The 10 Restaurants That Defined Los Angeles Dining in 2025 — Resy | Right This Way

Introduction

We asked our contributors to the Resy Hit List to share their top dining experiences in their cities this year — to choose 10 restaurants that define the state of great dining right now. Welcome back our Best of The Hit List for 2025.

You might think of 2025 as the year Los Angeles grew up. January began with the most catastrophic fire disaster in L.A. County’s history, the impacts of which are still being felt. In June, immigration raids rocked L.A.’s Latino community. And that was just the start.

And yet, whenever a crisis arose, Los Angeles restaurants were there. Delivering free food, organizing fundraisers, and making their priorities known.

They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, and L.A. chefs proved it this year: Johnny Lee (Rasarumah), Ki Kim (Restaurant Ki), Tyler J. Wells ( Betsy), and Mei Lin of ( 88 Club) all returned this year with their sophomore restaurants — namely a handsome Malaysian spot inspired by the country’s hawker culture; a deeply personal Korean tasting menu that received a Michelin star within its first year; a chef’s intimate dialogue with a fire-scarred community; and a Beverly Hills parlor where Hong Kong’s banquet culture is on display.

We also witnessed L.A.’s farm-to-table movement propel itself forward, with subversive newcomers Tomat and Baby Bistro. Although the restaurants couldn’t be more different, they embrace the challenge of discovering new, innovative ways to source food with gusto. If this is the future of Los Angeles, count us in.

Top 10 Dining Experiences in 2025

Here’s a look at 10 dining experiences that defined L.A. restaurants in 2025 — and here’s to many more in the year ahead.

1. Baby Bistro

Baby Bistro reflects Los Angeles in a way that makes us feel seen. Its menu rotates through seasonal dishes that bear utter pronounceable names like “pork belly, figs,” or “blue prawns, tomato.” For $145, two people will receive a very fairly priced informal prix fixe. Baby Bistro, at its core, is a rigorous and very serious restaurant, with two industry veterans running the show.

2. Betsy

In December 2025, chef Tyler Wells isn’t playing with fire. He’s reclaiming it as his own with a cozy 39-seat dining room where almost every dish is cooked over a live flame.

3. Tomat

Tomat sources its ingredients from over 50 purveyors and is known for its joyful and visually pleasing food.

4. Beethoven Market

Every dish at Beethoven Market offers a new twist on classic Italian cuisine with an emphasis on community.

5. Lucia

Lucia introduces Caribbean-inspired fine dining to the Los Angeles scene, providing a unique experience.

6. Komal

Known for its craft molino, Komal emphasizes historical and cultural preservation through its dishes.

7. 88 Club

88 Club combines echoes of childhood and Hong Kong’s glitzy banquet culture with a fine dining experience.

8. Rasarumah

Rasarumah showcases Malaysian flavors with innovative dishes that pay homage to cultural influences.

9. Restaurant Ki

Restaurant Ki offers a Michelin-starred experience that intertwines Korean culinary traditions with personal narratives.

10. A TÍ

A TÍ combines heritage with a personal touch, creating a unique dining experience that reflects the chef's journey.