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When this music-influenced doughnut shop first opened on York Boulevard in the early days of Highland Park’s renaissance, there wasn’t much there, and its arrival helped shape the now-bustling strip and its vegan inclinations. Donut Friend has evolved into a destination in its own right, touting both a signature and limited menu of purely vegan doughnuts—which also happen to be inspired by the pop punk and emo music scene.
5107 York Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90042, USA
Known For
- Fun flavors like Green Teagan and Sara (with matcha tea glaze)
- All-vegan ingredients
- Ice cream and shakes
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$$ | Koreatown |
Hawaiian and Asian-inspired dishes can be found on this menu featuring veggie, meat, poultry, and seafood. The environment is eclectic, as is the food, with signature dishes like frogs' legs with salsa negra and blue crab tostadas with yuzu kosho. There’s also an exceptional cocktail program; if you’re lucky enough to sit at the bar, order a slice of pie.
3901 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, California, 90020, USA
Known For
- Friendly atmosphere
- Exceptional cocktails
- Inventive dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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The award-winning Knowrealitypie, hidden in a shop the size of a large walk-in closet, is truly a passion project, with co-owner Tracy Ann DeVore furiously paddling beneath the water's surface to make those homemade pies on her own. That's why it's only open from Thursday through Saturday until it sells out, which it often does. Partaking in a rotating menu of seasonal savories and sweet pies, turnovers, and other pastries is practically a Northeast L.A. initiation, however, so it's an important stop when visiting the neighborhood. Tracy also holds pie-making classes every month--a terrific opportunity for travelers to participate in something local.
5106 Townsend Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90041, USA
Known For
- Triple berry Cabernet pie
- Salted caramel mango rum pie
- Vegan and gluten-free options on request
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Thurs.
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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
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$$$$ | Hollywood |
This is widely considered one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, and chef-owner Michael Cimarusti elevates sustainably driven fine dining to an art form. The elegant space is the perfect spot to sample exquisite seafood with the chef's signature application of French technique, traditional American themes, and Asian accents. Pastry chef Mac Daniel Dimla’s exquisite desserts are not to be missed. Obsessed with quality, Cimarusti maintains a network of purveyors who often tip him off to their catches in order to ensure that the fish on your plate is the freshest in the city.
5955 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA
Known For
- Fresh seafood
- Honey and zero-waste chocolate programs
- Exquisite dessert options
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon., Reservations essential
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$$ | 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.
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$$ | |
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
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$ | Pasadena |
Those who normally skip vanilla ice cream because it's so—well—vanilla should shelve their preconceptions and order a scoop of Carmela's beloved brown sugar vanilla bean. But this local fave also encourages a dive into more complex flavor profiles like carrot orange ginger sorbet. The toothsome ice cream sandwich will make you feel like a kid again.
2495 E. Washington Blvd., Pasadena, California, 91104, USA
Known For
- Brown sugar vanilla bean decadence
- Wild seasonal flavors
- Joy-inducing ice cream sandwiches
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Started by former music producer and Donut Friend creator Mark Trombino, Creamo is to ice cream as Donut Friend is to doughnuts (and if you don't get those L.A. references, it's what In-N-Out is to burgers). Everything is vegan in the shop; nonetheless, nonvegans will love its 16 soy-based flavors, many of which are named after pop-punk and emo bands. Crowd-favorites stay year-round, but two to three flavors rotate seasonally, and inventive Trombino comes up with a new flavor every season. Not an ice cream fan? Vegan shakes like the Paramoreo, named after Paramore, might just change your life.
3534 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Vegan ice cream
- Vegan shakes and ice cream sandwiches
- Donut Friend doughnuts
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$ | 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.
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$ | West Hollywood |
From a food truck to a brick-and-mortar space, Happy Ice is a rainbow-colored icee shop that keeps the crowds coming. Customers can combine up to three of the nine flavors, including the world-famous Rainbow Rocket, Mango Madness, Sour Apple Lush, and more. The shop is right in the middle of Melrose Avenue's shopping street, making it the perfect stop between vintage shopping and a quick lunch bite.
7324 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA
Known For
- Colorful, Instagram-worthy atmosphere
- Creative slushies and icees
- Vegan-friendly ingredients
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$ | Brentwood |
The purveyor of the finest Belgian chocolate in all of Los Angeles, Lady Chocolatt is the perfect answer to the age-old question of what to gift on any special occasion. The ornate display case is filled with dark chocolate truffles, hazelnut pralines, Grand Marnier ganaches, and so much more, all handcrafted by a Master Chocolatier in Belgium. Post up for a late-afternoon espresso or heaven-sent hot chocolate, and let your chocolate dreams wander.
