-
$$ | |
Though it’s a relative newcomer to the dining scene, Bacetti instantly established itself as one of L.A.’s best Italian restaurants, serving Roman-inspired dishes with a California twist in a stylish, sprawling, wood-framed dining room and patio. This farm-driven, Roman trattoria--inspired spot, tucked in Echo Park’s intimate commercial strip in the midst of a quiet residential neighborhood, is worth a trip, if only for the Focaccia Ebraica, which has gained a little cult following. Salads here are a revelation, as are the antipasti, pastas, and desserts.
1509 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Focaccia Ebraica
- Stylish setting
- Italian wines
-
$ | |
When this music-influenced doughnut shop first opened on York Boulevard in the early days of Highland Park’s renaissance, there wasn’t much there, and its arrival helped shape the now-bustling strip and its vegan inclinations. Donut Friend has evolved into a destination in its own right, touting both a signature and limited menu of purely vegan doughnuts—which also happen to be inspired by the pop punk and emo music scene.
5107 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Fun flavors like Green Teagan and Sara (with matcha tea glaze)
- All-vegan ingredients
- Ice cream and shakes
-
$ | |
Family-owned Guisados has achieved cult status in L.A. with locations throughout the city (DTLA, Boyle Heights, WeHo) to accommodate its popularity. This Echo Park spot is worshipped and well supported locally for Nana’s slow-cooked stew recipes, cooked to perfection for five to six hours and slapped on house-grilled tortillas. Since this is L.A., there are vegan and vegetarian options as well, but the bestsellers include the steak picado, chicken tinga, and chorizo quesadilla. All tacos are delicious, so you may want to get a sampler to try a variety. Chase your picks with made-daily agua frescas like the summer-perfect Armando Palmero.
1261 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Cult favorite
- Breakfast tacos
- Tacos with slow-cooked meats
-
$ | |
The award-winning Knowrealitypie, hidden in a shop the size of a large walk-in closet, is truly a passion project, with co-owner Tracy Ann DeVore furiously paddling beneath the water's surface to make those homemade pies on her own. That's why it's only open from Thursday through Saturday until it sells out, which it often does. Partaking in a rotating menu of seasonal savories and sweet pies, turnovers, and other pastries is practically a Northeast L.A. initiation, however, so it's an important stop when visiting the neighborhood. Tracy also holds pie-making classes every month--a terrific opportunity for travelers to participate in something local.
5106 Townsend Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90041, USA
Known For
- Triple berry Cabernet pie
- Salted caramel mango rum pie
- Vegan and gluten-free options on request
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs.
-
$ | |
There are a lot of Thai restaurants in Los Angeles, but none have quite reached the level of cult status of Night + Market Song. Tucked between a free clinic, a small clothing store, and a tax office, this second rendition of chef Kris Yenbamroong’s popular WeHo restaurant might be easy to miss, but keep an eye out, as its authentic (and properly spicy) Thai dishes are practically mandatory when you’re in the neighborhood.
3322 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Moo Sadoong ("startled pig")
- Khao soi
- Long weekend lines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed., No reservations
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$ | |
With the extensive and eclectic breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus here, coupled with the fantastic cocktail menu and charming little marketplace, breakfast can easily turn into lunch and then late lunch. Patrons tend to adopt a slow pace, staggering orders of coffee, luscious crepes, small plates, and delicious entrées, all while adopting the laissez-faire attitude that is encouraged here. It’s a good thing they’ve got plenty of seating. There's live music on Sunday afternoons.
3155 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
Known For
- Seasonal fromage and charcuterie boards
- Classic American fare
- Partially open-air setting
-
$ | |
Opened by local Christie Lujan in 2009, CaCao Mexicatessen was one of the first places in town to showcase the creative potential of the street-style taco, offering options such as sea urchin and pork crackling as fillings. With handmade tortillas and a serious commitment to the flavors of Mexico, CaCao has embedded itself as one of the go-to places for Mexican food in Northeast L.A.
1576 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90041, USA
Known For
- Duck carnitas taco
- Korean short rib tacos
- Modern Mexican cuisine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | |
This spacious 1920s-style spot along a quickly revitalizing stretch of Figueroa has established itself as a neighborhood bistro frequented by Highland Park residents, as well as folks from all over Los Angeles. The eclectic menu skillfully blends elements of European, North African, Southern, and Asian cuisines, tying them together with a fresh California flair and a gorgeously lush interior inspired by a fictional meeting-of-two-souls narrative. Nestle into cozy and luxurious booths for memorable Filipino dishes and cocktails.
5631 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Moroccan-spiced fried chicken
- Seasonal cocktails
- Modern and luxurious yet lush and airy
-
$ | |
The husband-and-wife team that took over Cindy’s never set out to create a trendy space for hipsters looking for their next artisanal fix; they just wanted to make great, accessible food. That’s exactly what they've done, and by doing so they've established a neighborhood restaurant with reasonable prices and back-to-basics food that just so happens to look retro cool. Another reason to love Cindy's: they make almost everything in-house, including the smoked and cured meats.
