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43 Dope Places to Eat in LA: Best Los Angeles Restaurants

Lauren West

The glorious melting pot of the culturally diverse Los Angeles brings a ton of incredible food choices with it. And we are HERE FOR IT. In the spirit of divine eating, we’ve made it our goal to find the best places to eat in LA. And we’re here to share our LA restaurant finds to add to your LA itinerary.

 

Before You Go

The Incredible Magnitude of Places to Eat in LA

While writing my last LA post, Why I Love Los Angeles, and reminiscing through my Los Angeles Instagram posts, I began to remember the incredible magnitude of dope places to eat in LA.

Sure, the kale-and-quinoa story is a tale told all across the metropolis, but it’s hardly the sole culinary infatuation your stomach can enjoy in this multi-cultural city.

HEY, YA JUICY LEGEND | See all our Los Angeles blog posts

 

The Best Restaurants in LA (for Your Stomach & Soul)

And let me clarify—this isn’t necessarily a “best restaurants in Los Angeles, Michelin star edition” post.

We’re talking good-for-the-soul, flavorful and full of zest foods from places to eat in LA— the best Los Angeles restaurants across the city to carry you through whatever shenanigans you’re getting into, even if you’re vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, or whatever else.

Hey, maybe even try to hit up every place on this list as part of your LA Bucket List.

So read on, plan what delectable treat you’ll bestow upon your lucky tummy today.

 

Since we are LA locals, this list is constantly being updated, so check back regularly.

Discounts to LA Restaurants

If you’re looking for where to eat in LA, don’t miss these LA Food & Drink discounts.

Make a habit of checking out these local LA deals, as they have discounts on almost EVERYTHING like amusement parks (like Universal Studios), whale-watching, sporting events, concerts, etc.

LA Transportation

Los Angeles is notorious for its less-than-stellar public transportation, so you’re DEFINITELY going to want to rent a car.

 

 

DOWNTOWN LA

Downtown LA (DTLA) is a coming-up foodie epicenter in LA, with some of the coolest restaurants in Los Angeles.

You’ll find everything from food trucks, Michelin star restaurants to Grand Central Market, one of the best food places in Los Angeles.

If you’re looking for where to eat in LA, you’ll find it downtown.

Here are some of our favorite places to eat in Downtown Los Angeles.

Mrs. Fish

Walk through the colorful staircase beneath the suspended aquarium and you’re in Mrs. Fish in DTLA, with the best dinner in LA for Japanese lovers.

The art-filled sanctuary of Mrs. Fish serves up delectable Japanese plates, sushi, and an ✨extensive✨ whiskey program, to say the least.

We ordered cocktails and the toro roll at this Japanese restaurant in Downtown LA, as well as the 5 course dinner that included Scottish Salmon Sashimi with truffle amazu and Japanese mountain yams with tare, shichumi pepper, mizuna, and lively bonito flakes.

The Ribeye and Miso Glazed Black Cod were REVELATIONS. I kid you not, the cod was one of the best-cooked pieces of fish I’ve ever had.

And we loved the candied kumquat, mango anglaise yuzu cheesecake so much we ordered two of them.

 

 

Perch LA

On the 16th floor of the same building as Mrs. Fish you’ll find Perch LA, one of the best LA restaurants with a view.

This rooftop lounge serves yummy plates, specialty cocktails and rare French spirits with panoramic views of the city skyline, making it a popular food spot in LA to grab some bites and drinks

‘Twas a vibe.

The Penicillin speciality cocktail is AMAZING, a ginger and lemon jolt to the senses in the best way possible. Also enjoyed the Berry LA, a fruity sparkling drink that was easy to sip on while taking in the cityscape.

If you’re looking for a rooftop bar in Downtown LA, this is your spot!

 

Lobsterdamus

Another must-try vendor at DTLA’s Smorgasburg LA, Lobsterdamus is bringing lobster to the street food scene with some of the best eats in Los Angeles.

