When visiting Los Angeles there is no shortage of restaurants to visit. You can find pretty much any kind of food you like with tons of vegetarian, vegan, and healthy options. There are a ton of choices to add to your Los Angeles itinerary and many budget-friendly options. The following are some of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
Table of Contents
Arts District
Angel City Brewery
Cost: $
Hours: Wed-Thurs: 4pm-11pm, Fri: 4pm-2am, Sat: 12pm-2am, Sun: 12pm-11pm
Angel City Brewery is a classic hang-out in the arts district. This brewery has tons of seating and usually has a food truck or two you can grab food from. You can also opt to grab food from somewhere and bring it with you to eat here. Thus, Angel City Brewery makes for one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
Arts District Brewing Company
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 3pm-12am, Fri: 3pm-2am, Sat: 12pm-2am, Sun: 12pm-12am
The Arts District Brewing Company is a lesser-known brewery in the arts district. However, their beer is just as delicious as Angel City and they also serve some food here as well. They also have some fun games like skee ball in the back. It is a great place to chill with a group and one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
Downtown Los Angeles
Badmaash
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Sun: 5pm-10pm
Badmaash is an Indian food restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles. They have a lot of traditional Indian plates as well as some more modern dishes. Note that many of the dishes are spicy so make sure to pay attention to that detail when ordering.
Cabra Los Angeles
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 4pm-11pm, Fri: 3pm-12am, Sat: 10:30am-12am, Sun: 10:30am-11pm
Cabra is another fun place to eat in Downtown Los Angeles. This Peruvian restaurant has a lot of fun and unique dishes. It is especially good during restaurant week when they have a prix fixe menu that gives you a great sampling of dishes. My favorites included the avocado dip, chicken skewers, and the quinoa and beat salad.
Cielito Lindo
Cost: $
Hours: 10am-5pm
This superb Mexican food place is located on Olvera Street. It is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles because of its taquitos. They have been around since 1934 and it is only $3 for their beef taquitos in the avocado sauce.
Grand Central Market
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by Vendor
Grand Central Market is the perfect place to eat in Los Angeles if you have a large group or people who have different tastes. This market is made up of a variety of food vendors and shops. Some of my favorite places to eat include the following:
Eggslut: The perfect place to grab breakfast, especially if you like egg breakfast sandwiches.
Golden Road Brewery: A popular California brewery to grab a beer at. Make sure to try a Mango Cart!
Horse Thief BBQ: A Texas BBQ place with delicious BBQ options such as puller pork and brisket.
Olio Wood Fired Pizza: The perfect place to grab some fresh Neapolitan Pizzas.
PBJLA: Unique Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.
Nick and Stef’s
Cost: $$$
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Nick and Stef’s is a popular Los Angeles steakhouse. They have an awesome happy hour or you can choose to eat in their main restaurant where they offer a wide variety of steaks. Many of the steaks have been dry-aged in-house. Nick and Stef’s is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
Otium
Cost: $$$
Hours: Sun, Wed-Thurs: 5pm-9pm, Fri-Sat: 5pm-10pm
Otium is a unique contemporary New American restaurant right next to the Broad and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. They have amazing cocktails and tons of small plates to share. Their menu does change, so you can have a unique experience each time.
Philippe’s The Original
Cost: $
Hours: 6am-10pm
Philippe’s is popular because it is home of the original French Dip Sandwich. They have been in Los Angeles since 1908. You can opt to get different types of meats. They also do breakfast and some other deli items. It is a great place to eat before heading to a Lakers Game or something at the Crypto Arena.
Pitchoun
Cost: $-$$
Hours: Wed-Fri: 8am-2pm, Sat-Sun: 8am-3pm
Pitchoun is an amazing French bakery in Downtown Los Angeles. You can grab one of the yummy pastries or you can opt for a bit larger breakfast with things like crepes or quiches. They also have an awesome coffee and beverage selection. You can’t go wrong with anything that you get here.
Public School 213
Cost: $$
Hours: 11am-9pm
Public School is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles, especially for teachers. This school-themed gastropub has a school-inspired menu. This includes things like a PB&J Burger, Bacon Cheddar Tots, and Truffle Mac and Cheese. They also have fun cocktails. There are several locations around Los Angeles, but the Downtown and Culver City locations are the most convenient. Each one has a different number.
