Watch CBS News

15 Hottest Restaurants In Los Angeles Right Now

gjusta 610
(credit: Tuyet N./Yelp)

In a city like Los Angeles, residents are always on to the next best thing. It's no different with LA's large selection of restaurants, too. Unlike most cities where restaurants are around for years, Los Angeles is always innovating, and changing. With residents always wanting to know the best restaurants to eat at this moment, we've put together a list of the hottest and most in spots to go to.

broken spanish
(credit: Alex P./Yelp)

Broken Spanish
1050 S Flower St
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 749-1460
www.brokenspanish.com

Located in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Spanish is the brainchild of chef Ray Garcia. Opening in the former Rivera space, Broken Spanish delights guests with unique Mexican cuisine in a casual and beautiful restaurant. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Garcia's Latin upbringing is everywhere in the dishes, including the Camote (sweet potato, pig's tails, chile de arbol and verjus), as well as items like the lamb neck tamales with king oyster mushroom and queso Oaxaca.

b.s. tacqueria
(credit: Julia G./Yelp)

B.S. Taqueria
514 W 7th St
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 622-3744
www.bstaqueria.com

With Broken Spanish under his belt, Ray Garcia is everywhere in the LA Mexican food scene these days. Opened just this year, B.S. Taqueria has become an instant hit for locals with tasty tacos (carnitas are a must), and entree plates like the beef torta with beef milanesa, pickled beet, iceberg lettuce and Escabeche. Great starters include the Lemon-Pepper Chicken Chicharrones, as well as the Duritos, a puffed wheat cracker with chile-lime. Follow up with churros or the tres leches cake for dessert and you'll be in heaven.

jon and vinny's
(credit: Jin Y./Yelp)

Jon & Vinny's
412 N Fairfax Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 334-3369
www.jonandvinnys.com

Serving Italian-American favorites like pizzas, pastas, salads, meatballs and more, Jon & Vinny's sits right across the street from famed diner Canter's and is helping lead the charge of new and exciting restaurants sprouting up all over Fairfax Ave. Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo, the owners behind the restaurant, know what they're doing. In fact, they're behind hugely successful restaurants Trois Mec, Petit Trois, Son of a Gun and Animal. At Jon & Vinny's, diners enjoy items like the "Supreme" pizza with mortadella, mozarella, provoline picante, red onions, mustard greens and chili oils, as well as pastas like the Ricotta & Egg Yolk Ravioli.

mare
(credit: Mare)

Maré
7465 Melrose Ave
Los Angeles, CA
(323) 592-3226
www.maremelrose.com

Chef Eric Greenspan's Maré is a welcome neighborhood addition to Melrose Ave. As the brains behind Greenspan's Grilled Cheese and other eateries in the LA scene, Maré is tucked away behind the popular Melrose Umbrella Co. bar and offers a simple, yet tasty menu, of items like the whole branzino, a skirt steak, and shellfish options like black mussels, clams or shrimp.

love & salt
(credit: Jeannine M./Yelp)

Love & Salt
317 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
(310) 545-5252
www.loveandsaltla.com

With Michael Fiorelli and Rebecca Merhej in the kitchen at Love & Salt, the California-inspired menu at Manhattan Beach's Love & Salt, churns out tasty Italian dishes and small plates like wood oven pizza's (try the Roasted Mushroom with creamy taleggio, fontina and thyme), as well as house made pastas, and large plates like a roasted whole chicken, a Mediterranean branzino and a Rabbit Porchetta. You'll want to save room for dessert though. The toasted almond caramel tart and meyer lemon tart are favorites.

Redbird_pc_DYLAN+JENI
(credit: Redbird)

Redbird
114 E 2nd St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 788-1191
www.redbird.la

Neal Fraser's long overdue Redbird restaurant opened inside the site of the former Vibiana Cathedral. Serving California-inspired dishes, you might have trouble finding out what to order as everything here is great and certainly worth a taste. Stand out dishes include the Santa Barbara Sea Urchin with north sea shrimp, nori and wasabi snow, as well as the Spit Grilled Lamb Belly, Burrata Salad, and the Day Boat Scallops.

GJUSTA
(credit: Tuyet N./Yelp)

Gjusta
320 Sunset Ave
Venice, CA 90291
(310) 314-0320
www.gjusta.com

Everyone's talking about Gjusta these days. And it's all thanks to the team behind LA favorite Gjelina. Situated on an unassuming street in Venice, Gjusta's setting alone is one to feel great in. With sweet and savory treats from its bakery, as well as delicious sandwiches and sides, you'll want to try favorites like the prime rib sandwich, or banh mi. They also smoke their own fish.

