6 Hot Restaurants to Book in LA Now

Reika Alexander of New York’s beloved EN Brasserie has partnered with Chateau Marmont to transform a previously unused cottage at the iconic hotel into one of the city’s most exclusive dining experiences. Chef Abe Hiroki serves two seasonal kaiseki menus (one is vegan) as well as à la carte options, and the bar is stocked with Japanese whiskies. The space includes two private tatami rooms and an expansive courtyard—comfortable-yet-discreet dining options for the A-listers who are bound to be regulars.

The second restaurant from Ori and Genevieve Gergis—the husband-and-wife team behind DTLA’s buzzy Italian Bestia—draws on the couple’s Middle Eastern heritage. Choose from a long list of mezzes to start (foie gras halva, mushroom and pickled ramp hummus, and lamb tartare to name a few) followed by entrees like Wagyu beef cheek tagine and grilled Dorade. Be sure to save room for vanilla date crème brûlée and Persian mulberry ice cream, all enjoyed in a bright and airy modern dining room.

TOUR TO BOOK: Work off lunch with a two-hour walking tour of Downtown's art scene. You'll walk by institutions like the MOCA, Broad Museum, and Walt Disney Concert Hall, take in the murals of Pershing Square Park, and visit artists' studios before concluding with homemade ice cream at a local dessert shop.

Charles Olalia’s love letter to Filipino cuisine draws crowds with modern twists on traditional dishes (think longganisa—Filipino-style sweet pork sausage—served as a sandwich with atchara and Kewpie mayo on a Hawaiian bun). The cheerful dining room décor with leafy wallpaper and vines hanging from the ceiling, as well as a lengthy list of craft cocktails, add to the festive vibe.

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Contemporary Indonesian cuisine has arrived in L.A.’s Little Tokyo with the opening of Kasih. Chef de Cuisine Zachary Hamel spent months in Jakarta, Bandung, and Bali to perfect the menu, which starts with the sambal platter (an assortment of spicy dips and chips) and includes grilled and roasted dishes like Iga Bakar, twice cooked grilled short ribs with Balinese coconut curry sauce, toasted coconut and lemongrass. There’s a good selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes, too, while a spacious, hip dining room and patio make it a good pick for groups. 

In north Chinatown, the first L.A. restaurant from Momofuku’s David Chang has remained a tough-to-get reservation thanks to delicious, easy-to-share dishes served in an industrial-chic dining room. Begin with bing (Chinese griddled bread and dips) and a raw selection that includes Santa Barbara rock crab, then move on to the noodles, crispy pork belly, and, if you’re with a group, a whole plate of smoked, bone-in short ribs served with beef rice, shiso, rice paper, and ssämjang. A long list of well-mixed cocktails, rice wine, and local beer rounds out the conviviality.

TOUR TO BOOK: After hitting Chinatown and Little Tokyo, explore even more of diverse LA during this four-hour food, drink, and culture tour, which dives into the city's lesser-known enclaves—including tastings of Korean barbecue, Vietnamese street food, taco trucks, and more.

Housed in the stunning landmark Bank of Italy building at Gianni Place, this hot hotel in the heart of DTLA offers a slew of sceney eating and drinking spots. Executive chef Chris Flint is at the helm of the Mezzanine, which brings NoMad New York’s famous truffle-stuffed “Roast Chicken for Two” out west. The well-appointed Gianni Bar provides a prime spot for craft cocktails, while the coffee bar—designed in the style of cafes in Venice—offers an elegant option for pastries and a cappuccino.