Patricia Kelly Yeo

Though we consistently cover new restaurants with killer cocktail offerings, new bars in L.A. are few and far between—but deserve just as much attention. To keep you up to date on the city’s bar scene, we’ve got a quarterly guide to the city’s best new bars, where you can find the city’s freshest places to drink that are actually worth checking out.  Plenty of newer drinking-oriented establishments straddle the line between bar and restaurant, but on this list we prioritize venues where it’s not strange at all to order a single nightcap or aperitivo—without your server trying to upsell you on bar bites when you aren’t hungry. We also strive to include establishments that stay open past 10pm on weekends, though we of course make exceptions for standout spots.  While these fledgling watering holes and lounges might lack the storied reputations of the city’s best bars and cocktail dens, they make up for it with stylish interiors and unique booze offerings. Some even have delicious bar bites perfect for whenever you’re feeling peckish, but this list focuses on destination-worthy venues with excellent drinks or first-rate atmosphere for going out (ideally, a combination of both).  So just how new are these drinking dens? We limit our list to bars, lounges and breweries that have opened in the past nine months. We check out each bar personally to make sure it’s worth your time and hassle—since there’s only so much booze money to spare. July 2025: This quarterly update includes four

When it comes to Los Angeles rooftops, restaurants and bars are as alike as apples and oranges: Sure, they both get the job done, but in entirely different ways. Unlike many of best L.A. rooftop bars in the city, these mostly open-air rooftop eateries offer food that runs the gamut from excellent to decent (rather than barely tolerable), gorgeous views and, in most cases, basically require a reservation to nab a table. More than a handful are in the skyscrapers of Downtown, and some are better suited for a breezy brunch than a romantic dinner. In rarefied air, things get pricey fast, so budget accordingly before enjoying a meal at one of L.A.’s best-in-class rooftop restaurants.  August 2025: Since my last major update, two more L.A. rooftop restaurants have sadly closed, including Cabra at the Hoxton and Mother Tongue at HEIMAT. This new update includes the Santa Monica Place location of Din Tai Fung. For more on our editorial policies and review ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Before the Yelp ratings and “best of” accolades start to roll in, how do you know what’s actually good or not among L.A.’s just-opened eateries? Every month, I put myself through the wringer attempting to visit every new, notable restaurant around Los Angeles. Usually, I enjoy revisiting the city’s best eateries and sipping cocktails at tried-and-true bars, but scouting for the best new restaurants and bars in L.A. is, to put it nicely, kind of a grab bag. Whenever I’m out scouting for the latest openings, I’m just as likely to blow hundreds of dollars on an overhyped dud as I am to stumble upon the city’s next truly great restaurant. With Time Out’s guide to L.A.’s best new restaurants, you don’t need to sift through pay-to-play influencer videos and user-generated reviews to decide where to head next—I’ve done the work for you, from looking for parking and waiting in line to trying those ultra-pricey tasting menus, since there’s nothing worse when dining out than wasting your precious free time and, of course, money. I also strive to include valet prices and parking information for every restaurant—further taking the headache out of trying the next great new spot. Questions I ask myself before including a spot on this guide: Does this new restaurant offer something more interesting, delicious or unique than any of L.A.’s existing restaurants? Is it worth the hype (and money)? Is it worth going out of the way for? If the answer to any of these is “No,” I don’t include it. Ge

Not every happy hour special is created equal, and what makes a spot someone’s go-to for a much-needed early-evening drink can vary. But we think there’s a little something for everyone among these happy hour spots below. Los Angeles is never short on great bars to try, ranging from your neighborhood dive bars to sports bars and delicious restaurants that compliment that 4pm cocktail with some delectable food. Of course, having to navigate the city’s web of freeways for the perfect special puts a dent in that discount, so we’ve gone ahead and compiled a comprehensive list of the best happy hour deals all over L.A. Set a reminder in your calendar this coming workweek and round up your friends because here is where you can grab a drink and meal for just a fraction of the price.

Sure, liquor’s been legal since Prohibition’s end, and there’s no practical use for smuggling hooch in basement bars post-1933, but there’s still something sleek about a speakeasy—especially in an age where everything is on full display across social media, removing all the mystery. Fortunately, L.A. keeps a bit of the playful, adventurous, seek-and-ye-shall-find spirit going thanks to the city’s oldest bars and modern-day spots tucked into corners as video stores, hotels, barber shops and anything else you need to explore to find the door. What defines a speakeasy? Some of L.A.’s top examples are shifting and adapting: Even K-town’s beloved pirate-themed speakeasy, R Bar, ditched its passwords a few years ago, and now it’s just a bar—nothing wrong with that, though, let’s be clear. So for the purposes of this list, we whittled the criteria. Every bar on this list has an entrance that’s physically hidden or unmarked, whether it’s a door within a restaurant or in a basement, or the door is actually a bed that flips around to reveal a secret staircase. You’ve got to be in the know to find these top-notch cocktail dens. Once you’ve unlocked these great bars, you’ll usually find burlesque, live jazz, vinyl nights and other secrets waiting to be discovered. Hit the town like it’s 1922 for our city’s top new, old and everything-in-between speakeasies. June 2025: In this seasonal update, I’ve updated information on existing speakeasies and removed Employees Only, which now has regu

