BEST HAUTE CUISINE in LA
SPAGO
176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Spago, the brainchild of the celebrated Austrian chef Wolfgang Puck, first opened its doors in West Hollywood in 1982 before making the move to Beverly Hills in 1997. It quickly became the go-to spot for celebrities and the Hollywood crowd, who fell in love with its lively open kitchen, innovative dishes, and electric atmosphere. The menu is a celebration of California cuisine with a unique twist, featuring fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from Spago’s very own garden and local producers. A firm favorite among the stars, Spago has garnered numerous awards and honors throughout its illustrious history.
N/NAKA
3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
N/NAKA, a two-Michelin-star restaurant, offers modern kaiseki, a Japanese culinary art form that presents seasonal ingredients in a series of courses. The restaurant was founded by Chef Niki Nakayama, one of the few female kaiseki chefs in the world and a featured chef on the Netflix series Chef’s Table. It is located in Palms, a West Los Angeles neighborhood, in a serene and understated room. Since its opening in 2011, the restaurant has received acclaim for its warm and graceful dining experience and its innovative fusion of kaiseki and Californian cuisine.
DESTROYER
3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
Destroyer is a cafe atelier that serves contemporary cuisine with a Nordic influence. It was established by Chef Jordan Kahn, who also owns the Michelin-starred Vespertine across the street. Its minimalist design, friendly service, and unique food experience appeal to both locals and visitors. The name Destroyer signifies Kahn’s creative and unconventional style of cooking. The cafe is situated in the Hayden Tract district, a former industrial area that has become a center for creative and architectural firms. The cafe occupies a building designed by the renowned architect Eric Owen Moss. Destroyer’s menu varies daily, and features dishes that are both delicious and visually stunning.
REPUBLIQUE
624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
République is a French-inspired bakery, café, bar, and formal dining room in Los Angeles’s Mid-City neighborhood. It occupies a historic 1928 building that Charlie Chaplin built. The owners and founders, Margarita and Walter Manzke, are chefs and restaurateurs who have worked at acclaimed restaurants such as Bastide and Church & State. The restaurant is known for its delicate baked goods, such as croissants, tarts, and danishes, as well as its seasonal and creative dishes that showcase the Manzkes’ culinary skills. It is a popular destination for Angelenos whom appreciate quality food and service in a charming and historic setting.
BAVEL
500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis wanted to showcase the cuisines of their family lineages and create a restaurant that reflects the diverse culinary traditions of the Middle East. Bavel—which translates to “Babylon” in Hebrew—brings the flavors and dishes they grew up with to the public. The restaurant’s spacious patio, complete with a wood oven and grill, offers a vibrant dining experience as colorful as its decor. Bavel’s menu is a testament to creativity and tradition, featuring standout dishes like the richly flavored hummus with duck, the smoky mushroom kebab, succulent grilled prawns, and the crowd-favorite crispy bread with egg and tomato. Each dish is a conversation starter, not just for its taste but for the story it tells of a culture and family traditons.