1500 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90041, USA
Known For
- Brisket hash
- Barbecue cheeseburger with "cowboy candy"
- Retro diner–style space
-
$ | |
Started by former music producer and Donut Friend creator Mark Trombino, Creamo is to ice cream as Donut Friend is to doughnuts (and if you don't get those L.A. references, it's what In-N-Out is to burgers). Everything is vegan in the shop; nonetheless, nonvegans will love its 16 soy-based flavors, many of which are named after pop-punk and emo bands. Crowd-favorites stay year-round, but two to three flavors rotate seasonally, and inventive Trombino comes up with a new flavor every season. Not an ice cream fan? Vegan shakes like the Paramoreo, named after Paramore, might just change your life.
3534 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Vegan ice cream
- Vegan shakes and ice cream sandwiches
- Donut Friend doughnuts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
-
$ | |
By blending geometrical shapes and horizontal lines together in an airy place with big windows, Dinosaur Coffee has utilized its space well, bringing a touch of the new into a section of Silver Lake that feels a little old. Yet it’s more than just the interiors that draw people in—the coffee is excellent, as are the pastries. In a neighborhood where independent coffee shops are a dime a dozen, that’s saying a lot.
4334 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90029, USA
Known For
- Perfect oat milk latte
- Great cold brew
- No Wi-Fi
-
$ | |
Simple, small, and understated, it’s easy to miss the best falafel spot in town. Hearty Middle Eastern falafel and chicken shawarma are piled on homemade flatbread. Other menu items include tabbouleh and lamb, but, honestly, stick with the falafel—it’s second to none. Enjoy it al fresco in Dune's new outdoor dining space along Glendale Boulevard where people-watching is a favorite pastime. There's cold brew as well to perk you up before your weekend adventures.
3143 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
Known For
- Organic green-herb falafel sandwich
- Fried chicken shawarma
- Outdoor dining
-
$$ | |
A popular local venue for live bands, DJ sets, and burlesque shows, El Cid has been presenting flamenco performances since the early '60s. The weekend flamenco dinner and show includes a four-course meal and a lively, engrossing Spanish dance performance. The seafood paella would be the showstopper if it wasn't for the incredible performances stealing the limelight.
4212 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90029, USA
Known For
- Flamenco shows
- Live performances
- Paella
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Flamenco on weekends only
-
$ | |
While you definitely should try the flat shoe-shaped dish El Huarache Azteca is named after—think somewhere between a flatbread and a tostada—you cannot go wrong with any of the other options at this family restaurant that’s been a fixture in the area for the last couple of decades. Just be aware there’s often a wait for the food to come out.
5225 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- No-frills Mexican dishes
- Agua fresca
- Super huarache
-
$ | |
With minimalist decor marked by tropical wood banquettes, Silver Lake's bohemian past and ubertrendy present converge at Gingergrass. Traditional Vietnamese favorites emerge from the café's open kitchen, sometimes with a California twist. Consider classic crispy-skinned imperial rolls (filled with chicken, veggies, or crab and shrimp, served with lettuce and mint for wrapping) and Cal-light versions of banh mi, along with a refreshing basil-lime elixir.
2396 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
Known For
- Roasted pork chop with rice
- Bánh mì sandwiches
- Great desserts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
-
$ | |
Smashburger spots in L.A. are a dime a dozen, but only a handful---like Goldburger---stand out. Tucked in a tiny spot on buzzing York Boulevard, this joint makes some of the juiciest, tastiest smashburgers in town, thanks in large part to the grass-fed beef and house-made sauces. The titular Goldburger is the one to try, of course, but you also can't go wrong with the other burger specials. Pair one with curly fries, and chase it all down with the craft sodas on offer.
5623 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Counter seating
- Craft sodas
- Smashburger
-
$ | |
Bringing Taiwanese food made with California ingredients to a formerly Central American--dominated neighborhood may have been a reach, but Joy makes it work by keeping close ties with the community, preserving its building's history, and naturally, making delicious affordable food. Pine & Crane's sister restaurant is more accessible, spice-wise, but the simple-to-make dishes on its small menu are still comforting, wholesome, and familiar to those who grew up eating some versions of them. Expect modest lines during the weekends, but the food rolls out quickly so wait times aren't too long.
5100 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Dan dan noodles
- Mince pork and rice
- Fast service
-
$$ | |
You may feel like you’re about to walk into a sauna rather than a restaurant because of its minimalist light-color wood on white-paint interior, but you'll find nothing but colorful, gorgeous, Middle Eastern dishes here at Kismet. This James Beard nominee perfectly blends comforting Middle Eastern and Israeli cuisine with California flavors and plant-based flair, all served in a modern space.
4648 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA
Known For
- Persian crispy rice
- Tasty lamb meatballs
- Middle Eastern classics with a Cali twist
-
$ | |
Born out of the owner’s need for more kitchen space for her growing production catering business, Kitchen Mouse has blossomed into a wildly popular neighborhood restaurant with a cozy rustic-meets-modern look and an inspired, mostly organic vegan--vegetarian menu. The food is bright with vibrant flavors.
5902 N. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Morning Glory Bowl
- Oat corn and buckwheat pancakes
- Excellent breakfast and brunch
-
$$ | |
Just look for the swaying Italian flag at a strip mall on Hillhurst and Melbourne, and you’ll stumble into La Pergoletta, a cozy little space. Though the decor is decidedly frenzied, it still maintains a chic yet rustic quality that looks like it was cobbled together by an Italian nonna. More important, the food tastes like it was made by her, too.
1802 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA
Known For
- Fresh pasta you can customize
- Panna & Funghi
- Food just like Nonna used to make
