Patricia Kelly Yeo

Despite the rising cost of doing business, L.A. is still home to one of the most innovative, exciting and diverse food scenes in the country. 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 the top-notch Pacific seafood.At its core, L.A.’s restaurant scene thrives on diversity, resulting in genre-bending formats and cuisines that have given rise to some of the country’s best omakase restaurants, fine dining institutions and strip mall hidden gems. Every month, I visit dozens of restaurants across the city looking for amazing eats, great ambience and top-notch customer service. I also crowdsource recommendations from readers and industry insiders on the best places to grab a meal—but a restaurant can’t get onto this guide until I’ve actually visited it multiple times. I prioritize 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. June 2025: Last month, I revisited Baroo, Henry’s Cuisine and Birdie G’s and reviewed Bar Cecil, a Palm Springs dining destina

Sure, liquor’s been legal since Prohibition’s end, and there’s no practical use for smuggling hooch in basement bars post-1933, but there’s still something sleek about a speakeasy—especially in an age where everything is on full display across social media, removing all the mystery. Fortunately, L.A. keeps a bit of the playful, adventurous, seek-and-ye-shall-find spirit going thanks to the city’s oldest bars and modern-day spots tucked into corners as video stores, hotels, barber shops and anything else you need to explore to find the door. What defines a speakeasy? Some of L.A.’s top examples are shifting and adapting: Even K-town’s beloved pirate-themed speakeasy, R Bar, ditched its passwords a few years ago, and now it’s just a bar—nothing wrong with that, though, let’s be clear. So for the purposes of this list, we whittled the criteria. Every bar on this list has an entrance that’s physically hidden or unmarked, whether it’s a door within a restaurant or in a basement, or the door is actually a bed that flips around to reveal a secret staircase. You’ve got to be in the know to find these top-notch cocktail dens. Once you’ve unlocked these great bars, you’ll usually find burlesque, live jazz, vinyl nights and other secrets waiting to be discovered. Hit the town like it’s 1922 for our city’s top new, old and everything-in-between speakeasies. June 2025: In this seasonal update of the best ice cream in L.A., I’ve updated information on existing speakeasies and removed Empl

Hot, sunny weather can make an appearance any time of the year in Los Angeles, which means it’s technically always ice cream season in our city. Slowly but surely, I’ve trekked across L.A. County, sampling dozens of different kinds of ice cream, soft-serve and yes, non-dairy desserts like paletas and vegan ice cream—all of which deserve just as much recognition as dairy-based classic frozen treats. I’ve decided to exclude excellent restaurant-bound ice cream options like the traditional Italian gelato from Antico Nuovo and Nancy Silverton’s Mozzaplex, not to mention the soft-serve from Jon & Vinny’s and Yang’s Kitchen, simply because you don’t need to always spend money on entire meal every time you’re in search of amazing ice cream in Los Angeles.  The next time temperatures climb (and sometimes even if they don’t), treat yourself to the city’s tastiest frozen treats, many of which are built on fresh fruits and herbs from L.A.’s incredible farmers’ markets. Whether you’re looking for jam-swirled seasonal flavors, globally inspired scoops or straight-up classic combos done right, L.A. has it all—and then some more. June 2025: In this seasonal update of the best ice cream in L.A., I’ve shuffled rankings slightly, with Fosselman’s now rightly attaining a spot in the top 10 ahead of Fluffy McCloud’s. I’ve also added new information for Fosselman’s, Kanomwaan, Mateo’s, Honeymee and Handel’s. New to this year’s guide is Arcadia’s 626 Ice Cream, which has improved since my first vi

In Los Angeles, there seem to be as many good-to-great taco spots as there are stars in the sky, but how can one even begin to decide where to start? After all, you can easily find chef-driven tacos in the $10 to $20 range made with the finest ingredients—though we'll have little to none of that on this list—as you can find $3 street tacos, ready to be popped straight into your mouth while you're standing on the sidewalk. Our non-exhaustive best tacos list serves as a carefully curated selection of what we think are the city's finest tacos (some of which have even landed on our best restaurants list), along with a few more practical considerations like more regular operating hours and consistency in quality and service. (In our eyes, a “best” taco only the most dedicated, patient fans can get after waiting several hours isn't really a best taco at all.) Whether you’re a visitor or a local, read on for an excellent guide for anyone hoping to become a well-rounded taco connossieur. May 2025: This most recent update adds Tijuanazo and Barbacoa Ramirez, both of which rank in the top 15 tacos in a taco-laden city. I’ve also removed Tacos La Guera (which is still open in SoCal, but the Venice and Highland Park locations are no longer listed on the official Instagram). In the last year, the critically acclaimed Guerrilla Tacos also closed its doors, and thus has been removed from the guide. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in how most listings are structured. For more

