59 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles (By a Local)

The best restaurants in Los Angeles run the culinary gamut and range from humble food trucks to extravagant fine dining establishments. Benefitting from cultural influences the world over, LA’s restaurant scene is second to none.  

Seasonally driven menus make use of California’s abundance of farm-fresh produce. Chefs incorporate forward-thinking themes like sustainability and will happily cater to specialized dietary needs. 

There are over 30,000 LA restaurants to choose from. As a Los Angeles local, I’ve tried many of LA’s best restaurants, but I’ve still barely scratched the surface! To help fuel your time exploring the best things to do in LA, this guide will give you a taste of 59 wonderful eateries throughout the City of Angels.

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59 Best Los Angeles Restaurants

Prospect Gourmand

🍽️ New American, California Cuisine | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 424 777 0481

At Prospect Gourmand you’ll be welcomed like family and fed like royalty. This restaurant row gem is family-run and farm-to-table, upscale dining with the heart of a home-cooked meal. 

Lunchtime visitors won’t want to leave a single leaf of the baby kale and avocado caesar salad. Plus you’ll want to try as many of the handmade blue corn tacos as you can get your hands on. Come dinner, check out Chancey’s Truffled Chicken. 

👉 Pro Tip: Prospect Gourmand is located on Restaurant Row, an area with more than a few parking restrictions. There are lots of valet services, but if you choose not to use one make sure to read all posted signs carefully.

Cielito Lindo

🍽️ Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 687 4391

Cielito Lindo is one of the most famous restaurants in the entire city for one crispy, delicious reason: the taquitos. Hailed by everyone from the Los Angeles Times to the late, great Anthony Bourdain, these golden-rolled tacos are the epitome of an LA classic. 

Filled with seasoned shredded beef, taquitos are served with generous servings of tangy avocado sauce. I can’t in good conscience recommend walking away without trying them, but if you’re not into red meat or meat period, the pork chile verde and soyrizo potato burritos are also fantastic.  

This historic eatery anchors one end of historic Olvera Street, one of many awesome things to do in downtown Los Angeles. Whether I’m scoping out street art in the Arts District or checking out a new exhibit at a Grand Ave art museum, this is where I’m stopping for a snack.  

🥑 Pro Tip: If you’re sharing a plate of taquitos, get separate servings of the avocado sauce. That way you can double dip to your heart’s content. 

Petit Trois

🍽️ French | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 468 8916

Steak tartare with fried shallots. Celery & mint salad with Thai chili vinaigrette. Mussels marinère. Chicken leg confit. Try any of it or all of it. You’ll be happy you did. 

Based on a classic Parisian brasserie, Petit Trois serves exquisite food. At the bar. Only the bar, in fact, as tables are only available for outdoor dining. Sounds weird, won’t matter. What matters is the food, and it is flat-out amazing.  

The tremendous popularity of the well-known L’Original location on Highland prompted the opening of a second, in San Fernando Valley. TV fans are likely to recognize the restaurant’s founder, James Beard Award semifinalist Ludo Lefebvre, who has called Los Angeles, CA home since his time on Top Chef.   

Marino

🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 466 8812

Marino has delectable dishes based on family recipes. This, plus wonderful service are some of the hallmarks that made Marino one of Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurants, and on this point, I heartily agree.

My most recent dinner at Marino was flat-out spectacular, including a tortelli zucca that is hands-down one of the best handmade pasta dishes I’ve ever had. 

The crudo di mare is exquisite. Mouthwatering main courses like lobster diavolo and filetto Sinatra further showcase Chef Sal Marino’s talent for lovingly refined old-world Italian food.

Marino is a local treasure nestled inconspicuously on the stretch of Melrose that makes up the border between Hollywood and Hancock Park. The freshly renovated dining room provides ample space for each guest, a wonderful setting for sharing a meal with those you love most.  

👉 Pro Tip: Avoid parking on Melrose if possible, traffic gets little nuts around here. I lived in the neighborhood for many years and saw numerous parked cars get rear-ended. Not to mention the fire hydrant fiasco (ask your server. 😉)

FIG

🍽️ Farm-to-table | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 319 3111

FIG is located in the Fairmont Miramar Hotel and showcases the best of both worlds in more ways than one. The cuisine strikes a balance between satisfyingly rustic and elevated elegance, crafting an experience that manages the feat of capturing the affection of locals and visitors alike.  

FIG proudly presents a seasonal menu largely sourced from the Santa Monica Farmers’ Market, a provision paradise that is itself one of the best things to do in Santa Monica. They may well serve you a new favorite dish on every visit. That said, you can’t go wrong with staple items like the Maine Lobster Cobb salad or steak frites.

