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The Best Bars for Foodies in Los Angeles

by The OpenTable Team

Updated December 15, 2023

In Los Angeles, the best drinking establishments and the best restaurants are often one and the same. The city is home to countless spots that showcase the kind of creativity that this city is fueled with. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Check out our Tastemaker List. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned diners. From the best Santa Monica bars to the coolest spots in downtown LA, here are some of the city's best for cocktails and creative cuisine, each with a special star quality of its own.

A photo of The Tower Bar restaurant

4.7

4.7 (1979)

$50 and over

Californian

West Hollywood

About the restaurant

The request “No photographs, no phone calls” printed on every menu at The Tower Bar strongly hints at its provenance as a wining-and-dining haven for Hollywood elites, but the bright, airy dining space plus poolside terrace is warm and welcoming with a fireplace, rose-colored lighting and numerous cozy nooks encased in walnut paneling. Its home at the historic Sunset Tower Hotel (est. 1929) on the Sunset Strip lends authenticity to the Golden-Age-of-Hollywood atmosphere. The soundtrack is jazz piano, the cocktails are classic and the curated wine list long on champagne and California labels. Menus leaning toward seasonal salads and smoothies plus shared-plate comfort food appeal to a discerning, wellness-minded clientele.

Top review

D

Daniella

Dined 3 days ago

It’s always such a pleasure having a meal at the tower. The place is beautiful, but what makes it more special is the familiar and friendly faces. Over the years, Barbara always remembers my husband and I, even down to the table we always like to sit at. She feels like the matriarch of the place. Angel is a complete angel. He always provides the best service and conversation. We are always sad when we come in oh his off days. Overall, our favorite place to go with our favorite people to see.

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A photo of Chicken Pot Pie of a restaurant

Chicken Pot Pie

A photo of Christmas Eve at Sunset Tower of a restaurant

Christmas Eve at Sunset Tower

A photo of Christmas Day Dinner at Sunset Tower of a restaurant

Christmas Day Dinner at Sunset Tower

A photo of Cecconi's West Hollywood restaurant

Cecconi's West Hollywood

4.7

4.7 (4923)

$30 and under

Italian

West Hollywood

About the restaurant

Serving up fine Venetian cuisine to a contemporary Californian crowd, the West Hollywood Cecconi’s (one of seven international locations) features plenty of plant-based, produce-forward and gluten-free dishes along with its signature handmade pasta. From the fresh minimalism of its carpaccios and tartare to the wood-and-charcoal baked gnocchis and eggplant parmigiana, the menu spans all diners’ desires. Another highlight is the wood-oven pizza with squash blossom, black truffle, and goat cheese. The cocktail menu features signature concoctions incorporating heady house-made tonics and nods to Italy with individual aperitivo, spritz and negroni lists. Cecconi’s is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily, plus brunches on the weekend.

Top review

K

Kirsten

Dined 3 days ago

Loved the ambience & decor. We had wished our waiter was a bit more friendly. The food was delish !!

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A photo of Rigatoni Bolognese of a restaurant

Rigatoni Bolognese

A photo of Tiramisu of a restaurant

A photo of Chicken Paillard Cherry Tomatoes Arugula of a restaurant

Chicken Paillard Cherry Tomatoes Arugula

A photo of Musso & Frank Grill restaurant

Musso & Frank Grill

4.8

4.8 (11215)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Hollywood

About the restaurant

Many an L.A. bar evokes old Hollywood as a concept; at Musso & Frank Grill, open since 1919 and older than the Hollywood sign, it’s reality. The bar is independently considered one of the best in America, as are its martinis. In the now-relocated Back Room, William Faulkner, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Kurt Vonnegut wrote and drank in peace around the mahogany bar and leather booths. Patrons soak in the nostalgia while sipping a classic cocktail, and when hunger strikes it’s time to go old school. Red-jacketed servers still present dishes enjoyed a century ago—old-school steaks, chops and roasts, deli-style sandwiches and daily specials like corned beef and cabbage on a Tuesday and duck confit on a Sunday.

Top review

E

Erin

Dined 4 days ago

A classic in every sense. Continuing to safe keep the wonderful parts of the past for us to enjoy now. Feed your inner Bogie or Bacall, get a vintage cocktail mixed to perfection, order the dish your grandparents would have & don't forget dessert (cheesecake is the OG but the Chocolate cake is rich & lovely too). After dinner, belly up to the bar for a nightcap. Enjoy.

