Los Angeles is one of the most culinarily diverse cities on the planet. Every neighborhood has its own identity, its own flavors, and its own reasons to make a reservation tonight.
But with so many options, it can be hard to know where to start. That is exactly why we put together this guide, broken down by cuisine, so you can find the perfect spot no matter what you are craving.
Here are our picks for the best restaurants in LA by cuisine type in 2026.
Italian: From Old School to New Wave
LA's Italian dining scene has never been stronger. Whether you want handmade pasta in a candlelit dining room or creative plates in a buzzy warehouse, these spots deliver.
Bestia, Arts District
Bestia helped turn the Arts District into a dining destination, and it still holds its own after more than a decade. The menu is bold and generous, with dishes like mussels with spicy 'nduja, roasted lamb neck, and some of the best house-made pastas in the city. The industrial space is loud, energetic, and always packed.
Details: 2121 E. 7th Place, Arts District. $$$. Reservations recommended well in advance.
Osteria Mozza, Hollywood
Chef Nancy Silverton's iconic restaurant balances California sensibility with Italian tradition. The mozzarella bar alone is worth the trip, and the pasta courses are consistently among the best in LA. The vibe is polished but relaxed, perfect for a long dinner with good wine.
Details: 6602 Melrose Ave, Hollywood. $$$$. Resy reservations available.
Angelini Osteria, Beverly Boulevard
If you want old-school Italian done right, this is the spot. Chef Gino Angelini's lasagna verde and veal shank agnolotti are legendary. The dining room skews a bit more formal, but the food is worth dressing up for. White truffles make an appearance in season, and they do not hold back.
Details: 7313 Beverly Blvd. $$$$. Dinner nightly, reservations recommended.
Japanese: The Omakase Capital of America
LA arguably has the best omakase scene outside of Tokyo. The quality of fish, the precision of technique, and the intimacy of these counters are truly world-class.
Sushi Kaneyoshi, Little Tokyo
This is the omakase experience for people who take sushi seriously. With just four seats per night and a chef with over 40 years of experience, every piece of nigiri here is crafted with extraordinary care. The California rolls are precise, the hot items are perfectly timed, and the entire meal feels like a private performance.
Details: 111 S San Pedro St, Little Tokyo. $$$$. $300+ per person. Extremely limited seating, book early.
Mori Nozomi, West LA
Chef Nozomi Mori, a Ginza Onodera alumna and one of LA's few female sushi chefs, brings Osaka-style flair and tea ceremony elegance to her omakase. The space, located in the former Mori Sushi spot on Sawtelle, is restrained and beautiful. Five nights a week, roughly a dozen lucky diners get to experience something truly special.
Details: 2130 Sawtelle Blvd, Suite 211, West LA. $$$$. $250 omakase. Reservations essential.
Mexican: Way Beyond Tacos
LA's Mexican food scene is arguably the deepest of any cuisine in the city. From Oaxacan mole to modern fine dining, these restaurants showcase the breadth of Mexican cooking.
Guelaguetza, Koreatown
A Oaxacan institution in LA since 1994, Guelaguetza serves some of the most authentic regional Mexican food you will find anywhere in the United States. The moles are made from scratch using family recipes, and dishes like tlayudas, tamales, and chapulines are prepared with reverence for tradition. The space is big, colorful, and always buzzing with families and food lovers.
Details: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Koreatown. $$. No reservations needed for most visits.
Damian, Arts District
Chef Enrique Olvera, of Pujol fame in Mexico City, brings elevated Mexican cooking to downtown LA. The tortillas are made fresh from heirloom corn, the ceviches are bright and layered, and the larger plates show serious technique. The rooftop bar, Meteoro, is a destination in its own right.
Details: 2132 E. 7th Place, Arts District. $$$. Reservations via Resy.
Korean: Koreatown and Beyond
LA's Koreatown is the largest Korean community outside of Korea, and the dining options reflect that depth. These picks go beyond the usual KBBQ spots.
Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, Koreatown
The most famous Korean BBQ spot in LA for good reason. The banchan spread is excellent, the marinated short ribs are perfectly sweet and smoky, and the energy in the room is infectious. Celebrity chef Kang Ho Dong built this empire on quality and fun, and it shows.
Details: 3465 W 6th St, Koreatown. $$. Walk-ins welcome but expect a wait on weekends.
Hangari Kalguksu, Koreatown
For something completely different, Hangari specializes in hand-cut knife noodles and bubbling clay pot stews. The kalguksu is silky, the kimchi jjigae is deeply satisfying, and the whole experience feels like a home-cooked meal from someone's grandmother. It is comfort food at its absolute best.
Details: 3470 W 6th St, Koreatown. $. Cash preferred. No reservations.
French: Timeless Elegance in LA
French dining in LA tends toward the relaxed and modern, blending technique with California ingredients. These restaurants strike that balance perfectly.
Republique, La Brea
Built inside the historic Chaplin Building, Republique serves French-inflected California cuisine that is both approachable and refined. Chef Walter Manzke's dishes pull from his global experience, with highlights like duck confit, perfectly executed pastries from his wife Margarita, and a weekend brunch that draws lines around the block.
Details: 624 S La Brea Ave. $$$. Brunch, lunch, and dinner. Reservations recommended.
Petit Trois, multiple locations
Chef Ludo Lefebvre's tribute to the Parisian bistro is deceptively simple. The omelette, made with just eggs and butter, is one of the best dishes in all of Los Angeles. The croque monsieur is textbook. The steak frites are everything you want them to be. No reservations at the original counter-only spot on Highland, which is part of the charm.
Details: Multiple locations including Highland and Sherman Oaks. $$. Counter seating, first come first served at the original.
How to Book These Restaurants
Some of these spots, especially the omakase counters, require planning weeks or even months ahead. Others are walk-in friendly. Here is the general breakdown:
Book well in advance: Sushi Kaneyoshi, Mori Nozomi, Bestia, Damian
Book a few days out: Osteria Mozza, Angelini Osteria, Republique
Walk-in friendly: Guelaguetza, Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong, Hangari Kalguksu, Petit Trois
For the tougher reservations, setting alerts and checking for cancellations on Resy can make a real difference.
FAQ
What is the best cuisine to try in Los Angeles?
LA excels across the board, but its Japanese omakase and Mexican food scenes are particularly unmatched. You would be hard pressed to find better versions of either cuisine anywhere else in the country.
Are these restaurants expensive?
The range is wide. Spots like Hangari Kalguksu and Guelaguetza are very affordable, while the omakase counters can run $250 to $300+ per person. Most of the Italian and French options fall in the $50 to $100 per person range.
Do I need reservations for all of these restaurants?
Not all of them. Korean spots and Petit Trois are generally walk-in. But for Italian fine dining and omakase, reservations are essential and often need to be made weeks ahead.
What neighborhoods should I focus on for food in LA?
Koreatown, the Arts District, Hollywood, and West LA's Sawtelle corridor are all incredible for dining. Each has a distinct personality and different strengths by cuisine type.
When is the best time to visit LA for food?
Honestly, year-round. LA does not have a "food season" the way some cities do. The weather is always cooperative for dining out, and restaurants stay busy throughout the year.
