Porta Via Beverly Hills Destroyed by Christmas Morning Fire

The world-famous Porta Via restaurant on North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills was severely damaged by a fire early Thursday morning, sending smoke and flames through the iconic California bistro that has been a local institution for more than 30 years.

The blaze was first reported shortly after dawn on Christmas morning. Fire crews responded quickly to the scene, but the restaurant’s interior suffered extensive damage, including a large hole blown through the roof, charred walls and collapsed structural elements. As of publication, the cause of the fire remains under investigation by local fire and safety officials.

Porta Via has long been a fixture of Beverly Hills dining and community life. Founded in 1994 by restaurateur Peter Garland, the restaurant helped transform the 400 block of North Canon Drive into one of the city’s most vibrant culinary corridors and has been known for its California cuisine, seasonal ingredients and welcoming atmosphere. Over the years, the restaurant expanded several times to include indoor seating, an outdoor patio and a full bar space.

Garland’s vision and presence were credited with helping energize Beverly Hills’ restaurant row, and Porta Via became a regular destination for locals and visitors alike for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The name “Porta Via,” Italian for “to go,” reflects an early focus on food that could travel well, but the restaurant quickly became known as a relaxed yet upscale social hub.

In 2018, Porta Via expanded beyond its Beverly Hills roots with a second location in Palisades Village, a stylish shopping and dining district in Pacific Palisades developed in the late 2010s. The Palisades Village site became a popular destination for locals and visitors alike, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in the heart of the coastal community. That area was severely affected by the January 2025 Palisades Fire, one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles County history, which destroyed thousands of structures and led to mandatory evacuations as the blaze consumed large portions of Pacific Palisades and nearby neighborhoods. Although some businesses in the village were damaged or closed due to the wildfires, Porta Via’s Palisades Village location was reported to have survived initially while nearby stores burned; however, the widespread destruction and ongoing closures fundamentally altered the community’s dining landscape and delayed normal operations. Palisades Village itself closed for repairs after the fires, with plans to reopen following extensive renovation.

Porta Via’s legacy in Beverly Hills runs deeper than its food. Owner Peter Garland played an active role in advocating for outdoor dining permissions that helped shape the city’s modern restaurant culture, and regulars over the years included residents, business leaders and community figures who praised both the cuisine and the welcoming staff.

Officials from Beverly Hills Fire and Police departments are expected to issue updates as the investigation progresses. At this time there are no confirmed reports of injuries.

This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.