The best restaurants in West Hollywood

Starting at $645 per person (a price that includes a non-alcoholic drink pairing), the newly resurrected Somni is one of the city’s most expensive, difficult-to-snag reservations. Now led by Aitor Zabala—who’s trained at El Bullí, among other Spanish fine-dining icons—this ambitious 14-seat chef’s counter just off Santa Monica Boulevard offers a wealth of whimsical delights befitting of the meal’s nearly $1,000 take-home price tag. 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. In fact, the meal impressed me so much that I think the brand-new restaurant might already be one of the city’s very best.

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.

Equal parts celebrity hotspot and exceptional fine dining destination, this ultra-stylish Sunset Strip hotel eatery 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 $22 for the EDITION's valet parking, if not more. Here, hosts in slinky white dresses and kitten-heeled boots 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. 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. (Reservations only open 14 days in advance.)

At this point, Edomae-style sushi isn’t particularly hard to come by, but you’d be hard-pressed to find it at the same level of renown as this La Cienega Boulevard sushi bar named for (and originating from) the most exclusive neighborhood in Tokyo. Located next to the popular combination restaurant-nightlife spot E.P. & L.P., you’ll feel worlds away from the drunken scene just outside the serene dining room. The nigiri-forward omakase climbs past 20 courses, each bite focused on incredibly high-quality fish that’s been brushed with soy, lightly tempura-battered or served in a pool of ponzu. Of course, all this raw fish mastery doesn’t come cheap: An omakase here will set you back $400—a splurge worth making for some of the finest sushi in L.A.

Time Out tip: It's usually easier to find parking on La Cienega just south of Melrose.

While Suzanne Goin and Caroline Stynes’s iconic eatery is technically just outside WeHo city limits in Beverly Grove, this 20-plus year old L.A. institution should still be on your radar the next time you’re looking to dine around West Hollywood. Known for Mediterranean-inspired small plates and an excellent wine list, this seasonally-driven eatery still dazzles with its beautiful patio and fireside booths for date nights and signature dishes like bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with parmesan and Spanish fried chicken with farm-fresh romesco. Goin, the culinary half of the duo, also rotates in newer dishes to keep the menu fresh for long-time regulars, but you can’t go wrong with the family-style roasted chicken—an ode to San Francisco’s Zuni Café, a farm-to-table spot that helped establish what is now called Californian cuisine.

Time Out tip: Order a glass of wine. A.O.C. has one of the best bottle lists in the city, which translates into a by-the-glass selection that’s far better than average.

While nobody goes to Dan Tana’s for the food alone, this Santa Monica Boulevard stalwart offers the kind of delicious red-sauce Italian fare that’ll transport you back in time, all in an Old Hollywood atmosphere that’ll make you want to knock back a couple of martinis and stay awhile. Seasoned staff members, most of whom have worked at Dan Tana’s for decades, serve patrons in old-school red waiter’s jackets, and the throwback spot is still favored by today’s Hollywood power set, not to mention a cast of locals, who mostly hit the walk-in bar for meals of veal cutlet a la George Clooney and Sinatra’s steak and peppers. While snagging a table here is tough, we couldn’t recommend Dan Tana’s chicken parm more—so pray for an open seat at the bar, or just call ahead for (limited) reservations.

Time Out tip: If you’re dead set on coming here, call 10 days in advance for a reservation.

Seafood lovers, rejoice: This Boston import has finally arrived to the Sunset Strip. A glittering ode to all things fruits de mer, this restaurant originally hails from New England, but has since expanded to both London and L.A. From regional classics like lobster and full-bellied fried clams to a staggering 100-plus kinds of tinned fish, Saltie Girl does it all. The soup-to-nuts menu might not jive with Angelenos used to more tightly curated offerings, but we appreciate the sheer level of variety and over-the-top items like the fried lobster and waffles. The lobster roll is already one of the best in the city, and the caviar offerings impart just the right amount of elegance for those looking to splurge, but even more budget-friendly items like tinned anchovies and an excellent clam chowder impart plenty of delicious ocean flavor.

Time Out tip: There’s free parking in the Sunset Plaza lot just behind the restaurant—a rarity in West Hollywood.

