I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (2023)

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Alesandra Dubin

2022-09-27T10:15:00Z

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (1)

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  • Here are a local's favorite 10 places to eat and drink around town, from casual to fine-dining.
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As a longtime resident of Los Angeles, I've seen many — and I mean many — restaurants come and go. But locals know the spots that have stood the test of time, transcending fads and phases — including economic and pandemic circumstances — to earn and defend their reign as some of the best places to dine in town.

I've eaten at hundreds of restaurants in town through the course of work meetings, entertaining, date nights, special occasions, socializing with friends —and even as a longtime journalist on the local new-venue beat. I'm a vegetarian, but my husband and kids eat meat, so I have a range of favorite spots that pair well with every occasion and with any type of group.

From casual and carryout to upscale and special-occasion ready, these are my top picks for where to eat in LA, from Santa Monica to Downtown.

Meals by Genet

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (2)

Natasha Lee for Insider

I'm lucky to live just three blocks from the stretch of Fairfax known as Little Ethiopia. Many Ethiopian restaurants dot the short stretch of avenue, but my top choice, and what might be my favorite restaurant in LA, is Meals by Genet, from Ethiopian chef Genet Agonafer. The tofu tibs dish is ambrosia — and it's a dish not offered at any other neighborhood restaurant — as is the veggie combo. I recommend the tibs and the combo to share with your dining partner — each are generously sized portioned so you both can get a taste of everything.

In the wake of pandemic closures, Meals by Genet moved to a takeout-and-delivery model only, with the dining room available only for buyouts. I recommend taking your meal to a nearby park for a casual picnic — try Pan Pacific Park or La Cienega Park in the adjacent city of Beverly Hills, both within a quick drive or bike ride.

Sonoratown

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (3)

Natasha Lee for Insider.

Any guide to Los Angeles dining must necessarily include Mexican food — but the competition is steep. Among the standouts in my eyes is Sonoratown, with casual locations in both Downtown LA and Mid-City.

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Sonora-style tacos are the specialty, and come with avocado, salsa, pinto beans, and your choice of protein. Fellow vegetarians be warned: While there are plenty of veggie options here, the flour tortillas are made with lard.

Crossroads Kitchen

From Tal Ronnen, a big-name vegan chef, Crossroads Kitchen on Melrose is upscale and buzzy. The atmosphere is lively but the space is comfortable, with cozy booths, dark woods, and a sophisticated bar. With inspired menu that anyone can love, this place is hardly just for vegans.

It's my go-to special-occasion spot — I've celebrated many birthdays, anniversaries, and even a New Year's Eve at Crossroads. The must-try dish is the oysters, which are actually crispy oyster mushrooms served on an artichoke leaf "half shell." The presentation is a knockout.

Otium

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (4)

Natasha Lee for Insider

While Otium is a logical place to stop for a meal in combination with a visit to The Broad museum, Chef Timothy Hollingsworth's buzzy spot is a destination to itself, with a menu of sophisticated New American fare delivered in a relaxed environment.

The vibe here draws inspiration from the century-old olive trees planted in The Broad's plaza, by way of rustic cooking with wood fire and sustainable ingredients grown in the on-site garden.

E.P. & L.P.

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (5)

Natasha Lee for Insider

If the sun is shining in LA when it's freezing back home, make the most of your opportunity to eat alfresco at E.P. & L.P. Located at the intersection of Melrose and La Cienega in West Hollywood, the restaurant offers a celebration of American cuisine with European tinges, all with an emphasis on seasonality and California-grown produce.

Brunch fans take note: After seven years, the venue just started offering brunch this summer. The rooftop doesn't take reservations, so it's first-come, first-serve — if you can get in for brunch, don't skip the delicious avocado toast. And if you have some time before or after eating for window shopping, walk across the street to the brick-and-mortar outpost of the luxury-consignment platform The RealReal.

Dan Tana's

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (6)

Natasha Lee for Insider

This iconic Italian restaurant on Santa Monica Boulevard has been an city institution for more than 50 years. The pricey menu includes such dishes as "Veal Cutlet, Milanese, a la George Clooney" and "Chopped Salad a la Nicky Hilton" — so you can imagine the typical clientele at this old-school Hollywood hangout with a recognizable green awning.

The menu is huge, and in addition to meat and poultry dishes, there are plenty of fish, veggie, and pasta options — I almost always go for the eggplant parm.

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Shamshiri

Thanks to the influx of Iranian immigrants to LA after the revolution, you'll find no shortage of excellent Persian restaurants in the Westwood area —also known as Tehrangeles. Among them, Shamshiri Grill is one of my favorites and also a classic, operating since 1981.