FIG does its best to accommodate walk-ins, but reservations are strongly recommended for weekend brunch. Don’t miss the fried chicken and sweet potato waffle with candied yams.     

👉 Pro Tip: The FIG @ 5 happy hour is one of the best deals in West LA. 50% off the whole menu, from 5 pm – 6 pm, Tuesday through Saturday. 

Papille Gustative

🍽️ Farm-to-table | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 424 322 8040

Papille Gustative is another Santa Monica gem that’s just off the beaten path. This innovative concept café-restaurant showcases succulent sustainability. It puts fresh-from-the-farm ingredients at the heart of house specialty dishes like duck prosciutto benedict and ambrosial “Signature” french toast. 

Shareable artisan boards and a well-stocked wine list that includes a great selection of natural wine make this a wonderful option for a girls’ day or night out. The delectable danish rye bar is great for those with smaller appetites or times you just want a snack.  

Equally good for family outings, Papille offers a kid-friendly menu tuned to simpler tastes.       

🎡 Nearby Attractions: Papille Gustative is about 1.5 miles away from the ever-popular pier, and just a five-minute walk from the beach.

Bestia

🍽️ Italian | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 514 5724

Bestia focuses on fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients. You can expect meals “from scratch” with a creative flair that emulates the trendy Arts District environment. The dinner menu features handmade pasta and charcuterie, not to mention a grilled whole branzino that you’ll never forget. 

A perennial favorite of the late, great LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold, this Italian eatery is consistently recognized as one of LA’s culinary elite. You’re best off planning ahead to fit this into DTLA itineraries, especially on weekends, but it’s not impossible to nab a same-day reservation before about 2 pm.

👉 Pro Tip: The Arts District can get a lil’ rough after dark, so plan on getting a rideshare after dinner, and have the driver pick you up near the door.

Grand Central Market

🍽️ Multiple options | $ – $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 359 6007

Grand Central Market has been a staple of the Los Angeles food scene for more than 100 years. It’s located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. From trendy pop-ups to family-owned food stands serving old-world flavors, this is a fantastic place to sample tastes from around the globe. 

Grand Central is just the place to grab a bite between arts district explorations and the epic institutions on Grand Avenue. It’s there you’ll find the Walt Disney Concert Hall, which is right across the street from both the Broad and MOCA, two of the best museums in Los Angeles. 

Little Sister

🍽️ Vietnamese | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 265 7233

The menu at Little Sister is served family style. This is perfect because the only thing better than the food at Little Sister is getting to share it with people you love.

Think spicy lemongrass chicken wings. Triple garlic noodles with chicken butter and toasted sesame. And the ‘Pho bahn cuon’ rice noodle dish is everything, in the best possible way. Savory with a hint of sweet spice, rich and satisfying yet crisp and fresh, as exquisite a balance of texture and flavor as any I’ve ever had.    

Not to worry west-siders, you can enjoy Little Sister without crossing the 405. There are additional locations in Redondo Beach and El Segundo. Little Sister’s Irvine location is in the Irvine Spectrum Center, one of the best things to do in Orange County.      

👉 Pro Tip: Tables in the DTLA dining room are limited, so it’s worth getting a reservation for parties of 4 or more.  

Spago of Beverly Hills

🍽️ American | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 385 0880

Spago is a luxe, sophisticated fine dining experience, and an iconic Beverly Hills destination. Founded by celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck in 1982, it remains a popular choice among the who’s who of LA. 

One of the most famous restaurants anywhere in Southern California, Spago’s menu uses the finest ingredients of the season to enhance signature items. The sea bass is particularly impressive, served with a tableside flourish that makes the skin perfectly crisp only moments before your first bite.   

👉 Pro Tip: You won’t see the world-famous caviar-topped smoked salmon pizza on the menu, but you can still order it.

The Rose Venice

🍽️ Californian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 399 0711

The Rose Venice is where hipster meets foodie. The airy, artsy space is awesome for gossipy cocktail brunches or tastefully bougie birthday celebrations. This restaurant is like long-standing royalty among Venice’s scenery cafés. It was established by one of the chefs who helped put Spago on the map.

Anyone can get on board with all-day breakfast and California favorites like smashed avocado toast – theirs gets a nice kick from a pinch of za’atar. Chef Neroni sources the best fresh seafood for bright, clean crudos and ceviches. An excellent raw bar is available during weekend brunch hours. 

Feel free to indulge during weekend brunch! You can easily balance that out with a stroll down the boardwalk. One of LA’s best beaches, Venice Beach is just a five-minute walk west of The Rose.       

Crustacean

🍽️ Modern Asian | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 205 8990

Meals at Crustacean are a fine dining experience packed with personality. Also amazing food. As in some of the best food anywhere in Los Angeles, CA. 

