landscape.

1. Anajak Thai

Tucked away in Sherman Oaks, Anajak Thai is a family-run restaurant with a unique ability to shape-shift. On Tuesdays, you’ll find Thai-inspired tacos and tostadas that make perfect sense once you taste them. The last weekend of each month brings Justin Pichetrungsi’s freestyle tasting menu. But even on regular days, Anajak Thai shines with dishes like the mouthwatering fish custard haw mok and Southern Thai fried chicken. The restaurant’s recent updates, including an enhanced wine program, have transformed it from a neighborhood gem into a dining destination.

Yelp Profile: Anajak Thai

2. Antico Nuovo

Chad Colby’s Antico Nuovo in Koreatown is a testament to the enduring appeal of Italian country cooking when executed with skill and focus. The open kitchen and warm dining room set the stage for a memorable meal. While the slightly esoteric, perfectly made pastas like dimpled foglie d’ulivo and slippery plin dell’ alta langa are standouts, don’t overlook the olive oil-soaked focaccia, beans baked with bread over a wood fire, or the intensely flavored ice creams. Antico Nuovo proves that familiar cuisine can still surprise and delight when handled with expertise.

Yelp Profile: Antico Nuovo

3. Bar Chelou

Douglas Rankin’s Bar Chelou in Pasadena is a delightfully idiosyncratic bistro that keeps diners on their toes. From the unassuming yet complex snap peas in anchovy cream to the crispy potatoes dusted with aonori and the noodle-like whirls of squid, each dish is a testament to Rankin’s creativity. The menu’s unpredictability is part of its charm – you’re guaranteed a satisfying meal whether you strategize in advance or choose on a whim.

Yelp Profile: Bar Chelou

4. Yangban

Yangban, located in the Arts District of Los Angeles, has quickly become a must-visit spot since its opening in 2022. With its modern Korean flair, this vibrant restaurant offers a dynamic dining experience that caters to a variety of occasions. The main dining area is sleek and filled with original artwork, creating a lively atmosphere for dinner. The menu is a blend of bold, shareable plates, with highlights like the sujebi dumplings, prepared with white kimchi beurre blanc and poached ocean trout, offering a standout fusion of flavors. The crispy Korean-style fried chicken and honey-glazed carrots remain crowd favorites. For a lighter, more flexible meal, the rotating selection of banchan is perfect for grazing and sharing with the table. Whether you’re there for a casual meal or a special night out, Yangban offers an inviting and eclectic dining experience. Don’t forget to end your visit with a slice of their deceptively light cheesecake.

Yelp Profile: Yangban

5. Bavel

Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s Bavel in the Arts District is a roaring powerhouse of North African and Middle Eastern cooking. Even dishes that have been on the menu since its opening, like the laminated strips of malawach with crème fraîche and strawberry zhoug, feel fresh and exciting. Bavel’s ability to maintain its innovative edge while delivering consistently delicious food has cemented its status as one of LA’s top dining destinations.

Yelp Profile: Bavel

6. Birdie G’s

Jeremy Fox’s Birdie G’s in Santa Monica is a celebration of vegetables and creative comfort food. While the steaks are impeccable, some of the most exciting dishes are vegetarian or vegan. The kitchen delights in incorporating technical marvels and house-made fermentations, pickles, and preserves into seemingly casual dishes. Don’t miss the charming kids’ menu, featuring items like matzo margherita pizza and fresh pasta with butter.

Yelp Profile: Birdie G’s

7. Found Oyster

This East Hollywood gem is the perfect spot for a late afternoon drink and bite. The no-reservations policy is a small price to pay for the pleasure of enjoying freshly shucked oysters, head-on prawns, and an excellent crab cocktail at Found Oyster’s narrow bar or sidewalk seating. Surprisingly, the bar steak and fries are standout dishes, as is the weekend schnitzel topped with a generous salad and white anchovies.

Yelp Profile: Found Oyster

8. Holbox

Gilberto Cetina’s Holbox, tucked inside Mercado La Paloma in Historic South Central, is a seafood lover’s paradise. Offering some of the highest quality and most beautifully prepared seafood in Los Angeles, Holbox sources its ingredients from Baja, the Channel Islands, and Santa Barbara. Whether you opt for ceviches, cocteles, tostadas, or grilled, fried, roasted, and stewed preparations, you’re in for a treat. Don’t miss the eight-course tasting menu offered two nights a week for a truly special experience.

Yelp Profile: Holbox

9. Holy Basil Market

Wedchayan Arpapornnopparat and Tongkamal Yuon’s Holy Basil Market in Atwater Village is a small but mighty addition to LA’s Thai food scene. The cooking here is lively, expansive, and playful, resulting in mind-bendingly delicious dishes. Must-tries include the satay mushrooms from Long Beach grilled over charcoal, platters of Dungeness crab curry with sticky rice, and lip-tingling beef nam tok. While takeout is available, dining in is highly recommended to fully appreciate dishes like the chewy rice noodles straight from the wok.

Yelp Profile: Holy Basil Market

10. Kato

Jon Yao’s Kato in the Arts District represents the evolution of fine dining in Los Angeles. The $275 tasting menu is a carefully choreographed experience that reveals, moment by moment, the heights that this format can achieve. Even without knowing Yao’s journey from a scrappy strip mall restaurant to this chic, luxurious space, diners can appreciate the skill, creativity, and attention to detail that goes into each course at Kato.

Yelp Profile: Kato