After years of struggling through the pandemic, L.A.’s bar scene has learned to roll with the punches, and there’s always no better time than now (or this weekend) for a good, well-made drink, preferably with a side of good, old-fashioned camaraderie with slightly buzzed strangers. After all, bars, like restaurants and public parks, give rise to the sought-after sense of belonging and community that characterizes what sociologist Ray Oldenburg called “third spaces.” Right now, L.A.’s drinking scene is back and better than ever, and we’re glad to be back at a busy bar, credit card in hand, hoping to flag down a bartender. L.A. might have cozy dives near the beach, happy hours with views of the Hollywood Hills, and plenty of buzzier new watering holes, but if you’re really asking us, here are the 18 best bars in Los Angeles—for any occasion. June 2025: Last month, I checked out Daisy Margarita Bar, which comes from the same team behind Mírate, and have updated the Los Feliz bar’s listing to reflect that experience. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

What is it that they say about L.A.’s smog? Oh yeah, the reason for its beautiful sunsets that never get old. Make the city’s pollution and marine layer work for you at these sky-high cocktail bars, where the views rightfully rival the booze. With so many new rooftop restaurants and bars in town, we’ve narrowed this list to the best drinking-oriented spots in the city, rather than full-blown dining destinations. They run the gamut from lowkey Westside rooftops to see-and-be-seen hotspots in West Hollywood, with a few longtime favorites thrown in for good measure. Most take walk-ins, thankfully, and those that require reservations aren’t necessarily the places we’d endorse paying for a full meal anyway. None of our picks require a cover fee or drink minimum, unless stated otherwise. (There are many more rooftop bars than the ones featured on our guide, but trust us, we’ve visited every single one of them, and not all of them merit paying premium cocktail prices.) From rooftop watering holes in Downtown and Hollywood to a few tried-and-true beachside bars in Venice and Santa Monica, here are the city’s—literally—top rooftop bars. April 2025: Since my last major update, a few more L.A. rooftop bars have opened (and the Shay Hotel at Culver City has reopened its rooftop restaurant), but not all of them are worth going out of your way for. New to this year’s guide are Sauced and Florentín, both in Downtown L.A. A few places have come off the list, reflecting changes in service fo

Before the Yelp ratings and “best of” accolades start to roll in, how do you know what’s actually good or not among L.A.’s just-opened eateries? Every month, I put myself through the wringer attempting to visit every new, notable restaurant around Los Angeles. Usually, I enjoy revisiting the city’s best eateries and sipping cocktails at tried-and-true bars, but scouting for the best new restaurants and bars in L.A. is, to put it nicely, kind of a grab bag. Whenever I’m out scouting for the latest openings, I’m just as likely to blow hundreds of dollars on an overhyped dud as I am to stumble upon the city’s next truly great restaurant. With Time Out’s guide to L.A.’s best new restaurants, you don’t need to sift through pay-to-play influencer videos and user-generated reviews to decide where to head next—I’ve done the work for you, from looking for parking and waiting in line to trying those ultra-pricey tasting menus, since there’s nothing worse when dining out than wasting your precious free time and, of course, money. I also strive to include valet prices and parking information for every restaurant—further taking the headache out of trying the next great new spot. Questions I ask myself before including a spot on this guide: Does this new restaurant offer something more interesting, delicious or unique than any of L.A.’s existing restaurants? Is it worth the hype (and money)? Is it worth going out of the way for? If the answer to any of these is “No,” I don’t include it. Ge

When it comes to queer nightlife options in Los Angeles, there’s lots to choose from—and not just in rainbow-dipped West Hollywood, home to countless gay bars. To help you pick the best spots for dancing, boozing, flirting and cruising in Hollywood, Silver Lake and beyond, check out this list of our favorite queer bars and clubs in L.A.—there are even Pasadena, Venice and Valley options, for those sick of the party-hearty WeHo scene. Now get out there, tiger. May 2025: Just in time for WeHo Pride, I’ve updated our guide to the city’s best gay bars. This list removes St. Felix, Stache and Redline, all of which have unfortunately closed, as well as the Ruby Fruit (which has recently been revamped to a neighborhood grill) and Revolver Video Bar. The newest addition is Kiso, a welcome entrant to Downtown’s queer nightlife scene. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

L.A. is great and all, but sometimes you need a change of scenery. If you only have one day to spare, consider one of these quick day trips from Los Angeles to some amazing nearby destinations. Luckily, living in L.A. means it’s an easy (well, depending on traffic) and often scenic drive to SoCal’s best beaches, small towns, wineries and gorgeous desert landscapes—all within three hours of the city. Oddly enough, taking advantage of the ease with which you can get out of L.A. is easily one of the best things to do in L.A. From wine tasting in Santa Barbara and vintage hunting in Palm Springs to camping in Joshua Tree or feeling the sand between your toes in San Diego, you’re sure to find a short trip (as opposed to a longer road trip) worth taking on this list. Note that all of our commute time estimates are based on a trip originating from Downtown L.A. in light traffic (so your mileage may quite literally vary). RECOMMENDED: The best weekend getaways from L.A.