Outstanding land and sea dishes include tuna “cigars” topped with caviar and filet mignon ‘shaken beef’ with wok flame grilled onions. Chef An has also created several superb vegan dishes such as crispy, crunchy hearts of palm ‘calamari.’

You’re going to want to make reservations well in advance. Also, mind the dress code. It’s strictly enforced.    

👉 Don’t Miss: The Secret Kitchen™ menu. (Yes, literally trademarked. It’s that good.)  

Monty’s Good Burger

🍽️ Vegan | $$ | Website | 📍 Multiple Locations

Monty’s Good Burger is the first 100% plant-based restaurant on our list. Monty’s is forward-thinking in a lot of important ways, yet old-fashioned where it counts most: flavor. 

Monty’s is dedicated to bringing burger lovers a sustainable, ethically-sourced alternative to traditional beef burgers. They start with a fluffy brioche bun then pile it high with fresh toppings, caramelized onions, a zippy house-made sauce, and juicy Impossible™ patties. 

🌱 Peak Vegan: While Portland edges us out as the vegan capital of the United States, LA isn’t far behind. We have a multitude of excellent vegan restaurants, but Monty’s is far and away the one I hear most often recommended by non-vegans without qualifying it as good “for a vegan spot.”

Jones Hollywood

🍽️ Italian & American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 850 1726

I’ve been coming to Jones Hollywood for nearly 20 years, and never once left disappointed. This local favorite pleases the palate with great food and a fire cocktail menu. And parties like the rockstars pictured in framed portraits on the restaurant’s walls. 

My go-to meal here is a pair of appetizers, the roasted vegetable platter and whole steamed artichoke, which comes with a spicy garlic aioli that straight-up slaps. Those two apps and a basket of the table bread – pizza dough dusted with parmesan and black pepper, served with balsamic vinegar and olive oil – are part of more than a few of my fondest memories.  

Dim lighting, red-and-white checked oilcloth, and flickering votives in red glass set a sensual vibe for date night, and couples should save room for the made-for-sharing apple pie. Large corner booths are great for gathering around a wood-fired pizza on a night out with friends. Plus they serve the full menu at the bar.   

👉 Pro Tip: The Beggars’ Banquet, served from 10:30 pm to closing, is hands-down one of the best late-night happy hour menus anywhere in LA. Also, though Hollywood is in the name and in the vibe, being just west of La Brea Ave, Jones is technically in West Hollywood.    

Malibu Café

🍽️ New American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 818 540 2400

Visiting the delightful Malibu Café for a leisurely lunch with a good friend is one of my favorite things to do in Malibu. Great food, excellent service, and an idyllic setting team up to create an effortlessly luxurious experience.

The menu offers a selection of simple dishes made masterfully, complemented by a selection of seasonal craft cocktails. Try wood-roasted shishito peppers paired with a house bloody mary as an opener for one of their juicy burgers, you won’t be disappointed!!     

Tucked in the hills of Malibu on the fabulous Calamigos Ranch, Malibu Café is when you’re hankering for an escape from hectic daily life. It’s a lovely venue for birthday or engagement celebrations, and you’ll be welcomed just as warmly if all you’re celebrating is a long lunch.

République

🍽️ American | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 362 6115

République is housed in a building that was originally constructed for Charlie Chaplin. Today, the restaurant lives up to the legend, and then some. 

The french-inspired menu changes daily, utilizing the best possible product to invent dishes like smoked tomato panna cotta with spiny lobster and sweet potato agnolotti with brown butter and parmesan.

You’ll want to make dinner reservations ahead of time. The bakery and café have a more casual vibe and are first come, first served.

🇫🇷 🍞 Pro Tip: République’s brioche french toast is what dreams are made of. 

DTLA Ramen

🍽️ Ramen | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 265 7641

DTLA Ramen in downtown LA has some of the best ramen in town. Rich broths are complemented by fresh noodles and flavors as bold and playful as the bright dining area decorated with tongue-in-cheek neon puns.  

Friendly staff and snappy service amp up the good vibes, welcoming guests to confab over servings of crunchy takoyaki and spicy garlic edamame. The expertly curated drink menu is stocked with quality craft beers and sake cocktails.      

You’ll find DTLA Ramen on Broadway near the Olympic Blvd. intersection, a convenient location for visits to several great LA activities. The Fashion District is just around the corner, with the Crypto.com Arena and GRAMMY Museum just half a mile away.

Canter’s Deli

🍽️ Deli, American Casual | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 651 2030

Canter’s Deli is a beloved local legend. This Fairfax Ave diner dishes out hearty helpings of feel-good food 24 hours a day.  

