The best fine-dining restaurants in Los Angeles

What is it? A Michelin-starred kaiseki spot in Palms from chef-owner Niki Nakayama, a protégé of the legendary Morihiro Onodera and one of the stars of the Netflix documentary Chef’s Table (2011).

Why we love it: Nakayama focuses her talent on California-inspired kaiseki: a classical style of Japanese cooking that dictates a specific progression of textures, temperatures, tastes and seasonal ingredients. À la carte is not an option, and when every dish is this good, that’s okay by us. n/naka typically offers a 13-course tasting menu ($365) with a vegetarian option, plus wine and sake pairings. The sakizuke course, which reflects the current season but nods to the near past and future, is always a visual and culinary delight. A newer renovation, completed in 2024, has given the dining room a sleeker look—with a requisite price bump to match—and ensures that n/naka still delivers the most delicious, wonderfully serene dining experience in the city.  

Time Out tip: Years in, these are still some of the hardest reservations to land in all of Los Angeles. It’s best to follow along on Instagram for announcements and watch n/naka’s Tock page like a hawk.

Address: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034

Opening hours: Wed–Sat ~5:45 and ~9:15pm seatings

What is it? An exquisite, two-Michelin-star kaiseki dinner ($450 per head) that feels like more of a transportive experience than a meal. Also, one of the hardest reservations in L.A.

Why we love it: The space is intimate, the ceramics are handcrafted and imported from Japan, service is respectful and diligent, and chef-owner Brandon Go's precision and technique come by way of training in Japan for years. There is something almost criminally understated here; and Angelenos, and the world, have more than taken notice. While the menu varies on a season basis, my past favorites have included steamed abalone with an unctuous liver sauce; winter-only female hairy crab, simply prepared; and the always-spectacular donabe finale, where one can fill one's bowl with freshly cooked seafood and rice over and over. It’s true that $450 is pricey indeed, but it’s still cheaper than a trip to Japan, and Hayato’s delicate flavors feel right out of Kyoto's ultra-competitive kaiseki dining scene. Just know that with a scant seven seats a night, five nights a week (plus plenty of deep-pocketed regulars) the chances of getting a seat as a regular diner here are slim—though I’ve noticed it’s far easier if you fly solo. Dinner reservations are usually released at the top of each month, and sell out almost immediately for the entire month. Set an alarm to get a table. It's worth it.

Time Out tip: In recent years, Go has turned Hayato’s endless Tock waitlist into an informal lottery; sign up enough times for the waitlist, and you just might find yourself in possession whenever there’s a rare last-minute cancellation.

Address: 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 6:30pm seating

What is it? An Arts District tasting menu that brings a distinctive Taiwanese edge to Michelin-starred fine dining.

Why we love it: After relocating to ROW DTLA in 2021, James Beard Award-winning chef Jon Yao, front-of-house managing partner Nikki Reginaldo, sommelier Ryan Bailey and bar director Austin Hennelly have crafted a world-class dining (and drinking) destination that rivals L.A.’s more established fine dining institutions. Yao’s ever-evolving seasonal tasting menu ($325) has come into its own, reflecting the native Angeleno’s Taiwanese heritage and San Gabriel Valley upbringing. Hennelly’s non-alcoholic beverage pairing ($120) is among the best of its kind in L.A., with drinks that capture the complex tasting notes of spirits and wine with none of the actual bite. (To be frank: I tried all the other booze-free pairings in town; they’re sorely lacking.) For skeptical first-timers or longtime fans, there’s the bar-only tasting menu ($185) incorporating some of Kato’s greatest hits, including the city’s best milk bread. The high-touch service here never feels too stuffy, and Bailey’s 70-plus page wine list will satisfy even the biggest wine snobs.

Time Out tip: Unless you love caviar and jamon ibérico, you can skip the supplemental youtiao. While delicious, it’s far from the most interesting thing on the menu. Save the space for the trio of Asian desserts or even another cocktail—non-alcoholic or otherwise, the drinks upstage some of the city’s bars.

Address: 777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–10:30pm

What is it? A three Michelin star fine dining institution offering the freshest seafood available and all the bells and whistles of a modern white tablecloth experience. This is Michelin-level luxury in the eyes of chef-owner Michael Cimarusti and co-owner Donato Poto, who ensures all diners receive a warm—and unstuffy—welcome.

