Los Angeles

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

Your hunger will be sated, your synapses on overload, your senses heightened to the point that an after-dinner chocolate becomes as eloquent as a sonnet. — LA Weekly

Obsessed with quality and freshness, the meticulous chef maintains a network of specialty purveyors, some of whom tip him off to their catch before it even hits the dock. — Fodor's

Each evening takes diners on a unique culinary journey, beginning with perhaps a choice of oysters or farm-raised caviar, followed with dishes like Alaskan king crab risotto with sea urchin and yuzu. — Departures

"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

The meat—smoky around the edges, Kobe-tender, and bursting with beefy juice—requires not a smidge of seasoning, though mustard comes standard. — Travel + Leisure

Located in a Latino business district, the Jewish deli is a holdout from another era, and after over 65 years, patrons still say they serve up the "best pastrami in the world." — Condé Nast Traveler

Operating out of the same storefront it's owned since 1947, this James Beard Award-winning LA eatery has consistently satisfied multiple generations' worth of hot pastrami cravings—and shows no signs of slowing down. — Time Out

Langer's has the look of a no-frills Jewish deli back in New York. The draw here is the hand-cut pastrami. — Fodor's

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

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

This Italian love child of Mario Batali and Nancy Silverton is just what you'd expect a duo of star chefs to dish up: dazzling, ambitious, and perhaps a wee bit overhyped. — Concierge

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

Since opening its door in 2007, this Melrose and Highland dining destination has grown into an empire that spans a pizzeria, to-go counter and retail shop and recently-opened salumeria. — Time Out

Come summer, I look forward to interleaving slices of mozzarella and basil leaves with slices of the first luscious red tomatoes to make a classic caprese. — Los Angeles Times

Even after all these years, Wolfgang Puck's home base is still an amazing experience. — Concierge

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

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

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

The flagship of celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck's food empire, sophisticated Spago is among LA's most famous restaurants. — Insight Guides

Even now, with the proliferation of new seafood spots in town, Water Grill is the grande dame. — LA Weekly

Chef David LeFevre has taken this famous and expensive seafood restaurant in a different direction. — Time Out

The fancy space is also massive enough that it doesn’t get too stuffy, and if things start to get dreary, pop open that bottle of wine you brought - there’s no corkage fee on your first bottle. — The Infatuation

Fish and seafood fanciers from all over flock to this clubby shrine, which uses only impec- cably fresh ingredients. Desserts are superb. — DK Eyewitness

At Water Grill, the raw bar rules. Always has. — Los Angeles Times

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

The up and coming Arts District in downtown LA has gone from a few desolate warehouses to one of the hottest new restaurant destinations. — Wallpaper

The eatery is known for its multi-regional rustic Italian cuisine made from scratch, including house-made charcuterie, handmade pastas and pizzas, and elevated dishes like roasted marrow bone. — Departures

Bestia not only changed this city’s culinary game, it might’ve changed an entire part of the city. This is not a dinner. This is an experience. — The Infatuation

Husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe (ex Angelini Osteria) and Genevieve Gergis "are a force to be reckoned with" at this "new fave" in Downtown's Arts District. — Zagat

Think: grilled wild boar sausage, mussels steamed in white wine, chili and thyme, and crispy, garlicky baby artichokes. — Lonely Planet

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

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

Hidden cave of wine. — Not For Tourists

"It's like eating from the farm without the work" at this Santa Monica Cal-Med matching "phenomenal" farm-to-table small plates with "interesting wines" in a "stylish, yet casual" setting. — Zagat

The best pig's ears I've ever had, better than the crunchy ones at Spotted Pig in New York, better than the fritters at the Bristol in Paris. — LA Weekly

The atmosphere is fun and the food coming out of the kitchen is very good. — The Infatuation

This downtown eatery has a hip clientele—downtown residents and commuters waiting out rush hour—who crowd the dining room or linger on the patio to soak up the vibe of an authentic French brasserie. — Where

Expect "pitch-perfect" French fare at this "boisterous" bistro where a resident "cocktail wizard", "unusual wines" and "perfect steak frites" draw Downtown's "hipster chic" contingent. — Zagat

Both extremely fancy (anniversary date-night caliber) while being effortlessly casual. You can almost imagine yourself in Paris as you dig into your escargot or lavender-honey goat cheese toasts. — On the Grid

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

Chef-owner Gino Angelini demonstrates remarkable range and finesse, from sea-salt-crusted whole branzino to the heavenly lasagna in herb sauce recipe he inherited from his grandmother. — Where

Angelini Osteria may not be a serious restaurant, but sometimes you are in the mood for artistry, and sometimes you just want to have supper. — LA Weekly

Angelini Alimentari is the casual, all-day sister restaurant to Angelini Osteria - one of the best pasta spots in LA — The Infatuation

You might not guess it from the modest dining room, but this is one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants, where the key is chef-owner Gino Angelini's thoughtful use of superb ingredients. — Fodor's

