Sure, Los Angeles is known for its Hollywood celebrities and fabulous beaches, but it’s also quickly becoming one of the best foodie cities in the world. From coastal California cuisine to Michelin-starred fine dining, Los Angeles is the epicenter for epicureans. Los Angeles has always been a capital of creativity and that same inventiveness has spread to its culinary scene. One moment, one could be dining at an elegant celebrity filled steakhouse, the next moment, they could be eating at a beachfront bungalow, and the next – in line at a pop-up food truck. Anything goes in the city of Angels – especially when it comes to food. Read on to learn about the best restaurants in LA. Please note: this article will be a constant delicious work in progress 🙂
Sushi I-Naba, Manhattan Beach: We’ve eaten at some of the best sushi restaurants around the globe and Sushi I-Naba quickly became one of our top two sushi restaurants in the entire world! This 6-seat sushi restaurant is located in the heart of Manhattan Beach. The food is delicately and thoughtfully prepared in an elegant, but unpretentious environment. Chef Yasuhiro grew up in Tokyo, where he helped his family pick fresh fish from the market every morning. Now, his mother picks the fish from Japan while Yasuhiro FaceTimes her! She then ships the fish to Manhattan Beach 4-5x per week.
You can taste the love and care that goes into every single course at Sushi I-Naba. While the restaurant is exclusive and decadent, it possesses a laidback vibe that is rarely found in sophisticated sushi restaurants. Perhaps its Yasuhiro’s love of sushi or the Manhattan Beach influence, but in our opinion – Sushi I-naba is the best restaurant in Los Angeles.
There are two seatings per night and it is a four course omakase meal that ranges from $120 to $220 per person. Reservations are required well in advance and can be made on Resy. There is also a lunch seating that costs $35, which is much more affordable! NOTE: This restaurant is a BYOB!
Manhattan Beach Post, Manhattan Beach: This lively restaurant brings a lighthearted, community vibe to decadent dining courtesy of South Bay resident, Chef David LeFevre, Community tables, craft cocktails, and a little bit of every flavor of food sprinkle this Manhattan Beach social house. It is by far one of our personal favorites and vote for one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles.
Nightshade, Arts District DTLA: This downtown LA restaurant is the brainchild of Top Chef winner, Mei Lin. Light and bright, this beautifully designed restaurant has an eclectic Asian-inspired menu and delicious craft cocktails. Tip: call ahead to order one of the limited number of Peking Duck dishes.
Scallops at Nightshade
Kogi BBQ: The Kogi BBQ food truck revolutionized the food truck scene in Los Angeles in 2008. Back then, using social media to disclose locations was unheard of, but it quickly turned into an LA institution. We highly recommend the famous Korean Short Rib Taco.
Mastro’s Steakhouse, Beverly Hills: This LA institution is a must for steak and seafood lovers. We highly recommend ordering the raw seafood tower and dining on a filet mignon for the main course. If you’re looking for one of the best restaurants in LA, look no further than Mastro’s.
Osteria Mozza, Melrose/Beverly/Fairfax: Perhaps it’s the 5-inch thick wine menu or the extensive mozzarella menu, but this is our personal favorite Italian restaurant in Los Angeles. Owned and operated by Joe Bastianich and Nancy Silverton, this Italian restaurant is located on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. We highly recommend the pappardelle with rabbit ragu and the tagliatelle with oxtail.
Bestia, Arts District DTLA: Located in the up and coming arts district of Los Angeles, Bestia is housed in a hip, industrial space. While its modern and sophisticated in decor, its food mixes handmade traditional Italian pastas with a modern-day twist. It’s not easy to be one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, but Bestia is just…the best.
Fishing with Dynamite, Manhattan Beach: This small restaurant located in Manhattan Beach, one of LA’s “beach cities,” only seats thirty-five guests. The intimate restaurant is our vote for the best seafood restaurant in Los Angeles. Guests can choose to sit at traditional tables, the raw bar, or the cocktail bar. Owned by Chef David LeFevre, the same culinary genius behind next-door neighbor, Manhattan Beach Post, LeFevre has singlehandedly revolutionized the food scene in the South Bay.
Bestia
Spago, Beverly Hills: A staple from chef Wolfgang Puck, Spago is the flagship restaurant of his self-named fine dining group. Located in beautiful Beverly Hills, this restaurant focuses on elevated California cuisine. The menu is updated seasonally and the restaurant was awarded two Michelin stars.
Angelini Osteria, Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea: Many restaurants come and go in Los Angeles, but Angelini Osteria has been serving some of the best Italian food in the city for nearly 20 years. Opened by Gino Angelini and his wife Elizabeth
Coni’Seafood, Inglewood: Coni’Seafood is located in an unassuming neighborhood in Inglewood, California – a destination not known for its culinary scene. Coni’Seafood creates Nayarit style Mexican seafood in a traditional space.
Hamasaku, West LA: Located in an unassuming strip mall in west Los Angeles (as all great restaurants are in LA), Hamasaku is home to some of the best sushi in the city of angels.
Bolognese at Angelini Osteria
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