What makes a decent bar in Santa Monica? Depending on age, relationship status, income level and tolerance for bumping into blacked out tech bros, that answer may vary widely. Putting aside the beachside city’s singles hotspots and tourist draws—we’re looking at you, Bungalow and Victorian—we’ve rounded up the 10 best bars in Santa Monica for people who appreciate a stiff, well-made drink (or elegant glass of wine) and great ambience.  On this list, you’ll find steal-worthy happy hours, divey karaoke and grown-up wine and cocktail spots worthy of a celebratory night out. With something for everyone, don’t knock drinking in Santa Monica until you’ve tried one of these destination-worthy bars. Editor’s note: New to this year’s guide is Father’s Office—which really should have been on the guide all along. I’ve also removed Library Alehouse, the Chestnut Club and Bar Chloe. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Whether your tastes run classic or contemporary, there’s a delicious sandwich for you in Los Angeles. After all, it’s not hard to stumble across a decent sandwich at a burger stand, farmers’ market, food truck or grocery store—but what about the truly great between-bread experiences, from the crunchy-soft baguette of a budget-friendly banh mi to the wonders of sliced rye, our preferred vehicle for pastrami delivery? Though not all of these shops specialize in a traditional, counter-style sandwich shop experience, these standout L.A. sandwiches are all worth a try in their own right. Some menus run large, others small; others are tried-and-true, while others run more artisan new-school than anything else. Over two years of continuously updating this guide, I tried over 175 sandwiches from 65 different purveyors—so you can trust that I've seen it all when it comes to all things nestled between two slices of bread. Without further ado, here are L.A.’s very best sandwich shops (excluding the bagel and fried chicken varieties, which deserve lists all of their own)—because the humble sandwich is worth celebrating every day of the year.  Editor’s note: I’ve added two new outstanding sandwich shops for 2025: Dan’s Super Subs in Woodland Hills and Mamie in West Hollywood.

Since the pandemic, rising inflation has put a damper on L.A.’s late-night dining scene, with plenty of classic after-hours joints closing earlier and earlier to trim down on operating costs. In the last year or two, though, we’ve seen enough of a return in late-night dining options (beyond tacos and fast food, of course) to put together this up-to-date guide. The definition of “late,” in our honest opinion, means until at least midnight, and we’ve also included the best late night food options that go past official last call at most lounges, bars and nightclubs.Maybe you just got off your flight at LAX, or you want the party to go a little bit longer before you head home for the night. Whether you’re grabbing takeout as a bedtime snack or just trying to stave off a hangover, these late-night restaurants—many of them iconic—will definitely fit the bill. May 2025: Since last year, the Four Brothers street stall has mysteriously vanished from the Thai Town dining scene. This year’s update removes Fluffy’s, Cole’s, JJ Hong Kong Cafe and Dante Beverly Hills in favor of a few old-but-new additions in Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Burbank, San Gabriel and Chinatown. This includes another late-night KBBQ option in the form of Hae Jang Chon, excellent cold noodles and stews from Lee Ga and HK Macau Bistro, a truly standout Hong Kong-style café. I’ve also added Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank (which now stays open until 3am on weekends), Chinatown classic Hop Woo and vegetable-forward noodle shop

While this indoor-outdoor bar hidden behind Culver City’s FIN Asian Tapas might not scream “speakeasy,” longtime patrons of the neighborhood pan-Asian restaurant know the Alley is one of the best low-key places to keep the night going after dinner on the Westside. Walk around the side of the building and you’ll find a walkway leading to the Alley, where modern interiors play host to couples in intimate conversation, as well as groups of friends ordering round after round of the bar’s expertly made, fun-named creations. While most Angelenos have long acquainted themselves with mixology by now, a drink at Alley Lounge might make you feel like you’ve sipped a craft cocktail for the very first time.

Located in the basement of Townhouse in Venice, the Del Monte Speakeasy has been a hidden hideout since 1915. During Prohibition, Townhouse secretly operated the space located underneath a grocery store that served illegal hooch smuggled from the former Abbot Kinney Pier through underground tunnels. Today, the hooch is done, replaced instead with fancy-pants handcrafted cocktails, as well as live entertainment including local bands, comedy, jazz and vaudeville acts. Check the website for the schedule of upcoming shows as opening hours vary.