The most socially acceptable way to drink before noon, bottomless brunch wasn’t invented in L.A., but we’ve certainly perfected the sport of pairing our bacon and eggs with a side of sugary, great-tasting booze. For the weekends when you’re not headed to the hiking trails or getting away from the city, these restaurants are ready to fill your cup with sparkling white wine and orange juice, plus Aperol Spritzes, Bloody Marys, margaritas, sangria and rosé. They may not all offer the best brunch (we’ve got a separate list for that) or brunch with a side of drag, but these eateries faithfully serve the best drink deals for those hoping to day drink on special occasions—even if the occasion is just the weekend. Find yourself a designated driver, remember to stay hydrated and party on at these weekend brunch spots from the Westside to the Valley.

There’s almost nothing more intoxicating that the smell of a smashburger—except, of course, the taste. Angelenos are learning this quickly, as pop-ups and even established neighborhood spots have made smashburgers a mainstay in practically every corner of L.A. You can also thank TikTok’s Keith Lee for reigniting the trend in late 2023—but you won’t find Studio City’s Easy Streets Burgers on this list, because we think the highly hyped burgers are just plain ol’ mediocre. The burger style is hardly new, but they harken back to a bygone era in food when patrons reveled in the novelty of dining in their cars and all a burger needed was a good sear and a squirt of ketchup. Seasoned vigorously to tenderize and flavor the almost pancake-flat beef patty, this variety of burger sizzles in its own juices—pressed out during cooktime—and fries on a flat-top grill, practically caramelizing a thin outer shell of crust on the meat.  I’ve got to admit, the interest in simply-prepared and gloriously greasy smashburgers is getting a little tiresome, but if you’re dead set on finding the best frilly, paper-thin patties and melted American cheese, look no further than these spots down here. July 2025: This guide adds new information on Softies’ new brick-and-mortar. All other listings have been fact-checked, with new and upcoming locations being added for Goldburger and Heavy Handed. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues are now also accom

The city of West Hollywood and surrounding neighborhoods has no shortage of cocktail bars—as well as arguably the best gay nightlife scene in Los Angeles—but you're going to need a little caffeine to keep up with this bustling neighborhood. Enter: The WeHo coffee shop, a solid place to work or just nurse your hangover. Coincidentally, some of Los Angeles’ best coffee shops are located in this tiny city, or just over the border in Melrose and Hollywood. Read on for the best coffee shops in West Hollywood, solid places to grab a cup of joe or a light bite to eat in the area.August 2025: In putting together this guide, I glossed over overhyped spots like Community Goods and corporate names like Blue Bottle and Starbucks in favor of predominantly locally run cafés with some combination of excellent espresso, standout tea, tasty food menus and great ambience. I also removed Urth Caffe and Alfred Coffee, which have both gone slightly downhill in recent years. For reader convenience, I’ve included whether each spot has Wi-Fi and which ones are best for getting some work done. Of course, given the current matcha craze, I threw in my go-to matcha spot in West Hollywood. Happy sipping!

After years of struggling through the pandemic, L.A.’s bar scene has learned to roll with the punches, and there’s always no better time than now (or this weekend) for a good, well-made drink, preferably with a side of good, old-fashioned camaraderie with slightly buzzed strangers. After all, bars, like restaurants and public parks, give rise to the sought-after sense of belonging and community that characterizes what sociologist Ray Oldenburg called “third spaces.” Right now, L.A.’s drinking scene is back and better than ever, and we’re glad to be back at a busy bar, credit card in hand, hoping to flag down a bartender. L.A. might have cozy dives near the beach, happy hours with views of the Hollywood Hills, and plenty of buzzier new watering holes, but if you’re really asking us, here are the best bars in Los Angeles—for any occasion. July 2025: After a long overdue (and full disclosure, hosted) visit to Death & Company, I’ve updated its listing and revised its ranking from No. 17 to No. 7. For more on our editorial policies and ethics, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Los Angeles is still home to one of the most innovative, exciting and most importantly, culturally diverse food scenes in the country, despite the ever-rising cost of doing business (and more recent ICE-related raids, related protests and overall chilling effects on the local economy). Brick-and-mortar restaurants, Instagram pop-ups, street vendors and food trucks: No matter the form, you can find amazing food in a city whose reputation is built as much on off-the-beaten-path tacos and pop-ups as it is on fine dining-trained chefs making quick work of farmers’ market produce and mainline access to top-notch Pacific seafood.Decades of immigration from Asia and Latin America have translated into genre-bending formats, eclectic hybrid cuisines and some of the country’s best omakase restaurants, fine dining institutions and strip mall hidden gems. At a time when L.A.’s undocumented communities are being targeted by federal agents for detention and deportation, I think it’s more important than ever to acknowledge the indispensable role immigrants play in our country’s food system, from picking crops to washing dishes, bussing tables and working the line at your favorite restaurant. And if you’ve ever dined out in Los Angeles, something on your plate or the plate itself has likely been touched by an immigrant.  Every month, I visit dozens of bustling restaurants across the city looking for amazing eats, great ambience and top-notch customer service. Last month, however, felt a lit

