Eating Through Los Angeles: Alex Canter's Top 100 Restaurants for 2022

By: Alex Canter, CEO & Co-founder, Nextbite

Los Angeles is full of iconic people, places and restaurants. As an Angeleno, born and raised by generations of restaurateurs, food and dining experiences have played a huge role in my life. I started waiting tables at a young age at Canter’s Deli, one of the last standing authentic, traditional Jewish delis in L.A. that my great-grandfather founded in 1931.

It’s a passion of mine to discover the most delicious dishes and share them with others, and that’s what’s led me to create this annual list of my top 100 restaurants in the city.

After I released my first list last year, I received quite a few recommendations and am proud to say that I’ve eaten my way through most of them, and then some. I put a lot of time and consideration into this list and my favorite dishes, and I hope you enjoy!

Join me in trying and celebrating these outstanding local restaurants — from street tacos to omakase — there’s something for everyone. Let’s eat!

Alex is a restaurant industry innovator, in-demand speaker, and passionate advocate for restaurant operators and workers. He is the 4th-generation of Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles, where he and his team invented Nextbite, a leader in virtual restaurants and the pioneer in online order management. The company is focused on helping restaurant partners successfully enter the virtual restaurant space with new delivery-only menus, using underutilized labor and kitchen capacity, to increase margins and revenue. Headquartered in Denver and Los Angeles, Nextbite has more than $150M in funding, with its most recent round led by SoftBank. Alex is a recipient of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fast Casual Executive’s Top 25.

100 Best Restaurants in LA (in alphabetical order):

Alta Adams

Favorite Dish: Fried Chicken
Cuisine: Southern Comfort/Soul Food
Location: 5359 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Price: $$$
Instagram: @altarestaurant

Anajak Thai

Favorite Dish: La Chalupa de Anajak
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 14704 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Price: $$$
Instagram: @anjakthaifood

Angler

Favorite Dish: Caviar Banana Pancakes
Cuisine: Refined Seafood
Location: 8500 Beverly Blvd Suite 117, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @anglerlosangeles

APL Restaurant

Favorite Dish: Dry-Aged Tomahawk
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 1680 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @aplrestaurant

Avra Beverly Hills

Favorite Dish: Langoustines
Cuisine: Mediterranean/Greek/Seafood
Location: 233 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$$
Instagram: @avrabeverlyhills

Bang Bang Noodles

Favorite Dish: Xi’an Tomato Dry Noodle
Cuisine: Chinese/Noodles
Location: 5119 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Price: $$
Instagram: @bangbangnoodlesla1

Bavel

Favorite Dish: Oyster Mushroom Kebab
Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Modern
Location: 500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Price: $$$
Instagram: @baveldtla

Bay Cities Italian Deli

Favorite Dish: Godmother
Cuisine: Italian Deli/Bakery
Location: 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @baycitiesitaliandeli

Bestia

Favorite Dish: Roasted Marrow Bone Gnocchi
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$$
Instagram: @BestiaDTLA

Bicyclette

Favorite Dish: Caramelized Onion Tart
Cuisine: French
Location: 9575 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Price: $$$
Instagram: @bicyclette.la

Bistro Na’s

Favorite Dish: Chili Tofu Skin
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: 9055 Las Tunas Dr #105, Temple City, CA 91780
Price: $$$
Instagram: @bistronasus

Bludso’s Bar & Que

Favorite Dish: Brisket
Cuisine: Barbecue
Location: 609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @bludsosbbq

Broad Street Oyster Company

Favorite Dish: Lobster Roll
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
Price: $$
Instagram: @broadstreetoysterco

Burger She Wrote

Favorite Dish: Oklahoma Burger
Cuisine: Burgers
Location: 7454 1/2 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $
Instagram: @burgershewrote__

Burritos La Palma

Favorite Dish: Bean and Cheese Burrito
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 5120 N Peck Rd, El Monte, CA 91732
Price: $
Instagram: @burritoslapalma

Canter’s Deli

Favorite Dish: Pastrami Brooklyn
Cuisine: Jewish Deli
Location: 419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @canters_deli

Coco Ichibanya

Favorite Dish: Chicken Katsu
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 12007 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Price: $
Instagram: @cocoichibanyaph

Cofax

Favorite Dish: Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
Cuisine: Coffee/Breakfast Burritos
Location: 440 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @cofaxcoffee

Coni’Seafood

Favorite Dish: Aguachiles
Cuisine: Mexican/Seafood
Location: 3544 W Imperial Hwy Inglewood, CA 90303
Price: $$
Instagram: @coniseafood

Courage Bagels

Favorite Dish: Smoked Salmon on Burnt Everything Bagel
Cuisine: Bagels
Location: 777 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Price: $$
Instagram: @courage_bagels

