Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxurious living and high-end fashion, but it historically hasn’t been the address you necessarily associate with great food and drink. As it turns out, the chic section of Los Angeles is undergoing something of an F+B renaissance these days. We’re here for it—literally. And you should be, too. Let’s take a closer look at what has this scene firing on all cylinders.

Our journey begins at The Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills, which stands apart as the premiere place to stay in town, particularly for fans of well-executed grub and grog. The five star property already boasts an unbeatable alfresco dining venue at its aptly titled Rooftop By JG. The menu here, conceived by French legend Jean-Georges Vongerichten, includes a signature lobster and shrimp “burger,” topped with melted gruyere and dressed with yuzu pickles. Its Instagram-friendly drink list is anchored by a quaffable margarita infused with fresh orange and ginger.

But now is an even more enticing time to explore the property, as it just swung open the doors on Espelette. The lobby restaurant is devoted to “coastal Mediterranean flavors accented by European influences.” Although the proteins are quite serious here (F1 Wagyu tomahawks, Dover sole, oversized chops of lamb), there is a pronounced playfulness to their preparations. For example, you can get French fries smothered under Ossetra caviar. Or chucked prime beef rendered in smashburger form.

The eatery also promises to be one of the more adventurous cocktail destinations in the neighborhood, with a diverse array of imaginative victuals to go along with a trio of lower-ABV aperitifs. For something delightfully unexpected, order the French Algorithm: rye whiskey stirred over ice with sparkling wine, and apricot as well as banana liqueurs.

If you’re thinking of sticking around after dinner, well-appointed rooms, equipped with balconies and Alexa-controlled curtains, typically start at $1000 per night. Book a stay at the Waldorf this spring and you can also treat yourself to a Chocolate Old Fashioned. The drink—which comes garnished with a chocolate Chanel created by the property’s pastry chef—is meant to coincide with the Karl Lagerfeld retrospective, rung in at this year’s Met Gala. It’s part of a recently-launched culinary initiative in Beverly Hills known as the “Cuisine & Couture Series.”

Elsewhere about town, an array of recent openings and revamps has everyone in LA buzzing about Beverly Hills. In March the legendary La Dolce Vita reopened. The elevated Italian eatery was once the preferred dining destination of Frank Sinatra, who retains a booth in his honor. Originally opened in 1966, this is the city’s ultimate destination for meatballs and martinis.

Joining the Old Guard is the arrival of modern legends. Curtis Stone has his Michelin-starred Maude, focusing on high-end New American. Late last year, Jon & Vinny’s opened an outpost nearby, built around an aperitif bar. And the most high-profile Italian chef in Los Angeles, Evan Funke, just opened an eponymous restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard. In addition to his coveted housemade pastas, the space showcases a whimsical bar built of pink onyx.

Celebrities are also helping raise the stakes for stylish F+B around here. This is Beverly Hills, after all. Back in 2021, Rafael Nadal, Cirstiano Ronaldo and Pau Gasol teamed up to back the build of Tatel. Specializing in Spanish-inspired flavors, it remains one of the hottest reservations in town. And last summer it was joined by The Hideaway, a hip and inviting space for modern Mexican, stashed away below Rodeo Drive. Ryan Phillippe is a principal investor at the restaurant which features a massive tequila bar, tableside tomahawks and birria, and tiki drinks served in ceramic donkeys. This isn’t the Beverly Hills you remember. It’s the Beverly Hills you won’t want to forget.