The best new restaurants in Los Angeles to try right now

The quintessential Sichuan flavors of numbing and spicy are just right at Mala Class, a tiny restaurant in Highland Park run by a pair of alums from NYC’s Chinese dining scene. Peruse the small, vegan-friendly menu and zero in on Sichuan-born chef Michael Yang’s phenomenal take on dandanmian, which features a light, subtly flavored peanut sauce, springy noodles, (optional) ground pork and spicy chili oil. A selection of mostly fried appetizers includes craveworthy mushroom fries, pepper-rubbed tofu, and cucumber and bean curd salad. The beef noodle soup and pork dumplings add welcome twinges of heat to two Chinese classics, while those in search of milder, more familiar fare will enjoy the cold sesame noodles and garlic sauce shrimp. Despite having only opened in June, Mala Class’s mapo tofu is easily my favorite version in Los Angeles—and I’ve tried almost everywhere else in town you could possibly imagine. Metered street parking.

Tucked away in a barebones Echo Park space just before the Glendale Freeway, Ricardo Zarate’s latest endeavor serves delicious, reasonably priced renditions of the Japanese-Peruvian raw fare that put him on the map at Causita, Picca and Mo-Chica, among other now-closed restaurants. The difference this time? Zarate’s on his own. While the turquoise-quartz ceviche bar and pink neon lighting add plenty of flair, the Hummingbird is a no-frills, casual affair with no wine and beer license (yet). Start your meal with a few of the chef’s creative hand roll options, then order a couple of raw items—I particularly enjoyed the scallop aguachile topped with pepper ash and the classic sea bass ceviche. Best of all, nothing on the menu is over $40. Of all the restaurants I visited last month, the Hummingbird is definitely the one that delivers the most bang for your buck. Street parking.

On the face of it, Tomat is an unlikely place for some of the city’s most delicious, interesting new California cuisine. Run by husband-and-wife duo Harry Posner and Natalie Dial, the airy, London-inspired restaurant is located in a nondescript Westchester strip mall just a few miles from LAX, with a third floor rooftop where—at least in warmer weather—guests can sip cocktails as they watch jets take off. Loosely inspired by Posner’s Persian heritage, the seasonal dinner menu includes “barbari” bread that more closely resembles focaccia, a tahdig-inspired jeweled rice cooked in a Japanese donabe and a juicy roast duck with a mole sauce that captures the essence of fesenjoon, a sweet stew made with pomegranates and walnuts. Other items like piri piri chicken, bone marrow pie (a daily special) and sticky toffee pudding draw inspiration from British foodways. The dishes here crackle with the raw, frenetic energy of culinary ambition—and I simply can’t wait to come back. On-site parking.

The dizzying variety and a handful of menu standouts make this retro-inspired bakery, café and specialty market one of the L.A.’s most interesting new lunch destinations. Stop by earlier in the morning for spectacular doughnuts, solid pastries (they’re cheaper than Gjusta and just as good) and a handful of hot breakfast dishes. After 11am, brave the lunchtime crowds for the deli section, which includes daily specials and a delicious pastrami sandwich. If you’re in a hurry, you can also pick up grab-and-go drinks, sandwiches, salads and light bites from the cold case. With multiple stations and hundreds of items, it’s a lot to take in—which is why I recommend reading our guide on how to best tackle visiting before going. Did I mention there’s a unique selection of home goods, including dog treats and plush toys? On-site parking off Helms Avenue and street parking along Venice Boulevard.

Con todo? At East L.A.’s Tijuanazo, the answer should always be yes. Founded by L.A. culinary veteran Antonio Esquivel, this Tijuana-based taco chain serves outstanding adobada, asada, chorizo and various types of offal, with specific house-designed salsa combinations tailored to each cut of meat. The adobada (a.k.a. al pastor) runs on the drier and more heavily spiced side compared to others I've had, a characteristic that pairs surprisingly well with the cilantro crema and a sliver of pineapple. Each offal cut is cooked to perfection, while the housemade chorizo offers heft and warmth in every bite. There are a half-dozen outstanding Tijuana-style taco specialists in L.A., most of which operate as streetside stands, but this sleeker brick-and-mortar can compete with the very best—and maybe even win. Street parking.

Housed within a Brutalist-inspired minimalist space, this standout omakase bar ($225) in Hollywood offers all the trimmings of the typical high-end sushi experience—plus a few extra noteworthy tricks. Originally from Tokyo, Udatsu’s overseas counterpart boasts a Michelin star. Here, the eight-seat concrete counter offers a meal orchestrated by Shingo Ogane, the protégé of eponymous founding chef Hisashi Udatsu. The chef’s skillful variance of texture and temperature result in a subtle yet satisfying 17-course meal on par with L.A.’s best omakase spots. Highlights of the current menu include a seasonal herb roll, smoked fatty tuna served with a hazy flourish and sea urchin topped with crispy fried nori. If you have the time, arrive a tad earlier for a cocktail on the patio (though it’s not included in the price) to take in views of the Hollywood Sign. $10 valet and street parking.

