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Best Restaurants in Los Angeles

Best Restaurants in Los Angeles

Los Angeles California, USA Travel Guide

Culinary Overview

Cultural & Historical Context

Mexican/Latin Us-style food is deeply rooted, from historic places to eat to modern taco trucks.

The City of angels boasts a diverse Asian population, leading to incredible Korean, Japanese, Chinese, and Thai food scenes in ethnic enclaves. California Cuisine emphasizes fresh, local, fresh seasonal produce.

Dining Customs & Etiquette

  • Reservations: Recommended for mid-range to fine dining, especially weekends.
  • Tipping: Customary and expected (15-20% for good service).
  • Casual Dress: Most restaurants are casual, upscale places may have "smart casual".
  • Dietary Needs: Restaurants generally accommodate vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free.

Local Ingredients & Flavors

Fresh Produce

Abundant local fruits, vegetables, herbs. Avocados, citrus, berries, kale, artisan greens feature prominently.

Seafood

Fresh catches from the Pacific Ocean, including various fish, oysters, and crab.

Global Spices & Healthy Fats

Chiles, cilantro, cumin, soy, ginger, kimchi, curries. Olive oil and avocado oil are common.

Regional Culinary Variations

  • Koreatown: Authentic Korean BBQ, hot pot, soju bars.
  • Little Tokyo/Sawtelle Japantown: Excellent sushi, ramen, izakayas.
  • Chinatown/San Gabriel Valley: Diverse Chinese cuisines.
  • Boyle Heights/East LA: Traditional Mexican dishes like tacos, burritos, mole.

Must-Try Dishes

Signature Dishes

Street Tacos

Authentic Mexican tacos with various fillings (carne asada, al pastor) on small corn tortillas, cilantro and onion.

Find at taco trucks (Leo's Tacos Truck) or Grand Central Market.

Korean BBQ

Grilled meats (bulgogi, galbi) cooked at your table, served with banchan (small side dishes).

Abundant in Koreatown.

Ramen

Japanese noodle soup in various styles (tonkotsu, shoyu), from casual to omakase experiences.

Excellent ramen in Sawtelle Japantown and Little Tokyo.

Street Food & Beverages

  • Hot Dogs: Bacon-wrapped "Danger Dog" is a late-night staple.
  • Elotes (Mexican Street Corn): Grilled corn with mayonnaise, cheese, chili powder.
  • Craft Beer: Thriving craft brewery scene (Golden Road, Angel City Brewery).
  • California Wine: Excellent wines from nearby Temecula, Santa Barbara.

Iconic Snacks & Desserts

Doughnuts

Randy's Donuts (iconic giant doughnut sign) and many independent doughnut shops.

Ice Cream

Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, Salt & Straw, and local creameries with inventive flavors.

Dining Options

Fine Dining

Experience sophisticated cuisine and high-end service at high-end establishments across the city.

  • Bavel (Cultural District): Sophisticated Middle Eastern.
  • Providence (Melrose): Michelin-starred seafood.
  • Republique (La Brea): French and Californian in stunning setting.

Mid-Range Restaurants

Comfortable dining with a variety of culinary styles without extreme prices.

  • Gracias Madre (WeHo): Popular vegan Mexican cuisine.
  • Pizzeria Mozza (Hancock Park): Renowned Italian-inspired pies.
  • Sqirl (Silver Lake): Famous for inventive breakfast and brunch.

Budget & Street Food

Affordable, quick, and authentic dining, including renowned food trucks.

  • Taco Trucks: Highly rated trucks across the city (Mariscos Jalisco).
  • Grand Central Market (DTLA): Affordable selections like Eggslut.
  • Olvera Street: Historic Mexican marketplace with traditional food stalls.

Markets & Food Halls

Grand Central Market

Historic market (since 1917) with diverse food vendors in Downtown LA.

Offers a broad range of cuisines and price points.

Smorgasburg LA

Weekly outdoor food market (Sundays) in the Arts District, including local vendors.

A great place to discover new and innovative street food.

International Cuisine Hubs

Koreatown

Korean BBQ, hot pot

Little Tokyo

Sushi, ramen, izakayas

Chinatown

Diverse Chinese dishes

Thai Town

Northern Thai, Isaan cuisine

Special Dietary Considerations

Plant-Based & Allergen-Aware

  • Los Angeles is a main city for vegetarian and vegan dining globally.
  • Many dedicated vegan/vegetarian restaurants (Crossroads Kitchen, Cafe Gratitude).
  • Most mainstream restaurants offer clearly marked plant-based options.
  • Many restaurants are highly aware of gluten-free, dairy-free, and other widespread allergens.

Confirming Dietary Needs

Inform Your Server

Always clearly state any allergies or dietary restrictions to your server.

Restaurants are generally accommodating, but clear communication helps.

Dedicated Options

Dedicated gluten-free bakeries and restaurants are available throughout the city.

These provide safer options for severe allergies.

Halal & Kosher Options

Religious Dietary Provisions
Halal: Numerous restaurants/markets, especially near Anaheim.
Kosher: Concentrated in Pico-Robertson, La Brea, Fairfax District.
Halal markets found throughout Los Angeles.
Kosher markets and delis serve specific communities.
Dedicated Halal eateries are growing in number.
Kosher restaurants with diverse menus.
Digital Resources

Apps like HappyCow find vegan/vegetarian options. Find Me Gluten Free helps locate gluten-free choices.

  • Yelp and Google Maps reviews often mention dietary accommodations.
  • Online searches for specific dietary needs by neighborhood.
  • Restaurant websites for menu and allergen information.
Direct Communication

Directly call restaurants in advance to confirm their ability to accommodate specific needs.

This step is for serious allergies or less common dietary requirements.

Additional Resources

Accommodation & Travel
Vacation Rentals
Experiences & Tours

Culinary Experiences

Classes & Tours

Cooking Classes

Participate in classes at Sur La Table (The Grove) or The Gourmandise School (Santa Monica).

Hands-on learning | Local ingredients
Find Culinary Tours
Food Tours

Tours in Downtown LA (Grand Central Market), Hollywood, Koreatown, and The Historic center Pasadena.

Curated local specialties
Book a Food Tour
Farm & Market Visits

Weekly fresh markets in Santa Monica, Hollywood, and Larchmont Village for local produce.

Fresh California bounty

Festivals & Unique Concepts

  • Smorgasburg LA: Weekly Sunday food market in the Arts District with diverse vendors.
  • LA Food Bowl: Annual spring festival with culinary events, tastings, and discussions.
  • Omakase: High-end, chef-selected Japanese dining experiences.
  • Themed Restaurants: Clifton's Republic offers unique dining with a rich past.

Culinary Innovation

Celebrity Chef Restaurants

Many top chefs choose The City of angels for their establishments, enhancing the city's fine dining reputation.

Contribute to the city's diverse and high-quality food scene.

Gourmet Food Truck Movement

Los Angeles is a birthplace of the modern high-quality food truck movement, offering innovative and diverse cuisines.

Check social media for truck locations and specialties.

Culinary Hubs & Recommendations

Explore Neighborhoods

Visit Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Thai Town for authentic ethnic dining.

Research Menus

Check restaurant menus online for specials and dietary information.

Plan Ahead

Make reservations for popular spots, especially on weekends or for large groups.

Planning Your Culinary Journey

Los Angeles’s food scene is vast plus different.

  • Explore diverse neighborhoods for specific cuisines.
  • Check opening hours of restaurants and busy times.
  • Consider a food tour to sample multiple places.
  • Use food apps (Yelp, Google Maps) for ratings and reviews.
  • Stay hydrated, especially when exploring street food vendors outdoors.