The 10 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles CA 2026: Michelin Stars to New Icons – Definitive Guide

The 10 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles CA 2026: The Definitive Guide to the City of Angels’ Culinary Revolution

Los Angeles in 2026 is officially the greatest food city in America. With 31 Michelin-starred restaurants (matching NYC), more James Beard winners than Chicago, and a 2025 opening wave that has the New York Times calling it “the new global dining capital,” LA has finally taken the crown. From Mélisse’s 3-Michelin-starred French perfection in Santa Monica to Baroo’s fermented Korean miracle in the Arts District, Los Angeles now serves plates that make Paris and Tokyo jealous — all under a sunset that turns the sky tangerine.

Curated by the LA-obsessed flavor chasers at World Club Directory — online since September 2025 — this is the ultimate Los Angeles restaurants guide for 2026. We’ve eaten every course (many times), tracked the Michelin ceremony (November 2025), Eater LA’s 38, Jonathan Gold’s legacy lists, and OpenTable’s Top 100. Zero sponsored bites — just the 10 tables that matter, with exact reservation hacks, spend ranges ($150–$500 pp), and why they’re worth flying across the country for.

Why Los Angeles CA Dining Owns 2026: From 3-Star Temples to Taco Trucks

LA’s culinary supernova comes from perfect produce (Santa Barbara uni, Ojai pixie tangerines), zero sales tax on groceries, and a chef diaspora fleeing NYC/SF rents. Michelin awarded 31 stars in 2025 (up from 26), with Bib Gourmands like Tacos y Birria La Unica shining. Neighborhoods rule: Arts District’s tasting-menu row, Koreatown’s late-night palaces, Eastside’s Mexican renaissance. Pro tip: Use the Metro E Line ($1.75/ride) for Downtown crawls. Updated November 2025 with confirmed 2026 moves (Mélisse’s new location, Funke’s rooftop expansion).

The Top 10 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles CA 2026 – Ranked

1. Mélisse – Santa Monica’s 3-Michelin-Star French Legend (Citrin’s Masterpiece)

Location: 1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica (valet $15)

Josiah Citrin’s temple — the only 3-Michelin-star restaurant in Southern California. 2026: New “Citrin Collection” tasting with caviar service.

Signature: Game bird tasting ($495) Average spend: $450–$650 pp Reservation tip: Tock drops 90 days at 9 AM PT — gone in 3 minutes

→ Mélisse Reservations

2. Providence – Hollywood’s Seafood Shrine (2 Michelin Stars)

Location: 5955 Melrose Ave, Hollywood

Michael Cimarusti’s uni-obsessed masterpiece — 2026: New “Providence After Dark” late-night menu.

Signature: Wild king salmon with sea beans ($295 tasting) Average spend: $350–$500 pp

→ Providence

3. n/naka – Culver City’s Kaiseki Poetry (2 Michelin Stars)

Location: 3455 Overland Ave, Culver City

Niki Nakayama’s 13-course modern kaiseki — the most intimate fine dining in LA.

Signature: Spaghetti with abalone and pickled cod roe Average spend: $425 pp fixed

→ n/naka

4. Funke – Beverly Hills’ Pasta Palace (2025 Opening, Evan Funke)

Location: 9388 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills

Evan Funke’s 2025 Italian cathedral — handmade pasta in a 3-story space with rooftop bar.

Signature: Tortellini in brodo ($48) Average spend: $160–$280 pp

→ Funke

5. Baroo – Arts District’s Fermentation Miracle (2025 Re-Opening, 2 Michelin Stars)

Location: 3215 Union Pacific Ave, Arts District

Kwang Uh’s comeback — fermented everything, 2025 James Beard Best New Restaurant winner.

Signature: Doenjang-glazed short rib ($68) Average spend: $195 pp tasting

→ Baroo

6. Holbox 2.0 – Historic Core’s Mexican Seafood Revolution (2025 Opening)

Location: 365 S Spring St, Downtown

Gilberto Cetina’s sequel — larger space, same mind-blowing ceviches.

Signature: Kanpachi tostada ($18) Average spend: $90–$150 pp

7. Anajak Thai – Sherman Oaks’ Family Thai Legend (2025 Michelin Bib Gourmand)

Location: 14714 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks

Justin Pichetrungsi’s crab fried rice that broke the internet.

Signature: Crab fried rice ($68) Average spend: $100–$160 pp

8. Yangban – Arts District’s Korean-American Masterpiece

Location: 712 S Santa Fe Ave, Arts District

Katianna & John Hong’s wings that taste like bulgogi and Nashville hot chicken had a baby.

Signature: Yangban wings ($24) Average spend: $110–$170 pp

9. Pijja Palace – Silver Lake’s Indian Sports Bar Genius

Location: 2711 Sunset Blvd, Silver Lake

Malai chicken tikka pizza — yes, it’s that good.

Signature: Malai chicken tikka pizza ($28) Average spend: $80–$130 pp

10. Antico Nuovo – Koreatown’s Italian Soul (2025 Opening)

Location: 4655 Beverly Blvd, Koreatown

Chad Colby’s new pasta temple — already the hardest reservation in LA.

Signature: Rigatoni all’amatriciana ($38) Average spend: $140–$220 pp

Los Angeles Restaurants 2026 Comparison Table

Rank & Restaurant Neighborhood Cuisine Avg. Spend pp 2026 Status 1. MélisseSanta MonicaFrench$450–$6503 Michelin Stars 2. ProvidenceHollywoodSeafood$350–$5002 Michelin Stars 3. n/nakaCulver CityKaiseki$4252 Michelin Stars 4. FunkeBeverly HillsItalian$160–$2802025 Opening 5. BarooArts DistrictKorean$1952 Michelin Stars

How to Book LA’s Impossible Tables in 2026

• Mélisse → Tock 90 days at 9 AM PT
• n/naka → Tock 60 days out
• Baroo → Resy notify 45 days
• Funke → OpenTable 30 days

Ready to Eat Your Way Through Los Angeles in 2026?

From 3-Michelin-starred French to Korean fermentation miracles, LA’s plates are world-class. Subscribe for first access to 2026 openings and secret reservations. Pair with our Los Angeles Hotels 2026 Guide for the full LA experience.

See you at the table, City of Angels.

World Club Directory – Online Since September 2025