The best new restaurants in Los Angeles to try right now

What is it? A farm-to-table bistro operating out of a beautifully restored Victorian era Craftsman bungalow just outside of Chinatown.

Why we love it: This former pop-up run by chef Miles Thompson and Lolo Wine Bar alum Andy Schwartz serves the most inventive, memorable and delicious wine bar fare I’ve ever had in Los Angeles. Back in 2023, the pair originally debuted Baby Bistro as a short-term pop-up inside Koreatown’s Hotel Normandie, where it quickly became one of the summer’s hottest tables. Now, the pair’s ultimate vision has come to life inside the same trendy Victor Heights complex as Perilla LA, Bakers Bench, Heavy Water and Cassell’s Hamburgers. The charming indoor atmosphere of the century-old former residence adds a stylish touch to a meal here, but the best seats in the house might actually be on the tiny back patio, where tables overlook a grove of banana trees and the complex’s lush garden. For a full meal, the menu is designed to be ordered in its entirety—which costs somewhere between $90 and $100, including supplements—though you can also order just a few for more of a drink and light bites experience. I loved the housemade onion bread, but Thompson lavishes every seasonal dish with the care and attention it deserves. Street parking.

Time Out tip: If you drink alcohol, order at least one glass of wine—Schwartz has put together an excellent, reasonably priced wine list, and even the by-the-glass selections are awesome. 

Address: 1027 Alpine St, Building B, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–11:30pm

What is it? An upscale Persian concept from London, located on the ground floor of Soho Warehouse.

Why we love it: Berenjak takes the standard kebab house formula—dips, skewers, stews, rice, bread—and elevates it with winning details, including two kinds of housemade bread and light citrus dressing on the panir sabzi (or cheese and herb platter). Since opening the first Berenjak in London back in 2018, chef Kian Samyani has expanded to Qatar (Doha), the UAE (Dubai, Sharjah) and NYC, but the glitzy, wide-reaching expansions have seemingly done little to detract from the flavorful, beautifully presented platters of kebabs and gleaming silver plates carrying mast-o-musir (shallot-topped creamy yogurt), salad olivieh (a Persian spin on Russian salad olivier) and hashk-e bademjan (roasted eggplant and whey dip). An equally interesting beverage menu includes a clarified, boozy take on doogh, a classic Persian savory yogurt drink; a refreshing vodka watermelon cocktail playfully named “shumpine;” and a Persian-style black lime soda known as sharbat. While the Berenjak in the Arts District isn’t the first of its kind in the U.S., it’s the first one that’s available to the public. This is some of the best, if not necessarily the most interesting, Persian cuisine I’ve had in Los Angeles—and that’s coming from someone who’s been to essentially every major sit-down Persian restaurant in the county twice over. $15 valet and street parking.

Time Out tip: For dessert, I loved the date and white chocolate cookies—and a few sips of the grape sag aragh (a distilled high-ABV spirit similar to Italian grappa) will put hair on your chest.

Address: 1010 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–11pm

What is it? A stylish Fairfax lounge and restaurant serving a tightly curated menu of Afro-Caribbean cuisine that’s unlike anything else in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Lucia manages to capture the glitz and glamour of West Hollywood while leaving much of the pretension behind—and the restaurant’s culinary game is on point as well. Founded by serial restaurateur Sam Jordan, the upscale restaurant isn’t just a dinner destination, it’s also a late-night cocktail lounge for those looking to get dressed up for a lively night on the town. Jamaica-born head chef Adrian Forte, who’s also worked as a private chef for Black visionaries like Drake, Alicia Keys and Virgil Abloh (as well as appeared on Top Chef Canada), has put together an elevated, lounge-style menu of dishes and drinks that nod to traditional Caribbean fare. Think a martini topped with pickled okra, jerk-marinated rib eye and a sorrel (a.k.a. hibiscus) lychee ceviche. Not every dish totally wowed me—the coconut fried chicken was a bit dry, and the $30 trio of wagyu patties was comically small—but paired with the excellent drinks and stunning ambience, Lucia easily earns a spot on my list of this summer’s must-visit restaurants. Look out for Forte’s late-night bites menu for the after 10 o’clock crowd. Metered street and $15 valet parking.