Right below Udatsu sits Rokusho, an upscale Japanese restaurant serving elegant, seasonally inspired cocktails and drinking fare. Unlike Udatsu, Rokusho is a spinoff concept led by local chef Carlos Couts, an alum of Encino’s Sushi by Scratch. While the elevated prices and atmosphere set Rokusho apart from a traditional izakaya, the well-executed dinner menu and unique space—it’s just as strikingly beautiful as Udatsu—translate into an excellent date night destination. More substantive signatures like the wagyu carpaccio and sushi cake will fill you up in no time, but you can also order kushiyaki and the standout, vegan-friendly chili tofu for a lighter meal. What impressed me the most, however, was Rokusho’s beverage program, courtesy of Felix Campos (formerly of Damian). Whether you’re ordering from the cocktail menu or opting for wine, sake or beer, there’s always something interesting to sip on—booze-free options included. $10 valet and street parking.

Noree Pla and Fern Kaewtathip, the chefs behind one of L.A.’s best restaurants, have pulled off another feat of Thai gastronomy in the form of this cafeteria-style steam table concept located a few doors down from their original, critically acclaimed Hollywood restaurant. Look beyond the no-frills interior for flavorful curries, meat dishes and hard-to-find specialties you aren’t likely to find at your average Thai restaurant. To keep things interesting, the exact selection rotates on a weekly basis, though certain items like Phuket-style soy-braised pork belly and an excellent Thai-style iced tea, sold by the bottle, are always available. On my visit, I loved the fried hard-boiled eggs in tamarind sauce and yellow sour bamboo and fish curry.  Just be aware Luv2eat Express doesn’t play around with spice levels, so grab some napkins before you dig in; you’ll very likely need to blow your nose after your meal. On-site parking.

This Caribbean-Angeleno lockdown pop-up has finally opened its long-awaited brick-and-mortar in East Hollywood. Founded by Rustic Canyon and Botanica alum Rashida Holmes, Bridgetown Roti now serves a brightly flavored fast-casual mix of rotis, patties and sides, plus an all-new menu of “Caribbean tings” like cod fish cakes, honey jerk wings and chickpea doubles (the last of which is only served on Sundays and Mondays). The tiny space fills up quickly during peak lunch hours, but the excellent rotis—served as either a wrap or in a bowl—and wealth of vegan options make Bridgetown a worthwhile citywide dining destination for lunch or an early dinner. On my visit, I particularly enjoyed the decadent oxtail patty, curry shrimp aloo (potato) roti and red pepper goat with peanut sauce, which I ordered as a bowl for maximal enjoyment with the many house sauces. In truth, however, you can’t really go wrong at Bridgetown Roti, since almost everything is delicious. Metered street parking.

With a “teapresso” machine cranking out delicious tea-based drinks and well-executed regional mash-ups, this sleek Rosemead noodle and dumpling specialist is already drawing long lines, particularly on the weekends. Run by the same team behind nearby Ji Rong Duck House, Good Alley serves phenomenal Kaifeng-style soup dumplings and a hybrid roujiamo—a.k.a. Chinese hamburger—made with flaky thousand-layer pancakes and three different choices of meat filling. The menu also includes various noodle dishes, stir-fries, soups and skewers. While I’ve yet to sample everything on the menu, everything I have tried was excellent, particularly the baby napa cabbage and cumin lamb roujiamo. In the San Gabriel Valley’s competitive Chinese dining landscape, this newcomer is one you don’t want to miss—though I’d still recommend arriving just before opening to cut down on your wait. On-site parking.

These days, new restaurants rarely deliver the kind of bang-for-your-buck that Angelenos love, but Soondol Tofu House delivers a winning mix of quality and affordability with a build-your-own hot pot menu loosely inspired by soondubu. Diners can choose from three broth bases—including an extra-spicy red pepper option—plus a slate of add-on meats, toppings and noodles. Even with add-ons, each family-style cauldron easily feeds three to four for about $60 after tax and tip (that’s $20 per head or less, folks!), with free broth refills adding heft to a substantial, satisfying and ultimately standout Koreatown destination meal. Each meal also comes with complimentary banchan and sides of rice. I’ve yet to try the à la carte options, which include chive pancakes and stir-fried intestines, but the build-your-own stews are undeniably the star of the show. Just be mindful of the spice levels here—if you're going with the red pepper base, I recommend using half of the base and tasting as you go. Street parking.