With over-the-top drinks and upside-down decor, this intimate speakeasy along Fairfax Avenue literally upends expectations. Unlike menu-free Blue Collar next door, Cold Shoulder offers a hefty booklet of craft cocktails ($20–50) accessible through a sliding library shelf from its more casual sibling. On weekend nights, ask the Blue Collar host for the password, or simply walk right in on more relaxed weekday evenings. The house menu here runs a tad sweet in our opinion, particularly the “top shelf” creations, but study the menu for a few minutes and you’re likely to find something to your liking. If all else fails, order something classic: Cold Shoulder’s experienced bartenders know how to put essentially any drink together.

For years, 626 Ice Cream has made traditional ice cream in retail pints available at gourmet grocery destinations like Helms Bakery and El Sereno Green Grocer, but what I really loved were the half-dozen flavors of soft-serve at the company’s brick-and-mortar. First opened in late 2023 by Amber Tan and the late Waldo Yan, the pair decided to offer a different style of ice cream in Arcadia to pay homage to the previous occupant, Ace Yogurt. At any given moment, a half-dozen flavors are available at 626 Ice Cream, plus toppings like bubu arare (micro-sized Japanese rice crackers), mochi bites and chamoy-flavored gummies. On my visit, I loved the honey misugaru and (now discontinued) ube vanilla. The texture and consistency of every flavor, however, is top notch, which explains the lines that stretch into the parking lot on weekend evenings. Fortunately, the line normally moves quickly, even with the generous sampling offered at the counter.

Located directly across from Koreatown's Boiling Crab is Honeymee, an ice cream shop serving luxuriously creamy soft serve with pure honey. The pure milk flavor (as opposed to the newer ceremonial matcha flavor) is some of the best plain soft-serve in Los Angeles, though I usually prefer it augmented with gorgeous amber swirls of raw honey (the Sweetie) or a giant chunk of honeycomb on top (the Honeymee). In fact, the Koreatown dessert window is so popular, it now has satellites in Little Tokyo, Downtown, Gardena, Buena Park and even Irvine. These days, you’ll find a slew of newer flavors like honey yuzu, chocolate sauce, matcha, caramel, passionfruit and strawberry as well as a newer ceremonial matcha soft-serve that can also be topped with honey. If it’s your first time, however, I recommend sticking to the true milk flavor with honey—it’s in the shop’s name for a reason.

Fosselman’s has been around for over a century, which is how you know they’re doing something right. This cash-only SGV institution, which first opened in 1919, feels like a leap back in time and serves some of the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted. Though Fosselman’s moved to its current location more recently (‘74, to be exact), the space still provides all the charm of an old-school ice cream parlor. The flavors are mostly classic, but the shop also offers newer flavors like horchata, lychee, taro and mango—a culinary reflection of the Asian and Latino communities who have gravitated towards the San Gabriel Valley over the last five decades. The third-generation owners also offer ice cream by the half-gallons, choose-your-flavors ice cream cakes, and six-packs of ice cream sandwiches featuring chocolate cookies. One of the most popular flavors is the Cookie Monster, which mixes Oreos, graham crackers and cookie dough into a bright blue vanilla base.

Chunks of cream known as khameh make all the difference at Saffron & Rose, where fragrant flavors like saffron pistachio, white rose and orange blossom reign supreme—though you’ll find classics like chocolate and vanilla too. Compared to American ice cream and Italian gelato, the thicker consistency of Saffron & Rose’s ice cream stretches without breaking up, for an iconic Tehrangeles treat dating back to 1974. If it’s your first time, I recommend the bright-yellow saffron ice cream studded with pistachios and anointed with rosewater and the vegan-friendly faloodeh, a chilled lime and rosewater sorbet that folds in rice noodles for a pleasing, slightly chewy, almost crunchy mouthfeel.

With wild monthly flavors found nowhere else, Portland-based Salt & Straw puts an artisanal churn on the standard scoop. Their extensive menu boasts options both indulgent and curious—many of which feature ingredients exclusive to Southern California, reflecting the company’s “farm-to-cone” philosophy. The best part? You don’t have to choose just one: Guests can opt for an ice cream flight including your choice of four flavors from both classic and seasonal menus. Over the years, I’ve come to love perusing the line-up of Salt & Straw’s monthly flavors, from the out-there Halloween creations made with actual bugs to the return of their cereal-inspired series every March. In neighborhoods like Brentwood, West Hollywood, Glendale, Manhattan Beach and the Arts District, it’s my first pick for ice cream; in other parts of town with other ice cream options like Culver City, Venice and Larchmont, not so much. Despite the fact I’ve found the consistency here to be a little scattershot at times, Salt & Straw is still one of the best all-around ice cream shops—and with every location open until 11pm, it’s the best option around once everyone else closes up shop at 10pm.

