Providence in Hollywood is Los Angeles’ premier destination for sustainable, modern seafood fine dining—newly elevated to the global stage with the rare distinction of three Michelin stars and the prestigious Michelin Green Star for environmental leadership, a combination that places it among the most influential restaurants in America today. Guided by chef and co-owner Michael Cimarusti, Providence’s nightly tasting menu marries purity of flavor with technical finesse, all while championing wild-caught seafood and rigorous sustainability practices that have defined the restaurant for two decades.
Setting, Atmosphere, and Service
Providence’s dining room exudes serene elegance: biomorphic light fixtures and sea-toned Venetian plaster create a tranquil canvas for a highly choreographed yet warm experience that’s beloved for celebrations and romantic evenings. The location—steps from Paramount Studios and near Hancock Park—makes it a discreet favorite for entertainment industry diners, who value the polished service and private-feeling layout as much as the culinary artistry. Thoughtful on-site features, including a rooftop garden and in-house apiary, underscore the restaurant’s ethos without turning the room into a sustainability showcase; the ambiance remains quietly luxurious, with gracious, detail-oriented hospitality from arrival to petit fours.
Culinary Philosophy and Menu Highlights
Chef Michael Cimarusti’s philosophy centers on 100% wild-caught, responsibly sourced seafood, expressed through a tasting menu that updates daily and reflects a deep respect for ecosystems and producers. The kitchen pursues low-waste operations, leans on glass and metal packaging to reduce plastic, and draws from a regenerative rooftop garden pollinated by rescued Italian honeybees—a tight sustainability loop that manifests in the plate’s vibrancy and clarity. The current menus are offered in two arcs—Classic and Chef’s Tasting—priced at approximately $375$375 and $495$495 respectively, with wine and zero-proof pairings available; pricing is subject to change based on sourcing and seasonality, reflecting Providence’s dynamic approach to product quality.
Dishes are composed with technical precision and minimalism that foregrounds pristine textures. Recent progressions have featured salt-baked Santa Barbara spot prawns with rosemary and lemon, uni “egg” with Champagne beurre blanc, and sashimi accented by Sungold tomatoes and basil from the rooftop garden—courses that balance richness with lift and a sense of place. Hot preparations highlight calibrated heat and exact doneness: Hokkaido scallop in carrot and scallop XO; black cod with cranberry and romano beans under fig leaf aromatics; and king salmon with chanterelles and anise hyssop, each reflecting a dialogue between coastal delicacy and French-inflected technique. Savory crescendos occasionally pivot to land—with Liberty Farms duck or A5 wagyu by supplement—illustrating breadth without abandoning Providence’s maritime core. Desserts, designed to finish with elegance rather than heaviness, might move from mango, shiso, and sansho into house-made Hawaiian chocolate layered with pecan and hojicha, keeping the palate refreshed to the end.
Sustainability Leadership
Providence’s sustainability program sets a national standard, recognized with the Michelin Green Star in 2023 and 2024 for exemplary environmental stewardship and sourcing integrity. The rooftop garden provides ultrafresh herbs and produce while boosting biodiversity, and the restaurant’s apiary—home to thousands of rescued Italian honeybees—supports pollination and supplies house-infused honey for the bar and pastry teams. Long-standing partnerships with ethical fishers and purveyors, plus composting and packaging initiatives, reduce waste across the operation; the restaurant is frequently cited for aligning fine dining with ecological responsibility in a way that feels integral rather than performative. This holistic vision is not separate from the cuisine but rather embedded in its purity and precision, earning sustained praise from inspectors and media alike.
Beverage program
Pairings are tuned to Providence’s crystalline flavors: high-acid, mineral-driven whites and mature Champagnes for shellfish and crudo; elegant reds for richer fish or supplemental meats; and an inventive cocktail program that features garden botanicals and house honey for layered aromatics without overpowering the food. The cellar reflects depth across Old and New World benchmarks, with by-the-glass breadth that allows both classic and exploratory paths through the menu. Zero-proof pairings mirror the culinary voice with teas, ferments, and herbaceous infusions, underlining the restaurant’s inclusive approach to pairing design.
Accolades and legacy
In June 2025, Providence joined the world’s elite with a promotion to three Michelin stars—an honor mirroring two decades of refinement and consistency, and a milestone shared in Los Angeles with Somni’s return to the summit. The accolade coincides with the restaurant’s 20th anniversary and the ongoing retention of its Green Star, signaling that ecological responsibility and peak gastronomy can credibly coexist at the highest level. Critics regularly cite Providence’s seafood innovation, guest experience, and sustainability as a unified achievement, underscoring why it has shaped the narrative of West Coast fine dining for years.
Practical Information
- Address: 5955 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
- Chef: Michael Cimarusti
- Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 6–9 pm, Friday/Saturday 5:30–9 pm
- Price: $ ($295–$450/person for tasting menus)
- Reservations: Required
- Dress code: Casual elegant
- Atmosphere: Cozy, romantic, trendy, upscale
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, parking, restrooms, seating
- Parking: Valet and free street parking
- Payment: Credit/debit card, NFC
Providence is a benchmark for seafood gastronomy and sustainability, offering a tasting experience where every detail—from sourcing to plating to pairing—serves a singular vision of clarity and care. For seafood devotees, sustainability-minded diners, and anyone seeking a world-class meal in Los Angeles, this is a bucket-list reservation that delivers technical excellence with soulful restraint.
For more information, please visit Providence