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Los Angeles’ restaurant selection ranges from the obscure Hollywood hole in the wall to the high-traffic Rodeo Drive sidewalk cafe. Here you can find some of the more locally frequented Los Angeles restaurants, including dinner spots, lunch cafes, and maybe a few places for late night face stuffing. More will be added in the coming months, but for now, browse through some of our favorites and see what grabs your attention.
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American
Hamburger Mary’s8288 Santa Monica Blvd (map) |
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| Urban-chic bar food And if you think that is weird Walk into the loo |
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California
California Chicken Cafe6805 Melrose Ave (map) |
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This place is a regular stop for health-conscious Los Angelenos who like to eat a ton without feeling full and heavy (as well as police officers on break, for some reason). The low-cal Caesar salad and the California Chicken Salad with Balsamic dressing are our pegs, and the Chinese chicken salad is one of their flagships. Parking in the area is incredibly hard, so get used to staking out in the parking lot.
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The haiku version: Chicken salads of So many varieties It’s clucking awesome |
Caribbean
Cha Cha Chicken1906 Ocean Ave (map) |
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Located on a small corner near the Santa Monica beach, Cha Cha Chicken is like a tiny urban oasis. Its brightly painted, ramshackle patio setup is hidden from the street by tropical foliage whose planting can best be described as cattywampus, and the Legoland-island vibe is completed by thatch shade umbrellas and sprouting ferns. It kind of resembles how a Jamaican backyard cookout might feel, minus the reggae. The food, by the way, is deceptively amazing. We recommend anything featuring jerk chicken, especially the enchiladas. Or just ask for a suggestion from the helpful guy at the counter.
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The haiku version: Roasted plantains and Enchiladas introduce Jerk sauce to your life |
Fusion
Buddha’s Belly7475 Beverly Blvd (map) Santa Monica: (310) 458-2500 |
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Buddha’s belly makes exquisite eastern cuisine accessible to the working crowd, providing unique, carefully planned dishes without charging you into a second mortgage. The clean, modern and slightly upscale atmosphere hints at exorbitant prices, which thankfully don’t make an appearance on the menu. Exotic entrees include oriental-themed steaks, seafood and salads, as well as creative appetizers and affordable drinks. That, combined with the genuine, friendly service, creates a singular dining experience you can’t find much of in LA. Go with the ahi tuna burger (with sweet potato fries) and have a lychee martini while you’re waiting.
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The haiku version: Fine eastern cuisine But still south of your budget Asian with a ‘tude |
Mexican
Don Antonio’s11755 W Pico Blvd (map) |
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Listen closely: Get the fajitas. Beef, chicken or shrimp, it doesn’t matter (ok, the beef’s the best). The fajitas are the best thing about Don Antonio’s, followed closely by the margaritas and the chips, both of which come out nice and toasty. The food isn’t the only inviting thing about this restaurant, though – the dark, richly decorated atmosphere and the ivy-lined back patio make it a fun place for friends, or a romantic hideaway for a date. Try to get a seat in the cave, and check out the huge tropical aquarium on your way out.
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The haiku version: Fajitas go well With famous margaritas Try them in the cave |
Pink Taco10250 Santa Monica Blvd. #220 (map) |
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Crazy delicious Mexican food combines with a décor that could be described as voodoo-psycho-low rider in this savvy restaurant-bar, located on the second level of the Century City shopping area. Diners can stare at stylized statuettes of the Virgin Mary while consuming nachos and burritos under huge, golden piñata-like stars. The menu covers the standard fare with style, adding interesting touches like their pickled pink onions, jalapeno mayo and brandy chipotle cream sauce. You can order from nine specialty margaritas and a host of other cocktails, plus whatever secret creations doubtless exist off the menu. The outdoor patio can seat your large party, and the service is more on top of things than Cheech at a sorority function. Ask for Jake, he’s the bomb.
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The haiku version: Nachos and tacos That know how to kick your ass Macarena-style |
El Compadre7408 W Sunset Blvd (map) |
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With its prime location on Sunset just west of La Brea, El Compadre is a fun neighborhood place to grab a burrito, enchiladas, or some chips and guacamole with friends, family or a date. Part of the place’s appeal is the old Mexican atmosphere, complete with red vinyl, dark wood and the mariachi band that plays nightly at 8 p.m. Plus, the bar is well-stocked, and the margaritas are everything they’re touted to be. Expect a 20-minute wait if it’s busy, or go for the slightly cramped bar seating.
