MomSkoop
Los Angeles serves up some of the most extravagant dining experiences in the world. From hidden sushi counters to celebrity-chef showcases, the City of Angels offers countless options for those special occasions when money is no object. If you’re looking to splurge on an unforgettable meal, these ultra-luxe restaurants deliver exceptional cuisine, impeccable service, and atmosphere worth the hefty price tag.
1. Urasawa: The Hidden Jewel of Beverly Hills
Hidden on the second floor of a nondescript building, Urasawa represents the pinnacle of Japanese culinary artistry. Chef Hiroyuki Urasawa personally crafts each of the 30+ courses in his legendary omakase experience, using ingredients flown in daily from Japan.
With only 10 seats at the intimate counter, securing a reservation feels like winning a culinary lottery. The chef’s meticulous knife skills transform pristine fish into edible masterpieces before your eyes.
At over $1,000 per person before drinks, it’s among America’s priciest dining experiences—yet devotees insist the three-hour gastronomic journey justifies every dollar spent.
2. Providence: Ocean-to-Table Excellence
Perched along Melrose Avenue, Providence stands as Los Angeles’ temple to sustainable seafood. Chef Michael Cimarusti transforms the ocean’s bounty into artistic expressions that celebrate each ingredient’s purest essence.
The restaurant’s two Michelin stars reflect its commitment to culinary perfection. Signature dishes like spot prawns with cognac and uni might appear deceptively simple, but reveal complex flavors that dance across the palate.
The serene, nautical-inspired dining room provides the perfect backdrop for their multi-course tasting menus starting at $210. Wine pairings curated by their master sommelier can easily double your check—a splurge many regulars consider essential.
3. CUT by Wolfgang Puck: Steak Elevated to Art
Nestled inside the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, CUT redefines the American steakhouse through Wolfgang Puck’s innovative lens. The sleek, Richard Meier-designed space buzzes with Hollywood energy while servers parade prime cuts like precious jewels.
Japanese A5 Wagyu, dry-aged Nebraska corn-fed beef, and Australian grass-fed options create a global tour of exceptional meat. Each steak arrives perfectly charred outside, precisely temperature-controlled inside, accompanied by house-made mustards and sauces.
Starting at $135 for a three-course dinner, true indulgence comes when ordering the tasting of three beef varieties for comparison—a carnivore’s dream that can push your bill well past $300 per person.
4. Mélisse: French Perfection in Santa Monica
Behind an understated façade, Chef Josiah Citrin’s culinary sanctuary offers one of LA’s most refined dining experiences. The recently reimagined Mélisse now features just 14 seats around a chef’s counter, creating an intimate theater for gastronomic excellence.
French techniques meet California’s finest ingredients in dishes that balance technical precision with emotional resonance. The seven-course tasting menu might include butter-poached lobster or aged duck with seasonal accompaniments that change with market availability.
At $135 per person before supplements and wine, Mélisse delivers value compared to some competitors. However, few resist the temptation of truffle additions and rare wine pairings that can easily triple the final tab.
5. N/Naka: Modern Kaiseki Mastery
Chef Niki Nakayama’s culinary poetry has transformed this unassuming Palms location into LA’s most coveted reservation. Following the Japanese kaiseki tradition of sequential seasonal dishes, N/Naka creates a 13-course narrative that builds with thoughtful progression.
Nakayama blends traditional Japanese techniques with California influences, creating signature dishes like her famous spaghettini with abalone, pickled cod roe, and black truffle. The zen-like dining room ensures nothing distracts from the food’s subtle complexity.
At $310 per person before beverages, securing a reservation requires planning months ahead. Featured on Chef’s Table, this female-led kitchen continues to earn its reputation as one of America’s most significant dining experiences.
6. Sushi Ginza Onodera: Tokyo-Level Sushi Experience
Tucked away in West Hollywood, this outpost of a renowned Tokyo institution delivers sushi at its most pristine. The stark, minimalist space focuses attention entirely on the counter where master itamae (sushi chefs) perform their craft with reverent precision.
Fish selections change daily, flown in from Japan’s famed Toyosu Market. Each piece arrives perfectly tempered—rice warm, fish cool—with instructions on whether to add wasabi or soy, if any enhancement is needed at all.
The omakase experience starts at $400, reflecting the restaurant’s uncompromising standards and imported ingredients. Their two Michelin stars confirm what devotees already know: this represents the absolute pinnacle of traditional Edomae sushi in Los Angeles.
7. Spago: The Original Celebrity Hotspot
Wolfgang Puck’s flagship restaurant remains the power dining destination in Beverly Hills after four decades. The recently renovated space balances California cool with Hollywood glamour, where industry titans close deals over legendary smoked salmon pizza.
