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Never short on sophistication, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, and the Westside are known for their high-profile eateries that often have paparazzi camped outside.
Legendary Italian chef Massimo Bottura opened this spot, his first L.A. eatery, to loads of fanfare and celebrity sightings. The restaurant mirrors the Florence, Italy, location of the same name with a menu filled with favorites like a mouthwatering tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano crema. The locale sits atop the roof of the Gucci retail outlet on Rodeo Drive with prime positioning for watching the high-end shoppers and glitzy denizens of the neighborhood.
Wolfgang Puck's flagship restaurant is a modern L.A. classic. Spago centers on a buzzing redbrick outdoor courtyard (with retractable roof) shaded by 100-year-old olive trees, and a daily-changing menu that offers dishes like smoked salmon pizza or off-menu schnitzel. Dessert is magical, with everything from an ethereal mango soufflé to artisanal cheeses. Opt for the tasting menu as it comes with a personal tour of the kitchen, and if you’re lucky, a meet and greet with Puck himself.
A favorite since 1947, this unassuming joint with a horseshoe-shaped counter—no tables here—turns out one heck of a good burger. Try the cheeseburger with Tillamook cheddar, or the hickory burger with barbecue sauce. You can also find great fries and, of course, an apple pie indulgent enough to christen the restaurant (although many regulars argue that the banana cream deserves the honor). Be prepared to wait, though the veteran countermen move at a quick pace. In the meantime, grab a cup of Sanka and enjoy a taste of vintage Los Angeles.
A Euro--Vietnamese fusion gem in the heart of Beverly Hills, Crustacean allows you to walk on water above exotic fish and see the kitchen preparing your perfect garlic noodles through a glass window. Standouts (besides the noodles) include Dungeness crab, A5 Wagyu beef, tuna cigars, and hearts-of-palm crab cakes. The cocktail program also brings the heat with turmeric mules and artichoke old-fashioneds.
In a true collision of artistic titans, celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck presents his take on steak houses in a space designed by Getty Center architect Richard Meier. Playful dishes like bone-marrow flan take center stage, while dry-aged and seared hunks of Nebraskan sirloin prove the Austrian-born chef understands America's love affair with beef. Other favorites include the “Louis” cocktail (Alaskan king crab and Louisiana shrimp) and dark chocolate soufflé for dessert.
La Dolce Vita, the iconic Beverly Hills Italian spot, is back, bringing old-school charm with a fresh twist. Originally opened in 1966, it was a Rat Pack favorite, and its dimly lit, red-leather-booth vibes remain. Expect classic Italian dishes, stiff martinis, and a taste of Hollywood history—revived for a new era.
Matū is a steak restaurant that features 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef from New Zealand. Diners are treated to a cavalcade of meaty options, but you should opt for the (surprisingly) affordable Matū dinner that comes with five courses and includes everything from steak tartare to eight-hour braised beef cheek. If you come for lunch, you can partake in the best Philly cheesesteak in the city made with the same exceptional beef.
A longtime refuge from California's lean cuisine, Nate 'n' Al's serves up steaming pastrami, matzo ball soup, and potato latkes. Big-time media and entertainment insiders are often seen kibbitzing at this old-time East Coast–style establishment. There can be a bit of a wait, so plan accordingly.
Tucked into the back of Sugarfish (a popular sushi chain) in the middle of Beverly Hills, this secret omakase sushi spot has only 10 seats, where master chef Osamu Fujita slices up the freshest cuts of raw fish from a 20+-course tasting menu. If you ever wanted to get a one-on-one with a culinary wizard, this is your chance as you sit a foot away from the chef while he prepares your perfect portions. Reservations aren't easy, but can be made 60 days in advance.
Nothing says Beverly Hills quite like the Polo Lounge inside the Beverly Hills Hotel. This classic, monied spot is home to Hollywood royalty and entertainment luminaries noshing on lobster Nicoise or the famed Wagyu burger during power lunches. A beautiful flower-lined courtyard provides a modicum of privacy for celebrity A-, B-, and C-listers, while inside features live piano music every night of the week. Afternoon tea is a favorite for locals and the Sunday jazz brunch is the perfect way to end your weekend. Note that there's a loose dress code here, which means no baseball hats, ripped jeans, men's tank tops, or the like.
In fast-paced Century City, this quaint restaurant pays homage to comfort food classics. Look for chicken potpie, macaroni and cheese, roast beef sandwiches, and a slew of hearty salads. A great breakfast or lunch detour as you make your way to the beaches, Clementine has a bakery case that's filled to the brim with slices of banana bread with cream-cheese frosting, oatmeal raisin cookies, and freshly made cinnamon rolls (Saturday only).
Accommodating Century City's growing legions of agents and lawyers, Craft, around since 2007, is a major film industry hangout. At the helm is Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio, who whips up shared plates like roasted octopus and foie gras with apple butter. Boutique produce goes into the plethora of side dishes, and desserts may include triple chocolate sunflower cookies or house-made ice creams and sorbets. In its open, airy dining room, deals are brokered over lunches made with seasonal ingredients.
This family-owned restaurant specializes in the subtle cooking of one of Mexico's most respected culinary regions: Oaxaca. The flavors here are intense without being fiery, as families dine under Mexican-themed murals and antique masks. Try this version of chiles rellenos: bright green chili peppers stuffed with chicken, raisins, and nuts. Don't miss any of the complex moles ladled over chicken, pork, salmon, or extra-tender stewed goat. For dessert, there's fried sweet plantains topped with crème fraîche.
Locals line up outside the door for Versailles's respectable, bargain-priced Cuban food. Diners go crazy over the citrusy mojo-marinated chicken seasoned with loads of garlic; others prefer flank steak, paella, or ropa vieja (shredded beef).
Co-owned by trumpeter Herb Albert, Vibrato takes a high-road approach to a jazz club: this is a stylish, acoustically perfect venue where every table has a view of the stage. The kitchen is as notable as the music; it turns out contemporary American fare such as pan-roasted sea bass with a fennel-leek ragu, macaroni and cheese with bacon-parmesean crust, and USDA Prime steaks. Art on the walls was painted by the Grammy-winning owner himself.
