LA's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
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LA's Best New Restaurants Of 2023
This year, LA restaurants were all about little moments of comfort. Nostalgia was everywhere: red sauce pasta joints, kooky ice cream parlors, and smoky taquerias that smelled like a backyard asada. But this was a year of looking forward, too. LA’s first lesbian bar in years opened and became a go-to hangout. A you-order-it-they-grill-it spot in a Santa Monica parking lot was the hottest place to eat on the Westside. We have great Spanish restaurants now. It’s hard to put 2023 into one category, but we’ll say this: when things felt like a dumpster fire, these were the places that brought us back to life. Looking for the best places to eat in LA, full stop? Check out our guide to the 25 highest-rated in town.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Halfway through our second black garlic gibson, while staring into the glossy eyes of a Romanesque horse bust.
Perfect Order For Two
Tableside caesar, veal parm, Italian lemon ice.
Best Time To Go
After realizing money is a construct, so you might as well spend it.
Collective Team Visits
13
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Halfway through our second black garlic gibson, while staring into the glossy eyes of a Romanesque horse bust.
Perfect Order For Two
Tableside caesar, veal parm, Italian lemon ice.
Best Time To Go
After realizing money is a construct, so you might as well spend it.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
That first whiff of mesquite smoke…a whole block away from the restaurant.
Perfect Order For Solo Lunch
One costilla taco, one ribeye taco, and an asada taco with an Anaheim chile—the Los Cholos holy trinity.
Best Time To Go
Daytime on weekends when the grill is fired up, the room is packed, and the banda is booming.
Collective Team Visits
8
Moment We Knew We Loved It
That first whiff of mesquite smoke…a whole block away from the restaurant.
Perfect Order For Solo Lunch
One costilla taco, one ribeye taco, and an asada taco with an Anaheim chile—the Los Cholos holy trinity.
Best Time To Go
Daytime on weekends when the grill is fired up, the room is packed, and the banda is booming.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we sheepishly asked for more quesadillas to eat with our whole fish spread and the server told us refills were unlimited.
Perfect Order For Four
Two ceviches, one tostada, the whole fish, and the carajillo cake.
Best Time To Go
With a group of friends who are down to share food. No “entree people” allowed.
Collective Team Visits
19
Moment We Knew We Loved It
When we sheepishly asked for more quesadillas to eat with our whole fish spread and the server told us refills were unlimited.
Perfect Order For Four
Two ceviches, one tostada, the whole fish, and the carajillo cake.
Best Time To Go
With a group of friends who are down to share food. No “entree people” allowed.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Picking up the first flour tortilla and sensing it was sturdy enough to hold chopped beef and salsa like a stork carrying a baby.
Perfect Order For A Solo Meal
Two tacos de asada on flour, one taco de cabeza on corn, and a cinnamon-y agua de cebada for a sweet little treat between tacos.
Best Time To Go
The 1pm lunch rush, when the sound of meat being chopped is louder than a dude revving his rental Lamborghini at a stoplight.
Collective Team Visits
10
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Picking up the first flour tortilla and sensing it was sturdy enough to hold chopped beef and salsa like a stork carrying a baby.
Perfect Order For A Solo Meal
Two tacos de asada on flour, one taco de cabeza on corn, and a cinnamon-y agua de cebada for a sweet little treat between tacos.
Best Time To Go
The 1pm lunch rush, when the sound of meat being chopped is louder than a dude revving his rental Lamborghini at a stoplight.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
During intermission at Pasadena Playhouse next door, when we were still wondering how that plate of carrots tasted like crispy rice salad.
Perfect Order For A Date
Clam toast, crispy potatoes, the carrots, bluefin tuna, and semifreddo.
Best Time To Go
A big night out with theater nerds who watch cooking shows on Youtube.
Collective Team Visits
8
Moment We Knew We Loved It
During intermission at Pasadena Playhouse next door, when we were still wondering how that plate of carrots tasted like crispy rice salad.
Perfect Order For A Date
Clam toast, crispy potatoes, the carrots, bluefin tuna, and semifreddo.
Best Time To Go
A big night out with theater nerds who watch cooking shows on Youtube.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
The morning after, when we started looking for other sushi bars hidden under a plastic surgery office/parking garage. None so far.
Perfect Order For One
The only option available is the perfect one—the omakase.
Best Time To Go
The 6pm dinner seating. More time to sleep off the wine pairing.
Collective Team Visits
4
Moment We Knew We Loved It
The morning after, when we started looking for other sushi bars hidden under a plastic surgery office/parking garage. None so far.
