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The best Los Angeles restaurants, according to restaurateur Lien Ta

A photo of Red logo
by Tanay Warerkar
Updated April 11, 2024

Lien Ta is a force both inside and outside of her restaurants. Yes, her spots All Day Baby and Here’s Looking At You are beloved by Angelenos and consistently rank on the Los Angeles Times’s coveted annual 101 Best Restaurants list, but she’s also a trailblazer in the industry. She is one of the founding members of Regarding Her, a national nonprofit that came together during the pandemic and aims to accelerate the growth of women entrepreneurs and leaders in food and beverage.

So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone that some of the former OpenTable advisory board member’s favorite restaurants are small, independent spots, many of them run by her friends or acquaintances from the industry. Read on for the LA restaurants she loves to frequent.

OpenTable advisory board members are compensated for their time and expertise, but all the restaurant selections are their own.

4.8 (1447)
$50 and over
Italian
Hollywood

Part of legendary chef Nancy Silverton’s Mozzaplex group of Italian restaurants in Hollywood, Chi Spacca is the place locals know to go for some of the best cuts of meat in town; this is after all the cream of the crop when it comes to Italian steakhouses.

Why Lien loves it: “I really prefer to sit at the counter there for the off-menu burger [that they do Mondays and Tuesdays]. It’s not always a burger, sometimes she [Nancy Silverton] makes a tuna melt or grilled cheese. I also really love the anchovy butter toast that’s cut up into four pieces.”

Top review
SusanVIP
Dined on Jun 3, 2025
The carrot salad is excellent. The chicken pot pie was just ok. The focaccia had very little flavor.

Part of legendary chef Nancy Silverton’s Mozzaplex group of Italian restaurants in Hollywood, Chi Spacca is the place locals know to go for some of the best cuts of meat in town; this is after all the cream of the crop when it comes to Italian steakhouses.

Why Lien loves it: “I really prefer to sit at the counter there for the off-menu burger [that they do Mondays and Tuesdays]. It’s not always a burger, sometimes she [Nancy Silverton] makes a tuna melt or grilled cheese. I also really love the anchovy butter toast that’s cut up into four pieces.”

Top review
SusanVIP
Dined on Jun 3, 2025
The carrot salad is excellent. The chicken pot pie was just ok. The focaccia had very little flavor.
4.9 (1043)
$50 and over
American
Eagle Rock

Open hearth and wood-fired cooking take center stage at chef Brian Dunsmoor’s Eagle Rock hotspot that’s already nabbed a place on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list just a little over a year after opening.

Why Lien loves it: “This is probably my favorite restaurant right now of the whole group. It’s really special because no other restaurant is cooking quite like it. There’s a great, rustic Southern vibe to the cooking, and I bet a lot of people imagine a meal here is heavy, but it is possible to have a light fish-focused meal—they have an iconic baby albacore tuna dish.”

Top review
ShaneVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Food was excellent, service was amazing! The cornbread, pork chop, and Caesar salad were awesome!

Open hearth and wood-fired cooking take center stage at chef Brian Dunsmoor’s Eagle Rock hotspot that’s already nabbed a place on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants list just a little over a year after opening.

Why Lien loves it: “This is probably my favorite restaurant right now of the whole group. It’s really special because no other restaurant is cooking quite like it. There’s a great, rustic Southern vibe to the cooking, and I bet a lot of people imagine a meal here is heavy, but it is possible to have a light fish-focused meal—they have an iconic baby albacore tuna dish.”

Top review
ShaneVIP
Dined on Jun 4, 2025
Food was excellent, service was amazing! The cornbread, pork chop, and Caesar salad were awesome!
4.8 (970)
$31 to $50
Italian
Hollywood

Find chef Chad Colby doing next-level rustic Italian cooking at this cozy spot where meat dishes and pastas are the star.

Why Lien loves it: “It’s really close to my restaurant [Here’s Looking at You], and it has some really great, unique pastas and heavier proteins. He [Colby] also makes really amazing focaccia. Plus, there’s a big chicken dish on top of grilled bread; the juices from the chicken get soaked up in the bread—it has a French toast feel to it. And the wine list is exceptional.”

Top review
Mechelle
Dined 6 days ago
Absolutely incredible, best restaurant in Los Angeles.

Find chef Chad Colby doing next-level rustic Italian cooking at this cozy spot where meat dishes and pastas are the star.

Why Lien loves it: “It’s really close to my restaurant [Here’s Looking at You], and it has some really great, unique pastas and heavier proteins. He [Colby] also makes really amazing focaccia. Plus, there’s a big chicken dish on top of grilled bread; the juices from the chicken get soaked up in the bread—it has a French toast feel to it. And the wine list is exceptional.”

Top review
Mechelle
Dined 6 days ago
Absolutely incredible, best restaurant in Los Angeles.
4.8 (7443)
$50 and over
Italian
Hollywood

The pinnacle of Mozzaplex, this MICHELIN-starred restaurant redefined going out for Italian food in LA when Nancy Silverton opened it in 2007. A wide selection of cheeses, handmade pastas, and more make this one of the best Italian destinations in town.