The “Lobster Nest” is their crowned jewel: a wild-caught lobster fired on a mesquite grill and served, glistening with butter, on a bed of garlicky yakisoba noodles.

The Lobster Nest turns heads, invoking longing from strangers whose audible murmurs and gasps awaken your food pride as you glide through the crowd to find your table.

And then we had the Lobster Truffle fries. The fries alone land this baby on our list of the best places to eat in LA.

Tantalizing hunks of grilled lobster surmount a base of fries tossed in roasted garlic, parmesan cheese and seasoning, topped with black truffle mayo.

We’ve included the Lobster Noods from Lobsterdamus on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

Smorgasburg LA is every Sunday in DTLA from 10 am – 4 pm. Parking is FREE!

 

READ MORE| Learn about the best drives in LA, including those in DTLA

 

 

Philippe The Original

Philippe’s has long been on lists for the best downtown Los Angeles restaurants.

This is definitely one of the most famous restaurants in LA, and also one of the oldest (founded in 1908), well-known for its French dip sandwich.

Get that old time diner feeling by ordering at the counter and walking to your communal table on sawdust floors.


 

READ MORE| Decorate Your Own Cake at the Studio of the Ace of Cakes Guy in LA

 

 

Boulon D’Amour

Boulon D’Amour (“bolt of love,” in French) is an Instagramable coffee shop in LA.

You’ll find a vibrant pink floral mural and floral telephone booth greeting you at the door, and a pair of angel wings and neon lightning bolt inside.

Their “Trio” serves up a trifecta of aesthetic lattes, including the Mean Girl (Pink Chai), the Money Maker (Rose Matcha), and the Gold Digger (Dirty Turmeric).

Grab a burrata truffle toast and go selfie crazy in their bright, poppy atmosphere.

Boulon D’Amour is located just outside Downtown, with free street parking available nearby.

 

 

SILVERLAKE

Bowery Bungalow

One of the coolest restaurants in Los Angeles to shake up everything you thought you knew about Middle Eastern food.

Bowery Bungalow serves up mouthwatering innovations with some of the best food in LA in a 1920s craftsman bungalow.

Don’t miss their cozy backyard patio twinkling with lights beneath the open night sky—it’s a little oasis right in the middle of the city.

Standout dishes are the joltingly flavorful tahini toast with date jus and pickled cucumber, and the melt-off-the-bone mid-east baby back ribs made heavenly with Turkish coffee & grape molasses.

Ben couldn’t stop talking about the vibrant roast beets with herbed chèvre, and their babaganoush comes adorned with delectable roasted shishito peppers.

Each bite of the mid-east Japanese yakitori style fusion shish kebabs and beef tongue shawarma gnocchi with nutmeg & mace  is an utter flavor explosion, making this a contender for the best dinner in LA.

And if you haven’t tried their knefeh with rosewater and toasted hazelnuts—TRY IT. Thank me later!

Vegan dishes available.

 

MIXT

Salad, sandwich, grain-bowl and market plate food place in LA with vibrant, fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.

If you’re looking for the best LA restaurants for a quick, healthy yet flavorful lunch, this place has your name all over it.

We had grilled sustainable steelhead with roasted brussel sprouts and cauliflower mash, the Royale grilled flat iron steak sandwich, Falaf salad, and seasonal Impossible Achiote salad, washed down with a turmeric ginger lemonade and lavender lemonade kombucha on tap.

 

 

 

 

KOREATOWN

Guelaguetza Restaurante

Serving up a famous red mole sauce, this eatery was named the best food in LA for Oaxacan food in America by acclaimed food critic Jonathan Gold.

If it was good enough for Jonathan Gold, then it’s certainly one of the cool restaurants in Los Angeles to check out!

 

HOLLYWOOD

Osteria Mamma

Nestled in the heart of Hollywood, this beloved LA fixture transports you straight to Northern Italy, making it one of the best Los Angeles restaurants for date night.

