Patricia Kelly Yeo

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. April 2025: After revisiting in March, I’ve decided to remove the Spare Room from this guide. I’ve also added new information on the current menus at Accomplice, the Let’s Go Disco and Everson Royce Bar. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

L.A. gets plenty of its reputation from the film industry, but we prefer when our stars come draped in a tablecloth and feeding us some of the best food we’ve ever tasted. And in this golden age of dining destinations, plenty of our city’s restaurants have become their own sort of icons. Whether you’re a visitor or a local, believe the hype: These famous Los Angeles restaurants have stood the test of time or made waves with newer fare, and live up to their reputation. From hole-in-the-wall Japanese cafés to Victorian-era food halls and star-studded fine-dining, here’s where to find L.A.’s most famous restaurants worth a visit—and who knows, maybe you’ll see a a celebrity there, too (but we all know the real draw is the food). April 2025: After revisiting half a dozen classic dining establishments across the city, I’m pleased to add Pann’s and the Tam o’ Shanter to this year’s guide. Departing this year are Pink’s and Lawry’s the Prime Rib. 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.” 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

Your mom’s been through a lot: She did your laundry, got through those angsty teen years and probably even let you control the car’s radio without batting an eye, even when all you did was blast boy bands for hours on end. And while Mother's Day brunch won’t completely compensate for all those years of emotional distress, you can still show her you’re really, truly thankful for all of that with a meal to end all meals from one of L.A.’s best brunch restaurants. With endless mimosas and rosé, seaside eggs Benedict and fresh-baked pastries, these Mother’s Day brunch specials around town are the perfect way to say “I love you.” Whether she’s looking for something cozy and low-key or decadent and classy, here’s where to find the best Mother’s Day specials around L.A. this year. April 2025: This year, I’ve opted to add a few afternoon tea options to the guide. I personally spend Mother’s Day enjoying a delightful afternoon tea with my own mom last year, and it hits all the same marks of brunch, with far less of a caloric hangover. RECOMMENDED: Our guide to Mother’s Day in L.A. (which, FYI, is May 11 this year)

There’s no official alfresco season in L.A., a city where outdoor dining is technically possible year-round, so of course it’s full of decidedly alfresco restaurants. You know the ones. These are the types of places where you can hear the waves crashing, watch the city lights sparkle from a rooftop or get lost in the greenery—or scenery—that surrounds your table. While most Angelenos know by now that most meals can be enjoyed outside, whether you’re at a coffee shop, a taco truck or a fine-dining restaurant, there are still plenty of destination-worthy scenic spots worth visiting for the views (as well as the food). I've included a few restaurants with less-than-outstanding cuisine, but rest assured the views and ambience more than make up for any culinary shortcomings. Here are the best restaurants for outdoor dining in L.A. April 2025: Since my last major update, Cafe on 27 has temporarily closed, first due to the Palisades Fire and then for renovations. New to this quarter’s guide are Chez Mia and Superba Hollywood. 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. RECOMMENDED: Full guide to things to do outside in Los Angeles

In the wake of the devastating January wildfires, it’s safe to say that those of us living in Los Angeles have been contemplating the impact of human activity on the environment more than ever. While human-caused climate change may not be responsible for the Santa Ana winds or the individual fires, local climate scientists agree they definitely made conditions worse—and lingering questions remain as to the fires’ long-term effects on the safety and quality of our soil, air and water. Ahead of Earth Day, we’re announcing the global launch of Time Out’s Sustainable Stamp, which shines a spotlight on editor-approved, externally accredited restaurants, bars and other venues making a proactive effort to lessen their impact on the environment around the world. A recent “Planet & People” survey of Time Out readers found that most respondents would be willing to change how they eat out. In fact, 68 percent said they’d choose restaurants with locally sourced ingredients, and 67 percent said they’d choose venues that employ reduced food waste practices.  In conjunction with these efforts, I’ve also chosen nine of my favorite sustainable restaurants in L.A. to highlight in this guide, explaining their eco-conscious practices wherever possible. Not all have been certified by a third-party accrediting body or government agency, but it’s important to note that many of L.A.’s small businesses do not have the time or money to go through labor-intensive environmental certification processes.

