The best new Los Angeles restaurants to open in April

Catering in Los Angeles appears to be officially in full bloom after the consequences and recovery of the tragic Eaton and Palisade fires. Since April 1, the Los Angeles culinary community has welcomed several game-changing restaurants that have won the hearts of locals and tourists. From El Segundo to Culver City, these new openings bring cultural vitality, exciting flavors and innovation to communities throughout the city.

Westside Restaurant Group Memento Mori branched out from its standard Italian routine and opened up their first Mexican concept, while Beverly Hills' Matū won the first sister restaurant in Brentwood. With the opening of Chef Zach Pollack's Cosetta, the culinary landscape in Santa Monica continues to flourish, and even Chinatown acts with chef Anthony Wang's eldest son. Whether you want to enjoy hand rolls and sake at a stylish chef counter in Culver City or drink orange wine at Mar Vista’s coolest new restaurant, this is the most exciting April restaurant in Los Angeles.

Cosetta

• 3150 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Cosetta is the latest adventure of chef Zach Pollack, which brings a seasonally driven menu to the Marine Park near Santa Monica. The bright and airy space sets the backdrop for a changing meal with a focus on agricultural fresh produce and seafood. The original bar section of the menu has everything from Kampachi Crudo to Bluefin Tuna Tartare, while the rotating small plate sections focus on shareable items such as Peel'n Eat'n Eat of Shrimp scampi and whling baccala. While the pasta is certainly worth exploring, don't sleep on pizza, especially the Uni butter Lo Spagnolo Ricco.

MatūKai

• 11777 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049

MatūKai landed in Brentwood on April 6 to bring a new steakhouse to the West Side. As a sister restaurant to Beverly Hills’ beloved Matū, MatūKai exclusively offers 100% grass-fed cattle to ensure guests enjoy a quality steak experience with sensational sides and fresh appetizers. The center-cut Picanha is cooked on a wood-burning fire, giving it a perfect texture and a subtle smoky flavor, but you can't go wrong on the Plancha-grilled Filet Mignon – a small amount of surfing and turf action was ordered for the lobster tail. Pomme puree is an impossible side, and when it comes to the starter, choose fresh horseradish and spiny shrimp cocktails.

88 Club

• 9737 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210

After her acclaimed restaurant pajamas ended, chef Mei Lin is back and better with a new culinary concept. Located in Beverly Hills, 88 Club has an elegant and modern spin on traditional Chinese cuisine. The family-style menu encourages guests to share a variety of dishes, from dumplings and noodles and vegetarian dishes to advance. 88 Club also has a killer drink program curated by sommelier Diana Lee and former Death & Co. law firm. Drink sustainable wines from France or explore cocktails made from homemade infusions and Southeast Asian flavors. Highlights of the menu include scallion rolls with fried scallion butter, seasonal market fried rice and sweet and sour squirrel fish.

First birth

• 978 N Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90012

The opening of the first day marks a new era of Chinatown's catering culture. Founded by chef Anthony Wang, this upscale restaurant is a love labor that has been engaged in since 2022. Located in Mandarin Square, it combines industrial accents with chic furniture and blue tiled walls to set a modern look for modern Central American cuisine. The innovative menu features unique pieces such as stewed fennel, steak tartare inspired by Dashi pickled trout Roe and Mapo tofu. The Zhajiang Oxtail with squid and cucumber is another outstanding dish, as is the short ribs of beef with black pepper.

Beethoven Market

• 12904 Palms Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Previously one of the most historic grocery stores in Mar Vista, it is now Beethoven Market, a community-oriented restaurant that blends California and Italian cuisine. With the help of chef Michael Leonard, Jeremy Adler brought the 1949 architecture back to life, bringing guests to refreshing cocktails and crispy wines on the plant-covered terrace, mixing guests with their neighbors. Appetizers range from grilled octopus and tuna gravel to crispy artichokes and zucchini blossoms. However, pasta and pizza are the stars of the show, Meyer Lemon and Clam Pizza snatched the click light.

Jaime! Tacreya

• 450 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Jaime! Taqueria is the first Mexican restaurant at Memento Mori Hospitality, the same team behind Italian restaurants Ospi, Jemma and Jame Enoteca. Located in El Segundo, customers can expect casual tacos on homemade heirloom tortillas. The beef cheeks Quesabirria is rich and sturdy but if you prefer the lighter side, try the Shrimp Gobernador tacos. Jaime! Taqueria also offers happy hours every day from 3pm to 5:30pm, with margaritas, wines, tacos and shareable plates all discounted. Whenever you visit, you can start your meal with Tomatillo Shrimp Aguachile and Flautas.

Daisy Margarita Bar

• 14633 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403

On April 17, Sherman Oaks officially welcomed the long-awaited Daisy Margarita Bar. In the kitchen, Michelin-trained executive chef Alan Sanz and beverage director Max Reis are behind the bar, and guests can expect a Mexican rum bar with rustic charm. Rough wooden walls, vintage photos, hanging antlers and an animal specimen-style bison head create a cozy and western-style Mexican tavern experience, while retro jukeboxes and Corduroy banquet seats will encourage you to kick back with a cocktail to give you a great time. Enjoy shareable bites such as fish ceviche, oysters and tacos while sitting on a savory salsa Verde Margarita or the signature dirty Shirley Marg. Stay tuned for the upcoming Gilbert Perez Bar, which will be above Daisy.