Los Angeles doesn't do quiet seasons. While most of the country was still shaking off winter, LA's restaurant scene went on a tear, with a wave of ambitious openings that are already reshaping where (and how) the city eats.
We're talking about a former Frantzén chef bringing Nordic bistronomy to Beverlywood, a Baldi family heir lighting olive wood grills inside the Waldorf Astoria, and a Japanese-Brazilian fusion concept taking over a multi-level space in West Hollywood. This isn't your standard "best new restaurants" roundup. These are the spots generating real buzz right now.
Here's what just opened and why it matters.
Lielle: A Three-Star Pedigree Lands in Beverlywood
If one opening defines LA's early 2026 dining moment, it's Lielle. Chef Marcus Jernmark, the Swedish cook who ran the kitchen at three-Michelin-starred Frantzén in Stockholm (No. 6 on the World's 50 Best in 2021) and logged time at both Per Se and Aquavit in New York, has chosen Los Angeles for his first solo US restaurant.
Named after his daughter, Lielle is a 42-seat subterranean space on Pico Boulevard, tucked behind the new Cameo Beverly Hills hotel. The design leans into the underground setting with cork-vaulted ceilings, candlelight, leather banquettes, silver-leaf accents, and custom cherry wood tables. It feels like a wine cave that also happens to serve world-class food.
What to Order
The format is a four-course seasonal tasting menu that blends Nordic preservation techniques with California ingredients. Jernmark calls it "California bistronomy," and the execution backs up the label.
Standout dishes include abalone "BBQ" with seaweed rice, Brussels sprouts, and fermented hen of the woods. There's also an aged squab with yuzu pepper, sprouted walnut, and bitter greens that reviewers have already flagged as a signature. The spaghetti all'assassina with spiny lobster, preserved tomato, and sea urchin is an immediate classic.
The bread program deserves its own mention. Jernmark sources from Motley Crew Ranch for beef, Monterey Abalone Company, Broken Arrow Ranch for game, and Andante Dairy for cheese.
The Wine Situation
The 250-bottle list leans California (Littorai, Raen) with smart Burgundy picks available by the glass. Corkage runs $75 if you're bringing your own.
Practical Details
Lielle is open for dinner seven nights a week from 5:00 to 8:30 PM. Reservations are on OpenTable and they're moving fast. This is fine dining pricing, so come prepared for a splurge. A sister concept called Marée is opening upstairs with a more casual "Parisian Californian" vibe.
Address: 9576 W. Pico Blvd, Beverlywood
Baldi at Waldorf Astoria: The Family Dynasty Continues
The Baldi name carries serious weight in LA dining circles. Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica has been a celebrity favorite for decades. E.Baldi in Beverly Hills is a power lunch institution. Now, chef Edoardo "Edo" Baldi has opened his own chapter inside the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills.
Baldi, which opened February 18, is a Tuscan steakhouse that reframes the American steakhouse concept through the lens of Edo's childhood in Forte dei Marmi. The centerpiece is an olive wood-fired grill visible from the dining room, where USDA Prime cuts share the menu with three styles of Wagyu: American, Australian, and Japanese A5.
Beyond the Steaks
The sourcing is meticulous. Beef comes from Creekstone Farm in Kansas, Double R Ranch in Washington, Snake River Farms, and Australia's Sher Ranch. Each steak is minimally seasoned with herbs and served with house-made salsa verde and tomato-based Italian sauces.
But Baldi is not just a steakhouse. The pasta program includes lobster linguine with spicy tomato sauce and sweet corn tortellini with mascarpone and truffle butter. For dessert, the apple pie à la mode is straightforward and excellent, but the real move is the pancake soufflé for two, flambéed tableside with rum and Grand Marnier sauce. It takes 20-30 minutes to prepare, so order it early.
Drinks Worth Ordering
Beverage director Jim Kearns has built an aperitivo-forward cocktail menu featuring a Negroni Classico di Baldi and a Baldi Manhattan made with rye and nocino. The wine list leans into Italian heavy hitters like Barolo, Brunello, and Super Tuscans, with strong Champagne and Bordeaux sections.
Practical Details
Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday, 5:00 to 10:00 PM. The bar is open seven nights a week until 11:00 PM. Reservations are available on OpenTable.
Address: 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills (inside Waldorf Astoria)
Sushisamba Arrives in West Hollywood
The globally known Japanese-Brazilian fusion brand has finally made its LA debut with a multi-level space in West Hollywood. Sushisamba combines sushi, robata grilling, and churrasco traditions in a setting designed for energy and spectacle.
The WeHo location features a rooftop patio, a robata bar, and an elevated design that nods to both Tokyo and São Paulo. If you've been to the London or Miami outposts, expect the same blend of precision Japanese technique and bold South American flavors, now calibrated for the LA crowd.
This is a scene restaurant in the best sense. Loud, lively, and designed for groups who want a night out that doubles as a dining experience.
More Openings Worth Tracking
Crenshaw Food Hub
A collective kitchen in the former Kathy's Kitchen space on Crenshaw, this spot is doing something different. The menu is fully vegan and alkaline, with dishes like eggplant pizza, soursop "fish" sandwiches, and creative plant-based plates. There's also an attached market selling fresh produce and cold-pressed juices. It's community-driven dining with serious intention behind it.
Taqueria Frontera (Silver Lake)
This popular Tijuana-style taqueria relocated to a larger Silver Lake space with actual seating, parking, and plans for wine and beer service. If you've been squeezing into the original location, the upgrade is significant. The tacos remain the same, just with room to breathe.
Palette Dim Sum
After a grand opening on February 28, Palette has quickly earned buzz for its har gau, shumai, and dan tan. Early reports are promising for anyone tired of trekking to the SGV for quality dim sum.
What's Coming Next
The pipeline doesn't slow down. Daniel Patterson (Coi, Alta Adams) is prepping Jacaranda, a tasting menu concept on West 3rd focused on West Coast ingredients, for a late spring opening. Sushi Nakazawa, helmed by a former Jiro protégé, is bringing high-end omakase to Beverly Hills around the same time. And Truly Pizza is slated for late summer on Abbot Kinney in Venice.
LA's dining scene tends to move in waves. Right now, the wave is big, varied, and worth paying attention to.
FAQ
What is the most anticipated new restaurant in LA right now?
Lielle by Marcus Jernmark in Beverlywood is generating the most critical attention. Jernmark's background at three-Michelin-starred Frantzén and his Nordic-California approach make this the opening food media is watching most closely.
How do I get a reservation at Baldi Beverly Hills?
Baldi takes reservations through OpenTable. Dinner service runs Wednesday through Sunday, 5:00 to 10:00 PM. The bar is open nightly until 11:00 PM for walk-in dining.
Is Sushisamba in LA worth visiting?
If you enjoy the brand's signature Japanese-Brazilian fusion style, the West Hollywood location delivers. The rooftop patio and multi-level design are built for a social dining experience. Expect lively energy and bold flavors.
What new restaurants are opening in Los Angeles in spring 2026?
Beyond the March openings covered here, look out for Jacaranda by Daniel Patterson (tasting menu, West 3rd), Sushi Nakazawa (omakase, Beverly Hills), and Bar Di Bello. Summer brings Truly Pizza to Abbot Kinney in Venice.
Are there any good new affordable restaurants in LA?
Taqueria Frontera's expanded Silver Lake location and the Crenshaw Food Hub both offer excellent food at accessible prices. Palette Dim Sum is also a strong value option for dim sum lovers.
