Led by Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George (Ducasse), two young chefs with classical French training that’s paired with influence from their respective South Asian backgrounds, Camphor is an industrial-chic bistro space with high ceilings and just 65 seats, including eight on a streetside patio. The menu blends each chef’s culinary heritage with a uniquely LA perspective, sourcing spices from George’s home state of Kerala, India, and elevating familiar plates like Dry-Aged Dover Sole with a tableside filet and a house-made Grenobloise sauce, and Lobster with Coral Bisque. The cocktail program is led by Bar Director Andrew Paniagua (Lock & Key), featuring craft creations like Opéra, with Japanese Whiskey, Vermount Blanc, amaro, and peach and mole bitters, while Wine Director Kalani Lau has curated an approachable wine featuring bottles from Burgundy and across Europe that are hard to find elsewhere in LA.

From the folks who brought you Melrose Umbrella Co. comes Ella, a new neighborhood bar on the lobby level of the Sixty Hotel that toes the line between elevated and casual—a rarity for Beverly Hills. With plenty of windows, vintage touches, and greenery throughout, plus a cozy lounge in the front of the restaurant, it’s a great option for working or fueling up with caffeine during the day, with the added bonus of USB chargers connected to the iconic green desk lamps that adorn the leather booths. The L-shaped bar that’s backed by blue leather barstools is ideal for grabbing a quick drink while waiting for the rest of your party, though the bartenders offer an unusual-for-LA level of friendliness that invites you to do as the entryway sign says and “Stay a While.” Night owls can also partake in the fun—Ella employs a DJ after dark, as well as a “Pay it Forward” ethos that waives the tax when you purchase a bottle of wine for another table. The menu is helmed by chef Brian Min (Laurel Hardware) and takes a similarly expansive approach, offering comfort-driven plates like Crispy Glazed Duck Wings and Prince Edward Island Mussels, alongside a selection of salads, pizzas, pastas, and burgers, plus large-format dishes like Dry-Aged Grilled Branzino. Cocktails are presented with flair without sacrificing flavor—Pompeii, with tequila, golden beet, orange, lime, and agave, arrives with a fiery tableside eruption.

This 5,000-square-foot Korean-American deli and super opened at the start of the year by Katianna and John Hong (Melisse) includes a restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a deli with counter service, and a night market where you can pick up limited grab-and-go items. On the menu, you’ll find homage given to the Hongs’ respective backgrounds, California seasonality, and the American deli experience, resulting in sides and dishes like a Hot Smoked Trout Shmear, Kimchi Pozole, and Braised Beef Back Ribs. Cocktails, beer, and wine can be purchased in the adjoining market, many of which are bottled in-house, like the Left Hook, which is their version of a punch with Cimarron Blanco Tequila, Carpano Bianco, El Silencio Mezcal, passion fruit syrup, Gochujang, and lemon acid.
How to book: Walk in or order takeout and delivery online.

Quickly becoming LA’s favorite new Roman-Italian restaurant, this sexy spot from pasta aficionado Evan Funke landed in the historic Citizen News Building in Hollywood’s Vinyl District in early 2022. You’ll feel transported to a Roman banquet hall as you settle into red leather booths alongside intricate lamps and vases bursting with extravagant arrangements. Here you’ll find the handmade pasta dishes that catapulted Funke’s Felix to international acclaim, as well as blistered, wood-fired pies, and starters like ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms and blue prawns drizzled in a garlic salsa verde, though you’d do well to save room for Secondi plates like Branzino Alla Brace (for two) and 60-day Dry-Aged Prime Rib. The cocktails are strong without being overpowering, and a large selection of Italian wines are available by the glass.

After wowing Chinatown diners with his all-day cafe Angry Egret Dinette, chef Wes Avila is tackling the ancient flavors of the Yucatan peninsula and pairing them with market-sourced ingredients at this uniquely LA concept that’s adjacent to the tommie Hollywood hotel. You’ll feel transported to Tulum as you dine among hanging rattan lanterns and vibrant plant life, with shareable plates like fried prawn and potato tacos and a Striped Bass Ceviche with pickled mango, plus entrees like Cochinita Pibil with Heritage Pork that’s wrapped in a banana leaf and Lamb Neck Barbacoa with a carrot habanero salsa. The cocktail program is equally enchanting, with the specialty Ka’teen Margarita that’s served with your choice of passion fruit, guava, or mango, and Gypsy Fever with mezcal, passion fruit, guava, lime, agave, bitters, and fire water, representing some of the best options.

Owner Yonette Alleyne comes from a lineage of home cooks and bakers and has been enthusiastically cooking Guyanese and Caribbean staples since she asked her mother for a cookbook at just 11 years old. She’s been popping up at local farmers markets since 2015, and now you can dig into popular dishes like Oxtail Stew, Jerk Chicken, and Vegan Curry and Roti at the newly opened Blossom Market Hall in the former San Gabriel Masonic Lodge. The food hall is also home to worthwhile concepts like Burnt Belly, a Southern barbecue spot, and Rori’s Artisanal Creamery, which offers small-batch ice cream in vegan and non-dairy flavors.
How to order: Walk-ins only.