The best new restaurants in Los Angeles to try right now

What is it? The more casually oriented Culver City spinoff of Ray Garcia’s Broken Spanish.

Why we love it: Housed within the short-lived Best Bet space, Broken Spanish Comedor is the triumphant revival of Garcia’s signature “authentically inauthentic” Mexican restaurant. Unlike the Downtown original, the bulk of Broken Spanish Comedor’s menu consists of more accessibly priced dishes in the $15 to $22 range. The additional name modifier nods to Mexico’s classic comedores: small, typically mom-and-pop restaurants and street stalls serving homestyle cuisine. During my meal, I loved the pesto-like fideo flavored with avocado and hoja santa and classic enchiladas verde inspired by Garcia’s childhood meals. The critically acclaimed Mexican American chef has also brought back three signature dishes; the duck and bacon albondigas topped with nopales; the refried lentils (an earthy, flavorful mashup between dal and traditional refried beans); and the must-try crispy, crackly chicharrón in garlic mojo, which comes with a beautiful red cabbage slaw and a fiery salsa morita. Given the price point and wealth of memorable dishes, there isn’t another new opening I can recommend more highly in Los Angeles right now than here. $15 valet and street parking.

Time Out tip: Order the imitation crab tostada. The pea guacamole underneath may give you pause initially, but trust me: The combination totally works.

Address: 12565 Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–10pm

What is it? The Michelin-starred sushi bar of L.A. culinary icon Morihiro Onodera—now with a more accessibly priced, à la carte menu.

Why we love it: Freshly relocated to Victor Heights (the sliver of neighborhood between Chinatown and Echo Park), the new Morihiro offers standout sushi rolls made with the same specialized rice, aged red vinegar and housemade ceramics used in the restaurant’s signature omakase ($400). The latter is still available, albeit for just four diners a night, but everyone else—including walk-ins—can order the chef’s precise rendition of a California roll, plus nigiri by the piece and thoughtfully executed hot items. The kitchen impresses even with standard dishes, from the jalapeño-tinged spicy edamame to the cherrywood-smoked jidori chicken, which puts most other yakitori dishes I’ve had in L.A. to shame. The salmon skin salad, in particular, offers lush farmers’ market produce, perfectly crisped fish and a light, flavorful citrus dressing. Of course, the chef’s magnum opus is still the omakase, which features a mix of kaiseki-style appetizers and a diverse array of fish, both dry-aged and fresh—and if money is no object, I recommend springing for it. What thrills me more as a lifelong sushi lover, however, is the à la carte menu; starting around $100 to $150 per person (post tax and tip), you can experience some of the city’s best sushi, plus flawless service and excellent desserts to cap off your evening. $20 valet and street parking.

Time Out tip: Order the musk melon panna cotta for dessert.

Address: 1115 Sunset Blvd Ste 100, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–10pm

What is it? A phenomenal Australian-inflected bistro in Mar Vista.

Why we love it: Electric Bleu is the rare Westside restaurant worth coming out of the way for. Perth native and chef-owner Craig Hopson first wowed me nearly a decade ago at the Butcher, the Baker, the Cappuccino Maker in West Hollywood with his spaghetti pomodoro and other daytime fare. Now, the veteran of NYC’s famed Le Cirque has finally opened his own restaurant—and the results are quite simply fantastic. Genre classics like roast chicken and steak au poivre are cooked with utmost precision; there’s also an elegant pate en croute that would satisfy any Francophile. Hopson also brings a bit of autumnal flair to the menu with seasonal fare like butternut squash soup and a take-home spread for Thanksgiving geared towards neighborhood locals. Best of all on my comped media visit were the housemade “electric” fries, dusted with chicken salt, a slightly esoteric delicacy from Down Under. On the beverage side, you’ll also find a compelling list of unique, predominantly French wines and Japanese sake—a remarkable find anywhere, but especially on the Westside. On-site lot and street parking.

Time Out tip: If you can’t decide on what to order, you can also order a four-course chef’s tasting menu for $59 with an optional $40 wine pairing.

Address: 3523 S Centinela Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 4–9pm

What is it? A Thai-style grilled chicken joint and one of four independent concepts inside Maydan Market, a glitzy new food hall in West Adams built around an enormous live-fire hearth. 