The Swedes have fika, Filipinos have merienda, Americans have coffee breaks—and the British have afternoon tea. Traditionally a midday meal to refuel and reflect, this English pastime is more typically associated on these shores with a luxurious assortment of sandwiches, scones, cakes and other sweets served on fine china. Here in Los Angeles, we’ve scouted from the Pacific to the greater San Gabriel Valley for the city’s best afternoon tea offerings, from ultra-bougie to budget-friendly. (We’ve excluded some name-brand hotel offerings you might know, like the Langham in Pasadena, the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica, the Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills and Downtown’s Millennium Biltmore, because their pricey, lackluster offerings do not reflect the quality and/or ambience people might expect in a $100-plus afternoon tea experience. And yes, I tried them all.) Whether you’re looking for a relaxing, beautiful garden setting or a conveniently located place to enjoy tea with friends, these top L.A. tearooms will more than fit the bill. For reader convenience, we’ve also included which days of the week you can find the tea in each listing, as well as the cost of each tea set. April 2025: This latest update removes the tea service at the Getty Villa (which remains indefinitely closed to the Palisades Fire) and adds the Maybourne Beverly Hills, which recently debuted a delightful fashion-inspired afternoon tea service. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies

When it comes to Los Angeles rooftops, restaurants and bars are as alike as apples and oranges: Sure, they both get the job done, but in entirely different ways. Unlike many of best L.A. rooftop bars in the city, these mostly open-air rooftop eateries offer food that runs the gamut from excellent to decent (rather than barely tolerable), gorgeous views and, in most cases, basically require a reservation to nab a table. More than a handful are in the skyscrapers of Downtown, and some are better suited for a breezy brunch than a romantic dinner. In rarefied air, things get pricey fast, so budget accordingly before enjoying a meal at one of L.A.’s best-in-class rooftop restaurants.  April 2025: Since my last major update, a few more L.A. rooftop restaurants and bars have opened, but not all of them are worth going out of your way for. New to this year’s guide are San Laurel at the Conrad and Butterfly at the Shay Hotel, which I visited earlier this year. I also substantively updated the listings for LA Cha Cha Chá, which recently revamped its menu, and added Ballast Point Brewing in Long Beach. The Rooftop has dropped the “by JG” part of its name, as celebrity chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten is no longer affiliated with the Waldorf-Astoria Beverly Hills. 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 als

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, we visit dozens of restaurants across the city looking for amazing eats, great ambience and top-notch customer service. We 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 we’ve actually visited it multiple times. We 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, we think it’s awesome and worth the hype, wait and money —and we bet you will, too. April 2025: Since the beginning of March, I’ve checked in on Dunsmoor and Azizam, and have since updated each place’s li

Lady and the Tramp had the right idea—what better way to celebrate with your significant other than sharing a romantic meal? Whether you’re looking to wine and dine on a rooftop, cozy up on a first date or splurge to celebrate a special occasion, we’ve got you covered with a round-up of L.A.’s best restaurants that lay on the charm. Below, check out our guide to the best romantic restaurants in Los Angeles. Looking for more sentimental ideas? Check out the most romantic things to do in L.A.

SoCal natives see it as a sleepy town to lay out by the pool all day, gamble, maybe even play some golf, if that’s your thing. But Palm Springs is so much more than that. There’s the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, perfect for the family, the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, which features spectacular desert views, and of course, some of the best restaurants in Palm Springs. Restaurants of all kinds abound in this historic Hollywood getaway town. From the times when Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin would visit to new, refreshed spaces, food options abound in the desert. Yes, you can still get your margaritas on sun-drenched but water-misted patios and all-day brunches to nurse hangovers, but don’t sleep on the award-winning restaurants, the Asian-fusion fare or the craft cocktails. Oh, and on your way out of Palm Springs, don’t forget to stop by the famous Hadley Fruit Orchards store for a date shake, fresh dates, and anything date-related. The Coachella Valley supplies ninety-five percent of the country’s dates, so don’t miss out on trying some of the freshest, best dates you’ve ever had. Whether you’re in town for a special occasion, a fun getaway or even an extended stay, read on to find the best places to brunch, lunch, or dine in style in Palm Springs. Looking to stay? Check out the best Palm Springs hotels and the best Airbnbs in Palm Springs

