The Eater LA Heatmap has existed for nearly two decades to answer the age-old question: “What’s new and notable in Los Angeles?” Though the local dining scene has endured tremendous challenges over the past few years, the city’s spirit of breaking ground and exploring new cuisines continues with every month of openings. The restaurants featured on this list are typically less than six months old and give a sense of what’s hot and happening around town. For restaurants that have established themselves as one of the city’s best, check out Eater LA’s Essential 38 .
Restaurants are plotted on the map in geographical order, from north to south. For even more of an insider’s perspective on how to eat well in LA, pick up our new book: The Eater Guide to Los Angeles . Orla Santa Monica Michael Mina’s modern Egyptian restaurant plucked out of Vegas’s Mandalay Bay has landed at the luxurious Regent Santa Monica Beach hotel.
One of America’s most prolific fine dining chefs, Mina’s menu at Orla reflects his upbringing eating homestyle Egyptian and Greek fare, like crispy falafel with bigeye tuna; gnudi and lamb meatballs; and kebab platter with filet mignon, lamb kofta, and chicken dolmas. A stark contrast to the Vegas edition, the AvroKO-designed Orla in Santa Monica offers fantastic, nearly unfettered ocean views from its outer tables, while the luxe interior boasts shapely tan leather banquettes. — Matthew Kang, lead editor Edgemar Chefs Jared Dowling and Jon.