As a vegetarian, I'm obsessed with the veggie fesenjoon, a rich walnut puree in pomegranate sauce that's equal parts sweet and tart. You can order a version of the dish with chicken, too. Here, portions are large and served with broiled tomato, rice, and mouth-watering bread.

Spire 73

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (7)

InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown

If you really want a view over the city, you can't beat Spire 73. Perched at the top of the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown on the 73rd floor, it's the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere.

The main attraction in this rooftop space is the views, but you'll also find fire pits, signature cocktails, a wide whiskey selection, and a seasonally rotating menu. I love a vodka cocktail, so I usually go with the appropriately named City View, which has vodka, lemon, cassis, raspberry, and sparkling wine.

Bestia

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (8)

Ren Fuller/Bestia

It's not the easiest to score a table at Bestia, but it's worth it. This Arts District Italian spot is a sophisticated space with industrial, hard-edge design features. Grab a coveted booth for your group with seats that appear to be levitating off the ground, or order your meal at the raw-copper bar.

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I don't eat meat, but I have it on good authority that the bone marrow topped with rosemary in a bowl of greens is the dish to beat for carnivores.

Grand Central Market

I've lived in Los Angeles almost my entire life — here are 10 of the best places where you should actually eat (9)

Shutterstock/TRMT Photography

This downtown food hall dates back more than a century to 1917. You might call it a microcosm of LA itself: Under this roof, you'll find food from every culture by way of restaurants, grocers, and other vendors. And just like the rest of LA, critics complain about its gentrification.

Get in line for a breakfast sandwich at Eggslut, slurp ramen from the all-vegan Ramen Hood, or score comfort Korean food at Shiku.

View Insider's comprehensive guide to visiting Los Angeles, California.

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FAQs

Where do the celebrities eat in LA? ›

Best Celebrity Sighting Restaurants in Los Angeles
  • 1/ Bestia. 2121 E. 7th Pl. ...
  • 2/ Capo. 1810 Ocean Ave. Santa Monica, CA 90401. ...
  • 3/ Catch. 8715 Melrose Ave. ...
  • 4/ Cecconi's. 8764 Melrose Ave. ...
  • 5/ Craig's. 8826 Melrose Ave. ...
  • 6/ Crossroads Kitchen. 8284 Melrose Ave. ...
  • 7/ Crustacean. 468 N. ...
  • 8/ CUT. 9500 Wilshire Blvd.

What food is California known for? ›

California produces almost all of the country's almonds, apricots, dates, figs, kiwi fruit, nectarines, olives, pistachios, prunes, and walnuts. It leads in the production of avocados, grapes, lemons, melons, peaches, plums, and strawberries.

What happens if you can't pay at a restaurant? ›

But depending on the restaurant's policy, there are a few possible outcomes. Some restaurants will ask you to leave if you can't pay. Others might let you stay and work off your bill. And still others might have a menu of payment options that include installment plans or working off your bill in exchange for services.

What dessert was invented in Los Angeles? ›

Hot Fudge Sundae

What dessert is LA known for? Well, this technically should be the answer. Clarence Clifton Brown invented the Hot Fudge Sundae when he poured fudge over ice cream in the 1920s at C.C. Brown's in downtown Los Angeles.

Which hotels do celebrities stay in Los Angeles? ›

Celebrity Hot Spot Hotels in Los Angeles
  • Chateau Marmont. West Hollywood, California, United States. ...
  • Sunset Marquis. ...
  • Viceroy L'Ermitage Beverly Hills. ...
  • Sunset Tower Hotel. ...
  • The Beverly Hills Hotel. ...
  • The Hollywood Roosevelt. ...
  • Beverly Wilshire Beverly Hills (A Four Seasons Hotel) ...
  • Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows.

Where do rich people eat in LA? ›

20 Places In LA Frequented By The Rich And Famous (Outside Of The Cliché Hollywood Spots)
  1. 1 Largo At The Coronet - Comedic Gold.
  2. 2 Nobu - Celebrities Everywhere. ...
  3. 3 Soho Malibu Beach House - Hello Malibu. ...
  4. 4 Joan's On Third - New York Style Deli. ...
  5. 5 The Melrose Trading Post - Vintage Finds. ...
2 Sept 2018

What mall do celebrities go to in LA? ›

Westfield Topanga & The Village

Both malls are frequented by celebs living in nearly Calabasas and Hidden Hills, such as the Kardashian/Jenner clan and Britney Spears who favor Go Greek, the second outpost of the original in Beverly Hills.

Can you refuse to pay for food in a restaurant? ›

It is a criminal offence on your part to go into a restaurant and order a meal with the intention of not paying for it.