Bite into a sandwich here, slurp a bowl of ramen there, before finishing off with some ice cream—when it comes to piecing together the ultimate meal, it's always fun to pick and choose at Southern California's various food halls, home to small businesses and some of the most thoughtful, creative and scrappy chefs across the region. Though L.A.'s food halls date back close to a century—we're looking at you, Grand Central Market and the Original Farmers Market—a new crop of food havens has made it easier than ever for diners across the Southland to personalize their own all-in-one snack crawls. Check out our guide to our favorite food halls in Los Angeles and Orange County—and start planning your next visit. July 2025: This guide removes SteelCraft Long Beach, Irvine’s Herb & Ranch (which is now only open on weekdays for lunch) and Downtown’s Spring Arcade Building. All other listings have been fact-checked, with new information added on the newest vendors available at each food hall. Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues are now also accompanied by editor-assigned star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Let’s be real: Could a French tire company really encapsulate what good dining in Los Angeles entails? Apparently, they’re still going to try. The largely Eurocentric international guide has released its 2025 guide for California, and thus the City of Angels. In 2025, Michelin maintained almost every one-star and two-star designation in L.A. County from the year before, but upgraded Providence’s two stars to three stars—the guide’s highest honor. The new one-star eateries this year are Restaurant Ki and Mori Nozomi. As is usually the case with Michelin, all new starred places this year fell into the Japanese or “tasting menu” category, with prices in the four dollar sign range. The 125-year-old Big Red Book proves that while age is just a number, culinary elitism is timeless.  For those blissfully unaware of what the Michelin Guide is, here’s how it all goes down: The star ratings, while not universally celebrated, are considered the most prestigious award any restaurant could ever receive. One star denotes “a very good restaurant,” two signifies “excellent cooking that is worth a detour” and three stars, most coveted of all, translates to “exceptional cuisine that is worth a special journey.” A newer Bib Gourmand category, added to their 2019 guide to California, also recognizes more affordable spots, with three new L.A. area additions in 2025: Komal, Rasarumah and Vin Folk. To determine these ratings, the guide’s anonymous inspectors visit and judge restaurants according to

This former pop-up run by chef Miles Thompson and Lolo Wine Bar alum Andy Schwartz serves the most inventive, memorable and delicious wine bar fare I’ve ever had in Los Angeles. Back in 2023, the pair originally debuted Baby Bistro as a short-term pop-up inside Koreatown’s Hotel Normandie, where it quickly became one of the summer’s hottest tables. Now, the pair’s ultimate vision has come to life inside the same trendy Victor Heights complex as Perilla LA, Bakers Bench, Heavy Water and Cassell’s Hamburgers. The charming indoor atmosphere of the century-old former residence adds a stylish touch to a meal here, but the best seats in the house might actually be on the tiny back patio, where tables overlook a grove of banana trees and the complex’s lush garden. For a full meal, the menu is designed to be ordered in its entirety—which costs somewhere between $90 and $100, including supplements—though you can also order just a few for more of a drink and light bites experience. I loved the housemade onion bread, piled high with bright orange Liptauer cheese, and the clever, salt-forward cucumber squid salad, but Thompson lavishes every seasonal dish with the care and attention it deserves.

With sweeping ocean views, booths shaped like steamer baskets and the same award-winning Taiwanese menu of appetizers, noodles, dumplings and stir-fried veggies, the relatively new Din Tai Fung inside Santa Monica Place is easily one of the places in Santa Monica for a solid meal with a heaping side of ambience. Keep in mind the food quality falls short of other, more established DTF locations (I received lukewarm soup dumplings, for instance), but it’s hard to beat a golden hour reservation on the patio, where you can catch a glimpse on the Santa Monica Pier’s famous Ferris wheel. On my recent visit, I particularly liked the brand-new shaved snow with fresh mango and chocolate ganache-filled dumplings. As par for the course for a tourist-centric location, the friendly, efficient staff keep things moving; play your cards right, and you can be in and out of here with your belly full and eyeballs sated after about a hour and a change.  

Part neighborhood hangout, part subscription service, Dayglow's L.A. locations are havens for serious coffee drinkers and dabblers alike. Owner Tohm Ifergan sources specialty beans from an ever-expanding array of roasters, which translates into a diverse selection of pour-overs with listed tasting notes. The standards here are all well done, but the most unique, standout part of the menu remains the slightly pricey house signature drinks, which take a craft cocktail approach to dispensing caffeine. Drinks made with distilled coffee and cascara (a.k.a. coffee cherries) offer something for those with a lower caffeine tolerance, while a top-shelf "signature series" even makes use of stemware for added flourish. There's also a decent tea selection, caffeine-free options like shrub soda and free Wi-Fi—though the limited seating and lack of outlets means it's not the best place to park yourself and your laptop.

