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$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
With a buzzy indoor dining room and ample outdoor seating, this is one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants. The keys are chef-owner Gino Angelini's consistently impressive dishes, like whole branzino, tagliolini al limone, veal chop alla Milanese, as well as lasagna oozing with besciamella (Italian béchamel sauce). An intelligent selection of mostly Italian wines complements the menu.
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Large Italian wine selection
- Bold flavors
- Savory pastas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Brentwood |
The chicest and buzziest nighttime spot in the neighborhood, Baltaire attracts both well-heeled Brentwood denizens on dressed-up dates and single sippers looking for late-night rendezvous. The meat-heavy menu features giant slabs of porterhouse steaks as well as special A5 Wagyu straight from Japan. Rounding out the treats is a full raw bar, caviar selection, and a one-of-a-kind cocktail program. There's lunch on weekdays only, and live music on Thursdays and Fridays.
11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90049, USA
Known For
- Sizzling steaks
- Buzzing bar scene
- Classic cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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$ | Santa Monica |
Part deli, part market, Bay Cities has been home to incredible Italian subs since 1925. This renowned counter-service spot is always crowded (best to order ahead), but monster subs run the gamut from the mighty meatball to the signature Godmother, made with prosciutto, ham, capicola, mortadella, Genoa salami, and provolone. At the market you can buy rare imported pastas, cheeses, wine, and sliced meats for a sunset beach picnic.
1517 Lincoln Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90401, USA
Known For
- Market with rare imports
- Old-school, deli-style service
- Huge sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | Downtown |
There’s a fight in Los Angeles over who created the French dip sandwich. The first contender is Cole’s, whose sign on the door says it's the originator of the salty, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meats. The restaurant opened in 1908 and today is still going strong with dark lighting, delicious sandwiches, and a secret speakeasy called the Varnish hidden in the back. The men’s room nods to the famous clientele of the past with plaques over the urinals notifying bathroom goers that Charles Bukowski and Mickey Cohen both "pissed here.”
118 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, California, 90014, USA
Known For
- Historic L.A. dining
- One of the top contenders for best French dip sandwich in the country
- Secret speakeasy in back
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$$ | West Hollywood |
From its famous Impossible Burger (you can’t believe it’s not meat) to its Sicilian pepperoni pizza (again, not meat), Crossroads's level of plant-based inventiveness knows no bounds. The space itself is dimly lit, with red-leather booths and a full bar illuminating its A-list clientele.
8284 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA
Known For
- High-end plant-based cuisine
- Great bar menu
- Popular celebrity hangout
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$ | Beverly–La Brea |
Open since 1931, this landmark spot is perfect for those on a budget or anyone after an authentic Mexican meal. The traditional fare is decadent and delicious while the margaritas are sweetened to perfection. Inside you'll find busy, colorful decor, and string lights throughout. Servers wear traditional fiesta dresses. Look for the large neon sign on Fairfax.
7312 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Affordable, quality cuisine
- Festive atmosphere
- Being an L.A. staple
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | Hollywood |
Are you even in L.A. if you haven't had a smashburger yet? Usurping all other burgers and burger joints, For the Win has become a power player on the burger scene in L.A., growing from this unassuming location in a strip mall in Hollywood to a collection of storefronts throughout the region. Seasoned beef patties are stuffed with onions and cheese, thrown on the hot plate then served on a perfect bun, customized with bacon, stacked to be a double or a triple (and why not), and then drizzled in homemade sauce. Simple recipe for success here: no-fuss focus on quality ingredients, flavor, and delivery. The fried chicken sandwich is also a winner.
6221 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
Known For
- Smashburger
- House-made sauce
- Recognized as one of the best burgers in L.A.
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$$ | Venice |
Walk through the rustic wooden door and into a softly lit dining room with long communal tables and a lively crowd; come later in the night and the place heats up with an enthusiastic post-pub crowd lured by the seasonal menu and outstanding small plates, charcuterie, pastas, and pizza. Begin with a pizza made with house-made chorizo, grilled pear with burrata and prosciutto, or Snow Island oysters. For the main course, options include saffron spaghetti and pork belly with Oaxacan grits. Typically boisterous, the patio is a great hang-out spot and a gem for a Sunday brunch.
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90291, USA
Known For
- Lively crowd on the patio
- Late-night menu
- Michelin-recommended restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | Downtown | Eclectic
In continuous operation since 1917, Grand Central Market has always been a hub for ethnic eats from Jewish delis and Asian fishmongers to Italian butchers and Latino farmers. While the vendors have changed over time, the market continues to feature an ever-evolving array of all-day dining choices, like Wexler’s Deli for the best lox in L.A., or Madcapra for inventive falafel. For those willing to wait in a Disney-esque line, Eggslut is your breakfast go-to. And for lunch on a chilly day, don’t pass up the slurp-worthy vegan hot spot Ramen Hood by Top Chef winner Ilan Hall.
317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 90013, USA
Known For
- Breakfast at Eggslut
- Fast casual dining
- Popular lunch destination
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$$$$ | |
Legendary Italian chef Massimo Bottura opened this spot, his first L.A. eatery, to loads of fanfare and celebrity sightings. The restaurant mirrors the Florence, Italy, location of the same name with a menu filled with favorites like a mouthwatering tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano crema. The locale sits atop the roof of the Gucci retail outlet on Rodeo Drive with prime positioning for watching the high-end shoppers and glitzy denizens of the neighborhood.
