The 16 Hottest Restaurants in LA Right Now

Mar 18, 2018

Source: Eater Los Angeles

1 majordōmo

David Chang of Momofuku has finally opened in Los Angeles after many years of anticipation and waiting. This off the beaten path location in northern Chinatown belies the excellent Asian and Korean-inspired food coming from the kitchen. While Momofuku classics aren’t really anywhere on the menu, everything from the chickpea hozon with bing bread to the spicy cod steamed in paper to the standout Adam Perry Lang-style smoked short ribs will be memorable orders.

Wonho Frank Lee

1725 Naud St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(323) 545-4880

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2 NoMad Los Angeles

One of New York City’s most celebrated restaurants has taken over the lobby and first floors of this chic hotel in Downtown LA. The namesake restaurant, which comes from Daniel Humm and Will Guidara (both of Eleven Madison Park), presents a refined take on New American cuisine. NoMad is known for their excellent service, and this aspect has certainly translated well to this Downtown LA location.

NoMad LA

Wonho Frank Lee

649 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 358-0000

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3 189 by Dominique Ansel

Star pastry chef Dominique Ansel has opened his highly anticipated bakery and full service dining room at The Grove. While the downstairs bakery draws Cronut-loving fans every morning, the upstairs room is the place for a creative, but expansive dinner fare that should please a crowd. There’s the same sense of whimsy that Ansel puts into his pastries and desserts, which means “clam chowder” with little neck tortellini or a gorgeous grilled ribeye with a housemade plum sauce.

189 by Dominique Ansel, The Grove

Wonho Frank Lee

189 The Grove Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90036

(323) 602-0096

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4 Freedman’s

LA already has a fantastic Jewish deli scene, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for more. This old-timey strip mall spot in Silver Lake brings a bit of new school to the genre. First off, it’s focused on dinner at the moment, with chopped liver and trout roe popovers to start, with potato latkes and sweetbread schnitzel for larger courses. A mutton chop with anchovy and mint jelly or a reuben sandwich polishes off the meal.

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2619 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 568-3754

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5 Triniti

Perhaps a bit self-serious, this coffee bar and breakfast hub in Echo Park comes from Destroyer vet Joseph Geiskopf along Sunset Blvd. Find some of the same colorful, grain-centric bowls and innovative seasonal plates in a shoebox space. Just be sure to wear minimalist garb and designer sunglasses.

Bean stew at Triniti, Echo Park

Matthew Kang

1814 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026

(213) 822-2103

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1111 S Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90015

(213) 742-7100

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6 Dialogue Restaurant

Dave Beran, former chef of Next and Alinea, brings a major fine dining and avant garde pedigree to this tiny tasting menu restaurant hidden inside a Third Street Promenade food court. Stranger things have happened in LA, but the initial response has been very good, with well-heeled fans of world-class dining calling it a fantastic addition to LA’s upscale restaurant scene.

Dialogue, Santa Monica

Wonho Frank Lee

1315 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA 90401

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7 Inko Nito

This sleek Japanese robatayaki in Arts District is a sign that the formerly scrapper neighborhood has fully grown up. Owned by the folks behind Zuma, a high-end chain with outlets in London and Vegas, Inko Nito brings much of the same upscale Japanese fare one might expect at Nobu or Catch but with a bit more emphasis on the charcoal grill.

Inko Nito, Arts District

Wonho Frank Lee

225 S Garey St
Los Angeles, CA 90012

(310) 999-0476

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8 Cal Mare

Adam Sobel and Michael Mina have brought this Italian seafood concept to Los Angeles after doing trial runs in San Francisco. Nestled into the ground floor of the Beverly Center, which is currently going through a major remodel, expect creative crudos, fresh mozzarella with caviar, whole grilled fish, Neapolitan pizzas, and pastas that’ll reach a wide range of diners.

Gelato desserts at Cal Mare

Wonho Frank Lee

8500 Beverly Boulevard
Beverly Center, Ground Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90048

(424) 332-4595

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9 Native

Eater LA Chef of the Year Nyesha Arrington returns to the Westside with Native in Santa Monica. Taking over the former SMYC, the well-appointed subterranean dining room feels like a suave neighborhood dining spot. Find elements of Arrington’s Korean background in the gochujang-glazed pork chop, though she draws flavors from all around the world in her thoughtful, polished cooking.

Native, Santa Monica

Wonho Frank Lee

620 Santa Monica Blvd Suite A
Santa Monica, CA 90401

(310) 458-4427

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10 Mason’s Dumpling Shop

Highland Park almost doesn’t deserve the legendary Luscious Dumplings from SGV, but here it is, in quick service form in a crowded strip mall along Figueroa Blvd. With a similar menu of pan-fried, steamed, and boiled dumplings all handmade and delivered to this shop, the affordable menu boasts some other Chinese classics like pork belly over rice and sauteed baby bok choy.

Mason’s Dumpling Shop

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5803 N Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042

(323) 999-7187

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11 The Nixon Chops & Whiskey

Katsuji Tanabe, who’s been on a tear opening restaurants in other cities like Chicago, has debuted this classy steakhouse all the way out in Whittier, with tomahawk chops, maple-glazed pork chops, and even a whole confited pig’s head. The cocktails are impressive too for the area, with punch bowls and mezcals to go alongside the steaks.

Tomahawk steak at Nixon Chops & Whiskey

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13033 Philadelphia St
Whittier, CA 90601

(562) 698-3355

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12 Modern Times Brewery

This sleek, artsy brewpub in Downtown LA doesn’t have a huge food menu, just the essentials like a double burger, fried jalapeno hush puppies, and tacos, but the real draw is the incredible beer. The San Diego craft beer transplant isn’t holding back in the brews department, with culinary takes on classic formats like IPAs, pilsners, and stouts.

Modern Times Brewery, DTLA

Wonho Frank Lee

832 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90014

(213) 878-7008

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13 Triple Beam Pizza

Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina have debuted this popular Roman-style pizzeria in the heart of Highland Park. Prices are reasonable, which depend on the exact portion requested, and the ovens are burning throughout the day. Step up to the counter, pick a few different slices, and the servers will cut slices with specialized scissors. It’s the fast casual concept Highland Park’s always needed.

Triple Beam Pizza, Highland Park

Wonho Frank Lee

5918 N Figueroa St
Los Angeles, CA 90042

(323) 545-3534

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14 Jaffa

This modern Israeli restaurant is creating waves along West Third, a bustling but highly competitive restaurant thoroughfare in Mid-City. The dishes and cocktails all burst with the flavors of the Levant, with the Matt Winter-designed interior providing a terrific backdrop to it all.

Jaffa

Wonho Frank Lee

8048 W 3rd St
Los Angeles, CA 90048

(323) 433-4978

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15 Night + Market Sahm

Kris and Sarah Yenbamroong have gone for the three-peat with this Westside-friendly Venice outlet of their ultra-popular casual Thai street food restaurant. The crowds descend right when the place opens and they stick around downing plates of pad thai and larb, washed down with quality natural wines, until late every evening.

Night + Market Sahm, Venice

Wonho Frank Lee

2533 Lincoln Blvd
Venice, CA 90291

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16 Melody

This ultra-hip Eastside neighborhood spot serves modern French dishes nightly, with plates like smoked brandade dip, poached wild prawns, and shaved hamachi nicoise salad that plays to the cool kids in Silver Lake/Virgil Village. The brunch works even better, with all that lovely outdoor seating.

Melody, Silver Lake

Wonho Frank Lee

751 N Virgil Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90029

(323) 922-6037

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