Here are the best new restaurants to make dining reservations at right now.
1. Howlin’ Pasadena
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In less than a week the Nashville-style chicken eatery is already a smokin’ hotspot. After opening a pick-up-only location in Chinatown, L.A. finally has a brick-and-mortar restaurant on Arroyo Parkway in Pasadena where you can sit down and a sandwich or a whole bird while sipping on craft beer or wine which are available on tap. It’s an expansive industrial space with ample parking and a huge well-staffed kitchen for smooth service. It’s
Location: 800 S Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105
Website2. Voodoo Vin
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The natural wine bar on Virgil Avenue has brought on Travis Hayden as the head chef to add rich pasta dishes and raw seafood plates to compliment the menu of incredible wines that have already amassed a cult-like following. It’s the perfect place to make last-minute dinner plans with friends that still offers a wow factor.
Location: 713 N Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029
3. Mother Wolf
Take a seat in the elegant interiors of the new Mother Wolf, just off Sunset Boulevard. Here, Chef Evan Funke brings a la Cucina Romana to life with a selection of wood-fired pinsas, uber-seasonal antipasti and his famous traditional handmade pasta.
Location: 1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website4. Yangban Society
Superstar chef couple Katianna and John Hong have channeled their culinary prowess into this fresh Korean-American hotspot in the Arts District, where traditional cuisine ventures into creative territory. The food takes inspiration from Korean barbecue restaurants serving banchan (small Korean dishes offered alongside rice) and splices it with their cultural experiences. Expect to be served up dishes like kimchi pozole while seated at a communal table in a blue-painted space with a marketplace atmosphere.
Location: 712 S Santa Fe Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90021, United States
Website5. Grandmaster Recorders
6. Onizuka
A Nikkei menu (Peruvian ingredients molded by Japanese cooking techniques) is served in a lush, eclectic rooftop space with a DJ booth and a bold mural by artist Gian Galang. What’s not to love? Dine on dishes like Anticucho Papi Roll (aji panca sushi rice, furikake, fried yucca with seared tenderloin drizzled with a Huancaina sauce) at a tropical-inspired (less pricey) alternative to Nobu.
Location: 514 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048
Website7. Clark Street Diner
Yes, the iconic Hollywood diner that was the backdrop of Megan Thee Stallion’s music video is open once again. It’s kept the vintage interiors of the previous occupant, 101 Coffee Shop, but now one of the country’s best bakeries, Clarke Street Bread, has taken up residence. You can brunch away on pancakes, salmon sandwiches, fresh pastries, and fresh brews of coffee daily.
Location: 6145 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Wesbite8. De La Nonna
Speaking of vintage, the Arts District has been blessed with yet another culinary gem. The beloved De La Nonna pop-up has finally opened its first brick-and-mortar spot with retro-inspired interiors in the former In Sheep’s Clothing space. Fill up on gorgeous Sicilian focaccia, and raw oysters whhile sipping away on a frozen Aperol Spritz at one of the best new restaurants in L.A.
Location: 710 E 4th Pl., Los Angeles, CA 90013
Website9. Ka’Teen
The absurdly lush rooftop restaurant by Guerilla Taco chef Wes Avila brings Yucatan Peninsula cuisine to the heart of Hollywood. Sip on a Wes Colada—a delicious concoction of tequila, coconut, pineapple gomme, lime, and cinnamon, served in a smoking clay pot—while you feast on ancient traditional dishes with fresh twists. Just make sure you don’t miss the ceviche or cochinita pibil.
Location: 6516 Selma Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website10. N/Soto
The team behind one of the world’s best restaurants, N/Naka, is about to open a new, more price-friendly spot on Washington Boulevard in Mid-City, where the former Ondal 2 used to be. The restaurant is set to open in spring 2022 with curated Japanese provisions, including bento boxes to-go and a tasting menu.
Location: 4566 W Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Website11. Chifa
This adorable green shop with a heart-shaped window has only been around for a year, and its food (and delicious decor) has already won over Angelenos. Bridging Peru’s history with Chinese immigration through incredible dishes like Popo’s fragrant si Yao chicken or Tiradito served with a chili-infused sweet potato salsa. If you haven’t stumbled across the Eagle Rock shop, Nunchi jelly cakes served in elaborate molds (like the purple corn creations) with chicha Morada syrup filled our Instagram feeds over the last year.
Location: 4374 Eagle Rock Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90041
Website12. Asterid by Ray Garcia at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Along with some of last year’s restaurant openings (and a few in early January), there are still several restaurants set to open in 2022 that you can get excited about. Ray Garcia at the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of them. Not only is it taking up residence in one of the most prominent concert halls in the country this month, but it’s going to be helmed by the chef that changed the L.A. food scene with Broken Spanish and B.S. Taqueria. While the specifics (including the name) have yet to be released, fans will still be treated to Garcia’s signature style but presented as a daily eatery with an outdoor patio.
Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall, 141 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles
Website13. Lavo Ristorante
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Lavo’s huge plates of Italian food are made with seasonal California produce, sizeable cocktails and luxurious furnishings to transport you to the Mediterranean coast. Head here to sip away on the impeccable wine selection while feasting on wood-fired steak, or explore the theatrical twists on classic cocktails in the sun-soaked dining room.
Location: 9201 Sunset Blvd Suite 100, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Website14. Kodō
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The Arts District is now home to an elevated, new izakaya restaurant located inside Rykn. Kodō brings a beautiful blend of Kyoto-inspired robata and sushi plates with a modern, Calfornia touch. Its sleek, charcoal omakase bar sets the perfect canvas for the menu of 15 artful culinary plates, while the shady outdoor terrace is the perfect setting for the grilled stir-fried shishito. You’ll find an impeccably curated selection of natural wines, sake, highballs and beer which the fare is centered around making it effortless to drink, eat and stay. Book online
Location: 710 S Santa Fe Ave Los Angeles, CA 90021
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