Diners' Choice: American restaurants in Los Angeles

OpenTable

Updated February 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best overall American cuisine in Los Angeles? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Altaeats

4.9

4.9 (773)

$31 to $50

American

Pasadena

About the restaurant

Tucked away on the Altadena/Pasadena border,
Chef Paul Ragan brings a feast of flavors to the dinner table.
Join us in our dining room or order the Roastie to go!

Top review

Lainnie

Dined on Dec 21, 2024

Wonderful neighbor gem! Excellent menu and marvelous service. Such a delight!

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Popular dish

Beef Wellington

Popular dish

Buffalo Brussels Sprouts

Baran’s 2239

4.9

4.9 (1403)

$31 to $50

American

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Baran’s 2239 is committed to serve exceptional food in a casual atmosphere. The idea formed when brothers Jason and Jonathan Baran linked up with long time friend and chef Tyler Gugliotta. Hours of prep and creativity go into every single dish, using only fresh and homemade ingredients. Baran’s 2239 has over 40 craft beers and extensive wine list. Recognized on Michelin's Bib Gourmand 2018 list

Top review

LyndaVIP

Dined on Feb 7, 2025

Dinner was delicious and inventive. Great combination of flavors. All in the party enjoyed tremendously.

Dahlia

4.9

4.9 (24)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Experience an intimate space for afternoon tea at Dahlia, our newest DTLA destination nestled amid the Downtown bustle. Enjoy a selection of botanical teas and garden-fresh treats in a cozy setting. Gather with friends for a delightful afternoon within Dahlia’s immersive interiors, designed by Kelly Wearstler. Drawing inspiration from Mexican modernism and Moroccan aesthetics, the space features a rich palette of pinks, warm ambers, and verdant greens, complemented by textured tilework, vintage furnishings, and a stunning glass installation from LA’s Judson Studios. Indulge in curated experience by our talented team, Caroline Styne and Chef Suzanne Goin, showcasing local and seasonal ingredients.

Top review

Janet

Dined on Jan 31, 2025

Had a wonderful birthday tea room service! Everything was excellent- the food, the service, and the ambiance. My party of 3 had the Lunar New Year special tea menu.

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Experience

Cocktails at Dahlia

Cork Dork

4.9

4.9 (706)

$30 and under

American

Agoura Hills / Westlake Village

About the restaurant

Cork Dork is a haven for all people who love food, wine and local spirits. Curating the menu is Danny Amirian, born and raised in Westlake, he brings his fresh farm to fork approach back to the Conejo Valley. Danny's exclusive menu is always changing to focus on local farms and purveyors' best available product. Danny cooks from the heart and his passion will show on the plate.

If you are a beginner and enjoy a glass, starting to learn, or Cork Dorks like us you will enjoy our ever-changing selection of wines. All wines are available in 2oz, 6oz, and bottles so you can try multiple items in one sitting.

Our bar serves local spirits (all from CA) and artisanal cocktails! We've made our memorable cocktail list legendary by adding a dorky twist to our cocktail artistry. We've sought after local, high-quality spirits and fresh ingredients that will set our cocktails apart, the names alone will captivate you before sipping these exquisite creations developed by our own mixologist.

Top review

Brenda

Dined 2 days ago

Cork Dork is one of our favorite restaurants! Excellent every time! Last night we had the pate & dates appetizer, short rib & grilled branzino, granache cake with hazelnut, all were delicious! We had the pleasure of meeting Chef Danny, he & his team are fantastic! If you haven’t been, we highly recommend!

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Experience

Valentine's Day

Upper West

4.9

4.9 (2691)

$30 and under

American

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

**Contact us today to schedule your next event! We can accommodate parties of 10 to 150 guests**

Upper West's ever-changing menu draws inspiration from around the world while maintaining eclectic flavors unique to them. The bar offers Happy Hour Wednesday-Sunday from 4:30-7:00pm serving refreshing craft cocktails, handcrafted beer. The dinner menu is always evolving and includes ingredients sourced locally from the Santa Monica Farmers Market as well as local farmers such as Weiser Farms and Niman Ranch. Upper West is the perfect place to book large events for 20 or more guests and is an excellent private party venue for hosting corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries, holiday festivities, rehearsal dinners, and more.

Top review

NoelVIP

Dined on Feb 7, 2025

This is one of the very best restaurants in all of Los Angeles. The atmosphere is casual but refined, and the staff, kitchen and ownership take pride in the details and performance of every aspect of this establishment. This group makes everyone feel like family and the most important guest at the same time. The food is outstanding, drinks made to perfection, and every box checked for a wonderful experience.

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Popular dish

STEAK TACOS (16oz)

Popular dish

CURRIED CHICKEN SALAD

Popular dish

FRIED CHICKEN SANDWICH

Nick's on 2nd

4.9

4.9 (2729)

$30 and under

American

Long Beach

About the restaurant

Classic American comfort food, crave-able bar snacks, plus unique cocktails & an extensive wine list in an upscale yet casual environment. Our intimate restaurant features a chic island bar, walls of glass and a spacious covered patio, perfect for people watching. Our exhibition kitchen highlights the talents of our passionate culinary team.