While à la carte dining remains popular, the California tasting menu showcases Puck’s evolving vision and Executive Chef Tetsu Yahagi’s technical brilliance. Signature dishes like the agnolotti with seasonal truffles exemplify their luxurious yet approachable philosophy.
Starting at $150 for the tasting menu, costs escalate rapidly with wine pairings and supplements. The vibrant patio remains one of LA’s most coveted seats, where regular celebrity sightings justify the premium pricing for many visitors.
8. Totoraku: The Secret Beef Palace
Behind an unmarked storefront with blacked-out windows lies LA’s most mysterious dining destination. Chef Kaz Oyama’s invitation-only beef sanctuary operates on reputation alone—you’ll need a personal connection to secure your spot at this cult favorite.
The multi-course beef experience progresses from raw preparations to various grilled cuts, showcasing Japanese wagyu alongside American and Australian selections. Diners cook premium cuts on tabletop grills while sipping rare sakes from the chef’s personal collection.
At $260 per person, the price reflects both exclusivity and exceptional quality. The plain interior belies the extraordinary experience within, creating a secret society feeling that money alone cannot buy—though deep pockets are certainly required.
9. Vespertine: Culinary Theater in Culver City
Chef Jordan Kahn’s otherworldly creation defies traditional restaurant categorization. Housed in an architectural marvel known as “The Waffle,” Vespertine delivers a multi-sensory journey that feels more like performance art than dinner.
The 18+ course progression unfolds across multiple spaces within the building. Dishes arrive as abstract sculptures—sometimes challenging, always thought-provoking—accompanied by custom music and scents designed specifically for each creation.
At approximately $300 per person before beverages, Vespertine represents LA’s most avant-garde splurge. Critics remain divided, but those seeking a boundary-pushing experience unlike anything else in America find this sci-fi gastronomy worth every penny of the considerable investment.
10. Dialogue: Intimate Seasonal Storytelling
Hidden within a Santa Monica food court, Chef Dave Beran’s 18-seat jewel box delivers one of LA’s most personal dining experiences. The James Beard Award-winning chef crafts seasonally-driven tasting menus that tell stories through meticulously composed courses.
The restaurant’s tiny footprint means diners observe every aspect of preparation, creating an immersive connection between chef and guest. Each dish represents a specific moment in the season, forming a narrative arc from first bite to final sweet.
At approximately $275 per person, the price reflects both the ingredient quality and intense labor behind each presentation. Wine pairings, curated to enhance the seasonal progression, add substantially to the final bill but complete the carefully orchestrated experience.
11. 71Above: Dining in the Clouds
Perched on the 71st floor of the US Bank Tower, this stunning restaurant pairs spectacular 360° views with equally impressive cuisine. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase Los Angeles sprawling to the horizon while Chef Javier Lopez creates modern American cuisine worthy of the setting.
The three-course prix fixe menu changes regularly, featuring technically precise dishes like dry-aged duck with cherry and pistachio or Maine lobster with sweet corn and truffle. Reserve a window table for sunset to witness the city transform from day to glittering night.
Starting at $95 for three courses, add-ons like caviar service and rare wine selections can quickly elevate your check past $250 per person. The combination of culinary excellence and unmatched views justifies the premium for special celebrations.
12. Hayato: Bento Boxes to Kaiseki Dreams
Chef Brandon Go’s seven-seat restaurant in the ROW DTLA complex represents Japanese culinary dedication at its finest. Originally famous for $50 lunchtime bento boxes (each taking four hours to prepare), the evening kaiseki experience showcases even greater artistry.
The multi-course progression follows centuries-old traditions while incorporating seasonal California ingredients. Each ceramic vessel—many handmade in Japan—perfectly complements its contents, from delicate sea bream sashimi to charcoal-grilled A5 wagyu.
At approximately $250 per person, the intimate dinner feels like being transported to Kyoto. Reservations disappear within seconds of release, making this perhaps LA’s most difficult table to secure—a testament to Go’s passionate following and uncompromising standards.
13. Maude: Global Culinary Exploration
Celebrity chef Curtis Stone’s intimate Beverly Hills restaurant reinvented itself with a bold concept: focusing entirely on a different wine region every quarter. The tasting menu explores not just the wines but the complete culinary identity of destinations from Burgundy to Western Australia.
The 24-seat dining room feels like an elegant dinner party in someone’s stylish home. Courses might include luxurious interpretations of regional classics or innovative creations inspired by the chef’s research trips to each featured location.
At approximately $150 per person before wine pairings, Maude delivers exceptional value for its category. The optional wine pairing—featuring rare and limited bottles from each region—doubles the investment but completes the transportive experience that has earned the restaurant its Michelin star.