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A photo of Ribeye Steak of a restaurant

A photo of Filet Mignon of a restaurant

A photo of Spaghetti and Meatballs of a restaurant

Spaghetti and Meatballs

A photo of Catch LA restaurant

4.7

4.7 (10192)

$31 to $50

Seafood

West Hollywood

About the restaurant

Catch LA, which occupies a 12,000-square-foot rooftop space on Melrose in West Hollywood, is the latest offering from Eugene Remm and Mark Birnbaum, the “Kings of New York Nightlife.” The duo bring their signatures—Asian-influenced seafood, open-air dining and a vibrant club-meets-dinner scene—to a venue boasting a retractable roof and incredible views of the downtown skyline and Hollywood Hills. With an A-list clientele and Instagram-famous #HitMe cake, the vibe is young, pretty and anything-goes. Stop in for a New York-themed cocktail or a selection from an extensive list of high-end Scotches, sakes and cognacs, and order from the raw bar or opt for a full sit-down dinner. The Catch Roll (crab, salmon and miso-honey), Cantonese lobster and wagyu short rib tacos are among the most popular options.

Top review

A

Alondra

Dined 1 day ago

Ambience was everything. Dont forget to order the baked king crab rolls! They were delicious.

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A photo of Mushroom Spaghetti of a restaurant

Mushroom Spaghetti

A photo of Truffle Butter Filet of a restaurant

Truffle Butter Filet

A photo of Mushroom Penne of a restaurant

A photo of AKASHA restaurant

4.6

4.6 (3812)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Culver City

About the restaurant

AKASHA, which opened in 2008 in the historic Hill Building in Culver City, is the brainchild of its namesake and chef-owner Akasha Richmond. The self-taught phenom championed seasonal and sustainable cuisine before it was cool, and she brings to AKASHA’s menus global influences from Hawaii and Mexico to Italy and India. Richmond’s background in art and yoga infuses a touch of hippie chic to the venue’s steel, concrete and brick structure. Those scoring a seat at the bar might order a fresh juice cocktail (CBD is an optional add-in) along with organic fries and street-food snacks from the afternoon menu. Weekend brunches come with special cocktails like the farmers market sangria.

Top review

J

John

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

Just Delicious all the way around! Fish was done to perfection.

A photo of Spago - Beverly Hills restaurant

Spago - Beverly Hills

4.8

4.8 (5829)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Beverly Hills

About the restaurant

Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant is nothing short of exquisite. Every ingredient, from a humble summer squash or heirloom tomato to the world’s finest caviar and truffles, gets treated with the utmost reverence. The multi-course California Tasting Menu for the whole table turns dinner into an unforgettable occasion, but locals and visitors might also stop in for a playfully named cocktail (the establishment might exude sophistication but it’s not above making guests order an I’m So Sexy or Hot Legs) and some bar bites. The smoked salmon pizza is a Spago icon that never leaves the menu.

Top review

J

Jay

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

From the moment we walked in, until we left, the experience was just spectacular! Jason E hosted us the entire time we were there celebrating my wife’s birthday. His attention to detail and service was just exemplary! Thank you spago team, for an unforgettable night! Both my wife and I, were simply amazed by your hospitality! Jay K.

A photo of Perch LA restaurant

4.6

4.6 (11786)

$31 to $50

French / American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Perch LA bills itself “an elevated resting place,” a reference to its unforgettable setting on the 15th and 16th floors of the landmark Pershing Square Building downtown. From its open-air lounge, warmed by fireplaces and fire pits, patrons take in 360-degree views of the city that change as the sun sets. Meanwhile the vibe of Perch LA transforms from bohemian Parisian bistro with a jazz soundtrack to a cool late-night cocktail bar slash club. In between is an aperitif hour, which along with the drinks list sprinkled with rare cognacs and French cordials, is a nod to the bar’s Old World inspiration. The brie en croute and pork belly and watermelon skewer both go nicely with Paris-inspired cocktails heavy on citrus, spice and herbaceous notes.

Top review

S

Shaddai

Dined 5 days ago

BEAUTIFUL VENUE! The service was wonderful and everyone was so warm and friendly. The view is amazing and the food is great. Definitely a good vibe.

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A photo of Filet Mignon au Poivre of a restaurant

Filet Mignon au Poivre

A photo of Steak Frites of a restaurant

A photo of Crab Benedict of a restaurant

A photo of Ca Del Sole restaurant

4.8

4.8 (4036)

$31 to $50

Italian

Toluca Lake

About the restaurant

Serving authentic Italian fare near the studios in Toluca Lake, Ca Del Sole is a weekday lunch hot spot, and on weekends its sunny brick terrace is a delightful destination for brunch with Bellinis. Special brunch drinks come with complimentary refills. An all-night happy hour encourages a cheerful atmosphere for enjoying Italy-inspired versions of classic cocktails like the margarita Disaronno and Aperol daiquiri. Both owner and chef are Italy-born and trained, so expect traditional dishes with contemporary twists. The mezzelune di zucca baruca (pumpkin-stuffed pasta with a butter and sage sauce) and an authentic ossobuco are highly recommended.