347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA
Known For
- Excellent pastas
- Great people-watching
- Avant-garde design
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$ | |
Family-owned Guisados has achieved cult status in L.A. with locations throughout the city (DTLA, Boyle Heights, WeHo) to accommodate its popularity. This Echo Park spot is worshipped and well supported locally for Nana’s slow-cooked stew recipes, cooked to perfection for five to six hours and slapped on house-grilled tortillas. Since this is L.A., there are vegan and vegetarian options as well, but the bestsellers include the steak picado, chicken tinga, and chorizo quesadilla. All tacos are delicious, so you may want to get a sampler to try a variety. Chase your picks with made-daily agua frescas like the summer-perfect Armando Palmero.
1261 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Cult favorite
- Breakfast tacos
- Tacos with slow-cooked meats
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$$$$ | Hollywood |
Heaven for carnivores, this upscale European-style butcher shop and fine-dining restaurant serves wood-fire-cooked meats in a copper-and-marble art deco setting. From Australian celeb-chef Curtis Stone and his brother, Luke, and named for their grandmother, Gwen's butcher shop serves up quality cuts of humanely raised meats to locals during the day, while the elegant dining space within view of the glass-enclosed dry-age rooms, charcuterie curing, and roaring firepit elevates the smoking, searing, and roasting of those quality meats to an art form by night. The focus is obviously meat here but the seasonal sides, cocktails, desserts, and Australian coffees are superior, too.
6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
Known For
- House-made charcuterie
- Wood-fire grilled steaks
- Strong cocktails and good wine list
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$ | Downtown |
Don’t let the hour-long waits deter you—if you want the best Nashville fried chicken in L.A., Howlin’ Ray's is worth the effort. Right in the middle of Chinatown, this tiny chicken joint consists of a few bar seats, a few side tables, and a kitchen that sizzles as staff yell out “yes, chef” with each incoming order. Opt for the sandwich with varying spice levels, but don’t skimp on sides, with collard greens and fries to help cool the fire in your mouth.
727 N. Broadway, Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
Known For
- Spicy fried chicken
- Classic Southern sides
- Long waits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | West Hollywood |
Part restaurant, part bakery, part market, Joan’s on Third has a little bit of everything. This roadside French-style café caters to families, the occasional local celebrity, and lovers of all things wholesome. Inside, clean white walls give way to a daily fresh deli/salad counter, imported cheeses, crispy baguettes, and fresh pastries. People-watch on the outdoor patio while eating egg-white omelets and tuna melts. It's crowded on weekends; the key is to arrive around 9 am to secure your spot outside.
8350 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, California, 90048, USA
Known For
- Crispy baguettes and fresh pastries
- Deli sandwiches and imported cheeses
- Long lines (get there before 9 am)
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$$$ | Koreatown |
Nestled into a dingy strip mall, this Korean powerhouse is given away by the lines of locals waiting outside. Once inside, scents of grilled meats and kimchi immediately fill your nostrils, and soon enough, your table will be littered with sides, kalbi beef, dolsot bibimbap, wang bosam (cabbage wraps with boiled pork), and tall bottles of Hite beer. A buzzer at the table allows you to alert the waiter for when you’re done, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the bill.
698 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90005, USA
Known For
- Perfect kalbi beef
- Long lines
- Cheap eats
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | Downtown |
This James Beard Award winner not only has the look and feel of a no-frills Jewish deli from New York, it also has the food to match. The draw here is the hand-cut pastrami: lean, peppery, robust—and with a reputation for being the best in town. Other classics include the #19 (pastrami with Swiss and coleslaw piled high on twice-baked rye), but purists prefer it straight up with Russian dressing. The neighborhood is a little rough around the edges, but if you're in search of a classic deli, it would be wise not to worry and dive in for blintzes, matzo ball soup, and a take-home order of rugelach.
704 S. Alvarado St., Los Angeles, California, 90057, USA
Known For
- #19 sandwich
- Jewish deli classics like matzo ball soup and rugelach
- No-frills atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No dinner, Reservations not accepted
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$$$$ | Downtown |
You would never just stumble upon this out-of-the-way spot in Chinatown, but world-famous celeb chef David Chang likes it that way. The beautifully designed minimal spot with spacious patio, an exposed-duct ceiling, and elongated wood bar has a cuisine style that defies any singular category. Can't-miss dishes include the mac and chickpea, the crispy pork belly, and the whole plate short rib with beef and rice—a dish you'll dream about for years. Reservations are hard to come by, but the bar is first come, first served, and a great way to sample the unique menu.
1725 Naud St., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
Known For
- Chuck short rib
- Rice-based drinks
- Hard-to-get reservations (try to eat at the bar)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$ | North Hollywood |
Mofongo’s small storefront represents one of the best and only venues to get authentic Puerto Rican food in L.A. Stop by and try the namesake dish (a delectable mash of fried plantains), but stay for the pasteles (cakes) and rellenos de papa (stuffed potatoes). For those familiar with Puerto Rico, you'll find yourself lost in nostalgia here; for those who have not yet gone, you'll be ready to pack your bags before you even have time to digest.
5757 Lankershim Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
Known For
- Mofongo de Pollo Guisado (fried mashed plantains with chicken stew)
- Hard-to-find Puerto Rican food
- Flan de queso (cream cheese flan)
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$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
A trio of restaurants by star chef Nancy Silverton, MozzaPlex consists of Pizzeria Mozza, a casual pizza and wine spot; Osteria Mozza, an upscale Italian restaurant with incredible pastas; and chi SPACCA, an Italian steak house with succulent cuts of steak. The restaurant complex is one of the most beloved in the whole city and if you're craving any kind of Italian food, you'll want to get yourself inside.
641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Great pizzas
- Intimate atmosphere
- The chi SPACCA burger
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$ | |
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
