Food Scene Los Angeles
In a city where palm trees sway and food trends ignite like brushfires, Los Angeles is equal parts playground and proving ground for chefs with ideas as bright as the California sun. This summer, the culinary scene is positively electric, with a parade of bold new restaurant openings and boundary-pushing concepts that have both locals and visiting food fans buzzing.
One of the season’s most anticipated arrivals is Marea Beverly Hills from the illustrious Altamarea Group, already a darling of New York’s elite. The vibe is one of effortless glamour—think pale leather banquettes and a living green wall—while the menu leans into Italian coastal traditions with a dose of West Coast exuberance. Signature New York favorites like octopus and bone marrow fusilli share the stage with new SoCal exclusives, such as torched avocado stuffed with spot prawn tartare, all executed under the eye of executive chef PJ Calapa. It’s a dining room where elegance never feels fussy, and every plate tells a story of cross-country culinary romance.
West Hollywood welcomes Alba, the first Cali outpost from the team behind NYC’s Cucina Alba, steered by chef Adam Leonti. Here, the breezy Mediterranean flair meets LA’s relentless drive for seasonality—squash blossoms with lemon potato mousse and tuna tartare with a Calabrian kick are among the scene-stealers. The space, with its striped retractable roof and muraled walls, is as much a feast for the eyes as the palate, and the cocktail program features playful yet refined libations like a strawberry whiskey highball.
For those who crave something resolutely local and fiercely innovative, Tomat in Westchester is redefining airport-neighborhood dining with a sun-soaked rooftop and a globe-trotting menu rooted in Persian, British, and Japanese traditions. Husband-and-wife duo Harry Posner and Natalie Dial source exclusively from Southern California farms and fisheries, serving up saffron-scented tahdig in a Japanese donabe and a weekend bone marrow pie that’s already spawning legends. Their Future 75 cocktail—created in collaboration with a queer and women-owned LA distillery—channels community spirit, with sales benefiting World Central Kitchen.
No survey of LA’s food culture would be complete without acknowledging the ongoing impact of local ingredients and multicultural roots. At Holbox in Historic South-Central, chef-owner Gilbert Cetina crafts a mariscos menu that earned both a Michelin star and James Beard nod, with kanpachi and uni tostadas shimmering with the flavors of the Pacific and California citrus. Vegan hotspots like Gracias Madre seduce even avowed carnivores with soulful, organic plates set in sunlit, tranquil courtyards.
Pop-ups, art deco bars like The Edmon, and culinary festivals pepper the city, fueled by a restless energy and an abiding respect for the produce and people of this region. What sets LA apart isn’t just the diversity or ambition—it’s the wild confidence, the willingness to rewrite the rules, and the promise that your next unforgettable meal is always just around the corner. For food lovers, there’s never been a more delicious time to tune in to Los Angeles..
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This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
