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Getting a seat at LA’s most expensive restaurant isn’t just another dinner reservation. It’s a victory in the “Hunger Games” of fine dining.
Exclusive Somni, a tiny West Hollywood boite with just 14 seats and one nightly seating, has catapulted into the stratosphere of global fine dining, securing a coveted three Michelin stars. That’s the highest honor in the industry, and FOMO-afflicted diners with deep pockets are clamoring to shell out for the privilege.
Helmed by Chef Aitor Zabala, Somni’s pricey stock in trade is exquisite modern Spanish cuisine — and the price of admission is several car payments.
Those who manage to snag a seat at the table inside the secretive spot must pay a $600 deposit up front — their admission ticket to a nearly four-hour “orchestrated play” of 25 courses.
Adding in wine pairings and taxes, the final price tag can reportedly skyrocket to around $1,600.
Zabala, a Barcelona native (the name of the restaurant means “dream,” in Catalan), isn’t getting rich off the four-figure checks, he insists — previously telling The Hollywood Reporter the steep prices are a byproduct of the stiff economic headwinds currently facing restaurateurs in Los Angeles. Soaring rents, staff salaries, rising food costs and tariffs are all to blame, he said.
Even if you’re a tech titan with a billion-dollar IPO or an A-lister with an Oscar on the mantle, you can’t just stroll into Somni, according to Zabala.
The restaurant’s size makes scoring a reservation there something like a competitive sport, even though Somni in its current iteration has been around since late 2024. (Zabala initially opened up in LA in 2018, but ceased operations at the start of the pandemic.)
Unlike traditional restaurants with rolling seating, Somni operates on a singular schedule. The doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the show begins for all guests simultaneously — a notable departure in the have-it-your-way, individualistic world of Los Angeles dining.
The evening kicks off on a private patio where guests are greeted individually by the culinary team through a window.
“All the chefs and the sous chefs are in a window there, and they’re individually saying hi to every reservation,” said diner Yarely Corona, who spent four months trying to get a booking.
For Corona, the self-described “lucky wife” of a “food nerd,” the Somni experience began with the stress of hitting a refresh button on a keyboard over and over again — culminating in a “big girl purchase” she’s still recovering from.
Once inside the minimalist space, guests don’t just eat at Somni, the Santa Maria resident explained — they witness a performance. All 25 courses are prepared directly in front of the guests.
“It’s like you’re watching a play happening right in front of you,” said Corona, who celebrated a babymoon at the spot.
“They all grabbed your plate at the same time,” she remembered. “They all knew where to go and who exactly they were going to serve it to,” Corona noted, saying the chefs worked with such surgical precision that they often kept one hand behind their back — using only tweezers to place ingredients.
Unlike the stiff service at some high-end establishments, the chef here is personally involved, serving dishes and engaging in post-meal conversations.
Mayra Elisa Magana, a lawyer and fine-dining fan who likes to eat at Michelin-starred restaurants regularly, told The Post she had to resort to a “pro tip” after failing to secure a spot for a birthday recently — she emailed the restaurant directly, name-dropping other three-star spots she’s eagerly patronized. “They actually got back to me with an availability,” she said, surprised.
For her, one of the most notable elements of the experience was the drama of the high-stakes environment isn’t without its drama.
She noted the “intensity” of the kitchen — observing the Zabala become visibly agitated if a dish didn’t meet his exacting standards. “You have to know chemistry and crazy wizard stuff,” she said of the chef’s process, particularly regarding his signature “truffle pizza Margarita,” known for melting like a cloud.
The “crust” was actually a foam, topped with burrata, basil, tomato paste, and Jamon. Not a margarita pizza — but tastes like one.
And while while Magana admitted to being somewhat “truffled out” by other famous high-end spots, she found Zabala’s “truffle-infused caviar bump” — served on a wooden hand — exciting.
“Opening a restaurant today is a massive act of faith, because profits are not high,” Zabala admitted to The Hollywood Reporter. “It doesn’t matter if it’s fine dining or a taco stand or a casual restaurant — opening a restaurant in this environment is really, really hard.”
While the total cost can climb into the stratosphere, both diners told The Post that the experience was worth it.
Having also experienced other pricey and world-renowned California eateries like The French Laundry in Yountville and SingleThread in Healdsburg, Corona said she ranks Somni in her top three, even after paying about $2,000 for two people to dine.
While the price may seem ridiculous to some (if not all), the avid foodie likened it to the cost of a major sporting event.
“It’s so worth it to try at least once in your life, and having that type of service and that type of intention in your food,” she explained.
Magana, who also spent about $2,000 for two, went even further with her praise. Yes, it was a “special occasion” treat, she admitted. But it’s one she might be tempted to repeat.
“I would totally do it again,” she said.
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