AIA|LA names Salazar, Felix Trattoria, Beer Belly among 2017 Restaurant Design Awards finalists

The ambiance of a restaurant can make all the difference in turning customers into loyal regulars, especially in a competitive food scene that's as abundant and diverse as Los Angeles'. Every year, the AIA Los Angeles chapter distinguishes emerging designers who take the restaurant typology up a notch in the Restaurant Design Awards. Now in its 13th year, the RDAs have awarded projects designed by firms like Design, Bitches, Preen, Richard Meier & Partners, and Belzberg Architects.

This year's jury (listed at the bottom) has narrowed the competition pool down to 11 finalists, from which the winners will be chosen. A public vote for the 2017 RDA People's Choice Award Winners is also now open until June 20 at noon. The jury winners and People's Choices will be revealed during an awards ceremony at Dwell on Design in LA on June 23.

Get a glimpse of the finalists right below.

Restaurant category

Cafe/Bars category

Lounge/Nightclub category

The 2017 jury includes: writer Lisa Boone, Los Angeles Times; architect Aaron Neubert, Founder and Principal Architect ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects; restaurateur Caroline Styne, Restaurateur and co-owner of The Lucques Group (Lucques, a.o.c, Tavern, The Larders, Larder Baking Company and operators of Food + Wine at the Hollywood Bowl)