Why Lien loves it: “I love going here when I’m craving a grander restaurant experience. I think a Nancy meal always makes a great complete experience—antipasti, salads, pastas, to the finish. And the mozzarella list keeps evolving.”

Top review
morrisVIP
Dined on Jun 5, 2025
Excellent service, quality, value and culinary artistry. Bravo to all at Osteria Mozza

The pinnacle of Mozzaplex, this MICHELIN-starred restaurant redefined going out for Italian food in LA when Nancy Silverton opened it in 2007. A wide selection of cheeses, handmade pastas, and more make this one of the best Italian destinations in town.

Why Lien loves it: “I love going here when I’m craving a grander restaurant experience. I think a Nancy meal always makes a great complete experience—antipasti, salads, pastas, to the finish. And the mozzarella list keeps evolving.”

Top review
morrisVIP
Dined on Jun 5, 2025
Excellent service, quality, value and culinary artistry. Bravo to all at Osteria Mozza
4.7 (2640)
$31 to $50
Italian
Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.

More than two decades after it opened, Gino and Elizabeth Angelini’s always-full Italian mainstay is the place for classics.

Why Lien loves it: “Angelini is my favorite classic Italian restaurant when I really want to feel transported to Italy. My all-time favorite dish is the lasagna verde. When I’m craving that dish, I always go there. Sometimes I get pizza, sometimes I don’t, but I always get the lasagna.”

Top review
Elizabeth
Dined on Jun 7, 2025
Angelini Osteria is simply a gem. From start to finish, everything about our experience was incredible. The food is absolutely next-level — the Tagliolini Limone was bright, fresh, and perfectly balanced, while the Bolognese was rich, hearty, and exactly what you hope for in a true Italian classic. We finished with the Crème Brûlée, which had the perfect crack on top and a silky custard underneath, not to mention black truffles. All paired with a beautiful glass of Pinot Noir recommended by our server. The ambience is equally fantastic — cozy and inviting, with an awesome outdoor space that made for the perfect evening. The staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel like family. Even the owner came by to personally check in on our experience as we were leaving, which was such a nice touch. Valet parking for $10? Total no-brainer in LA. And while you might spot a few celebrities dining, the best part is that everyone is treated like a celebrity here. It’s a rare mix of high-end food with a down-to-earth vibe that makes you want to come back again and again. Highly recommend!

More than two decades after it opened, Gino and Elizabeth Angelini’s always-full Italian mainstay is the place for classics.

Why Lien loves it: “Angelini is my favorite classic Italian restaurant when I really want to feel transported to Italy. My all-time favorite dish is the lasagna verde. When I’m craving that dish, I always go there. Sometimes I get pizza, sometimes I don’t, but I always get the lasagna.”

Top review
Elizabeth
Dined on Jun 7, 2025
Angelini Osteria is simply a gem. From start to finish, everything about our experience was incredible. The food is absolutely next-level — the Tagliolini Limone was bright, fresh, and perfectly balanced, while the Bolognese was rich, hearty, and exactly what you hope for in a true Italian classic. We finished with the Crème Brûlée, which had the perfect crack on top and a silky custard underneath, not to mention black truffles. All paired with a beautiful glass of Pinot Noir recommended by our server. The ambience is equally fantastic — cozy and inviting, with an awesome outdoor space that made for the perfect evening. The staff was friendly, attentive, and genuinely made us feel like family. Even the owner came by to personally check in on our experience as we were leaving, which was such a nice touch. Valet parking for $10? Total no-brainer in LA. And while you might spot a few celebrities dining, the best part is that everyone is treated like a celebrity here. It’s a rare mix of high-end food with a down-to-earth vibe that makes you want to come back again and again. Highly recommend!
4.6 (680)
$31 to $50
Korean
Arts District

This critically acclaimed restaurant is extremely personal to chefs and owners Katianna and John Hong, who showcase their Korean American heritage in dishes like gochujang-braised black cod.

Why Lien loves it: “Yangban is my favorite restaurant right now to recommend to out-of-towners. It showcases our city’s diversity. I love the husband-and-wife team that runs it, I love their chicken wings, and they also have these sort of little dumplings [sujebi dumplings] with roe on top of them.”

Top review
Amy
Dined on Dec 9, 2024
We had an extraordinary experience- it was an evening that will live in our memories for quite a while. The food and service were just incredible. We can’t wait to return to Yangban!

This critically acclaimed restaurant is extremely personal to chefs and owners Katianna and John Hong, who showcase their Korean American heritage in dishes like gochujang-braised black cod.

Why Lien loves it: “Yangban is my favorite restaurant right now to recommend to out-of-towners. It showcases our city’s diversity. I love the husband-and-wife team that runs it, I love their chicken wings, and they also have these sort of little dumplings [sujebi dumplings] with roe on top of them.”

Top review
Amy
Dined on Dec 9, 2024
We had an extraordinary experience- it was an evening that will live in our memories for quite a while. The food and service were just incredible. We can’t wait to return to Yangban!
4.7 (1551)
$31 to $50
Italian
Venice

Top Chef star Jackson Kalb’s empire of top-notch Italian restaurants in LA includes this Southern Italian charmer for pizzas and handmade pastas.