Long before the current TikTok craze started causing global shortages, this rock-solid matcha chain with four locations across L.A. County has had my back whenever I’m craving a well-made, ceremonial-grade matcha latte in an Instagram-ready pink-and-green environment. The Robertson Boulevard location in West Hollywood includes plenty of lounge-style seating, both inside and out, plus a full smoothie menu and specialty options flavored with strawberry, lavender, ginger-turmeric and more. There’s also coffee and cold brew, but the main focus and specialty is in the name. So, if you’re looking for java, I’d rather send you to Verve—just a four-minute walk away.

This award-winning Santa Cruz-based roaster and coffee shop brand with four locations across Los Angeles County, including one on a tony stretch of Melrose Avenue. The expansive indoor-outdoor space is always full of influencers, aspiring actors and screenwriters and other L.A. stereotypes “working” on their laptops at one of the all-around best coffee shops in West Hollywood. The all-day menu here features avocado toast, chia seed pudding and other café staples, plus every espresso-based drink you might possibly want and plenty of tea-based options. Of course no matter the location—Verve also has outposts in Manhattan Beach and Arts District, as well as along West 3rd Street—you'll find a signature menu of espresso classics, nitro cold brews, by-the-cup varieties and a few comforting snacks, plus beans available for purchase, along with other home coffee staples like filters and pour-over systems, not to mention an entire system based on farmer support and sustainability.  

I won’t say the coffee and tea program here is the best by any means, but it’s impossible to deny the charm of the daytime scene at Dialog, which first opened its doors in 2007. The family-run business serves the people of West Hollywood what they want, when they want. Right now, that means cream-topped matcha and espresso drinks, açai bowls, salads and several varieties of breakfast burrito from morning until night. Smoothies and specialty drinks, including a chocolate-covered strawberry latte, round out the extensive menu. Surprisingly, there’s also free Wi-Fi. Most days, you’ll see at least one dog lounging on the patio, while weekend mornings bring a long line of people snaking around the side of the building, hoping to score a healthyish post-workout snack or a hangover cure after a long night out on the town.Time Out tip: Order ahead if you’re in a hurry—this place gets quite busy for lunch, even on weekdays.

This breezy, mostly outdoor neighborhood spot serves an impressive all-day menu that pops with color and produce. Think burrito bowls, avocado toast and sausage rolls alongside smoothies, coffee drinks (both iced and hot) and of course, a killer flat white. A newer smoothie menu includes creations like the Glow Getter (banana, almond butter, dates, maca powder, tahini, almond milk, cinnamon and honey) and the Blueberry Bliss (blueberries, banana, chia seeds, almond butter, hemp seeds, vanilla and coconut water). In true West Hollywood fashion, you can also add marine or plant-based collagen to your smoothie as well as a slew of dubious dried wellness powders like ashwagandha root, moringa and lion’s mane. Just note there‘s no Wi-Fi, so this isn’t really a good place for getting work done.Time Out tip: For a proper lunch, I recommend the vegan-friendly Tansana Bowl, incorporating sweet potato alongside black beans and rice.

On of the Bay Area's biggest and most beloved roasters is finally in Los Angeles—and the flagship, located in Hollywood’s trendy Sycamore District, is absolutely gorgeous. The food’s delicious—the bagels, in particular, come from pop-up Mustard’s Bagels—and the drinks are well-made, but the real reason to come to Sightglass is absolutely the scene. There’s free Wi-Fi and plenty of space to stretch out if you want to find a flat surface and get some work done, but most of the ambiguously creative, immaculately dressed clientele seems to just want to hang out and be seen with their friends. For those who are in it for the coffee, you can also order bags of Sightglass coffee beans roasted on-site, not to mention a range of espresso drinks, teas and even house-made cascara shrub. (I’m partial to the iced brown butter miso caramel latte, but it's hard to go wrong here.) L.A.’s Sightglass Coffee also serves soups, salads, sandwiches and plenty of pastries, along with a small selection of shoppy-shop items, wine and beer. Time Out tip: Stop by daily between 4 and 6pm for $2 off house wine, draft beer and snacks like marinated olives and candied nuts.

After a successful year popping up at Smorgasburg, this novice-friendly specialty coffee brand now has an award-winning brick-and-mortar on Melrose Avenue. Those who visit on Melrose will find their caffeine experience pleasantly upgraded with real glasses (for those dining in), access to Wi-Fi and free parking in the adjacent lot shared with Ronan. The Vivid Cream Latte puts most of L.A.’s cream-top drinks to shame, and I'm a huge fan of the ever-changing monthly specials.

