-
$$ | 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
-
$ | 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
-
$ | |
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
-
$ | 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)
-
$$ | 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
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | Downtown |
First opened in 1908, Philippe's is one of L.A.'s oldest restaurants and claims to be the originator of the French dip sandwich. While the debate continues around the city, one thing is certain: the dips made with beef, pork, ham, lamb, or turkey on a freshly baked roll stand the test of time. Join locals as they chow down at communal tables while debating Dodgers games and politics. Orders are taken at the counter where some of the motherly servers have managed their long lines for decades, doling out huge breakfasts, chili, pickled eggs, and a generous pie selection. The best bargain: a cup of java for 50¢.
1001 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
Known For
- 50¢ coffee
- Communal tables
- Post–Dodgers game eats
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
This stunning expansive space, originally built for Charlie Chaplin back in the 1920s, serves French delicacies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. The scent of homemade croissants wafts through the building in the morning; steak frites can be enjoyed at night. A full bar keeps things buzzing throughout the evening.
624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- French classics
- Unbeatable pastries
- Nice bar menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun. or Mon.
-
$$ | |
This gem of a restaurant, tucked into an unassuming strip mall, has taken Hermosa Beach and L.A. at large by storm; even the focaccia bread has a cult following. Diners love the revolving seasonal menu, with its eclectic mix of European, Mexican, and Asian influences reminiscent of the city's own diverse makeup. While many dishes come and go, the most-beloved classics stay. The decor—with its rustic-yet-industrial touches and black Chesterfield-inspired banquettes—is effortlessly hip. The menu can range from gnocchi nero with king crab to banh mi toast with steak tartare, and the owners have hosted guest chefs for short residencies. Some items like pasta, sausage, and breads are made fully in-house by executive chef Tyler Gugliotta's team, while many ingredients come from his own family farm. More than 40 craft beers are available, along with a good wine list. On weekends, Baran's offers killer "secret" breakfast burritos to take to the beach.
502 Pacific Coast Hwy., Los Angeles, California, 90254, USA
Known For
- Clever, rotating seasonal menu
- Hip California modern-farmhouse vibe
- "secret" to-go breakfast burrito that locals swear by
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | |
Just because Bea Bea’s is a no-nonsense kind of place, it doesn’t mean the food isn’t special. This diner serves breakfast food that is about as close to extraordinary as the most important meal of the day can be. The plates are massive, but you're bound to finish your meal.
353 N. Pass Ave., Los Angeles, California, 91505, USA
Known For
- Pancakes and French toast
- Friendly staff
- Classic diner grub
-
$$ | |
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
-
-
$ | Hollywood |
A humble taco shack on the side of the road, Cactus offers up $4 tacos with all types of meat you could imagine, even beef tongue. They also have carne asada and chicken for the less adventurous. This spot dishes out other Mexican favorites, but plowing through cheap tacos is the main reason to come here.
950 Vine St., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA
Known For
- California burritos
- Delicious fries
- Excellent street-style tacos
-
$ | Fairfax District |
This granddaddy of L.A. delicatessens (it opened in 1931) cures its own corned beef and pastrami and features delectable desserts from the in-house bakery. It's not the best (or friendliest) deli in town, but it's a classic. The space is huge, so wait times are short. Open round the clock, you can expect some post-bar rowdiness after 2 am. Next door is the Kibitz Room, where you can hear live music or comedy every night of the week.
419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Location adjacent to Kibitz Room bar
- Plenty of seating and short wait times
- Open 24 hours
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$ | Koreatown |
Since 1948, Cassell’s has been grilling up some of the city's best burgers and remains on just about every top burger list in town. In-the-know burger lovers come here for the reliability of a perfectly cooked patty, a toasted bun, and fries with the right amount of crunch. The simple diner features barstools, a dozen or so tables, and large windows looking out onto the street. Nothing fancy, Cassell’s just gets burgers right in a city that’s known for them.
3600 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, California, 90020, USA
Known For
- Perfectly cooked burgers and fries
- No-frills diner setting
- Late-night eats
-
$ | |
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
-
$$ | Century City | Café
In fast-paced Century City, this quaint restaurant pays homage to comfort food classics. Look for chicken potpie, macaroni and cheese, roast beef sandwiches, and a slew of hearty salads. A great breakfast or lunch detour as you make your way to the beaches, Clementine has a bakery case that's filled to the brim with slices of banana bread with cream-cheese frosting, oatmeal raisin cookies, and freshly made cinnamon rolls (Saturday only).
1751 Ensley Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90024, USA
Known For
- Family-owned neighborhood bakery
- Lunch to bring to the beach
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
-
-
$$ | Santa Monica |
Escape busy Santa Monica State Beach to dine at this casual café and bar within the unfussy oceanfront hotel Shutters on the Beach. Head here at sunset for sophisticated, fruity cocktails and fresh seafood, like oysters, Dungeness crab, or a lobster roll, just one block from Santa Monica Pier.
1 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA
Known For
- Great sunset drinks and dining
- Casual beachside atmosphere
- California-inspired cuisine
-
$ | |
While you definitely should try the flat shoe-shaped dish El Huarache Azteca is named after—think somewhere between a flatbread and a tostada—you cannot go wrong with any of the other options at this family restaurant that’s been a fixture in the area for the last couple of decades. Just be aware there’s often a wait for the food to come out.
5225 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- No-frills Mexican dishes
- Agua fresca
- Super huarache
-
$ | Studio City |
Its walls may be heavy with framed photographs of film and TV stars, and folks from the biz might regularly grace its tables, but this Studio City diner is every bit as down-to-earth as your next-door neighbor, even after 40-some years. It gets pretty busy, but a plateful of that home cooking is worth the wait; or if you’re in a mad dash, grab a caffeine or fruit smoothie fix from the Neighbarista.
3701 Cahuenga Blvd. W, Los Angeles, California, 91604, USA
Known For
- Craft-your-own omelet
- Cottage fries
- Excellent breakfast food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$ | Koreatown |
A classic L.A. Mexican eatery, Guelaguetza serves the complex but not overpoweringly spicy cooking of Oaxaca, one of Mexico's most renowned culinary capitals. Inside, you'll find a largely Spanish-speaking clientele bobbing their heads to nightly jazz, marimba, and rock while wolfing down the restaurant's specialty: the moles. The intense flavors come from intricate combinations of nuts, seeds, spices, chilis, and bitter chocolate. Be sure to check out the pizza-like tlayudas topped with white cheese and tasajo (dried beef) or cecina (chili-marinated pork) and chorizo.
3014 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90006, USA
Known For
- Mole
- Chili-marinated pork
- Family-owned restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | |
Founded by Santa Monica natives, Huckleberry brings together the best ingredients from local farmers and growers to craft diner-style comfort food with a chic twist. Nearly everything is made on-site, even the hot sauce and almond milk. The light, bright space is perfect for a quick brunch. Choose from savories like toad-in-the-hole with housemade chimichurri or a chicken shawarma wrap with beet and carrot slaw and Castelvetrano olives. Breakfast is served all day. Baked goods rotate frequently according to the seasonal whims of the pastry chef; favorites include the Meyer lemon hazelnut scones. Bonito Coffee Roasters coffee tempts from the extensive drink menu.
1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, California, 90401, USA
Known For
- From-scratch diner-style breakfast options
- Delectable pastries
- House-made cold brew