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

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. RECOMMENDED: The best Mexican restaurants in Los Angeles

Queue up and take a seat around the U-shaped counter at the Apple Pan, which has somehow, someway, managed to escape time. Aside from a few minor changes over the years—I still miss the old-school paper soda cones with metal cupholders—the restaurant has largely stayed the same in terms of the interior layout and menu. Burger patties sizzle on the griddle that’s been around for decades (since 1947, to be exact) and served by friendly staff, including more than a handful that have worked here for decades. The most modern updates? Since the pandemic, you can sit outside in the newer outdoor dining area, and vegans and vegetarians can opt for an Impossible patty. But the go-to order for me is still the classic smoky hickoryburger, which comes slathered in house barbecue sauce and can only be made better by ordering double the cheese. If I’m with more than one other person, I usually like to split the tuna melt or a patty melt for a little more variety. Pair your handhelds with an order of crispy fries and save room for a slice or two of the equally-famous housemade pies (á la mode, all the way).

Canter’s is a fantastic, living relic of early-20th-century L.A. and a reminder of the local Jewish community’s deep roots. Still owned by the Canter family, this 24-hour deli with a gargantuan bakery case and retro interior is a decent Jewish deli and one of our favorite places to dine after hours. Come here at 2am and you’re bound to see musicians from all over town who’ve just gotten off the stage and want to tuck into some blintzes or a stacked pastrami sandwich. Come here for a comforting bowl of matzo ball soup. Come here for cookies and challah to go, or, perhaps our favorite pairing, a plate of latkes and a dirty martini. Have just about whatever experience you’re looking for, because at Canter’s, things stay the same and variety is a constant.

This always-busy Virgil Village bagel shop slings delicious wild-yeasted, Montreal-style bagels with the kind of flavor, texture and presentation that have caught the attention of national media outlets. The lines are usually fairly long (unless you get lucky on the later side of Monday morning) and it can take close to half an hour sometimes to get your order, but these are—sigh—the best bagels in Los Angeles. Slightly burnt, lightly chewy and barely sweet, a Courage bagel is crispier and thinner than your standard New York style, which lends itself to schmear and toppings like farmers’ market veggies like heirloom tomatoes and wild-caught Alaskan lox. Owners Arielle Skye and Chris Moss have been featured in basically every major local and national food outlet, including a ragebait headlined article by the New York Times: “The Best Bagels Are in California (Sorry, New York).” In the realm of California-by-way-of-Montreal bagels, Courage is the standard by which all others are judged—so come here at least once and judge for yourself.

The Mexican American fare here isn’t exactly the best in town, but you can’t deny the enduring appeal of El Coyote, a longtime classic Mexican restaurant in Beverly Grove where actress Sharon Tate allegedly ate her last meal in 1961. The walls are dotted with signed portraits of Hollywood stars; the enormous red neon sign alone is a local icon; and the dishes are hot, affordable and fast. Established in 1931, the restaurant serves all the classics of the Mexican American dining genre, including the requisite complimentary chips and salsa and from-scratch house margaritas, which come served on the rocks. Generations of Angelenos have grown up on dishes like the Enchilada Howard (named after one of El Coyote’s first regulars), chile con carne burrito and sizzling fajitas made with chicken, steak or shrimp. Order whatever you feel like eating that day and at least one stiff drink—this is a spot where the bona fide old-school vibes take priority over any particular menu item.

Holy hot chicken! Howlin’ Ray’s Johnny Zone spent his early career working with the likes of Thomas Keller and Gordon Ramsay, but he’s more famous these days for being the chef who started L.A.’s Nashville hot chicken craze. Fried up and served by a dedicated, high-energy crew that keeps morale high when lines get long (and boy, do they get long), Howlin’s hot chicken is just as great as when we first waited hours to get our hands on it years ago. A newer Pasadena location offers more ample seating, plus beer and wine for on-site diners, but the Far East Plaza original still accepts walk-in orders and even offers local delivery. Choose between white or dark meat, or maybe a sandwich in whatever level of heat you can handle, from Country to Howlin’. For a truly decadent bite, order the Jojo-style sando, which puts boneless chicken breast, melted cheddar, butter and maple syrup between two waffles.

