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Where Chefs Eat in Los Angeles

Where Chefs Eat in Los Angeles

Your Guide to the Ultimate Best Places to Eat in Los Angeles

I've compiled a list of places where top chefs eat in Los Angeles including some of their recommended dishes.

Who else would know the best places to eat in LA other than top chefs? Bon appétit.



Alimento - Spencer Bezaire, Jeremy Fox
Recommended dishes: Trippa alla Romana, Tortellini in brodo

Anajak Thai - 
Monty Koludrovic

Angelini Osteria - Thomas Keller, Walter Manzke, Micah Wexler, Wolfgang Puck
Recommended dishes: Pasta of the day, strozzapreti with sausage and tomato sauce, spaghetti bottarga, artichokes in casseruola, branzino roasted in sea salt

​Angler - David Chang, Josef Centeno, Jon Yao, Mei Lin, Kevin Meehan, Max Boonthanakit 

Animal - Diego Hernandez
My thoughts: I've been 3 times including for ramen night and I'm not a fan of anything they serve at Animal. The service isn't great either.

Antequera de Oaxaca - Craig Thornton
Recommended dish: Tamal de mole

Antico Nuovo -  
Justin Pichetrungsi
Recommended dishes: pasta, ribs, ice cream


AOC - Nancy Silverton, Kris Morningstar
Recommended dishes: Roasted cauliflower, AOC Brioche

The Apple Pan - Dominique Ansel, Jet Tila, Vinny Dotolo
Recommended dishes: Hickory burger, banana cream pie

Avenue 26 - Jon Yao

Awan - Monty Koludrovic

Badmaash - Neil Fraser
Recommended dishes: Butter Chicken, Chana Masala and Masala Fries

Bay Cities - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Eggplant parm sandwich

Bestia - Jeremy Fox, Margarita Fores, Diego Hernandez, Curtis Stone
Recommended dish: Clams and mussels nduja broth, spaghetti rustichella, pici al sugo d'agnello

Brent's Deli - Antonia Lofaso
Recommended dishes: Matzo ball soup, corned beef on rye, homemade pickles, coleslaw and steak fries

The Brothers Sushi - Ludo Lefebvre
Recommended dishes: Omakase (chef's tasting menu)

CaCao Mexicatassen - Sean Lowenthal
Recommended dishes: Smothered carnitas burrito and french fries with mole, sea urchin chili guero taco

Capri Club - Ludo Lefebvre
Recommended dishes: arancini, 
pâtés

Cassell's Hamburgers - David Chang, David Chang
Recommended dish: Patty melt
My thoughts: Go for their dulce de leche banana cream pie 

Cassia - Chefs Bruce Kalman, Jeremy Fox, Ted Hopson, Ludo Levebvre
Recommended dishes: Chickpea curry, grilled pork belly vermicelli, cold sesame noodles with crab

Cemitas Poblanas Don Adrian - Joel Miller
Recommended dish: #3 Lomo De Puerco with avocado, onions, peppers and queso oaxaca is mind-blowing

La Cevicheria - Jordan Kahn, Chris Oh, Katsuji Tanabe, Octavio Olivas, Suzanne Tracht
Recommended dish: Guatamalan "chapin" ceviche

Chaumont Bakery and Café - Curtis Stone, Dominique Ansel
Recommended: Pain au chocolat

Chengdu Taste - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Cold mung bean noodles

chi SPACCA - Margarita Fores
Recommended dishes: Beef cheek and bone marrow pie with potato mash, focaccia di recco


Chong Qing Special Noodles - Bryant Ng
Recommended dishes: Biang biang noodle, the namesake Chong Qing noodle, and stir-cumin lamb pulled noodles.

Chung Ki Wa - Curtis Stone
Recommended: Korean barbecue

El Cochinito​ - Vinny Detolo
Recommended dish: Bistec empanizado

Coni'Seafood (formerly Mariscos Chente) - Walter Manzke
Recommended dish: Shrimp ceviche

Connie & Ted's - Jeremy Fox
Recommended dish: Chowders
My thoughts: The owner, Donato Poto, told me to get the lobster roll. This is all I eat here. They also make a great hamburger.

