-
$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
With a buzzy indoor dining room and ample outdoor seating, this is one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants. The keys are chef-owner Gino Angelini's consistently impressive dishes, like whole branzino, tagliolini al limone, veal chop alla Milanese, as well as lasagna oozing with besciamella (Italian béchamel sauce). An intelligent selection of mostly Italian wines complements the menu.
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Large Italian wine selection
- Bold flavors
- Savory pastas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$ | West Hollywood |
From its famous Impossible Burger (you can’t believe it’s not meat) to its Sicilian pepperoni pizza (again, not meat), Crossroads's level of plant-based inventiveness knows no bounds. The space itself is dimly lit, with red-leather booths and a full bar illuminating its A-list clientele.
8284 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA
Known For
- High-end plant-based cuisine
- Great bar menu
- Popular celebrity hangout
-
$ | Beverly–La Brea |
Open since 1931, this landmark spot is perfect for those on a budget or anyone after an authentic Mexican meal. The traditional fare is decadent and delicious while the margaritas are sweetened to perfection. Inside you'll find busy, colorful decor, and string lights throughout. Servers wear traditional fiesta dresses. Look for the large neon sign on Fairfax.
7312 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Affordable, quality cuisine
- Festive atmosphere
- Being an L.A. staple
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
-
$ | 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)
-
$$ | Mid-Wilshire |
In a tucked-away stretch along Fairfax Avenue is Little Ethiopia, where Angelenos of all stripes flock for the African country’s signatures like tibs, wat, and kitfo. And while there is a plethora of Ethiopian options, no one does the cuisine justice quite like Meals by Genet. At this spot helmed by chef-owner Genet Agonafer, visitors will discover a level of authenticity that will transport them straight to Addis Ababa, but keep in mind, this is takeout only.
1053 S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90019, USA
Known For
- Authentic Ethiopian cuisine
- Jovial atmosphere
- Unreal tibs
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed.
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
A trio of restaurants by star chef Nancy Silverton, MozzaPlex consists of Pizzeria Mozza, a casual pizza and wine spot; Osteria Mozza, an upscale Italian restaurant with incredible pastas; and chi SPACCA, an Italian steak house with succulent cuts of steak. The restaurant complex is one of the most beloved in the whole city and if you're craving any kind of Italian food, you'll want to get yourself inside.
641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Great pizzas
- Intimate atmosphere
- The chi SPACCA burger
-
$ | Hollywood |
Since 1939, Angelenos and tourists alike have been lining up at this roadside hot dog stand. But Pink’s is more than just an institution, it’s a beloved family-run joint that serves a damn good hot dog. The chili dogs are the main draw, but don’t shy away from themed and celebrity-inspired specials. Day or night, the lines are long, but the dogs are worth the wait.
709 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90038, USA
Known For
- The famous Brando Dog
- Late-night dining
- Chili fries
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
This stunning expansive space, originally built for Charlie Chaplin back in the 1920s, serves French delicacies for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day of the week. The scent of homemade croissants wafts through the building in the morning; steak frites can be enjoyed at night. A full bar keeps things buzzing throughout the evening.
624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- French classics
- Unbeatable pastries
- Nice bar menu
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner Sun. or Mon.
-
$$ | West Hollywood |
Not to be confused with the congresswoman from New York, the acronym here stands for Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée, the regulatory system that ensures the quality of local wines and cheeses in France. Fittingly, A.O.C. upholds this standard of excellence in its shared plates and perfect wine pairings in the stunning exposed-brick and vine-laden courtyard. Try the Spanish fried chicken; wood-oven brioche with prosciutto, Gruyère, and egg; or arroz negro (black rice) with squid.
