Best Restaurants in Los Angeles

If you're in Whittier and love carne asada, try the Mazatlán-style taquería Tacos La Carreta. Owned and operated by José Morales, whose food truck of the same name made his tacos a Los Angeles legend, Tacos La Carreta is one of the top restaurants for anyone craving quesadillas with chiles toreados or crispy tripas served with thick corn tortillas. Order at the counter and enjoy your meal at an indoor table in the Whittier location, or take it to go for an authentic food truck-style experience.

If you're seeking a classic burger between stops at Union Station, Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers should be on your menu. Nestled in Chinatown's Far East Plaza, this burger-stand-meets-gourmet-diner presents an array of options suited for any burger lover. The Slim Thicc burger is the perfect choice if you like your patty thick and juicy, while the Picante Burger adds a little spice to the average downtown lunch. The restaurant is named after owner and Chef Alvin Cailan, whose grandmother nicknamed him "Amboy" for a Filipino person born and raised in America.

With so many celebrated sushi restaurants in Los Angeles, it's hard to pick just one. If you're near Japantown and looking for authentic Japanese cuisine, Masakazu is a strong contender for the best sushi in the area. Step up to the bar for a chef-curated Omakase experience, and pair with exclusive sakes imported from Japan. Reasonably priced and tucked away from tourist areas, Masakazu is a local favorite that earns its reputation.

Famous for its gourmet California tasting menu, seasonal ingredients, and culinary expertise, Spago in Beverly Hills is a must-try restaurant experience for Los Angeles visitors. The flagship restaurant of the Wolfgang Puck Fine Dining Group, Spago is also a well-known hot spot for celebrity sightings. The established menu balances traditional favorites like smoked salmon pizza and wiener schnitzel with avant-garde options such as Hokkaido scallop tartare and squid ink farfalle.

Experience the DTLA Arts District the right way: on a rooftop with a mezcal cocktail in hand. LA Cha Cha Chá is a true LA experience for those looking for Southern California vibes and high-quality Mexican food. Try local favorites on the menu, such as the terraza tostada made with fresh bluefin tuna over chile morita aioli. If you're around for happy hour, pair a spicy pineapple margarita with an empanada de calabaza served with Oaxaca cheese, finished off with a specialty LA churro.

There's a reason Providence has taken the #1 spot on Jonathan Gold's 101 Best Restaurants several years in a row. Located on Melrose across from the Los Angeles Tennis Club, this Michelin-starred restaurant offers an evening of fine dining for those with refined taste. Fresh seafood and local produce garnish the chef's tasting menu, as do herbs, flowers, and honey harvested from Providence's rooftop garden. Opt for a wine pairing or order a carefully crafted cocktail. Above all, Providence's reputation is built on superlative service — anyone lucky enough to dine here never waits long for their meal.

When Angelenos line up outside a restaurant for brunch, it's in your best interest to follow them. Poppy + Rose is a popular Southern-style daytime diner with a distinctly Los Angeles feel, evident in its diverse menu (you can order both chicken and waffles and an acai bowl). Pair breakfast or brunch with coffee or Poppy's pink drink, made with Peychaud's bitters and sparkling water. If you miss the breakfast rush, order a smoked beef sandwich or patty melt to enjoy until 3 p.m.

After spending the day at The Last Bookstore in downtown Los Angeles, the fusion Japanese restaurant Yuko Kitchen is a perfect stop for a light and healthy meal. Choose from a variety of fresh salads or opt for rice bowls that combine flavors like BBQ catfish or shrimp kakiage tempura. A menu of rolls presents vegetarian-friendly options, including a zucchini tempura roll, while Yuko Kitchen's Bowl-Litos offers a heartier meal for those craving burrito-sized sushi hand rolls. (The spicy miso beef Bowl-Lito is especially enticing.)

Step inside Mercado la Paloma to find Holbox, a popular Mexican seafood restaurant where nothing is predictable and everything is delicious. With multiple ceviche offerings including ceviche made with live sea urchins from Santa Barbara along with tacos and elevated entrées, Holbox has something for everyone. Order from the counter and take your food to go or make a reservation for an eight-course tasting menu to experience Holbox's latest and finest selections.

Just a five-minute drive from MacArthur Park in downtown Los Angeles, Park's BBQ is a staple on many "best restaurants in Los Angeles" lists. They offer a combination of Korean BBQ (made with American Wagyu beef) and traditional noodle dishes. Order a kimchi stew with pork for a savory sip of nostalgia, or opt for one of Park's special dishes, such as a spicy black cod or Korean pajeon. The restaurant's wide variety of wine, sake, and premium liquor makes it a great spot to enjoy a drink with a view of downtown.