Daikokuya

Favorite Dish: Daikoku Ramen
Cuisine: Ramen
Location: 2208 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Price: $$
Instagram: @bishamongroup

Dal Rae Restaurant

Favorite Dish: NY Pepper Steak
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 9023 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @dalraerestaurant

Damian

Favorite Dish: Tamal De Elote
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 2132 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @damiandtla

Daybird

Favorite Dish: Szechuan Hot Chicken Sando
Cuisine: Chicken
Location: 240 N Virgil Ave Suite 5, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Price: $$
Instagram: @daybirdla

Din Tai Fung

Favorite Dish: Pork Xiao Long Bao
Cuisine: Taiwanese/Chinese
Location: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard #2400 Level 2, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Price: $$
Instagram: @dintaifungusa

Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen

Favorite Dish: Smothered Chicken
Cuisine: Traditional Soul Food
Location: 202 E Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
Price: $$

El Ruso

Favorite Dish: Carne Asada Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 1401 Mirasol St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Price: $
Instagram: @elrusola

Elephante

Favorite Dish: Cacio e Pepe Pizza
Cuisine: Italian/Lounge
Location: 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, California 90401
Price: $$$
Instagram: @elephante

Elite Restaurant

Favorite Dish: Crispy Shrimp Rice Noodle
Cuisine: Chinese/Dim Sum
Location: 700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $$

Etta

Favorite Dish: Wild Salmon Crudo
Cuisine: Elevated American
Location: 8801 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$$
Instagram: @ettarestaurant_la

Felix

Favorite Dish: Cacio e Pepe
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$$
Instagram: @felixlosangeles

Genwa Korean BBQ

Favorite Dish: Marinated Galbi
Cuisine: Korean BBQ
Location: 5115 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$$
Instagram: @genwaofficial

Ggiata

Favorite Dish: Spicy P
Cuisine: Italian Delicatessen
Location: 5009 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$
Instagram: @ggiata

Gjusta

Favorite Dish: Smoked Fish Plate
Cuisine: American/Bakery
Location: 320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$
Instagram: @gjustabakery

Golden Rice Co. (Pop-up)

Favorite Dish: Original Golden Rice
Cuisine: Persian
Location: 755 N La Cienega Blvd, CA 90069
Price: $$$
Instagram: @goldenriceco

Guelaguetza Restaurante

Favorite Dish: Mole Negro
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Price: $$
Instagram: @laguelaguetza

Guerrilla Tacos

Favorite Dish: Sweet Potato Taco
Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican
Location: 2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$
Instagram: @guerrillatacos

Hide Sushi

Favorite Dish: Engawa (Halibut Fin)
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 2040 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Price: $$$

HiHo Cheeseburger

Favorite Dish: Double Cheeseburger (Make it Spicy)
Cuisine: American
Location: 1320 2nd St Ste. B, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @hihocheeseburger

Howlin Ray’s

Favorite Dish: Hot Chicken
Cuisine: Southern/Fried Chicken
Location: 727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$
Instagram: @howlinrays

Il Tramezzino

Favorite Dish: Chicken Special Panini
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 454 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$
Instagram: @iltramezzino

In-N-Out Burger

Favorite Dish: Double-Double
Cuisine: American
Location: 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Price: $
Instagram: @innout

India’s Oven

Favorite Dish: Saag Paneer (Hot)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: 11645 Wilshire Blvd #200, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Price: $$

Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya

Favorite Dish: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 8420 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $$
Instagram: @katsuyagroup

Jame Enoteca

Favorite Dish: Scarpinocc
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 241 Main St El Segundo, CA 90245
Price: $$
Instagram: @eatjame

Jitlada

Favorite Dish: Green Curry
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 5233 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Price: $$
Instagram: @jitlada_la

Johnny’s West Adams

Favorite Dish: Pastrami on Marble Rye
Cuisine: American/Deli
Location: 4327 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Price: $$
Instagram: @johnnyswestadams

Jon & Vinny’s

Favorite Dish: Spicy Fusilli
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 11938 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Price: $$$
Instagram: @jonandvinnydelivery

Kato

Favorite Dish: Tapioca, Brown Butter, Uni
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Location: 777 Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @katorestaurant

L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele

Favorite Dish: Margherita Pizza
Cuisine: Italian Pizzeria
Location: 1534 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Price: $$$
Instagram: @pizzeriadamichele

La Scala

Favorite Dish: Chopped Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 434 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$$
Instagram: @lascalabeverlyhills

Larchmont Wine and Cheese Shop

Favorite Dish: #1-Caprese, Add Soppressata
Cuisine: Wine/Cheese
Location: 223 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Price: $
Instagram: @larchmontvillagewine

Leo’s Tacos

Favorite Dish: Al Pastor Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 1515 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Price: $
Instagram: @leostacostruck