Time Out tip: The pepper shrimp toast with chandon beni (also known as culantro) is a must-order.

Address: 351 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 6pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 6pm–2am; Sun 6pm–midnight

What is it? An Africa-meets-California street food concept inside Culver City’s Citizen Public Market—which is closing on November 2.

Why we love it: At a time when every new restaurant that opens seems to be Italian, Japanese or another small plates bistro, Jikoni is a breath of culinary fresh air. Drawing inspiration from her Kenyan-Nigerian heritage and Bay Area childhood, chef-owner Kiano Moju is serving an extremely delicious fast-casual menu of skewers, sides and other dishes adapted from her cookbook AfriCali: Recipes from My Jikoni. After a successful summer residency, Moju had decided to make Jikoni—or “kitchen” in Swahili—a permanent fixture inside Citizen Public Market. (Unfortunately, its landlord had other plans; the food hall will permanently close on November 2, leaving Jikoni without a home for the time being.) Each protein comes individually seasoned; I loved the lamb suya, but a pair of diners can easily try all four options with a family-style tasting menu that includes a little bit of everything, including the housemade chapo (flatbread) and creamy butter beans inspired by Kenyan coastal cuisine. All meat used is also certified halal, further expanding the reach of Moju’s phenomenal cooking. Beyond Ethiopian food, most Angelenos aren’t familiar with African cuisine—all the more reason to give Jikoni a try while you still can. Outdoor dining available. One hour free, $1 per hour afterwards at the Culver Steps, Cardiff and Watseka parking garages.

Time Out tip: On the weekends, Moju also runs chef’s specials like Swahili chicken biryani and shrimp jollof arancini. 

Address: 9355 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Wed–Sat noon–9pm; Sun noon–8pm

What is it? An upscale live-fire restaurant and hi-fi lounge in West Hollywood from Sean Brock, the Southern chef behind award-winning Husk (Nashville, Charleston and Savannah). 

Why we love it: Located in the former Soulmate space, Darling offers a different seasonally inspired menu every month along with a platonic ideal burger that’s only available in limited quantities. Not every dish during my two visits in September was successful, but the ambition and vision were clearly there. The seasonal cocktail menu by Baroo alum Jason Lee included interesting drinks incorporating eggplant, bonny melon and seaweed—and while Lee also has plans to turn over the entire drink menu every month, I’m confident that drinks and dinner at Darling have the potential to delight and possibly even wow veteran diners. Unfortunately, as with the early days of Curtis Stone’s now-closed Maude in Beverly Hills, it’s impossible for me to comprehensively assess a restaurant that keeps changing its menu. Then again, depending on what kind of person you are, that’s just part of the fun. With guest DJs and enormous speakers, the adjacent hi-fi lounge is also an audiophile‘s dream and more conducive to a drop-in meal.  Still, if Darling intends to become an enduring fixture of L.A.’s increasingly competitive upscale dining landscape, it’s going to need a little more overall cohesion. $15 valet and street parking.

Time Out tip: Arrive early if you want to try the burger. Only 20 are made per night and it’s often sold out by 7:30pm. 

Address: 631 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5:30–10pm

What is it? A fast-casual Chinese American restaurant in Santa Monica from Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng, the couple behind now-closed Cassia. 

Why we love it: The slop bowl is alive and well in L.A.’s ever-shrinking weekday lunch landscape—and Jade Rabbit’s well-composed, health-conscious rendition of a build-your-own combo meal is a welcome upgrade from the likes of Sweetgreen and Panda Express. For Ng, Jade Rabbit also represents a culinary homecoming: both his parents and grandparents operated Chinese restaurants in the L.A. area. After decades of upscale cooking, the Chinese American chef is bringing it all back with Jade Rabbit. Combos (two bases, two vegetables and a main) start at $13, with upgrades for premium proteins like garlic chili shrimp, a lomo saltado-inspired beef and broccoli, and Sichuan-flavored spicy minced lamb. I also enjoyed the almond roca chocolate chip cookie and Cantonese-style lemon iced tea. Everything I tried on the main menu was delicious, and some of it was even healthy. Most importantly, however, everything I tried was affordable. At a time when dining out is more expensive than ever, it’s places like Jade Rabbit that represent the sweet spot for the average diner, offering a little cheffy flair without breaking the bank. For those on the Westside, it’s a worthy way to spend your lunch break and a great spot to pick up dinner on the way home. Street parking, plus six guest parking spots behind the restaurant (enter off 23rd Street).