What is it called when you leave a restaurant without paying? ›

Dining and dashing (also known as a “chew and screw” or “dine and ditch”) is when you eat (or drink) at a restaurant or bar and leave without paying the bill.

What to do when a customer walks out without paying? ›

Look, if your restaurant attempts to fire you specifically because you refuse to cover the cost of a walk out, you need to call The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor. They have a toll-free line for employees: 1-866-487-9243. Or you can find your local office on this page.

What is the state snack of California? ›

California. The Golden State unconventionally declared four different nuts as its official state food, but almonds are the obvious choice.

What fruit is native to California? ›

Pacific Blackberries, Rubus ursinus, are a significant native fruit. Raspberries are also native to parts of California. California also has native strawberries. Fregaria vescas, known as "Alpine Strawberries" or "Woodland Strawberries".

What food was invented in Los Angeles? ›

The demographics changed drastically in 1887, when hordes of Middle Westerners hopped on the train for Los Angeles, bringing with them their Middle Western tastes.
  • CALIFORNIA OYSTER COCKTAIL.
  • HOT FUDGE SUNDAE.
  • THE CHEESEBURGER. Image: Herman J. ...
  • THE FRENCH DIP.
  • THE CHILI BURGER.
  • THE SMOOTHIE.
  • THE COBB SALAD. ...
  • PASTRAMI BURGER.
15 Feb 2022

Does California have dessert? ›

The deserts in California are home to many natural features. The three distinctive deserts in California – the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Desert and the Great Basin Desert – have unique features that set them apart from other deserts in the world.

Is there a desert near Los Angeles? ›

With its convenient location off the Interstates, the first-time visitor can get a glimpse of the Mojave desert as they drive through southern California. Park information: Mojave National Preserve sits between Interstates 15 and 40, about 200 miles from Los Angeles.

What food is native to California? ›

Tribes living away from the ocean, such as the Cahuilla, traveled to the coast to fish and gather seafood and seaweed. California Indians ate many different plant foods; such as acorns, mushrooms, seaweed, and flowering plants. Seeds, berries, nuts, leaves, stems and roots were all parts of plants that were eaten.

What are the 5 foods that made California famous? ›

7 Foods and Drinks That Made California Famous
  • Sourdough Bread. Photo: JJava Designs/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cioppino. We all have that dish that scrapes together the last of the contents in the refrigerator, and for the Italian fisherman of San Francisco, that was cioppino. ...
  • Mission Burrito. ...
  • Mai Tai. ...
  • Fortune Cookie. ...
  • Rocky Road. ...
  • Martini.
2 Aug 2016

Where in LA do most celebrities live? ›

Celebrities can be found in every corner of the city, but when it comes to Beverly Hills, there are a few streets in particular where they can be found. All the big Hollywood tours know that some of the best celebrity homes are on Mulholland Drive, Alpine Drive, Bedford Drive, and Benedict Canyon.

Where do celebrities stay while in LA? ›

Hotels With Celebrity Connections: Where to Stay in WeHo, Los...
  • Andaz West Hollywood. ...
  • Sunset Marquis. ...
  • The London West Hollywood. ...
  • Chateau Marmont. ...
  • Mondrian Los Angeles. ...
  • Petit Ermitage. ...
  • Sunset Tower. ...
  • The Charlie.

Where do rich people stay in LA? ›

While Malibu, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are home to many of L.A. County's most expensive neighborhoods, you'll also find some of West Los Angeles proper's wealthy enclaves near the top of the list. Mansions abound in L.A.'s wealthy Westside neighborhoods.

What beach do rich people go to Los Angeles? ›

Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach is filled with expensive mansions because it's a beautiful place to live. The wide, sandy beach is well-maintained, and there are lifeguard stands every few hundred yards. It's close to other areas and attractions in Los Angeles for easy sightseeing and also has a vibrant downtown.

Where do wealthy men hang out in Los Angeles? ›

Bars That Are Cool For Finding Rich Men Near Me in Los Angeles, CA
  • All "bars that are cool for finding rich men" Results in Los Angeles, CA. Showing 1-60 of 1285.
  • Skybar. 3.8 mi. 762 reviews. ...
  • La Descarga. 2.2 mi. ...
  • Tower Bar. 3.7 mi. ...
  • Met Him At A Bar. 1.3 mi. ...
  • The Penthouse at Mastro's. 4.5 mi. ...
  • Beauty & Essex. 2.7 mi. ...
  • Seven Grand. 3.9 mi.

Do celebrities walk around LA? ›

Yeah, it happens fairly often. I've lived and worked in Hollywood/WeHo/Beverly Hills now for 10 years and while it's not like an every day thing - there're a lot of people here - it's usually in the most random circumstances you run into any celeb.

