Every quarter, Eater LA publishes a map of 38 standout restaurants that best represent Los Angeles’s expansive dining scene. In this endless metropolis, there are both new and decades-old street food stands, a cornucopia of cuisines that reflect the city’s
diasporic communities, and a bounty of Southern California produce so immense you’ll find it everywhere from fine dining institutions to mom-and-pop operations. An overarching theme of the Los Angeles food scene is that flavors need to stand out — ideally heat, acid, and umami are present in some form across a menu. At its core, the city’s far-flung neighborhoods, cultures, and flavors coalesce into an array of culinary boundary-bending restaurants that make it undeniably the most compelling place to dine in the country. Here are the 38 best restaurants in Los Angeles right now.
In the latest updates, we’ve added insider tips to each write-up, including what the must-try dish is, how to avoid a nightmare parking situation, and what occasion each restaurant is best known for. Also, watch out for our price categories, ranging from $ for an affordable meal under $25 a person to $$$$, which indicates a splurge that may be a better fit for a special occasion.
New this update: Kato, Ètra, MDK Noodle, Broken Spanish Comedor, Lasita, and Moo’s Craft Barbecue join the list, while Hakata Izakaya Hero, Oy Bar, Seong Buk Dong, Loreto, Firstborn, and Ray’s Texas Barbecue cycle off.
For even more of an insider’s perspective on how to eat well in LA, pick up our new book: The Eater Guide to Los Angeles.