Dan Sung Sa - Suzanne Goin, Joshua Whigham
Recommended dishes: Steamed pork belly with oyster kimchee, seafood pancake and pork belly with kimchi

Dan Tana - Micah Wexler
Recommended dish: Chicken Tana

Destroyer - Dave Beran

Drago Centro - Neil Fraser
Recommended dish: La Bistecca

Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen - John Cleveland
Recommended dishes: 
fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and collard greens

DwitGolMok (DGM) - Craig Thornton
Recommended dishes: Kimchi pankcakes and cheesy corn

Eggslut - Margarita Fores

Felix Trattoria - Dave Beran

La Española Meats - Michael Fiorelli
Recommended dish: Saturday paella

La Estrella - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Carnitas tacos

Felix Trattoria - Kris Yenbamroong, Margarita Fores, Ryan DeNicola
Recommended dish: Trofie al pesto, ragu bolognese, sfinicione, fiori di zucca, tiramisu

Fia Restaurant - Curtis Stone

Fishing with Dynamite - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Hamachi

Flame - Susan Feniger
Recommended dish: Boneless chicken kebab

Found Oyster - Nicole Rucker, Monty Koludrovic

Recommended dish: Tostada

Fountain Coffee Room - Jon Shook


Four Sea Restaurant - Bryant Ng
Recommended dish: Scallion pancake

Full House Seafood - Philip Frankland Lee
Recommended dishes: Jellyfish salad, pan fried oysters

Gjelina - Diego Hernandez

Gjusta - Jeremy Fox
Recommended dish: matzoh ball soup

Go Get 'Em Tiger - Caroline Styne

Gualaguetza - Ludo Lefebvre, Celestino Drago, Joel Miller, Curtis Stone, Steven Fretz
Recommended dishes: Tlayuda Guelaguetza, nopal zacoteco, barbacoa roja de chivo, coloradito mole

Guerilla Tacos - Enrique Olvera, Bricia Lopez
Recommended dish: Sweet potato taco

Hinano Cafe - Ari Taymor
Recommended dish: Burger

Houston's - Spencer Bazaire, Nicole Rucker
Recommended dish: French dip sandwich

In-N-Out - EVERYONE eats here.

Jar - Nancy Silverton
Recommended dish: Chopped sirloin

Jitlada - Diego Hernandez, Ted Hopson
My thoughts: I have tried their recommended dishes and this is definitely a restaurant for those seeking spicy Thai food.  I'm not too much of a fan, but many have told me this is the best Thai in Los Angeles.

Jon & Vinny's - David Chang, Kris Yenbamroong, Margarita Fores
Recommended dish: Spicy fusilli, vodka, basil, parmesan, pizza

Kang Kang Food Court - Josef Centeno, David Chang
Recommended dish: Sheng jian bao

KazuNori - Michael Mina

Kinjiro - Justin Pichetrungsi
Recommended dishes: warm spinach salad, grilled beef tongue, whole soy-mirin Madai fish head

Kiriko - Ricardo Zarate
Recommended dish: Seared toro

Kobawoo - David Chang

Konbi - Andy Ricker, Kris Yenbamroong, Ria Barbosa, Royce Burke
Recommended dish: Rolled omelet sandwich, egg salad sandwich, croissant (my rec)

Kuya Lord - 
Justin Pichetrungsi, Ori Menashe
Recommended dishes: grilled prawns, lechon kawali, tocino, grilled sweet prime short rib


Langer's Delicatessen - David Chang

Leo's Taco Truck - Jordan Kahn
Recommended dish: Al pastor taco
My thoughts: I did a back-to-back tasting of Leo's Taco vs. Tacos Tamix and Tamix is much better at al pastor tacos.