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The haiku version: Neighborhood haunt with Old Mexi atmosphere and Mariachi band |
Pizza
Damiano Mr. Pizza (aka Damiano’s)412 N Fairfax Ave (map) |
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The late night pizza crowd is especially familiar with this by-the-slice establishment, which stays open until 4 a.m. on weekend nights. Unlike other late-night pizza joints, this one has real tables, and even a friendly, patient wait staff to take your order. The menu contains possibly every pizza topping known to man, and they don’t skimp on the slice size, or the ranch and marinara. The nice, big chunks of garlic bread will also help you soak up that alcohol.
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The haiku version: Order your pizza Any way you can think of At, like, 4 a.m. |
South American
Bossa Nova7181 W Sunset Blvd (map) |
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Bossa Nova, which is the Portuguese phrase for “new trend” (and also the surfer expression for “awesome”) is a small Brazilian place just west of Sunset and La Brea. Their menu is an odd mix of South American and Italian dishes, sometimes combined on the same plate. This results in tasty, unusual dishes like the Chicken Brochette, which featured deep-fried, bacon-wrapped chicken (or shrimp) in a gorgonzola cheese sauce, with a side of Italian bread. Whatever they’re doing, it’s popular, because you can usually expect a 15-20 minute wait for a table during the dinner rush. But it’s worth it for the gnocchi, and what is definitely one of the best Caesar salads in Hollywood.
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The haiku version: Brazilian spicy Meets Italian savory In L.A. crazy |
Sushi
Takami811 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2100 (map) |
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Located on the 21st floor of a downtown high rise, Takami is one of the most elegant, unique Los Angeles sushi restaurants you don’t have to mortgage anything to try. The expansive dining area wraps around three sides of the building’s penthouse, including a glass-walled, partially open outer area where diners can absorb close-up city views, and an inner dining area for those who get cold more easily. The dinner menu has its unique selection of rolls, flavorful entrees, and one of the best examples of spicy tuna on crispy rice the city has to offer. Strange creations like the poki martini (spicy tuna and accompanying garnishes in a martini glass) add some originality. The restaurant also shares the floor with the Elevate Lounge, for after-dinner partying.
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The haiku version: Sushi debonair In a classy, urban space High above L.A. |
Yamashiro1999 N Sycamore Ave (map) |
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Originally built in 1914 as a private estate and later converted into one of Los Angeles’ favorite sushi restaurants, Yamashiro’s history is as diverse as its menu. Located on a hillside overlooking all of Hollywood, the restaurant offers far-flung views of the city from its glassed-in front porch area, plus elegant garden surroundings for diners in its inner courtyard. Menu-wise, the chefs use mango, macadamia nuts, coconut, mushrooms and other unusual sushi ingredients to create light, flavorful rolls, appetizers and entrees. We recommend the Hawaii Five-O, a yellowtail roll with a mango twist, or one of the flavorful fish entrees for a light, classy dining experience. Parking is valet-only, so come prepared.
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The haiku version: Japanese cuisine Elegantly served in a Japanese palace |
Sushi Dan8000 W Sunset Blvd #131A (map) |
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A favorite of the Hollywood locals, Sushi Dan (motto: “Rockin’ Sushi”) offers a mysterious and elegant atmosphere with inventive rolls and tasty appetizers you can actually afford. The sheltered outside patio provides a view of the colosseum-like shopping center it inhabits, and the staff is fun, quick and courteous. The place’s rock and roll calling card is mostly reflected in the names of the rolls, but your taste buds will probably do a little air guitar anyway. Best appetizer: the yammi crunchy, which is a mound of tuna, tomatoes and herbs on a fried wonton. Best dessert: the green tea tempura ice cream. Rock.
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The haiku version: Rockin’ service and Rockin’ rolls are headlined by The Yammi Crunchy |
Niko Niko Sushi1755 N Vermont Ave (map) West Hollywood: (323) 654-6200 |
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This might look like a cheap sushi place – and it is, technically – but Niko Niko isn’t messing around when it comes to sweet, unique combinations of flavors. They’re liberal with the eel sauce and spicy mayo, they’re willing to add avocado to anything (which is a huge point in our book), and a handful of rolls feature delicious, delicious mango. Also unique to them is butterfish – aka ono, or white tuna. Just get a couple sushi slices of that and you’ll be happy.
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The haiku version: Los Feliz sushi Is like heaven for a dime And they have ono |
Thai
California Vegan7300 W Sunset Blvd #A (map) |
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California Vegan is a Thai restaurant done in signature Hollywood vegan style. Convincing slices of soy chicken and soy beef are used to create California-savvy versions of dishes like kung pao, pad Thai, spring rolls and red, green and yellow Thai curry. The quality of the food is on par with any similar-sized traditional Thai restaurant, and the order processing time is ridiculously fast. Free delivery makes them a weeknight go-to.
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The haiku version: Thai in a new way: Soy replaces beef and bird Flavor stays the same |