Spitz
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
There are a couple of Spitz locations around Los Angeles, but the most convenient is in Little Tokyo. They have delicious Mediterranean food and fun drinks. It is a great casual place to eat at and it is easy to split a meal here as well. They also have vegan and vegetarian options.
WoodSpoon
Cost: $$
Hours: Tues-Fri: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm, Sst: 1pm-10pm
WoodSpoon is a delicious Brazilian restaurant. Their food has African and Indian influences to it as well. I loved the potato croquettes and the chicken pot pie. It is a great place to eat in Los Angeles when visiting the Downtown area.
Hollywood
Beso Restaurant
Cost: $$$
Hours: Currently Closed
Beso is owned by Eva Longoria Parker and is located a few blocks from the Pantages Theater. It has some really delicious modern Mexican food. Make sure to get the guacamole. It is well worth the price!
Feast
Cost: $$
Hours: Currently Closed
Feast is a quick-service Mediterranean place conveniently located across from the Pantages theater. They have a variety of meat plates that include sides and various sauces to put on your entrees. This is a great place to grab a bite to eat before seeing a show at the Pantages.
Formosa Cafe
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thus: 5pm-12am, Fri: 5pm-1am, Sun: 11am-12am
Formosa Cafe is a gem hidden on the edge of West Hollywood. Formosa Cafe opened in 1939, and has had the pleasure of various stars popping in throughout the years. It is considered one of the best Chinese restaurants in Hollywood with tons of delicious dishes to share. The orange chicken and bao buns were very yummy.
Hollywood Burger
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 8am-8pm, Fri-Sun: 8am-9pm
Burgers are not normally my thing, but Hollywood Burger has some really delicious ones. They have a ton of options to choose from as well as various sides such as Tater Tots. This is also located right across from the Pantages which makes it another great quick place to grab food before a show.
Mama Shelter
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies depending on which level
Mama Shelter is home to one of the best rooftops in Hollywood. With picturesque views of the Hollywood sign from the rooftop bar, it is the perfect place for a casual meal. There is also a restaurant inside on the bottom floor with a more extensive menu. They always have a rotating selection of cocktails as well that are all delicious.
Madre
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Wed: 12pm-9pm, Thurs: 12pm-9:30pm, Fri: 12pm-10pm, Sat: 11am-10:30pm, Sun: 11am-9pm
Madre, located in West Hollywood is one of the fun Mexican places to eat in Los Angeles. They serve Oaxacan cuisine which includes Mole, tacos, and more. They are popular for their extensive list of Mexcals and make some delicious cocktails. It is a great place to stop by for happy hour after work as well.
Pink’s Hot Dogs
Cost: $
Hours: Sun-Thurs: 9:30am-11pm, Fri-Sat: 9:30am-1pm
Pink’s is the most popular hot dog place in Los Angeles. They have been around since 1939. It has a lot of unique hot dog options such as one with onion rings on it and a burrito dog. If hot dogs are not your thing, they also have hamburgers.
Silverlake
Silverlake Ramen
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
Silverlake Ramen is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles when you are craving ramen. This popular ramen restaurant has been open since 2012. They also have several locations across Los Angeles, but the original is in Silverlake.
Pine and Crane
Cost: $$
Hours: Wed-Mon: 12pm to 10pm, Closed Tuesdays
Favorite Dish: Dan Dan Noodles
Pine and Crane is a delicious Taiwanese small plates restaurant. Small plates basically means you order several dishes and it is served family-style as it is ready. I went to my first small plates restaurant in New Zealand and have been hooked on them ever since.
At Pine and Crane, you cannot go wrong with any of the dishes. Everything I have tried was mouthwatering. It is also very vegan and vegetarian-friendly. Head to Pine and Crane with a big group if you want to try a variety of dishes. Do not forget to get one of their delicious teas.
Other Places to Eat Around Los Angeles
Pasta Sisters
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
Pasta Sisters is a quick-service and casual Italian restaurant. They have amazing fresh pastas with housemade sauces. Everything is delicious and tasty! You can visit one of their two locations or sometimes they have a food truck around the city. No matter what you cannot go wrong with Pasta Sisters.