With a dazzling family-style mezze spread and other unique Middle Eastern culinary delights, this elegant, destination-worthy Lebanese concept inside the Kimpton La Peer is the best hotel restaurant we’ve visited in a long time. Run by Top Chef Middle East winner Charbel Hayek, Ladyhawk serves the Beirut native’s winning dish—Spanish ahi tuna crudo—and other California-inspired fare, but the best parts of the concise menu draw from the chef’s heritage cuisine. Highlights include a refreshing, crunchy fattoush (pita salad), a flavorful muhammara (walnut and red pepper spread) and a butterflied dorade with a spicy zhoug (spicy cilantro sauce). Start your meal with the beautifully presented za’atar manoushe, which dresses up the traditional Levantine spiced bread with dots of tomato, cilantro and yogurt sauces that resemble the Lebanese flag.

Time Out tip: On Monday nights, the restaurant offers Mezze Mondays. For $65 per person, you can choose up to two mezzes, two skewers and one dessert.

Catch LA is a definite place to see and be seen, but the restaurant’s pricey, globally inspired menu of seafood, sushi and show-stopping desserts delivers a consistent, crowd-pleasing experience that hits the mark every single time. The West Coast outpost of NYC’s Catch, the Melrose rooftop destination features breathtaking views of the Hollywood Hills and an open-air retractable ceiling that makes the restaurant a little cozier on colder nights. The floral-lined entryway might be among the most Instagrammed spots in West Hollywood, but that’s all part of the fun at Catch LA, whose glitzy ambience, crowd-pleasing fusion cuisine and excellent service combine for a nightlife-oriented dinner where every diner feels like a star.

Time Out tip: You can’t go wrong with any of the desserts, but my two favorites are the Hit Me, which consists of a smash-worthy chocolate ice cream cake, and the Carnival, a mini Ferris wheel of ricotta doughnuts.

For the last two decades, Suzanne Tracht’s Beverly Grove eatery has served a lightly Asian-inspired steakhouse menu that has kept neighborhood locals hooked thanks to the delicious char siu pork chop (once featured on the Cooking Channel’s Best Thing I Ever Ate) and the melt-in-your mouth signature pot roast. The modern chophouse’s elegant dining room has made several notable on-screen appearances, including in La La Land, and for good reason: with a well-made cocktail in hand and delicious food in front of you, the dim-lit space feels downright cinematic. A new sidewalk patio with string lights provides an airier atmosphere, and walk-ins are welcome at the bar, where longtime patrons regularly stop in for a drink and a butterscotch pudding that rivals the one offered by Pizzeria Mozza’s Nancy Silverton—Tracht’s former boss.

Time Out tip: My favorite sides here are the creamed corn, onion rings and duck fried rice. You’re welcome.

The waitlist often rivals Shibuya out in Calabasas, but you’ll find much better quality, reasonably priced nigiri and sashimi at Sushi Fumi, the no-frills storefront along La Cienega whose only distinguishing factor is the small crowd of showily dressed locals milling around on the sidewalk. The unassuming menu includes standard and specialty rolls, plus standard-bearers like monkfish liver, rock shrimp tempura and, of course, spicy tuna crispy rice. No matter how you order, however, you’ll find everything well-made and delicious, from the standout tuna lemon roll to seared albacore belly with garlic chips and ponzu sauce. In truth, I found portions to be a little light, but you can always order more—and compared to nearby spots like Jinpachi and Sushi Tama, the bill at the end of the night is a lot more reasonable. Cheap(er) good sushi in the heart of L.A.? I’d say it’s worth the wait.

Time Out tip: Arrive right before opening to snag a seat; with no reservations, the wait at Sushi Fumi regularly stretches to an hour or more.

If not for the charming, well-heated patio and decent hors d’oeuvres, we wouldn’t necessarily give this new West Hollywood bistro our stamp of approval. That being said, the second location of this Venice cocktail joint fills a solid niche within the upscale neighborhood—a stylish date night spot with excellent drinks, decent, not-too-expensive bar bites and weekend brunch service. It all makes for an easy slide from drinks into dinner at Coucou, where Bouchon Vegas alum Jacob Wetherington offers a cheese-covered “l’haute” dog, a vegan-friendly French dip made with king oyster mushrooms and a straightforward steak tartare that gets the job done. 

Time Out tip: Skip the mains, go all in on appetizers and order Coucou’s popular soft-serve for dessert—it comes with a delicious housemade chocolate magic shell.

