A universe of flavor in one sprawl, LA is a global food capital—home to dreamers, chefs, and endless creativity.
Here are some of the best restaurants to try to make sure that you get the best eats in this wonderful city.
1. n/naka
Chef Niki Nakayama’s Michelin-starred kaiseki is a transcendent, seasonal journey through Japanese beauty.
Each course is art; ingredients from Santa Monica markets, sushi-grade fish, and house-fermented pickles.
The waitlist is legendary, but the hushed, omakase experience is a life event for food lovers.
2. Guelaguetza
A love letter to Oaxacan cuisine, Guelaguetza dazzles with moles, tlayudas, tamales, and live music.
The colorful, mural-lined dining room fills with Angelenos from every walk of life, and the horchata with melon is as iconic as the mole negro.
3. Bestia
Downtown’s trailblazer, Bestia is industrial chic and high-energy, with chef Ori Menashe turning out house charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and handmade pastas bursting with seasonal flavor.
Impossible to get a walk-in seat (book ahead), every dish feels celebratory among the clatter of the city’s beautiful people.
4. Republique
Housed inside a dramatic, cathedral-like bakery/bistro, République excels with creative brunches, wood-grilled steak, duck liver mousse, and dazzling patisserie.
The bread is legendary; weekend brunch lines snake around the block for kimchi fried rice, shakshuka, and tartines.
5. Marugame Monzo
Little Tokyo’s Udon specialist, Marugame Monzo hand-pulls noodles for hot and cold bowls: curry udon, tempura, and spicy cod roe are unforgettable.
Urban minimalism and friendly staff make it perfect for both solo lunches and late-night group slurping.
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