Part neighborhood hangout, part subscription service, Dayglow's L.A. locations are havens for serious coffee drinkers and dabblers alike. Owner Tohm Ifergan sources specialty beans from an ever-expanding array of roasters, which translates into a diverse selection of pour-overs with listed tasting notes. The standards here are all well done, but the most unique, standout part of the menu remains the slightly pricey house signature drinks, which take a craft cocktail approach to dispensing caffeine. Drinks made with distilled coffee and cascara (a.k.a. coffee cherries) offer something for those with a lower caffeine tolerance, while a top-shelf "signature series" even makes use of stemware for added flourish. There's also a decent tea selection, caffeine-free options like shrub soda and free Wi-Fi. While the West Hollywood location doesn’t have as much seating or indoor space as the ones in Silver Lake, Venice and Larchmont, it still offers free Wi-Fi—and additional expansion to the space next door has made it easier than ever to hang out after ordering your drink.

The original branch of Coffee Commissary is a true neighborhood hangout for locals who like to laze about or get some work done (there’s free Wi-Fi!) on the roomy patio, as well as a favorite among coffee nerds who drop in for single-origin pour-overs and cold brews. It’s also a refreshing dose of normalcy in comparison to nearby trendy, largely overhyped coffee shops on Melrose Avenue like Community Goods, Established Today and Olive and James and an independently run small business (in comparison to Blue Bottle across the street). Beyond drinks, Coffee Commissary also makes breakfast burritos and sells housemade baked goods, including muffins, cookies and a flourless chocolate cake, from a food truck parked just outside on weekdays. Time Out tip: There are a few tables and bar seats inside, but I recommend heading outside to the patio if it’s a nice day out and enjoying your drink and snack en plein air.

You are paying, in part, for the ornately decorated dining room, but I've yet to find a better traditional Chinese restaurant for special occasions than Bistro Na’s. The Temple City restaurant serves imperial cuisine—in other words, an age-old style of cooking, once exclusively reserved for the ruling class, that pulls from all over China but roots itself firmly in Beijing. It’s easy to get lost in the extensive, picture-heavy menu, but focus in on the signatures like the delicate crispy-skinned shrimp and the braised kurobuta pork belly. One highly sought after menu item is the delicious, melt-in-your-mouth Peking duck, which requires at least one week’s pre-order, at least in theory, but can often be booked out a month in advance. (Only a few are available each night.) To be honest, there’s a certain art to ordering here, but with the right combination, Bistro Na’s is one of the best expressions of Chinese cuisine in Los Angeles. In general, I recommend ordering a few meat and seafood items, at least one rice or noodle dish, one vegetable and one dessert.

In spite of the mythos surrounding chefs and the intangibles of hospitality, the success of a restaurant often boils down to a few smart real estate decisions, and the three-month-old Baby Bistro is no exception. The buzzy, self-described “bistro of sorts” is the final piece of the puzzle completing Alpine Courtyard, located in Victor Heights. As of writing, the trendy commercial complex is single-handedly gentrifying the tiny, oft-forgotten neighborhood at the border of Chinatown and Echo Park, just north of the 110 freeway.  The place’s vintage charm is obvious before you even spot Baby Bistro, which you’ll find tucked away towards the back of the complex. Owned and painstakingly developed over several years by preservation-minded architect-developer Jingbo Lou, it consists of six converted buildings, including a 1908 Craftsman house and three Victorian era homes (one of which houses Baby Bistro), arranged around a brick-lined central courtyard with a lush, carefully maintained garden full of banana trees, bougainvillea and plenty of herbs and vegetables. Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time OutAlpine Courtyard’s garden during the day. In a city of sun-bleached asphalt, minimal shade cover and other hostile urban features, it feels downright heavenly to step into Alpine Courtyard. By day, Angelenos pick up plant-based pastries at Bakers Bench, specialty caffeinated drinks from Heavy Water Coffee and gourmet banchan from Perilla LA. After 4:30pm, when Perilla closes up

Beginning tomorrow, Dine LA is back. Now in its 17th year, L.A.’s biggest restaurant week offers prix-fixe menus starting from $15 per person, though many places now opt to offer menus in the priciest, wide-ranging category: $65 and above. For the next two weeks, Angelenos can score a handful of small discounts at restaurants across the city, including a few of what I consider the city’s best restaurants. For those who were going to splurge anyway, you can even score a two-Michelin-star meal at a $75 discount over at Mélisse in Santa Monica. For all of those hunting for an actual bargain, I’ve found 17 different places across Los Angeles that I’d consider a good deal, in one way or another. My personal favorites include the pair of $25 and $35 meal deals from Koreatown’s Soban, home to L.A.’s best soy-marinated crab and one of the best banchan selections in the city. (Any genuine lover of Korean cuisine knows that the complimentary side dishes provided with your meal are one of the best representations of a given restaurant’s true culinary capabilities.) Did I mention Soban is also one of the city’s best restaurants?  RECOMMENDED: The 17 best deals for Dine LA restaurant week, summer 2025 Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out Another truly great option is the $65 prix-fixe menu from the Girl & the Goat in the Arts District, which includes five family-style dishes and a matcha tres leches with rhubarb-strawberry sorbet for dessert. While Top Chef alum Stephanie Izard’s