Perfect Order For One
The only option available is the perfect one—the omakase.
Best Time To Go
The 6pm dinner seating. More time to sleep off the wine pairing.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our second visit, sitting at the bar with a whole branzino and a glass of Vinho Verde.
Perfect Order For A Spontaneous Date Night
A plate of jamon iberico, tuna crudo, and the bifana sandwich drenched in garlic-herb sauce. Mints not included.
Best Time To Go
Before 7pm to avoid a wait. Keep it to two people—otherwise you’ll probably be seated outside where the scene isn’t as fun.
Collective Team Visits
11
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Our second visit, sitting at the bar with a whole branzino and a glass of Vinho Verde.
Perfect Order For A Spontaneous Date Night
A plate of jamon iberico, tuna crudo, and the bifana sandwich drenched in garlic-herb sauce. Mints not included.
Best Time To Go
Before 7pm to avoid a wait. Keep it to two people—otherwise you’ll probably be seated outside where the scene isn’t as fun.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Thinking we accidentally crashed an outdoor block party with picnic tables and Santa Maria grills, then realizing it’s the restaurant.
Perfect Order For Four
Two tartines, lamb chops, whole branzino, and every grilled vegetable on the menu.
Best Time To Go
45 minutes (or however long it takes you to split a bottle of gamay) before the sun sets.
Collective Team Visits
12
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Thinking we accidentally crashed an outdoor block party with picnic tables and Santa Maria grills, then realizing it’s the restaurant.
Perfect Order For Four
Two tartines, lamb chops, whole branzino, and every grilled vegetable on the menu.
Best Time To Go
45 minutes (or however long it takes you to split a bottle of gamay) before the sun sets.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
When our server whipped out a blowtorch from her pocket and seared an entire mackerel filet in front of us.
Perfect Order For A Catch-Up With A Friend
Corn ribs, assorted sashimi platter, wagyu steak, and the mentaiko udon.
Best Time To Go
After work, for sake and small plates that will help you forget about that looming deadline.
Collective Team Visits
4
Moment We Knew We Loved It
When our server whipped out a blowtorch from her pocket and seared an entire mackerel filet in front of us.
Perfect Order For A Catch-Up With A Friend
Corn ribs, assorted sashimi platter, wagyu steak, and the mentaiko udon.
Best Time To Go
After work, for sake and small plates that will help you forget about that looming deadline.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Standing on the sidewalk patio with a hot dog in one hand and a glass of pinot gris in the other, talking to two neighbors about their Alanis podcast.
Perfect Order For Two
Loaded raclette fries, farro bowl, tuna melt, and the gabagool sandwich.
Best Time To Go:
On a Tuesday for a laptop lunch session.
Collective Team Visits
16
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Standing on the sidewalk patio with a hot dog in one hand and a glass of pinot gris in the other, talking to two neighbors about their Alanis podcast.
Perfect Order For Two
Loaded raclette fries, farro bowl, tuna melt, and the gabagool sandwich.
Best Time To Go:
On a Tuesday for a laptop lunch session.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Hearing the crunch and squish while cutting into the chicken parm.
Perfect Order For A Date
Spaghetti and meatballs. You’re not better than those little cartoon dogs.
Best Time To Go
After a round of drinks at Bar Flores upstairs with someone who thinks your ears are cute.
Collective Team Visits
5
Moment We Knew We Loved It
Hearing the crunch and squish while cutting into the chicken parm.
Perfect Order For A Date
Spaghetti and meatballs. You’re not better than those little cartoon dogs.
Best Time To Go
After a round of drinks at Bar Flores upstairs with someone who thinks your ears are cute.
photo credit: Jessie Clapp
Moment We Knew We Loved it
The first bite of elote agnolotti, which made us realize Mexican and Italian cooking are a flawless pair.
Perfect Order For A Fun Group Dinner Outside
Nopales caprese, chorizo and clams in jalapeño broth, a few pastas, the short rib, and all the desserts.
Best Time To Go
A lazy weekend dinner, listening to bachata on the patio as you scoop pomegranate aguachile with a crunchy pasta “tostada.”
Collective Team Visits
6
Moment We Knew We Loved it
The first bite of elote agnolotti, which made us realize Mexican and Italian cooking are a flawless pair.
Perfect Order For A Fun Group Dinner Outside
Nopales caprese, chorizo and clams in jalapeño broth, a few pastas, the short rib, and all the desserts.
Best Time To Go
A lazy weekend dinner, listening to bachata on the patio as you scoop pomegranate aguachile with a crunchy pasta “tostada.”