Signature dish mishmosh soup (add chicken, add carrots) is beyond satisfying on rare rainy days, or anytime you’re feeling under the weather. The menu playfully nods to its place in Hollywood history with The Marilyn sandwich – swiss cheese and grilled tomato on rye – a regular order of the namesake bombshell blonde. 

🍸 Don’t Miss: The Kibbitz Room, an enjoyably divey full-service bar connected to Canter’s that features live music and weekend nights packed wall-to-wall with edgy scenesters.  

​​Musso & Frank Grill

🍽️ American | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 467 7788

Musso & Frank Grill is a true LA classic. This restaurant has been one of Hollywood’s premier spots for grilled meats for over a century. From the tuxedoed service staff to nearly every item on the menu, Musso & Frank set standards high enough to stand the test of time.

Thickly cut steaks and chops are centerpieces to be garnished as you see fit with a la carte sides like baked potatoes or asparagus with hollandaise. The fettuccine alfredo is made exactly as it was for Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford, who quite literally brought the recipe home from their honeymoon in Rome.  

Musso & Frank caters spectacularly to the nostalgia of a bygone era, but not so much to dietary restrictions. Vegan and/or gluten-free kind of isn’t a thing here.

👻 A True Hollywood Haunt: Entering the restaurant is like stepping back in time to the days before talkies when Charlie Chaplin was a regular in booth one. Legend has it he still drops in from time to time.

Leo’s Taco Truck

🍽️ Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 346 2001

Leo’s Taco Truck on La Brea Ave is a late-night hero. The line tends to get longer and rowdier as the night goes on, but on the right kind of night, that’s part of the fun. 

Your wait will be rewarded with succulent al pastor spiked with chunks of juicy pineapple, wrapped in a warm corn tortilla and tinfoil. (Don’t eat the tinfoil.)  

🌮 Pro Tip: Offer to buy your driver a couple of tacos and you may not have to order a second ride.  

Genwa

🍽️ Korean | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 549 0760

Korean BBQ is a big thing in LA. Dinner that’s not only a show but one we sort of get to star in? Count us in. 

Genwa will give you everything you need to cook up a great meal whether you’re a bbq pro or a total newbie. The sizzle of highly-marbled shortribs cooking as you dig into soft, spicy rice cakes is a full sensory yum. 

Genwa offers locations in three great Los Angeles neighborhoods: Beverly Hills, Mid-Wilshire, and DTLA. 

Gjusta

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 314 0320

Provisions from this Venice deli are so in demand that Overheard in LA recently featured “a fist fight over the last loaf of sourdough” as an ever-reliable excuse for getting out of plans. And I mean, it’s not not plausible.

The crunch of Gjusta’s crusty bread gives way to perfectly chewy deliciousness, all the better if smeared with green olive tapenade. Picnic-perfect sandwiches are piled high with house-smoked meats. 

The café offers a selection of hearty classics at tables in the dining room or on a large outdoor patio. The menu changes seasonally, but if the marinated skirt steak is on the menu, go for it.

Pho Café

🍽️ Vietnamese | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 424 722 8647

Pho Café is one of the best-kept secrets in LA. I’ll stop short of dropping a name, but it was a celeb who first recommended Pho Café, and the pho in this tiny Silverlake shop is so good I’ve seen many famous faces waiting patiently for their orders. 

The broth at Pho Café is rich, savory, and comforting. The bundle of fresh herbs served alongside the steaming noodle soup includes greens I can’t identify, but I can say other places don’t have all of them and it makes all the difference. 

The dining room is too tiny to accommodate new health codes, so Pho Café will be take-out only for the foreseeable future.  

👉 Pro Tip: When I say secret, I mean there literally isn’t a sign. It’s in the same shopping center as Rambutan Thai, half a block southeast of Silverlake Ramen.     

Mel’s Drive-In

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 854 7201

Mel’s Drive-In is your quintessential American diner. Mel’s is one of the spots on our list you visit as much for the feed as you do for the food. #LA #iconic #nom

Burgers, good. Milkshakes, great. Prices, fair. It’s not fancy, but it sure is a lot of fun. Roomy booths and a bounty of kid-friendly options make this a great choice for families.   

The Sunset Blvd location linked above is arguably the best for photo ops. There are additional locations on the Westside and in the Valley. The most popular Mel’s is in Hollywood, mere steps away from Hollywood Boulevard, and among the best things to do in Hollywood.  

🧐 Technically speaking…  this LA icon was technically founded in San Francisco. Still, it has been so thoroughly adopted by Hollywood that Universal Studios has built franchises in each of its parks. 