The creation of jam maker Jessica Koslow, this East LA storefront doubles as a production facility and a cafe offering G&B coffee, breakfast and lunch. — Zagat

Breakfast and lunch from a damn good jam-maker. — Not For Tourists

In a world full of specialty restaurants, you can't get much more basic than toast. Or much better. — Los Angeles Times

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

Despite its somewhat-obscure location, this tiny, subway-tiled cafe is forever pumping thanks to its top-notch, out-of-the-box breakfast and lunch offerings — Lonely Planet

Experience Manhattan Beach in all its quirky, surfer-ific majesty at David LeFevre's upbeat postage stamp-size seafood eatery — Tasting Table

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

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

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

Cozy, seasonal, eclectic seafood; raw bar and rotating menu. — Not For Tourists

Expensive but tasty restaurant that doles out comfort food for the culinary elite – spiced lamb ribs, wild mushroom lasagne and grilled cornbread are but a few of the dishes you might find on the rotating menu. — Rough Guide

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

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. — Where

Goin cooks with bold flavors, fresh-from-the-farm produce, and an instinctive feel for the food of the Mediterranean. — Frommer's

"Always a delight", Suzanne Goin's West Hollywood mainstay continues to be a "foodie haven" thanks to her "smart" market-driven Cal-Med cuisine. — Zagat

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

Go prepared to queue up or stop in late-night (it's open until midnight; 1 a.m. on Saturdays). And, yes, you'll definitely take a slice of one of the house-made pies. — Tasting Table

An "LA original", this "quaint" little spot in West LA has been turning out "wonderful" "classic" hickory burgers, "fabulous" pies and other "simple, but good" grub. — Zagat

Queue up and ring around a U-shaped counter at this West LA institution, which has escaped time. — Time Out

The sign out front promises “Quality Forever.” And we’d wholly agree, this place is quality indeed. — 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

It’s only a 107-year-old establishment and oh, the birthplace of the French dip sandwich. Like THAT French dip sandwich. The one you dream about at night. — The Infatuation

People have been lining up at the huge counter to order French dip sandwiches filled with beef, pork, ham, turkey or lamb for nearly a century (the sandwich wasn't "invented" until 1918). — Gayot

L.A.'s oldest restaurant (1908), Philippe claims that the French dip sandwich originated here. — Fodor's

The best French dips in town. Totally awesome. — Not For Tourists

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

The bar is known for its martinis, and steaks and chops dominate the dinner menu, along with items like calf’s sweetbreads, turkey á la king, and Welsh rarebit. — Travel + Leisure

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

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

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

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

All about food: and it’s pig, pig, more pig. Leave your veggie feelings at the door. But leave your palate open. They do vegetables. As a bed for pork. — BlackBook

When foodies in Los Angeles need a culinary thrill, they come to this restaurant in the Fairfax District, which is light on the flash but heavy on serious food. — Fodor's

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

Gnocchi drenched in six-hour, slow-cooked bolognese, or crispy pig's head, veal tongue or rabbit legs sounds intimidating, but carnivorous foodies do pray at the Animal altar. — Lonely Planet

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

This restaurant and wine bar revolutionized L.A.'s dining scene, pioneering the small-plate format that has now swept the city. — Fodor's

Explore a Mediterranean-inspired menu at the eatery that pioneered two L.A. culinary trends: the small-plates format and the wine bar. — Where

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

The wine list is impeccable and the staff knowledgeable. And for the food? Well, it’s refined. It’s good. Very good, in many cases. — The Infatuation

With endless celebrity photos and numerous "Best of" lists on the walls, chef Jazz Singsanong’s Thai town restaurant is one of the city’s cult favorites. — Time Out

Make your way through the massive menu; the Southern Thai specials rank among our favorites. — Tasting Table

In a dreary mini-mall, but the spicy chicken, squid, oxtail curry, papaya salad, and fishball and other seafood curries more than make up for the setting. Affordable prices, too. — Rough Guide

This cozy restaurant in an East Hollywood mini-mall stays true to authentic Thai cooking. — Gayot

Upscale eats in a downscale neighborhood, Jitlada serves the finest in southern Thai cuisine in a cozy and colorful Thai Town joint on Sunset. — Travel + Leisure

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

Patina's exquisitely wrought dining room in Disney Hall is the most important restaurant space in California, and Tony Esnault is a master of modern global cuisine. — LA Weekly

The contemporary space, surrounded by a rippled "curtain" of rich walnut, is an elegant, dramatic stage for the acclaimed restaurant's contemporary French cuisine. — Fodor's

The chefs at the helm of the kitchen have been maintaining Patina's reputation as the crown jewel of the culinary kingdom created by uber-chef Joachim Splichal. — Gayot

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

"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

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

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

East Coast fare—Dungeness crab benedict, a lobster roll, you-peel or they-peel shrimp—is offered in hip little spots — Where

This kitty is small and sleek and hides out across Sunset from the ArcLight cinemas, making it a handy pre- or postshow stop. — Lonely Planet