12 New Los Angeles Restaurants Everyone Is Talking About

Los Angeles has cemented itself as one of the world's most celebrated dining destinations. Here are 12 of the hottest new restaurants adding to the mix.

Mar. 19, 2026 at 2:49am

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From the return of the SUSHISAMBA brand to the U.S. market, to the opening of a Taiwanese restaurant chain's first U.S. outpost, to new Italian-Korean fusion concepts, Los Angeles has a slew of exciting new dining options that are generating major buzz.

Why it matters

Los Angeles is renowned for its vibrant and ever-evolving food scene, with new and innovative restaurants constantly emerging to cater to the diverse tastes of locals and visitors alike. These 12 new additions showcase the city's status as a global culinary destination, offering a wide range of cuisines, dining experiences, and unique culinary collaborations.

The details

The new restaurants include SUSHISAMBA, which blends the flavors of Japan, Peru, and Brazil in a rooftop setting; Vinyl Room, a Japanese-inspired listening lounge at the Hollywood Palladium; Very Thai by 瓦城, the U.S. outpost of a famous Taiwanese restaurant brand; Sonmari, offering inventive hand-roll flavors; Churrería el Moro, bringing classic Mexican churros to Echo Park; Lapaba, a fusion of Korean and Italian influences; Little Fish Melrose Hill, expanding the popular seafood concept; The Night We Met, serving a cross-Asian menu; Hermon's, a New American neighborhood restaurant with a steakhouse focus; Paradise Dynasty, known for its multicolored xiao long bao; Zampo, blending Peruvian and Japanese cuisines; and Viva La Mamma, a bold, modern Italian restaurant.

  • SUSHISAMBA Los Angeles is opening this week.
  • Very Thai by 瓦城 just opened at Westfield Century City in Los Angeles.
  • Churrería el Moro opened in Echo Park in late January 2026.
  • Lapaba is a new restaurant.
  • Viva La Mamma is opening on March 27, 2026.

The players

SUSHISAMBA

An American restaurant brand that blends the flavors of Japan, Peru, and Brazil.

Vinyl Room

A new restaurant located at the Hollywood Palladium, inspired by 1970s Japanese kissas (listening lounges).

Very Thai by 瓦城

The U.S. outpost of a famous Taiwanese restaurant brand that has been in business for nearly three decades.

Sonmari

A new restaurant from the team behind Temaki Society, offering innovative hand-roll flavors.

Churrería el Moro

A Mexico City-based churrería (churro shop) that has opened a second Southern California location in Echo Park.

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The takeaway

These 12 new Los Angeles restaurants showcase the city's vibrant and ever-evolving food scene, offering a diverse range of cuisines, dining experiences, and unique culinary collaborations that cater to the diverse tastes of locals and visitors alike, further cementing Los Angeles' status as a global culinary destination.