Why Lien loves it: “I’m not over on that side of town often enough, but if I am, it is the first place that I go to. This is the most energetic of the Italian restaurants on the list. He [Kalb] makes the most amazing vodka sauce, either on a pizza or as a dipping sauce with incredible fried-cheese discs. He does such a nice job with vegetables, like their eggplant and cauliflower. I love how much spice chef Jackson incorporates into his food.”

Top review
TaiVIP
Dined on May 17, 2025
Amazing food. Everything was fantastic. Great staff. Cant wait to go back!

Top Chef star Jackson Kalb’s empire of top-notch Italian restaurants in LA includes this Southern Italian charmer for pizzas and handmade pastas.

Why Lien loves it: “I’m not over on that side of town often enough, but if I am, it is the first place that I go to. This is the most energetic of the Italian restaurants on the list. He [Kalb] makes the most amazing vodka sauce, either on a pizza or as a dipping sauce with incredible fried-cheese discs. He does such a nice job with vegetables, like their eggplant and cauliflower. I love how much spice chef Jackson incorporates into his food.”

Top review
TaiVIP
Dined on May 17, 2025
Amazing food. Everything was fantastic. Great staff. Cant wait to go back!
4.8 (2974)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Manhattan Beach

Travel back to the Mad Men era at this steakhouse stunner that serves some of the best cuts of beef in LA and shows why chef and restaurateur David LeFevre runs some of the most popular spots in the city.

Why Lien loves it: “The Arthur J is one of the best steakhouses in LA. Sadly for me, it is really far, but we always make a special-occasion meal out of it. A dear friend of mine is the manager, and it is a wonderful place to get a cocktail, Caesar salad, and share a humongous rib eye and wonderful wine to pair it all with. It feels very mid-century American. It also has a great off-menu burger.”

Top review
Sunny
Dined on Jun 1, 2025
Came back after three years and still amazing!! Will be back

Travel back to the Mad Men era at this steakhouse stunner that serves some of the best cuts of beef in LA and shows why chef and restaurateur David LeFevre runs some of the most popular spots in the city.

Why Lien loves it: “The Arthur J is one of the best steakhouses in LA. Sadly for me, it is really far, but we always make a special-occasion meal out of it. A dear friend of mine is the manager, and it is a wonderful place to get a cocktail, Caesar salad, and share a humongous rib eye and wonderful wine to pair it all with. It feels very mid-century American. It also has a great off-menu burger.”

Top review
Sunny
Dined on Jun 1, 2025
Came back after three years and still amazing!! Will be back
4.9 (11499)
$31 to $50
Steakhouse
Hollywood

It doesn’t get more old-world glamor than Musso & Frank, a Los Angeles institution that’s played host to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and countless other legends.

Why Lien loves it: “I love sitting at the counter in front of the grill—it is always bustling. I love that the staff has been there for many, many years, and I always start with martinis, get a Caesar salad, and then steak. It is a wonderful, nostalgic restaurant—this is the restaurant I go to for the vibes, the iconic Hollywood energy.”

Top review
Briana
Dined 1 day ago
Always great for that old Hollywood feel and good food.

It doesn’t get more old-world glamor than Musso & Frank, a Los Angeles institution that’s played host to Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, and countless other legends.

Why Lien loves it: “I love sitting at the counter in front of the grill—it is always bustling. I love that the staff has been there for many, many years, and I always start with martinis, get a Caesar salad, and then steak. It is a wonderful, nostalgic restaurant—this is the restaurant I go to for the vibes, the iconic Hollywood energy.”

Top review
Briana
Dined 1 day ago
Always great for that old Hollywood feel and good food.
4.8 (475)
$50 and over
Contemporary French
Pasadena

This might just be LA’s hottest restaurant right now having nabbed a spot on nearly every best-new-restaurant list following its 2023 debut. Expect Spanish and Asian twists on bistro-style food, like rainbow trout with the garlicky sauce pil-pil.

Why Lien loves it: “I’ve only been once, and I was moved by my experience. The cooking is unique and memorable. There is this cooked spinach in a sesame broth that I can’t stop thinking about. The clam toast is a great starter. I can’t wait to keep going back again and again.”

Top review
Ben
Dined on Feb 14, 2025
Wonderful, memorable dinner! Service was impeccable and the duck was a highlight.

This might just be LA’s hottest restaurant right now having nabbed a spot on nearly every best-new-restaurant list following its 2023 debut. Expect Spanish and Asian twists on bistro-style food, like rainbow trout with the garlicky sauce pil-pil.

Why Lien loves it: “I’ve only been once, and I was moved by my experience. The cooking is unique and memorable. There is this cooked spinach in a sesame broth that I can’t stop thinking about. The clam toast is a great starter. I can’t wait to keep going back again and again.”

Top review
Ben
Dined on Feb 14, 2025
Wonderful, memorable dinner! Service was impeccable and the duck was a highlight.
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