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$$$ | Beverly–La Brea |
With a buzzy indoor dining room and ample outdoor seating, this is one of L.A.'s most celebrated Italian restaurants. The keys are chef-owner Gino Angelini's consistently impressive dishes, like whole branzino, tagliolini al limone, veal chop alla Milanese, as well as lasagna oozing with besciamella (Italian béchamel sauce). An intelligent selection of mostly Italian wines complements the menu.
7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90036, USA
Known For
- Large Italian wine selection
- Bold flavors
- Savory pastas
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$ | |
Though it’s a relative newcomer to the dining scene, Bacetti instantly established itself as one of L.A.’s best Italian restaurants, serving Roman-inspired dishes with a California twist in a stylish, sprawling, wood-framed dining room and patio. This farm-driven, Roman trattoria--inspired spot, tucked in Echo Park’s intimate commercial strip in the midst of a quiet residential neighborhood, is worth a trip, if only for the Focaccia Ebraica, which has gained a little cult following. Salads here are a revelation, as are the antipasti, pastas, and desserts.
1509 Echo Park Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Focaccia Ebraica
- Stylish setting
- Italian wines
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$$$$ | Brentwood |
The chicest and buzziest nighttime spot in the neighborhood, Baltaire attracts both well-heeled Brentwood denizens on dressed-up dates and single sippers looking for late-night rendezvous. The meat-heavy menu features giant slabs of porterhouse steaks as well as special A5 Wagyu straight from Japan. Rounding out the treats is a full raw bar, caviar selection, and a one-of-a-kind cocktail program. There's lunch on weekdays only, and live music on Thursdays and Fridays.
11647 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90049, USA
Known For
- Sizzling steaks
- Buzzing bar scene
- Classic cocktails
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekends
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$$$$ | Downtown |
Fans of Bestia have been lining up for stellar Mediterranean cuisine at this Arts District hot spot, which is owned by the same restaurateurs. Rose-gold stools give way to marble tabletops as the open kitchen bangs out hummus and baba ghanoush spreads, along with flatbreads and lamb-neck shawarma. The vibe is lively, the staff is chill, the patio is a scene, and the food is out of this world. Reserve early, as this place gets filled fast.
500 Mateo St., Los Angeles, California, 90013, USA
Known For
- Delicious Mediterranean cuisine
- Reservations recommended
- Great vibes
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$ | Downtown |
There’s a fight in Los Angeles over who created the French dip sandwich. The first contender is Cole’s, whose sign on the door says it's the originator of the salty, juicy, melt-in-your-mouth meats. The restaurant opened in 1908 and today is still going strong with dark lighting, delicious sandwiches, and a secret speakeasy called the Varnish hidden in the back. The men’s room nods to the famous clientele of the past with plaques over the urinals notifying bathroom goers that Charles Bukowski and Mickey Cohen both "pissed here.”
118 E. 6th St., Los Angeles, California, 90014, USA
Known For
- Historic L.A. dining
- One of the top contenders for best French dip sandwich in the country
- Secret speakeasy in back
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Recommended Fodor’s Video
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$$ | 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
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$ | 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.
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$ | Hollywood |
Are you even in L.A. if you haven't had a smashburger yet? Usurping all other burgers and burger joints, For the Win has become a power player on the burger scene in L.A., growing from this unassuming location in a strip mall in Hollywood to a collection of storefronts throughout the region. Seasoned beef patties are stuffed with onions and cheese, thrown on the hot plate then served on a perfect bun, customized with bacon, stacked to be a double or a triple (and why not), and then drizzled in homemade sauce. Simple recipe for success here: no-fuss focus on quality ingredients, flavor, and delivery. The fried chicken sandwich is also a winner.
6221 Franklin Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
Known For
- Smashburger
- House-made sauce
- Recognized as one of the best burgers in L.A.
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$$ | Venice |
Walk through the rustic wooden door and into a softly lit dining room with long communal tables and a lively crowd; come later in the night and the place heats up with an enthusiastic post-pub crowd lured by the seasonal menu and outstanding small plates, charcuterie, pastas, and pizza. Begin with a pizza made with house-made chorizo, grilled pear with burrata and prosciutto, or Snow Island oysters. For the main course, options include saffron spaghetti and pork belly with Oaxacan grits. Typically boisterous, the patio is a great hang-out spot and a gem for a Sunday brunch.
1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90291, USA
Known For
- Lively crowd on the patio
- Late-night menu
- Michelin-recommended restaurant
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | |
Legendary Italian chef Massimo Bottura opened this spot, his first L.A. eatery, to loads of fanfare and celebrity sightings. The restaurant mirrors the Florence, Italy, location of the same name with a menu filled with favorites like a mouthwatering tortellini with Parmigiano Reggiano crema. The locale sits atop the roof of the Gucci retail outlet on Rodeo Drive with prime positioning for watching the high-end shoppers and glitzy denizens of the neighborhood.