Well, we all knew it was coming: The Tesla diner and drive-in in Hollywood is finally opening at 4:20pm today (ugh) after several years of construction and permitting delays. According to Tesla-focused blog Not a Tesla App, the Texas-based electric car company held a preview event for first responders over the weekend complete with several Optimus units walking around on-site. (It’s unclear if the diner will actually employ said Tesla robots as servers.) Ah, to be alive in 2025! Elon Musk’s pet project was first announced to the public back in 2022, well before the South African-born tech billionaire began dabbling in politics and gutted several federal agencies through the Department of Government Efficiency. (More recently, he’s started his own political party with former Democratic presidential hopeful Andrew Yang.) The now-controversial Tesla diner went without a culinary lead for some time before ghost kitchen chef Eric Greenspan was hired to oversee the menu earlier this year. Per New York Times reporting, veteran restaurateur Bill Chait (Bestia, Vespertine, Destroyer, among others) is also involved. The project also caused local backlash when Margarita and Walter Manzke, the co-owners of L.A.’s award-winning République voiced support for the diner. NEWS: Tesla's Hollywood Diner and Supercharger officially opens to the public this Monday, July 21st!• 80 V4 Supercharger stalls• Drive-in movie theater with two 45-foot LED movie screens. Audio of movies/videos play

L.A. may not have the late-night dining scene of New York City, but it’s still possible to find a great bite to eat after hours. Just ask the hardworking, talented chefs behind some of L.A.’s best new restaurants, who kindly shared their favorite places to go after they get off their evening shifts or their rare days off. In honor of Time Out’s month-long celebration of all things nightlife, I reached out to six different hospitality industry veterans to find out where they like to go off the clock.  Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out Alan Sanz of Daisy Margarita Bar (Sherman Oaks) / Mírate (Los Feliz)  “After the shift, I really like to go to the Normandie Club (Koreatown) for a drink. [Daisy/Mírate bar director Max Reis and I] go to a place called Johnny's Bar in Highland Park, close to Max's house. We go together there often. Sometimes, we go to Jones (Hollywood) for pizza and their martinis. We like their pizza (chuckles). Sometimes we take the caviar from Daisy and put it on top of our pizzas with our martinis.” Photograph: Jakob N. Layman for Time Out Michael Leonard of Beethoven Market (Mar Vista) (Editor’s note: Leonard started off this conversation by saying he usually just goes straight home.) “If I am really hungry, I do have my spots here on the Westside that are open somewhat late. Probably, my go-to is In-N-Out. Extremely reliable, consistent and open until what, 2am? [Editor’s note: It closes at 1am]. My favorite one is the one on Venice [Boulevard

The fairly sleepy city of Pasadena just gained another stylish rooftop in the form of Osa Rooftop, a brand-new eatery atop the newly opened AC Hotel Pasadena. The predominantly outdoor restaurant, which made its public debut last Friday, is located in the Playhouse Village District. Come New Year’s Day, the sixth floor vantage point will make for great viewing of Pasadena’s world-famous Rose Parade—the hotel restaurant sits along a key part of the route. For the other 364 days a year, however, guests can look forward to sweeping views of the San Gabriel Mountains and a beautifully designed open-air terrace with string lights, fire pits and other landscaping elements inspired by the nearby Angeles National Forest. The interior design sports a desert-inspired color scheme inspired by Baja California and the work of world-famous Mexican architect Luis Barragán. Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out While I’m normally bearish (pun intended—“osa” translates to female bear in Spanish) on hotel rooftops in general, I was able to visit Osa firsthand over the weekend, and I can honestly say the new opening is a major win for Pasadena. After all, the California cuisine restaurant comes from Boulevard Hospitality Group, the restaurant and bar veterans between Yamashiro, Adults Only and Inglewood’s Cork and Batter. Head chef Carlos Couts, formerly of Encino’s Sushi by Scratch and Hollywood’s Rokusho, offers a globally influenced, ingredient-first approach to standard, crowdpleas

