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Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philosophy at many levels—from fine dining to street snacks.
With a growing interest in farm-to-fork, the city's farmers' market scene has exploded, becoming popular at big-name restaurants and small eateries alike. In Hollywood and Santa Monica you can often find high-profile chefs scouring farm stands for fresh produce.
Yet the status of the celebrity chef continues to carry weight around this town. People follow the culinary zeitgeist with the same fervor as celebrity gossip. You can queue up with the hungry hordes at Mozza or try and snag a reservation to the ever-popular Trois Mec that’s much like getting a golden ticket these days. Elsewhere, the seasonally driven bakery and insanely popular Huckleberry in Santa Monica has been given a Brentwood counterpart with the rustically sweet Milo & Olive created by the same owners. In Culver City, a run-down International House of Pancakes has been turned into the ski chalet–inspired A-Frame Tavern. The Ace Hotel opened an L.A. chapter Downtown, creating a hip haven when you can enjoy cocktails and locally sourced menu items poolside or in the restaurant.
Ethnic eats continue to be a backbone to the L.A. dining scene. People head to the San Gabriel Valley for dim sum, ramen, and unassuming taco lounges; Koreatown for epic Korean cooking and late-night coffeehouses; and West L.A. and "the Valley" for phenomenal sushi. Latin food is well represented in the city, making it tough to choose between Guatemalan eateries, Peruvian restaurants, nouveau Mexican bistros, and Tijuana-style taco trucks. With so many dining options, sometimes the best strategy is simply to drive and explore.
As one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants, chef-owner Gino Angelini's consistently prepares impressive classic dishes, like whole branzino, tagliolini al limone, veal chop alla Milanese, as well as lasagna oozing with besciamella (Italian béchamel sauce). Be sure to select one of the Italian wines to complement your meal.
Though it’s a relative newcomer to the dining scene, Bacetti instantly established itself as one of L.A.’s best Italian restaurants, serving Roman-inspired dishes with a California twist in a stylish, sprawling, wood-framed dining room and patio. This farm-driven, Roman trattoria--inspired spot, tucked in Echo Park’s intimate commercial strip in the midst of a quiet residential neighborhood, is worth a trip, if only for the Focaccia Ebraica, which has gained a little cult following. Salads here are a revelation, as are the antipasti, pastas, and desserts.
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.
A trio of restaurants by star chef Nancy Silverton, MozzaPlex consists of Pizzeria Mozza, an elevated pizza and wine spot where you can watch them toss, top, and pour; celebrity hot spot Osteria Mozza, a beloved upscale Italian restaurant with memorable pastas; and Chi Spacca, a local favorite for grilled proteins, salads, and savory pies. Be sure to look at the all-Italian wine list offering bottles from Piedmont, Friuli, and Tuscany.
There’s a Michelin-quality Italian restaurant hiding in plain sight in Pasadena. The small and homey space where Northern Italy meets California is typically filled to the brim as diners await heaven-sent local wild mushrooms with polenta or the squid-ink lumache (shell pasta) with Maine lobster. Make sure you come with a healthy appetite and a desire to drink—the wine list will not disappoint.
The fresh pasta inside this small counter restaurant is flown in weekly from Bologna, then cooked and sauced right in front of your eyes. Order one of the tastings menus to try their various pastas. When you order the Cheese & Truffle menu you will receive a yellowtail crudo for a starter, then Tagliatelle in a truffle sauce, Pomodoro sauce pasta, creamy cacio e pepe, and finish with tiramisu al cucchiaio. After your first visit, you'll become an instant fan. It's close to museum row, for a steaming bowl of bucatini before or afterwards.
One of the most exciting and popular Italian restaurants in L.A. is housed inside a converted warehouse in the Arts District Downtown. Exposed air ducts and brick dominate the enormous space as in-the-know eaters chow down on spicy lamb sausage pizza and spaghetti Rustichella with Dungeness crab. Thirtysomethings flock to this hot spot with an ever-bustling bar and patio. If you want to impress a date, bring them here—you may want to valet, as the area can feel a bit seedy, although it's not.
Inspired by the original Mayfair location in London, this modern classic Italian restaurant offers a menu filled with small Italian appetizers called ciccetti, ethereal handmade pastas with delicious sauces, and wood-fired pizzas and proteins.
In a city full of restaurants touting all things trendy and gimmicky, Centanni and its chef Marin Santos (who came up at posh pasta powerhouse Valentino) focus on executing traditional, comforting fare to perfection. From start (juicy meatballs) to sweet finish (cannoli), this dinner spot delivers la dolce vita on a plate.
If you're looking for an Italian vibe straight out of Goodfellas, your search ends here. Checkered tablecloths cover the tightly packed tables as Hollywood players dine on the city’s best chicken and veal Parm, and down Scotches by the finger. The elbow-room-only bar is loud and the wait times can be long—there’s a decent chance you’ll get bumped by an A-lister—but slipping the maître d' $20 might move things along more quickly.
This hip and buzzy red sauce restaurant will not disappoint any chicken Parmesan and fusilli alla vodka lovers. Donna’s boasts an old-school theme with mid-century flourishes; every dish looks Instagram-worthy against its deep green walls and natural lighting. Plan ahead and make a reservation as early as 14 days in advance.
Pasta is served here dalla forma, meaning it's cooked, then dipped into a cheese wheel and stirred up until it's coated with melted cheese before serving. Catering to a higher-end crowd, Forma specializes in cheeses, pastas, and pizzas. It also serves small plates like fresh mozzarella knots, arancini balls, and crispy artichokes prepared Roman style. A generous happy hour from 3 to 6 lets you discover many of the specialties without breaking the bank.
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.
Just look for the swaying Italian flag at a strip mall on Hillhurst and Melbourne, and you’ll stumble into La Pergoletta, a cozy little space. Though the decor is decidedly frenzied, it still maintains a chic yet rustic quality that looks like it was cobbled together by an Italian nonna; more important, the food tastes like it was made by her, too.
It's not surprising that Little Dom's is a neighborhood gem. The restaurant features a vintage bar and besuited barkeep who mixes up seasonally inspired retro cocktails, an attached Italian deli where you can pick up a make-at-home pizza kit, and a $25 Monday-night supper. Cozy and inviting with big leather booths you can sink into for the night, the restaurant puts a modern spin on classic Italian dishes such as rice balls, fish piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs.
Tucked away from the frenzy of Hollywood, this Los Angeles outpost of the famous Naples-based pizza spot (featured in Eat Pray Love) attracts patrons of all varieties, from industry folks looking for hearty Italian classics to tourists needing respite from the touristing. L'antica serves comforting yet elevated Neapolitan pie and pasta dishes in an expansive and relaxed classic Italian-meets-modern-Californian indoor-outdoor space accented with lush greenery. You're here for the century-old authentic-Italian pizzas cooked in the signature stone oven, but you should try the pastas, the slow-cooked short rib, and the Italian-style spritz menu. You might care that this is also one of the very few places in L.A. to enjoy zucchini flowers. Weekday afternoon happy hour is a wonderful respite.
With antique wood hutches, copper moldings, and a fireplace, this establishment draws a diverse clientele in search of grilled octopus drizzled with a spicy limoncello vinaigrette, soulful spaghetti carbonara, pumpkin-filled mezzelune (half moon–shaped ravioli), and classic osso buco. The wine list is moderately priced and, weather permitting, you can sit on the walled patio that, despite its proximity to L.A. traffic, feels wonderfully escapist.
