Los Angeles is always flush with exciting new restaurants, and the first half of 2025 has been no exception. From a Hollywood seafood stunner to a highly anticipated South Bay Mediterranean restaurant to a vibey Downtown pizzeria backed by some serious star power, here’s an inside look at the best new restaurants in Los Angeles.
From must-order dishes to the critics’ takes to insider tips, here’s everything you need to know about dining out at these top LA spots.
These are the best new restaurants in Los Angeles to try this summer. Book them all on OpenTable.
AttaGirl (Hermosa Beach)
The x-factor: Sleepy Hermosa got a jolt of excitement with the arrival of this long-anticipated spot from acclaimed South Bay chefs David Lefebrvre (M.B. Post, The Arthur J. Ryla) and Alice Mai of Fishing With Dynamite.
The food and drinks: The Mediterranean-leaning menu is filled with small plates—think wood-fired meat skewers and crispy cauliflower falafel—along with made-for-sharing mains like chicken tagine. French- and Italian-forward wines and botanical-leaning cocktails complement the food.
The vibe: Airy and bright, the sunny dining room decked out with greenery channels a stylish coastal Mediterranean resort, with an upbeat soundtrack to match
The reviews: The Infatuation praises the restaurant’s wide-ranging menu, noting that “the spiced lamb radiatore tastes like the love child of a rich bolognese and fresh-baked lahmajune,” while Time Out calls AttaGirl “another major win” for Simms Restaurant Group.
Pro tip: Given the restaurant’s proximity to the beach, you’ll want to toast before dinner with a refreshing cocktail like the Goddess of Agave (a marg punched up with carrot and saffron water).
Koast (Hollywood)
The x-factor: Posh Melrose just got another potential award-winner with this stunning, modern seafood restaurant from chef Kevin Meehan and Drew Langley of MICHELIN-Starred fine-dining darling Kali.
The food and drinks: You’re here for an East Coast-influenced seafood extravaganza, from a Maryland-style crab dip to a sea urchin pasta and rotating market fish with beurre blanc. Don’t sleep on the compact but stellar sake selection.
The vibe: The serene dining room leans minimalist, with wooden accents, deep blue banquettes, and striking water features that evoke the restaurant’s seafood-centric ethos.
The reviews: The Infatuation recommends the “particularly excellent” crudo, saying “the first time we ate this dish our arm instinctively shot up in the air to wave the server down—we needed another one.”
Pro tip: Level-up your fish and chips with a side of caviar—this is Hollywood, after all.
Prose Kitchen & Bar (Woodland Hills)
The x-factor: Industry vets and wife-and-husband duo Molly and David Gussin’s California-meets-international spot in the former Gasolina Cafe is definition neighborhood restaurant.
The food and drinks: Chef David Gussin’s crowd-pleasing menu features dishes that will guarantee repeat visits, like spicy rigatoni with vodka sauce and a dry-aged burger with the works. Don’t miss inventive espresso drinks like an Amber Macchiato with toasted honey dust.
The vibe: The space is laid-back but elegant, with tan ostrich leather booths, forest green walls, and brass accents.
The reviews: One OpenTable diner says it’s “one of the best meals” she’s had in the Valley, while another reviewer highly recommends the spot for “excellent food” that’s “fun to share,” plus its “lively vibe.”
Pro tip: There’s a separate kids’ menu, so don’t hesitate to bring the little ones.
Firstborn (Chinatown)
The x-factor: One of Chinatown’s most exciting openings comes from chef Andy Wang, whose impressive resume includes stints at Michael Voltaggio’s Ink, Eric Bost’s Auburn, and Jordan Kahn’s Destroyer.
The food and drinks: Wang impresses with updated takes on Chinese American like mapo tartare and beef short rib for two with braised daikon. Steep LA alum Kenzo Han’s creative cocktail menu highlights Chinese ingredients like yuzu, sesame, and fermented rice.
The vibe: Located in the former Pok Pok space in Mandarin Plaza, the industrial-chic interiors feature wide windows and simple wooden tables.
The reviews: The Los Angeles Times writes that Wang “is exploring the identity of Chinese American cuisine in a manner both true to history and to his own story.”
Pro tip: Don’t overlook the NA section of the cocktail menu, with playful drinks like hojicha orange milk punch and an adzuki swizzle.
Downtown Dough (Downtown)
The x-factor: This nostalgia-fueled pizzeria comes from Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen founders Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan and acclaimed actor Issa Rae, the powerhouse trio behind jazzy supper club Somerville.
The food and drinks: Puffy, blistered Neapolitan-style pies brushed are the stars, but don’t miss out on fresh pastas like the Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy—fettuccine with garlic-sautéed tiger shrimp, Parm, and mascarpone cheese. Expect crushable wines, plus a dedicated spritz menu from Spring Street Bar veteran Steen Bojsen Moller.
The vibe: The space operates as a Hilltop Coffee during the day, but for Downtown Dough, the lights dim and the sounds of Sly & the Family Stone, James Brown, and more match the music-inspired menu.
The reviews: The Los Angeles Times praises the good vibes, saying “funk can be found in the restaurant’s flavor—and in the air and on the walls.”
Pro tip: Save room for seriously fun desserts like banana pudding tiramisu.
From a star-powered pizzeria serving up blistered Neapolitan pies and retro vibes to a seafood stunner from a MICHELIN-pedigreed team, these are the LA restaurants you need to visit this summer.
Lock in your seat at one of the best new restaurants in Los Angeles on OpenTable ASAP.
For more tips for dining out in LA, check out these guides:
- 10 best restaurants with a view in Los Angeles
- 10 essential restaurants in West Hollywood
- These 10 Los Angeles restaurants crush the outdoor dining game
Karen Palmer is a pizza- and pasta-obsessed food writer based in Los Angeles. She is the former editorial director of Tasting Table, and her work has appeared in Eater, Food & Wine, Travel + Leisure, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @karenlpalmer.
