From renowned restaurants helmed by famous chefs to Michelin-starred destinations to hole-in-the-wall treasures serving authentic global cuisines, Los Angeles County is home to one of the nation’s most exciting and varied dining scenes.
Celebrity chef hotspots
Los Angeles is a magnet for all things celebrity, and that includes celebrity chefs. Culinary superstars including Rick Bayless (Red O), Nancy Silverton (Osteria Mozza), Curtis Stone (Gwen and Maude), and Wolfgang Puck of the storied Spago and Cut steakhouse in Beverly Hills offer delicious and creative dishes, often in equally splashy settings. More recently, Top Chef winner Charbel Hayek has joined the scene with his Lebanese standout Ladyhawk in West Hollywood.
Michelin-star dining
Michelin-starred restaurants are increasingly turning heads in the City of Angels. As of 2024, L.A. is home to five two-star entries including Japanese standout Hayato in the Downtown district; French-inspired Mélisse in Santa Monica; and ultra chic Providence in Hollywood, which also bears a Michelin Green Star for outstanding sustainability efforts. L.A.’s one-star destinations include Encino’s Pasta|Bar, offering elegant hand-stuffed pastas in an industrial space; contemporary French bistro Camphor in the Art’s District, and stylish-casual Citrin in Santa Monica, which celebrates modern Californian cuisine. Another notable spot is the French-inspired République, on the Miracle Mile, which earned a James Beard award in 2023.
A Culinary Melting Pot
As California’s largest metropolis, comprised of a rich array of distinctive neighborhoods and ethnicities, Los Angeles is a diverse city with a vibrant international food culture to match. Sample authentic Indonesian comfort food at bright and casual Simpang Asia in the Palms district, slurp ramen at tiny Tsujita L.A. Artisan Noodle in Little Tokyo, or feast on soup dumplings at Long Xing Ji or Sea Harbour in San Gabriel and Rosemead, respectively. Head to Hawaiian Gardens to savor Shor’s halal dishes inspired by the cuisines of Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan in a bazaar-meets-spice-market atmosphere.
In Glendale, home to a large Armenian population, feast on succulent grilled meats at Mini Kabob. Craving Mexican? Taste the duck carnitas that kicked off L.A.’s gourmet taco revolution at cantina-style CaCao Mexicatessen in the Eagle Rock neighborhood. Dining options also abound in Koreatown, including dimly lit Dan Sung Sa, where diners hunker down in wooden booths for satisfying street food. For a higher-end experience, check out Chosun Galbee or AB Steak.
Navigating L.A.’s sushi scene
Los Angeles introduced the U.S. to sushi bars in the 1960s, so it’s no surprise that the city has become one of the nation’s top sushi destinations, featuring everything from casual counter joints to high-end omakase palaces. Michelin-starred stunners include Nozawa Bar in Beverly Hills, tucked in the back of sleek Sugarfish; jewel-like Morihiro in Atwater Village; and laid-back Shin Sushi in Encino. Sushi Park serves exquisite, real-deal sushi in a nothing-fancy strip mall on the Sunset Strip, while casual Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo, a favorite since 1980, draws crowds with its sashimi lunch specials and extensive nigiri selection. One of the newer spots to garner attention is Uchi, the Austin-based company that opened its Hollywood location in 2023.
Burger go-tos in Los Angeles
The City of Angels boasts a vibrant hamburger scene, one that has both historic establishments and innovative newcomers (this should come as no surprise, as Southern California is the birthplace of both McDonald’s and In-N-Out). The Apple Pan, an institution since 1947, is renowned for its classic smashburgers and vintage-vibe counter service. Cassell's, another old-school spot, offers daily-ground burgers and homemade mayonnaise. Irv's Burgers has thrived at a string of successive locations since 1946, and serves up deluxe grilled sandwiches in addition to burgers. Modern favorites like Father's Office and Plan Check bring gourmet twists—the former’s Office Burger features Maytag blue cheese, gruyère, and bacon, and Plan Check’s Belly Burger boasts pork belly and red cabbage slaw—to the traditional burger.
Hot dog joints in Los Angeles
Maybe because Angelinos tend to be on the go, hot dogs are a particularly close-to-the-heart staple here. Hot Dog on a Stick, established in 1946, is a beachside favorite known for its cheerful, brightly dressed staff and irresistible corn dogs. Oki-Dog stands out with its massive hot dogs wrapped in tortillas and packed with chili, cheese, and pastrami, offering a distinctly Los Angeles twist on the classic frankfurter. And Pink's, the most iconic of them all, has been serving its delectable tube steaks since 1939. Order up a Pink’s Famous Chili Dog and one of their specialty dogs—maybe a Pastrami Burrito Dog?—and browse the walls adorned with hundreds of celebrity photos.
Los Angeles donut shops
Take a drive through many parts of Los Angeles, it’s impossible not to notice one thing: Donut (and yes, that’s the preferred spelling around here) shops are everywhere. From a classic glazed to cake varieties to healthier and fancier options, places like Randy’s, DK’s, SK’s, and The Donut Man have stood the test of time and will not disappoint, while gluten-free and low-to-no-sugar options can be had at Fonuts and sustainable taro creations are offered at Holy Grail Donuts.
L.A.’s famous food trucks
Food trucks are now everywhere, but the movement started in L.A. with Kogi BBQ, launched in 2008 by chef-entrepreneur Roy Choi. The truck is justifiably famous for its Korean-Mexican fusion fare—especially the short rib tacos. Mariscos Jalisco has earned a devoted following for its seafood tostadas and shrimp tacos. Coolhaus attracts crowds with handmade ice cream sandwiches in far-out flavors like avocado sea salt, and balsamic fig and mascarpone.
Los Angeles boasts an abundance of other culinary experiences. Dive into the city's vibrant pizza scene at places like Pizzana and Jon & Vinny's, or satisfy your sweet tooth at local bakeries like Gjusta and Lodge Bread Company. Don't miss the Original Los Angeles Farmers Market for a diverse range of al fresco culinary offerings, or explore the city's vibrant craft beer, coffee, and bar scene.
