Los Angeles

"Seafood is the star" at this "sophisticated", "upscale" New American in Hollywood helmed by "brilliant" chef Michael Cimarusti who turns out "delectable", "wildly creative" prix fixe feasts. — Zagat

Very few restaurants aim for, little less achieve, the level of grace exhibited nightly at Providence. — Time Out

Inspired by coastal living, Providence is a fine dining restaurant serving seafood in its purest and simplest form. — Forbes Travel Guide

Signature favorites include the Wild Striped Bass and Kanpachi Sashimi, complimented by excellent desserts and an extensive cellar. — Travel + Leisure

Michael Cimarusti... continues to turn out some of the best seafood in the city. — Concierge

Osteria Mozza features candlelit, linen-clad tables surrounding a central marble-topped mozzarella bar, ideal for solo diners. — Fodor's

Dress up, eat cheese: It’s the place that revolutionized Italian in L.A. — Bon Appétit

Osteria Mozza is all about fine dining crafted from market fresh, seasonal ingredients, but being a Mario Batali joint you can expect adventure... and consistent excellence. — Lonely Planet

Sometimes what you want is a five-course pasta dinner with two desserts. Or something from a world-famous mozzarella bar. — BlackBook

Famed L.A.-based bread maker Nancy Silverton teamed up with affable Mario Batali on Mozza’s duo of contemporary Italian restaurants. Osteria Mozza is a more sophisticated dining room in... — Where

When Bestia debuted in a raw industrial space in the Arts District in 2012, the ambitious restaurant paved the way for Downtown L.A. to become the serious dining destination that it is... — Departures

Tucked into an old factory in the burgeoning downtown Arts District, Bestia has overcome its location to become one of the city's hottest restaurants. Chef Ori Menashe, a Gino Angelini... — Where

The most sought-after reservation in town can be found at this new and splashy Italian kitchen in the Arts District. — Lonely Planet

This sprawling trattoria from restaurateur Bill Chait (Rivera, Sotto, Picca) is packed nightly with a handsome crowd enjoying the ambience. — Gayot

Don’t try to walk into Bestia without a reservation. As the most talked about (and as a result, packed) restaurant at the moment, securing a table at least a week in advance is a good idea. — Time Out

Great Jewish deli in MacArthur Park. Try the pastrami sandwiches. — Not For Tourists

Offers more than twenty ways of eating what is easily LA’s best pastrami sandwich. Open daylight hours only in a dicey spot; kerbside pick-up available. — Rough Guide

Matzo ball soup, half-sour pickles, fluorescent lighting, Formica tabletops…if it wasn't for the view of MacArthur Park, you might swear you were in a deli on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. — Concierge

The most sought after sandwich among locals, by far, is the famous No. 19, with pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian-style dressing. — Frommer's

When I am showing first-time visitors around Los Angeles, I like to take them for a pastrami sandwich at Langer’s, the old-line Jewish delicatessen across the street from MacArthur Park. — LA Weekly

The thick prime rib steak sings with the flavors of blood, age and char; the tagliatelle with white truffles perfumes half the observable universe when its glass dome is whisked away. — Los Angeles Times

Despite all the buzz -- and years of stiff competition -- Spago may not be quite the pioneer it once was, but it's still very respectable. — Frommer's

Executive chef Lee Hefter, a James Beard Award winner, has helped craft a daily-changing menu along with signature dishes, such as smoked salmon and caviar pizza. — Travel + Leisure

Spago has long been an essential California kitchen, the one that pioneered the designer pizza and made Wolfgang Puck a household name. — Lonely Planet

Flagship restaurant that begat the airport food court empire. — Not For Tourists

Landmark Hollywood haunt of mahogany booths and surly waiters. Founded in 1919, it might need a little botox; endlessly overrun by gawking tourists. — BlackBook

Hollywood's oldest bar with spectacular martinis. — Not For Tourists

The best... old-time steak house. Flawlessly executed classics. — Concierge

Liver and onions, lamb chops, shrimp Louie salad, dry gin martinis, gruff waiters—you'll find all of the old favorites here in Hollywood's oldest restaurant. — Fodor's

Open since 1919, the Musso & Frank Grill is Hollywood's oldest restaurant, a steak-and-cocktails joint formerly favored by Charlie Chaplin and Raymond Chandler. — Time Out

Feeling nostalgic for a time gone by (and the low prices that went with it)? Head to this white clapboard shack, opened in 1947. — Condé Nast Traveler

A burger-insider haunt since 1947, this unassuming joint with a horseshoe-shaped counter—no tables here—turns out one heck of a good burger. — Fodor's

The top and bottom buns of an Apple Pan burger are crisped and slightly oily, crunchy at the edges, working toward a near-complete softness at the middle; the pickles are resilient dill chips. — LA Weekly

For anyone who’s lived in LA for even a short amount of time, this place probably needs no introduction. Even if you’ve never actually set foot in the place (and if you haven’t, you... — On the Grid

