It is one of the best cities in the world for eating and drinking, and we're always excited to see which restaurants are opening across LA. Here are eight of our favourite new places around the city.
Baroo
Don't let the strip mall location fool you – food at Baroo is anything but pedestrian. Served in dimly lit concrete interiors, the five-course tasting menu pairs Korean flavours with traditional and earthy preparations based on the principles of Taoism and Confucianism. Chef Kwang Uh perfectly plates each course, while his wife Mina Park oversees the excellent service. Choose the Korean sool pairing for the optimal experience.
905 E 2nd St #109, Arts District
Uchi
Austin transplant Uchi brings another excellent sushi option to the City of Angels. Expect an extensive menu with seemingly outlandish listings – try as many as you can; unexpected additions (olive oil, coconut cream) only enhance the supreme quality of the fish. And because the fish is so buttery and fresh, it's great on its own. The nigiri and sashimi hold their own amongst LA's other 'bests'.
9001 Santa Monica Blvd #101, West Hollywood
Highly Likely Highland Park
This all-day café's second location features a patio filled with olive trees and, for the first time, dinner service. Expect healthy options all day, accompanied by signature Espresso Tonic and low-intervention wines. If you're staying for dinner, we recommend the fish and chips and a seat on the patio with a crisp beer; you might just feel like you're on vacation.
5526 N Figueroa St, Highland Park
Cipriani Beverly Hills
The beloved Italian brand Cipriani's first West Coast outpost debuted in Beverly Hills. Expect the same level of classic elegance seen at its other locations, with rich wood, plenty of mirrors, and nautical accents. After finishing a perfect meal (we recommend ordering spaghetti pomodoro, a simple off-menu item that is possibly the best spaghetti with tomato sauce in the world), head upstairs to hear some music at the Jazz Café, an intimate space that exudes old Hollywood glamour.
362 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills
Ètra
A cosy neighbourhood restaurant, Ètra has a clean look, sleek interiors, and a small front patio. The changing menu focuses on pasta – recently, we loved the spaghetti al tonno – and a selection of small plates, plus some great proteins like chicken marsala (updated with some spice, thanks to the addition of Calabrian chillies). It's the ideal venue for date night or to catch up with a friend, with an affordable list of organic and natural wines.
737 N Western Av, Suite B, Melrose Hill
Budonoki
Bringing a sense of spirit to izakaya dining, this fun restaurant began as a pop-up before finding a permanent home in a residential building. It's dark, lit by neon, and plays a prime soundtrack of old-school hip-hop. The food, which is Japanese with Thai and Vietnamese influences, doesn't take second place in terms of the vibes, though – it's equally great. Order a bunch of dishes to share, save space for some strawberry milk soft serve, and stomach as many spectacular drinks as you can.
654 Virgil Av, Virgil Village
Sushi Note Omakase
You might not expect to find a top-line sushi restaurant in a parking garage on Rodeo Drive, but this is LA, and real estate is prime. Plus, this is really the perfect location for sushi note omakase. With just fourteen seats, it epitomises the secret exclusivity that LA diners thrive on. At the competitive price of $200, diners can expect several courses of high-end nigiri, perfectly paired with wine ($150 additional). The experience is akin to private dining, with friendly service and a relaxed but convivial atmosphere.
421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills
Stella
Featuring Italian food crafted using the freshest Californian ingredients, this already hugely popular restaurant is delicious and welcoming. Tuck into the likes of carpaccio di branzino and Lorighittas al Nero di Seppia – pasta with Monterey Bay squid and chickpea grattugiato. The pizza is served alla Romana, with a crunchy crust and several toppings, while the burrata is flown in from Italy, and the incredible tiramisu features cookies soaked in maple syrup – make sure you save room for dessert.
8899 Beverly Bvld, West Hollywood
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