We explore the crème de la crème of Los Angeles’ new dining hotspots.
An assorted dinner spread from Theía.
With diverse dishes and craft cocktails galore, here is our selection of six of the best new restaurants in Los Angeles, located from Hollywood and Venice to Malibu and beyond.
These six new eateries on the rise bring memorable flavors and fare. An authentic Greek restaurant in the Fairfax District, offering freshly grilled octopus and mezze as the sun slowly sinks in. A Roman pizzeria with local Italian dishes that will make your tastebuds believe you are seated across the Colosseum as you sip on your post-dinner caffè. A classic all-American steakhouse anointed by Oprah and other celebrities located in the Malibu quartier. Cantina-style seafood and chicken tinga at Venice's newest modern Mexican location in Venice. A gorgeous outdoor seating ambiance boasting an unparalleled West Hollywood view, accompanied by SoCal cuisine concoctions and cócteles. And, last but not least, a decadent selection of Mexican and Californian small plates to be savored in luxurious Beverly Hills paired with a pint of craft beer or refreshing speciality margaritas.
1. Lucky's Steakhouse
Beloved by stars like Oprah and Carol Burnett, Montecito favorite Lucky’s Steakhouse opened its second U.S. location at the Malibu Country Mart. The traditional steakhouse, originally founded in 1999 by Gene Montesano of Lucky Brand, places quality American cuisine at the forefront. Under the lead of executive chef Michael Rosen, this new location offers brunch, lunch and dinner, with menus featuring hearty steaks and chops, fresh seafood and countless cocktails.
2. Nueva
Nueva brings bold cantina-style flavors under the guidance of L.A.-based chefs Vartan Abgaryan and Mesraim Llanez. With a 160-seat patio space, you can enjoy standout dishes alfresco, including tempura sea bass tacos with jicama Aleppo slaw and cilantro aioli, chicken tinga with pickled apple and Fresno chile, and the pork belly chicharron tacos with chile lime salt and serrano salsa fresca. Make sure to try a cocktail from the extensive cóctele program, like the watermelon shrub margarita or the Oaxaca Old-Fashioned.
3. Las Palmas
Las Palmas offers all the beach vibes with a breezy outdoor dining experience overlooking the West Hollywood Hills. This SoCal-Mexican restaurant integrates Tulum-inspired cuisine to offer flavorful small plates or signature large dishes like ceviche, lobster quesadillas, vegetable crudites, carne asada skewers and Baja fish tacos. Spice up your meal with cocktails crafted from locally sourced ingredients. We recommend the Paradise, made with vodka, cucumber, pineapple, chareau aloe and honey.
Las Palmas’ outdoor dining experience.
4. Mírame
Decadent Mexican cuisine is a specialty at Mírame, which recently opened in the old Gratitude space in Beverly Hills. With a focus on incorporating organic ingredients, chef Joshua Gill and founding partner Matthew Egan create a zesty menu and restaurant atmosphere that reflects the culinary histories of California and Mexico. Try their small-plate items like tostadas, tacos and ceviche along with heartier meat dishes such as the Colorado lamb belly barbacoa. For refreshments, bartender Zachariah Parks organizes quality options including Mexican craft beers, wines from Valle de Guadalupe and specialty margaritas.
5. Theía
The first restaurant from entrepreneur and real estate developer Max Simon, Theía opened its doors this August in the Fairfax District and features contemporary Greek cuisine, chic instagrammable interiors and a top-notch mixology program led by Bar Manager Sean Leopold. One step inside the Mykonos-inspired space designed by Tracy Hutson Design and you’re instantly transported to a Mediterranean oasis, complete with elevated mezze plates like charred octopus and spanakopita, and main dishes like Colorado rack of lamb and salted crusted loup de mer. With space for 77 diners, this quintessential indoor-outdoor dining experience is a must-try.
6. Fingers Crossed
Dubbed chef Evan Funke’s love letter to the Roman pizzeria, Hollywood’s Fingers Crossed is a six-month residency between Funke and Relevant Hospitality that embodies a quaint, alfresco dining experience. Paying homage to the Eternal City’s traditional cooking, the restaurant serves authentic Italian dishes that incorporate fare from local farms and farmers, plus (in true Italian fashion) a selection of caffè, espresso, Italian soda and birre. The piazza also features a give-back component with a percentage of proceeds going to nonprofits like the Independent Restaurant Coalition and BLM.
Nueva’s Raicilla cocktail
Photography by: From top, photos by Jesús Bañuelos; David Higgs; Bob Stark