Given all the superb ice cream options in L.A., it's easy to overlook this Santa Barbara-based scoop shop on Montana Avenue. But you shouldn't, because Rori's serves impossible-to-put-down artisanal ice cream that will have you hooked once you've tried it. Made with milk and cream from dairy cows raised along the Central Coast, the shop offers a blend of classic, occasionally seasonal flavors perfect for mixing into a hot fudge sundae or add-on toppings. The dye-free honey lavender offers the right blend of floral and sweet, and the chocolate options here (“serious” dark, coconut base, milk chocolate with chocolate shavings) are second to none. At a time when other artisanal L.A. shops are capitalizing on novelty in the form of limited releases and rotating monthly flavors, Rori's makes a great case for not fixing what isn't broken; sometimes, a classic scoop is all you need. Actually, when it comes to ice cream in Santa Monica, I actually prefer Rori’s over McConnell’s, but the latter has the advantage of convenience due to later weekday hours and additional L.A. locations.

If your taste in frozen desserts runs more classic, head to Ginger's Divine Ice Creams in Culver City and along West Third Street. Under cheery bright yellow umbrellas, you'll find more than three dozen flavors, including the ultra-popular Billionaire Brownie and our favorite, the Chocolate PB Crack. All flavors feature a super creamy, smooth and ultra-sweet base, with plenty of delicious plant-based ice creams and sorbets as well. Unlike Salt & Straw (which also has an outpost in Culver City) and Wanderlust (which has a location down the street from the Ginger’s on West Third Street ), Ginger’s also allows you to make your own sundae with hot fudge, caramel, marshmallows, sprinkles and candy. The tasty, colorful popsicles and ice cream sandwiches made with housemade cookies appeal to the kids—or the kids at heart. Time Out tip: At the West Third Street location, park at the Beverly Connection across the street, which costs $1 an hour.

Look: I’d never turn down a cup of soft-serve from Magpies, CVT or Milk Bar, but the pastel-colored swirls coming out of the machines at Koreatown’s Bumsan Organic Milk Bar approach an entirely different level of airy creaminess. It’s far, far better-tasting than Indigo Cow, the Hokkaido-style newcomer in Echo Park that you’ve seen hyped all over social media. Since 2017, the bright pink Koreatown stand has served soft-serve made with South Korean organic milk in a handful of flavors. The “true milk” flavor is slightly better at Honeymee, my other favorite L.A. soft-serve spot (which also has a location in Koreatown), but the taro milk tea, matcha, pink guava, chocolate and coffee flavors here aren’t just photogenic—they’re goddamn delicious.

On the hottest of days, sometimes regular old ice cream just won’t cut it—which is when I recommend reaching for an icy, refreshing paleta. Since 2000, Mateo’s has stocked over thirty different flavors of the Oaxacan-style frozen fruit bars including juicy watermelon, tangy chile-dusted mango and the smoky, must-try leche quemada. The move here, of course, is to order a paleta—the mostly fruit-filled treats (some contain dairy) are just as delicious as your standard scoop on a cone. If you’re craving something creamy, however, Mateo’s stocks gelato in hard-to-find Latin American flavors like mamey, eggnog with raisins, yellow cherry and tequila, plus tropical sorbet options that include soursop, dragonfruit and guava.

Today is National Doughnut Day, and in case you needed another reason to reach for a deep-fried treat, Culver City’s Helms Bakery will be frying up a weekend-only special doughnut in collaboration with beloved chocolate brand See’s Candies. The locally founded company operates one of its main chocolate factories just a few blocks away on a busy stretch of La Cienega Boulevard.  The See’s Toffee-ette doughnut ($5) consists of a raised yeast round filled with toffee cream and topped with chocolate glaze, crushed Toffee-ettes and drizzled white chocolate. I actually had the opportunity to try the doughnut in a day-before preview, and it’s delicious. The toffee cream isn’t overpoweringly sweet, and the chocolate glaze plays nicely with the crushed nuts and toffee and hint of white chocolate.  Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out The limited-time item is available from today (while supplies last) through Sunday, June 8, with the potential to continue into subsequent weekends, depending on popularity and supplies. By our accounts, Helms Bakery is already home to some of the city’s best doughnuts—though fewer than a half dozen flavors are available at any given moment. The Toffee-ette doughnut is the first of a series of limited-time collabs between the two iconic L.A brands, according to Sang Yoon, the chef-owner of the newly revived Helms Bakery. Over the summer, the Culver City bakery, deli and gourmet market plans to unveil at least three unique items—a pastry, a sundae

