Unearth The Voyage
Los Angeles has always been a foodie paradise, but 2025 has taken the city’s culinary scene to new heights. From celebrity chef ventures to international imports, the newest restaurants are redefining what dining out means in LA. These ten hot spots represent the most exciting flavors, innovative concepts, and buzzworthy experiences that have food lovers making reservations weeks in advance.
1. Berenjak (Arts District, DTLA)
London’s favorite kebab house has crossed the pond, bringing its coal-grilled magic to Downtown LA. Housed in the garden level of Soho Warehouse, Berenjak serves up authentic Persian kebabs and khoresht (stews) that will make your taste buds dance.
The fresh-baked taftoon bread alone is worth the visit – pillowy, slightly charred, and perfect for scooping up their silky hummus. Chef-owner Kian Samyani has created a space that feels both casual and special occasion worthy.
Reservations open on OpenTable 30 days in advance and disappear within minutes. Pro tip: the lamb koobideh paired with their house-made doogh (yogurt drink) creates flavor harmony you won’t soon forget.
2. Jade Rabbit (Santa Monica)
After closing their acclaimed Cassia, power couple Bryant Ng and Kim Luu-Ng have pivoted to something completely unexpected – an affordable Chinese American spot that celebrates combo-plate nostalgia with chef-driven execution.
The orange-mango chicken delivers sweet-tangy perfection without the heavy, gloopy sauce found at mall food courts. Their beef and broccoli features premium cuts and farm-fresh vegetables that elevate this takeout classic to something extraordinary.
Lines form early for lunch, but the efficient ordering system keeps things moving. The bright, airy space with jade-green accents and bunny motifs creates a playful atmosphere that matches the food’s approachable yet refined character.
3. 88 Club (Beverly Hills)
Top Chef winner Mei Lin returns to fine dining with this Art Deco jewel box on Rodeo Drive. The space whispers “quiet luxury” with its dark woods, emerald velvet banquettes, and gold accents – but the food speaks volumes about Lin’s culinary prowess.
Her prawn toast, a humble dim sum staple, gets the caviar treatment here, while the nam yu roast chicken has become the must-order signature dish. Squirrel fish, traditionally a showpiece of Chinese banquets, receives a modern interpretation that respects tradition while pushing boundaries.
Cocktails incorporate Chinese spirits and ingredients like baijiu and osmanthus, creating perfect pairings with Lin’s refined Chinese cuisine. Reservations through Resy are essential, with tables booking out two months in advance.
4. Darling (West Hollywood)
Southern cooking legend Sean Brock has finally arrived in LA, bringing his reverence for ingredients and live-fire techniques to this sultry West Hollywood hotspot. The restaurant’s dual personality – part serious dining destination, part vinyl-fueled listening lounge – creates an atmosphere unlike anything else in the city.
Brock’s 45-day dry-aged NY strip, kissed by flames and finished with herb butter, demonstrates his masterful restraint. The almond-wood grilled Dungeness crab arrives bathed in smoked butter and sprinkled with preserved lemon, a dish that captures California’s coastal bounty through Brock’s Southern lens.
The custom-built sound system pumps vintage soul and jazz from the restaurant’s extensive vinyl collection, creating a multi-sensory experience that feeds both stomach and spirit.
5. Maydan Market (West Adams)
Six years in the making, Rose Previte’s ambitious 10,000-square-foot market hall has transformed a former warehouse into LA’s most exciting food destination. The central live-fire hearth serves as both literal and figurative heart of the space, with smoke and flames visible from every vendor.
Michelin-starred Maydan anchors the hall with its Middle Eastern grilled meats and flatbreads, while sister concept Compass Rose offers a global street food tour. Local favorites like Holy Basil’s Yhing Yhang BBQ and Poncho’s Tlayudas round out the offerings.
Community tables encourage mingling among diners, creating a lively atmosphere that feels like a modern interpretation of ancient market squares. Weekend evenings feature live music and specialty cocktails, making this much more than just a place to eat.
6. Casa Dani (Century City)
Spanish culinary star Dani García brings Mediterranean sunshine to the often-sterile Westfield Century City with his vibrant Casa Dani. The restaurant’s breezy, terracotta-toned space feels transported from coastal Spain, complete with hanging plants and handpainted tiles.
García’s ultra-thin paella defies tradition in the best way – crispy throughout rather than just on the bottom, topped with succulent Cornish game hen. His Andalusian tuna carpaccio, dotted with tiny capers and citrus supremes, showcases his talent for balancing bold flavors with delicate technique.
The $39 lunch prix fixe represents one of LA’s best fine dining values, offering three courses of García’s Mediterranean magic. Sunset happy hour on the connected terrace has become a power-meeting favorite among Century City executives.