Maradentro
(Credit: Mary O./Yelp)

Maradentro
11929 Ventura Blvd
Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 358-3423
www.maradentrorestaurant.com

Serving rich flavors of Mexican seafood, Studio City's Maradentro is thanks to Jesse Gomez and Executive Chef/Partner Jose Acevedo. Those in the foodie scene know Jose Acevedo quite well as he's behind the hugely popular Mercado restaurant, as well as Yxta Cocina Mexicana. What's good? Signature dishes include the Chile Relleno de Siete Mares, warm and creamy Oysters "Rajafeller", and Chef Jose's irresistible Carnitas. With ocean-fresh fish and shellfish, handmade corn tortillas, the finest produce picked from local farmers' markets, the selection of dishes you'll want to order here is practically endless. The bar also offers a great selection of mezcal, tequila and great beer. Or, try out signature cocktails like the Laurel Canyon Burro (whiskey, ginger syrup, lime, ginger beer).

Simbal
(credit: Larry Y./yelp)

Simbal
319 E 2nd St Suite 202
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 626-0244
www.simbalrestaurant.com

Set away in Downtown's Little Tokyo, Simbal serves delicious southeast Asian fare amidst the downtown's beautiful cityscape. Chef Shawn Pham, who can credit training from some of the world's finest dining establishments, including in Vietnam is a lesson in Asian cooking. Combining tradition and playfulness, the menu includes small plates like the banh mi salad, the Steamed rice cake with shrimp powder, crispy pork skin, fish sauce, and the Lemongrass grilled pork ribs.

Cassia_Raw Bar_Photo Credit Rick Poon
(credit: Rick Poon)

Cassia
1314 7th St
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 393-6699
www.cassiala.com

As partnership between husband and wife Bryant and Kim Ng, as well as Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, Cassia brings together flavors of Southeast Asia with unique cuisine and modern influences. Sourcing ingredients from local farmers, Cassia is housed in an impressive space with seating both inside and outside. The menu includes items like Kaya Toast with cocounut jam, butter and a slow cooked egg, as well as seafood items like black cod and a whole grilled sea bass, as well as meat & poultry and rice and noodle dishes.

Odys + Penelope
(credit: Nancy G./Yelp)

Odys + Penelope
127 La Brea Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 939-1033
www.odysandpenelope.com

Straight from the closing of Hatfield's, wife/husband team Quinn and Karen Hatfield are at it again with Odys + Penelope. Opened in January 2015, the La Brea eatery, which boasts a beautiful dining room, serves an eclectic menu of "flavorful and simply prepared California fare" along with a "strong emphasis on locally sourced and sustainable meats, seafood and seasonal vegetables." Offering small bites and starters like the grilled bread crostini, main dishes that stand out include the Grilled Line Caught Swordfish, the house made pappardelle and the marinated Niman Ranch skirt steak.

E.P._Wagyu Beef Tartare Cracker Party
(credit: EP & LP)

EP & LP
603 N La Cienega Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(310) 855-9955
www.eplosangeles.com

Serving Thai and Vietnamese fare, EP/LP is one of the city's premiere dining and drinking establishments. Guests here are treated to a venue with two themes essentially. EP is the supper club with menu dishes inspired by chef Louis Tikaram, while LP is the expansive rooftop bar with terrific views of LA.

birch
(credit: Mary Jane D./Yelp)

Birch
1634 N Cahuenga Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(323) 960-3369
www.birchlosangeles.com

Opened in March, 2015, Birch comes to Los Angeles thanks to Chef Brendan Collins. Known for his British pub fare, Collins is most notably recognized for his involvement in the now shuttered Waterloo & City. The magnificently designed small restaurant with a minimalist vibe features a menu of flavor-rich food including lunch and dinner options. Lunch favorites include sandwiches and tartines like the shrimp toast, fish and chips, and the 8oz prime beef burger, whereas, for dinner, you'll want to try the crispy shrimp and calamari, maine scallop with cauliflower, and sweet & sour pine nuts, as well as the pork shank. For dessert, its the skillet toffee pudding all the way. The restaurant also serves brunch too!

[FEATURE] belcampo 3
(credit: Belcampo)

Belcampo Meat Co.
317 S Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 625-0304
www.belcampomeatco.com

When it debuted at Downtown LA's Grand Central Market, Belcampo Meat Co. was a instant favorite. Today, residents of LA can rejoice as the brand has opened a fully operational restaurant where customers can enjoy offerings like their famed burger.

Baltaire---Shellfish-Plateau---Photo-Credit-Kristin-Teig1
(credit: Kristin Teig)

Baltaire
11647 San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(424) 273-1660
www.baltaire.com

Opened by the team behind Coral Tree Cafe, Red Room Food & Wine Bar and Comoncy, Baltaire is Brentwood's newest and biggest steakhouse. Set in the old Cheesecake Factory space, the modern designed Baltaire spits out everything you'd come to expect from a steakhouse from Executive chef Travis Strickland and more. Seafood towers, king crab, shrimp, oysters, Maine lobster, and a Dover sole filleted are among the stand out favorites for seafood here. But, if you're a meat kind of person, cuts of beef include A5 Japanese Wagyu, a porterhouse for two, a 35 day, dry aged cote de boeuf and much much more.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.