Time Out tip: If the on-site spots and nearby meters are taken, look for parking on nearby Arizona Avenue, located about a block away from the restaurant.

Address: 2301 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11am–9pm, Sat 5–9pm

What is it? The first U.S. location of Sushi Zanmai, one of Japan’s most popular middle-tier sushi chains.

Why we love it: With late-night hours, reasonable prices and surprisingly solid nigiri, Sushi Zanmai is poised to become an absolute juggernaut within L.A.’s competitive sushi scene. On my visit, I enjoyed both the sweet yukhoe tuna crispy rice and its more conventional spicy tuna counterpart. Every single one of the nigiri I tried was just above-average, but excellent for the price, and the cooked items (chicken karaage, asparagus goma-ae and vegetable toban) were tasty as well. Most importantly, the final bill for a party of four came out to around $200 before gratuity, an absolute steal in this current economy. The only dish I didn't like was the salmon skin roll, which featured a soggy, unappealing uramaki. The server we had was friendly and helped explain the tablet-style ordering system—a common sight at restaurants in Japan, but relatively rare in Los Angeles, even in the wake of the pandemic. Limited valet and metered street parking.

Time Out tip: Sushi Zanmai has yet to receive its liquor license, which has kept the ambience relatively relaxed for a late-night joint—but that is likely to change once the restaurant begins serving wine and beer. 

Address: 3465 W 6th St Ste 150, Los Angeles, CA 90020

Opening hours: Daily 11am–3pm, 5pm–midnight

What is it? A Korean barbecue restaurant in the former Magal space specializing in Pyongyang-style naengmyeon, or cold buckwheat noodles. 

Why we love it: Seogwan, which is run by the same group as Yellow Cow Korean BBQ in Gardena, brings something unique and refined to Koreatown’s oversubscribed Korean barbecue scene. The restaurant offers exemplary banchan and high-quality meats alongside four types of cold noodles, including a slightly bland rendition originating in Pyongyang. The North Korean capital is actually the birthplace of naengmyeon—and while the near-flavorless broth wasn’t to my liking, the addition of sweet housemade vinegar helped make it more palatable. The mild noodle dish also serves as a surprisingly refreshing complement to Seogwan’s generous meat combos. The Set C ($200) includes several kinds of beef, banchan and your choice of family-style hot pot and easily feeds four people. Other distinctive menu items include mung bean pajeon and bracken fern sourced from Jeju Island’s famous haenyeo divers, set Seogwan apart. The restaurant could easily go head-to-head with other KBBQ heavyweights in L.A., and it’s a worthy newcomer for the next time you’re craving freshly grilled meats. Private lot and metered street parking.

Time Out tip: The family-style hot pot included in Sets C and D is quite large, so I recommend ordering maybe just one bowl of noodles or a single appetizer unless you have a huge appetite. 

Address: 3460 W 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu 11am–3pm, 4–9pm; Fri, Sat 11am–3pm, 4–10pm; Sun 11am–3pm, 4–9pm

What is it? A seasonal Cal-Italian restaurant in the heart of Mar Vista with charming ambience, reasonable prices and most importantly, impeccable culinary execution.

Why we love it: Since opening in late March, Beethoven Market has filled up at all hours with Westsiders and hyperlocals in search of a delicious, not-too-pricey meal of pasta, pizza and other small plates offerings determined by the farmers’ market. In a part of town that’s downright lousy with Italian restaurants, a logline like that might sound like a snoozefest, but talented executive chef Michael Leonard (an alum of Rustic Canyon and all three of Evan Funke’s restaurants) makes the crowd-pleasing menu shine through high-quality ingredients and an industry veteran’s attention to detail. The classic caper-topped tuna crudo here is one of the best I’ve ever had, and the three-day fermentation process for the pizza dough translates into a wonderfully chewy, lightweight crust that stands out in L.A.’s Neapolitan-heavy pizza scene. The reasonably priced cocktail menu is overseen by lead bartender Nicole Mitchell, an alum of now-closed Cassia, who has revived a version of her former employer’s beloved piña colada, strawberry lava flow and all. Nothing here reinvents the wheel, but the convivial atmosphere and first-rate dishes and drinks translate into a lovely way to spend a summer evening on the deep Westside. Street parking.