​Lodge Bread - Mary Sue Miliken

Lu's Garden - Jon Yao

Lunasia Dim Sum - Ted Hopson

Luv2Eat Thai Bistro - David Chang, Curtis Stone, Jon Shook

Majordomo - Kris Yenbamroong, Ryan DeNicola

Maple Block - Michael Voltaggio
Recommended dishes: Smoked meat and sides

Mario's Peruvian - Vinny Dotolo

Mariscos El Faro - Danny Godinez, Diego Hernandez, Octavio Olivas

​Mariscos Jalisco - Anthony Bourdain, Adam Perry Lang, David Chang

Marugame Monzo - Jeremy Fox
Recommended dish: Miso carbonara udon

Matsuhisa - Wolfgang Puck, Sally Camacho, Jon Shook, Joachim Splichal, Thomas Keller, Joseph Elevado
Recommended dishes: Tiradito, toro tartare with caviar, omakase, white fish, jumbo clam kushiaki, black cod

McConnell's Ice Cream - Jon Shook

McDonald's - Chef Ted Hopson revealed to me that this is where many chefs eat. I also discovered the top chefs in the Philippines also love McDonald's!  


Mizlala - Vinny Dotolo, Ari Kolender

Moo's Craft Barbecue - Burt Bakman (Trudy's Underground Barbecue and now Slab) says they are the best in LA right now. 

Morihiro - 
 Sara Kramer,  Sarah Hymanson 

Myung Dong Kyoja (MDK Noodles)  - David Chang

Myung In Dumplings - Steven Fretz, Anthony Bourdain
Recommended dishes: Steamed buns, mandu

Nem Nuong Khanh Hoa - Tin Vuong

Night + Market - Rosio Sanchez, Jordan Kahn, Ray Garcia, Josef Centeno

OB Bear - David Chang, Giselle Wellman
Recommended dishes: Spicy chicken wings, leek pancakes

Osawa - Spencer Bazaire
Recommended dish: Charred black cod

Osteria Mozza - Steve Samson, Michael Voltaggio, Suzanna Tracht, Ivan Marquez
Recommended dishes: Piccolo budino di cioccolato, Ribollita 'Da Delfina', Agnolotti burro e salvia, squid ink chitarra freddi, torta della nonna

Otafuku - David Chang, Jet Tila

​Otomisan - Natalia Pereira

Papa Cristo's Greek Grill - Jon Shook, Vinny Dotolo


Park's BBQ - Joan Roca i Fontané, Diego Hernandez, Ludo Lefebvre, David Chang, Sang Yoon, Dominique Ansel, Timothy Hollingsworth, Ryan DeNicola, Katie Button, Nyesha Arrington
Recommended dishes: bibim nangmyun, gochujang jigae, galbi, bulgogi

​Pine & Crane - Natalia Pereira

​Pizzana - Ludo Lefebvre, Curtis Stone

Papa Cristo's - Vinny Dotolo

Pearl River Deli - 
Justin Pichetrungsi

Petit Trois - Jeremy Fox, Margarita Fores
Recommended dishes: French onion soup, omelet, burger mec

Philippe the Original - David Chang, Jon Shook
Recommended dish: Potato salad (my rec). The best I ever had. I prefer the French dip and pie at Cole's.

Pie 'n Burger - Spencer Bezaire
Recommended dish: Cheeseburger

​Pizzana - Curtis Stone

Playa Provisions - Bruce Kalman
Recommended dish: Crab pops

Pollo a la Brasa - Andy Ricker, Bruce Kalman, Nancy Silverton, Nick Erven, Farid Zadi
Recommended dish: Rotisserie chicken

Poncho's Tlayudas - Natalia Pereira

The Prince - Kevin Meehan
Recommended dish: Korean fried chicken

Providence - Diego Hernández Baquedano

Republique - Diego Hernandez, Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Bread and pan drippings

​Ricky's Fish Tacos - Vartan Abgaryan

Rossoblu - Phillip Frankland Lee

Ruen Pair - Vinny Dotolo, Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Fried egg and salty turnip, pork jerky
My thoughts: I don't like to eat here because the service has been consistently bad.