The first time I dined at Bar Cecil, my visit to Palm Springs had been planned less than 48 hours before. It was in the midst of the devastating January wildfires, and my sinuses were screaming in protest, even with two air purifiers running in my apartment. I was lucky enough to live outside of the evacuation zones, but I could not sleep well, I could not breathe well and after two days of inhaling toxic chemicals, I could barely think straight. Guiltily, my partner and I decided to flee to the desert. The suburban sprawl of the San Gabriel Valley was bathed in ominous, orange-tinted sunlight as we drove east. Eventually, we reached the Inland Empire, where the skies were once again a peaceful, comforting shade of blue.  By the time we arrived at the Plaza Del Sol Shopping Center in Palm Springs, it was nearly 5pm and we were hungry, both literally and for a taste of normalcy. We parked the car and I sprinted to put my name down. Alas, I was too late: The 12 walk-in bar seats at Bar Cecil were already full. In the end, we opted to wait in the tiny, tranquil courtyard for over an hour. The chilled, expertly made martini that followed, as well as the green salad, duck liver pate, flat iron steak frites and chocolate chip cookies that accompanied it, turned out to be one of the most satisfying meals I’ve had in Southern California this year—and I’ve visited over a hundred restaurants since. Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out Since opening in 2021, Bar Cecil has been

If you haven’t been to the Third Street Promenade lately, we don’t blame you. Santa Monica’s outdoor shopping district has struggled in recent years to attract locals amid empty storefronts and increased public safety concerns due to the sizable increase in the area’s homeless population. While the area still sees heavy tourist traffic in the summer and on the weekends, even newer restaurant openings like an oceanfront Din Tai Fung have largely failed to lure back the Promenade’s pre-pandemic crowds. Now, Santa Monica will be turning the entire three-block area into an open container zone sometime in June—which means you’ll be able to walk and drink freely along the Promenade from approved to-go containers between 6pm and 2am. ABC 7 Los Angeles reports that the zone’s borders will be between Wilshire Boulevard and Broadway. Last night, the city council voted unanimously to approve the ordinance in a likely bid to change the fate of the struggling commercial district.  The move seems to dovetails perfectly with the newest occupants of the Promenade, which has seen the departure of major retailers. These days, area landlords are experimenting with “experiential retail,” according to the Los Angeles Times, which includes pickleball and boozy art classes. Last fall, the area saw the opening of Holey Moley, a mini golf club that sells booze and offers Instagrammable courses. Apparently, per the Times, people are also live-selling on TikTok on the Promenade. The new “Outdoor Enter

From the whimsical yellow giraffe at the front entrance to the red number stamped on the back of the menu presented at the end of the evening, every aspect of Somni has meaning, intent and purpose. The outdoor sculpture, according to chef-owner Aitor Zabala, nods to the animal’s meaning in some cultures as a symbol of good fortune, elegance and tranquillity. The little red digits correspond to the thousands of diners the newly revived tasting menu restaurant (back after a four-year hiatus) has served since its buzzy debut in West Hollywood last November.  Before you even take a single bite or sip, there’s the breathtaking hidden courtyard, where dreamy white cloud sculptures suspended from the trees overhead sway in the breeze. (The feeling is no coincidence—Somni means “dream” in the chef’s native Catalan.) By the time you nibble on a delicate cheese feather and crunch into a fried almond painstakingly reconstructed to resemble the original in its shell, you can almost forget the fact it costs at least $840 per person, with a minimum party size of two, to be there. Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time OutThe courtyard at Somni, where guests enjoy early snacks and drinks. Six months after reopening, Somni is undisputedly L.A.’s most dazzling, destination-worthy fine dining experience. Playful, elegant and downright delicious, the Spanish-influenced meal is full of avant-garde delights and insider nods to now-closed Michelin giants like Spain’s famous El Bullí—where Zabal

The official Michelin Guide ceremony won’t happen in Sacramento until June 25, but the multinational tire company just added another three notable L.A. County restaurants to the guide. All additions are considered “recommended” and could go on to receive either a Michelin star or Bib Gourmand (the guide’s budget-friendly category) later this year.  In greater Los Angeles, three restaurants made the guide: Komal, a masa-focused street stall in South L.A.’s Mercado La Paloma from two Holbox alums. The second is Somni in West Hollywood, the most expensive restaurant in Los Angeles. Founded by Jose Andrés in 2018, the Spanish-leaning modernist tasting menu held two Michelin stars in its previous iteration. Last fall, former day-to-day lead Aitor Zabala revived Somni as an independent project. The third is Vin Folk, a tiny South Bay bistro run by two Somni alums serving casual bistro dishes with fine dining flare and an impeccable wine list. Elsewhere across the state, Michelin recognized restaurants like Sungho, a homey Korean spot in San Francisco and Atelier Manna in Encinitas, which the guide describes as a “hipster haven” with a focus on locally sourced ingredients. Three more restaurants down in San Diego County made the cut: Tanner’s Prime Burger and 24 Suns in Oceanside, as well as Lilo in Carlsbad.  Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time OutThe courtyard at Somni, where guests enjoy early snacks and drinks. Two months ago, Michelin added seven other L.A. restaurants to

