44 Best Restaurants in West Hollywood, Fairfax, and Mid-Wilshire, Los Angeles

Behind the unremarkable facade is an übertrendy—yet decidedly old-school—den of American cuisine that doubles as a safe haven for the movie industry’s most important names and well-known faces. Be aware that this joint is always busy so you might not even get a table and reservations are hard to come by. But you might as well try, and the food is worth the effort.

If you're looking for an Italian vibe straight out of Goodfellas, your search ends here. Checkered tablecloths cover the tightly packed tables as Hollywood players dine on the city’s best chicken and veal Parm, and down Scotches by the finger. The elbow-room-only bar is loud and the wait times can be long—there’s a decent chance you’ll get bumped by an A-lister—but slipping the maître d' $20 might move things along more quickly.

Come for chilled nosh items to share with family and friends, such as royal oysters, and warm noms that include veal meatballs and lobster escargot. They also have a variety of Melrose Pizzas, including a vegan version. A signature dish is Vin Scully loaded fries topped with sea salt, smoked cheddar, jalapeño, bacon, and ranch dressing.

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.

Locals enjoy the fast-casual HiHo Cheeseburger, where the humble burger is elevated with high-quality ingredients: premium 100% grass-fed Wagyu beef with freshly baked buns and topped with locally sourced produce. The menu includes a variety of gourmet burgers with a selection of sauces and toppings. Sides, such as fries and milkshakes, complete the meal. They also offer alternatives like a veggie burger for those with dietary preferences for a more elevated fast-food experience.

This new vibrant seafood restaurant is known for dishes like Maryland-style crab dip, tuna tostada, crispy crab cake with house tartar sauce, dry-aged cheeseburger, fresh grilled fish, and brown butter cake with Chantilly cream and salted caramel sauce. Pair your meal with a nice selection of white, red, rosé, and bubbly wines by the glass and bottle.

Koi first opened its doors in 2002 and immediately became one of the buzziest restaurants in Los Angeles, attracting a who's who clientele salivating over their unique Asian-fusion cuisine. Today, it continues to deliver on every level: fun atmosphere, incredible food, and solid celebrity sightings. Favorites here are the Koi Crispy Rice and Miso Bronzed Cod, but the menu is littered with raw and cooked fish that dazzles. Though you can find Koi sisters in New York and Las Vegas, the original matters, as does the super professional waitstaff who have been here from the beginning.

For an authentic Ethiopian experience, you will enjoy dining at the family-owned Merkato. Classics like spongy injera bread, spicy beef, and grilled fish are meant to be enjoyed with your hands. The market has Ethiopian ingredients to purchase to make at home.

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.

As the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the whole country, chef Tara Punzone makes you believe her Caprese has real mozzarella, her meatballs come from cows, and her cacio e pepe is filled with dairy. The food is exceptional, the atmosphere screams New York, and the best part is that no animals were harmed for any of it.

Some of the spiciest and most succulent tacos in L.A. are made at Sky’s. This quaint taco joint offers up beef, chicken, turkey, seafood, and vegan options that will leave your mouth on fire and your belly full. Chef-owner Barbara “Sky” Burrell also dishes out steaming breakfast tacos and has an enormous vegan and vegetarian menu.

Set in the heart of West Hollywood, fans who watch the Vanderpump Rules reality show on Bravo will instantly recognize SUR as the backdrop for the series's endless drama, broken relationships, one-night stands, and countless drinks. The actual restaurant serves a mélange of new American items that range from fried goat cheese balls and hazelnut pancakes to hibiscus flower rubbed seared salmon, plus boozy cocktails and toothsome desserts. Nearby Tom Tom with its plush seats and elegant lighting is a festive bar shaking cocktails and serving sliders, pasta, flatbreads, and a few entrées in a unique old-world setting. Happy Hour serves Vanderpump wines and seasonal shareables.

A calming effect comes over you as you enter this simple sushi bar on one of L.A.'s most fashionable streets. Chef Yoshimoto actually sharpened his skills inside Tokyo's Tsukiji Fish Market where he learned what the best quality fish really means, resulting in sushi that transports you to Japan.

The ultratrendy Urth Caffé is full of beautiful people refueling on organic coffee and tea with a range of health-conscious sandwiches, salads, and juices. The outdoor patio is a great place to take in the scene or spot celebrities.