Los Angeles never slows down when it comes to dining, and March 2026 might be the most exciting month in recent memory. A wave of ambitious openings is reshaping neighborhoods from West Hollywood to Studio City, with returning legends, global debuts, and bold new concepts all landing at once.
Whether you're chasing a rooftop sunset with Japanese-Brazilian fusion or hunting down the best duck albondigas of your life, there's something here for every kind of food obsessive. Here's what's actually worth your attention right now.
Sushisamba Makes Its Grand Return to America
The biggest headline this month is Sushisamba's West Hollywood debut, which opened March 17 at 639 North La Peer Drive. This is the Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian chain's first U.S. location in over a decade after closing its New York outpost years ago.
Corporate Chef John Um leads the kitchen, delivering the brand's signature fusion of sushi, churrasco, ceviche, anticuchos, and robata-grilled plates. The menu is built for sharing, with small plates designed to flow across a long meal.
The Space
The rooftop is the real showstopper. Inspired by Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana sidewalks, the multi-level open-air dining area features flowing shapes, lush greenery, and sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. There's a long marble bar, a state-of-the-art retractable roof, and a private dining room with its own entrance.
The Details
- Address: 639 N La Peer Dr, West Hollywood, CA 90069
- Hours: Mon-Thu 5:30pm-11pm, Fri-Sat 5:30pm-11:30pm, Sun 5pm-11pm
- Price range: $$$$
- Reservations: 213.444.0424 or lareservations@sushisamba.com
- Vibe: Flashy, upscale, scene-y. This is the kind of place where you dress up and stay late.
Alto Is Unlike Anything Else in LA
Bill Addison at the LA Times called it right: "LA hasn't seen anything like Alto." This Studio City restaurant is redefining what Argentine and Uruguayan food can be, and it's quickly become one of the most talked-about openings of the year.
Chefs Esteban Klenzi and Juana Castellanos Lagemann met while working at the Michelin-starred Mugaritz in Spain, then honed their craft at Celler de Can Roca, Amelia, and Borago before bringing their vision to Los Angeles.
What to Order
The menu focuses on the Rio de la Plata estuary traditions but pushes them through a modernist lens. Don't miss the chipa with tomato-buckwheat butter inspired by tuco sauce, the burnt avocado salad, asado banderita, or the cordero Patagonico. For dessert, the torta rogel and dulce de leche souffle are extraordinary.
The open-fire kitchen is central to the experience, and the wine list highlights small-producer South American bottles you won't find anywhere else.
The Details
- Location: Studio City
- Hours: Dinner Tue-Sat, 5-10pm
- Vibe: Intimate, sophisticated, modernist. A serious restaurant for curious eaters.
- Parking: Street and valet available
Broken Spanish Comedor Brings Ray Garcia Back
If you remember the original Broken Spanish (which closed in 2020), the Comedor revival in Culver City has been one of the most anticipated comebacks in LA dining. Chef Ray Garcia's return is more casual and accessible this time around, with dishes priced in the $15-22 range.
Time Out named it one of the best new restaurants in the city. The menu features duck albondigas, refried lentils, and chicharron alongside a rotating selection of dishes that lean on Garcia's refined take on Mexican cuisine.
The Details
- Location: Culver City
- Price range: $$ (most dishes $15-22)
- Vibe: Relaxed, communal, ingredient-driven. A more approachable version of the original.
Wilde's Is the Hottest Spot in Los Feliz
Resy's Hit List put Wilde's at the number one position for January 2026, and the buzz hasn't slowed. This rustic British pub concept with California twists has become the neighborhood's most coveted reservation.
The menu includes bangers and mash, meat pie, bone-in strip steak, and the must-try dry-aged burgers, which are limited to just 24 per night. The cozy, elegant atmosphere is part of the draw, blending old-world pub warmth with polished LA style.
The Details
- Location: Los Feliz
- Vibe: Cozy British pub meets California elegance. Warm lighting, great bar program.
- Pro tip: Those burgers sell out. Get there early or don't bother.
More March Openings Worth Knowing
Baldi at Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
Chef Edoardo Baldi brings Tuscan steakhouse energy to Beverly Hills, emphasizing his Etruscan family legacy with upscale Italian fare. This is high-end hotel dining done right, with a reverence for heritage ingredients and wood-fired preparations.
Hermon's
Tucked into LA's tiniest neighborhood (Hermon, northeast of Highland Park), this spot from the Last Word Hospitality team occupies a converted church hall. The Art Deco-inspired design features a U-shaped bar and intimate booth seating.
Lielle
Scandinavian dining arrives on Pico Boulevard in Beverlywood. The Infatuation's Hit List calls out the sea urchin spaghetti as a must-order. The vibe is splashy but approachable, with a tasting menu format that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Sqirl's Dinner Expansion
The beloved breakfast spot now serves dinner, and it's quickly become one of the most energetic rooms in the city. French onion soup, charred cabbage, and a produce-driven menu that attracts a nightly "who's who" crowd.
How to Actually Get Into These Restaurants
March's new wave has made reservations trickier than usual across the city. Here are some strategies that work.
Book at least two weeks out for Sushisamba and Alto. Both are filling up fast, especially for Friday and Saturday seatings. For Wilde's, weeknight visits give you the best shot at snagging a table (and those limited burgers).
Broken Spanish Comedor and Hermon's are easier to get into for now, but that window is closing. Walk-ins are possible at off-peak hours, especially early in the week.
For Baldi, the Waldorf Astoria concierge can sometimes help with last-minute availability if you're flexible on timing.
FAQ
What is the hottest new restaurant in LA right now?
Sushisamba in West Hollywood is generating the most buzz for its Japanese-Brazilian-Peruvian fusion and stunning rooftop space. Alto in Studio City is the critic's favorite, with Bill Addison at the LA Times calling it unlike anything else in the city.
How hard is it to get reservations at these new LA restaurants?
It varies. Sushisamba and Alto require booking two or more weeks in advance. Wilde's is tough on weekends but manageable on weeknights. Broken Spanish Comedor and Hermon's are still relatively easy to book.
What's the price range for these new openings?
Sushisamba and Baldi are high-end ($$$$). Alto and Wilde's sit in the upper-mid range ($$$). Broken Spanish Comedor is the most accessible at $15-22 per dish ($$).
Are any of these restaurants good for groups?
Sushisamba is ideal for groups with its shared plates format and spacious rooftop. Broken Spanish Comedor's communal vibe also works well for larger parties.