347 N. Rodeo Dr., Beverly Hills, California, 90210, USA
Known For
- Excellent pastas
- Great people-watching
- Avant-garde design
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$ | |
Family-owned Guisados has achieved cult status in L.A. with locations throughout the city (DTLA, Boyle Heights, WeHo) to accommodate its popularity. This Echo Park spot is worshipped and well supported locally for Nana’s slow-cooked stew recipes, cooked to perfection for five to six hours and slapped on house-grilled tortillas. Since this is L.A., there are vegan and vegetarian options as well, but the bestsellers include the steak picado, chicken tinga, and chorizo quesadilla. All tacos are delicious, so you may want to get a sampler to try a variety. Chase your picks with made-daily agua frescas like the summer-perfect Armando Palmero.
1261 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90026, USA
Known For
- Cult favorite
- Breakfast tacos
- Tacos with slow-cooked meats
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$$$$ | Hollywood |
Heaven for carnivores, this upscale European-style butcher shop and fine-dining restaurant serves wood-fire-cooked meats in a copper-and-marble art deco setting. From Australian celeb-chef Curtis Stone and his brother, Luke, and named for their grandmother, Gwen's butcher shop serves up quality cuts of humanely raised meats to locals during the day, while the elegant dining space within view of the glass-enclosed dry-age rooms, charcuterie curing, and roaring firepit elevates the smoking, searing, and roasting of those quality meats to an art form by night. The focus is obviously meat here but the seasonal sides, cocktails, desserts, and Australian coffees are superior, too.
6600 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90028, USA
Known For
- House-made charcuterie
- Wood-fire grilled steaks
- Strong cocktails and good wine list
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$$ | Koreatown |
Hawaiian and Asian-inspired dishes can be found on this menu featuring veggie, meat, poultry, and seafood. The environment is eclectic, as is the food, with signature dishes like frogs' legs with salsa negra and blue crab tostadas with yuzu kosho. There’s also an exceptional cocktail program; if you’re lucky enough to sit at the bar, order a slice of pie.
3901 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, California, 90020, USA
Known For
- Friendly atmosphere
- Exceptional cocktails
- Inventive dishes
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and Wed.
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$ | 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)
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$$$ | Koreatown |
Nestled into a dingy strip mall, this Korean powerhouse is given away by the lines of locals waiting outside. Once inside, scents of grilled meats and kimchi immediately fill your nostrils, and soon enough, your table will be littered with sides, kalbi beef, dolsot bibimbap, wang bosam (cabbage wraps with boiled pork), and tall bottles of Hite beer. A buzzer at the table allows you to alert the waiter for when you’re done, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the bill.
698 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, California, 90005, USA
Known For
- Perfect kalbi beef
- Long lines
- Cheap eats
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$$$$ | Downtown |
You would never just stumble upon this out-of-the-way spot in Chinatown, but world-famous celeb chef David Chang likes it that way. The beautifully designed minimal spot with spacious patio, an exposed-duct ceiling, and elongated wood bar has a cuisine style that defies any singular category. Can't-miss dishes include the mac and chickpea, the crispy pork belly, and the whole plate short rib with beef and rice—a dish you'll dream about for years. Reservations are hard to come by, but the bar is first come, first served, and a great way to sample the unique menu.
1725 Naud St., Los Angeles, California, 90012, USA
Known For
- Chuck short rib
- Rice-based drinks
- Hard-to-get reservations (try to eat at the bar)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues.
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$$ | 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.
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$$$$ | Santa Monica |
It's a gem tucked within a treasure box: hidden within Citrin, a one-Michelin-star restaurant, is Mélisse, a two-Michelin-star restaurant. Chef-owner Josiah Citrin entrusts chef de cuisine Ian Scaramuzza to blend his modern French cooking with seasonal California produce at this Santa Monica institution. On any given night, the rotating,18-course tasting menu might feature Santa Barbara uni cromesquis, Kagoshima A5 Wagyu beef or a crab sabayon. The cheese cart is packed with domestic and European selections, and the dining room is contemporary yet elegant, with well-spaced tables and fine china.
The tasting menu can be tailored for vegetarian diners.
1104 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 90401, USA
Known For
- The epitome of freshness and inventiveness
- Only 14 seats
- Contemporary and elegant decor
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun.--Tues. No lunch, Reservations essential
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$ | North Hollywood |
Mofongo’s small storefront represents one of the best and only venues to get authentic Puerto Rican food in L.A. Stop by and try the namesake dish (a delectable mash of fried plantains), but stay for the pasteles (cakes) and rellenos de papa (stuffed potatoes). For those familiar with Puerto Rico, you'll find yourself lost in nostalgia here; for those who have not yet gone, you'll be ready to pack your bags before you even have time to digest.
5757 Lankershim Blvd., Los Angeles, California, 91601, USA
Known For
- Mofongo de Pollo Guisado (fried mashed plantains with chicken stew)
- Hard-to-find Puerto Rican food
- Flan de queso (cream cheese flan)
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$$$ | 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