This masa-centric stall inside South L.A.’s Mercado La Paloma comes from former Holbox employees Fátima Juárez and Conrado Rivera. While the couple have plans to eventually debut a tasting menu focusing on pre-Hispanic cuisine, Komal’s current offerings consist of tasty quesadillas, a selection of homestyle antojitos (literally, “little cravings”) and dessert. Standouts include the tlacoyos (bean-stuffed thick tortillas) topped with cactus, queso fresco and salsa verde and the taco Sonia, named for Juarez’s favorite childhood taquera in Mexico City. The size of a salad plate, the hefty handheld consists of seared beef shoulder, housemade pork sausage and your choice of mashed potatoes or cactus. None of the menu items are over $11—and while I eagerly await Komal’s tasting menu, the affordable lunch items are worth a visit all on their own. Outdoor dining available. Street and on-site parking.

Open since late October, this indoor-outdoor biergarten in Highland Park specializes in reasonably priced takes on German classics like schnitzel, currywurst and pretzels. I loved the sausage sampler, veal wiener schnitzel (which can also be made with chicken or pork) and bevy of traditional sides included with every entrée. Vegan and gluten-free options, “dog bratwurst” and a full section of handhelds offer a little bit of something for everyone, and the casual space is ideal for families and large groups—bring 10 friends on your birthday and you’ll even get a free half-liter boot of beer. Unlike Echo Park’s Bia Om, another trendy, newly opened biergarten, Kiez Kuche offers more than just vibes—the food's downright outstanding. Outdoor dining available. Street parking.

Part natural wine bar, part restaurant, Companion is the stylish all-day hangout spot that Venice never knew it needed. Run by neighborhood residents Nick and Dakota Monica, the narrow, well-designed space serves pastries daily and standout sandwiches on housemade focaccia bread (the latter only 11am–3pm, Wed–Sun) before switching to a tightly curated Cal-Italian menu during dinner hours. In the evening, Quarter Sheets alum Jack Goode serves phenomenal pizzas made with crispy, New Haven-inspired dough, plus seasonal delights like Caesar-style romano beans and olive oil cake topped with blackberry-peach compote. A well-heeled locals’ crowd and the lure of vinyl spinning after nightfall have already made Companion a total scene (pejorative), but I’ll hold my nose for Goode’s delicious, painstakingly sourced cuisine. Outdoor dining available. Street parking.

Like its Italian sibling across the street, Bar Etoile walks a fine line between wine bar and restaurant. Unlike Étra, however, this French-ish eatery in East Hollywood offers much more than just vibes; head chef Travis Hayden, formerly of Voodoo Vin, serves a delicious bistro-inspired menu that sticks the landing from start to finish. While the fare doesn’t reinvent the wheel, I loved the savory Gruyere tart, Caesar-inspired steak tartare and the homey polenta topped with braised leeks and fried sunchokes. The cocktails are well-made, and there’s also an excellent selection of wines by the glass. Yes, the flatware is from Sabre, and the immaculately designed space includes a gorgeous centerpiece bar, baby blue booths and café-style tables—but don’t let the high-falutin’ design job fool you into thinking Bar Etoile has nothing to offer but eye candy: It’s a great spot for a thoughtfully constructed meal. Outdoor dining available. Limited street parking (seriously, good luck).

Great pizza, and then some more: It’s a tried-and-true formula with plenty of practitioners around town, including Roberta’s in Culver City and Ronan on Melrose, not to mention citywide standouts like Quarter Sheets, Pizzeria Bianco and Mozza. Now, the border between Eagle Rock and Highland Park has its own pizza-plus-some standout in the form of Wildcrust. The former pop-up is led by Miles Okabayashi, a New York City chef who came home during the pandemic, and is located in the same gentrification-coded shopping complex as Fondry and Queen Street. Pair your chewy sourdough pie with an electrifying duck liver mousse—the sansho literally leaves a buzz on your tongue—and one of the tasty mains, like the spice-crusted pork chop or grilled cabbage topped with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette. For drinks, Manzke/Bicyclette alum Enoch Ahn has curated a well-rounded wine list with most bottles under $90. Outdoor dining available. Limited on-site and street parking.

With only weeks left in 2024, Chez Mia is a likely shoo-in as the most beautiful new restaurant to open this year. Taking over the old Ago space on Melrose, this glittering indoor-outdoor eatery from the Boujis Group (the Draycott, Olivetta) draws design and culinary inspiration from the French Riviera. The extensive, largely traditional menu aims to please with steaks and plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options, but there’s a handful of standout items concentrated in the seafood, caviar and appetizer sections. On my visit, I enjoyed the hamachi carpaccio and caviar gougeres. If you’re feeling particularly spendy, indulge in the well-made cocktails and desserts—especially the delicious pistachio soft serve. While it’s unlikely that Chez Mia will impress the average epicure, the restaurant fits right in with the area’s see-and-be-seen dining scene—and still makes for a lovely, if pricey, night out in West Hollywood. Outdoor dining available. $20 valet and nearby metered street parking.