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Best restaurants in Los Angeles: Celebrity favourites from Downtown to Hollywood

The LA dining scene merges Hollywood stalwarts with buzzy new openings. Our ever evolving list will keep you updated on the restaurants and bars that have a healthy sprinkling of stardust...

Spago

As one of LA’s most iconic restaurants Spago absolutely lives up to expectations.

In the heart of Beverly Hills along Canon Drive, it is a flagship for celebrated chef Wolfgang Puck. This upscale establishment has been doing its thing since 1982 and is still as relevant and glamorous as ever.

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The service is fabulous and the team go out of their way to make you feel at home. They know their stuff too. The multi-course California Tasting Menu is a feast for the senses and is accompanied by excellent wine pairings. The Pizza with House Cured Smoked Salmon is a winning dish and the Handmade Agnolotti is a joy.

An all-round exceptionally good restaurant where it is worth donning your finest dress and making a night of it.

Celebrity spot: Kim & Kanye, Bradley Cooper, Justin Bieber

Book: wolfgangpuck.com

A.O.C

Following their critically acclaimed Lucques restaurant, three times James Beard Award winning chef Suzanne Goin and James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year 2018 Caroline Styne opened A.O.C. Their aim was to pair a brilliant wine list by the glass with a menu of market-driven small plates. The result is a truly fabulous dining experience.

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Set in a cosy tavern-like property with a pretty courtyard, there is a homely, lovely vibe from the minute you step through the door. Each member of the team is knowledgeable and passionate about wine and food, ensuring that every sip and bite is one to savour.

The menu’s long-time favourite is the Spanish Fried Chicken with Romesco Aïoli & Chili-Cumin Butter. It is seriously good. There are excellent vegetarian options too including the Potato Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons and the Seared Eggplant Salad. Deserts live up to the sharing plates so leave space for the Vanilla Cheesecake.

A night at A.O.C is one well spent.

Celebrity spot: Gigi Hadid, Taylor Swift, Reese Witherspoon

Book: aocwinebar.com

Cafe Gratitude

You do not have to be a veggie to appreciate Café Gratitude. The collection of plant-based restaurants pay homage to organic ingredients which support local farmers, sustainable agriculture and environmentally friendly products.

The surroundings are all part of the sentiment. Bright and breezy with pared back, chic design and lively outdoor spaces, they make you feel good.

(Cafe Gratitude)
(Cafe Gratitude)

Menu highlights include the Buffalo Cauliflower, Mexican Bowl, Kale Caesar Salad and Chef's Seasonal Pizza. There is a flavour for every mood and the knowledge that cuisine this tasty can also be healthy is also rather satisfying. Pop into the Beverly Hills branch before taking a stroll along the famous Rodeo Drive or jumping in a cab to nearby West Hollywood.

(Cafe Gratitude)
(Cafe Gratitude)

Celebrity spot: Beyonce, Jay-Z, Emily Blunt, Emma Stone

Book: cafegratitude.com

E.P. & L.P.

This West Hollywood restaurant and bar is a real scene. E.P. is an Asian Eating House with roots in Thai cuisine and hints of Chinese, Fijian and Vietnamese influences. The menu is designed to be shared and it is perfect for group gatherings before heading upstairs to rooftop bar L.P.

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There are views over the Hollywood Hills and the music plays until 2AM. From Spring there is an open air cinema which shows movie classics as the sun sets.

Celebrity spot: Harry Styles, Ruby Rose, Justin Bieber

Book: eplosangeles.com

Employees Only

New York’s legendary mixologist Dushan Zaric brings his famous EO bar to Los Angeles. Needless to say, he is serving up some of the best cocktails in LA in a fabulous setting. There is a speakeasy vibe in a cosy environment with rich mahogany, ash, cherry woods, deep bronze elements, textured wallpaper, dramatic ceilings and intricate custom lighting, accompanied by statement art deco architecture. Settle in to a curved leather banquette and soak up the atmosphere.

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There are EO Classics on the menu in addition to a series of new and distinctive cocktails for the WeHo space including Distance & Elegance (Buffalo Trace Bourbon shaken with Chamomile-Peppercorn Syrup, St. George Bruto and Lime Juice); Hope Monkey (Kaffir lime infused Gin Mare and shaken with house clarified lime cordial and EO Absinthe Bitters); and The Infinity Cocktail (Suntori Toki shaken with Salers Gentiane Apéritif, homemade grenadine, Mirto de Saredegna and fresh lemon juice.)

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They can be accompanied by a good selection of dishes including Bone Marrow Poppers, Tableside Steak Tartare and a Roasted Black Truffle Chicken.

Celebrity spot: Robert DeNiro

Book it: employeesonlyla.com

Prawn Coastal

As you may expect, Prawn is all about the seafood. Chef Mark Peel is the man behind the inventive twists on dishes such as Thai Lobster Roll, Crab Salad Roll, Paella, Clam Chowder and the famous Seattle Fish Stew. Grain bowls are also a popular healthy lunch choice. The cooking process centres on tilting steam kettles that results in a rich broth.

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There are two branches, one in Grand Central Market and another in Pasadena. Both settings are fun and fresh with the main focus being ocean flavours and friendly service. What is not to like?

Celebrity spot: Emily Ratajkowski, Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone also filmed a La La Land scene at Grand Central Market

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Book: prawncoastal.com

Gjelina

There's a reason Gjelina always makes it onto the best California restaurant lists. The dishes in this buzzing hotspot on Abbot Kinney are consistently top notch. From the Charred Okra or Roasted Italian Eggplant vegetable options to the Squash Blossom pizza or Black Cod, you can't go wrong.

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Despite the laid-back atmosphere the food here is taken very seriously. Always inventive and full of flavour, it is favoured amongst locals, chefs and famous faces.

Celebrity spot: Prince Harry, Olivia Wilde, Jamie Bell

Book: gjelina.com

Bestia

This Italian kitchen has really made a mark on the California dining scene. Expect to be pushed out of your comfort zones by the transcendent pastas and innovative nose-to-tail Italiana from husband-and-wife star chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. In Downton LA's Arts District, it is a buzzy environment in an industrial-chic warehouse.

(Bestia)
(Bestia)

If bone marrow is your thing, this is where you will find the best in town. The Casarecce al Pomodoro twisted semolina pasta is so moerish and who could resist finishing with Strawberries & Cream

Celebrity spot: Brad Pitt, Quentin Tarantino, Sacha Baron Cohen

Book: bestiala.com

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