Famous hamburger joint. — Not For Tourists

Styne curates an expanded list of organic, natural and biodynamic boutique wines from around the world. — Time Out

"Beautiful new digs" with a "gorgeous" courtyard get the "A-OK" from "low-key power" patrons who "never get bored" with this Third Street showcase. — Zagat

The room is sleek, the long bar welcoming, and the staff knowledgeable and friendly. — Concierge

The cheese-and-charcuterie-intensive inspiration for L.A.'s new generation of wine bars, Suzanne Goin's pan-Mediterranean A.O.C. is a fantasy of a modern small-plates restaurant. — LA Weekly

A menu of small plates that draws on the finest local produce: pork rillettes are served with pickled onions, and arroz negro with squid arrives with a big dollop of garlicky saffron aioli. — Travel + Leisure

Patrons enjoy seasonal, Mediterranean-style cuisine from chef Evan Funke, who incorporates local farmers' market offerings into signature dishes like the fried cauliflower and house burger. — Travel + Leisure

Serving simply prepared dishes inspired by the sustainable bounty from local farmers, ranchers and fishermen, this restaurant grew out of the monthly dinners its founder once held in his home. — Frommer's

Where seasonal veg meets serious meat in Santa Monica. — Bon Appétit

Rustic Canyon, Santa Monica's unpretentious neighborhood favorite for over half a decade is flexing its cooking muscle in all the right ways and is now the best it’s ever been. — Time Out

Hidden cave of wine. — Not For Tourists

Stylish, unique and authentic, Lucques is simply one of the culinary wonders that give Los Angeles locals and visitors something to talk about. — Forbes Travel Guide

Chef-owner Suzanne Goin delivers the next generation of California cuisine, which includes dishes such as fried squid salad with lipstick peppers and Thai basil, and braised short ribs... — Where

Named after a coveted variety of French olive, Lucques offers inspired rustic Mediterranean cuisine with strong California influences. — Gayot

Dishes like grilled chicken with risotto carbonara and wild mushrooms; and endive with Dungeness crab, sugar snap peas, and curry cream. — Travel + Leisure

To get in the right frame of mind for this modern French-Mediterranean restaurant, decide that you're willing to try absolutely anything. — Time Out

Animal is dedicated to well-prepared, seasonal food, with a focus on unique meat-heavy small plates. — goop

Amazing dishes out of unheralded, and sometimes frankly gnarly, parts. — Not For Tourists

An "exploration of everything carnivore" where the "superbly prepared" snout-to-tail plates are bound to entice you "out of your comfort zone". — Zagat

This no-frills spot just might be one of the few restaurants in L.A. where you'll find top-rate food served without a hint of attitude or fuss. — Condé Nast Traveler

"Just be wild. Come to the restaurant dressed as you wish. Order, drink what you want, and even eat with your fingers if that pleases you". — Gayot

Widely considered to be one of the best seafood houses in the city, Water Grill is popular with the suit-and-tie crowd at lunch, and with concertgoers en route to the Music Center at night. — Frommer's

Located in downtown's vintage Pacifrc Mutual Center, this fine restaurant is hailed as the city's finest seafood restaurant. — Michelin Guide

The tempting market-style raw bar remains on display; choose from more than a dozen oyster varieties or indulge in one of the iced shellfish platters. — Gayot

"Seafood so fresh it seems as if they just fished it out of the ocean" is the hook at these upscale-casual Downtown and Santa Monica eateries. — Zagat

One of the top-priced, top-notch spots for munching on California cuisine with the focus on seafood, prepared in all manner of colourful ways – such as mint bass ceviche, or big-eye tuna with pomegranate couscous. — Rough Guide

A meal at Sqirl is like eating your favorite childhood meal cooked by Mother Nature herself. — The Infatuation

It’s not a restaurant, it’s a Silverlake community with a major cult following. — Bon Appétit

What started as a small preserves company in 2011 has now grown into one of Los Angeles' most popular breakfast and lunch spots. You may find yourself waiting to get into the Silver Lake... — Travel + Leisure

Koslow is cooking with skill and passion, and she has managed to give us something amazing in the process. — LA Weekly

Run, don't walk to Sqirl. A favorite cafe amongst professional cooks and locals. Daily specials are seasonal and beautifully presented. Pasta dishes are a must as well as any open-face... — Afar Magazine

David LeFevre's fever for fresh bivalves blows coastal dining doldrums out of the water. — Time Out

The menu is constantly rotating, but trust us, if you like binge eating on fine seafood, starve yourself for a day, then come here. — Lonely Planet

LeFevre's cooking is refreshing and light. — Los Angeles Times

The small room, which encompasses a raw bar, cocktail bar and tables, can cram in 36 diners and can get quite loud with all the hustle and bustle. — Gayot

Zagat reviews are compiled from individual user reviews. Zagat reviews are compiled from individual user reviews. — Zagat

