A guide to eating in Los Angeles
The Best Restaurants & Must-Try Spots in LA and Beyond!
Los Angeles is hands down my favorite city for food. That’s a bold statement, but LA’s food scene truly stands out, blending diverse global flavors with everything from budget-friendly street eats to high-end dining experiences.
After spending a decade in San Francisco and exploring everything the Bay Area food scene had to offer (which will always be near and dear to my heart, and stomach), I have to say—LA takes the cake.
Whether you're craving next-level Korean BBQ in K-Town, fresh hand rolls from Kazunori, or the best street tacos you’ll ever have, this city delivers. Sushi lovers will find no shortage of top-tier spots, while trendy neighborhoods serve up inventive takes on modern American cuisine. And let’s not forget—David Chang finally brought Majordomo to the West Coast, which instantly became one of my all-time favorite dining experiences.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention LA’s taco scene. From Sonoratown to the O.G. Chef Roy Choi’s Kogi BBQ taco truck, my advice here would be to explore and pull up to the next taco truck you see. With the most mexican restaurants than any other city in the country, you’re guaranteed to find something to your liking. Happy taco hunting!
This guide highlights some of my go-to spots in LA, from iconic restaurants to hidden gems you don’t want to miss. The photos below are shots of my must-visits and you can read more about each of them plus additional places to try, sorted by neighborhood below! I’ve personally eaten at all of the spots listed, unless otherwise noted.
More LA Recommendations
Restaurant Key
** indicates that there are multiple locations
^reservations recommended
Bolded restaurants are top recommendations!
Downtown LA / Arts District
A vibrant hub that’s home to some of LA’s best restaurants, from Michelin-starred fine dining to casual eateries. Expect diverse culinary experiences, craft cocktails, and trendy food halls like Grand Central Market.
Bestia^ - You would never assume this beautiful buzzy space is in the Arts District in LA as you pull up to the front door. Inside is a regional Italian restaurant that boasts a large and bold menu full of pasta, meats, salads and pizza. Go during uni season to make sure you can get your hands on the uni spaghetti. It’s served with trout roe, cultured butter, chives and limes. To die for!
Eggslut** - A cult-favorite breakfast spot known for its perfectly runny egg sandwiches served on fluffy brioche buns. Expect a line, but the rich, buttery goodness is worth the wait. The slut is my personal fave; a cage-free coddled egg perched on top of potatoe puree in a glass jar, topped with gray salt and chives.
Grand Central Market - Nestled in the heart of downtown, I always always stop here when I’m in LA. It’s home to Eggslut and home to one of the best burritos I’ve ever tried from Tacos Tumbras A Tomas. You can literally find anything you want here from ramen to Belcampo meats to freshly baked breads and more. It’s the perfect stop before checking out the Broad nearby.
Kazunori**- The original hand roll bar, serving warm, crispy nori-wrapped sushi rolls made fresh to order. I recommend this to everyone who visits LA. The blue crab hand roll is one of my personal favorites.
Majordomo**^ - David Chang’s LA masterpiece, offering bold, inventive dishes with Korean and Chinese influences. The Whole Plate Short Rib is legendary, but every dish delivers big, umami-packed flavors. Don’t forget to order the bing bread!
Otium - If you’re visiting The Broad, this is the perfect place to stop in for a meal and a beautiful cocktail. The space is absolutely beautiful and is serving up amazing contemporary dishes like oysters, little gem salads, hummus and muhammara, grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken and khachapouri just to name a few.
Sugarfish** - I love Sugarfish so so much. It’s my go to spot for high quality sushi and nigiri at a surprisingly affordable price. Their signature Trust Me menu offers melt in your mouth fish, perfectly seasoned warm rice and a fun, buzzy environment.
Venice Beach - Abbot Kinney
The place for cruising the boardwalk on a bike and beachside views, Venice offers everything from fresh seafood to Mexican, Italian and modern american fare. Abbot Kinney is a foodie paradise, packed with trendy cafés, local shops and artwork, artisanal ice cream, and innovative restaurants with a laid-back, coastal vibe.
Beach 26 Cafe - All I can say is California Roll Burger. This place has tons of creative burgers but you should try the Chef Katsu Original California Roll Burger. It’s a huge beef patty topped with snow crab salad, ginger, avocado, nori, and a shoyu-mayonnaise based sauce. They also have a really fun brunch menu and great breakfast cocktails.
Blue Bottle** - Founded in Oakland, this used to be my go to coffee shop. A must-stop for coffee lovers, this Venice outpost serves expertly crafted espresso drinks and small-batch, single-origin brews. Grab a perfectly pulled cappuccino and soak in the breezy, minimalist vibe.
Felix^ - If you haven’t heard of Evan Funke, watch this episode of Chef’s Table. One of our best pasta chefs has created one of LA’s best Italian restaurants, known for handmade pasta crafted in a glass-walled dough room. The flavors are rich, the ambiance is cozy, and the pappardelle with ragu is an absolute must. This is a top restaurant on my must visit list. Reservations are hard to come by, so reserve in advance.
Salt & Straw** - My go to ice cream shop from Portland, Oregon is thankfully also in California. This beloved ice cream shop offers wildly creative flavors made with top-tier ingredients. Their seasonal collaborations are always so unique and delicious, every scoop is worth savoring.
K-Town
Known for its legendary Korean BBQ, 24-hour eats, and lively nightlife, K-Town is a must-visit for food lovers. Whether you're grilling meat tableside or diving into a steaming bowl of kimchi jjigae, the flavors here are bold and unforgettable.
Crab House / Rich Crab - I have yet to eat soy-marinated raw crab, living in Colorado doesn’t lend itself to being able to try all amazing seafood goodness available on the coasts. However, these were recommended by to me by the GM of Nozawa Bar as local favorites. These are top place son my list to visit. What you can expect is marinated blue crabs packed full of umami flavor and served with Korean sides.