I’m sorry to say that BCD Tofu House isn’t the all-around best soondubu option in L.A. anymore—that honor belongs to both LA Tofu House and Surawon, at least in my book—but this after-hours dining chain is still a worthwhile pit stop for the clubbing set and other nighthawks. Before her death in 2020, owner Hee Sook Lee grew the business from a single Koreatown storefront to a grocery brand and restaurant chain with locations across Southern California, Texas, New Jersey and New York. In fact, BCD is largely the reason why so many other soondubu specialists exist in Los Angeles today—so crack an egg into a ttukbaegi (black earthenware pot) of bubbling tofu stew with your choice of protein or vegetables, enjoy the complimentary lightly fried croaker and banchan, and raise a glass to Lee’s all-American immigrant success story. Combined with the cozy atmosphere and interesting patrons, the Wilshire Boulevard location is a great place to end the night, especially on weekend evenings.

Bestia is one of the city’s best Italian restaurants, and one of L.A.’s busiests restaurants for a reason. Chef and co-owner Ori Menashe’s rustic renditions of pizza, pasta and starters still manage to delight and impress, no matter how many times we’ve ordered them. Despite the decade and change since Bestia first opened in 2012 (and the fact owners Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis have opened two more restaurants), Bestia still requires a reservation on weekend evenings. The seasonal menu rotates slightly, but there’s a couple of heavy hitters I always recommend, including the roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti—one of the dishes that cemented my desire to write about food—and the chestnut and mushroom agnolotti. The latter consists of tiny mascarpone-stuffed pasta pockets topped with fried sage and fennel pollen; a combination these days that’s no longer novel, but still shockingly good. Paired with the industrial-modern digs and the sleek ambience, it’s a place where we’re likely to linger until the staff starts bussing our dessert plates and wine glasses.

You can argue over L.A.’s best hot dog, but Pink’s is the city’s most famous. The stand, open since 1939, most notably serves up dogs named after local legends and Hollywood heroes, from the Huell Howser Dog to the (Marlon) Brando Dog. But it made its name with a chili dog, a simple dog smothered in chili, onions, cheese and mustard, and it’s just as known for this as it is the bright pink exterior. The lines aren’t as long as they used to be, so come on over for a bite of L.A. history—the (hot dog) water’s warm. Time Out tip: Before 4pm, chase your hot dog with a caffeinated drink from Be Bright, one of L.A.’s finest coffee shops. The award-winning shop is located about seven minutes’ walk away from Pink’s.

Few go to Dan Tana’s simply for the cooking. It’s not that the old-fashioned Italian American fare is bad: It’s more that the Old Hollywood atmosphere is wonderfully thick. The longtime servers can tell you what L.A. was like back when this red-sauce joint was cutting-edge, a time when they were much younger but Dan Tana’s looked the same. The menu is full of inside joke-like nods to regulars, including a few dearly departed celebrities and industry bigwigs, but focus in on the chicken (or alternatively, veal or eggplant) parm, the various cuts of steaks and potatoes Beckerman—essentially cottage fries topped with crispy deep-fried onions. The spaghetti marinara that comes with every entrée is old-school Italian American at its most endearing (read: the noodles are rinsed off with water, and it’s much better as a side than a main event). One word of warning, however: The maître d’ does play favorites when it comes to reservations, which are only taken over the phone, and the wait for walk-ins can stretch to an hour or more, particularly on weekend evenings. Generally, however, even newbies can score a table here if they call three weeks in advance—which is what I recommend doing.

