01
Best overall pick
Spago Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills Golden Triangle • Iconic Californian Fine-Dining Restaurant • Flagship Special-Occasion Pick
Wolfgang Puck’s flagship still delivers polished service, inventive Californian menus, and a lively patio scene.
Spago is the rare high-end spot that feels both genuinely special and genuinely fun, with a dining room that hums any night of the week. Expect seasonal tasting menus, sharp wine guidance, and a staff that knows how to pace a long dinner without rushing you. It’s where locals book milestone celebrations, but also where industry regulars slide in for a martini and a perfect plate of pasta at the bar.
02
Top seafood destination
Avra Beverly Hills
North Beverly Drive • Upscale Greek Seafood Restaurant • Best For Seafood-Loving Groups
Avra serves gleaming whole fish, bright Greek flavors, and a see-and-be-seen crowd in a resort-like setting.
Walk into Avra and you’re greeted by iced displays of whole Mediterranean fish ready to be grilled simply with olive oil and lemon. The room is big, breezy, and designed for lingering, from business dinners to birthday parties where everyone shares mezze and seafood platters. If you want something that feels coastal and celebratory without leaving the city, this is the move.
03
Essential new-school Italian
Funke
South Santa Monica Boulevard • Multi-Level Modern Italian Pasta House • Hot Table For Pasta Obsessives
Funke turns house-made pasta and wood-fired dishes into an all-evening event spread across multiple levels and a rooftop.
Chef Evan Funke’s namesake restaurant is built for people who plan nights around great pasta. Hand-rolled shapes, rich ragùs, and crispy focaccia arrive from an open kitchen that keeps the energy high throughout the space. Between the bar, main dining room, and rooftop, it works as well for a long, shared-plates dinner as it does for a quick Negroni and a bowl of cacio e pepe.
04
Best classic Hollywood vibe
La Dolce Vita
Little Santa Monica Boulevard • Old-School Italian Supper Club • Romantic Throwback Date Spot
Dimly lit booths, red sauce classics, and strong drinks give La Dolce Vita the feel of a preserved Hollywood time capsule.
La Dolce Vita leans into its history with leather banquettes, low lighting, and a soundtrack that fits the martini you’ll probably be holding. The menu is all about comfort—think veal parm, spaghetti, and perfectly dressed salads—executed with enough finesse to match the room. It’s an easy yes for date night or anyone chasing that mid-century Beverly Hills glamour without it feeling like a gimmick.
05
Beloved neighborhood staple
Il Pastaio
South Beverly Drive Corridor • Bustling Trattoria-Style Italian Cafe • Casual Power-Lunch Favorite
Sidewalk tables, generous bowls of pasta, and a steady flow of regulars make Il Pastaio feel like Beverly Hills’ living room.
Il Pastaio is where you’re as likely to see a family sharing tagliatelle as you are a producer taking a meeting over espresso. The outdoor tables put you right in the middle of the South Beverly crowd, and the menu is broad enough to please picky eaters and serious carb fans alike. It’s relaxed, reliable, and exactly the kind of spot locals return to weekly.