News Summary
This August, Los Angeles has seen a surge in new restaurant openings, showcasing a variety of cuisines from around the world. Notable newcomers include Xibei, offering Northwestern Chinese dishes; Sushi Zanmai with fresh sushi in Koreatown; and Lotteria, a Japanese-Korean fast-food chain in Fullerton. The Blue Note Jazz Club combines dining and live music, while Bleu Bird introduces Korean-style fried chicken. Additionally, Dom’s Taverna showcases Basque-inspired seafood, and Darling offers Southern cuisine, all contributing to the city’s vibrant food scene.
Los Angeles has recently welcomed an exciting array of new restaurants, punctuating August 2025 with culinary diversity and innovative dining concepts. From Kowloon-inspired sushi to Northwestern Chinese fare, the city’s food scene is expanding rapidly, bringing eclectic flavors and unique dining experiences to neighborhoods across the region.
Xibei, known for its specialized Northwestern Chinese cuisine, opened its first U.S. location on August 1 at the Shops at Santa Anita in Arcadia. Spanning an impressive 11,356 square feet, the restaurant features high ceilings and private dining rooms, emphasizing lamb, ancient grains, and hand-made noodles that reflect the essence of traditional northern Chinese dishes.
Just a day later, on August 2, Sushi Zanmai made its American debut in Koreatown, spearheaded by renowned restaurateur Kiyoshi Kimura. Famous for his record-breaking purchase of a bluefin tuna in Japan, Kimura showcased the fish by slicing a 500-pound tuna at the grand opening event, set against the backdrop of his brand’s reputation for fresh sushi and quality ingredients.
Another unique culinary addition arrived in Fullerton on August 11, with the opening of Lotteria. This Japanese-Korean fast-food chain rolled out its first U.S. outlet, offering customers a chance to indulge in distinctive fast-food items such as bulgogi burgers and shrimp burgers, appealing to fans of fusion cuisine.
On August 14, the Blue Note Jazz Club emerged as a new destination for food and music enthusiasts, located within the iconic Cinerama Dome complex. The club not only hosts live performances but also features an international menu curated by chef Asaf Maoz, showcasing Jazz Age-inspired cocktails aimed at enhancing the dining experience alongside the live music offerings.
Fried chicken lovers also celebrated the opening of Bleu Bird on August 16 at the intersection of Florence and Normandie Avenues. This new fried chicken concept attracted a lively crowd with its Korean-style deep-fried chicken sandwiches, blending crispy textures with rich flavors in a casual dining atmosphere.
Santa Barbara welcomed Chef Dom Crisp’s latest venture, Dom’s Taverna, on August 22. The restaurant embraces a Basque-inspired theme focusing on seafood and traditional Basque dishes, aiming to provide a cozy yet sophisticated dining experience for patrons.
The culinary scene in Altadena was revitalized on August 30 with the reopening of Tyler Wells’ restaurant, now known as Betsy. The rebranded establishment offers a menu centered around wood-fired dishes, creating a community-centric atmosphere that invites locals to gather and enjoy quality food together.
Finally, bringing an element of Southern cuisine to Los Angeles, Darling opened on August 31 in West Hollywood under the direction of Chef Sean Brock. The restaurant emphasizes seasonal menus crafted from local ingredients, alongside custom hand-forged wood grills for a unique cooking experience. It also features a hi-fi listening lounge, providing a distinct ambiance for diners.
In addition to these notable openings, Pino’s Sandwiches, which debuted on August 23 in Los Feliz, is garnering attention for its schiacciata sandwiches, adding to the variety of culinary options available. As these new establishments emerge, they reflect a broader trend towards embracing diverse culinary traditions, seasonal ingredients, and community-oriented dining experiences across Los Angeles neighborhoods.
This August’s restaurant openings not only serve to enhance the city’s vibrant food scene but also highlight an evolving tapestry of flavors, bringing together an array of culinary cultures and innovative concepts to delight both residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- Eater: Biggest New Restaurant Openings in Los Angeles – August 2025
- Wikipedia: Los Angeles
- The Infatuation: New LA Restaurant Openings
- Google Search: Los Angeles restaurant news
- Observer: Best New Restaurant Openings in Los Angeles – July 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Los Angeles
- Time Out: Best New Restaurants in Los Angeles
- Google News: restaurant openings Los Angeles
Author: STAFF HERE HOLLYWOOD
The Hollywood Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREHollywood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Hollywood, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Hollywood Bowl summer concerts, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, film premieres at TCL Chinese Theatre, and festivals at the Magic Castle. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and Visit Hollywood, plus leading businesses in entertainment, dining, and tourism that define the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HEREAnaheim.com, and HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
