From Massages and Sushi to 360-Degree Views of LA, Here Are the Most Memorable Places to Dine in LA

It’s no secret that the Los Angeles culinary scene is chock-full of innovative dining concepts—offering up next-level experiences you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. From Michelin-starred menus and visionary chefs to top-tier tasting menus, unheard-of atmospheres and vibrant presentations that set a sensational scene, the city’s clout as a pioneer in creative cuisine continues to capture attention across the globe. Book your spot at these 16 must-dine restaurants in LA that serve up an experience like no other.

 

MainRō

If you’re ready to turn up the volume on a typical night out, step outside the box and into the underground world of MainRō—a reimagined supper club that turns traditional dining on its head (and into a spectacle) with a dazzling display of dishes served in a vibrant, bass-bumping scene. With all the glitz and glitter of a weekend in Vegas, prepare to take your tastebuds on a trip and stimulate all of your senses. Slip into your low-lit velvet booth, enjoy an array of Asian specialties and sip larger-than-life cocktails by the glow of the splashy main stage. Meanwhile, aerial acrobatics will float above your head, bottle service sparklers will whizz by and showgirls will inspire you to dance the night away.

Location: Hollywood

 

Mrs. Fish

What do you get when you cross the peaceful underwater atmosphere of a visit to the aquarium with the sensational sushi and traditional Japanese delicacies of a trip to Tokyo? If you guessed Mrs. Fish—DTLA’s aquatic answer to a delightfully immersive dining experience—you’d be correct. Float down into the lagoon-like main space, where you’ll snack on edamame and seared tuna crispy rice with a steaming smoked cocktail companion while magical marine life glides by on all sides (and overhead). Sample some sake or hop on a whisky flight, then spring for the pre-fixe 5-course menu and savor the flavors of stupendous sashimi and signature sushi rolls that create a true treat for the tongue. 

Location: DTLA

12/20

 

Maison Kasai

Bringing a dash of theatricality to an otherwise traditional selection of Teppanyaki tastes, Maison Kasai blends Japanese and French techniques, preparing a dizzying array of dishes at the table in a fully interactive dining experience with an impressive display of pyrotechnics. Boasting a robust three-course option of elegant eats, the masterful menu includes everything from lychee sorbet and black truffle pasta starters to classic Chateaubriand and whole Maine lobster with a tasteful “supplement” of Hokkaido scallops. Or go a la carte and prepare your palate with a plate of dumplings or tuna tartare, then move on to meatier mains. Wash the flurry of flavors down with a creatively crafted cocktail before elevating your entertainment to Level 8, where, on any given night, you could find jump-jiving jazz trios and bawdy burlesque routines or just rock out to the band du jour. 

Location: DTLA

 

Inn of the Seventh Ray

To add an element of elegance to an al fresco brunch or a dreamy dinner under the stars, head for the hills and book your intimate outdoor table at Inn of the Seventh Ray. Known for its romantic touches, like soft twinkle lighting, cottage-core decor and lush gardens with gazebo seating and rustic roses, here you’ll come face to face with nature, dining alongside babbling brooks, surrounded by a thicket of greenery. Designed with a mind for conscious cuisine, the midday menu includes savory sandwiches and salads, with hearty mains in the evening that feature locally sourced ingredients and free-range meats, with an array of vegan and gluten-free choices. And after earning an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator, you can be sure that any bottle on this wine list is a winner. 

Location: Topanga

 

Union @ Compound

Blending contemporary art and community dining, Union @ Compound embraces the spirit of togetherness and artistic appreciation. With its charming art deco exterior (illuminated with the words You Belong Here in blue neon script) the cozy space is settled on a quiet corner in Long Beach’s Zaferia neighborhood. An eclectic menu featuring flavors and ingredients informed by the chef’s Filipino roots includes international favorites like pillowy bao buns, shrimp toast, pancit, and galbi that sit side-by-side with mainstays like steak frites, pork chops, and black cod. A partially nonprofit organization, Union @ Compound encourages cultural diversity and accessibility, functioning as a makeshift art exhibition with contemporary installments funded by grants and private donations, in addition to a lineup of wellness classes and workshops to feed the community spiritually as well as gastronomically. 

Location: Long Beach

 

Tail O’ The Pup / Lucky Tiki Bar

In the heart of West Hollywood you’ll find the impossible-to-miss, famous hotdog stand known as Tail O’ The Pup, which happens to share space and history with The Doors 1970 Workshop recording studio. This is where Jim Morrison immortalized some of his best-known works (with plaques on the pavement to prove it), and it now hosts a hidden speakeasy known as Lucky Tiki Bar. The journey begins out on the patio, where you’ll find a pickle barrel. Whether you’d prefer to discover how to access the tiki bar on your own or would rather head to the website for entry instructions, we’ll let you choose your own adventure. But once inside, expect to see the full tiki-torch treatment, complete with flaming cocktails, colorful lighting, pretty drink umbrellas and all the kitsch and kooky decor befitting a festive watering hole of the Tiki type. 

Location: West Hollywood

 

Meteora

In a space unlike any other in LA lives Meteora—an earth-toned oasis with a dazzling Michelin star that emphasizes holistic hospitality and biodiversity. Creating an environment of understated luxury with a decidedly unique architectural aesthetic, Meteora incorporates primal live-fire cooking as a homage to ancient civilizations and offers seasonal menus with locally and sustainably sourced elements. Expect the unexpected with starters of Pacific moonfish, Job’s tears and yams. Moving along to the grains and greens with heartier meats and fishes, which can be sampled in a special tasting menu or a decadent chef’s omakase, alongside an inventive beverage menu of carefully crafted concoctions—making this an elevated experience you won’t want to miss.