タイムアウトロサンゼルスのベストピザランキングでトップに選ばれた「ピッツェリア セイ（Pizzeria Sei）」が、再び栄誉を手にした。 今回は、イタリアにルーツを持ち「世界最高のピッツェリアを紹介する最初のガイド」と自負する業界有力誌「50 Top Pizza」からのもの。その2025年アメリカ版「50 Top Pizza USA」で、見事2位にランクインしたのだ。 ウィリアム・ジュウが手がけるピッツェリア セイは、ロサンゼルス郡から唯一このガイドに選出。2024年は8位にランクインしていたが、今年は一気に6ランク上昇する快挙を達成した。 「ローナン（Ronan）」や「ピッツァナ（Pizzana）」などのロサンゼルスの名店で腕を磨いたジュウが、「街一番」にふさわしいピザとして提供するのは、東京スタイルのナポリピッツァ（ジュウは中目黒「聖林館」に影響を受けたことを公言）。薄く焦げ目の付いた円形の生地に、厚みを持たせた縁が特徴で、結果として「餅」のような食感が楽しめる。 これまでも数々の賞を獲得し、すでに大人気店だが、現在の店構えは比較的小規模。2025年の後半に、ピコ・ロバートソン地区からパームス地区への移転する予定だというので、今後は、より多くの人がその味を体験できるチャンスが増えそうだ。 今年の「50 Top Pizza USA」でトップに輝いたのは、ニューヨークの「ウナ ピッツァ ナポレターナ（Una Pizza Napoletana）」。南カリフォルニアからは、ハンティントンビーチにある「ナルド（Nardò）」（カルヴァーシティにも支店がある）　が24位に、ダナポイントの「トゥルリー ピザ（Truly Pizza）」が9位と、トップ10入りを果たした。また、ピッツェリア セイおよびトゥルリー ピザの両店は、国際的な「Best Pizza Awards」でも近年表彰されている。 「50 Top Pizza USA」は、世界版と比べると競争はやや穏やかだ。とはいえ、ニューへブン、デトロイト、シカゴ、そして言うまでもなくニューヨークと、地域ごとに個性豊かなピザ文化が根づくアメリカで、こうした評価を得ることは依然として極めて困難といえる。 なお、同ガイドの順位決定に当たっては、世界各地のピザ屋を匿名で訪れた審査員たちが、生地の品質、トッピング、サービス、そして総合的な体験を評価基準にして審査し、投票している。 関連記事 『This Tokyo-style L.A. pizza joint was just named the second-best pizzeria in the U.S.（原文）』 『東京、ベストピザ2025』 『東京、ニューヨークスタイルピザ5選』 『タイムアウトが「世界のベストピザ 19」ランキングを発表』 『イタリア人も称賛するピッツァの名店「ダ イーサ」が目黒川沿いに移転』 『大阪、薪窯焼きナポリピッツァ5選』 東京の最新情報をタイムアウト東京のメールマガジンでチェックしよう。登録はこちら  

In yet another bit of pizza-related news, L.A.’s Pizzeria Sei (also known as Time Out’s top pick for pizza in Los Angeles) continues to rack up culinary awards—this time from 50 Top Pizza, an influential industry guide with roots in Italy and the self-described “first guide of the best pizzerias in the world.” William Joo’s tiny, multiple-award-winning Pico-Robertson pizzeria, which is slated to move to Palms later this year, just clinched the No. 2 spot on the 50 Top Pizza USA guide at an awards ceremony held earlier today inside NYC’s Chelsea Market. Last year, the same guide ranked Pizzeria Sei at No. 8. In 2025, the Tokyo-style pizzeria jumped an astonishing six places and continues to be the only pizzeria in L.A. County recognized by 50 Top Pizza. Two other Southern California pizzerias also made 50 Top Pizza’s annual U.S. list: Nardò in Huntington Beach (which also has a satellite location in Culver City), ranked 24th in the nation, and Dana Point’s Truly Pizza, which came in at No. 9 and thus made the top 10. Both Pizzeria Sei and Truly Pizza were also recently recognized at the international Best Pizza Awards. To determine its regional rankings—a recent ranking also dropped for all of Europe—the 50 Top Pizza judges use anonymous inspectors to sample pizzerias across the globe in search of high-quality dough, toppings, service and overall experience. While a national guide naturally isn’t as competitive as an international list of rankings, it’s still pretty darn diffi

In a move that probably won’t surprise local pizza lovers, three different standout Southern California pizzerias—and the chefs behind them—just made the top 100 list of the world’s best pizzas at the third annual Best Pizza Awards in Milan. William Joo of Pizzeria Sei, also known as Time Out’s top pick for pizza in Los Angeles, came in at number 44 in the world, beating out dozens of pizzaiolos in New York City and cities across Italy. Justin De Leon of Apollonia’s Pizza (another one of our favorite pizza joints) ranked number 58, while Chris Decker of Truly Pizza in Orange County’s Dana Point clinched the highest spot among SoCal recipients at number 42.  Organized by the Best Chef Awards, the Best Pizza Awards first began three years ago and puts an emphasis on individual chefs, rather than restaurants or the places they inhabit. The European awarding body was founded in 2015 by a Polish neuroscientist and an Italian gastronomist and emphasizes a transparent, “chef-led” voting and selection process. Both Joo (Pizzeria Sei) and De Leon (Apollonia’s) have previously earned recognition from the Best Pizza Awards; 2025 is the first year that Decker (Truly Pizza) has made the awards’ global top 100 list. Photograph: Courtesy @pizzaphile_ The Best Pizza Awards praised Joo for making Tokyo-style Neapolitan pies that are “technically refined and full of character.” In particular, the European awarding body recognized Joo’s “salt-punch” technique, which involves sprinkling salt i