Why we love it: For nearly two decades, the restaurant has won over scores of critics, Michelin inspectors and repeat visitors—and the artful eight-course dinner menu ($325) still remains impressive today. Plus, for a city next to the Pacific, Providence somehow still manages to showcase newer facets of seafood. Michael Cimarusti's mostly-aquatic menus deftly showcase the bounty of the West Coast, as well as the globe: Santa Barbara spot prawns and steelhead trout from the Quinault River in Washington can appear among the varied choices, depending on seasonality. His knack for finding the best product will make you focus on the perfect bite hanging from your fork, and nothing else. A recent renovation, pastry chef Mac Daniel Dimla's zero-waste chocolate desserts and a compelling non-alcoholic pairing ($125) reflect the restaurant's ability to keep up with the times—a distinction that other L.A.'s other veteran fine dining spots don't necessarily have.

Time Out tip: You'll absolutely need a reservation—and plan ahead, as reservations, at least for primetime dinner slots, tend to book weeks in advance.

Address: 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 6–9pm, Sat 5:30–9pm

What is it? After closing in 2018, Kwang Uh’s critical darling has made a triumphant return in the form of an Arts District tasting menu—including one of the best examples of vegan fine dining in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Alongside his wife and business partner, Mina Park, Uh now offers a $125 seven-course offering that’s a little small in terms of portion size, but big on the fermentation-forward Korean flavors that first captivated L.A. in 2015. On my most recent visit, I especially enjoyed the newer jaetbangeo (amberjack) course. Loosely inspired by traditional hwedupbap—a type of raw fish salad and rice bowl—the raw dish comes with a side of greens and a crispy seaweed cracker. The standard menu comes with wild mountain greens rice, which adds a bit of a welcome heft at the end of the meal. For vegans and vegetarians, there’s the sumptuous banchan platter, plus a bowl of seaweed-topped buckwheat noodles I wish I could enjoy over and over. The fare here isn’t quite as bold or in your face as most other Korean restaurants in L.A., but it’s one of the most quietly excellent special-occasion meals in the city right now.

Time Out tip: If you’re a fan of kombucha, order the alcohol-free pairing ($45). Otherwise, I’d steer clear—the nonalcoholic beverages included in the pairing don’t really mimic the taste of alcohol.

Address: 905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–9pm

What is it? Delicate housemade pastas, antipasti and a literal mozzarella bar from local celebrity chef Nancy Silverton within her three-restaurant Mozzaplex in Hancock Park. 

Why we love it: Though buzzy new Italian spots open all the time in Los Angeles, none manage the same level of refinement and consistency that emanates from Osteria Mozza. From Silverton’s famous ravioli oozing ricotta cheese and bright yellow egg yolk to the fresh, creamy mozzarella paired with all the manner of accoutrements, this upscale, Michelin-starred osteria still fires on all cylinders a decade and change after its initial debut. Other highlights include Nancy’s Caesar—a playful tartine riff on the classic L.A. salad—and the duck rillettes crostino. Depending on your mood, you could also head to next-door outposts Chi Spacca (for bubbling, cheese-stuffed focaccia and grilled meats) and Pizzeria Mozza (for pizza, obviously)—all three provide refined takes on a different facet of Italian cuisine, plus the freshly made seasonal flavors of the same delightful gelato that has made Silverton a mainstay in the gourmet freezer aisle.  

Time Out tip: Though it’s tempting to forgo vegetables here, order at least one antipasti next time you visit. On a menu of greatest hits, it’s the primary section that still changes with the seasons—demonstrating the kitchen’s excellence even when Silverton isn’t necessarily working the stove.

Address: 6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5:30–9pm, Fri 5:30–10pm, Sat 5–10pm, Sun 5–9pm

What is it? Nancy Silverton’s temple to meat flame-grills tomahawk pork chops, cures fennel salami and dry-ages massive steaks so big they almost feel like they’ll rock the table when they land. For those in search of a great steakhouse, this Italian one is worth the splurge.

Why we love it: Few restaurants can accomplish what Chi Spacca’s shoebox setting can. With one of the best charcuterie programs in the city and a stunning open kitchen, the talented team knows how to best work the cozy space for maximum meaty results. You may be spending over $200 on a steak (it’s enormous!), but don’t think about skipping the sides of roasted sustainable veggies—nor that bubbling focaccia di recco, which oozes stracchino cheese and comes with its own pizza stand. Throw in the generously portioned quartinos of wine, which easily turn into two servings, and Chi Spacca is one of the best places in town to wine and dine someone.

