Best Restaurants for Foodies in South Los Angeles

We go here for my wife's birthday which is on Christmas Eve. Not many places are open then and we really like the food and hospitality of AOC. Even though they don't take requests, they had a nice table for us indoors. It made it extra special to have carolers as well.

The Vespertine experience is off the charts amazing. This was our second visit (our first was pre-pandemic). Some things have changed about the experience, but what you truly are there for, the food, hasn't and it is absolute art. I've been a Jordan Khan fan for a long time, and every time I'm at one of his restaurants, I'm always awed by his creativity. The menu items always work together to tell a story, but the flavor profiles are so different with each course. The service is first rate knowledgable and friendly. Both times we've visited we've had a great time with the service staff. They know the menu deeply, and love to talk about it, or any other fun topic that comes up. The restaurant isn't pretentious at all. It's a bit like being at home, especially if you sit upstairs with a larger party, sitting on your patio or deck and being served the meal of a lifetime. If you do sit upstairs, definitely bring a jacket b/c it's open air. There's heaters and blankets, but it still can be chilly. We went two days ago and all of us are still thinking about he experience, and not the cost. Which is pretty remarkable considering how costly this restaurant is, but both times I've gone to Vespertine, I've left thinking, 'That was totally worth it!'

We were visiting Los Angeles from Washington DC. I heard wonderful things and saw great reviews about Providence. Wonderful experience at Providence. We sat at the chef’s table. The staff was excellent and professional. They answered all questions and requests. Chef Micheal Cimarusti was very gracious and welcoming. His food was delicious and the presentation of the food was beautiful and elegant. Definitely would dine again at Providence. It was an amazing experience and wonderful night.

Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious! We started with the octopus and the caviar. While the octopus was decent, it was slightly overcooked and just okay. In our opinion, the Little Door Caviar was the standout starter—its flavor was far superior. For mains, the Branzino was perfection—crispy and flaky on the outside, tender and soft on the inside. The ribeye was equally fantastic, cooked beautifully and packed with flavor. We finished the meal with the crème brûlée, which was the perfect dessert—smooth, creamy, and with a perfectly caramelized top. The service was impeccable, making the evening truly special. We celebrated my friend’s birthday, and it was a memorable experience from start to finish. We’ll definitely be back!

Chi Spacca is my favorite restaurant and I don't go often enough. It holds a very special place in my heart. Don't miss burger night; best burger I've ever had! The milk roast pork loin is to die for and my first love is the Pollo alla diavola su Crostone is my first love. And you'll need to order two Focaccia di Recco . . . just sayin'. I have never had a bad meal or bad service at Chi Spacca. Everything is top notch. My favorite spot is at the cook's counter. Enjoy!!