Focaccia—or if you want to get technical, schiacciata—sandwiches are all the rage in L.A. right now, and very few match the consistency, excellence and daily availability of chef-owner Mikael Choukroun’s sandwich shop at the corner of Santa Monica Boulevard and Fairfax Avenue. All of the bread is made fresh daily, with new loaves coming out of the oven every two hours. High-quality ingredients run the gamut from classic cured meats like guanciale and mortadella to flavorful chunks of tuna conserva and herbed goat cheese. It’s worth the pit stop (and a fairly tricky parking situation) to pick up one of these hefty sandwiches, which run in the $17 to $27 price range but are easily split among two diners. You can also put half into the fridge for dinner or lunch the next day. My favorite item is the Viale Di Parma, which consists of prosciutto di parma, fig jam, creamy gorgonzola, baby arugula and chopped pistachios.

Time Out tip: In the mood for something sweet? Mamie also serves a handful of dessert panini slathered with Nutella, salted caramel and fig jam.

This fully vegan Mexican eatery on Melrose is home to one of our favorite patios in all of L.A. County, and the food’s half-decent as well. Despite the glittering neighborhood and even more scene-y weekend clientele, Gracias Madre’s beautiful patio manages to create a lively atmosphere that’s welcoming to all—a feat you can chalk up to the courtyard’s 80-year-old olive trees, colorful umbrellas in the afternoon and a fireplace and heat lamps on cooler winter evenings. To start, dip into a bowl of guacamole paired with one of the bar’s phenomenal cocktails, and order one of our favorite entrées from Gracias Madre: the potato pimiento flautas.

Time Out tip: The happy hour here is seriously killer. Available from 3 to 6pm on weekdays, you’ll find steeply discounted margaritas, beer and wine and a $10 “Happy Madre” meal that includes a jackfruit slider, fries and a beer.

Madre is one of the city’s best Oaxacan restaurants, and it’s recently expanded to three locations across Los Angeles, includong one just outside West Hollywood. Each offers regional specialties like banana-leaf wrapped tamales with mole negro, tlayudas and pork ribs coated in creamy coloradito. But what makes the Fairfax Avenue location unique is its mezcal collection, which boasts a staggering selection of over 400 bottles to choose from. Sip your mezcal neat or have it mixed in a spicy cocktail for your next happy hour in Fairfax.

Time Out tip: Madre also has a great weekday happy hour (3–6pm) that includes appetizers for under $12.

Just for you! After closing what everyone thought would be for good in 2018, this beloved Route 66 burger stand has reopened, hopefully for good (with longtime proprietor Sonia Hong and her signature paper plate doodles in tow). Now with an expanded, lightly spruced up menu, this West Hollywood classic offers the same high-quality burgers, fries and shakes, plus a few newer items like pastrami and birthday cookies topped with rainbow sprinkles. Whether you’re a new or old fan of Irv’s, this fast food icon is definitely worth making a pit stop for one of the few casual, everyday meals in WeHo worth going out of your way for.

Time Out tip: If you’re a patty melt lover, you’re in luck; Irv’s serves one of the best renditions in town.

Among its many other claims to fame, WeHo-adjacent Melrose Avenue is home to Tal Ronnen's Crossroads, one of the best vegan fine dining experiences in the country. The warmly lit formal dining room serves a seasonally driven tasting menu full of high-quality produce and playful imitations of traditional meat, eggs and dairy. For a less spendy, extravagant meal, you can also opt for the restaurant’s à la carte menu full of signature dishes, including the spaghetti carbonara with tomato "yolk." Upscale comfort dishes like "chicken" and waffles and a plant-based take on Georgian khachapuri provide equally compelling options at brunch, when sunlight graces over the red banquette booth closest to the windows—the best seats in the house, in our humble opinion.

Time Out tip: For a special occasion, it’s worth it to spring for the seasonal tasting menu ($175), which includes shaved truffles, champagne and a meet-and-greet with the chef.

The pancake-oriented offshoot of nearby Salt's Cure, this is our favorite place in WeHo to grab a no-fuss brunch or breakfast. The counter-service eatery—which also has locations in Santa Monica and NYC's West Village—also offers a killer breakfast sandwich, avocado toast topped with walnut romesco and a couple of sides of molasses-cured pork shoulder, but that’s about it. The focus here, really, is their griddle cakes, and you'll understand it once you try the product: Salty, sweet, doughy and with a crispy exterior, they give any other stack of pancakes in L.A. a run for the money.

Time Out tip: If you’d like the full Salt’s Cure experience, the Hollywood location isn’t very far away.