Time Out tip: For those who truly love pork, Chi Spacca hosts the Pig’s Head Dinner: An Ode to Pork—a $125 tasting menu that’s only available Mondays through Thursdays with two days’ notice. A minimum of four guests is required—but I recommend coming with six or more, or you won’t get through every course. The star of the show is a crispy, roasted pig’s head served with seasonal vegetables, sauces and flatbread, but you’ll also receive Chi Spacca’s signature like foccacia di recco (topped here with ham) and the sumptuous pork tomahawk dusted with fennel pollen.

Address: 6610 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 6–9:30pm, Fri–Sun 5:30–9:30pm

What is it? A newly Michelin-starred Korean-influenced chef’s counter ($285) in the same Little Tokyo complex as Sushi Kaneyoshi, as well as one of the most interesting fine dining experiences in the city right now. 

Why we love it: In the same mold as NYC’s world-class Atomix, chef-owner Ki Kim uses a mix of traditional Korean and classic French, fine-dining techniques to craft a uniquely L.A. Korean tasting menu experience rooted in farmer’s market seasonality. A piece of hyper-elevated kimbap serves as a worthy appetizer to a 12-course menu that nods to the head chef’s personal biography and past experiences on both coasts working fine dining. The skillful $190 wine pairing and newer non-alcoholic cocktail options put Restaurant Ki on par with L.A.’s other best-in-class tasting menus. Having been familiar with Kim’s style of cooking since Naemo, a quarantine era dosirak pop-up, I can honestly say that Ki is the chef’s most fully realized project to date—and worth every penny.

Time Out tip: If you’re entering from the street, take the unmarked stairwell on San Pedro to the second floor, which brings you to the right elevator.

Address: 111 S San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 6:30pm seating

Over a dozen rotating seafood-centric courses, Kim uses a mix of traditional Korean and classic French, fine-dining techniques to craft a uniquely L.A. Korean tasting menu experience rooted in farmer’s market seasonality. Salmon roe and smoked tomatoes offset a delicate, verdant quenelle of perilla leaf sorbet in a bowl framed by an enormous dried leaf—a plate technique with a direct throughline to Kim’s former employer, Jordan Kahn, who offers similar presentations at Vespertine and Meteora. The chef has also reconfigured his signature octopus dish as a tender two-bite dish paired with octopus head aioli and a sliver of local citrus. A $190 beverage pairing spanning wine, sake and tea, along with ultra-polished service, befits the high price point, but you can also opt for non-alcoholic options like clarified rhubarb juice with thyme syrup.

While Restaurant Ki employs the usual culinary trappings of luxury, their deployment feels anything but perfunctory. Doenjang, morel mushrooms and a single strand of fermented ramp accompany dried raspberry-dusted lobster tails, carefully grilled over binchotan charcoal. Raspberry might seem like an unlikely pairing for seafood, but it works beautifully and nods to the slightly sweet flavor profile in evidence across many traditional Korean dishes (think of the sweet notes in bulgogi, galbi jjim or even ganjang gejang a.k.a. soy-marinated raw crab). Caviar comes atop a small mountain of purple potato purée, with spearhead squid concealed underneath in a manner not dissimilar to dishes I’ve had at Atomix and Vespertine in the last year.

When I first visited Restaurant Ki, I left convinced that the experience was a little too niche for the average L.A. diner, describing it as a “worthy special-occasion eatery for those who enjoy Korean cuisine, rare seafood, fine dining or all of the above.” My second visit, however, blew all my expectations out of the water, and that was after being forced to reschedule a month later due to Downtown’s ICE-related curfew. Even with the reopening of Baroo and the (temporarily?) now-closed Yangban, L.A.’s upscale Korean dining scene still lacks the general recognition and popularity of Japanese, Italian and French counterparts. Restaurant Ki just might be the tipping point the city needs to change that—chef’s tweezers and all. 

What is it? From my humble point of view, the best sushi omakase ($300) experience in L.A. (Accordingly, it’s also one of the most difficult bookings in town.) 

Why we love it: Hidden in the basement of a Little Tokyo office building and run by longtime L.A. sushi veteran Yoshiyuki Inoue, Kaneyoshi outranks the city’s other high-end sushi bars in luxury, refinement and overall wow factor. The exact seafood used in Kaneyoshi’s 20-odd courses will vary on a seasonal basis, but we’ve yet to taste a better preparation of nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch) and ankimo (monkfish liver), both of which remain constants on the menu. When it comes to ultra-premium sushi, which we define as $250 per head and above, we believe Kaneyoshi provides the best bang for your buck—provided you can get a reservation. For less than what you’ll pay at Atwater’s Morihiro or West Hollywood’s Ginza Onodera, you’ll leave this Little Tokyo sushi bar feeling absolutely divine.

