Looking for the best restaurants in Los Angeles? I’ve got you! LA has some of the best dining options in the world. Whether you’re visiting or live in LA and are looking for new recommendations, this list will be perfect for you. I’ve listed the restaurants in no particular order, but picked out by my favorite in each category. 

I’ll be updating this guide every couple months or so to keep it relevant, so make sure to bookmark this post and follow me on Instagram to be notified! And don’t forget to click the button below to save all these spots to your Google Maps!

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Best Restaurants for Brunch

Bardonna

Bardonna is hands down my favorite go-to restaurant in LA. I’ve categorized it under brunch, as I usually go here during brunch time or take my out-of-town visitors here for brunch. However, I usually (always) order the Chicken Bowl OMG it is so delicious. I could eat it everyday. You’ve got to check out Bardonna if you haven’t been yet! This is not my photo but I had to share a pic of the meal:

Republique

République is an iconic restaurant in Miracle Mile, serving brunch on weekends. They also have a bakery there, making fresh bread daily. You can get some to take home after your meal. Unfortunately, they do not take reservations so you may find yourself waiting in a bit of a line for brunch, but it is worth it. Their dinner is also delicious, makes for a good date night pick, and you can make dinner reservations.

Snug Harbor

For my friends out there who love diners as much as I do, Snug Harbor has got to be next on your list. It’s a small little neighborhood diner that’s been operating since the 1940’s. I mean, just look at these pancakes!! 

Toast Bakery Cafe

I used to live over in Mid-City, by the Grove, and would go to Toast Bakery Cafe probably every other weekend. The food is phenomenal, and it’s right on 3rd Street, which has a lot of other cute shops and restaurants you can explore. 

Best Restaurants for Overall Vibe

Belle's Beach House

Fun fact: Belle’s Beach House is where my boyfriend and I went on our first date! It’s a tropical, Hawaii-themed restaurant right next to Venice Beach. The aesthetic is immaculate, and the food is delicious! This would be a great spot for a big group, especially if you’re celebrating a friends birthday or promotion. We ordered like half of the appetizers haha you really can’t go wrong with the food, and the drinks are really fun and delicious.

Openaire

Openaire is a stunning greenhouse-turned-restaurant-combo attached to the A-Line Hotel in Koreatown. My goodness, just look at the greenery here. You can get breakfast, lunch, dinner or even weekend brunch here; just be sure to make a reservation in advance. And also specify that you want to be seated in the greenhouse! It’s definitely a bit pricier and although the food is good, it’s definitely the vibes you’re going for here.

Élephante

For the CLASSIC dinner spot in Santa Monica, you’ve got to make sure Élephante is on your list. Reservations open 30 days in advance and fill up quickly, so make sure to book yours online and select the Sunset Room. If you go here before sunset, you’ll get an incredible front row view of the sun setting over the Santa Monica Beach. They serve delicious Italian food; make sure to get the whipped eggplant appetizer, you’ll thank me later!

Best Restaurants for a Unique Experience

Meteora

I actually have no words to describe how cool my dining experience at Meteora was. It was created by Michelin star chef, Jordan Kahn, and the food was so delicious and presented beautifully. I felt like I was transported to another world. I’ll leave you with this video overview from when I visited for brunch and just say that you need to go here ASAP. They also serve dinner, and you can make your reservation in advance online.

Catch LA

There are a couple Catch restaurants in the US you may be familiar with; Catch LA is a very popular, upscale option located in West Hollywood. Careful you don’t confuse it with Catch Steak LA – Catch LA serves amazing seafood. You can often spot a celebrity here, especially if you go in the middle of the week, although I can’t make any promises. And make sure to get your pic of the iconic entryway😉

Barton G. The Restaurant

Barton G. is one of the most fun restaurants I have ever been to. Everything you order comes out with an extravagant presentation, and usually is a clever play on the dish name. If you want to see some of their fancy menu items, you can take a look at their Instagram. Or, you can make your reservation now and choose to be surprised in the best way!

Best Restaurants for Date Night

Telèferic Barcelona

I actually stumbled across Telèferic Barcelona a couple weeks ago randomly while I was out for a hot girl walk. It is a newly opened restaurant located in Brentwood with authentic Spanish cuisine (they have one location in Barcelona). This is such a fun date spot, and is really lively at night. You can start off with a drink at the bar, then share all of their yummy tapas plus paella for dinner!

The Upper West

The Upper West serves happy hour from 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm Wednesday through Sunday, making it an ideal candidate for date night. The food is delicious; I highly recommend sharing the Steak Tacos for two. It’s the perfect amount of food for dinner, especially if you get a couple drinks and appetizers. 

The Misfit

Another go-to for happy hour is The Misfit, located right in the heart of Santa Monica. The restaurant is more dimly lit, giving it the perfect date night atmosphere. You can opt to grab drinks at the bar, or sit down for dinner – the food is delicious!

Comment below your favorite restaurant, or any I need to check out! If you’re looking for current recommendations, make sure to check out my Instagram. I’m always posting new restaurants that I try in LA!

💙mariss