The votes for 2025 are in: Six L.A. chefs, restaurants, bars, bakeries and writers have been named James Beard Awards finalists. Known widely as the “Oscars of food,” the awarding body recognizes chefs, restauranteurs, bar directors, authors and journalists across the nation.  While the restaurant and chef awards were first announced on April 2, the media awards weren’t announced until today. Whittled down from 16 semifinalists, just three L.A. County chefs, restaurants and bakeries have advanced to the final round: Kato’s Jon Yao in “Best Chef: California” category; Redbird’s Tobin Shea in “Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service”; and Gusto Bread in Long Beach—which I consider one of the city’s best bakeries, and totally worth the drive—for “Outstanding Bakery.”  Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time OutGusto Bread In the media category, three local journalists from the Los Angeles Times have picked up nominations. Critic Bill Addison received a nomination in “Dining and Travel” for his guide to San Francisco and columnist Jenn Harris was also recognized for her work in the “Craig Claiborne Distinguished Criticism” category. In “Home Cooking,” senior editor Danielle Dorsey received a nomination for her recipe and reporting package on Black Thanksgiving traditions. Within Southern California, a few of our neighbors in Orange County also picked up nominations: Anaheim tiki bar Strong Water (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program) and Daniel Castillo of San Juan

For the second year in a row, Mírate in Los Feliz and Thunderbolt in Historic Filipinotown have made this year’s list of North America’s 50 Best Bars, which dropped late last night. Veteran L.A. drinkers likely won’t find this surprising given the strength of Mike Capoferri’s precise, delicious and sustainably made cocktails at Thunderbolt and Max Reis’s stellar bar program at Mírate, which incorporates pre-Hispanic indigenous fermented beverages and showcases rare agave spirits from smaller producers you can’t find anywhere else in the United States.  This year, however, Mírate has jumped significantly in the ranking, coming in at 12th across the continent after debuting on last year’s list at number 46. The World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization, which also decides the annual North America’s 50 Best Bars list, also awarded Mírate the Nikka Highest Climber Award and named the Los Feliz restaurant and bar the “Best Bar in the West.” Conversely, Thunderbolt has fallen out of its top 10 ranking at number 8 to number 24—but don’t worry, we still love you Thunderbolt. The organizations touts the bar’s open patio and “bright and breezy” feel, but also shouts out the drinks program as “boundary-pushing” in a way that weaves community, philanthropy and sustainability. As such, the Historic Filipinotown bar also earned the Ketel One Sustainable Bar Award 2025. In the last year, both Capoferri and Reis have been busy working on other new concepts around town. Last December, Capoferr

Can a little star power help revive Downtown’s struggling restaurant scene? Actor and writer Issa Rae—along with cofounders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan—is opening a pizzeria and bar at 718 South Hill Street inside the same historic early-20th-century building that houses Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and Lost, a rooftop cocktail and taco bar that opened last September.  Named Downtown Dough, the restaurant’s menu will be centered around the space’s wood-fired pizza oven, with dishes incorporating seasonal produce. Think classic, nostalgia-inducing dishes like cheesy garlic bread made from toasted focaccia, crispy Old Bay calamari and banana pudding tiramisu. Guests can also expect clever twists on cauliflower pizza and lobster pasta. Two years ago, GVO Hospitality—the group owned by Hagos and Relan—first debuted the fourth location of Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen within the space, which previously housed the short-lived Gusto Green (pictured below). Now, after 6pm, venue will flip into the 179-seat Downtown Dough.  Photograph: Time Out/Patricia Kelly YeoThe dining room of the previous tenant, Gusto Green. Rae has also previously collaborated with GVO Hospitality on Somerville, a soul food-inspired jazz club in View Park-Windsor Hills that opened last fall. Downtown Dough’s first day of service for is slated for this Saturday, May 3; look out for reservations on OpenTable. Downtown Dough 718 S Hill StLos Angeles, CA 90014Wed–Sun 6–11pm

