(EXPERIENCE MAGAZINE) — Santa Monica, CA — The Experience Magazine attended the L.A. Times Food Bowl on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 23–24, at Barker Hangar. The festival celebrated the city’s restaurant scene with food and drinks, live programming and the reveal of the 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. list.
Experience Magazine’s Erwin Glaub was in attendance. Los Angeles Times food columnist Laurie Ochoa was also there.
Friday’s 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. event featured a live reveal of the annual rankings. Lielle was named the No. 1 restaurant in Los Angeles for 2026, followed by Kato, Holbox, Dunsmoor and Baroo.
The rankings were part of a broader celebration of the chefs, restaurants and culinary traditions that shape Los Angeles dining. More than 40 restaurants were announced for the festival, with participating names including Alta Adams, Baroo, Dunsmoor, Funke, Holbox, Jitlada, Kato, Kogi, Mini Kabob, Saffy’s, Sqirl and Villa’s Tacos.
tomato, fior di latte, cilantro crema, pickled shallots,
squash blossoms, pepita crunch, cotija
HEARTH RESTAURANT & COFFEE
Jitlada, a longtime favorite of the late Los Angeles Times restaurant critic Jonathan Gold, offered authentic Thai dishes at the festival. The flavors blended subtly, coming together in layered bites with a gourmet touch.
Food and drinks were at the heart of the experience. Guests enjoyed pizza, lemonade, cocktails and an array of restaurant tastings. The all-inclusive format gave attendees the chance to sample dishes and drinks while moving through the event and discovering different restaurants.
Saturday’s program, Saturday Night Flavor, continued the festivities with more food, demonstrations and music. The announced lineup included cooking demonstrations by Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer and chef Roy Choi. The festival also featured cookbook signings and live entertainment.
The 2026 Food Bowl marked a move to the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, bringing the weekend’s events together in a new venue. The L.A. Regional Food Bank was the festival’s charity partner.
For the Experience Magazine, the event offered a chance to celebrate Los Angeles’ rich food culture alongside chefs, writers and fellow food lovers. With standout restaurant dishes, refreshing lemonade, cocktails and a lively crowd, the two-night festival made for an unforgettable celebration of the city’s dining scene.