Tonight, Michelin announced its list of starred California restaurants for 2025 at an awards ceremony in Sacramento, and the results for Los Angeles are now in: Two all-new one-star additions; three Michelin stars (the city’s first) awarded for Somni, the most expensive restaurant in Los Angeles; and a highly coveted third star for Providence, Michael Cimarusti’s longtime Hollywood fine dining institution, which has held two stars every year that Michelin has rated L.A. restaurants since 2009. (The guide left L.A. for a decade, returning in 2019.)  One of the world’s most famous dining guides (as well as a multinational French tire company), Michelin decides what it considers worth visiting by sending anonymous inspectors all over a given city, state, region or country. In North America, the guide’s overall bias towards Japanese omakase and French fine-dining restaurants is well-known, though it also includes a variety of unstarred restaurants in terms of cuisine and price point within each edition of the guide. Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time OutThe lamb course at Restaurant Ki in January 2025. This year in L.A. was largely no different. The two newest one-starred L.A. restaurants for 2025 are Restaurant Ki, a modern Korean tasting menu in Little Tokyo run by eponymous chef Ki Kim (who also earned Michelin’s Young Chef Award) and Mori Nozomi, a standout, female-led omakase experience in West L.A. by eponymous chef and Osaka native Nozomi Mori. Almost every other tw

When I see influencers of every stripe and specialty posting about a buzzy new L.A. opening, I tend to take a wait-and-see approach before going—if I bother to even visit at all. Which is why, despite loving tea (and preferring it over coffee), I waited nearly two months before trying the brand-new Chagee Tea House at Westfield Century City, a brand founded in Yunnan, China, one of the world’s most important tea-producing regions.  In April, the fast-growing Chinese company, which has over 6,400 locations around the globe, made its debut on the Nasdaq and is reportedly worth approximately $6 billion. Given that valuation, some folks in the media have billed Chagee (pronounced “CHAH-jee”) the “Starbucks of tea." After trying the drinks firsthand earlier this month, I wholeheartedly agree with that metaphor—Chagee serves the same exact kind of premium mediocrity as the multinational Seattle-based coffee chain.  Photograph: Courtesy Chagee USAThe Chinese tea company’s ornate branding is a blatant ripoff of Dior While I wouldn’t say the drinks are terrible, per se, there are much better milk tea options in the San Gabriel Valley, including a handful of independently run boba shops and tea houses you probably already know and love. Nevertheless, it’s easy to see why the masses love Chagee. The aspirational, Dior-esque branding and high-touch customer experience carries the patina of luxury, even if the semi-automated brewing leaves much to be desired in the taste department. In

With nearly a century of celebrity-studded history under its belt, the Chateau Marmont is the living, breathing embodiment of Hollywood, old and new alike. In 1929, the French-inspired hotel opened on Sunset Boulevard; in the decades since, the Chateau has earned a well-deserved reputation for glamour and mystique. Entire books have been written on the famous actors, musicians, industry execs and other creatives that have slept, partied and even died within its walls. Recently, Miley Cyrus hosted a private concert at the Chateau for close friends, family and a handful of lucky superfans; prestige TV showrunner Ryan Murphy redecorated two different suites; and Doja Cat was snapped sitting inside the lobby, deep in conversation. Every year, countless high-profile parties and magazine launches are hosted in the lobby, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s annual Oscars afterparty.  The restaurant and bar attached to the hotel are far more recent additions. In 1995, current owner André Balazs added Bar Marmont, a cocktail bar down the street, which reopened at some point after the pandemic but remains closed as of writing. The ground floor restaurant followed in 2003. In 2020, Balazs briefly considered converting the entire hotel into a members-only club and laid off the majority of the staff after they attempted to unionize. (A deal was eventually reached in 2022, and the hotel is still in operation today.)   Photograph: Gerry Matthews for ShutterstockExterior of Chateau Marmont Hones

Jon Yao, the Taiwanese American chef behind Michelin-starred Kato in the Arts District, took home one of the top prizes at the James Beard Foundation Awards—the only nominee in Southern California to do so. The annual awards ceremony, which takes place in Chicago (almost) every year, recognizes excellence in restaurants, bars and food media, including books, broadcast media and journalism and is widely understood as the Oscars of the (American) food world. In 2016, Yao first opened Kato inside a West L.A. strip mall, and moving the restaurant to the Arts District in 2022. Immediately, the then-scrappy restaurant attracted the attention of critics for its uniquely Asian American spin on fine dining. Over the years, the self-taught chef has honed his craft and grown into one of the city’s best restaurants, at least if you ask me. In 2022, Kato earned its first Michelin star; last year, the restaurant was named as “one to watch” by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants organization, which has yet to name any L.A. eatery to its prestigious annual list.  Photograph: Courtesy Jeni AfusoThe dining room at Kato. In his acceptance speech, Yao thanked his staff, past and present, and acknowledged the ongoing immigration raids happening across Los Angeles and the nation. “L.A. is a city built by the toils of immigrant communities, and right now, those same communities are being ripped apart,” he said. “As the children of immigrants, I’m sure many here can imagine a scenario where we couldn’