Southern California's Dining Scene Keeps Growing with Fresh Openings

Despite the ongoing challenges that Southern California's restaurant operators continue to navigate, including the lingering impacts of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, the 2023 Hollywood labor strikes, the 2025 Palisades and Eaton fires, and broader systemic slowdowns affecting the global food supply, the region's dining scene continues its steady expansion. Across Los Angeles, new establishments are making their debut, ranging from pop-ups finding permanent homes to arrivals in well-known buildings and neighborhood spots.

One notable arrival is B.J. Novak's Chain, a concept built on reinterpreting nostalgic fast-food classics. What began as a pop-up has now found its first long-term residency at Topanga Social, located within Westfield Topanga. The kitchen features a rotating roster of chefs: Calvin Eng is preparing a Cantonese fish sandwich inspired by the Filet-o-Fish, while Mason Hereford offers a spicy chicken version drawing from Wendy's. Roy Choi taps into mall food court nostalgia with a teriyaki chicken bowl, and Mei Lin channels Taco Bell with a mapo wagyu wrap, fittingly filled with chile crisp queso.

Further west, Palisades Village has seen a resurgence following the January 2025 fires. Among its new additions is Alphabet Bar and Grill, opened by the H.Wood Group with chef Timothy Hollingsworth at the helm. The menu offers a lineup reminiscent of classic American eateries, featuring dishes like grilled cheese and tomato soup, cheeseburgers, hamachi crudo, and rotisserie chicken. Diners can also find classic cocktails such as dirty or dry martini service and Old Fashioneds, with desserts like lemon olive oil cake and a caramel sundae.

Also in Palisades Village, K Bakery has reopened its doors. Owner Kim Kedeshian’s pastry shop was forced to close its Highlands Plaza location after the Palisades Fire. Now, at its new Palisades Village spot, K Bakery offers baked goods including chocolate chip scones, sourdough bread, croissants, and frosted cinnamon buns, alongside savory options like chicken pot pie and soups.

In Venice, Los Angeles favorite Sticky Rice has unveiled its long-awaited location just blocks from the beach on Rose Avenue. The new outpost maintains the same menu as its other locations, featuring popular items like panang curry fries, khao soi, pad see ew, and tom yum noodle soup. For now, Sticky Rice is operating on limited hours from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday, and is exclusively open for takeout. Moving inland to Mar Vista, the Arepa Stand, another venture that began as a pop-up, has opened its first brick-and-mortar on Venice Boulevard. The menu offers arepas with various fillings, including cheese; braised beef with black bean puree, fried plantains, cotija cheese, and cilantro; and shredded chicken with pickled red onions and avocado sauce. The Arepa Stand is currently open from breakfast through late lunch, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Over in Van Nuys within the San Fernando Valley, Egg Boat introduces a new casual option for Georgian khachapuri, known for its cheese-laden bread boats. The slim menu centers on the classic khachapuri, crowned with two eggs, mozzarella, and feta in a freshly baked bread boat, alongside a cheese calzone made from the same dough. A selection of sandwiches, including a wagyu cheesesteak and pastrami, is also available. Koreatown welcomes two new additions: Gamaro Fried Chicken, a new Korean fried chicken spot, offers options like fried chicken rice bowls, double or triple fried chicken flights, and stacked sandwiches. Sides such as japchae and macaroni and cheese complement the main dishes, with glazing sauces like hot chile, Mexican truffle, and classic soy garlic. Nearby, Chinese dessert shop Makkee Dessert has expanded its footprint to Sixth Street, bringing its milk teas, shaved ice, and tapioca treats to the neighborhood. Popular selections include the signature Tapioca Deluxe with red beans, taro balls, and tapioca pearls, and milk shaved ice topped with black sticky rice and mango.

Beverly Hills has seen significant shifts, with the former 88 Club reopening as Tiger Tiger under the leadership of Francis Miranda, one of the original opening partners. This transformation follows chef Mei Lin's departure from 88 Club and Daybird in April 2026, less than a year after opening. Tiger Tiger aims for a more expansive menu covering a range of Chinese regional influences at a more accessible price point compared to the initial, more glamorous plan. Chef Michael Chih, with over 51 years of cooking experience, is preparing dishes like glistening, crispy black pepper filet mignon, crispy crab rangoons, glazed General Tso’s chicken, and Szechuan whole fish.

Also in Beverly Hills, The Brothers Sushi has opened a new location. Known for its Woodland Hills outpost, The Brothers Sushi now offers its selection a la carte or as a $160 omakase experience led by chef Moriyuki "Mori" Kanamaru, featuring inventive nigiri variations and seasonal ingredients. The Brothers Sushi also has locations in Santa Monica and Culver City. Perched above the Michelin-starred Lielle, chef Marcus Jernmark has debuted Marée, a more casual California-inflected bistro and wine bar. Opened on September 9, Marée’s menu is rooted in French cooking with a California seasonal sensibility. The dining room, with its wood cream-colored walls and tall ceilings, is lit by clam-shaped pendant lights from Fritz Hansen and flickering pillar candles. Starters include grilled Cerignola olives, truffled onion soup, and sourdough bread with cultured butter. Escargot beignets, inspired by a trip Jernmark took to Kyoto, are also featured. Pasta options range from spaghetti vongole to ricotta ravioli with fig XO sauce, and tagliatelle with aged veal ragout. Larger dishes include bouillabaisse, veal sausage, and a hamburger split in half and bathed in a four-peppercorn au poivre sauce, which will be limited to 30 orders a day. For dessert, there are delicate caneles or a salty dark chocolate mousse with hazelnuts.

Finally, in Silver Lake, the team behind pizza spot De La Nonna has opened Sous Sous inside the Hotel Lucile, housed in a former church. The menu blends French cuisine with Southern elements of hospitality, aiming to provide a distinct new experience for diners.