Founded by Mamma Loredana, who moved to Los Angeles after World War II with a treasure trove of Italian culinary traditions, Osteria Mamma embodies the essence of authentic Italian home cooking.

Celebrating its 14th anniversary, the restaurant has unveiled a special four-course tasting menu from Mama’s cookbook, a heartfelt tribute documenting her journey from Italy to America with century-old photos and handwritten family recipes.

The dishes are unforgettable—simple, elegant, and perfect.

To complement the exquisite food, Filippo, Mama Loredana’s son and a skilled sommelier, curates an impressive wine selection, including some fantastic private label wines.

If you’re wondering where to eat in LA, look no further than this delightful food spot in Hollywood for a memorable meal that will transport your taste buds straight to Italy.

 

 

 

Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles

A legendary local soul-food chain serving up crispy savory fried chicken on top of sweet waffles, as well as other soul food staples and must eats in Los Angeles .

This is definitely one of the most famous restaurants in LA, and we’ve spotted several celebrities here.

Certainly one of the dopest places to eat in LA.

We’ve included Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

This chain has locations throughout Los Angeles.

 

READ MORE| 42 Universal Studios Hollywood Tips and Tricks to Ensure the BEST TIME EVER

 

 

LONO Hollywood

Mid-century meets tropical in this upscale tiki bar planted right on Hollywood Blvd (you’ll literally be walking on the Hollywood Walk of Fame stars to get there).

We’ve included the Kon Tiki flaming drink bowl from LONO Hollywood on our Los Angeles Bucket List. Their flaming punch bowl easily lands this Hollywood spot on our list of the best places to eat in LA.

LONO has drinks that are (LITERALLY) on fire. You’ll also find some tasty island-inspired eats, making this one of the cool restaurants in LA—plus they have a Happy Hour worth checking out.

 

 

 

Good Times at Davey Wayne’s

Walk through the fridge and transport yourself back in time to a 1970’s living room house party in this quirky Houston Bros speakeasy, complete with alcoholic snow cones and vintage X-rated bathroom decor to make it one of the dopest places to eat in LA (and drink, duh).

We’ve included Good Times at Davey Wayne’s on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

 

Formosa Cafe

Go back in time to Old Hollywood in the Anthony Bourdain-recommended Formosa Cafe, founded in 1925 originally in a Red Car trolley.

Generations of movie stars have sat in these walls, Frank Sinatra pining over Ava Gardner, Humphrey Bogart, David Janssen, and Clark Gable, to name a few.

Offering some of the most aesthetic, best dining in Los Angeles, Formosa has appeared in several movies and TV shows, including L.A. Confidential and Euphoria. This is definitely one of the cool restaurants in Los Angeles.

 

We’ve included Formosa Cafe on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

Cannabis Cafe

I can’t think of a better place to get the munchies.

Get hazy at Cannabis Cafe, America’s first legal weed restaurant.

Definitely don’t miss the gorgeous, lush patio!

We’ve included Cannabis Cafe on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

 

Tail O’ the Pup

Grab possibly the most expensive hot dog of your life at the iconic 1946-founded 18-foot-long hot dog-shaped stand Tail O’ the Pup.

Grub on hot dogs, burgers, soft serve cones, smash burgers, vegan hot dogs, gluten-free corndogs, and other must eats in Los Angeles while snapping some hot diggity dog selfies in front of the stand, y’all!

 

We’ve included Tail O’ the Pup on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

WEST LA

 

Blue Ribbon Sushi

This upscale sushi eatery offers some of the best dining in Los Angeles at The Grove, a bustling shopping center in West LA.

The sushi is impeccably fresh, and the house special cocktails are heaven, making this a contender for the best dinner in LA.

Highlights are the salmon carpaccio, delicately awash in truffle oil and utterly creamy.

The Grove handroll will make you LOVE uni, if you don’t already.