Los Angeles may be a drive from wine country, but you can still enjoy the Southern California wine experience at Rustic Canyon Wine Bar and Seasonal Kitchen. This Santa Monica restaurant features an innovative seasonal menu prepared with fresh fruits and vegetables from the Santa Monica Farmers' Market. Don't miss the country pâté or roast Petaluma chicken with chicory caesar, and be sure to finish your meal with the chocolate cremeaux topped with toasted marshmallow and hazelnut. Experience the best of California wine with glasses or bottles from Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, and Napa Valley.

Established in Los Angeles for over 20 years, Rahel Ethiopian Vegan Cuisine is a gem for anyone looking for a great plant-based meal. Authentic Ethiopian cuisine comes to life in combination meals that feature split lentil stew, Ethiopian salad, and tofu dishes. Add a side of siljo (broad bean paste) or tomato salad to enhance your entrée of choice, and try natural Ethiopian drinks like suff or telba, made from sunflower seeds and barley.

Many LA locals have only one answer to the question, "Where can you get the best hot dog in Los Angeles?" Cupid's Hot Dogs has been a Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley mainstay since 1946. The signature Cupid dog topped with chili, mustard, and onions is the answer to any appetite. Spring for the Chicago dog if you like relish and sport peppers, or order a plant-based veggie dog if you're going meat-free. Pick up your dogs from the Winnetka stand and enjoy your meal at nearby Reseda Park.

A celebrated brunch spot and a renowned dinner destination, République is a feast for all of the senses. Located in Charlie Chaplin's 1920s studio building on the corner of La Brea and Wilshire, République begins an epicurean adventure for every meal of the day. Order from the seasonal menu for dishes inspired by French and Japanese cuisine, including burgundy escargot en croute and hiramasa crudo. You can't go wrong ordering from the cocktail menu or consulting with the beverage director for their pairing recommendation.

If you've got a sweet tooth, you're in luck: République Cafe and Bakery offers a lavish brunch and baked goods menu.

It's not a visit to Los Angeles without a helping of street tacos. Sonoritas Prime Tacos obliges with its extensive selection of prime taco plates, including carne asada, al pastor, filet mignon, short rib, and shrimp. Start with an order of elote or taquitos dorados, then choose the Sonoritas Taco Plate for a sampling of multiple tacos. Looking for something even more filling? Sonoritas is known for its standout burritos, including the California burrito stuffed with Angus beef, guacamole, rice, beans, and fries.

A local hot spot in the Arts District, Bestia is a 21st-century answer to the Italian date-night restaurant. The rich menu and trendy night scene attract both locals and tourists every night, so making a reservation is a must if you want to score a table. Crispy, wood-fired pizzas pair well with savory dishes like pumpkin tortellini and soppressata with honey. With cocktails like Personality Crisis and Search and Destroy, Bestia has attitude to spare for anyone wanting to experience DTLA the right way.

Don't leave without sharing a bar au chocolat bittersweet chocolate budino tart — or order one just for yourself.

Torn between pizza and Indian food? Los Angeles has you covered. Pijja Palace is an Indian sports bar in Silver Lake that combines South Asian flavors with American staples, as you'll experience when you order piri piri fries, lentil-battered onion rings, or a samosa pijja. Finish your genre-bending meal with cookies and cardamom soft serve, leaving a brilliant cultural fusion on a sweet note.

It's easy to find a Mediterranean restaurant in Los Angeles, but one with locals lining up for lunch and dinner? That's more unusual. Thanks to its delicious falafel and hummus plates, as well as its popular chicken shawarma, Dune has a reputation as one of the best Mediterranean restaurants in town. Go for a roasted brisket gyro for a taste of Dune's Greek influences or try a meze plate for a little taste of everything. If you're near Dune's Atwater Village or downtown locations in the morning, stop in for boquerones toast served with peppadew salsa on sourdough bread.

Experience Hollywood history in the making when you order a steak at Musso and Frank, an iconic Los Angeles landmark dating back over 100 years. Featured in films such as Ocean's Eleven and Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood, Musso and Frank is a throwback to 20th-century Hollywood and all the glamour that came with it. Choose a daily special or order a bottle of Musso and Frank sauce to pair with your entrée.

If it's Italian food you're craving, turn the menu page to find traditional favorites like tagliatelle alla bolognese and spaghetti pomodoro e burrata. Try a Montecarlo cocktail for ultimate Hollywood vibes, and keep your eyes peeled for any celebrities enjoying a meal (or filming a scene).

Porto's Bakery is known worldwide for its delectable Cuban pastries and papas rellenas (Cuban potato balls). This local favorite is a must-stop for distinctive spices and sweet desserts. Pick up a tres leches cake to go along with your order of pasteles de carne, or stay and enjoy your meal at one of Porto's six locations in and around Los Angeles (including Northridge, Buena Park, and Burbank). Have an early morning? Pick up an all-day breakfast empanada or bring a box to share with your fellow travelers.