Time Out tip: Bring cash for the parking attendant if you plan to park on-site, and try to be on time; the 7pm nightly seating doesn’t begin until all diners are present.

Address: 111 S San Pedro St, Suite B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 7pm seating

What is it? A three Michelin star Spanish modernist tasting menu in West Hollywood and the most expensive restaurant in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Now led by Aitor Zabala—who’s trained at El Bullí, among other Spanish fine-dining icons—the ambitious 14-seat chef’s counter offers a wealth of whimsical delights befitting of its sky-high price tag, which starts at $795 per person (which includes a non-alcoholic drink pairing). If you opt for one of the wine pairings, the take home price here easily exceeds $1,000 per head. Every detail has been carefully considered, from handcarved wooden plates to the custom steak knives accompanying the txuleta, or ultra-mature steak. Another highlight? The delightfully unorthodox caviar course, served on dashi meringue. Of the four new tasting menus I tried in 2025, Somni was the most memorable. In fact, the meal impressed me so much that I think the brand-new restaurant is one of the city’s best—at least if you can afford it.

Time Out tip: If you happen to have some relatively deep-pocketed friends (a minimum of four, to be exact), it’s far easier to book the private dining room, which has a $995 per person pre-tax minimum.

Address: 9045 Nemo Street, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 7:30pm seating

What is it? A Michelin-starred, Asian-inflected bistro in the Arts District offering a new-school take on fine dining—and a delightful, au courant destination for special occasions or those who don’t bat an eye at dropping $300 on dinner for two.

Why we love it: Within its airy white and blue dining room, Asian American chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George find plenty of creative freedom within the confines of a traditional French bill of fare. A delicate amuse bouche pays homage to the South Asian street snack pani puri, while the gunpowder-spiced anchovies call to mind the tiny, salty fried fish favored in the Philippines and South Korea. No detail goes unnoticed, from the first-rate cocktails to the selfie-ready bathroom. On my most past visits, I’ve enjoyed the sea bream and uni—which resembles a savory granita—and the creamy mussels topped in matchstick potatoes. Dessert is top-notch as well; the pastry-inclined Boonthanakit showcases beautiful, delicate creations like an icy-sweet kiwi trompe l’oeil and a “citrus and milk” that pairs vanilla mouse with otherwordly semicircles of citrus milk sorbet. However, I wouldn’t recommend visiting Camphor on a Thursday evening, when the restaurant exclusively offers a prix-fixe steak frites menu for $65 per person. The classic dish falls short of other versions in the city—I’d rather steer you towards Petit Trois or Santa Monica’s Pasjoli, which has recently retooled its menu to be a little more approachable. 

Time Out tip: Note that the restaurant is typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays (which is slightly atypical), and it only takes online bookings 14 days out. 

Address: 923 E 3rd St, Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Mon, Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–10:30pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A San Gabriel Valley restaurant specializing in imperial cuisine—in other words, an age-old style of cooking, once exclusively reserved for the ruling class, that pulls from all over China but roots itself firmly in Beijing.

Why we love it: You are paying, in part, for the ornately decorated dining room, but I’ve yet to find a better traditional Chinese restaurant for large groups and special occasions than Bistro Na’s. It’s easy to get lost in the extensive, picture-heavy menu, but focus on the signatures like the delicate crispy-skinned shrimp and the braised kurobuta pork belly. One highly sought-after menu item is the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Peking duck, which requires at least one week’s pre-order, at least in theory, but can often be booked out a month in advance. (Only a few are available each night.) For parties of four, I also like the Na’s Assorted Eight for dessert; parties of two can hone in on smaller items like the Na’s Spicy Chicken, stir-fried Angus beef with garlic and the chili tofu skin salad. To be honest, there’s a certain art to ordering here, but with the right combination, Bistro Na’s is one of the best expressions of Chinese cuisine in Los Angeles. 

Time Out tip: For best results, I recommend ordering a few meat and seafood items, at least one rice or noodle dish, one vegetable and a dessert.

Address: 9055 Las Tunas Dr #105, Temple City, CA 91780

Opening hours: Daily 11:30am–2pm, 5–9pm

What is it? The Michelin-starred Atwater sushi bar of L.A. icon Morihiro Onodera, and one of L.A.’s most expensive omakases. 