Why we love it: Thus far, I’ve only found the time to try both Yhing Yhang and Maydan, the pre-existing Middle Eastern concept from Washington D.C.’s Rose Previte. (That still leaves four more unique eateries within Maydan Market.) Yhing Yhang BBQ comes from Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat, the chef behind Holy Basil. Here, the Thai-Chinese chef offers an exceptional fast-casual menu built around grilled chicken as well as a newer reservation-only $65 tasting menu, available only at the counter. On a comped media visit, I was able to preview the latter, which included a standout, deeply smoky version of khao soi—exclusive to the tasting menu—plus a Thai-style egg salad tartine and a general sampling of most other dishes. Compared to Holy Basil, which has locations in Downtown and Atwater (plus Santa Monica, opening this December), the streamlined menu caters to the spice-averse. Arpapornnopparat still manages to turn up the heat and funk in the condiment department, however, with a “holy sauce” (essentially a cross between a tomatillo salsa and a classic nam jjim) and a fermented chili garlic. Whether you’re grabbing a $23 combo plate to eat within the larger food hall or pulling up at the counter for the tasting menu, Yhing Yhang is still one of the best places I’ve eaten at this fall—and if you’re planning on taking a peek at Maydan, I recommend eating here first. $15 valet and street parking.

Time Out tip: I also enjoyed the grilled pork jowl and shrimp. Look out for the soon-to-be-added grilled duck!

Address: 4301 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 11:30am–3pm, 5–9:30pm

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 stunning terrace restaurant atop Dior’s Rodeo Drive flagship helmed by the first, and thus far only, female chef in the United States to earn three Michelin stars.  

Why we love it: Given the area code, it should go without saying that you’ll be paying upwards of $150 to enjoy a three-course lunch here—but surprisingly, I found the service, cuisine and atmosphere to be well worth the money. Open since mid-October, Monsieur Dior in Beverly Hills features Dior-branded everything, from the silverware to the table linens, plus the typical Golden Triangle clientele of flashily dressed tourists and 90210 locals. The dishes here are technical marvels, and I appreciated the inclusion of amuse-bouche and mignardises. All of the savory items I tried during a recent leisurely lunch were tasty, if slightly safe, and beautifully presented. Where Crenn truly distinguishes herself is in the pastry department. Each meal begins with a complimentary bread course accompanied by a rose-shaped pat of butter; I sampled both options (sourdough and laminated brioche) and found both to be exemplary. The dreamy coconut rose tart comes with two concentric circles of rose-stamped white chocolate, destroyed with a few delightful cracks of one’s spoon. While I’ve yet to experience dinner service (launching November 12), I can decisively say Monsieur Dior is the ideal ritzy new place to splurge on lunch or run the company card. Two hours’ free parking before 6pm and $6 thereafter in nearby public parking lots.

Time Out tip: Don’t come here expecting to be purely wowed by food.

Address: 323 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 11am–7pm; Wed, Thu 11am–9pm; Fri 11am–10pm; Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 11am–7pm

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 Guyanese lobster “chow mein/” 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? 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 broadly Middle Eastern and North African restaurant and the namesake anchor concept inside West Adams’ Maydan Market.

Why we love it: Chef-founder Rose Previte’s deftly crafted menu pulls from all over the region with an approachable array of dips, kebabs, vegetables and mains guaranteed to please picky eaters and large groups with conflicting allergies and dietary restrictions; the restaurant even serves certified halal meat. To be honest, I can’t say that the fully hosted meal I had at Maydan was on par with Bavel, Saffy’s or even Skaf’s (which is technically purely Lebanese), but the sprawling, slightly more accessibly priced dinner menu and bustling atmosphere fills a particular price-quality niche that L.A. has long been missing. The $95 per person family-style tawle menu—Arabic for “table”—offers first-timers and overthinkers a dizzying, but thorough spin through the menu, with the option to try the Syrian seven spice lamb shoulder for an additional $20. I also enjoyed the restaurant’s take on mahalabia (milk pudding), which came topped with mixed seasonal citrus and finely crushed rose petals. It’s also worth noting that Maydan is the only concept within Maydan Market that offers full-service dining—so if that’s important to you, then I recommend dining here. 

Time Out tip: Take the time to check out the rest of the market, including Sook, a retail concept stocked with spices, cookbooks and other specialty items. 

Address: 4301 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016

Opening hours: Tue–Sun 5–10pm

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 a decent level of culinary execution.

Why we love it: Since last spring, 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 rock-solid dishes and drinks translate into a lovely way to spend an 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, Fri 5–10pm; Sat 9:30am–2pm, 5–10pm; Sun 9:30am–2pm, 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 (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 worthwhile dining destination for plant-based diners. The biang biang noodles offers all the flavors of the northern Chinese classic. 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 mostly outdoors—and the tea ceremony sessions are only available by advance booking.

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. A newer breakfast menu is geared towards hungry students and other folks affiliated with the university, but the breakfast burrito here is worth seeking out for those who are fanatical about the dish. 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 9am–9pm

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