What beach do celebrities go to in California? ›

Laguna Beach has been home to many famous Hollywood stars over the years.

Where do influencers hang out in LA? ›

There is so much to eat, see, and do in LA, but there are some specific spots that instagrammers flock to. Some of the more touristy and obvious ones are the Hollywood Sign, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Hollywood Bowl, and The Getty Center, just to name a few. It makes perfect sense that they'd also be popular on instagram.

What is Los Angeles best known for? ›

Hollywood stars, the TV & movie industries, and gorgeous beaches all make LA a famous city and a popular vacation spot.

What foods originated in Los Angeles? ›

The demographics changed drastically in 1887, when hordes of Middle Westerners hopped on the train for Los Angeles, bringing with them their Middle Western tastes.
  • CALIFORNIA OYSTER COCKTAIL.
  • HOT FUDGE SUNDAE.
  • THE CHEESEBURGER. Image: Herman J. ...
  • THE FRENCH DIP.
  • THE CHILI BURGER.
  • THE SMOOTHIE.
  • THE COBB SALAD. ...
  • PASTRAMI BURGER.
15 Feb 2022

What are the 5 foods that made California famous? ›

7 Foods and Drinks That Made California Famous
  • Sourdough Bread. Photo: JJava Designs/Shutterstock. ...
  • Cioppino. We all have that dish that scrapes together the last of the contents in the refrigerator, and for the Italian fisherman of San Francisco, that was cioppino. ...
  • Mission Burrito. ...
  • Mai Tai. ...
  • Fortune Cookie. ...
  • Rocky Road. ...
  • Martini.
2 Aug 2016

Does LA have good food? ›

It's also one of the greatest places to eat in the country, not only for its endless varieties of cuisines, but also for its incredible fresh produce and talented chefs.

Why do people choose to live in Los Angeles? ›

Armed with greater flexibility and a deeper appreciation of home, more people are considering a move to Los Angeles. The city is known for its welcoming climate, inclusive culture, and rich history. It's no wonder that over 12 million people call the Greater Los Angeles area home.

What is the most popular food dish in the world? ›

Pizza is the topmost liked food in the world. Today you can find pizza in almost every corner of the world. This traditional Italian dish is made of flattened round dough topped with cheese, and tomatoes, and additionally garnished with basil, olives, and oregano.

What food is Las Vegas known for? ›

Top Vegas Dishes
  • Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass with Wok Vegetables. ...
  • Maine-Style Lobster Roll. ...
  • Cannoli. ...
  • Chicken 'N' Watermelon 'N' Waffles. ...
  • Banana Cream Pie. ...
  • Lasagna. ...
  • Top 10 Restaurants. ...
  • Top 10 Things to Do.

What food is native to California? ›

Tribes living away from the ocean, such as the Cahuilla, traveled to the coast to fish and gather seafood and seaweed. California Indians ate many different plant foods; such as acorns, mushrooms, seaweed, and flowering plants. Seeds, berries, nuts, leaves, stems and roots were all parts of plants that were eaten.

Why is Mexican food so popular in Los Angeles? ›

At the beginning of the 20th century, many Mexicans migrated North to California to work on the railway and in other mines. As more and more Mexicans moved across the border, they brought their culture and cuisine with them.

What snacks is California known for? ›

10 Foods the Rest of the Country Should Thank California For
  • Açaí bowls (San Francisco, CA) ...
  • Sprinkles Cupcakes (Beverly Hills, CA) ...
  • Almonds (Bakersfield, CA) ...
  • Fortune Cookies (San Francisco, CA) ...
  • Rocky Road Ice Cream (Oakland, CA) ...
  • Green Goddess Dressing (San Francisco, CA) ...
  • Sourdough Bread (San Francisco, CA)
28 Apr 2017

Is LA a foodie city? ›

A pioneer in California cuisine and fast-casual fare, the city excels at everything from street food to seafood to a vast array of cuisines from around the globe.

Is Los Angeles a foodie city? ›

Los Angeles is able to do what few other cities can – create a globally representative food scene that's as unique as it is accessible. The city's melting pot of cultures has made its penchant for fusion cuisine famous.

Who has the best food in the world? ›

  • Italy. #1 in Has great food. #14 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Mexico. #2 in Has great food. #33 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Spain. #3 in Has great food. #16 in Best Countries Overall. ...
  • Greece. #4 in Has great food. ...
  • Thailand. #5 in Has great food. ...
  • France. #6 in Has great food. ...
  • Turkey. #7 in Has great food. ...
  • India. #8 in Has great food.

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