Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in Los Angeles

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Canyons Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (563)

$50 and over

Californian

Hemet

About the restaurant

Let Canyons take you to the cutting edge of fine dining. Featuring only the best ingredients, the Canyons menu offers savory appetizers, creative entrées, fresh seafood, decadent desserts and an exquisite selection of wine.

Top review

James

Dined 6 days ago

Very nice dinner experience with our group of nine. Exactly what you would expect for the higher end restaurant in a casino like this. I got the lamb which was excellent, actually better than the steak that my wife got. Drinks were good, waitress was very good and the ambience spot on. If you're looking for a higher end experience this is for you.

SELINE

4.9

4.9 (23)

$50 and over

Californian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Join James Beard award-winning Chef Dave Beran at his 38-seat fine dining restaurant in Santa Monica, where the kitchen is seamlessly integrated with the dining room. The menu, comprising 15-18 courses, showcases Chef Dave's deeply thoughtful approach to storytelling, inviting guests to embrace the experience & embark on a memorable culinary journey featuring the many inspirations of Southern California.

At SELINE, the focus is on connection, with every aspect of the restaurant— from the design to the custom plateware—built on fostering meaningful relationships.

Wine Director Matthew Brodbine presents two beverage pairing options to complement your menu. The wine pairing showcases selections from innovative, forward-thinking winemakers across various regions worldwide. The non-alcoholic pairing features a unique collection of house-made and curated beverages designed to align with the menu's progression. A carefully curated wine list is also available.

Top review

DuaneVIP

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Excellent, world class cuisine. Early days and polish/finesse needed for some service staff.

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Experience

Seline Tasting Menu Deposit

Experience

Valentine's Day at Seline (Deposit)

Melisse

4.9

4.9 (2007)

$50 and over

Californian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Chef & Owner Josiah Citrin has revived his Michelin 2-Star institution with an intimate, 14-seat restaurant with Chef/Partner Ken Takayama. In a setting that blurs the line between kitchen and dining room, Chefs and service staff guide guests through a 2.5-hour culinary experience.

Collaborating with California farmers from San Diego to Napa Valley, Chef Josiah sources the most unique and exclusive ingredients available. An 8-course tasting menu is bookended by canapés, amuse-bouches and mignardise, all of which showcase global flavors using both modern and classic techniques.

Top review

Joris

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

I recently dined at Mélisse, and it was an incredible experience! The waitresses, Mia and Scarlet, were outstanding—so knowledgeable and attentive. The food was simply fantastic, especially the duck; it was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend Mélisse to anyone looking for a special dining experience! (Much love for the Cesar salad ❤️)

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Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu, January- $399

Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu, February- $399

Experience

Chef's Tasting Menu, Valentine's Day Week- $475

Parkway Grill

4.9

4.9 (2490)

$50 and over

Californian

Pasadena

About the restaurant

The Smith Brothers trend-setter in regional American cuisine, Parkway Grill continues to define dining in the city and beyond. Parkway Grill specializes in a seasonal, market-driven approach to cooking that incorporates diverse influences and classic French technique. Throughout its over 30 years, Parkway’s innovative chefs have showcased an intriguing array of dishes using locally sourced ingredients.

Demonstrating the ultimate commitment to fresh produce, Parkway Grill planted its own organic vegetable and herb garden behind the restaurant, which continues to thrive for over 25 years on a piece of prime real estate in the heart of Pasadena.

Top review

Earl

Dined 5 days ago

The best birthday meal that a restaurant could give on my wife’s 72 birthday. Eduardo, our server, was appropriately attentive. The pre dinner drinks were made perfectly, even with special requests. The lamb was absolutely delectable. My wife likes her meat well done and the request to butterfly her fillet and cook well was followed to a T. Thanks for the professionally hand printed birthday card. A delightful meal and evening and delicious well done candled chocolate dessert

Farmshop LA

4.9

4.9 (571)

$31 to $50

Californian

Brentwood

About the restaurant

In 2010, chef Jeff Cerciello opened Farmshop in a space that denotes rustic elegance. Located in the beautiful Brentwood Country Mart, bordering Santa Monica, the restaurant has become a dining destination featuring the very best local ingredients, simply prepared, served in casual fine dining style.

Top review

Karen

Dined on Jan 5, 2025

Always a great meal with seasonal farmers market surprises. Food is so fresh and innovative. The mixture of flavors used leaves you wanting to return. Always great service and the homey vibe is relaxing. Love this restaurant!