8700 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, California, 90048, USA
Known For
- Amazing cocktail hour
- Quaint outdoor courtyard
- Charming indoor fireplaces
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$ | West Hollywood |
Don't balk when you see that Angler is in the Beverly Center mall. If you do, you'll be missing out on one of the most interesting seafood restaurants in the entire city. Angler has its roots in its Michelin-starred flagship in San Francisco, and the cuisine in L.A. lives up to the original in every way. The menu is filled with surprises like the served-cold vermillion with smoked bone vinegar and puffed rice or the seaweed rice which features eggs on eggs on eggs with cured yolk, trout roe, and a caviar supplement (expensive but worth it). Alongside the perfectly prepared fish is a unique cocktail program and premium wine list that pairs nicely with every dish. Forget you're in a mall (you're on the side of it actually), and come to Angler for a menu of fascinating seafood dishes that you can't find anywhere else.
8500 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90048, USA
Known For
- Surprising and imaginative seafood
- Michelin-starred team behind Angler SF
- Excellent cocktails and wine list
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
-
-
$ | Fairfax District |
This granddaddy of L.A. delicatessens (it opened in 1931) cures its own corned beef and pastrami and features delectable desserts from the in-house bakery. It's not the best (or friendliest) deli in town, but it's a classic. The space is huge, so wait times are short. Open round the clock, you can expect some post-bar rowdiness after 2 am. Next door is the Kibitz Room, where you can hear live music or comedy every night of the week.
419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Location adjacent to Kibitz Room bar
- Plenty of seating and short wait times
- Open 24 hours
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations not accepted
-
$$$$ | West Hollywood |
Boasting the best see-and-be-seen crowd in West Hollywood, this rooftop restaurant also has some of the best views. As you enter through a pergola, you'll find an extremely good-looking crowd of well-heeled diners and drinkers flirting at the large bar or getting cozy in the teal brushed-leather booths. Truffle sashimi and crab tempura are divine, and the filet is not to be missed. Try not to hurt your neck gawking at the celebs wandering in and out the door.
8715 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90069, USA
Known For
- Some of the city's best celeb sightings
- Rooftop views
- Excellent crab tempura
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No brunch weekdays
-
$$ | West Hollywood |
Inspired by the classic clam, oyster, and fish houses of New England, this beautiful space (the roof is arched like a wave) is occupied by a dressed-up crowd dipping fried calamari or spooning up Jo’s wicked-good chowda. Lobster rolls are insanely good, and you can never go wrong with the catch of the day.
8171 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90046, USA
Known For
- Buttery lobster rolls
- Catch of the day
- Classic New England seafood spot atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues. No lunch Wed. and Thurs.
-
$$$ | West Hollywood |
Behind the unremarkable facade is an übertrendy—yet decidedly old-school—den of American cuisine that doubles as a safe haven for the movie industry’s most important names and well-known faces. Be aware that this joint is always busy so you might not even get a table and reservations are hard to come by. But you might as well try, and the food is worth the effort.
8826 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90069, USA
Known For
- Lots of celebrities
- Delicious chicken Parm
- Strong drinks
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.--Sat. No dinner Sun.
-
$$$ | West Hollywood |
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.
9071 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90069, USA
Known For
- Elbow-room-only bar
- Lively atmosphere
- Celeb spotting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
-
$ | 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
-
$$$ | |
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.
734 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, California, 90069, USA
Known For
- Koi Crispy Rice and signature rolls
- Cult following
- Beautiful setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch
-
$ | Mid-Wilshire |
For a wholly authentic Ethiopian experience, you can’t really go wrong with Merkato. Not only does it serve the classics like spongy injera bread, spicy beef, and grilled fish, but there’s also a market where you can buy Ethiopian ingredients to make your own mouthwatering cuisine at home.
1036½ S. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90019, USA
Known For
- Authentic Ethiopian cuisine
- Market products
- Friendly staff
-
$ | 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
-
$ | Beverly–La Brea |
A boisterous vibe permeates PCT as groups of twenty- and thirtysomethings feast on fresh guacamole under the graffitied walls. There are 10 or so tacos on the ever-changing menu, from grilled octopus and Baja fish to pork belly and shrimp. Tortillas are made in-house (as are the chips). Wash things down with something from the cocktail menu heavy on tequila and mezcal and get your night started right.
7360 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- House-made tortillas
- Delicious mezcal cocktails
- Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. No lunch weekdays
