Chef Suzanne Goin of Lucques turns out small plates of sophisticated fare, including cheeses and charcuterie, at her chic nearby wine bar, A.O.C. Fifty wines can be ordered by the glass or carafe or in preselected flights.

This in-the-know Japanese spot is small and authentic, with only about ten tables—where you occasionally see A list celebrities enjoying a meal. The fish is sourced daily from a Japanese fish market, and the chef frequently comes by to explain the dish.

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The seasonal menu at Ardor showcases vegetables from local farmers markets alongside a selection of seafood and meat dishes.

This upscale Japanese restaurant has been a beloved Studio City mainstay since 1991. Head Tetsuya Nakao and his brother Shunji had both worked at Matsuhisa before opening their own spot, which has remained popular thanks to its high quality sushi offerings (and high prices to match). Omakase dining is available, and if the extensive a la carte menu feels overwhelming, opt for the daily specials. Some seats in the restaurant, diners can see the sushi chefs working their magic behind the counter. There is valet parking available.

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Stop for a cocktail at Bäco Mercat’s sister restaurant, and order an inventive cocktail like the spicy Zapatista. If you’re in a group, order a margarita pitcher and tuck into some puffy tacos and other Tex-Mex classics.

A great spot to hit on the road back from the Huntington Botanic Gardens, this tiny eatery offers a small-plate menu and great wine list. Sit on the patio with a group and sample an array of dishes.

The toughest reservation to score is at this Italian hot spot, the brainchild of restaurateur Bill Chait (of Sotto and Picca fame) and chef Ori Menashe (of Angelini Osteria). Some say the pasta is the specialty, but others opt for the pizza or the crostini, so try to get a reservation and decide for yourself what they do best.

This trendy steakhouse serves delicious chops and cuts in a bold and colorful environment. With chicken and seafood options as well as traditional bur gourmet sides (black truffle gnocchi, lobster mashed potatoes) and an extensive cocktail menu, Boa is good for both group dining and more intimate meals. There is a second location in Santa Monica (101 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-899-4466).

This popular restaurant serves classic American comfort food in a modern dining room in Brentwood Village. Housed in a welcoming Victorian structure, dishes like mac & cheese and short ribs hit the spot and have earned this place a loyal patronage.

Foodies made the trek to the original branch of this vegan culinary spot on Larchmont Avenue for years, but now the new outpost in Venice Beach is the spot to be. The raw-vegan menu is innovative, delicious and whimsical, with such dishes as I am Humble (Indian curried lentils over brown rice or quinoa, with sautéed sweet corn, potatoes and spinach) or I am Grateful, a grain bowl of kale, quinoa and black beans which has an optional donation value to give to someone in need. The dining room is airy and bright, the atmosphere congenial and fun and the desserts and smoothies much richer and more delectable than the term raw-vegan implies.

Cipriani Beverly Hills, which opened Winter 2024, has all the elegance (and nautical inspiration) that’s expected of the Cipriani brand, including jewel-green banquettes, Murano glass chandeliers and fashion books along the walls. The Venetian menu is reliable as ever, and a highlight is the restaurant’s Jazz Café, with its grand piano and Old Hollywood vibes.

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Dante Beverly Hills is a destination to dine late into the night, enjoying live music, stellar martinis and the glittering LA skyline.

This surprisingly lovely find on touristy Sunset Boulevard has outdoor seating and a fabulous brunch. Escape from the crowds for a mid-shopping lunch from the folks who brought us Kingswood in NYC.

The interior at this gorgeous downtown restaurant pays homage to the Roaring Twenties, while the diverse menu attests to L.A.’s multiculturalism. In this showbiz town, it’s appropriate that the team here feels like a star-studded cast: executive chef Michael Hung hails from Daniel and La Folie; pastry chef Ben Spungin is a veteran of Carmel Valley’s Bernardus Lodge; and mixologist Michael Lay takes his cocktails seriously (but not too seriously). Start with an English Milk Punch, a fragrant and heady elixir of bourbon, rum, pineapple and clarified milk; order the oxtail agnolotti with apricot salsa; and finish with the apple and miso crumble.

“Why do these tomatoes, which are totally not in season right now taste better than any tomatoes we eat in New York in mid-summer?” my husband asked when presented with a beautiful plate of plump yellow and red heirlooms, tossed in delectable oil. The same question could be asked of nearly every plate of food that comes out of this special restaurant, part of the upscale Brentwood Country Mart.

Diners sit at rustic wooden tables on one side of the airy, bright space, while the other is taken up by a makeshift farmer’s market, with a bakery, charcuterie and butcher. It’s all a bit orchestrated (as much “farmshop” as Eataly, in New York, is Italian), but the super-seasonal menu and expertly prepared dishes are not to be mocked. Beet-cured ocean trout; grilled Burgundy snails with wild fennel; crisp pork belly with squash and Brussels sprout slaw; roasted pumpkin hummus: everything is locally sourced and simply prepared. Many of the dinner dishes are served family-style, contributing to the homey ambience. It’s also a great spot for breakfast or lunch when staying or touring in the area.

The coffee shop at the Beverly Hills Hotel with its legendary banana leaf wallpaper, curvy counter and wrought-iron counter stools is a fun spot for a casual meal with kids. It opens early for breakfast, serves salads and burgers at lunch and dinner and is rightly famous for its homemade ice cream. But note that there are only 19 seats at the counter—and the counter is all there is—so it can be tough to get more than a few seats together.

This Beverly Hills hot spot from pasta genius Evan Funke (also behind LA’s Felix and Mother Wolf) is one of L.A.'s hardest reservations. The specialties are Funke’s now-signature handmade pastas, including highlights like tortelli di zucca and a duck ragú. Another must-try: the light-as-a-cloud sfincione in bianco, a Sicilian take on foccaccia.

Expanding across two floors, the interiors’ design doesn’t quite match the quality of the food. Music is also loud enough to make actual conversation difficult. One tip: there are no reservations needed at Funke's rooftop, Bar Funke, an elegant terrace that serves fancy cocktails, small bites and a selection of pizzas.

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Following in the footsteps of older siblings Gjelina and GTA (Gjelina Take Away), this bakery-cum-deli has a high cool quotient. Patrons nosh on sandwiches such as a porchetta melt and classic banh mi, and regulars know to end a meal with one of the superb baklava croissants. Milk crates double as seating, but we recommend taking your food to go for an impromptu beach picnic.

Go Greek Yogurt is an ode to the tradition of yogurt-making, with all ingredients shipped over straight from Greece. Yogurt is served fresh or frozen with a choice of toppings, and there is also a selection of smoothies on the menu and vegan options.

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