Location: Hancock Park

 

Rideau

Located behind Arden restaurant in West Hollywood, Rideau is a speakeasy with vintage-inspired libations, nightly live magic and a 1920s French boudoir vibe. Owners Tamara Fox and her fiance Jordane Andrieu opened this clever concept back in April of this year, and it has proven to be magical ever since. They’ve recently added a food menu, so imbibers can not only wet their whistles but also indulge in a curated selection of bites. Start with a round of Moulin Rouge cocktails made with Hendrick’s Grand Cabaret Gin, then settle in for caviar service and dishes like wagyu sliders, dressed oysters and artichoke dip.

Location: West Hollywood

 

Yamashiro

Originally modeled after elements of traditional east-Asian architecture and the types of Japanese palaces one would find nestled in the mountains of Kyoto, beloved Hollywood dining destination Yamashiro (literally translating to “Mountain Palace”) has been delighting guests with its sweeping city views and lush botanical gardens since its initial construction in 1914. Over a century later, the location has seen many incarnations, from a Prohibition-era hideaway tucked into the Hollywood hills to the star-studded culinary staple and official national landmark it’s known as today. Be sure to admire the majestic pagoda and say hello to the antique Buddha on your way in.

Location: Hollywood

 

Tomoko Spa

Tomoko Spa in Beverly Hills offers a one-of-a-kind experience that rewrites the book on indulgence. The luxurious spa and private dining hybrid blends multi-sensory couples massages with fine Japanese cuisine. By selecting “The Japanese Experience,” you and your guest will be treated to a lavish three-hour treatment that begins with a detoxifying Ashiyu foot massage, followed by a full Tomoko tandem massage. Next, you’ll be invited to unwind in your own private Ofuro (Japanese Hinoki bath) and sit down to a traditional en-suite sushi spread for two, complete with hot organic tea and a selection of Japanese sweets.

Location: Beverly Hills

 

71 Above

With 360-degree views of downtown Los Angeles, 71 Above boasts one of the most stunning atmospheres in the city. Featuring floor-to-ceiling windows that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the breathtaking panoramic views of the glittering skyline, you’ll feel like you’re dining in the clouds whether sipping signature cocktails at the bar or lounging on a sofa in the Sky Lounge. For a truly special evening, snuggle up at one of The Edge seats for two and admire a sunset across the urban landscape. You can also opt for the Chef’s Table experience, where you’ll cozy up in a private booth and watch the culinary team craft your five-course meal.

Location: Downtown LA

 

Barton G

The LA outpost of Barton G—a hospitality group that prides itself on “doing things bigger, bolder and more dramatic”—is famous for putting a big twist on big dishes. With a dreamy color palette of romantic lilacs and lavenders to go with its showpiece pink onyx bar, this Beverly Hills hotspot features dazzling dinner displays, such as swordfish with an actual sword in it. Fun and unexpected dishes like Lobster Poptarts or Light ‘Em Up Lobster Mac along with desserts with whimsical monikers like the Marie Antoinette and Dolla Dolla Bills Y’all will truly take your taste buds for a spin.

Location: Beverly Hills

 

Openaire

Run by two-Michelin-starred Chef Josiah Citrin, Openaire serves up a smorgasbord of flavors with dishes highlighting both the land and sea. A self-proclaimed “plant lover’s paradise,” the space is mindfully designed as a lush greenhouse concept, where you can lounge and luxuriate amid the vibrant greenery and garden greens. Intended to embrace each season as it changes, the eclectic menu incorporates cultural diversity inspired by the melting-pot culture found in Los Angeles. Best of all, guests of the Line LA hotel can even enjoy a selection of signature dishes while lounging poolside!

Location: Koreatown 

 

Vespertine

Billed as a “gastronomic experience seeking to disrupt the course of the modern restaurant,” Vespertine vows to wow guests with its buzzed-about, multi-dimensional setting that goes far beyond simply dining out. Housed in a veritable architectural art installation dropped in the heart of Culver City—known as the Waffle Building—with an aesthetic resembling a game of Jenga, the sleek and ultra-modern 22-seat interior space is as much of a conversation piece as the ambiguous culinary concept and unusual exterior. Come for the 18-course tasting menu, offering “a dinner experience in four acts” that can only be described as otherworldly.

Location: Culver City

 

Gucci Osteria

Fashionistas rejoice! Perched on the rooftop of the Rodeo Gucci flagship store is the hallowed Gucci Osteria, bringing Beverly Hills an array of innovative Italian culinary creations and opulent cocktails gorgeous enough to grace your ‘Gram. Childhood friends Marco Bizzarri (CEO and President of House of Gucci) and Michelin-starred Chef Massimo Bottura joined forces to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience, inspired by the flavors of Florence. Don your designer duds, grab your Gucci bag and get ready to snap a few Insta-worthy photos on the terrace. 

Location: Beverly Hills

 

Jade Beverly Hills

If you once flipped for the flash and pomp of Paris Tokyo, you’ll sense hints of the same spirit and soul in its current reincarnation, Jade Beverly Hills. Known for its embellished and ornamental Japanese cuisine, the owners gave the space a cosmetic facelift, swapping out the previously bright and brassy razzle-dazzle and maximalist decor for a more subdued and sophisticated vibe, now featuring cloud-like ceiling installations and soft, seductive elements with rich textures and tones of sea blues and greens, juxtaposed against gorgeous plush pink velvet seating. With an A+ for aesthetics, the sleek bar hits all the right notes, making this visually exquisite locale arguably the most Instagrammable spot in town—with a marvelous menu to boot.

Local Insight: Don’t miss out on Jade Jazz Wednesdays! This new tradition welcomes the best jazz instrumentalists to fill the room and serenade guests.

Location: Beverly Hills