Del Taco
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
Del Taco is another California fast food chain. They serve Mexican-style food. What I love about Del Taco is that it is fast and cheap -perfect for when you are in a hurry. They also have some healthier and vegan options as well.
In N Out
Cost: $
Hours: Varies by location
In N Out is a classic American burger fast food joint. You cannot come to California without having In N Out at least once. It began in 1948 with a very small space in Baldwin Park. Since then, it has grown to over 350 locations in various states around the west coast of the United States. Make sure to get animal-style fries!
Lemonade
Cost: $-$$
Hours: Varies by location
Lemonade is the perfect place to visit for a light and healthy meal. They serve a variety of salads, sandwiches, and side dishes all focused on being light and healthy. I love getting their bowl with several sides such as the roasted broccoli and the tomato and avocado salad. Make sure to try one of their delicious lemonades with your meal! They always have fun flavors.
Porto’s Bakery
Cost: $-$$
Hours:
Porto’s Bakery has some of the best baked goods in Los Angeles. As well as being a traditional bakery in Los Angeles, Porto’s serves light bites to eat such as empanadas, potato balls, soups, and sandwiches. You will not be sorry if you stop by Porto’s and it is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
Tsubaki
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Sat: 5pm-10pm, Sun: 5pm-9pm
Tsubaki is a small plates Japanese restaurant in Echo Park. Their specialty is meat skewers (yakitori), but they also have other delicious Japanese plates as well. Make sure to get one of the Wagyu beef plates -you will not be sorry! Next door, they also have Ototo, a sake bar with a ton of different sakes to try.
Umami Burger
Cost: $$
Hours: Varies by location
Umami Burger is another popular California burger chain. There are several locations around Los Angeles, but they have a very nice one in the Arts District. They have a wide variety of burgers and sides. The truffle fries are a must-order when eating at Umami Burger. Sadly, Umami Burger is now only available at Los Angeles International Airport.
Best Bars in Los Angeles
Downtown
Broken Shaker
Cost: $
Hours: 12pm-12am
Broken Shaker is on the best rooftop bars in Los Angeles located at the top of the Freehand Hotel. They offer some unique cocktails and the views of DTLA are amazing. I also like that they have a lot of comfortable loungers and chairs to relax on.
Casey’s Irish Pub
Cost: $
Hours: 5pm-12am
Casey’s Irish Pub has a great laid back pub-feel vibe. They serve Irish food and have an extensive whiskey menu. This is the perfect place to go with a large group of friends.
Clifton’s
Cost: $
Hours: Varies
Built in 1935, Clifton’s is both a cafeteria and a bar, stretching for 5 levels. Each floor has an immersive theme, including one level containing taxidermy animals. It is said that Walt Disney used to spend time at Clifton’s and that is where he got the idea for a fully immersive experience for Disneyland. It is one of the best places to eat in Los Angeles.
The Edison
Cost: $
Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am-7pm
The Edison has a fancier feel to it, and it is known for having various types of absinth. It is located in a renovated power plant which to me, gives it a Great Gatsby feel to it. They sometimes have a burlesque show or live music.
Library Bar
Cost: $
Hours: Wed-Thus: 5pm-12am, Sat: 7pm-2am
The Library Bar is one of the smaller bars in Downtown Los Angeles. It has a library theme to it, with books all over the place. All of the cocktails are also named after famous books. This is a great place to go earlier in the evening before it gets too crowded.
Perch
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Wed: 4pm-1am, Thurs-Fri: 4pm-2am, Sat: 10am-3:30pm, 5pm-12am, Sun: 10am-3:30pm,5pm-2am
Perch is a popular brunch/lunch spot that also serves some awesome cocktails and French-style food. It has awesome views of DTLA and Pershing Square. On the weekends there is often live music. I recommend making a reservation if interested in eating here, especially on the weekends as it is one of the popular places to eat in Los Angeles.
Los Angeles has so many amazing restaurants to eat at. I love that you can find literally any type of food you would like. What do you think are some of the best places to eat in Los Angeles?
I miss Clifton’s That place is unlike any other. I haven’t driven by lately. Do you know what they’re doing with the space?
Google maps says temporarily closed so I’m going to hold out hope it comes back. It was an awesome place!