Sparrow Wins 2026 Restaurant Critics' Pick
Three restaurants are dominating 2026's fine dining scene: Sparrow earned Critic's Pick for Best New Restaurant, June took Restaurant of the Year for its exceptional culinary artistry, and UNIDOS is being called LA's best new restaurant for its community-driven cuisine and inclusive hospitality model.
Sparrow is the latest venture from Sky Restaurant Concepts, the group behind Squid Ink Sushi and Highball Cocktail Bar. The Peoria, Arizona restaurant's culinary program is led by Executive Chef Schuyler Estes, with an inventive cocktail menu designed by Libby Lingua and Mitch Lyons of the acclaimed Highball Cocktail Bar. The restaurant's "American Eclectic" menu aims to create an elevated neighborhood gathering place, featuring dishes like grilled oysters with miso butter and beer-battered Icelandic cod. Housed in a 4,300-square-foot space, Sparrow opened in the fall of 2025 with an open-concept dining room, lounge, and a spacious covered patio. Restaurant of the Year winner June is the Houston-based creation of Chef Evelyn Garcia, a finalist on *Top Chef*, and her partner Henry Lu. The restaurant, stylized as Jūn, is a deeply personal project that celebrates the chefs' heritage and the multicultural fabric of the city. Jūn's menu has been lauded for its unique fusion of Southeast Asian, Mexican, and Salvadoran flavors, a reflection of Garcia's and Lu's upbringings. The restaurant, which was also a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, even incorporates cheese from Garcia's family farm in El Salvador. UNIDOS, located on Ventura Boulevard in Studio City, is making a name for itself with a menu focused on Spanish cuisine. The restaurant and wine bar serves a range of dishes from traditional tapas and jamón ibérico to full entrees like carne and branzino. Since its recent opening, the dinner-only spot has garnered rave reviews from both critics and customers, who praise its fresh and masterfully created food. The acclaim points to its success in creating a welcoming and lively atmosphere, establishing it as a must-visit destination in the Los Angeles dining scene.