Time Out tip: The restaurant technically opens at 4pm for happy hour and a limited menu of bar bites—which is when many parents in the neighborhood drop by for some well-deserved drinks—but the full menu is only served at 5pm.

Address: 12904 Palms Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 5–9pm; Thu–Sat 5–10pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A newly opened upscale chain inside Westfield Santa Anita specializing in northwestern Chinese cuisine. 

Why we love it: Taking over the old Meizhou Dongpo space, Xibei offers Angelenos a unique glimpse into the culinary world of Inner Mongolia, which relies heavily on wheat, oat and lamb as staple ingredients. Technically, the Arcadia outpost isn’t the first of its kind in L.A. County; its umbrella hospitality group, Xibei Catering Group, also operates a smaller, takeout-oriented outpost in Silver Lake that serves a mere sliver of the same menu. For the full experience, though, you really need to get out to Arcadia, where regional delights like honeycomb-shaped oat noodles and an entire lamb shank combine with more familiar dishes, such as Xinjiang-style big plate chicken and sizzling cumin lamb for an eclectic, family-style meal you can only find out in the San Gabriel Valley. Personally, I liked the shredded chicken with chilled oat noodles, reminiscent of Bistro Na’s mixed spicy cold noodles and Japanese hiyashi chuka; the delicate shumai filled with leek and shrimp (which you can also find in Silver Lake); and the sweet-and-sour whole fried fish, skillfully fileted to resemble a blossom. For best results, come in with a party of four or more  and follow the trail of stars on the menu to get a signature taste of Inner Mongolia. On-site parking lot.

Time Out tip: The restaurant only accepts reservations over the phone for parties of six or more on weekdays, with a minimum spend of $300. On the weekends, that number increases to eight or more guests.

Address: 400 S Baldwin Ave #2045, Arcadia, CA 91007

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–9pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am–9:30pm; Sun 11:30am–9pm

What is it? A Mexican restaurant and bar in Sherman Oaks from the same team behind Mírate in Los Feliz. 

Why we love it: Max Reis is the mastermind behind one of the best bars in the city. Here, the Gracias Madre alum brings that same level of craft and focus to margaritas, which come in both sweet and savory renditions. Whether traditional or inventive, each cocktail is impeccably thought out. There’s a bright purple margarita inspired by a Baja-style fish taco, a verdant slushie that riffs on guacamole and a mangoneada version topped with fruity popping boba. What surprised me the most, however, were Daisy’s standout culinary offerings, which are a solid cut above most of the other Mexican options in the immediate area. Head chef Alan Sanz, formerly of Maisano in Costa Mesa, brings an upscale, modern twist to classic dishes like aguachile and guacamole. I loved the vegan-friendly aguachile de chayote and impeccably grilled branzino. The botanas (bar snacks) were especially clever, including the chicharrón del parque, which uses a puffed wheat cracker as a base for cured yellowfin and macha verde. Metered street parking and $10 valet parking.

Time Out tip: Skip the so-so tacos in favor of a starter and one of the surprisingly well-executed entrées (“fuertes”), and you’ll have an excellent meal here.

Address: 14633 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 5pm–1am; Sun 5pm–midnight

What is it? A (mostly) plant-based Chinese restaurant in Echo Park serving modern takes on dim sum and traditional tea ceremony in the old Cosa Buona space.

Why we love it: Married co-owners Alex Falco and Minty Zhu have distilled essential Chinese flavors into one neat, plant-based package right in the heart of Echo Park. While I’ve heard a few reports from trusted sources of inconsistent cooking and service, the valiant attempt to veganize dim sum essentials like char siu bao—listed on the menu as “monkey buns”—and other staple dishes translate into a slightly quirky Chinese eatery and a veritable dining destination for plant-based diners. The zhajiangmian made with seitan offers all the flavors of the northern Chinese classic, minus the meat, though some might turn up their noses at the thick udon-like noodles (the traditional version normally uses a far thinner variety). A weekend brunch menu (11am–4pm) debuting August 2 includes optional egg add-ons to a “Binglish” muffin and an avocado bao, plus plant-based versions of soufflé pancakes and beignets. Outdoor dining available. Street parking. 