Little Fatty

Favorite Dish: Xo Fatty Noodles
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Location: 3809 Grand View Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Price: $$
Instagram: @littlefattyla

Loqui

Favorite Dish: Mushroom Taco on Flour
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 8830 Washington Blvd #104, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$
Instagram: @eatloqui

Majordomo

Favorite Dish: Bing Bread + Sides
Cuisine: New American/Asian
Location: 1725 Naud St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$$
Instagram: @majordomola

Margot

Favorite Dish: Pan Con Tomate
Cuisine: Spanish/Mediterranean
Location: 8820 Washington Blvd General Chemistry Lab, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$$
Instagram: @margotlosangeles

Mariscos Jalisco

Favorite Dish: Shrimp Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Price: $
Instagram: @mariscosjalisco

Mizlala

Favorite Dish: Falafel Plate
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: 5400 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Price: $$

Mother Wolf

Favorite Dish: Arrabbiata Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 1545 Wilcox Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Price: $$$
Instagram: @motherwolfla

Night + Market

Favorite Dish: Crispy Rice Salad
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 9043 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$
Instagram: @ntmrkt

n/naka

Favorite Dish: Whatever’s on the Menu
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @nnakarestaurant

Nobu Malibu

Favorite Dish: Tiradito
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @noburestaurants.us

Ospi

Favorite Dish: Crispy Provolone
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 2025 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$$
Instagram: @ospivenice

Osteria La Buca

Favorite Dish: Rigatoni Bolognese
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 5210 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$
Instagram: @osterialabuca

Osteria Mozza

Favorite Dish: Grilled Octopus
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @osteriamozza

Papi Tacos y Churros

Favorite Dish: Birria Quesatacos with Consomé
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 2622 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Price: $
Instagram: @papitacoschurros

Park’s BBQ

Favorite Dish: Short Rib
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue
Location: 955 S Vermont Ave G, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Price: $$$
Instagram: @parksbbq

Pasta Sisters

Favorite Dish: Pesto Gnocchi
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 3280 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$
Instagram: @pasta_sisters

Pearl River Deli

Favorite Dish: Hainan Chicken Rice
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: 727 N Broadway #130 Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$
Instagram: @prd_la

Petit Trois

Favorite Dish: Big Mec
Cuisine: French
Location: 718 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$
Instagram: @petittroisla

Phillipe The Original

Favorite Dish: Beef French Dip
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Location: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $
Instagram: @philippetheog

Pizzana

Favorite Dish: Margherita Pizza
Cuisine: Pizza/Italian
Location: 11712 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Price: $$
Instagram: @pizzana

Plancha Tacos

Favorite Dish: Bean and Cheese Burrito
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 8250 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $

Pollo a la Brasa

Favorite Dish: Half Roasted Chicken (Extra Aji Sauce)
Cuisine: Peruvian
Location: 764 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Price: $$

Porto’s Bakery and Cafe

Favorite Dish: Potato Balls
Cuisine: Cuban Bakery
Location: 3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Price: $
Instagram: @portosbakery

Providence

Favorite Dish: A5 Wagyu
Cuisine: Contemporary American/Seafood
Location: 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @providencela

Raffi’s Place

Favorite Dish: Soltani Kabob
Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Persian
Location: 211 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
Price: $$
Instagram: @raffisplace

Republique

Favorite Dish: Kimchi Fried Rice
Cuisine: Modern French
Location: 624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$$
Instagram: @RepubliqueLA

Roberta’s Pizza

Favorite Dish: Bee Sting
Cuisine: American/Pizza
Location: 8810 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$
Instagram: @robertaspizza

Sarita’s Pupuseria

Favorite Dish: Revuelta Pupusa
Cuisine: Salvadoran
Location: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Price: $
Instagram: @saritas_pupuseria

Shibuya

Favorite Dish: Albacore Sashimi with Crispy Onions
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 4774 Park Granada, Calabasas, CA 91302
Price: $$$
Instagram: @shibuyacalabasas

Sonoratown

Favorite Dish: Beef Chivichanga
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Price: $
Instagram: @sonoratownla

Sugarfish

Favorite Dish: Trust Me (Nozawa, If Very Hungry)
Cuisine: Sushi
Location: 4722 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Price: $$$
Instagram: @sugarfishbynozawa

Sun Nong Dan

Favorite Dish: Galbi Jjim
Cuisine: Korean
Location: 3470 W 6th St #7, Los Angeles, California 90020
Price: $$

Sushi Ginza Onodera

Favorite Dish: Omakase
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 609 La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @sushiginzaonoderala

Sushi Kaneyoshi

Favorite Dish: Omakase
Cuisine: Sushi
Location: 250 E 1st St B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @sushi.kaneyoshi

Sushi Note

Favorite Dish: Halibut Yuzu
Cuisine: Sushi
Location: 13447 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Price: $$$
Instagram: @sushinotela