The Ka cocktail is a riveting medley of tequila, yuzu, vanilla bean, lime, habanero & Li Hing salt that coats your mouth in just about every flavor category while still, somehow, maddeningly, harmonizing together in a flavor profile I’ve never encountered before.

Desserts are also on point, with a yuzu cream pie and a matcha creme brulee that are SERVING.

 

 

 

Merkato Ethiopian Restaurant & Market

Dig in to authentic Ethiopian at this restaurant in Little Ethiopia brimming with Ethiopian decor and an attached market, making it one of the cool places to in LA for sure.

We’ve included eating at Little Ethiopia on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

We’ve been able to find Groupon Los Angeles deals to this restaurant and other great eateries also in Little Ethiopia

 

 

Little Ethiopia Restaurant

Grab your injera bread and stuff your face with this delicious, affordable Ethiopian food, made even more affordable with these Groupon discounts.

With plenty of plant-based options, this is one of the best restaurants in LA for vegans.

 

Heading to the States? Make sure to check out this USA Travel Guide

 

 

If you’re looking for where to eat in LA for authentic Indonesian dining, this place is it.

They have delicious dishes like the flavorful mie tek tek, a traditional Indonesian stir-fried noodle dish packed with savory flavors and aromatic spices.

Also worth trying is the avocado and chocolate milk shake. Yasssss, mama, you heard me right.

Simpang Asia

*We discovered this restaurant through Groupon Los Angeles deals

 

 

Terra Grill at Eataly L.A.

This rooftop Italian grill at Eataly in the Century City’s Westfield mall is one of the best LA restaurants with a view.

They cook up seasonal raw ingredients and must eats in Los Angeles from a fabulously flaming wood-burning grill.

Terra is one of the cool places to eat in LA for a boozy brunch, with views of the Hollywood Hills and customizable bloody mary’s.

 

 

WESTWOOD

Fat Sal’s Deli

This is one of the coolest restaurants in LA for PHAT sandwiches (although it’s really more of a counter).

They got a diverse menu that includes some vegetarian options alongside indulgent favorites. This was 100% one of the best food spots in LA for hangover munching while we were students at UCLA.

As a beloved chain across LA, it’s known for its generous portions and satisfying comfort food that hits the spot every time.

 

 

 

Native Foods

We used to stop here between classes all the time when we went to UCLA to eat their yummy plant-based dishes bursting with flavor and creativity.

This is where to eat in LA for a convenient lunch spot with guilt-free indulgences.

 

 

 


BEVERLY HILLS

 

 

The Stinking Rose

This is some of the best dining in Los Angeles for garlic lovers.

Enter this uniquely decorated (snazzy vintage circus ambiance, anyone?) for some Californian-Italian cuisine where garlic is king, even in the desserts.

If you adore garlic as much as we do, this could be the best dinner in LA.

We’ve included this garlicky heaven on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

VENICE BEACH

Fig Tree Cafe

Charming seaside eatery known a relaxed ambiance and delicious California-inspired cuisine, right off the bustling Venice Boardwalk.

This was one of my grandparents’ favorite cool places to eat in LA, and we still go here every time my grandpa comes to visit.

 

 

SANTA MONICA

DK’s Donuts

This heavenly donut haven is one of the cool places to LA plus it has another trick up its sleeve (beyond its delectable sweet treats)…IT’S OPEN 24/7. 24 FREAKING 7. HOLD UP. GET THE KEYS. WE’RE GOING NOW.

 

 

 

MALIBU

Malibu Seafood

Beachy seafood market and cafe with some stellar ocean views and some of the best seafood on the coast. No frills, but goshdarn good seafood, making it one of the dopest places to eat in LA.

We’ve included Malibu Seafood on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

Neptune’s Net

If you’re in Malibu, this is definitely one of the must try restaurants in LA for some fish & chips.

This seafood place in LA overlooking the ocean is popular with surfers and bikers, and has made appearances in countless TV shows and movies (like Fast and the Furious, por ejemplo).