Time Out tip: Note that the dining room is fully outdoors—the interior of the restaurant is reserved solely for tea ceremony bookings.

Address: 2100 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026

Opening hours: Wed–Fri 5–10pm; Sat, Sun 11am–4pm, 5–10pm

What is it? A former Smorgasburg pop-up turned brick-and-mortar inside USC Village.

Why we love it: The only thing I didn’t like about Sam Hong and Josh Kim's viral Oklahoma-style smashburger pop-up was that it was, well, just a pop-up. Now, after months of anticipation and teaser videos, the pair of social media-savvy, first-time restaurant owners has debuted Softies’ permanent home within USC Village. The airy new space features free Wi-Fi for students and plenty of seating, plus the same standout smashies that first put Softies on the map back in 2022. I highly recommend the Aji, which pairs griddled onions and pickled jalapeños with a punchy bright green cilantro mayo full of two of my favorite things: garlic and lime juice. Newer menu items include a New York-style chopped cheese and the seasonal Crispy Shroom, which tops your smashburger with a whole enoki fried mushroom (though it can also be made vegetarian if you forgo the patty entirely). I particularly enjoyed the dairy-free Orange Bang, which uses oat milk in lieu of cow’s milk. Soon, Softies plans to debut a breakfast menu geared towards hungry students and other folks affiliated with the university. Two hours free parking inside USC Village’s underground lot.

Time Out tip: Order the key lime pie for dessert.

Address: 835 W Jefferson Blvd Unit 1710, Los Angeles, CA 90089

Opening hours: Daily 11am–8pm

What is it? A Koreatown restaurant serving a homestyle take on hanjeongsik—an elegantly arranged traditional table spread that includes banchan, rice, soup and more. Here, over two dozen unique dishes are placed on a table-sized tray that a server slides on top of your actual table.

Why we love it: Starting at $50 per person (with more premium $70 and $100 options to come in the near future), J Korean offers a bounty of reasonably priced, tasty items at a relative steal. Each set includes multiple soups and stews; familiar cooked dishes like spicy pork bulgogi and bossam; plates and plates of banchan that you’d be hard-pressed to find at most other Korean restaurants; and a few sweet things to end your meal. Not every dish is great, but everything’s at least pretty good, and I found the meal in totality to be deeply satisfying due to the sheer variety and homestyle preparations. J Korean comes from the same group behind nearby Borit Gogae, which also offers a bountiful set meal, albeit at a lower price and more focused on vegetables. Best of all, it’s fun to try and sample every dish on the table, since every dish is carefully allocated so every person in your party can try a little bit of everything. On-site valet parking and nearby metered street parking.

Time Out tip: Ask your server for a glove or two to eat the spicy marinated raw crab, which requires getting a little messy.

Address: 210 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–2:30pm, 4–9pm; Fri 11am–2:30pm, 4–9:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–9:30pm

What is it? A Michelin-recognized international ramen chain specializing in toripaitan, or chicken ramen.

Why we love it: After softly opening in the middle of May, the first L.A. outpost of Mensho Tokyo is already firing on all cylinders, at least in the culinary department. On my visit, I tried the signature tori paitan, which uses a creamy chicken broth base and adds three kinds of chashu (A5 Wagyu, fermented pork and duck), truffle sauce, burdock chips and more. I also ordered the Garlic Knock Out, which is Mensho’s maximalist version of a spicy ramen, but ultimately preferred the milder signature, at least as a first-timer. The array of appetizers here are just as well considered, from buttery corn ribs to a tasty chicken karaage served with spicy garlic sauce or house fermented black vinegar. The Wagyu-obsessed will probably appreciate the A5 nigiri, which can be topped with scallions or ikura, but I found the dish to be rather underwhelming. Nevertheless, Mensho Tokyo is a serious contender for my highly vetted guide to the best ramen in the city—do you need any more recommendation than that? Nearby public parking (3846 Cardiff Ave and 3844 Watseka Ave) with one hour free, $1 per hour thereafter. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant doesn’t offer reservations or even a formal waitlist, and the queue can end up taking about 45 minutes or more on weekend evenings. For best results, arrive early, or try coming on a Tuesday or Wednesday night.

