Fine Dining Los Angeles: 13 Best Fancy Restaurants
Los Angeles is a culinary paradise where celebrity chefs and innovative cuisine collide in spectacular fashion.
I’ve spent years exploring the city’s high-end dining scene, savoring everything from artistic Japanese tasting menus to Italian feasts fit for Hollywood royalty.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal, these fancy restaurants represent the pinnacle of LA’s gastronomic excellence.
1. Providence: Ocean-To-Table Excellence
Chef Michael Cimarusti’s seafood sanctuary on Melrose Avenue changed my perception of what fish could taste like. Last anniversary, my husband and I splurged on their tasting menu, and I still dream about the spot prawn served with its head fried to crispy perfection.
The minimalist dining room, awash in ocean blues and whites, creates the perfect backdrop for the real stars – immaculately sourced seafood treated with Japanese-influenced precision. Their sustainability commitment means each bite comes with a clear conscience.
Providence holds two Michelin stars for good reason – nowhere else in LA will you find seafood handled with such reverence. The wine pairings, curated by their sommelier team, elevate each course from merely delicious to genuinely transcendent.
2. N/Naka: Japanese Kaiseki Mastery
Hidden in a nondescript building in Palms sits Chef Niki Nakayama’s culinary temple. Getting reservations here nearly caused a fight between me and my best friend when we both tried booking the same night (she won). The 13-course kaiseki experience unfolds like poetry – each plate telling a story of season and place.
Chef Nakayama’s brilliance lies in balancing traditional Japanese techniques with California’s bounty. The modern, wood-accented space feels both serene and electric with anticipation as each new course arrives.
Featured on Chef’s Table, n/naka deserves every bit of hype it receives. The sakizuke (amuse-bouche) and hassun (seasonal plate) courses showcase such delicate flavors that you’ll find yourself closing your eyes to fully absorb each bite.
3. Mélisse: French Perfection Reimagined
Stepping into Chef Josiah Citrin’s revamped Santa Monica gem feels like entering a secret culinary society. My first visit coincided with a terrible breakup, and somehow the five exquisite courses managed to temporarily heal my broken heart – that’s culinary magic at work!
The reinvented Mélisse trades the former white-tablecloth formality for an intimate 14-seat counter experience. Watching chefs prepare your meal mere inches away adds theatrical flair to the already impressive cuisine. French techniques anchor everything, but California’s seasonal produce stars in each creation.
The signature egg caviar remains from the original Mélisse – a perfect orb containing soft scrambled eggs topped with brown butter and caviar. It’s a single bite that justifies the entire experience’s price tag.
4. République: Historic Grandeur Meets Modern Flair
Housed in Charlie Chaplin’s former office building, République radiates historic charm while serving some of LA’s most exciting contemporary food. I accidentally crashed a celebrity birthday party here once – awkward but delicious!
Chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke have created a space that transitions seamlessly from morning pastry haven to evening gastronomic destination. The soaring ceilings, tiled floors, and exposed brick walls create a dramatic backdrop for their French-influenced cuisine.
Their kimchi fried rice topped with a perfect egg exemplifies their approach – technically flawless comfort food elevated to fine dining status. The restaurant’s bread program deserves special mention – their baguettes and pastries have ruined me for lesser bakeries forever. Don’t skip the seasonal vegetable dishes, which often outshine the protein-centered offerings.
5. Bestia: Industrial-Chic Italian Powerhouse
Tucked in downtown’s Arts District, Bestia ignited LA’s warehouse district dining revolution. My birthday celebration here turned into a three-hour feast that left us happily stumbling home. Chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis (husband and wife) create Italian food with punk rock attitude.
The cavernous space buzzes with energy – exposed ducts overhead, concrete floors below, and a wood-fired oven pumping out spectacular pizzas and roasted meats. Their house-made charcuterie program produces salumi that would make Italian nonnas weep with joy.
The bone marrow agnolotti remains their signature dish – tiny pasta pillows filled with rich marrow, brightened with herbs and citrus. Despite being open since 2012, scoring reservations still requires planning weeks ahead. Come hungry and order family-style to experience the full breadth of their menu.
6. Spago Beverly Hills: Wolfgang Puck’s Flagship Masterpiece
Wolfgang Puck’s legendary Spago remains the ultimate see-and-be-seen power lunch spot in Beverly Hills. My most embarrassing celebrity encounter happened here – I accidentally spilled water on a famous director while gawking at the A-list crowd!
The recently renovated dining room balances California casual with Hollywood glamour – white tablecloths and attentive service without stuffiness. The kitchen continues to innovate rather than rest on its considerable laurels. Their smoked salmon pizza with caviar started as an improvised dish for Barbra Streisand but became an enduring signature.
Executive Chef Tetsu Yahagi infuses Japanese influences into Puck’s California-Austrian foundation. The seasonal tasting menu showcases the kitchen’s versatility, but ordering à la carte allows you to sample their greatest hits alongside new creations. Despite being a celebrity magnet, the food never takes a backseat to the scene.
7. Osteria Mozza: Nancy Silverton’s Italian Sanctuary
Nancy Silverton’s mozzarella bar concept revolutionized LA’s Italian dining scene. During my first visit, I embarrassingly pronounced ‘burrata’ wrong, but the waiter kindly corrected me without making me feel like a complete fool.
The restaurant’s heart is its central marble-topped mozzarella bar, where freshly made cheeses become canvases for seasonal accompaniments. The pasta, made in-house daily, achieves that perfect al dente texture that seems simple but requires mastery. Rich brown leather booths and warm lighting create an atmosphere that’s sophisticated yet comfortable.