We’ve included Neptune’s Net on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

 

Moonshadows Malibu

This is without a doubt one of the best LA restaurants with a view.

If you want stellar ocean views, you literally cannot get any closer than this.

This LA restaurant is a hip bar lounge overlooking the ocean with a New American menu, and for what it’s worth, I’ve seen many reality TV stars here. You know, real prime grade D-listers. Score!

 

 

 

VALLEY

 

Shrimp Daddy

You’ll find this Hawaiian-style vendor at the deliberately Insta-worthy Topanga Social food hall at the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, one of the best Valley food places in Los Angeles.

Serving up craveable crispy, shell-on garlic butter shrimp with mac salad and rice in a juicy pineapple boat, Shrimp Daddy offers up a taste of island paradise, and is easily one of the best places to eat in LA!

We’ve included Shrimp Daddy on our Los Angeles Bucket List.

 

 

 

Catch Me Sushi

Toro enthusiasts, uni fiends, and sushi lovers, we’ve found a hidden gem offering some of the best sushi we’ve had in LA in one of the best places you’ll ever find sushi (as any good LA local knows): a Valley strip mall. 

It’s called Catch Me Sushi, serving up melt-in-your-mouth toro sushi, brightly yuzu-accented Shigoku Oysters, and a Fantasy Roll that certainly lives up to its name. Everything we ate at this LA restaurant was a perfect morsel!

 

 

 

Krua Thai

Our personal favorite restaurant in Los Angeles, Krua Thai is on Jonathan Gold’s list of the 101 Best Restaurants in LA.

Their Tom Kha is our STANDARD for Tom Kha against which we compare all others.

A sour Thai soup made creamy with coconut milk, Tom Kha is the perfect marriage of spicy, sour, savory, sweet, and creamy. It’s our favorite dish on the planet.

We come to this Thai food place in LA whenever we can, and try to always make sure we have leftovers to bring home so we can enjoy it again later.

FOR US, THIS IS THE ULTIMATE OF THE DOPE PLACES TO EAT IN LA.

*Curious about the authentic Thailand food experience? Check out our food guide to Chiang Mai, Thailand!

 

 

 

Sanamluang Cafe

A local favorite neon Thai eatery with late hours, making it perfect for a nightcap. Sanamluang is right down the street from Krua Thai, the last restaurant we listed.

Sanamluang is ALSO one of our favorite cool places to eat in LA, and in fact, we prefer the decor here to Krua.

BUT, comparing Tom Kha (the Thai coconut sour soup), Sanamluang’s is creamier, while Krua’s comes together with just the slightest tangy edge, making it the winner, for us.

Still, both restaurants are delicious, and Sanamluang’s definitely has more of a fun night-time vibe for after going out with friends.

 

 

 

Cici’s Cafe

You wanna see pancakes? Cici’s will give you pancakes.

With over 50 kinds of pancakes, PLUS souffle pancakes, PLUS souffle, PLUS waffles, PLUS crepes, PLUS french toast, PLUS their mind-boggling favalanche, Cici’s is the kingdom of brunch.

Savory eaters, don’t fret! This must try restaurant in LA also serves tons of delicious savory eats, from their bomb-diggity salmon eggs benedict, Mexican-Thai fusion beef panang burrito, and a beloved LA restaurant favorite, huevos rancheros.

The menu over at Cici’s Cafe is one of the most grandiose compilation of brunch and lunch dishes I’ve ever seen at any of the best LA restaurants, and each and everything we’ve tried has been pure delight.

They’re great people, and they make some of the best brunch food in LA. Secret’s out, though: this place has a line out the door every weekend.

 

FYI: Just a few blocks from Cici’s Cafe you’ll find this LA Celebrity Chef Decorate-Your-Own-Cake Studio!

 

 

 

Shibuya Sushi

One of the best sushi restaurants in the valley, served up in a teensy sushi bar in a mini-mall where the Kardashian clan calls home.

