Get FREE email communications from Fodor's Travel, covering must-see travel destinations, expert trip planning advice, and travel inspiration to fuel your passion.
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philoso
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscap
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides
Los Angeles may be known for its beach living and celebrity-infused backdrop, but it was once a farm town. The hillsides were covered in citrus orchards and dairy farms, and agriculture was a major industry. Today, even as L.A. is urbanized, the city's culinary landscape has re-embraced a local, sustainable, and seasonal philosophy at many levels—from fine dining to street snacks.
With a growing interest in farm-to-fork, the city's farmers' market scene has exploded, becoming popular at big-name restaurants and small eateries alike. In Hollywood and Santa Monica you can often find high-profile chefs scouring farm stands for fresh produce.
Yet the status of the celebrity chef continues to carry weight around this town. People follow the culinary zeitgeist with the same fervor as celebrity gossip. You can queue up with the hungry hordes at Mozza or try and snag a reservation to the ever-popular Trois Mec that’s much like getting a golden ticket these days. Elsewhere, the seasonally driven bakery and insanely popular Huckleberry in Santa Monica has been given a Brentwood counterpart with the rustically sweet Milo & Olive created by the same owners. In Culver City, a run-down International House of Pancakes has been turned into the ski chalet–inspired A-Frame Tavern. The Ace Hotel opened an L.A. chapter Downtown, creating a hip haven when you can enjoy cocktails and locally sourced menu items poolside or in the restaurant.
Ethnic eats continue to be a backbone to the L.A. dining scene. People head to the San Gabriel Valley for dim sum, ramen, and unassuming taco lounges; Koreatown for epic Korean cooking and late-night coffeehouses; and West L.A. and "the Valley" for phenomenal sushi. Latin food is well represented in the city, making it tough to choose between Guatemalan eateries, Peruvian restaurants, nouveau Mexican bistros, and Tijuana-style taco trucks. With so many dining options, sometimes the best strategy is simply to drive and explore.
With a modest, you’ll-hardly-notice-it’s-there exterior and a small, packed-like-sardines interior, you're likely to have to wait in line to get into Petit Trois. But the wait is worth it for the incredible classic French dishes inside. When you're finally eating the steak tartare, you'll forgive the restaurant for any momentary hassles.
718 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA
A Santa Monica mainstay, the seasonally changing menu at this farm-to-table restaurant consistently upends norms and has even earned a Michelin nod. The homey, minimalist space offers sweeping views of Wilshire Boulevard. On any given night, the menu of California cuisine may include lamb merguez with freekeh or Brandt prime sirloin steak with grilled broccoli. Everything is made in-house, down to the sea salt. Ask the knowledgeable staff for suggested pairings from the never-ending wine list.
1119 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90401, USA
It’s a bit of a specific recognition, but Tam O’Shanter is the oldest restaurant run by the same family in the same location in Los Angeles, operating for more than 90 years in its Tudor-style spot—that alone makes this place a worthy addition to any Atwater Village visit. Then there’s their delicious food whose $30 prices are completely worth it, not to mention the fact that, once upon a time, it was Walt Disney’s favorite restaurant.
2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90039, USA
Feast on Pan-Asian fare and dark and atmospheric faux-Asian decor as A- and B-listers do the same at neighboring tables in this dramatic 300-seat two-level restaurant and lounge next to the Dream Hotel. It's all about vibes here, and it definitely attracts celebratory groups for the sharing plates, DJ, moody candle- and red-lamp light, Asian-themed decor including the giant Quan Yin statue looking out over the ornate main dining room, and the lively patio, lounge, and bar. The menu focuses on Japanese, Thai, and Chinese ingredients. Lobster wontons, Peking Duck for two, and fresh sushi are popular offerings.
6421 Selma Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
Located in the historic lobby of the Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, this old-world Italian steak house features a glamorous, Old Hollywood feel with mirrored columns, floor-to-ceiling windows, and Spanish Colonial Revival details alongside an open kitchen, comfortable banquettes, a wood-fire hearth, and a menu that showcases chef Nancy Silverton's flair for Californian-Italian flavors. The deconstructed steak tartare has obtained cult status as have the dry-aged steaks, pasta al forno, poultry cooked over a wood fire, and the Barish Farmhouse rolls, served warm with Rodolphe Le Meunier butter on the side. Don't skip on a glamorous end to your meal with the gelato and sorbetto offerings.
7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
The homemade pasta here, kneaded from imported Italian flour, guarantees this place a spot on the "must eat" list. The large Arts District eatery is carved from a converted warehouse and is held up inside by towering pillars. Try the Ligurian Focaccina Tradizionale (basically a bread stuffed with cheese), or, treat your dinner date to handkerchief pasta dripping with almond basil pesto. The cannoli are arguably the best in town, and the coffee isn’t too shabby either.
1300 Factory Pl., Los Angeles, California, 90013, USA
The coolest kid on the Pasadena block, the Raymond 1886 is carved out of an old Craftsman cottage and has an expansive patio with long wooden tables and hanging lights. Chefs dish out everything from roasted acorn squash with "forbidden" rice to braised beef cheeks with mole sauce. Inside can be a little more claustrophobic, but makes for a perfect spot for intimate daters to get a little closer. Be sure to explore the daring seasonal cocktail menu, with intriguing names like the Princess Ain't Here and the Shepherd's Betrayal. Don't miss the truly killer chilaquiles on the brunch menu.
1250 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena, California, 91105, USA
This rustic trattoria along San Vicente has been a favorite celebrity haunt for decades. Expect elevated sensory offerings, from its cozy atmosphere to its mouthwatering Tuscan and Italian fare (including carpaccio and gnocchi primavera) and excellent wine list.
11633 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, California, USA
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName}} Restaurants in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
Enter a sight, restaurant, hotel, or other place to find restaurants nearby.
Neighborhoods Some neighborhood filters have sub-neighborhoods that can be selected individually in a dropdown by clicking on the icon to the right of the name.
I want emails from Fodor's Travel with travel information and promotions. I can unsubscribe any time using the unsubscribe link at the end of all emails.
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.
Sign up for Travel Tips & News
By signing up for the newsletter, I agree to the Privacy Policy. You must check the box to subscribe
Thank you for your interest!
Look out for our newsletters with travel tips and special offers.