Daedo Sikdang - Any KBBQ restaurant in K-Town will likely be better than any other KBBQ restaurant anywhere else, but Daedo Sikdang is one of my favorites. This high end Korean steakhouse specializes in perfectly marbled, buttery Hanwoo beef - grilled to perfection. The best part is that you don’t have to grill yourself. The banchan is spectacular here and must visit for serious meat lovers.
Kobawoo House - I first tried bossam back in 2013 and have loved it ever since. This local spot is a no-frills local joint offering homestyle Korean dishes. Expect their famous bossam (braised pork belly wraps), kimchi pancakes, galbi jjim and lots and lots of soju.
Parks BBQ - A legendary KBBQ spot known for its prime-grade meats and flawless execution. Whether you’re indulging in A5 Wagyu or classic marinated short ribs, this is one of LA’s best places to feast on Korean BBQ and you may catch a glimpse of famous Korean and Korean-American actors, singers, and celebs. This is our go-to spot for group meals in K-town!
Quarters KBBQ - A lively, modern take on Korean BBQ with an approachable, mix-and-match menu. The fun and party-vibe atmosphere, high-quality meats, and late-night hours make it a perfect spot for groups.
Wispa - Yes, Wi Spa is technically a Korean spa but they also offer delicious food in their restaurant. Their sullungtang (ox bone soup) is perfect for your post-spa experience. If you’ve never experienced a Korean spa, this is the one to try it out at. You can expect a 24 hour oasis where you can sweat it out in a sauna, relax in the hot baths, reset in the cold rooms and get massaged and scrubbed down. No crevice left unscrubbed.
Beverly Hills
If you're in the mood for luxury dining, shopping and people watching, Beverly Hills is the place to be. Enjoy celebrity-chef restaurants, world-class steakhouses, and chic rooftop lounges—perfect for a special night out or a glamorous lunch on Rodeo Drive.
Alfred Coffee** - For a coffee, I always love to stop here for the World Famous Iced Vanilla Latte or the Iced Lavendar Latte. Alfred Coffee has been LA’s neighbhorhood coffee shop for over 10 years and has locations now across the globe. There are multiple locations in Southern California and their matcha is noteworthy too!
Erewhon** - If $20 seems like a lot for a smoothie, you are correct. But, whenever I’m in LA - I always stop at Erewhon, sometimes just to browse all their high end food, meals and sea moss and sometimes to indulge and treat myself to the Haley Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin smoothie. Is this an outrageous price for a smoothie? Absolutely, but it’s worth it. Their hot food and salad bar offer up delicious, health-conscious and yes, expensive lunches.
Funke^ - Bringing up Evan Funke again here, unfortunately, we missed our reservation last time I was in LA. But, I’ve heard only the best things about his new Beverly Hills Italian hot spot. At this location, he focuses on rare Italian pasta shapes and the space features a beautiful rooftop bar.
Nozawa Bar^ - I love omakase. Nozawa Bar, tucked behind the Beverly Hills location of Sugarfish, offers an intimate yet fun and friendly omakase experience which has easily become one of my favorite omakase experiences. The menu is created daily where Chef Nozawa visits the LA fish markets to serve up the freshest slices of nigiri and sashimi.
République^ - Not technically in Beverly Hills but closeby in the Mid-Wilshire area, this stunning, French-inspired bakery and restaurant set in a historic space, known for its flaky croissants, decadent pastries, and impeccable brunches. By night, it transforms into a lively dining spot with beautifully plated dishes and a top-tier wine selection.
Saltie Girl** - Originally started in Boston, Saltie Girl is a tinned fish and seafood lover’s paradise. Their tinned fish menu will blow you away and also overwhelm you. I recommend a variety of tinned fish which is served with various accoutrements, fresh oysters (always), the lobster roll and their delicious salads. Also not technically in Beverly Hills but located in West Hollywood!
Sawtelle (Little Osaka)
This Westside gem is the go-to spot for incredible Japanese food, from top-tier ramen and sushi to trendy izakayas and matcha desserts. With its casual, walkable vibe, it’s the perfect place for an easy but seriously delicious meal.
Killer Noodle - The sister spot to the below ramen places specializes in tan tan ramen which is a combination of tantamen (dipping ramen) and spicy dan dan noodles of the Sichuan region. If you’re feeling courageous, ask for the six out of six spice level and be prepared to sweat.
Tsujita LA / Tsujita Annex - Both of these are right across the street from each other on Sawtelle, so it just depends on whether you’re in the mood for dipping ramen (Tsujita LA) or a bold, ultra-rich tonkotsu bowl (Tsujita Annex)! Expect long lines. My suggestion is to try Tsujita LA if you’ve never had tsukemen (dipping ramen) before!
Marugame Udon** - A popular spot that began in Hawaii, this chain serves up freshly made Sanuki udon, known for its thick, chewy noodles and rich broth. The fast-casual dining experience allows you to customize your bowl with a variety of toppings and tempura options, making it a perfect choice for a satisfying, quick meal.
Last Bites
Manhattan Beach Post - If you’re in Manhattan Beach this is definitely a place you should stop and eat at. I’ve been there multiple times and it’s good for brunch with large groups, a casual lunch or just to stop in and have a drink. I loved their cheddar biscuits and they have beautiful charcuterie boards. It’s the perfect pre-beach place to dine.
Sidecar Doughnuts - I am not a huge doughnut person, but I absolutely love the doughnuts at Sidecar. Go early to try the Basil Eggs Benedict doughnut. It is one of the best bites I’ve ever had. There are multiple locations so figure out which one works for you!