7. Katsuya (Century City)
The sleek new flagship for Chef Katsuya Uechi’s eponymous sushi empire elevates the familiar brand to new heights. Philippe Starck’s dramatic design creates a theatrical backdrop for Uechi’s pristine sushi and sashimi – think backlit rice paper screens, oversized geisha portraits, and dramatic lighting that makes every dish Instagram-ready.
While purists come for the omakase experience, featuring rare seasonal fish flown in daily from Japan, most tables can’t resist ordering the restaurant’s signature crispy rice topped with spicy tuna. The robata grill section offers skewers of Wagyu, king crab, and Japanese vegetables, perfect for sharing.
Connected to Casa Dani via a shared outdoor terrace, the two restaurants have created a buzzy new social hub within the mall. Late-night DJs Thursday through Saturday keep the energy high until 1am.
8. Kassi Venice Beach (Venice)
Hotel Erwin’s rooftop has been transformed into a Greek island getaway with sweeping Pacific views that rival Santorini’s caldera vistas. White-washed walls, cascading bougainvillea, and azure accents create the perfect backdrop for sunset cocktails and Mediterranean small plates.
The menu playfully blends Greek classics with California sensibilities – the spanakopita “quesadilla” merges phyllo with tortilla techniques, while the fried zucchini chips with tzatziki have become the bar snack everyone’s talking about. Lamb meatball skewers, charred to perfection and drizzled with mint yogurt, demonstrate the kitchen’s mastery of simple, flavor-forward cooking.
Weekend DJs and flowing rosé have quickly established this rooftop as Venice’s see-and-be-seen destination. Arrive early to score a front-row seat to the spectacular sunset show.
9. Bub and Grandma’s Pizza (Highland Park)
The beloved bakery that supplies sourdough to half of LA’s top restaurants has expanded into pizza territory, bringing its fermentation expertise to New York-style pies. Located in a tiny Highland Park storefront with just a counter and a few stools, this take-out focused operation has lines forming an hour before opening.
The sourdough crust achieves the impossible – crackling exterior with a chewy, tangy interior that provides the perfect foundation for their creative toppings. The Potato White, featuring paper-thin potato slices, rosemary, and three cheeses, has developed a cult following, while the hearty Bolognese pie satisfies meat lovers.
Don’t skip their garlic knots – the same famous sourdough tied into knots, baked until golden, then tossed in garlic butter and herbs.
10. Lucia (Fairfax)
Nightlife entrepreneur Sam Jordan has created LA’s most glamorous late-night dining destination with this Afro-Caribbean showstopper. The space pulses with energy – jewel-toned velvet booths, brass accents, and a DJ booth that takes center stage after 10pm create an atmosphere that feels like a dinner party hosted by your coolest friend.
Chef Adrian Forte’s menu celebrates the African diaspora with dishes like pepper shrimp toast (a Caribbean spin on the dim sum classic) and oxtail pepperpot that simmers for 24 hours. The Trini mac pie, a baked macaroni casserole with a crispy cheese top and Scotch bonnet heat, has become the side dish everyone fights over.
Cocktails incorporate Caribbean rums and African spirits, creating unique flavor profiles you won’t find elsewhere in LA. Weekend tables require booking weeks in advance.
11. Jikoni: East African Elegance in Culver City
Walking into Jikoni at Citizen Public Market feels like stepping into a Nairobi family kitchen – reimagined with Hollywood flair. Chef Maina Ndegwa’s menu honors his Kenyan heritage through dishes like crispy cassava-crusted snapper and slow-braised goat stew with cardamom rice.
The space itself merges traditional East African textiles with sleek California minimalism. Weekend brunches have become legendary for the chai-spiced pancakes topped with baobab syrup.
What makes Jikoni truly special is how it brings previously underrepresented African flavors to LA’s culinary landscape. Reservations are nearly impossible to secure – the three-month waitlist speaks volumes about this cultural and culinary phenomenon.
12. Marea Beverly Hills: Mediterranean Majesty Meets Sustainable Seafood
Perched atop the renovated Beverly Pavilion, Marea has quickly become the crown jewel of LA’s seafood scene. Celebrity chef Marco Rossi abandoned his three Michelin stars in Italy to create this love letter to Mediterranean coastal cuisine – with a revolutionary zero-waste approach.
The restaurant’s centerpiece is its dramatic open kitchen where diners witness the artistry behind signature dishes like fire-roasted branzino with preserved lemon and the already-famous squid ink risotto topped with gold leaf.
Sunset reservations are particularly coveted for the panoramic views through floor-to-ceiling windows. The restaurant’s commitment to sourcing only from sustainable fisheries has earned praise from environmental advocates and discerning diners alike.
