You Don’t Need to Travel Far to Enjoy these Global Dining Destinations
When you live in a major city, you can expect two things: heavy traffic and good food. Well, LA has an abundance of both, and when it comes to dining, the city plays host to several food-friendly foreigners. From Abbot Kinney to the Arts District, top chefs from around the world are marking their territory in the City of Angels. Check out these seven restaurants from other cities that have put down roots here, blessing Angelenos with excellent eats, handcrafted cocktails and an immaculate ambiance.
Girl & the Goat
Originally from: Chicago, IL
This Chicago born-and-raised restaurant was the spot that put Chef Stephanie Izard on the map. Once touted as one of the hardest reservations to score in town, Girl & the Goat’s unparalleled success in the Windy City paved the way for other Izard restaurants: Duck Duck Goat, Little Goat and Cabra. She eventually expanded her reach to the west coast, where she opened another Girl & the Goat in the summer of 2021. The interior is light and bright with a slightly industrial feel; the cocktails are kickin’; and the food menu features banger after banger. The naan and dips are a great starter to share, and the king salmon poke is as fire as it is photo-friendly. Don’t skip the butter cake for dessert either! Wash it all down with a Komomo, their recently added signature sip that is tropical with a twist—think salty miso and nutty sesame seeds.
Location: DTLA/Arts District
Majordomo
Originally from: New York City, NY
Another celebrity chef who is kicking (b)ass and taking names is David Chang. He is the mastermind behind Momofuku and finally arrived in Los Angeles to open Majordomo, a downtown restaurant that introduces Chinese and Korean influences to California cuisine. You must order the Bing bread with butter, honey and shaved truffles, and select a crispy rice to split. This food is not shy—it’s meant to tantalize the taste buds and sucker punch your palate. If you’re celebrating a special occasion, consider pre-ordering the smoked short rib, which is carved tableside and feeds 4-5 people. This place is hipster cool, and the food is delicious while being decidedly opinionated.
Location: Chinatown
Tatel
Originally from: Barcelona, Spain
When a restaurant goes international, you know it’s good. Hailing from Barcelona, Tatel is the hot ticket in Beverly Hills, serving up an epic date-night destination. With white tablecloths and white glove service, Tatel is fancy without being pretentious. Get anything marked as a house classic like the Ensaladilla Tatel and the Croquetas de Jamon Ibérico. The lamb chops are divine, and there’s a reason the cheesecake is world-famous. Do as the Spanish do—lean into a late dinner, paired with a Cafe Calabaza (yes, that’s a pumpkin-spiced spiked coffee).
Location: Beverly Hills
LA Cha Cha Chá
Originally from: Mexico City, MX
Mexico City has become a culinary hub, home to some of the best restaurants in the world, and thankfully they are sharing some of those incredible eateries with Los Angeles. LA Cha Cha Chá is impeccably designed to make you stop and stay a while. It can convince even the busiest work-a-holic to sip a sangria and savor a sope de birria. This rooftop restaurant in the trendy Arts District is airy and idyllic. LA Cha Cha Chá is a great place to start or end your evening. And now they can put a feather in their Michelin cap after being selected for the 2023 guide, making this restaurant a must-add to your culinary hit list.
Location: Arts District
Dante
Originally from: New York City, NY
Dante is the newest addition to our list of top Los Angeles eateries. Having opened this past summer, this aesthetically outstanding spot has found a home inside The Maybourne Beverly Hills, and now they are slinging wood-fired pizzas and dangerously delicious house martinis. This is the spot to sit poolside and snack and sip an afternoon away. Get a few items for the table, like the prosciutto and melon for a sweet and salty bite or burrata with sourdough for a carby, creamy delight. Pair these small plates with the Supergreen, a basil-cucumber cocktail that will make you feel like you’re at a spa.
Location: Beverly Hills
The Butcher’s Daughter
Originally from: New York City, NY
The Butcher’s Daughter is a New York hotspot that made its way to Abbot Kinney in 2016 and never looked back. Opening a second LA location in West Hollywood, this brunch staple is here to stay and people are obsessed with the organic, indoor-outdoor vibes and farm-fresh fare. Their daytime menu is a mélange of breakfast favorites and lunch staples and their evening menu is a bit more sophisticated with dressed-up produce and proteins. We also love a family-friendly joint—they have a killer kid’s menu—plus everyone can enjoy their stone-oven pizzas all day. Cocktail connoisseurs also love The Smoky Pineapple at the Venice location and the Sunset Spritz at the West Hollywood outpost.
Location: Venice/West Hollywood
Apotheke
Originally from: New York City, NY
Apotheke is a cocktail-focused institution with roots in The Big Apple. They don’t just make drinks here—they practice the art of mixology and curate functional and nutritional creations infused with organic produce, herbs and housemade botanicals. This glorified bar went bi-coastal in 2019 turning a rundown pigeon coop into an ultra-cool remote drinking destination. They have uppers and downers and side-to-siders and things to dull the pain or feel the feels. It’s way more than just your average watering hole. Be sure to ask them about their secret cocktail-making classes while you’re there. Hot tip: Apotheke is right around the corner from Majordomo, should you want to hit two birds with one stone.
Location: Chinatown
