Leave the Tough Decisions to the Pros With These 7 Tasting Menus in LA
Los Angeles is home to an endless number of upscale eateries and restaurants. Since there are so many amazing spots to explore and indulge, the food FOMO can get real. Thankfully, there is a solution. Tasting menus are the best way to explore a restaurant’s full range of talent and taste. Traditionally, tasting menus were found at only the most expensive of establishments, making them inaccessible to the large majority of diners. However, several modern restaurants in LA have been branching out and creating more affordable tasting menus for those who want to try a little bit of everything. Without further ado, here’s where to find the best LA tasting menus for under $150.
Grandmaster Recorders
Grandmaster Recorders has risen to fame as one of the hottest (and tastiest) restaurants in the blossoming Vinyl District. The innovative Italian menu is filled with Aussie twists, resulting in bold flavors and unique combos that manage to pair perfectly. The six-course La Casa Mangia menu gives patrons a true taste of what Grandmaster Recorders is all about. This $120 tasting menu features regular favorites like the Buffalo burrata with crunchy chili and the squid ink cavatelli with Dungeness crab.
Location: Hollywood
Crudo e Nudo
There’s really nothing better than enjoying sustainable seafood by the ocean—this is one of the many reasons we love California. And Crudo e Nudo in Santa Monica offers just that. This tiny but mighty restaurant and wine shop has made quite the name for itself since opening in 2020, and the ever-changing menu is a haven for seafood lovers. The Neptune’s Flight is a five-course tasting menu that features chef-chosen items that are both on and off the menu. It is $85 per person, making it a great deal for those looking to try a handful of different dishes.
Location: Santa Monica
Osteria Mozza
Osteria Mozza is a beloved Italian hot spot from famous chef Nancy Silverton. The handmade pastas are without a doubt the star of the show at Mozza, but the mozzarella bar is truly what cheese dreams are made of. If you’re visiting Osteria Mozza with a group of eight, the family-style pre-select menu is an amazing option that lets you experience the best of Silverton’s iconic menu. It’s $100 per person and showcases vibrant dishes like the tagliatelle with oxtail ragù and the ricotta and egg raviolo.
Location: Melrose
Orsa & Winston
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Orsa & Winston combines Italian and Japanese cuisine to create bold dishes that are truly one-of-a-kind. This Michelin-starred restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday and offers a five-course tasting menu for $125 per person, which is a pretty great price for a Michelin-ranked restaurant. Using locally sourced ingredients is a huge priority for Orsa & Winston, and patrons can expect each course to be plated with innovation, beauty and creativity. The courses change with the seasons, but mouthwatering pastas and fresh seafood are almost always guaranteed.
Location: Downtown Los Angeles
Tagine Beverly Hills
When it comes to LA tasting menus, the more variety the better. At Tagine Beverly Hills, patrons can choose among the $94 signature tasting menu, the $74 vegetarian tasting menu and the $97 pescatarian tasting menu. These diverse options ensure that every kind of diet and diner is catered to. While each of these menus offers a five-course experience, those looking to go all out can indulge in the $135 chef’s tasting menu, which features nine courses that the chef personally chooses.
Location: Beverly Hills
Tar & Roses
Tar & Roses brings tapas-style dining to the heart of Santa Monica. The standard dinner menu is broken up into snacks, veggies, small plates and large plates. However, parties of four or more can book one of the T&R Suppers that range from $72 to $89 per person. Each supper is three courses, and diners can choose from the wood-fired goat, Singaporean Chile crab and dry-aged standing back rib meals. Everything is served family-style, and it is encouraged to book at least one week in advance.
Location: Santa Monica
E.P. & L.P
E.P & L.P. is a trendy West Hollywood hotspot that offers a fresh take on tasting menus. E.P. & L.P.’s $75 Feed Me menu is a five-course culinary journey. Each course is steered and dictated by the culinary team, and diners can expect modern California cuisine with Aussie and European touches. Take your meal to the next level by pairing the rotating Feed Me menu with a craft cocktail or a glass of vino from the restaurant’s diverse wine list.
Location: West Hollywood
Allie Lebos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 2017 with a BA in Communication. While in school she was a staff writer at The Daily Nexus for nearly two years. Since graduating she has written for The Palisades Magazine, as well as Hidden Hills Magazine. Currently living in Santa Monica, Allie loves to indulge in good food, hot yoga, and daily walks along the beach; writing articles on travel, special events, as well as features on local businesses and individuals.