Who doesn’t love a hot dog-shaped hot dog stand? As fun to visit as it is to say aloud, this iconic roadside stand next to the Shake Shack offers all manner of hot dogs delivered in charming pup-shaped paper boats, including vegan options, burgers and a puppy-shaped hot dog for children of any age. While several timeless options exist on the menu, you can also build your own bun loaded with your choice of toppings; the choice is yours. By night, the room behind the Pup is home to the Lucky Tiki, a speakeasy-style bar that serves a tropical-inspired food menu until 10pm. All of the drinks here are kitschy, strong and delicious—everything we’re looking for in a tiki drink. The only kicker? Reservations, released on a 30-day rolling basis on Resy, are hard to come by, and walk-ins aren’t guaranteed.

Time Out tip: Your best bet for parking is usually along La Cienega, which requires a few minutes walk to get to the restaurant.

With locations in Silver Lake, Venice and Las Vegas, Kris Yenbamroong's nationally renowned new-school Thai joint might be a mini-empire today, but the West Hollywood original still serves a unique and flavorful menu like no other Thai spot in town. Inspired equally by the street foods of Bangkok’s night markets (hence the name) and the pork-centric cuisine of northern Thailand, Night + Market offers a rotating menu that practically begs for a glass of natural wine or ice-cold beer; every drinking-oriented dish goes all gas, no brakes on salt, spice and umami flavors, including the signature "party wings" and signature fried chicken sandwich.

Time Out tip: This is the only Night + Market location in L.A. that has a full liquor license—so take full advantage of it and order a cocktail with your meal.

Whether you’re in Brentwood, West Hollywood, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake or Marina del Rey, this neo-Neapolitan pizzeria delivers consistently excellent wood-fired pies, antipasti and salads that will transport you to Italy, the birthplace of head chef Daniele Uditi. Here, the longtime pizzaiolo uses family recipes Uditi’s inherited, and dough is made using a decades-old starter that’s been in his family for generations. Plus, the Robertson Boulevard location’s narrow but long patio serves as the perfect casual hideaway for lunch or dinner in the area. 

Time Out tip: The reason most people come here is in the name, but don’t skip out on the pasta and dolci at Pizzana; Uditi puts just as much effort into both as the pies.

On the far end of West Hollywood, June Intrachat's modern Thai restaurant quietly serves one of the only Thai breakfast offerings in town and an affordable, simple evening menu of traditional dishes and more creative riffs, like calamari dusted with matcha powder and served with a side of creamy sriracha sauce. Highlights of the all-day breakfast and lunch menu includes khao kai jiew (Thai ground chicken omelet) rice bowl and the "It's a Joke," Intrachat's signature rice porridge. For a Thai take on your average breakfast skillet, order the kai-kata—a delicious savory blend of fried eggs, lap cheong sausage and ground chicken topped with green onions and served with a side of sliced baguette.

Time Out tip: The breakfast menu is available all day—including Otus Thai’s excellent brioche French toast.

In search of a delicious, spendy meal in West Hollywood with a lively atmosphere to score major cool points? Rosaliné fits the bill. Founded by prolific local chef Ricardo Zarate, this tiny Peruvian-ish restaurant on Melrose serves family-style skillets of chaufa peppered with Italian pancetta, Chinese lap cheong sausage, Filipino bagoong (shrimp paste) and local prawns, plus vibrant ceviches that shimmer with citrus, chili and other seasonings. The hanging plants in the dining room give the intimate space an almost tropical feel, and the cocktails here are superb—making this spot one of the most underrated date night and special occasion eateries in the area.

Time Out tip: If you’re in search of truly knockout Peruvian cuisine, head to Zarate’s current project, the Hummingbird, in Echo Park.

This West Hollywood institution has been around before the city even existed, and it's an excellent place to tuck into Russian and Ukrainian cuisine circa the late USSR. Its namesake translates into tavern, a place to enjoy food and drinks with others. Signature dishes include borscht, a Ukrainian-inspired, beef-based soup with beets, cabbage, potatoes and dill, and their chicken tabaka, a pan-seared Cornish hen in garlic wine sauce. If you're more of a beef person, try the beef stroganoff: sliced beef in a mushroom cream sauce served with mashed potatoes. Craving a shot? Their homemade infused vodka comes in unique flavors such as cranberry, pepper garlic and lemon. Your chaser: a sliver of pickled cucumber. Cheers! 

Time Out tip: Try something new here. You may not enjoy it, but a meal at Traktir is a culinary experience worth having.