Best Chefs Table Restaurants in Palms Cheviot Hills (90034)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
n/naka
9.3
Chef Niki Nakayama’s modern kaiseki is the defining special-occasion meal on the Westside, balancing deep Japanese technique with California seasonality. Courses move from feather-light dashi and pristine sashimi to warm, comforting clay-pot and grill moments, all paced with quiet precision. Reservations are tough, but the experience feels intimate and personal from first bite to final dessert.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal kaiseki tasting menu, Abalone spaghetti with mentaiko and black truffle, Miyazaki wagyu course when offered
What makes it special: A Michelin-starred, contemporary kaiseki tasting led by Chef Niki Nakayama.
Notable Picks
8.7
A long-running Kerala specialist where fragrant coastal curries, appam, and seafood dishes show the depth of South Indian home cooking. The setting is modest, but flavors are layered, confident, and reliably executed. It’s a locals’ institution for bold spice and comfort in equal measure.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kerala fish curry, Appam with chicken stew, Porotta with goat curry
What makes it special: One of L.A.’s most trusted Kerala kitchens with huge community validation.
A Westside Cuban institution where big flavors and lively service make celebrations easy. The garlic-forward roasts, strong coffee, and bustling dining room suit group birthdays and family gatherings without feeling formal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Famoso Pollo Versailles (garlic chicken), Ropa vieja, Cuban sandwich with plantains
What makes it special: High-energy Cuban classics that feel festive every night.
8.4
A long-running Palms bakery-cafe where pan dulce and Salvadoran/Mexican baking share the spotlight with hearty breakfast plates. Locals come for early-morning conchas and bolillos, then stay for chilaquiles and custom celebration cakes. The vibe is casual and neighborhood-anchored, with a reliable sweet-and-savory lineup all day.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chilaquiles divorciados, Assorted pan dulce (conchas, puerquitos), Salvadoran quesadilla loaf
What makes it special: A rare Palms all-day bakery-restaurant blending pan dulce and full breakfast.
An Oaxacan-focused spot with a deep mezcal bench and a menu built around moles, tlayudas, and slow-cooked meats. The kitchen leans traditional but plates with polish, and the bar program makes it a natural linger-and-share destination. Multiple locations exist, but this Palms outpost is the one in 90034.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tlayuda con asiento, Mole negro over chicken or enchiladas, Carnitas or barbacoa tacos
What makes it special: Oaxacan specialties plus one of the Westside’s better mezcal programs.
8.0
A neighborhood Szechuan specialist delivering bright chile heat, numbing peppercorn depth, and surprisingly nimble wok work. The décor is simple, but the kitchen shows confidence in both classics and house specials. Ideal when you want a chef-driven spice fix in Palms.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy wontons in chili oil, Chengdu-style dry-fried chicken, Mapo tofu
What makes it special: Classic Szechwan heat done with real spice balance.