Kelly Dobkin

Kelly Dobkin

Los Angeles Contributor

Kelly is a James Beard Award-winning food writer, editor, and forever New Yorker in L.A. who has worked in restaurants, contributed to publications such as Bon Appétit, Grub Street, Los Angeles Times, Resy, and Michelin, and is a former editor at Thrillist, Zagat, and Eater New York. She is originally from Michigan but has no comment on the proliferation of Detroit-style pizza.

Fun Facts

  • Lives in
    Los Feliz, Los Angeles
  • First Resy ever made
    Lilia in New York in 2016 (still thinking about that soft serve).
  • Restaurant you’ve been to the most
    Budonoki in Silver Lake.
  • Favorite food movie
    “Jiro Dreams of Sushi.”
  • Best high-low pairing
    Oysters, caviar, and beer.
  • Favorite food city
    Paris, duh.

Kelly’s Featured Stories

Guides

How to Spend a Perfect 72 Hours Eating Your Way Through L.A. in 2025

Resy Features

The Mexico City to Los Angeles Restaurant Pipeline Has Never Been Stronger

The Classics

The History of Omakase in Los Angeles, As Told Through 10 Restaurants

One Great Dish

How Found Oyster’s Sicilian Crudo Became an Instant Classic

Recent Posts


Doto's fried chicken sandwich

Letter of RecommendationLos Angeles

How I Fell in Love With Doto

An appreciation for this small-but-mighty neighborhood spot, which combines California cuisine, izakaya inspiration, and more to offer something for everyone.

By

InterviewsLos Angeles

How Dive Bar Chez Jay Became a Celebrity Hangout & Santa Monica Icon

We sat down with the owner of beloved West side dive bar and restaurant Chez Jay to get the history and best stories out of the space.

By

New on ResyLos Angeles

Now on Resy: Thunderbolt, Papille Gustative, and More Local Favorites

From a beloved KBBQ chain to an acclaimed cocktail bar, these are just a few of the beloved Los Angeles spots that…

By Updated:

Resy SpotlightLos Angeles

L.A. Izakayas Are California Cuisine’s Next Frontier

How a new wave of chefs and modern izakayas in L.A. are building the next chapter of California cuisine as we know it.

By

One Great DishLos Angeles

How Found Oyster’s Sicilian Crudo Became an Instant Classic

We talk to chef-owner Ari Kolender about how he makes his most popular dish.

By

Dish By DishLos Angeles

How Oy Bar in Studio City Reinvents Classic Bar Foods

Self-taught chef Jeff Strauss blends Jewish and Japanese cuisine to delicious effect at his beloved Studio City bar.

By

The RundownLos Angeles

Lucia, A Stunning New Destination for Afro-Caribbean Fare, Has Arrived in Fairfax

The stunning newcomer is doing something that few restaurants in L.A. have attempted: Reimagining Afro-Caribbean food through a fine-dining lens. 

By

The Benjamin burger

One Great DishLos Angeles

How The Benjamin Burger Became an L.A. Icon in Less Than a Year

A Q&A with the owners of The Benjamin about the making of their instant-classic cheeseburger.

By

GuidesLos Angeles

How to Spend a Perfect 72 Hours Eating Your Way Through L.A. in 2025

Clocking in at just over 500 square miles, a city as sprawling and diverse as Los Angeles can hardly be…

By Updated:

A spread at Budonoki

The One Who Keeps the BookLos Angeles

How to Get into Budonoki, Virgil Village’s Electric Neighborhood Izakaya

We sat down with co-founder Eric Bedroussian to get the inside track on the best ways to snag a table.

By

More Stories