Don’t miss their iconic butterscotch budino dessert – a silky pudding topped with caramel and sea salt that’s spawned countless imitations. Reservations remain competitive, especially on weekends, but seats at the mozzarella bar can sometimes be nabbed for walk-ins willing to dine early.
8. Gucci Osteria Da Massimo Bottura: Fashion-Forward Italian
When fashion meets food, magic happens at Gucci Osteria on Rodeo Drive. Last summer, I splurged on lunch here after a big promotion – the perfect setting to celebrate in style! Chef Massimo Bottura’s vision, executed by Chef Mattia Agazzi, blends Italian tradition with California freshness.
The restaurant’s aesthetic mirrors Gucci’s playful elegance – velvet seating in signature green, antique mirrors, and herringbone wooden floors create a space that’s as photogenic as the food. Their Emilia burger, a luxurious spin on the American classic, features cotechino sausage, Parmigiano Reggiano cream, and salsa verde.
The rooftop terrace offers prime people-watching along Rodeo Drive. Despite the fashion house connection, this isn’t style over substance – each dish delivers sophisticated flavors that honor both Italian culinary heritage and Beverly Hills glamour.
9. Nobu Los Angeles: Celebrity-Approved Japanese Fusion
Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s West Hollywood outpost remains the gold standard for Japanese fusion cuisine. My worst date ever happened here – the guy talked about his ex all night, but the black cod with miso still made the evening worthwhile!
The sleek, minimalist space features warm wood tones, stone accents, and subtle lighting that creates an atmosphere of understated luxury. While celebrity sightings are common, the real stars are the dishes that made Nobu famous worldwide. Their yellowtail jalapeño sashimi and rock shrimp tempura with creamy spicy sauce have spawned countless imitators.
For the full experience, opt for the omakase menu, allowing the chefs to showcase seasonal specialties beyond the signature dishes. The cocktail program deserves special mention – their lychee and elderflower martini pairs perfectly with the menu’s bold flavors.
10. Maude: Curtis Stone’s Seasonal Storytelling
Australian celebrity chef Curtis Stone’s intimate Beverly Hills jewel box takes themed tasting menus to new heights. My foodie friend dragged me here skeptical of “another TV chef restaurant” – I’ve never been happier to be proven wrong!
The tiny 24-seat space feels like dining in someone’s stylish home, with vintage plates and thoughtful details creating a personal atmosphere. Every quarter, the menu completely transforms to explore a new wine region, with each course telling part of that area’s culinary story. The staff’s knowledge runs impressively deep, explaining each dish’s connection to the regional theme.
What makes Maude special is its perfect balance of technical precision and emotional resonance. Dishes aren’t just beautifully executed; they transport you to specific places through flavor. The wine pairings, curated by their sommelier team, introduce lesser-known producers from each featured region.
11. Kato: Taiwanese-Inspired Culinary Innovation
Chef Jon Yao’s Michelin-starred Kato started as a tiny strip mall gem before moving to its grander Arts District location. My Taiwanese-American roommate cried actual tears of joy during our dinner here – flavors that connected him to childhood reimagined through a fine dining lens.
The minimalist space lets the food command full attention. Yao’s tasting menu weaves together Taiwanese, Japanese, and Californian influences into something entirely unique. His buri tartare with burnt cucumber and bone marrow exemplifies his approach – familiar ingredients combined in surprising ways that somehow make perfect sense.
What’s remarkable about Kato is how it honors traditional flavors while pushing them into new territory. A dish might trigger nostalgia for those familiar with Taiwanese cuisine while simultaneously feeling innovative. The beverage program features natural wines and tea pairings that complement the menu’s subtle complexity.
12. Citrin: California Elegance Personified
Chef Josiah Citrin’s more accessible sister restaurant to Mélisse delivers equally impressive culinary fireworks in a more relaxed setting. During my parents’ anniversary dinner here, my normally stoic father actually giggled with delight at the lobster bolognese – a memory I’ll cherish forever.
The Santa Monica space balances sophistication with approachability – comfortable chairs encourage lingering, while the open kitchen adds theatrical elements to the dining experience. Their Dover sole, deboned tableside, represents the perfect marriage of classic technique and pristine ingredients.
What distinguishes Citrin is its versatility – you can construct a traditional appetizer-entrée-dessert meal or opt for a more adventurous tasting experience. The vegetable sides, often afterthoughts elsewhere, receive star treatment here. Their roasted carrots with vadouvan curry and citrus yogurt could convert the most dedicated carnivore.
13. Gwen: Meat-Centric Magnificence
Curtis Stone’s second LA venture combines a European-style butcher shop with a fire-focused restaurant. My vegetarian sister shocked us all by ordering the lamb saddle here – that’s how irresistible Chef Gareth Evans’ meat-centric menu can be!
The Hollywood space exudes 1930s glamour with its art deco touches, marble surfaces, and dramatic central hearth where much of the cooking happens. Their dry-aging program produces steaks with unparalleled depth of flavor, while the charcuterie program showcases the team’s butchery expertise.
Beyond the exceptional meat offerings, Gwen’s vegetable sides and starters display remarkable finesse. Their fire-roasted leeks with hazelnut romesco sauce might temporarily steal attention from the 80-day aged ribeye. The cocktail program, featuring both classics and innovative creations, provides perfect pairings for the robust flavors from the hearth.