Address: 9516 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–9pm 

What is it? A casual yakitori joint in Culver City serving seriously delicious à la carte skewers and a kushiyaki omakase ($120).

Why we love it: Run by a pair of best friends who’ve known each other since kindergarten, Gokigen Tori has transformed the former Harajuku Taproom space into a yakitori-focused eatery straight out of Tokyo. The prices per skewer are a little steep compared to other kushiyaki options I’ve tried in L.A., but the high-quality ingredients and cooking translate into a juicy, flavorful and still quite reasonably priced meal. A mandatory $5 surcharge lets you indulge in unlimited lightly dressed cabbage salad, which balances out the smoky char of the skewers. On my visit, I tried the omakase, which includes surprisingly tender chicken hearts (usually, they're a little overcooked and dry) and a hefty skewer of A5 Wagyu. For the price, the omakase provides a generous mix of skewers and cooked items, plus one of the simple but satisfying desserts of the day. Aside from skewers, Gokigen Tori also serves a handful of lesser known Japanese dishes like nikujaga—a cozy meat and potato stew—and a mini bowl of tori paitan. This place is the only Japanese skewer spot on the Westside that compares to Sawtelle’s longtime, perpetually busy Nanbankan. For area locals, it's almost certainly worth a visit. Metered street parking.

Time Out tip: Grab bar seats to take in all the action going on at the kushiyaki grill. All night long, the chefs rotate various meat and vegetable skewers and occasionally dip them into the jug of tare (a sweetened mix of sake and soy sauce).

Address: 4410 Sepulveda Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5–10pm 

What is it? A breezy Downtown rooftop restaurant atop the old Standard hotel with Tulum-inspired design and vaguely Yucatecan cuisine. 

Why we love it: It’s nice to see one of Downtown’s most iconic hotel rooftops being given new life. Nothing here blew my mind, but most diners in search of dinner with a view will be happy with the tasty agave-based cocktails (get the dessert-like Street Mango and spicy marg-like Carrot Dorado) and dutifully executed starters, tacos and entrées. Standouts include the queso fundido topped with pork longaniza and branzino marinated in achiote. However, you can’t go wrong with the juicy steak and longaniza, served with the traditional blistered green onions and peppers. I also liked the tangy mango habanero salsa, served with every main, and the horchata tres leches for dessert. The area’s nightlife scene might be struggling overall, but Uca is worth the trip downtown for the next time you’re searching for a vibes-first night out. $15 valet, street parking.

Time Out tip: On Thursday nights, Uca also hosts a live jazz act after sunset. 

Address: 550 Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 4pm–midnight; Fri, Sat 4pm–1am; Sun 4–11pm

What is it? A New Agey, plant-based six-course tasting menu ($99) in West Hollywood and the L.A. offshoot of a popular Orange County vegetarian restaurant. 

Why we love it: The creativity manages to shine through the measly portion sizes at Taste of Beauty, which draws inspiration from Chinese tea ceremony but incorporates ingredients and flavors across Asia. Both vegetarian and vegan menus are available here, as well as additional à la carte desserts and a traditional tea ceremony that uses loose-leaf tea leaves. On my visit, I opted for the vegetarian menu, which included a delicate mushroom and quail egg broth served out of a teapot and a lettuce-wrapped fried oyster mushroom topped with a whimsical cutout of Peppa Pig (really). Although Taste of Beauty seems to have made little changes to the space's decor from its previous tenant, I still enjoyed my experience. At a time when L.A.’s vegan and vegetarian restaurants are closing at an alarming rate, my meal at TOB’s West Hollywood location was a refreshing reminder of the possibilities of meat-free dining; despite its shortcomings, I still consider it a worthwhile special-occasion spot for anyone who doesn’t consume meat or other animal products. Street parking.

Time Out tip: Note that dessert isn't included in either of the tasting menus, and the restaurant is still in the process of getting its liquor license to sell wine and beer.

Address: 616 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 5:30–9pm