It’s hard not to feel an odd sense of utopia wash over you while you’re driving down the coast and into Manhattan Beach. Known mostly for its volleyball courts, beachfront homes, and those new parents who can somehow afford them, the beauty of this coastal town is undeniable. No longer just a crowded place to get sunburned and eat some fried fish tacos, Manhattan Beach has become a serious dining destination in recent years. There’s a new crop of restaurants (and some enduring old ones) that have officially put the rest of LA on notice.