Although it’s been around for more than a decade, a meal at Gjelina still feels buzzy and exciting. It’s one of my go-tos to take out-of-towners, because not only do the blistered, wood-fired pizzas and thoughtful vegetable dishes never disappoint, but an Abbot Kinney Boulevard address means some great only-in-LA people-watching, too. I almost never visit without having at least one pomodoro pizza with burrata on the table—it’s deceptively simple but incredibly satisfying.

You can’t get more Old Hollywood than a dinner at Musso & Frank Grill, which has served sizzling hot steaks and ice-cold martinis since 1919. The move is to sit at the grill and watch the cooks prepare piece after piece of meat while you sip a classic cocktail. When I really want to feel fancy, I settle in for a prime-rib dinner, because there’s nothing more classic—and classy—than a meal brought to you by a server in a sharp red jacket.

You wouldn’t expect one of LA’s best Thai restaurants to be within easy distance of the airport. But whether or not you’re flying in or out of LAX, bright, cheery Ayara Thai is well worth a visit for chef Vanda Asapahu’s impeccably executed Thai staples and updated takes on classics. I’m never disappointed by her lobster pad Thai, studded with both lobster and crab meat, and am thrilled that after years of takeout-only service during the pandemic, the restaurant’s dining room reopened in 2023.

This postage stamp-sized restaurant in Manhattan Beach has everything for a fancy lunch or an intimate dinner with a sunset view. There are fresh raw bar options—Peruvian scallops are my must-order—modern riffs on seafood faithfuls like lobster rolls and fish tacos, and the immensely satisfying, not-too-sweet key lime pie, one of the best desserts in town.

Legendary pizzaiolo Chris Bianco returned to Los Angeles in 2022, and our pizza scene is better for it. At his modern restaurant in the Row DTLA, Bianco and his team turn out excellent thin-crust pies, including the sensational rosa, a white pie topped with Santa Barbara pistachios, red onion, and rosemary. The menu is compact, but everything is on point, from the prosciutto-wrapped spiedini to the ever-changing market salad.

Wife-and-husband team Genevieve Gergis and Ori Menashe have the golden touch with everything they do (see also: Bestia, Bavel), and their newest and most casual venture, Saffy’s, is no exception. I love the beautiful, buzzy dining room, done up in plush pink and peach tones and brass. The only problem is deciding what to order, because everything on the Middle Eastern menu is outstanding, from the vibrant green falafel to the wood-fired lamb and beef shawarma platter.

Bar Chelou gave Pasadena’s dining scene a jolt of energy when it opened in 2023. Acclaimed chef Doug Rankin’s restaurant has downright sexy vibes with a curved bar, elegant drapery, and the sort of glowy lighting that makes everyone look good. The food is modern Californian cuisine at its best, thanks to unexpected accents—shelling beans with bottarga; carrots with coconut dressing—that add just the right dose of je ne sais quoi.

Angelenos love an iconic sit-down Mexican restaurant, and with its year-round Christmas lights and strong margaritas, family-owned Casa Vega hits the mark. Big plates of nachos and enchiladas have made it a group-dinner favorite since 1956. And, of course, I never visit without ordering the fresh guacamole, made tableside with flair.

Angelenos are lucky to be able to dine outdoors pretty much year-round, and few patios are as festive (and plant-filled) as the one at beloved Oaxacan staple Guelaguetza. The James Beard Award-winning restaurant has served exceptional housemade moles and regional specialties like tlayudas for decades—and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. I love the flavorful micheladas so much that I stock up on the mix whenever I visit.

Chef Chad Colby is turning out some of the city’s best Italian food in an unassuming strip-mall location. Antico Nuovo has everything for an excellent meal including a cozy, unfussy dining room, a killer Italian wine list, and housemade pastas that range from super-simple ricotta ravioli to the more elaborate pappardelle in Bolognese made with beef cheek and veal tongue. The focaccia is one of the single best bites in town, and no meal is complete without something from the wood-fired grill.