Skilled chefs, first-rate quality sushi, but be prepared to ask for the prices of the menu items as they are not listed.

 

 

 

Pho 21

Popular local no-frills Vietnamese restaurant in LA specializing in traditional dishes such as pho, banh mi sandwiches, and vermicelli bowls.

If you want to know what to order at a Vietnamese restaurant, read our guide to Vietnamese Food Dishes to Fall in Love With.

 

 

 

 

 

Nipa Hut

From traditional Filipino favorites like adobo and sinigang to Asian-inspired dishes such as sushi and stir-fries, Nipa Hut’s diverse menu provides something for every palate.

I’ve been coming here with my mom since I was a child, so this LA restaurant has got a special place in my heart for sure.

 

 

 

 

 

India Sweets & Spices

All vegetarian, cafeteria-style Indian food place in LA that is extremely affordable and tastes delicious.

No-frills, retro (read: dated) pink tables that I hope they never ever change, with more Indian customers than not, which is ALWAYS a good sign.

The food selection is rotating, so every time you come here, you’ll find new and exciting choices, some of which are spicy, and some are not.

There’s also a fantastic Indian grocery market attached which is the best place in the immediate area to buy Indian ingredients at great prices.

We love Indian food, and this is our favorite Indian food in the valley.

 

 

Shik Do Rak

After living in Korea for 2 years, we can confidently say that this place has a pretty legit offering of Korean BBQ.

In fact, this was our last meal with our family before we moved to South Korea.

To learn more about what to order at a Korean restaurant, read our guide to the Must-Try Korean Food.

 

 

 

 

Fish in the Village

Sometimes the best places to eat in Los Angeles are completely nondescript from the outside.

It’s in an unassuming little valley strip-mall, so you’ll only find this place if you’re looking for it.

In fact, we only found it because we bought a discount on Groupon Los Angeles deals for it, but HOLY WOW, it was AMAZING.

They didn’t have everything in stock that we wanted, but what they did have was divine, and a great place to hit-up if you’re a fish lover.

 

 

Are you a fish-lover? We’re obsessed with these Willala Fish & Chips!

GLENDALE

We can’t neglect Glendale, a city in the greater LA area! 

 

Epique

This elegant modern European fusion restaurant in Downtown Glendale offers tantalizing seafood (the octopus, sea bass, tuna tartare, and scallops are DIVINE) and steaks that would satisfy ANY purist.

It’s the only French steakhouse we’ve ever visited, so we definitely consider this one of the best restaurants in the LA area. Everything was cooked to perfection.

Bonus: they have live music every night to get your vibe on.

 

EVERYWHERE

 

Photograph by Lauren Topor via freeforcommercialuse.org

 

Jogasaki Sushi Burrito Food Truck

Bringing the best of Japanese cuisine and Mexican-inspired flavors together in one innovative and convenient package to neighborhoods throughout LA, Jogasaki is one of the best food spots in LA for sushi lovers and burrito aficionados alike.

Don’t miss their signature sushi burritos, filled with fresh seafood, rice, and veggies, to inventive sushi tacos and poke bowls.

Easily one of the coolest food places in Los Angeles.

 

 

And Mexican food literally everywhere

(And on Groupon Los Angeles) A darn good Mexican restaurant at any random strip mall is definitely one of the must try restaurants in LA!

 

 

Plan the rest of your Los Angeles trip: Check out our LA Itinerary, the LA Bucket List, the best scenic drives in LA, the best dog-friendly hikes in LA, and our essential tips & tricks for Universal Studios Hollywood!

Also, learn about the epic West Hollywood Carnaval, and why we think LA is worth a visit.

 

Why don’t you travel on over to Anaheim next? You can check out the top things to do in Orange County, the new Rise of the Resistance ride at Disneyland, stay at the best hotel walking distance to Disneyland, and try luxury bowling at Downtown Disney.

 

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Know any other of the best places to eat in Los Angeles?

Let us know in a comment below!

 

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