For years, I've brought friends to Mercado la Paloma, the food hall and cultural center that is home to Gilberto Cetina's Holbox, the seafood counter that was our L.A. Times Restaurant of the Year in 2023 and last year was awarded a Michelin star. These days, there's always a line for Cetina's exquisite seafood plates, including his octopus taco with squid-ink-stained sofrito.
Chef Gilbert Cetina’s Holbox, recognized as L.A.'s most affordable Michelin-starred restaurant, offers exquisite seafood dishes at accessible prices, especially its $17 lunch special.
"Affordable pricesâthat was our key when we started this restaurant," Gangadhar says. "If a person is coming with even $5, with $1 chai and one puff he can have a good evening."