This past weekend, Angelenos and visitors enjoyed a diverse culinary showcase across Los Angeles, courtesy of Eater LA’s “4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend: August 1,” which curated four standout spots spanning casual bites, museum-side sipping, upscale group dining, and energetic nightlife-infused cuisine.
At the Getty Center, the newly opened Trellis Bar & Lounge offered guests a scenic respite amid museum visits. The outdoor terrace, adorned with a signature lavender trellis, cobalt accents, and garden-inspired decor, serves handcrafted cocktails, mocktails, wines, and light bites. The venue’s design merges Getty’s classic architecture with a modern, social ambiance, all without the need for reservations. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., with extended hours until 8:30 p.m. on Saturdays, Trellis is perfect for art lovers looking to linger over drinks with panoramic views.
For a more budget-conscious crowd, The Kimbap in Koreatown served quick, flavorful Korean snacks. Known for its variety of gimbap—featuring fillings like tuna, Spam, and kimchi—the counter-service spot proved a hit for lunch goers seeking efficient but satisfying fare without sacrificing taste.
On the upscale end, Beverly Hills welcomed 88 Club by Mei Lin, a refined Chinese dining destination ideal for group dinners. The menu featured elegant plates such as shrimp toast and char siu Iberico pork. With its elevated yet approachable vibe, 88 Club balanced indulgence and sophistication, making it a memorable pick for diners seeking fine Cantonese-inspired cooking in a polished setting.
In Lincoln Heights, Zizou combined North African cuisine with an electrifying nightlife twist. Diners enjoyed dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Maghrebi flavors alongside fine wine selections, while surprise DJs added an unexpected groove to the dining atmosphere. The lively combination of exotic food and music made Zizou a go-to Friday-night destination for those craving flair and fun.
These four featured restaurants not only catered to vastly different tastes and budgets, but also reflected current trends in Los Angeles dining: a blend of accessibility, cultural storytelling through food, and spaces designed for both relaxation and excitement.
Trellis Bar & Lounge is emblematic of a broader shift in museum hospitality toward more relaxed, Instagram-influenced environments. With its visually engaging setup and approachable menu, it aims to encourage longer stays and casual socializing. The venue opened in late July 2025, tapping into elevated demand for experiential dining tied to aesthetic and architecture.
The continued popularity of spots like The Kimbap underscores Angelenos’ pursuit of flavor-first eating on a budget. Even as inflation and Dine LA Restaurant Week (running July 25–August 8) provide occasional cost relief, budget-friendly picks remain central to Eater LA’s summer roster of local favorites.
Places like Zizou reflect LA’s evolution toward multi-sensory dining experiences. Understated yet elevated, these venues serve cuisine meant to be paired with curated music and ambiance, moving beyond the conventional sit-down model.
Restaurants like 88 Club by Mei Lin illustrate how contemporary fine dining in Los Angeles is embracing both the communal and the intimate — high‑quality ingredients served in small‑plate formats, meant to be shared among groups seeking sophistication with a dash of comfort.
Los Angeles continues to see a surge in upscale and experimental openings. From Michelin-starred tasting menus at spots like Somni and Vespertine to major new arrivals such as Casa Dani in Century City, the city’s gastronomic landscape is both expanding and polarizing between ultra-luxury and pocket-friendly yet compelling concepts.
Meanwhile, broader challenges—including the 2025 wildfires and ICE immigration sweeps—have prompted community-driven dining initiatives such as Dine LA Restaurant Week, which supports struggling local businesses through subsidized dining deals.
Eater LA’s August 1 roundup successfully showcased four restaurants that define Los Angeles’s dynamic summer dining scene. From serene Getty Center cocktails to grab-and-go gimbap in Koreatown, upscale Chinese fine dining in Beverly Hills, and a music-tinged North African spot in Lincoln Heights, the selections offer something for every palate and price point. Together, they underscore a city whose culinary offerings continue to innovate, diversify, and delight.