It feels like every day another iconic L.A. restaurant is closing or struggling—which is why it’s all the more heartbreaking that Papa Cristo’s, the longtime Greek restaurant at the corner of Pico and Normandie, is closing its doors on May 4. Originally founded as an import company in 1948 by Sam Chrys, this family-run neighborhood institution predates the formation of Koreatown as we know and love it today.  Chrys Chrys, the son of Sam, confirmed the news and announced the final day of service in an Instagram post on April 3. “After 77 unforgettable years on the corner of Pico and Normandie, it’s time for me to hang up my apron and for us to say goodbye (for now),” the current owner of Papa Cristo’s wrote. “We will close this chapter with our hearts full of love and gratitude for the incredible community that has supported us for generations.” Chrys bought the original Greek import business from his father in 1968, turning it into a restaurant in the early 1990s. In 2010, Chrys’s daughter Annie joined the family business. On April 1, the restaurant property was spotted on Loopnet with an asking price of $5.2 million.  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Papa Cristo’s Greek Food (@papacristos) According to Chrys himself, Papa Cristo’s will live on in some form. “The story of Papa Cristo’s doesn’t end here—exciting things are coming,” the restaurant’s owner wrote at the end of his farewell message. The family already have a pre-existing line of he

Cheese-obsessed local ghost kitchen chef Eric Greenspan will run the upcoming, now politically charged Tesla diner (and drive-in) in Los Angeles, according to Sawyer Merritt, a self-professed Tesla investor who periodically shares news related to Elon Musk’s electric car company on X. The March 26 post says that the yet-to-open project will feature “1950s retro charm” and “dazzling neon lights,” along with the scent of burgers and milkshakes.  Merritt also confirmed that the property will feature two drive-in movie screens and 75 V4 charging stations—the fastest tier of Tesla’s chargers. Musk himself commented on the post less than an hour after it was published, appearing to confirm the news—or at least not deny its veracity. “It will be cool,” he said. “When’s it opening?” Merritt replied, to no response. Though a resident of Los Angeles, Greenspan hasn’t run a sit-down restaurant in several years. Instead, he’s turned his focus to delivery-only concepts, a.k.a. ghost kitchens, and New School American, a boutique cheese company that’s used in the burgers at Chi Spacca, one of the city’s best restaurants. His previous concepts include the Foundry on Melrose, the Roof on Wilshire and Greenspan’s Grilled Cheese. He’s also starred in or appeared in several food-related TV shows. Reporting by The New York Times further uncovered via expired job postings that L.A. restaurant industry veteran Bill Chait will also be involved in the restaurant, which sits at the border of Hollywoo

République—one of L.A.’s most critically acclaimed restaurants—has become the recent subject of online political controversy after one of its owners, Walter Manzke, was quoted in the New York Times as voicing support for Elon Musk’s yet-to-open Tesla diner in West Hollywood, where Tesla owners could charge their cars and grab a meal. Since news about the drive-in project first broke in 2022, the CEO of Tesla has morphed from space-obsessed billionaire to an icon of the far-right, as well as President Trump’s right-hand man. “It sounds exciting,” Walter told former Times restaurant critic Pete Wells. “[République co-owner Margarita] told me the other day that she wants to buy a Tesla, so I can tell you what side she’s on.” The Manzkes are the veteran chefs behind République, which is equally beloved across the city for its California-inspired French savory menu and Margarita’s James Beard Award-winning pastries. One anonymous user of Reddit reposted the article in the subreddit r/FoodLosAngeles, which fields regular discussion about all matters related to the L.A. dining scene. “Looks like Republique is off my list,” the post title reads. As of publication, the post is the subreddit’s top most-read post for the day.  In response, the Hancock Park restaurant released a statement on its Instagram around 3pm on Friday afternoon. “At République, we believe in focusing on what we do best—creating exceptional food and a welcoming experience for all our guests. In response to a rece

In honor of the restaurant’s 25th anniversary (and while the Mexico City original is closed for repairs), Pujol is coming to L.A. for a 10-day tasting menu stint inside Damian in the Arts District. As first reported in Forbes, between April 22 and 30, chef-owner Enrique Olvera plans to bring back classics from the two Michelin star restaurant’s early days, including a potential ravioli-style avocado with shrimp tartar and a coconut squash blossom soup. Each night will offer two 90-minute tasting menus—one starting around 5:50pm and another at 8:30pm—as first reported in the Los Angeles Times. A portion of the pop-up’s proceeds will benefit local nonprofit No Us Without You, which provides assistance to undocumented workers in the L.A. restaurant industry. A separate beverage pairing featuring agave spirits and Mexican beer and wine will also be available. Reservations for the Pujol pop-up will go live on Friday, March 21 at noon Pacific time, on Damian’s Resy page. Photograph: Courtesy DamianPujol previously popped up inside Damian for the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve Party in 2021. Per the Times, the April pop-up will also include a separate à la carte concept, Molino el Pujol, that will take over Ditroit Taqueria, Damian’s more casual daytime counterpart. The more formal six-course experience, for which pricing has yet to be determined, will definitely offer Pujol’s famous mole madre. The dish uses an approximately decade-old mother sauce that Olvera has continuously added