Gino Angelini's sophisticated comfort-food restaurant is where other chefs go when they're off duty....His takes on ordinary-sounding dishes use the highest-quality ingredients and are somehow transcendentally delicious. — Concierge

This place is always busy, and for good reason: The vibe is unpretentious, and the food is delicious, homey, and simple, from the pastas, (like the insane Lasagne Verde and the creamy... — goop

One of L.A.’s premier Italian restaurants. Chef-owner Gino Angelini demonstrates remarkable range and finesse, from sea-salt-crusted whole branzino to the heavenly lasagna in herb sauce... — Where

"Rustic perfection" sums up the menu at this "convivial" Beverly Boulevard trattoria, where "king of authentic Italian" Gino Angelini makes "taste buds sing" with his "mouthwatering" meats. — Zagat

Authentic home-style Italian cooking—simple, rustic, and delicious—is the focus at chef-owner Gino Angelini’s unfussy restaurant. — Travel + Leisure

In business since 1908, Philippe the Original claims to have invented the French dip sandwich. — Time Out

What’s the one thing that Mt. Rushmore, Plymouth Rock, and The Alamo have in common? It’s not that they all have very important places in American History (though that is true), or that... — The Infatuation

From LAPD hunks to stressed-out attorneys to smooching couples, everyone loves Philippe’s, where the French-dip sandwich was invented over a century ago. — Lonely Planet

Now that its only serious competitor is about to be retrofitted into a gleaming replica of itself, Philippe's is one of the few remaining artifacts of the Los Angeles that Philip Marlowe knew. — LA Weekly

Good old-fashioned value is what this legendary landmark cafeteria is all about. — Frommer's

You can’t go wrong with executive chef Tony Esnault’s daily or seasonal tasting menus, and don’t pass up the delicious desserts from pastry chef Sarah Koechling. — Forbes Travel Guide

Located in the basement of the Frank Gehry-designed Walt Disney Concert Hall, this Michelin-rated restaurant is a downtown favorite for pre-theater dining and special occasions. — Travel + Leisure

Fancy, ultra-swanky Disney Hall branch of one of LA’s top restaurants, where you can devour Maine lobster, Jidori chicken and foie-gras ravioli, among other supreme dishes on the menu. — Rough Guide

Nestled on the ground floor of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Joachim Splichal’s haute restaurant hums with perfectly-harmonized service and plates with a perfect symphony of flavors. — Time Out

Droves of smartly clad fans of the performing arts dine on Splichal's signature dishes of wild game and the de rigueur ahi tuna appetizer. — Frommer's

"Interesting", "fresh" seafood, including "glistening" raw-bar selections, plus "sublime burgers" by chef-owner David Lentz are "the cat's meow" at these "hip" "foodie" destinations. — Zagat

Tucked away near the back entrance of Borders at the odd Sunset + Vine complex is this modern, casual, bustling place for local and regional seafood that is simple and seasonal. — Frommer's

Seafood and hip cocktails. Killer bleu cheese burger. — Not For Tourists

David Lentz’s contemporary culinary outpost in Hollywood is where date night and brunch crowds pile in cushioned banquettes against stainless steel countertops. — Time Out

Occupying an industrial-chic space tucked away in the Sunset + Vine complex, The Hungry Cat dedicates itself to classic seafood house fare. — Gayot

In the SLS Hotel, the Bazaar dazzles with over-the-top design by Philippe Starck and 'molecular gastronomic' tapas by José Andrés. — Lonely Planet

"An experience like no other", this "culinary Disneyland" in the SLS Hotel from José Andrés presents "wild", "whimsical" Spanish-inspired small plates and "fantastic" drinks. — Zagat

Celeb chef Jose Andres in glam SLS Beverly Hills hotel. Bar Centro for drinks and snacks, either Rojo or Blanca for tapas. — BlackBook

The list of possibilities is so long that sometimes it'€™s best to let Jivin choose for you, and tell your waiter to stop at a point to save room for desserts. — Gayot

Only the jaded could deny the joy here. Behold the seared arctic char, delivered under a silver dome, which the server lifts to unleash a swirl of applewood-scented “smoke.” — Travel + Leisure

Lukshon is the first of its own kind—an upscale and polished restaurant that reinterprets Southeast Asian flavors. — Time Out

An edgy, grown-up restaurant serving an Asian-ized, farm-centered, technique-oriented small-plates menu, very much on the path blazed by places like Animal, Lazy Ox and Red Medicine. — LA Weekly

Southeast Asian fine dining; eclectic menus, good cocktails. — Not For Tourists

Sang Yoon (Father's Office) does Southeast Asian at his "gem" in Culver City's Helms Building that turns out a "clever menu" of "spicy" small plates in a "sleek" setting. — Zagat

Sang Yoon, creator of one of L.A.’s best burgers at Father’s Office, changed directions by opening this slick Southeast Asian eatery. Try red crab fritters with chili jam—a twist on... — Where