Los Angeles is still home to one of the most innovative, exciting and most importantly, culturally diverse food scenes in the country, despite the ever-rising cost of doing business (and more recent ICE-related raids, related protests and overall chilling effects on the local economy). Brick-and-mortar restaurants, Instagram pop-ups, street vendors and food trucks: No matter the form, you can find amazing food in a city whose reputation is built as much on off-the-beaten-path tacos and pop-ups as it is on fine dining-trained chefs making quick work of farmers’ market produce and mainline access to top-notch Pacific seafood.
Decades of immigration from Asia and Latin America have translated into genre-bending formats, eclectic hybrid cuisines and some of the country’s best omakase restaurants, fine dining institutions and strip mall hidden gems. At a time when L.A.’s undocumented communities are being targeted by federal agents for detention and deportation, I think it’s more important than ever to acknowledge the indispensable role immigrants play in our country’s food system, from picking crops to washing dishes, bussing tables and working the line at your favorite restaurant. And if you’ve ever dined out in Los Angeles, something on your plate or the plate itself has likely been touched by an immigrant.
Every month, I visit dozens of bustling restaurants across the city looking for amazing eats, great ambience and top-notch customer service. Last month, however, felt a little different—many places were eerily empty, while operators of new eateries are playing it safe with familiar menu items and more approachable price points in a bid to fill seats. As always, I’ve prioritized fun, flavor, freshness—and value at every price point. This list is updated regularly to reflect changes in menu offerings, style of service, new locations and the ever-changing pulse of the city’s food scene. If it’s on the list, I think it’s awesome and worth the hype, wait and money—and I bet you will, too.
As I write these words in early July, it’s abundantly clear that a cloud of fear and anxiety hangs over the hospitality industry in Los Angeles, where undocumented individuals make up a sizable, often silent portion of the labor force. Some of the city’s best taco joints have temporarily closed up shop. I’ve spoken to several operators who have spoken about the steps they’ve taken to protect employees and guests alike, from training staff in how to handle federal agents to footing the bill for employees to take rideshares home. All of this contributes to overhead costs and simply makes it more difficult for folks to run restaurants.
Which means: If you love L.A.’s vibrant food scene, please go out and support your favorite restaurant, taquero or street vendor, whether they’re on this list or not. I’d like to specifically shout out the eateries on this list in the greater Downtown L.A. area (which includes Little Tokyo, Chinatown, the Arts District and parts of Boyle Heights), where many places are still struggling to financially recoup from the recent temporary curfew. Across L.A. County, many restaurants were already struggling from diminished tourism numbers—a downwind effect of January’s devastating wildfires—and a larger downturn in the entertainment industry before the start of June. Chosing to dine out may not change the world we live in, but in these trying times for the restaurant and bar industry, even a single meal helps the L.A. food scene thrive.
July 2025: After the events of last month, I’d like to shout out a few of my favorite Downtown area restaurants which were forced to temporarily close or significantly curtail operations. Among them are Kato (whose chef, Jon Yao, also just won a James Beard award), Orsa & Winston and Camélia, plus three noteworthy immigrant-founded businesses—Mariscos Jalisco, Baroo and Sushi Kaneyoshi. This month’s update also brings new information on Birdie G’s brunch service, new recommendations for vistiing Camphor and a third Michelin star for Providence after the recent statewide Michelin awards ceremony.
Over the summer, I’ll be scouting for potential new places to add in the fall, and revisiting a handful of spots already on the guide. Have a place you’d like to nominate? Feel free to email me. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.
