L.A. is a crucible of the new and hot—from real estate to entertainment to fabulous food. These are the latest Los Angeles dining spots we’re salivating over now.
For Middle Eastern Cuisine: Bavel
The follow-up restaurant to L.A.’s perennially popular Bestia, Downtown’s Bavel has a stylish, airy dining room with a hanging garden, where it serves exquisite Middle Eastern cuisine. Favorites include the duck ‘nduja hummus, spicy lamb flatbread and grilled octopus with green garbanzos and pickled beets. Neighborhood: Downtown
For a Chic Night Out: Chateau Hanare
Located in a previously unused bungalow at the iconic Chateau Marmont hotel, Chateau Hanare transports guests to Japan with its ryokan-inspired interior and kaiseki-style menu. Expect elegant dishes like uni toast, sashimi and miso cod. Neighborhood: West Hollywood
Related: Top Tables L.A.
For Spanish Tapas: Otoño
An atmospheric neighborhood restaurant in Highland Park, Otoño serves Spanish tapas in a small, brick-walled dining room. Ideal for delicious (but still innovative) small plates, the ambitious restaurant has garnered praise for its pan con tomate, jamon iberico and market vegetable paella. Neighborhood: Highland Park
For Alfresco Dining: DAMA Fashion District
A major hot spot in Downtown, DAMA has a sprawling, uber-chic outdoor terrace, Havana-esque atmosphere and a Latin-inspired menu including such dishes as seafood tostadas, fried squash blossoms, beef empanadas and oxtail tacos. Don’t miss the frozen cocktails. Neighborhood: Downtown
For a Cocktail with a View: Élephante
Those looking for a new alfresco hangout in Santa Monica are in luck with Élephante, a trendy rooftop restaurant with beautiful ocean views and crowd-pleasing menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas and salads. The “it” restaurant draws a seriously fashionable crowd, which may be too trendy for some, but the views a visit here worthwhile. Neighborhood: Santa Monica
For Excellent Farm-to-Table Fare: Momofuku’s Majordomo
The first L.A outpost of David Chang’s Momofuku brand, one of the city’s biggest openings of 2018, serves his signature cuisine, including a mix of such seasonally inspired dishes as a vegan vegetable pot plus meat-heavy courses like a beef short rib for two served with rice cakes and melted raclette. Don’t miss trying the kakigōri, Japanese shaved ice, for dessert. Neighborhood: Downtown
For Trendy Street Food: Guerrilla Tacos
Arguably L.A.’s most popular food truck, Guerrilla Tacos opened a standalone restaurant in summer 2018, where patrons can enjoy their signature dish as well as tostadas. The casual restaurant serves a rotating menu of tacos and tostadas. The combinations are both traditional (the fish and short rib tacos are standbys) and innovative (think cauliflower with Medjool dates, olives and pine nuts). Neighborhood: Arts District
For Perfect Pasta: Felix
Bon Appétit just named this elegant restaurant’s tonnarelli cacio e pepe “Best Pasta of the Year.” Other Italian classics on offer include antipasti, pizza and entrées such as Roman-style braised beef, but the star dishes are the pastas, which are handmade in a temperature-controlled room with a window, so patrons can watch the magic happen. Neighborhood: Venice
Related: Los Angeles & Beyond
For a Japanese Fix: Inko Nito
This highly anticipated eatery brings inventive robatayaki—Japanese-style barbecue, consisting of grilled meats and skewers—to L.A.’s Arts District. The menu features dishes like baby back pork ribs and beef cheeks, plus classics like nori and sushi, all served in a sleek yet casual dining room. Those wishing to forgo meat will enjoy veggie-friendly courses like roasted sweet potato with chili nori butter and chives. Neighborhood: Downtown