Why we love it: If money is truly no object, the legendary craftwork at Morihiro is a gourmand’s delight. Book the bar omakase ($400), and you’ll enjoy a mix of kaiseki-style appetizers presented on ceramics made by the veteran chef himself and a diverse array of dry-aged and fresh fish. Compared to other omakases, the room-temperature shari (sushi rice) isn’t sweet at all, with a firm texture, and the slices of fish have an almost muscular quality to them. It all adds up to one of the most sought-after, rarified sushi meals in town, with flawless service and excellent desserts to cap off the night. Best of all is the option, once Onodera finishes making the last nigiri, to repeat as many sushi courses as you like—but personally, I left here full enough after the twenty-odd courses. If I had to pick just one omakase in the $300 or more price range, I honestly still prefer Kaneyoshi, though Morihiro does offer a smaller table omakase ($250) mostly prepared by assistant chefs. Still, Onodera’s 40 years of experience and detail-oriented approach translate to one of the city’s finest omakase experiences—albeit with an insanely high cost of entry.

Time Out tip: At some point in the near future, Morihiro is moving to Echo Park, with plans to offer a more casual a la carte menu that includes cocktails. Yes, that includes a spicy tuna crispy rice at a Michelin-starred joint. You best believe I’ll be one of the first people in the door to check it out.

Address: 3133 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Opening hours: Wed–Sun 6–9pm

What is it? An elegant Michelin-starred West L.A. omakase ($280) run by one of L.A.’s few female sushi chefs.

Why we love it: A sense of restrained elegance threads itself throughout each meal at Mori Nozomi, the newest omakase experience to occupy the former Mori Sushi space. Five nights a week, Sushi Ginza Onodera alumna Nozomi Mori serves an exquisite sushi experience with a touch of Osaka-style flair and elements of traditional Japanese tea ceremony. The all-female team—a rarity in the predominantly male world of sushi—has crafted a standout high-end sushi experience complete with minimalist floral arrangements, an optional artisan tea pairing ($50) and Mori’s delicate one-of-a-kind wagashi at the end of every meal. I loved the thinly sliced penshell clam wrapped in nori and tamago soaked in hot dashi broth, but what really sets the restaurant apart is the grace and beauty of ceremonial tea-serving on display every night of service. 

Time Out tip: Have a particular date in mind? Set your alarm—Tock reservations for Mori Nozomi are released on a rolling monthly basis every Sunday at 10am.

Address: 11500 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 7pm seating

What is it? A Michelin-starred, Japanese-meets-Italian restaurant in the Historic Core renowned for its relatively affordable tasting menu ($150). 

Why we love it: This is one of the city’s best restaurants, and thus makes for an excellent special-occasion dinner the next time you find yourself in Downtown L.A. In my experience, the seasonal menu offers the right mix of value and flair. Chef Josef Centeno’s hyper-creative, genre-bending dishes might see spot prawns, scallops and uni in a flower-dotted rice porridge (a $49 supplement, meant to be split among two), or seasonal cucamelons and heirloom tomatoes with kanpachi. There’s L.A. love, global inflection and a deep understanding of balance in these dishes that make every meal enjoyable. Even after factoring in supplements, tax and tip, it’s still one of the less eye-poppingly expensive fine dining experiences around town. The tasting menu changes daily, and the chef is usually generous with additional dishes unlisted on the menu. 

Time Out tip: Make sure to note Orsa & Winston’s cancellation policy. You’ll be charged the full amount of your meal if you don't cancel at least 24 hours beforehand.

Address: 122 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–10pm

What is it? An ultra-stylish hotel eatery on the Sunset Strip that’s equal parts see-and-be-seen and fine dining destination.

Why we love it: Ardor offers flawless "vegetable-forward" cuisine and an air of sweeping, expensive romance that’ll make you forget all about the fact you’ll have to pay $24 for the EDITION's valet parking, if not more. Here, hosts in slinky white dresses will usher you to the plant-filled, warm-hued dining room—and the overall effect is downright cinematic. Every dish that arrives dazzles here, from the must-order milk bread topped with caramelized beefsteak tomatoes to the skirt steak, which comes with garlic confit and an exquisite red salt. On my last visit, I particularly enjoyed executive chef Patricia Lalu’s seasonal tuna crudo and a skillful rendition of Spanish octopus with potatoes and olive tapenade. Larger groups can splurge on the eye-poppingly expensive gooseberry phyllo pizza drizzled with aged balsamic dinner; the tableside preparation and final product make it well worth the price. (For our full review, click the link below.)

Time Out tip: Book Ardor for your next made-to-impress client meal, anniversary, birthday or other splurge-worthy special occasion.

Address: 9040 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Opening hours: Wed–Sat 6–10pm, Sun 6–9pm