El Ruso - Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes

Rustic Canyon - Michael Cimarusti
My thoughts: I tried all their recommended dishes and wasn't impressed. 

Salt & Straw - Jon Shook

Sapp Coffee Shop - Anthony Bourdain
My thoughts: I visit often for their jade noodles, boat noodle soup, and iced coffee. The service is consistently friendly and attentive.

Sea Harbour - Giselle Wellman
Recommended: Dimsum

Shibumi - David Chang
Comments: I'm more nitpicky at restaurants than my sister and she was impressed by Shibumi. She said it was "expensive" for what she tasted.

Shunji - Kris Yenbamroong, Ludo Lefebvre, Fergus Henderson

Si Laa - Suzanne Tracht

​Sonoratown - Charles Olalia

Soowon Galbi - Andy Ricker
My thoughts: I will never return because our table was ignored and preference was given to Koreans who arrived later at this restaurant.

​South Beverly Grill - Jon Shook
Recommended dish: French dip

Sqirl - Jeremy Fox
Recommended dishes: Long cooked chicken and rice porridge

Sri Siam - Jessica Koslow, Shawn Pham
Recommended dishes: crispy rice salad
My thoughts: I am regular for the crispy rice salad and consistent friendly service. I also get the curry dumplings, spicy pork ribs, and khao soi.

Standing Room - Eddie Ruiz
Recommended dishes: The Napolean, sweet potato fries, pan-roasted edamame
My thoughts: I've been twice and not too much of a fan of their burgers. They have too much going on in it. I like my burgers simple.

Stella Barra - Michael Votaggio, Walynn Lucas
Recommended dishes: Avocado pizza, shaved mushroom pizza

Sun Nong Dan - David Chang, Nicole Rucker

Superba Food + Bread - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish - Filled croissant

Sushi King - Bruce Kalman

Sushi Park - Curtis Stone

Sycamore Kitchen - Steven Fretz
Recommended dishes: Chorizo scrambled egg sandwich, farmhouse chopped salad, pastries

Taco Maria - All the chefs eat here - Enrique Olvera, Ori Menashe, Diego Hernandez, Wes Avila, Ray Garcia, Akira Kuto, Ryan Garlitos, Fabian Gallardo

Tacos la Dona  - Niki Nakayama
Recommended dish: Carne asada taco

Tacos La Guera - Steven Fretz
Recommended dishes: Brisket taco, suadero tacos​

Tamales Elena y Antojitos - Ari Kolender

Tasty Garden - Tin Vuong
Recommended dishes: Club sandwich, baked pork chop, fried rice, shitty cheese

Taylor's Prime Steakhouse - Susan Feniger
Recommended dish: Ribeye steak

Tender Greens - Karen Hatfield
Recommended dish: Southern Fried Chicken Salad

Tesse - Margarita Fores

Thai Nakorn - Jazz Singsanong
Recommended dish: Thai Nakorn Beef Salad (Numtoa)

Vespertine - Dave Beran, Miles Thompson, Grant Achatz, Nancy Silverton

Vinh Loi Tofu - Thi Tran
Recommended dish: Vegan roll

Wagyu House by the X Pot - Jon Yao

Wat Dong Moon Lek - Roxana Jullapat, Matt Yuen, Kris Yenbamroong, Fern Kaewtathip

Wax Paper - Spencer Bezaire
Recommended dish: Ira Glass sandwich

Wexler's Deli - Ted Hopson
Recommended dish: Smoked sturgeon on an everything bagel

Wolvesmouth - Gary Menes, Ori Menashe, Ludo Lefebvre

Sources: Me (spotting chefs out and about),  Instagram, Chef's Feed, LA Weekly, Los Angeles Magazine, Munchies Chef's Night Out,
​ Los Angeles Times
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  • Anne Explores LA
  • Essential Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Where Chefs Eat in Los Angeles
  • Best Tacos in Los Angeles
  • Historic Los Angeles Restaurants
  • Essential San Fernando Valley Restaurants