12008 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90025, USA
Known For
- Belgian chocolate
- Italian espresso
- Tasty sandwiches
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
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$$ | |
With a vintage bar and dapper barkeep who mixes up seasonally inspired retro cocktails, an attached Italian deli where you can pick up a pizza kit to take back to your Airbnb or kitchenette, and a $25 Monday-night supper, it's not surprising that Little Dom's is a neighborhood gem. Cozy and inviting, with big leather booths you can sink into for the night, the restaurant puts a modern spin on classic Italian dishes such as rice balls, fish piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs.
2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90027, USA
Known For
- Ricotta cheese and fresh blueberry pancakes
- Excellent pizza margherita
- Fun weekend brunch
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$ | West Hollywood |
A longtime darling for Angelenos, Milk Bar is a sweets shop that will cure any sugary cravings. The Milk Bar pie and cereal-milk soft serve are favorites, but you can also take classes with owner Christina Tosi to become your own baking master.
7150 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA
Known For
- Famous Milk Bar pie
- Cereal-milk soft serve
- Long lines
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$ | Downtown |
Opened in 1924 by Dewey Logan, this classic diner's former claim to fame is that it never closed in the entirety of its run. Currently owned by former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan, the diner has more limited hours and serves American food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for cakes, pies, steaks, and chops. The establishment is also a Los Angeles historic cultural monument.
877 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California, 90017, USA
Known For
- Long lines
- Amazing breakfast
- Historic restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No dinner Wed.--Fri.
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$$ | Hollywood | Italian
Chef Nancy Silverton, of Osteria Mozza, owns this upscale pizza and antipasto eatery. The pies—thin-crusted delights with golden, blistered edges—are more Campania than California and are served piping hot daily. Like the dishes, the wines on the Italian-only list are both interesting and affordable. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar.
641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Affordable Italian-only wines
- Walk-ins welcome at bar
- Late-night eats
- Goat cheese, leek, scallion, garlic, and bacon pizza
- Family friendliness
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Waiting in line at Porto's is as much a part of the experience as is indulging in one of its roasted pork sandwiches or chocolate-dipped croissants. This Cuban bakery and café has been an L.A. staple for more than 50 years, often drawing crowds during lunch. Counter service is quick and efficient, though, so go for one of the tasty sandwiches like the pan con lechon (roasted pork), or try the potato balls (heaven). Just don’t skip dessert.
3614 W. Magnolia Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91505, USA
Known For
- Famous potato balls
- Must-try desserts
- Fast-moving counter service
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$ | Pasadena |
With pierced steel-paneled walls covered with fanciful designs, this tucked-away, twin-concept Thai palace has an extensive menu that varies a bit between the two neighboring locations; compare the menus before settling on a location. Next door to the indoor Saladang proper, Saladang Garden offers an outdoor dining space that's also used for special events. You'll find all the SE Asian favorites, including satays, curries, and pad Thai. But also consider the restaurants' other specialties, like the Thai omelet with ground chicken or the fried taro rolls served with a cucumber salad. Be sure to save room for the mango with sweet sticky rice for dessert.
383 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Los Angeles, California, 91105, USA
Known For
- Mango and sweet sticky rice
- Dual indoor and outdoor venues
- Secluded location
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The haute cupcake craze isn't going away, so expect lines that extend out the door and down the block here. If you need an after-hours fix, not to worry: Sprinkles also has the world's first cupcake (and cookie) ATM, open round the clock. The most popular flavor? Red velvet, of course.
9635 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA
Known For
- Red velvet cupcakes
- Banana peanut butter cupcakes
- Long lines
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$ | Brentwood |
Sweet Rose Creamery is the next-best thing you'll find to homemade ice cream—only with a much posher atmosphere in the Brentwood Country Mart. From-scratch offerings feature local farmers' fare and are all-natural. Come for the salted caramel and stay for seasonal specialties like the Santa Teresa lemon buttermilk sherbet. There are even heavenly options for the lactose-intolerant.
225 26th St., Los Angeles, California, 90402, USA
Known For
- Everything made in-house
- All-natural ingredients
- Celeb spotting
