It’s that time again. This weekend get ready for the 2026 LA Times Food Bowl. The annual foodie event will be held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica for nights – October 23 and 24. It is always a spectacular celebration of food and beverages, and it also includes chef demonstrations. However this year it will be even more exciting, as opening night kicks off with a big reveal. The Times’ annual 101 Best Restaurants in L.A. guide presented by OpenTable and Square will be celebrated in a big way.

Both ticketed evenings offer unlimited tastings from more than 40 restaurants, plus craft drinks from local wineries, breweries and distilleries. Guests can also enjoy culinary demonstrations, cookbook signings and music from DJ Danny Stern. General admission, VIP tickets and weekend passes are available at lafoodbowl.com.

Friday, October 23: 101 Best Restaurants in L.A.

7–10 p.m. | VIP entry begins at 6 p.m.

Friday’s festivities will showcase this year’s honorees before a live countdown reveals the coveted No. 1 restaurant. Los Angeles Times restaurant critics Bill Addison and Jenn Harris curate and rank the influential list.

The late Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Jonathan Gold created the guide in 2013. Since then, it has become an essential resource for discovering the region’s dining scene. Attendees will receive an exclusive first-edition print guide. Additionally, the Times Food team will announce its Hall of Fame inductee and present the 2026 Gold Award.

Saturday, October 24: Saturday Night Flavor

6–9 p.m. | VIP entry begins at 5 p.m.

Saturday’s program combines unlimited food and drinks with special cooking demonstrations. Comedic duo and culinary entrepreneurs Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer of AC Barbeque will appear. James Beard Award-winning chef Roy Choi, known for Kogi BBQ and Best Friend, will also demonstrate his culinary skills.

Participating restaurants include Alta Adams, Baroo, Bistro Na’s, Budonoki, Cinnies, Darling, Dunsmoor, Frank ‘n Franks, Funke, Hamasaku, Holbox, Jitlada, Kato, Kogi, Komal, Lucky Bird, Lugya’h, Maydan, Mini Kabob, Mish, Saffy’s, Sqirl, Sunday Gravy, Two Hommes, Unreal Poke, Villa’s Tacos and Wilde’s. Organizers will announce additional participants soon.

LA Times Studios produces Food Bowl, with the L.A. Regional Food Bank returning as its charity partner. For tickets and details, visit lafoodbowl.com.