Paradise Cove

🍽️ Seafood | $$ – $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 457 2503

Paradise Cove is the place to be when you’re looking to nosh right on the sand. The menu at this Malibu cafe ranges from burgers and fries to seafood feasts fit for a king. The ambiance, a white sand beach with softly breaking waves, simply cannot be beaten.

🏖️ Pro tip: For a fabulous mini-getaway, rent a palapa and enjoy frosty tropical drinks brought right to your beach lounger.    

Connie and Ted’s

🍽️ Seafood | $$ – $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 848 2722 

Connie and Ted’s is a West Hollywood local favorite for New England-style seafood. Think lobster rolls, clam baskets, and wicked good chowder. Jo’s Wicked Good Chowda, to be precise, which comes in three varieties and is indeed wicked good.  

E.P. & L.P.

🍽️ Californian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 855 9955

E.P. & L.P. is a two-for-one spot. Downstairs, E.P. serves a casually elegant menu driven by California produce. Upstairs, outdoor dining on the L.P. rooftop features good music, great cocktails, and fantastic views.

Doubling down on the two-for-one fun is Melrose Rooftop Theatre, included in a second guide –  the best things to do in West Hollywood. Hosted on the L.P. rooftop, the outdoor theatre is a unique opportunity to snuggle into a bean bag chair with your favorite cocktail while watching a cinema classic.  

Le Petit Four

🍽️ Californian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 652 3863

Le Petit Four is a long-standing Sunset Strip institution. This buzzy bistro delivers French cuisine with a California twist. Often requested by visitors to LA, Le Petit Four’s ample seating and wide-ranging menu make this a good choice for families to enjoy a nice meal together. 

Elephante

🍽️ Italian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 424 722 8647

Elephante is casual yet chic, and where Santa Monica meets the Mediterranean. The menu is heavily influenced by the food of Southern Italy and features rich pasta and seafood. 

One of the big highlights of Elephante is the view. Overlooking Santa Monica beach, it’s a beautiful place to take in a dazzling Southern California sunset.  

Il Cielo

🍽️ Italian | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 276 9990

Il Cielo is an enchanting restaurant that showcases the flavors of Tuscany. Named “the most romantic restaurant in Los Angeles,” this hideaway features garden seating under a crystal clear canopy. Expect traditional Italian cuisine prepared flawlessly. 

🌹Looking for romance? For ultimate allure surprise your date by reserving one of the a la carte romantic packages, which include a table sprinkled with rose petals and the restaurant’s signature heart-shaped flourless chocolate cake.    

The Little Door

🍽️ Modern European | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 951 1210

The Little Door is a dining dream world and another must-visit restaurant for those looking to woo their significant other.

The candlelit courtyard is ambiance excellence whether canoodling with cocktails at the bar or flirting over fine French cuisine at a table. Make any occasion special with indulgences like caviar service and complex, unctuous flavors.       

Mama Shelter

🍽️ Casual bites | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 785 6600

Mama Shelter is technically a hotel. But this hotel just happens to serve lovely shareable dishes and snazzy cocktails on the rooftop. And this rooftop just happens to have a fantastic view of the Hollywood sign. 

Oh, and did I mention the $3 oyster/ $5 martini happy hour? Wednesdays from 4 pm to 6 pm. 

Cofax

🍽️ Burritos & Coffee | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 424 7485

Cofax was founded to offer a convenient and quality coffee spot for staff and patrons of the gone-too-soon local gem restaurant, Golden State. This Fairfax Ave cafe always sounds good. 

The highlight? A burrito filled with BBQ. It looks like a burrito, smells like BBQ, and tastes like both. Amazing. 

🍔 Pro Tip: Cofax recently partnered with the folks from Golden State to create a ‘nightgame’ dinner service featuring the beloved burgers from the G.S. menu. Not to mention a fried chicken sandwich that was killing the game years before Popeye’s popped off.   

Joan’s on Third

🍽️ Gourmet Marketplace and Café | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 655 2285

Joan’s on Third is stocked up on delicious salads and sandwiches, including a classic cobb salad with a luscious sherry vinaigrette. It is very popular, so be prepared to wait in line awhile.

🎉 Planning a Party? Joan’s catering is equally in demand. Make sure to order early, especially around the holidays. 

BOA

🍽️ Steakhouse | $$$ | Website | 📍 Multiple Locations

BOA is a modern take on steakhouse fine dining. This restaurant crafts spectacular meals using inventive techniques and top-quality ingredients. You’ll be hard-pressed to get a better steak anywhere in LA. 

For starters, try the savory goat cheese baklava or their critically-acclaimed tableside caesar salad.  

Salt & Straw

🍽️ Ice Cream | $ | Website | 📍 Multiple Locations

Flavors like chocolate gooey brownie, cinnamon snickerdoodle, and honey lavender are all good and well… very good, actually. But what Salt & Straw does best is the unexpected. 