Open since 1919, Musso & Frank Grill is Hollywood's oldest restaurant—and it more than lives up to its century-long iconography. This steak-and-cocktails joint on Hollywood Boulevard was once favored by the likes of Charlie Chaplin, Raymond Chandler and Orson Welles. Thanks to TV shows and movies like Once Upon a Time… In Hollywood, Ocean’s Eleven and Mad Men, it’s practically an actor and star in its own right, and you might still spy a modern celebrity there today. As such, you’re not allowed to take photos of the dining room, though you’re more than welcome to take pictures of your meal or tablemates. With its obscure mid-century dishes—jellied consommé and grilled lamb kidneys, anyone?—and a litany of steakhouse classics, the menu can be quite daunting. And while I can’t recommend Musso and Frank strictly for the food, the steaks are a foolproof choice here, as are the sanddabs a la meunière. Manage expectations if you decide to order one of the pastas or any of the old-school dishes. What’s always delicious, however, is the half-loaf of housemade sourdough bread—the perfect accompaniment to Musso’s ultra-famous martinis, which comes with a little extra in a side car.

Founded in 1923, El Cholo is now a veritable regional chain—and while its cuisine may not exactly be cutting edge, the comforting mix of enchiladas, fajitas and other classic Mexican American fare is downright iconic. Despite the “Spanish Cafe” part of its marquee, the menu here isn’t at all Iberian; the name is a holdover from the more racist times of yesteryear. Visit the Western Avenue flagship to bask in the Mission Revival interiors and soak up some L.A. history with a side of chips and salsa. There are also other locations in Santa Monica and Downtown (plus a breakaway offshoot in Pasadena), but we prefer the Koreatown semi-original—it was originally located closer to USC—whenever we want to feel old-school cool. Every menu item lists the year it was added; I recommend the seasonal green corn tamales (1923), combination plates (1938) and taquitos (1995).

I’m sorry to say that BCD Tofu House isn’t the all-around best soondubu option in L.A. anymore—that honor belongs to both LA Tofu House and Surawon, at least in my book—but this after-hours dining chain is still a worthwhile pit stop for the clubbing set and other nighthawks. Before her death in 2020, owner Hee Sook Lee grew the business from a single Koreatown storefront to a grocery brand and restaurant chain with locations across Southern California, Texas, New Jersey and New York. In fact, BCD is largely the reason why so many other soondubu specialists exist in Los Angeles today—so crack an egg into a ttukbaegi (black earthenware pot) of bubbling tofu stew with your choice of protein or vegetables, enjoy the complimentary lightly fried croaker and banchan, and raise a glass to Lee’s all-American immigrant success story. Combined with the cozy atmosphere and interesting patrons, the Wilshire Boulevard location is a great place to end the night, especially on weekend evenings.

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

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

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

If you or a loved one have ever paid $27 for a lone sausage and a measly scoop of mashed potatoes at a certain buzzy wine bar and left hungry, you may be entitled to financial compensation.  At least, I wish that were the case. At a time when restaurant math isn’t working for anyone involved, the humble wine bar has ascended in cultural and algorithmic significance as a legitimate dining genre in Los Angeles. For diners, there’s still the thrill of going out to eat, plus less sticker shock, at least upon initial glance at the menu. Still, order more than a few of the carb-heavy, flavor-forward small plates offered at most trendy wine-centric spots—enough to make a full meal—and the grim, undeniable fact remains: The plates are indeed small, the prices don’t always match up and the expectations-to-reality gap, especially after factoring in TikTok or media hype, is usually larger than anticipated. Which is why it’s been such a joy to head down the 405—yes, even during rush hour—and tuck into a meal at Vin Folk, a reasonably priced, deeply satisfying 45-seat bistro in Hermosa Beach. Run almost entirely by trained chefs, this nearly four-month-old restaurant offers a winning menu of French-leaning, globally inspired dishes imbued with the flare of modernist fine dining. Think Singaporean chili crab remixed into a creamy risotto that uses crab caught off the Southern California coast and tender beef tongue flavored with Russian-style spicy horseradish and tatsoi (a type of Asian b