Wally's Santa Monica

4.8

4.8 (115)

$31 to $50

Californian

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Experience Santa Monica’s favorite location for fine food and wine. Wally’s Santa Monica is a hybrid concept that encapsulates the finest food, beverages, and gourmet foods to provide a one-stop shop for everything delicious. From chill afternoon apps and cocktails, to decadent caviar service—whether you’re in a tuxedo, or just coming from the office—our vibe is ideal for any occasion that calls for enjoying great food and drinks. You can explore our peerless selection of rare spirits, extraordinary seasonal menu, over 100 wines available by-the-glass, and shop the gourmet counter for specialty meats, cheeses, and artisanal chocolates.

Top review

JoyceVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Great drinks, great food. Their pizza is always great. Their hamburgers probably one of the best in the state!

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Experience

Valentine's Day at Wally's Santa Monica

Latitude 34 Restaurant & Bar

4.7

4.7 (334)

$31 to $50

Californian

Camarillo

About the restaurant

Latitude 34 Restaurant & Bar, Award winning Executive Chef Alex Castillo.
An impressive dining experience in a casual, upscale, and welcoming environment. Offering and inspiring selection of fresh fish, steaks, gourmet salads, tasty appetizers and small bites along with tempting deserts. Serving local craft beers, wine and signature specialty drinks. Special whiskey and tequila tastings.
Located in the Premium Camarillo Outlets at 660 Ventura Blvd #100 Camarillo, CA 93010
Offering a stunning indoor and outdoor spaces with a semi-private room for special occasions.
Latitude 34 provides a vibrant mix of stylish dining, paired with signature menus and service.
We look forward to serving your catering needs with award winning food and service.

Top review

StephanVIP

Dined 6 days ago

It was the first time for my wife and I. We just tried several Happy Hour items so we could get a variety of food to see how it was. Everything was delicious. We will definitely be back. Service from Cameron (spelling?) was exceptional.

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Popular dish

Alaskan Halibut

Vespertine

4.8

4.8 (172)

$50 and over

Californian

Culver City

About the restaurant

We are excited to share the return of Vespertine, Chef Jordan Kahn's otherworldy culinary narrative. More than a restaurant, Vespertine transports diners through the twisted steel and glass structure designed by acclaimed architect Eric Owen Moss. Food, beverage, music, and art are woven throughout, creating an immersive, multi-sensory evening.

Awards Include
2 Stars - Michelin Guide, 2019 - 2024
Green Star - Michelin Guide, 2024
Most Beautiful Restaurants - Condé Nast
World's 100 Greatest Places - Time Magazine
Atmosphere of the Year - World Restaurant Awards

Top review

GrahamVIP

Dined on Jan 8, 2025

Outstanding from start to finish. All 12 courses were fun, different, delicious, and beautiful. We had the Dynamic pairing, which offered a mix of champaigne, red and white wine, sake, beer, and non-alc juices. It was just right in terms of the amount of booze. The staff were also amazing!

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Experience

Valentine's Day Weekend

Irie Restaurant & Lounge

4.9

4.9 (106)

$31 to $50

Californian

West Hollywood

About the restaurant

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Irie Lounge and Restaurant offers guests the full sensory experience combining cannabis and California comfort food with a southern twist. Irie brings all of the farm/farmer's market to table freshness, but with the tanginess and smoked dishes that southern food is celebrated for. Whether consuming cannabis or not, our black-eyed pea hummus, dandelion Caesar salads, and dry-aged New York strip with charred treviso are dishes guests are celebrating us for.

Top review

Risha

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Always an amazing experience. The staff is always pleasant and the FOOD. Chefs kiss.

LULU - Los Angeles

4.8

4.8 (158)

$30 and under

Californian

Westwood

About the restaurant

Conceived with legendary chef and food activist Alice Waters and led by acclaimed chef, writer, and cookbook author David Tanis, Lulu is a shared celebration of good food that is good for the planet. Lulu is a restaurant committed to prioritizing sustainability through local, regenerative food and design. Our mission focuses on procuring food directly from small, nearby farms practicing regenerative organic agriculture, which results in wholesome, delicious food grown using methods that combat the climate crisis.

Our restaurant is named after a wise Provencal cook, Lulu Peyraud, whose cooking and hospitality at Domaine Tempier in Bandol, France has always inspired David and Alice.

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

always a lovely lunch at Lulu. great atmosphere, service, and food - simple, yummy, high quality.

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Experience

LUNCH INSPIRED BY 'A SWEET YEAR' BY JOAN NATHAN

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