The Best Los Angeles Restaurants: 12 Must-Try Dining Spots for 2025

Mother Wolf

By Kelly McMurtry

Dining in Los Angeles isn’t just about eating; it’s about navigating the delicious chaos of a city obsessed with reinvention. Here, every neighborhood hums with its own culinary identity—Silver Lake is a perpetual flirt with trends, while Downtown dreams in glossy Michelin stars. It’s the kind of place where you can spot a celebrity biting into a taco on the curb or blow your paycheck on a multi-course odyssey crafted by a chef whose name you can’t pronounce. And as someone who’s tried both, let me guide you to the 12 best places currently defining L.A.’s dining scene.

1. Mother Wolf, Hollywood

When Evan Funke opened this ode to Roman cuisine in 2022, he practically caused an earthquake on Wilcox Avenue. This sprawling Hollywood spot dazzles with pasta so authentic you might swear you’re in Trastevere—try the cacio e pepe, a salty, peppery masterpiece. The soaring ceilings and gilded chandeliers make the space feel like a movie set, which is fitting since you’re likely sharing the room with someone famous. Funke’s meticulous hand with ancient recipes earned Mother Wolf’s sister restaurant Funke a spot in the Michelin Guide.

2. Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks

Justin Pichetrungsi’s Thai-American fusion spot started as his family’s unassuming strip-mall joint but has since turned into a James Beard Award darling. The standout at Anajak is the Taco Tuesday menu—a playful mashup of Thai flavors wrapped in corn tortillas. Think lemongrass-spiked chicken or sweet-and-sour short ribs. If you’re lucky enough to snag a spot for the tasting menu, expect dishes like kanom jeen swimming in blue crab curry. The wine list, heavy on natural selections, seals the deal.

3. Camphor, Arts District

This French-leaning bistro in Downtown L.A. feels like the culinary equivalent of an A24 film—arty, stylish, and a little bit daring. Run by Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George (alums of Michelin-starred Vespertine), Camphor modernizes classic French dishes like duck à l’orange and beef tartare, adding Southeast Asian inflections. The minimalist interior puts the focus squarely on the plates, where each dish is a tiny masterpiece. Don’t skip the crab rice, a savory triumph of butter and spice.

4. n/naka, Palms

Chef Niki Nakayama’s two-Michelin-starred kaiseki restaurant is the gold standard for Japanese dining in Los Angeles. With a seasonal, 13-course tasting menu, each dish at n/naka is an edible poem—precise, delicate, and layered with meaning. Nakayama’s commitment to storytelling through food earned her a starring role in Netflix’s Chef’s Table, but the real stars are creations like the sashimi with plum vinaigrette. Reservations are notoriously hard to come by, but perseverance pays off.

5. Mírate, Los Feliz

The younger sibling of Mírame in Beverly Hills, this Mexican-inspired hotspot opened in 2023 to immediate fanfare. Chef Joshua Gil’s menu dives deep into regional Mexican flavors with L.A. flair—think mole negro with duck breast or uni-topped esquites. Mírate’s multi-level space, complete with a rooftop bar, feels like an urban oasis, while cocktails like the mezcal-infused Oaxacan Old Fashioned deserve their own round of applause. Pro tip: go at sunset for views as jaw-dropping as the food.

6. Saffy’s, East Hollywood

Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the husband-and-wife duo behind Bestia and Bavel, strike gold again with the vibrant Middle Eastern spot Saffy’s. The lamb shawarma, slow-roasted and served with pillowy pita, is a must, as is the creamy hummus topped with spiced beef. The colorful, retro-inspired interior feels like a 1970s fever dream, complete with bold patterns and rattan accents. It’s no wonder this spot became an instant hit when it opened in 2022.

7. Dunsmoor, Glassell Park

This neighborhood gem from Brian Dunsmoor (formerly of Hatchet Hall) celebrates Americana with a modern twist. The hearth-focused menu is a love letter to open-flame cooking, with dishes like ember-roasted sweet potatoes draped in cultured butter. The rustic-chic interior channels old-school general store vibes, complete with vintage kitchenware and wooden beams. Dunsmoor’s reverence for heirloom ingredients and historic recipes earned it a spot on many “best new restaurant” lists in 2023.

8. Kato, West L.A.

At Kato, chef Jon Yao blends Taiwanese and Japanese influences into a tasting menu that feels both nostalgic and groundbreaking. Awarded a Michelin star in 2022, the minimalist eatery serves dishes like scallop with ponzu gel and a showstopping dessert of black sesame mousse. The intimate space, tucked into a nondescript shopping plaza, belies the artistry happening in the kitchen. Each plate is a testament to Yao’s singular vision.

9. Ggiata, East Hollywood

Born as a pandemic-era delivery-only spot, Ggiata has since expanded into a full-fledged deli, serving delicatessen classics with an L.A. twist. Their chicken cutlet sandwich, piled high with burrata, arugula, and Calabrian chili aioli, is an Instagram darling—and rightly so. The bright, modern interior nods to New York’s Italian delis but feels distinctly Californian. Stop by for the vibes, stay for the cannoli.

10. Lulu, Westwood

Located inside the Hammer Museum, this Alice Waters-backed eatery is as much about ethos as it is flavor. The daily-changing menu champions hyper-local, organic ingredients, with dishes like wild mushroom risotto and grilled fish kissed by citrus. The outdoor courtyard, shaded by olive trees, feels like a secret garden for the artfully inclined. Dining at Lulu feels like participating in a culinary art project—delicious, yes, but also deeply thoughtful.

11. Kuya Lord, East Hollywood

Chef Lord Maynard Llera's Filipino eatery, Kuya Lord, has swiftly become a culinary landmark in East Hollywood. Transitioning from a popular pop-up to a brick-and-mortar establishment, Llera's dedication to authentic Filipino flavors is evident in dishes like the succulent lechon kawali and rich kare-kare. In 2024, his exceptional craftsmanship earned him the James Beard Award for Best Chef: California.

12. Azizam, Silver Lake

Emerging from a celebrated Persian pop-up, Azizam found its permanent home in Silver Lake in early 2024. The restaurant offers a modern take on traditional Persian cuisine, with dishes like saffron-infused lamb shank and pomegranate-glazed eggplant. The intimate space features minimalist decor, allowing the vibrant flavors to take center stage. Azizam was recognized as one of Bon Appétit's twenty best new restaurants of 2024.