Salt & Straw does flavors like pear and blue cheese, for example. Lovely for a salad, sure. But ice cream? Well, distinctively delicious as it turns out.     

This pioneering West Coast ice cream parlor has several branches in Los Angeles, and you’ll find a whole new world of flavor at any one of them. 

Magnolia Bakery

🍽️ Bakery | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 951 0636

Consider your sweet tooth satisfied at Magnolia Bakery. Think fluffy cakes, crave-able cupcakes topped with a swirl of sweet buttercream, and puddings so scrumptious there’s literally a pudding of the month club.

The LA branch of this famous NYC bakery is bright and airy, painted in a soothing pastel palette almost as sweet as the pastry chef prepped treats behind the glass. 

🍌 Pro Tip: Don’t miss the banana pudding. It is bananas good. B-A-N-A-N-A-S, bananas. Pudding. 

Bavel

🍽️ Middle Eastern | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 232 4966

Bavel is a labor of love from the chefs behind Bestia. Bavel brings the traditional flavors and foods of the Middle East to Downtown LA, adding a respectful twist of modernity along the way. 

Standouts from the appetizer menu include oyster mushroom kebabs, fried quail sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds, and Moroccan carrots with rose pickled beets, just to name a few. You could easily have a great meal sharing a selection of appetizers, plus you get to sample a variety of Bavel’s incredible flavors. 

But then you’d miss the wagyu oxtail tagine. Which would be a shame, because it’s fantastic. All things considered, it’s probably best to prepare for multiple visits.

Neri’s Casual Filipino Dining

🍽️ Filipino | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 738 1263

Neri’s has been serving LA’s best homestyle Filipino cuisine since 1984. It’s named for the restaurant’s matriarch and chef and the food reflects that homestyle influence. While anytime is a good time for garlic rice, crunchy lumpia, fried pork, or spicy chicken adobo, the sweet treat halo-halo is particularly refreshing on hot summer days. 

👉 Pro Tip: Fan-favorite Filipino-style spaghetti isn’t on the regular menu, but you can still order it from the catering menu for special occasions.  

The Joint Seafood and Coffee

🍽️ Seafood | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 818 510 0626

If you’re thinking “The Joint Seafood and Coffee? Weird combo but ok…” I was right there with you. But hear me out. I’m an all-day coffee drinker. I also love seafood. This fish market/restaurant has both, and they’re great.

The Joint challenges just about any norm it can get its hands on, and comes out the clear winner in every round. To paraphrase Friends’ Joey Tribbiani: What’s not to like? Coffee? Good. Bakery? Good. Dry aged fish? GOOD.  

Mariscos Jalisco

🍽️ Mexican | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 528 6701

The shrimp tacos from Mariscos Jalisco are a strong contender for best taco in LA, and that’s saying something. This Boyle Heights food truck is amazing. If you prefer a bright, herby ceviche to deep-fried deliciousness, go for the Poseidon tostada.  

👉 Pro Tip: Mariscos Jalisco’s popularity has led to a few copycats popping up nearby, so make sure you get the original. They have a big sign out front, not just painted on the truck itself. 

Damian

🍽️ Mexican | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 270 0178

Damian is another LA Arts District restaurant. It uses seasonal ingredients to enhance the flavors and cultural traditions of Mexican cuisine. Unique, crave-able dishes inspire many a repeat visit, notably the duck al pastor and uni tostada. 

The artisan cocktail menu is equally impressive. The frozen strawberry margarita gets a fizzy lift from a splash of prosecco, making it an especially delightful treat on hot summer afternoons.   

👉 Pro Tip: If you’re looking to explore the arts district go for a brunch rest at Damian to make the most of daylight hours.  

Providence

🍽️ Seafood | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 460 4170

At Providence, Chef Michael Cimarusti treats fresh seafood with a level of respect that approaches reverence. The result is a tasting menu worth writing home about, supplemented by a la carte offerings such as oysters on the half shell and farm-raised, sustainable caviar. 

Providence’s dinner menu doesn’t so much win awards as it does collect them. On top of a James Beard award and two Michelin stars, this fine dining establishment places high among Gourmet magazine’s “50 Best Restaurants in the United States.”   

👉 Pro Tip: Reservations here are relatively easy to acquire, but not so simply canceled. You’ll need to give them 48 hours’ notice to avoid a hefty fee, so make sure to set notifications if there’s even the slightest chance your plans will change.   

Philippe the Original

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 628 3781

Did you know that Los Angeles is the birthplace of the French dip sandwich? This came as a surprise to me. Warm broth & sliced meat piled high on a roll just seems like such an East Coast thing. 

