The past year and a half has been an incredible challenge for restaurants across the country. LA has been no different, though the year 2021 has already seen a significant return to on-site dining due to eager diners looking for experiences and amazing food. LA’s restaurant scene seems to be mostly back to its pre-pandemic shape, though of course challenges remain with safety, staffing, and finances. The Eater LA heatmap has existed for more than 15 years as a place to answer the age-old question of “Where should I eat tonight?”

Typically restaurants here are less than six months old, giving a sense of what’s new to the LA dining scene. For restaurants that have established themselves as one of the city’s essential places to eat, check out the Eater LA Essential 38. Restaurants are placed on the map in geographical order, from west to east. CLICK