LA’s 10 Hottest Restaurants Right Now

The food scene in LA is generating a lot of buzz lately as new restaurants are opening their doors – from first-time restaurant owners like celebrity chef Curtis Stone to restaurant veterans like Josef Centeno who just opened his third restaurant in LA. Here are the top 10 best new restaurants.

Factory Kitchen

Traditional Italian fare in the heart of the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles. Factory is the product of life long friendship of Restauranteur Matte Ferdinandi and Chef Angelo Auriana. Chef angelo prepares dishes using fresh seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. The approachable menu at Factory highlights the simplicity of traditional local recipes.

East Borough

The trendy, modern Vietnamese restaurant in Costa Mesa has arrived in LA.  East Borough serves both authentic Vietnamese street food as well as some more serious, elegant dishes like grilled shrimp and hanger steak.

Maude

Chef Curtis Stone’s first restaurant offers an intimate dining experience.  With only 25 seats, the restaurant is rather exclusive and each month a single ingredient inspires the California $75 prix fixe menu of nine tasting plates. Grab the four rear chairs at the bar overlooking the kitchen.

L.A. Chapter

Located at uber trendy Ace Hotel, LA Chapter serves local and organic ingredients prepared with both classic and modern techniques.

The Church Key

Modern American cuisine incorporating dim sum carts that make their rounds to every table. The Church Key also specializes in uniquely crafted cocktails.

Republique

Bistro-inspired fare from husband and wife duo Walter and Margarita Manzke. Located in the historic Campanile building, the menu includes unique items such as eggs on toast with uni and also the more traditional dishes like moules frites. For a more casual dining experience, sit in the bar and bistro area in the front instead of the more formal dining area in the back.

Orsa & Winston

The third downtown restaurant from chef and owner Josef Centeno of Bäco Mercat and Bar Amá. Featuring nightly-changing tasting menus, as well as family-style options, the restaurant incorporates sensibilities of both Italian and Japanese cuisines in an intimate 32-seat dining room and open kitchen.

Bestia

Chef Ori Menashe (former Chef of Angelini Osteria) and Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis are the husband and wife duo behind Bestia, a seasonal Italian restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

Gracias Madre

The most recent meat-free effort from those behind Cafe Gratitude, Gracias Madre serves vegan Mexican cuisine alongside tequila and mezcal-based drinks.

Faith & Flower

Located in downtown’s South Park district, Faith & Flower is serving everything from duck liver mousse tarts to dungeness crab toast to mushroom stuffed quail.