Los Angeles Food Bowl 2026 will bring the Los Angeles Times’ annual 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. ranking to a live countdown on Friday, October 23. The two-night Santa Monica festival pairs the restaurant reveal with regional food tastings and Saturday chef demonstrations, alongside ticket and entry rules that affect guests.
Key Takeaways
- Friday’s 101 Best Restaurants countdown is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Pacific time at Barker Hangar
- The Los Angeles Times plans to present its 2026 Gold Award to Norm Langer shortly before the countdown
- Saturday’s program features Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Cody Reiss and Roy Choi
- Each evening is restricted to guests 21 and older, and Friday’s advance parking allocation is sold out
The Los Angeles Times is bringing the announcement of its restaurant rankings into Food Bowl’s opening-night program for the first time. Instead of a separate reveal, the publication plans to unveil the complete 2026 list before an audience sampling food from restaurants across Southern California.
Friday’s countdown will culminate in the identification of the No. 1 restaurant. The format gives attendees access to a first-edition printed guide and a live presentation, with the ranking announcement scheduled alongside the festival’s food and beverage service.
Los Angeles Food Bowl 2026 Adds a Live Restaurant Countdown
The festival is scheduled for Friday, October 23, and Saturday, October 24, at Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue in Santa Monica. Friday’s general admission period runs from 7 to 10 p.m., with VIP admission starting at 6 p.m. The countdown begins at 8:10 p.m. Pacific time, according to the published event schedule.
The 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. guide was established in 2013 by the late restaurant critic Jonathan Gold. This year’s edition is curated and ranked by Los Angeles Times critics Bill Addison and Jenn Harris. It covers restaurants across the region rather than focusing exclusively on a single neighborhood or style of dining.
A separate presentation is scheduled for 8 p.m., when the newspaper will recognize Norm Langer of Langer’s Delicatessen with its 2026 Gold Award. Langer’s opened near MacArthur Park in 1947. The award commemorates Gold and recognizes contributions to Southern California dining.
Organizers also plan to announce a Hall of Fame inductee during Friday’s program. Both the award presentations and the live ranking are part of the evening’s ticketed schedule, rather than a public ceremony outside the venue.
The guide and the festival have existed independently before this year’s combined format. The change concerns where and how the new rankings will be disclosed, not the creation of a new restaurant award or ranking system.
Friday’s Lineup Connects Restaurants Across Los Angeles County
Friday’s participating restaurants represent several parts of Los Angeles County. Holbox, known for Mexican seafood, is listed from South Los Angeles. Kato is among the downtown participants, while Baroo represents the Arts District and Saffy’s comes from East Hollywood.
The roster also includes Armenian food from Glendale’s Mini Kabob, cooking by Dunsmoor in Glassell Park, and Bistro Na’s from the San Gabriel Valley. Other participating restaurants include Alta Adams in West Adams, Funke in Beverly Hills and Moo’s Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights.
Some Friday participants have received recognition outside the Los Angeles Times ranking. Andrew and Michelle Muñoz of Moo’s Craft Barbecue were named among the 2026 James Beard semifinalists in the Best Chef: California category. That award program is separate from Food Bowl’s restaurant guide.
A place on the event roster does not establish where a restaurant will appear in the countdown. The organizers list participating food businesses ahead of the festival, while the ranking positions are set to be disclosed during the Friday presentation.
Food Bowl advertises samples from at least 30 participating restaurants on each night. General admission includes food and beverage tastings, but some listed vendors and experiences are reserved for VIP ticket holders. That distinction matters for guests comparing admission options.
The concentration of restaurants from neighborhoods across the county also means the evening is not limited to the Santa Monica dining scene. It provides a temporary shared venue for businesses whose regular locations may be miles apart.
Saturday Demonstrations and Entry Rules Shape the Weekend
Saturday Night Flavor is scheduled for October 24 from 6 to 9 p.m., with VIP entry at 5 p.m. Unlike Friday’s ranking reveal, Saturday’s stage program focuses on cooking demonstrations and cookbook-related appearances.
Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. with a presentation linked to their AC Barbeque grilling cookbook. Los Angeles Times cooking editor Cody Reiss is listed at 7:20 p.m. for a segment on home-cooking fundamentals.
Chef Roy Choi is scheduled to appear at 8 p.m. for a demonstration connected to The Choi of Cooking. Saturday’s food participants include Jitlada, Kogi, Joy, Luv2eat Thai Bistro, Maydan, Sunday Gravy and Villa’s Tacos.
Food Bowl’s combination of chef demonstrations and a shared tasting venue differs from conventional restaurant service. Other examples of experiential dining in Los Angeles focus on permanent hospitality spaces that emphasize design and atmosphere.
General admission prices listed by the festival ticketing platform were $170.67 for Friday and $148.65 for Saturday, including fees and taxes. Those are listed prices rather than a guarantee of continued availability, and VIP tickets and weekend passes are separate options.
The event is open only to guests aged 21 and older, and government-issued photo identification is required. Digital tickets are accepted. Guests may begin lining up one hour before their designated admission time, according to the event FAQ.
Parking is not included in admission and must be reserved in advance. Organizers say Friday parking reservations are sold out and that parking will not be sold at the gate. Outside food and beverages are prohibited, and reentry is not permitted after guests leave.
The event is produced by LA Times Studios. The Los Angeles Regional Food Bank is listed as the charity partner, while OpenTable and Square are presenting sponsors of the restaurant guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is Los Angeles Food Bowl 2026 held?
Los Angeles Food Bowl 2026 is scheduled for October 23 and 24 at Barker Hangar, 3021 Airport Avenue, Santa Monica. Friday begins at 7 p.m. for general admission, while Saturday begins at 6 p.m., with earlier entry for VIP ticket holders.
What changes at the Friday restaurant event?
For the first time at Food Bowl, the Los Angeles Times plans to announce its annual 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. ranking through an onstage countdown. The reveal is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. Friday, following the Gold Award presentation.
Who is scheduled to appear on Saturday?
Anthony Anderson, Cedric the Entertainer, Cody Reiss and Roy Choi are listed for Saturday’s stage program. The evening also includes tastings from participating Southern California restaurants.
Does a ticket include parking?
No. Parking must be reserved separately before arrival, and organizers report that Friday’s parking allocation has sold out. Guests must also present a government-issued photo ID because the event is restricted to adults 21 and older.