Turns out it’s very much a West Coast thing. The current menu at Philippe the Original includes a variety of meat options, but the most authentic version is pork rather than beef. It’s dipped for you and includes mustard, pickles, and olives. 

According to the historical record, the original Philippe made the very first such sandwich in 1918. However, according to local lore, there are two sides to that story. This brings me to the next spot on our best restaurant list.

👉 Pro Tip: Philippe’s housemade hot mustard is fantastic. They’re not playing about the hot part, so taste it before slathering your bread. 

Cole’s French Dip

🍽️ American | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 622 4090

Cole’s French Dip claimed for many years that their founder, Henry Cole, invented the classic French dip sandwich way back in 1908. 

The thing is, there’s not much evidence to back that up, whereas ol’ Philippe did press. That said, Cole’s version is served with a cup of broth for DIY dipping. Given that this is widely accepted as a “traditional” french dip, it seems Cole’s branding did win out somewhere along the way. 

Sandwich wars aside, it’s the secret speakeasy that makes this one of the best things to do in downtown Los Angeles.   

Pink’s Hot Dogs

🍽️ Hotdogs | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 931 4223

Pink’s Hot Dogs is to LA, as pushcart onion sauce is to New York City, and poppyseed buns are to Chicago. The hot dogs at Pink’s are as good as the lines are long, and the friendly folks who work here tilt the scales of this experience heavily to the positive side. 

The chili dog is super popular, and you can’t go wrong with any of the pastrami dogs. Light and healthy isn’t really what you come here for, but fresh toppings and a drizzle of cool sour cream make the Guadalajara dog a great option for those who don’t have a double-meat appetite (hi, me.)   

Nobu Malibu

🍽️ Japanese | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 317 9140

Nobu is destination dining, the sort of place that isn’t just part of a trip, but the reason for one. Every bite at Nobu Malibu is elegant, exquisite, and exclusive, from traditional sashimi to miso-marinated cod to artichoke salad.

You’re going to need reservations at Nobu Malibu, which can be made up to one month in advance. However, nabbing reservations online is tough. There’s a waitlist, but you might have better luck calling the reservation office and finessing your way into a cancellation. Especially if you’re hoping to score seats on the patio overlooking Billionaire Beach.     

Perch

🍽️ French | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 802 1770

LA loves a hot new trend, but we still appreciate a good origin story. Perch weaves such a tale in their food. Think of a prologue of baked brie followed by a time-honored main course like filet mignon au Poivre and finish off with a chocolate pot de creme that you’ll remember happily ever after.

Fine french food and spectacular views are just the beginning of what makes this DTLA restaurant excel expectations. Impressive as it may be to boast a view of LA’s famous skyline, it’s a whole next level to offer one from within it. 

Situated on a 15th-floor rooftop, Perch meets that level, then takes it up a notch with an intimate lounge space on the 16th floor. Sipping after-dinner cocktails around the cozy firepits is a superlative way to spoil your special someone on date night.  

Phenakite

🍽️ Fine Dining | $$$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 380 8573

Calling Phenakite a restaurant is a sort of like calling Van Gogh’s Starry Night a doodle. This is an epic poem in nine courses, an edible love letter penned by Chef Minh Phan to her hometown, Los Angeles. 

Having gained both one Michelin star and the LA Times designation for Restaurant of the Year in 2021, Phenakite is currently the most sought-after reservation anywhere in LA. Rumor has it a couple hired two temps to do nothing but refresh Tock and it still took over a month.    

Randy’s Donuts

🍽️ Donuts | $ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 310 645 4707

At Randy’s Donuts, you come for the clout but stay for the donuts. Best known for an iconic sign so enormous travelers can spot it on approach to LAX, this pastry pro has been doling out delish donuts since the most popular way to get to Los Angeles was Route 66.

Tony Stark chose Randy’s classic glazed to nurse his hangover in Iron Man 2. They must have been out of the maple with churros.  

🎥 Hailed by Hollywood: In addition to being part of the MCU, Randy’s was transported to Iowa in Mars Attacks!, animated onto a beach of Earth landmarks in Futurama, and demolished in the disaster film 2012.   

The Dresden

🍽️ American | $$$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 665 4294

The Dresden is a historic Vermont Ave hideaway that is all about the throwback. White tablecloths, big cushy booths, the air redolent with the scent of grilled meats. Softly swinging jazz, played by a live band.  

The menu is similarly indulgent. Think juicy, inch-thick cuts of prime rib, wedge salads doused in creamy blue cheese, and eggplant parmigiana. Signature and seasonal cocktails bring in a touch of modernity with complex libations highlighting fresh ingredients. 