This Wednesday, March 12, Michelin added 15 new restaurants to its California guide, including seven in the Los Angeles area. 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. Other additions up north include Stationæry in Carmel-by-the-Sea and Four Kings in San Francisco. In L.A., all new guide additions have opened since last summer. Among them you’ll find Tomat in Westchester, which I recently featured in a longform review for its ambitious restaurant garden within smelling distance of the LAX In-N-Out, and West L.A.’s Mori Nozomi, which also earned a profile on its eponymous chef, Nozomi Mori, one of the city’s few rare female sushi chefs. Photograph: Daniel Carranza for Time OutTomat In alphabetical order, the seven L.A. area restaurants are as follows, with full inspector notes available via Michelin’s official press release. All restaurants are within city limits unless otherwise specified; we’ve linked to Time Out’s write-ups for each, and noted our own star designations with brackets.  Bar Etoile [4 stars] Kusano (Culver City)  Mori Nozomi [5 stars] Rasarumah [3 stars] Seline (Santa Monica) Tomat [4 stars] Restaurant Ki [4 stars] For those unfamiliar with how Michelin restaurants are selected, here’s how it works: Anonymous Michelin inspectors travel across a given region, awarding the best of the best anywhere from one to three stars. Here in L.A.,

These days, it feels like the going rate for a decently made restaurant or bar cocktail in L.A. is close to $20. Depending on where you are (cough cough, the Westside), most house drinks start at well over $20. Well, Everson Royce Bar in the Arts District has heard about your budgetary tales of woe, and they’ve answered: As of today, the critically acclaimed bar is offering a new $12 and under menu section that includes cocktails and wines by the glass. And yes, it’s available every night they’re open (Tuesday to Saturday). Photograph: Courtesy E.R.B. We’ve long considered E.R.B. one of the city’s best bars, and its deceptively simple burger is one of the city’s best burgers. The indoor-outdoor patio is perfect for larger groups, and its more premium-priced cocktails have long stayed in the under-$20 “sweet spot” as cocktail prices around town have gone up. But having six new under-$12 cocktails is the new cherry on top at E.R.B.  Photograph: Courtesy Everson Royce Bar Simply constructed, the cocktails are six bar classics: vodka and soda ($10), a bourbon old-fashioned ($12), a margarita ($12), gin and tonic ($10), a mezcal-based grapefruit ranch water ($12) and a pineapple daiquiri ($11). If we know anything about the E.R.B. team, which also runs the relatively new West Altadena Wine and Spirits, the house’s well spirit choices likely aren’t too shabby either. E.R.B. also throws in a $6 can of lager for the beer-inclined. For the debut menu’s wine list, expect six $12 wi

For the first time since debuting in April 1947, the Westside’s iconic Apple Pan will be opening its doors on Mondays, a day of the week that’s been sorely lacking in decent dining options in the years since the pandemic hit. In 2019, original ownership sold the beloved burger-and-pie institution to music industry veteran Irving Azoff and his wife, Shelli, who also own Nate ’n Al’s in Beverly Hills.  To celebrate the expanded hours, the Apple Pan is offering free slices of their apple pie—which we consider one of the city’s best pies—to the first 50 dine-in customers every Monday in March. Yes, that means five opportunities (March 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31) for a free-ish slice of pie—you do have to buy food in order to claim your gratis dessert.  The Apple Pan10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064.Beginning March 1, the Apple Pan will be open weekdays, 11am to 11pm, then 11am to midnight on the weekends.

On the face of it, Tomat is an unlikely place for some of the city’s most interesting new California cuisine. Hidden inside a sprawling shopping complex, the four-month-old London-inspired restaurant is located less than a mile away from LAX. A giant tomato decorates the exterior of the three-story building; Tomat derives its name from a childhood nickname coincidentally shared by married owners Harry Posner and Natalie Dial. After dark, the bright red neon sign draws in hungry neighborhood locals and in-the-know diners from across the city hankering for an eclectic, unforgettable combination of global flavors most Angelenos have never seen or tasted before. While Posner and Dial’s intentions might sound fairly common—they want Tomat to be an upscale neighborhood fixture, worthy of date nights and the like—the painstaking efforts that went into the making of Tomat, along with each meal, reveal a restaurant that is anything but. Five years ago, the couple moved to L.A. from London, abandoning careers in medicine (Posner) and global health (Dial) in order to take advantage of an unmissable lease opportunity in Westchester, where in the late 1940s Dial’s late grandfather started Drollinger Properties, the area’s oldest, largest commercial real estate group (which her mother now presides over today). The couple have pored over every aspect of the fully renovated building, from the open kitchen to the dining room’s pale wood, dark green and burnt-orange color scheme. Photograph: