My never ending Los Angeles Restaurant (and bar) list:
Overwhelmed? Here’s the cliff’s notes verison of my favorite places in L.A.
Some of my favorite things to do in LA:
Hollywood Farmer’s Market - best in the city. Oysters for breakfast and tons of other great food stalls (not to mention the best produce!)
Hollywood Bowl - the best outdoor music venue // heaven on earth. Arrive before doors, bring a picnic and wine.
Echo Park Lake. - bring a picnic and rent a swan boat
Silver Lake Stairs tour - a fun way to walk around Silver Lake and explore the city on foot
The Broad Museum - mostly modern art // beautiful architecture. Don’t miss the Walt Disney Concert Hall next door!
Greek Theatre - my second favorite outdoor venue.
Griffith Observatory - Gorgeous views of LA if you don’t want to do a full hike.
Rose Bowl Flea Market - every 2nd Tuesday of the month. Worth the early morning for vintage and furniture/home goods.
Smorgasburg - every Sunday - massive open air market in DTLA
Cinespia - a movie in the cemetery sounds scary but I promise it’s magical. Get there EARLY and BYOB/Picnic.
Restaurant/Bars:
Hollywood/Mid-City
Kuya Lord - James Beard Award Winning Chef - Filipino food. Get the lechon and don’t look back.
Angelini Osteria: incredible/authentic actual Italian food.
Petit Trois: tiny + cute + delicious French restaurant by Ludo Lefebvre.
Jon + Vinny’s: amazing (American) Italian - don’t skip on the spicy fusilli. Need a reservation.
Osteria/Pizzeria Mozza: Italian / Pizza - an LA destination
Canter’s Deli - old school Jewish deli. My fave matzo ball soup in LA.
Night Market - incredible authentic thai on the Sunset Strip
Pa Ord Noodle - Thai Noodles - there’s a reason why there are 2 locations within 5 mins of each other.
Beverly Hills:
Sushi Tama: chef from Tsukiji Market in Tokyo - 10 piece nigiri lunch special $30
Catch LA - beautiful rooftop + seafood heaven; celeb haunt
The Rooftop by JG at Waldorf Astoria - incredible 180 views of LA. Get the french fries with caviar - you’re in BH after all!
Silverlake/Los Feliz
Found Oyster - one of my favorites in LA - incredible seafood. Order the whole menu.
Saffy’s - Mediterranean. Bestia’s sister restaurant - does not disappoint.
Home State - Tex Mex Breakfast Tacos, just like in Austin. Don’t forget the queso!
Night Market Song - Thai - authentic Thai food - there’s always a wait but it’s worth it. If it says it’s spicy they mean it.
Bar Stella - fancy cocktail bar with a patio. the C Arthur is the best cocktail in LA!
Tiki Ti - an incredible tiki bar that’s been here since the 60s. Get the Ooga Booga!
Voodoo Vin - neighborhood wine bar with delicious small plates
Courage Bagels - worth the hour+ wait for Montreal style bagels
Bacari (several locations) - bottomless brunch. this location is a gorgeous tree filled backyard.
Koreatown
Here’s Looking at You (menu) - a neighborhood gem, globally influenced and unique dishes with incredible cocktails.
Kyochon - incredible Korean fried chicken - casual
Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong - incredible Korean BBQ - you’ll smell like meat after and it’ll be worth it!
Guelaguetza - Mexican - Oaxacan food to be specific. If you like mole go here!
The Prince - this is the bar in New Girl among a million other movies/shows - great Korean fried chicken or you can just grab a drink.
HMS Bounty - solid old school dive bar, nautical themed (obviously!)
DTLA
Bestia - best Italian in LA - try sitting at the bar if you can’t get a resy or just show up when they open.
San Laurel - Jose Andres’ rooftop restaurant at The Conrad Hotel. Every. Single. Dish. Is. Incredible.
Hama Sushi - tiny hole in the wall mostly sushi bar only spot. They don’t have rolls and there’s a sign on the door that says so.
Daikokuya - amazing ramen. There’s usually a wait but promise it’s worth it.
Ace Hotel - rooftop bar open during the day - great views
The Varnish - my other favorite bar in LA. It’s inside Cole’s restaurant, just go into the restaurant and walk straight to the back unmarked door.
Grand Central Market - grab a bottle of wine from one of the many vendors and enjoy a cornucopia of foods!
Broad Street Oyster Co
Fat & Flour - the key lime pie is out of this world
China Cafe - Chinese food that’s been there since 1959. Get the wonton soup!
Malibu
Nobu Malibu - beautiful views on the water. get the omakase and thank me later!
Broad Street Oyster Co - incredible lobster rolls, oysters and other seafood. Order online before you head over.