Lielle took No. 1 on the LA Times 101 Best Restaurants 2026 list at Food Bowl See the 34 restaurants on the Friday lineup.
Lielle, the first Los Angeles restaurant from Swedish chef Marcus Jernmark, opened on Feb. 12, 2026. That made it less than nine months old when the Times announced the ranking on Friday, Oct. 23, during a live countdown at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. Holbox placed third, and Norm Langer of Langer’s Delicatessen received the 2026 Gold Award that night.
The countdown at Barker Hangar
The Times revealed the list on the opening night of the Food Bowl at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. it was the first time the Food Bowl and the 101 reveal were combined. Friday ran from 7 to 10 p.m., with VIP early entry at 6 p.m.
Times restaurant critics Bill Addison and Jenn Harris curate and rank the list.
Friday’s program built toward a live reveal of the No. 1 spot. OpenTable and Square are the presenting sponsors of the guide, which the late critic Jonathan Gold started in 2013.
Lielle at No. 1
Jernmark worked at Frantzén in Stockholm and Aquavit in New York before opening Lielle in the Beverlywood neighborhood Feb. 12, 2026.
A four-course menu at $150 per person when it opened. The restaurant is packed nightly and that Jernmark holds attention by telling his own story.
Holbox and the Gold Award
Holbox in third place. Norm Langer received the Gold Award, which the Times created in 2017 to recognize people who expand ideas of what Southern California cooking can be.
The Friday lineup
A Tí, Alta Adams, Anajak Thai, Badmaash, Bar Betsy, Baroo, Bistro Na’s, Broken Spanish Comedor, Budonoki, Colossus, Darling, Dunsmoor, Fat + Flour, Funke, Henrietta, Holbox, Jade Rabbit, Kato, Komal, Lucia, Mini Kabob, Mirate, Mish Delicatessen, Moo’s Craft Barbecue, Pasjoli, Perilla LA x Nongshim, Real Charmer, Rustic Canyon, Saffy’s, Sqirl, Two Hommés, Vandell, Wilde’s, and Yerord Mas Bakery and Deli. A Tí and Mirate were marked VIP only.
FAQ
Where was the 2026 Food Bowl held, and when did the 101 reveal night run?
The Food Bowl took place at Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Ave. in Santa Monica. The 101 Best Restaurants night ran Friday, Oct. 23, from 7 to 10 p.m., with VIP early entry at 6 p.m., according to the event announcement.
Who chooses the restaurants on the 101 Best list?
Times restaurant critics Bill Addison and Jenn Harris curate and rank the list, according to the event announcement. Jonathan Gold started the list in 2013.
What did the 2026 Gold Award recognize?
The Times created the Gold Award in 2017 to honor people who expand ideas of what Southern California cooking can be. Norm Langer of Langer’s Delicatessen received the 2026 award.
Could guests taste Lielle’s food at the festival?
Lielle did not serve samples at the event. The a four-course menu at $150 per person when the restaurant opened, so check Lielle directly for current pricing.
How many restaurants were on the Friday lineup?
The Times’ ticketing page listed 34 names for Friday night, including two marked VIP only.
