Best LA Restaurants of 2025 (#10 - #6)

In December 2024, the LA Times released its “101 Best L.A. Restaurants,” and a lightbulb went off in my head: I needed to try all of them. At first, this felt like a totally reasonable endeavor. It turned out to be more difficult than I expected, but I also learned far more than I ever anticipated. I’ve lived in Los Angeles for nearly 15 years, and the city still surprises me, sometimes in delightful ways, and sometimes… not so much.

As for the list itself, I’ll start with the sad part: many of the restaurants closed over the course of the year. Some I managed to visit before they shut their doors; others I’ll never get the chance to try. It’s a reflection of the times. I don’t know the individual stories behind each closure, but I do know the restaurant industry in Los Angeles has been through a lot—still recovering from Covid, shaken by entertainment-industry strikes and layoffs, and then hit by the devastating wildfires earlier this year. There has been a heaviness in the city I haven’t felt before.

What I wasn’t prepared for, though, was the journey this list would take me on—through Los Angeles and beyond. As a foodie, food lover, passionate eater (pick your title), I shouldn’t have been surprised. Food is magical like that: it brings people together, teaches you about cultures, introduces you to new neighborhoods and new faces—and keeps you very well fed along the way.

Ultimately, I wasn’t successful in my goal. I didn’t make it to all 101 restaurants. I did make it to 75 places on the list. The challenge was more logistically and financially complicated than I expected. I wasn’t anticipating quite so many Orange County spots on the list, for one thing. And I’m married to someone who simply cannot do sushi—he’s tried, truly tried—so I saved all the sushi places for last and then realized… sushi is expensive. Then, as life tends to do, it threw a few things my way that kept me home for several weeks and off my restaurant circuit.

Still, I’m grateful for the list. It brought me to places I never would have visited otherwise. But I did have a few thoughts. The main one being that I didn’t agree with all the rankings. So I wanted to share my own top 10. Like the LA Times, I give equal weight to fine-dining destinations and casual spots. I’m focused on the food—but yes, ambience plays a role. And I’ll be honest: if I can’t find a single parking spot within a mile radius, it definitely affects my overall mood about the meal.

So here it is: the first half of my list (#10–#6) of the best restaurants I enjoyed in L.A. in 2025.

First, I wanted to begin with two honorable mentions:

Providence: (Hollywood) Three-Michelin star restaurant by Chef Michael Cimarusti.  This is a bucket list, fine-dining experience.  Service was exquisite, wine was excellent, food was decadent.  However, personally, the high price tag was something that hindered my ability to fully relax and enjoy my meal.  It is an extraordinary restaurant and absolutely deserving of recognition, but for me, it just misses the top 10.

*Parking: Valet

Dolan’s Uyghur: (Alhambra) This place blew us away.  Not only was the food delicious, but Dolan’s provided a learning experience as well.  I discovered that Uyghur cuisine comes from a Turkic culture in northwestern China. Hand-pulled noodles, fragrant spices, and deeply layered flavors made every dish memorable. I’m a big fan.

*Parking: Convenient lot

#10:  Saffy’s: (East Hollywood) I first dined at Saffy’s shortly after it opened, when it was very much a scene and reservations were nearly impossible. It’s a bit easier to get in now, but the Middle Eastern, home-style cooking remains flawless. This is the kind of food I could happily eat every day...and it makes me wish I lived a whole lot closer.

*Parking: Valet

#9:  Kato: (Downtown) One-Michelin Star restaurant by Chef Yao.  This fine-dining restaurant has a Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu with gorgeous presentation, impeccable service, and a wine pairing that literally made me squeal with delight each time they brought a new wine to the table. 

*Parking: Convenient parking structure nearby

#8:  Quarter Sheets: (Echo Park) I went into Quarter Sheets skeptical after hearing so much hype. How good could this pizza really be? Answer: extremely. After my first bite, I was already plotting my return. The Detroit-style pizza is the highlight, but don’t skip the paper-thin bar pies either. Pro tip: make a reservation unless you’re prepared for a wait.

*Parking: Tricky – but worth it

#7:  Pine & Crane: (Silver Lake) I fell in love with Pine & Crane the moment I read the menu—Taiwanese small plates, noodles, and rice dishes that make you want to order one of everything (which we almost did). Each dish somehow topped the last. Yet another spot that makes me regret living far away, because I’d absolutely be a regular if I could.

*Parking: Tricky!

#6:  Moo’s Craft BBQ: (Lincoln Heights) Moo’s Craft is another heavily hyped spot that fully delivers. While I wouldn’t call myself a BBQ connoisseur, I am a serious BBQ lover—and this place hits the mark. The brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and mac & cheese are all excellent, and the burger is easily one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Expect a line and arrive early—it’s worth the wait.

*Parking: Street Parking – but relatively easy to find

Stay tuned for my top 5...coming soon!