Brentwood, located on the west side of Los Angeles, offers a compact but refined collection of restaurants that cater to diners seeking high-quality ingredients, polished service, and relaxed sophistication. The neighborhood’s dining scene blends established favorites with newer additions, and it tends to focus on thoughtful presentation, wine pairings, and a steady commitment to detail.
If you're exploring options for fine dining in Brentwood, this guide highlights restaurants known for their consistency and character.
Toscana Brentwood
Toscana has anchored the Brentwood fine dining landscape since the late 1980s. This Italian restaurant focuses on Northern Italian cuisine, featuring dishes made with seasonal California produce and imported ingredients that reflect traditional recipes. Toscana continues to be a reliable choice for those seeking fine dining in Brentwood, and it has an Italian focus and a long-standing reputation.
The interior offers a warm, understated atmosphere with crisp linens, dark wood accents, and an open kitchen. Popular dishes include house-made pastas like pappardelle with short rib ragu and mains such as grilled veal chop or whole branzino. The menu changes slightly with the seasons, but core staples remain available. The wine list is extensive, focusing strongly on Italian varietals and vintages.
Rustic Canyon
Rustic Canyon operates with a market-driven approach emphasizing local sourcing and seasonal menus. Located just outside Brentwood’s official border in Santa Monica, it remains a staple destination for Brentwood diners. The restaurant changes its offerings daily, with dishes designed around available ingredients from California farms.
The kitchen is led by a chef team that blends comfort with precision. Plates such as dry-aged duck, spelt risotto, or marinated beets with whipped feta rotate frequently but consistently showcase precise technique. Each dish is plated simply, placing focus on quality and balance. The restaurant’s tone is polished but informal, with a dining room encouraging extended meals and conversation.
Baltaire Restaurant
Baltaire offers a modern steakhouse experience with mid-century styling and a spacious layout. The dining room includes high ceilings, large windows, and an expansive bar. Outside, the patio provides open-air seating with fire elements and contemporary furniture, giving guests multiple ways to enjoy the space.
The kitchen focuses on prime steaks, fresh seafood, and composed sides. Guests often order cuts such as bone-in ribeye or filet mignon, paired with sauces and sides like truffle mac and cheese or charred broccolini. Raw bar selections include oysters, crudo, and seafood towers. Baltaire represents fine dining in Brentwood, emphasizing modern luxury and detailed service.
Katsuya Brentwood
Katsuya blends contemporary design with traditional Japanese techniques. Although part of a larger brand, the restaurant remains closely tied to its Brentwood location through a consistent following and high standards. The design, by Philippe Starck, features sleek lines, dramatic lighting, and a minimalist approach.
The menu includes sushi, sashimi, robata, and hot dishes. Signatures include crispy rice with spicy tuna, miso-marinated black cod, and baked crab hand rolls. Sushi is prepared to order, and daily specials highlight seasonal fish flown in from Japan. Cocktails are crafted with Japanese flavors and sake, and the sake list includes premium selections across several grades.
Sugarfish by Sushi Nozawa
Sugarfish follows a different model than traditional sushi restaurants, offering a fixed “Trust Me” menu focusing on quality and pace over variety. The Brentwood location upholds the brand’s standards of serving pristine fish in a calm, neutral setting. Each course is presented in a sequence to highlight freshness and flavor balance. Offerings include albacore sushi, salmon sashimi, toro hand rolls, and warm rice prepared to complement the fish.
No substitutions are allowed, emphasizing the chef’s intent and simplifying the dining process. The restaurant's interior is minimal, with soft lighting and a quiet atmosphere encouraging focus on the food. Sugarfish is ideal for those who want an uncomplicated yet refined sushi experience and appreciate consistency in both product and delivery.
A.O.C. Brentwood
A.O.C. brings a strong reputation from its original West Hollywood location, delivering the same attention to seasonal ingredients and Mediterranean flavors in Brentwood. The restaurant is led by chef Suzanne Goin and sommelier Caroline Styne, both well-known in the Los Angeles culinary scene. It’s a reliable choice for Mediterranean cuisine rooted in local sourcing and layered flavor.
The menu centers around small plates, with standouts like bacon-wrapped dates, wood-oven clams, and slow-roasted lamb. Vegetarian dishes are treated equally, including grilled broccoli with romesco or squash blossoms with ricotta. Ingredients are sourced from local markets and farms. The wine list focuses on biodynamic and small-production labels, with staff trained to guide guests through pairing options.
Mistral
Mistral is a small, independently owned French restaurant located in Brentwood. The interior is refined but compact, offering a more intimate experience than some of the larger venues in the area. The dining room includes candlelit tables, crisp linens, and framed art that reflects a clear European influence.
The kitchen offers traditional French cuisine such as duck à l’orange, steak au poivre, and sautéed sole. Sauces and reductions are made in-house, and the attention to detail in plating and portioning reflects the chef’s commitment to French culinary standards. Mistral appeals to guests who prefer classic fine dining with subtle service and an emphasis on technique over trend. It’s a good choice for quieter evenings or formal dinners.
Élephante
While technically in Santa Monica,
Élephante attracts many Brentwood diners due to its rooftop location, design-forward setting, and coastal Mediterranean menu. It features ocean views, natural materials, and a relaxed but elevated energy that supports casual and refined dining. Élephante’s wine and cocktail lists are equally curated, with natural wines and seasonal cocktails that reflect the restaurant’s style.
Menu highlights include grilled prawns, whipped eggplant with flatbread, and wood-fired pizzas. The kitchen emphasizes clean flavors and modern plating. Vegetarian and seafood options are well-represented, and portions are designed for sharing across the table. Though not within Brentwood's borders, its reputation and appeal make it a regular destination for residents looking to extend their fine dining experience beyond the neighborhood’s core.
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