Generally speaking, I’m all over concoctions featuring a muddled fruit or floral spritz. But spots that can pour up a perfect sazerac are growing rare, and this is one of them.     

Borneo Eatery

🍽️ South Asian | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 626 282 4477     

Borneo Eatery is inspired by the thriving ‘hawker’ street food culture in Singapore. This restaurant celebrates the passion and tradition of South Asia. Balancing sweet and savory with spiced curries and smoky, charbroiled meats, they specialize in authentic tastes from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.    

Long considered one of the best restaurants in the San Gabriel Valley, Borneo Eatery was honored with a Michelin Guide Award in 2019. 

Hotville Chicken

🍽️ Chicken | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 496 0662

Hotville Chicken is a strong contender for the best of the best when it comes to hot chicken in LA. The hot chicken trend hit LA with a fierceness. It peaked a while back, but the cream of the crop remains.  

Brined, floured, and fried to perfection, Hotville brings the heat. If you’re looking for the most authentic Nashville-style bird, this is where you’ll find it. Complete with two slices of fluffy white bread and a toothpick speared with just enough dill pickle chips to cool the blaze.  

daybird

🍽️  | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps 

Angelenos love authenticity, but creativity is the heartbeat of our fair city. We love a new spin, a fresh take, a mashup, or a reboot. We see your hot chicken and raise you a Szechuan pepper. 

daybird’s menu items can be counted on one hand. You come here for expertly fried chicken tenders and a housemade spicy slaw, either in a sando or a la carte. That and a Hong Kong milk tea so icy and sweet we could drink it by the pint.     

Honey Hi 

🍽️ Breakfast | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 213 221 7810

Readers may be wondering how we’ve gotten this far in the list without a whisper about California’s much-touted “wellness.” Where are the salads, the vegan options, and the ubiquitous green juice? 

Right here at Honey Hi, that’s where. Just about any dish can be made vegan. They don’t merely offer gluten-free options, it’s the whole menu. Which, by the way, is delish. Kabocha spiced buckwheat pancakes? Nom. Beans & greens topped with a saucy fried egg? Delightful.

In addition to a more than usually tasty green juice, there’s a pink drink that’s all yum, all the time. Those looking to go hard on good for you will want to opt for the Merman, a bright teal smoothie loaded with spirulina, chlorella, and cacao.  

Crossroads Kitchen

🍽️ Vegan | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 782 9245

Crossroads Kitchen is the place to go if you’re looking to take your omnivore parents to a vegan restaurant they won’t complain about. 

Granted, pumpkin seed tofu marsala may be a bridge too far. The lasagna bolognese or fettuccine & truffles are rich, satisfying choices for any palate. And the desserts are divine. 

Crossroads is an excellent choice for date night, especially when paired with tickets to the Hollywood Improv. The famous comedy club is less than a five-minute walk down Melrose Ave.

👉 Pro Tip: Try not to get your heart set on outdoor dining. Tables on the warmly lit patio are a common request and one that can’t always be accommodated.      

The Rooster

🍽️ Breakfast | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 424 278 1839

The Rooster has three items on the menu: a breakfast burrito, a breakfast sandwich, and a side of tots. The sandwich is good, the tots are good, but that burrito is divine.   

They call it Rico Suave, and your tastebuds are gonna swoon. The fried egg is a perfect medium, oozing yolk over bacon, tots, and two kinds of cheese. All of it is layered with a bright, tangy salsa and wrapped up with some sort of magic that ensures you get a bit of each flavor in every bite. 

You can grab a decent cold brew or drip coffee here, but head west on Pico if you want a better beverage. Make a right on Beverly Drive, and go straight for about a mile to get to Blue Bottle Coffee, one of LA’s best coffee shops.

Dinah’s Chicken

🍽️ Fried Chicken | $$ | Website | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 818 244 4188

Dinah’s Chicken has been family-owned and operated for four generations and has mastered the art of fried chicken. Crispy on the outside, tender and moist on the inside. Picnic perfection in a red and white striped bucket served with all the trimmings.

Located in Glendale, Dinah’s is close enough to Griffith Park to still be piping hot when you get there.    

La Paella

🍽️ Spanish | $$ | 📍 Google Maps | 📞 +1 323 951 0745

La Paella is a great choice for groups with its extensive tapas menu and pitchers of refreshing sangria. Their signature dish, traditional Spanish paella, is definitely meant for sharing! 

The low-key dining room isn’t usually too crowded, but the restaurant’s hours are relatively limited.  

FAQ’s about Restaurants in Los Angeles

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Thanks for reading my epic guide to the 59 best restaurants in LA! Now all you have to figure out is which one to try first and decide where to stay in Los Angeles for the best access. Happy feasting!!