Top review

S

Susan

Dined 2 days ago

Servers were very attentive and the food was delicious. So many great choices on this menu!!

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A photo of Rigatoni alla Buttera of a restaurant

Rigatoni alla Buttera

A photo of CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Beverly Wilshire restaurant

CUT by Wolfgang Puck at Beverly Wilshire

4.7

4.7 (2877)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Beverly Hills

About the restaurant

The sleek and sophisticated steakhouse, CUT by Wolfgang Puck, has its walls adorned with custom art and photography, an open kitchen and sleek dining room. Its home is the historic (circa 1929) Beverly Wilshire hotel at Wilshire and Rodeo, where CUT holds its own as an integral element of an icon. The menu of course features the highest-quality beef, expertly sourced from Nebraska and Idaho to Japan and Australia. Hungry patrons can order whole roasts for the table and steaks of all sizes slow-grilled over oak and mesquite. The bar holds all the spirits (seriously, all of them) and the wine list stretches across pages and pages. Diners who want to dial back on the excess can order from the lounge menu.

Top review

J

jihoon

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

It was perfect experience. Hope to visit next time again.

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A photo of Wagyu Porterhouse of a restaurant

Wagyu Porterhouse

A photo of Bone-In Filet Mignon of a restaurant

Bone-In Filet Mignon

A photo of New Year's Eve 2024 Second Seating of a restaurant

New Year's Eve 2024 Second Seating

A photo of AOC - Brentwood restaurant

AOC - Brentwood

4.5

4.5 (3338)

$31 to $50

Californian

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne (also owners of Lucques) bring their signature farmers market showcasing cuisine to Brentwood at Tavern. The dinner menu comes categorized into small (green salads, lamb meatballs, Spanish fried chicken), medium (grain salads, skewers, shellfish in broth) and large (salmon, duck, short ribs and steak frites), and there are shareable vegetable sides special enough to hold their own as vegetarian options. The cocktail menu leans toward culinary ingredients: there’s cucumber, arugula and jalapeno in the Goddess and guava, yuzu and maple in the Crying Tree. Happy hour, daily in the Blue Room, offers great deals on drinks and snacks.

Top review

J

Junevip

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Had a really nice lunch/brunch in the pretty re-decorated front room. Burger was delish! Service was good but we were a bit put off by the following two thongs: 1- Fresh bread (which was very good) was $9.00! And we were not told that there was a charge for bread. 2- They added a $6.00 “hospitality charge” for the health care of their employees. It felt wrong to charge without first advising us of the charge. They did remove that though. Note that a nice touch is that if you park in the back, they validate parking for 90 minutes. We loved the food though!

A photo of Nobu Los Angeles restaurant

Nobu Los Angeles

4.5

4.5 (3545)

$50 and over

Japanese

West Hollywood

About the restaurant

Can the Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine created by superstar chef Matsuhisa still be considered unique when it’s launched a global empire of over 40 restaurants and hotels? Does it matter? Hit Nobu's West Hollywood venue and enjoy selections from a menu rich in creamy-spicy-crispy dishes and Nobu-style tacos and cocktails. Few places do sushi and sashimi better. The bar tapas menu is available nightly until late, with plates perfect beside a hot sake or spicy acai martini.

Top review

K

Kahlil

Dined 4 days ago

Me and my wife went and we had a blast we had a great waiter named Justin who checked on us and made sure we had a phenomenal experience. My wife had the Fish and Chips while I had the Prime Rib which was sublime. We enjoyed a complimentary desert with congratulations on it due to me and my wife being pregnant with triplets, this was a great experience I highly recommend.

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A photo of Lobster of a restaurant

A photo of Black Cod with Miso of a restaurant

Black Cod with Miso

A photo of Yellowtail of a restaurant

A photo of Via Veneto restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1072)

$50 and over

Italian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

For intimate fine-dining Italian in Santa Monica, make a reservation at Via Veneto on Main Street. Candlelight and twinkling crystal chandeliers promise pure romance, all augmented by cathedral-inspired art work and a stunning stone floor. A comprehensive wine list makes up for the lack of a full bar, and you'll certainly want to raise a glass to an exquisite meal of Italian classics like cacio e pepe, amatriciana, bolognese, or special dishes featuring veal, octopus or langoustines.

Top review

A

Alice

Dined 7 days ago

Wonderful authentic Italian! The wine list is great and the staff are so welcoming and knowledgeable. Favorite place to walk to when we want to splurge on a delicious date

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