6 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

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.

In fast-paced Century City, this quaint restaurant pays homage to comfort food classics. Look for chicken potpie, macaroni and cheese, roast beef sandwiches, and a slew of hearty salads. A great breakfast or lunch detour as you make your way to the beaches, Clementine has a bakery case that's filled to the brim with slices of banana bread with cream-cheese frosting, oatmeal raisin cookies, and freshly made cinnamon rolls (Saturday only).

By blending geometrical shapes and horizontal lines together in an airy place with big windows, Dinosaur Coffee has utilized its space well, bringing a touch of the new into a section of Silver Lake that feels a little old. Yet it’s more than just the interiors that draw people in—the coffee is excellent, as are the pastries. In a neighborhood where independent coffee shops are a dime a dozen, that’s saying a lot.

At first glance, TeaPop may seem to be doing too many things at once, but this tea-centric café, with its art gallery–slash–industrial modern interior and picturesque patio, is a perfect spot to not only study or take a breather, but also to catch pop-up events like comedy nights and workshops. Don’t let the hipster vibes turn you off—the service is fantastic and the drinks delicious.

Stop at this two-story locals' favorite for coffee and pastries, or choose from a long list of sandwiches for something more substantial. Sit out front and watch the crowds drifting in off the beach, or get cozy upstairs in one of the comfortable reading chairs.

Most cafés treat tea as an afterthought, but at Valerie Confections, it’s the main event. Different varieties of tea take over half the menu and many of the morsels advertised only serve to complement the tea. The desserts, though, are the unique kind that only a celebrated chocolatier like co-owner Valerie Gordon could produce. Even those who don't enjoy tea may find themselves perfectly delighted.