Nick’s is dedicated to perfecting the dining experience through continuous innovation, offering the highest quality food and beverage, and executing impeccable standards of hospitality. The deeply instilled Nick’s culture is personified by its Ladies and Gentlemen – professionals who share a single focus and are inspired and committed to offering great service and creating positive memorable experiences.

Top review

Larry

Dined 4 days ago

A casual fine comfort food dining experience!? First time going in LB. Mitch was outstanding waiter and had some great recommendations. The Filet Bistro plate was right sized for the birthday girl ($27) and my sirloin was juicy medium rare with large moist baked potato/asparagus ($38): both were very good values and filling. The recommended Lemon cake was perfect ending. Thanks Mitch for waving the $25 cork fee for our wine!

Tar & Roses

4.9

4.9 (4254)

$31 to $50

American

Santa Monica

About the restaurant

Tar & Roses is a globally inspired culinary experience.
Chef Andrew Kirschner has transformed his kitchen into a local and welcoming home, focused on the element of the wood fired oven to bring out the best flavor in our dishes. Coming straight from the visionary mind of our award winning chef, our menu is created with only the highest quality ingredients and fresh, local products. This attention to detail helps makes our food a perfected craft which will inspire you to be adventurous, in the most approachable and delicious way possible.
When you step into Tar & Roses, you'll feel like you are coming home. Our entire staff awaits your arrival with warm smiles and thoughtful service ~ please, come share a meal with us!

Top review

Paul

Dined 6 days ago

Simply one of the best restaurants around. It was great when I first tried it 4 years ago and it is still utterly delightful.

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Popular dish

Shellfish Pot

Popular dish

Whole Fried Snapper for Two

Popular dish

Lamb Shank

Dal Rae

4.9

4.9 (6171)

$31 to $50

American

Pico Rivera

About the restaurant

The Dal Rae is the Southern California restaurant where 1950s classics still reign. Lobster Thermidor, Pepper Steak, Chateaubriand, Prime Rib, Fresh Fish, Lamb Chops, Steak Diane and Cherries Jubilee prepared tableside are among more than 100 items on a truly retro menu, complete with some of the city's best martinis. Opened in 1958, the Dal Rae has maintained its original atmosphere, too, right down to a piano bar with live entertainment. And, most important, it has preserved a tradition otherwise found only in private clubs -- knowing its customers by name and treating them like the most important people in the whole wide world. The Dal Rae is located close to the 5 freeway and half-way between LA County, Orange County and The Valley. It is a perfect location for business meetings or entertaining friends and family.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent service ! Delicious food, wonderful ambience. Will be returning soon…❤️

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Popular dish

Dal Rae Veal Chop

Popular dish

Fresh Chilean Seabass A la Ben

Popular dish

Chilean Seabass alla Ben

Jar

4.8

4.8 (3299)

$50 and over

American

Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.

About the restaurant

Jar, the highly acclaimed restaurant by Chef Suzanne Tracht, is a modern-day chophouse which fares great appetizers, salads, a la carte Broilers, Roasts, Braises and Sautés, supplemented by an array of comforting sides, sauces, and desserts. Chef Suzanne Tracht and Chef de Cuisine Preech Narkthong continue to create a contemporary American menu with dishes that appeal to everyone. The room is infused with the artistry and flair of a 1940s Supper Club and the signature dishes have brought rave reviews year after year. Join us for a casual, full service dining experience at the bar or a more formal affair at one of our white table cloth covered tables. Check our website for menus and more. Nightly specials are always seasonal. Dress code: Business Casual. We do not allow tank tops for gentlemen; a collared shirt is suggested instead. We also do not allow athletic attire, flip-flops, and caps while dining.

Top review

PeachyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Great dinner! I’ve started coming back here lately for the great food and vibe. Love this place.

Dunsmoor

4.8

4.8 (980)

$50 and over

American

Eagle Rock

About the restaurant

Brian Dunsmoor’s namesake restaurant, Dunsmoor, is the latest iteration of his ongoing exploration of American heritage cooking. It is, first and foremost, a restaurant for the community that surrounds it, and a loving expression of the relentless research that has informed his cooking for the last ten years.

We offer the full menu at tables in our dining room and at the chef's counter, as well as at our outdoor tables. Reservations are recommended but we make every effort to accommodate walk-ins when possible.

Dunsmoor's wine bar, accessible either through the restaurant or via its own door on Ave 35, does not accept reservations and serves a limited menu of our raw and larder items.

Top review

JamesVIP

Dined on Feb 5, 2025

The food is absolutely fantastic – and the service has been unbeatable. We have eaten there four times and this has always been the case. But unfortunately, what has also always been the case is that the wine pours, If you buy wine by the glass, are absurdly inadequate. We have complained on two visits and they’ve kindly added a little wine to the glas, but it is clearly a policy that needs to be changed. So my advice is simply don’t buy wine by the glass and enjoy everything else about this fantastic restaurant.

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