28 Best Restaurants in Los Feliz and the Eastside, Los Angeles

Not far from the hubbub of Highland Park lies Eastside’s Bub & Grandma’s, an early-morning American diner complete with cushy booths and a wrap-around bar. It’s a perfect spot to start the day after a walk through Glassell Park; order the egg cheese sandwich with a cup of coffee and a doughnut for the road. For lunch, Bub & Grandma’s switches its menu to a variety of heavenly sandwiches and deli sides. Arrive early to beat the rush and be sure to try their classic sesame loaf bread to see why it is the bread of choice for many other restaurants throughout the city.

This music-influenced doughnut shop has been credited for enlivening York Boulevard with fun vegan inventions. Donut Friend has evolved into a destination in its own right, touting both a signature and limited menu of purely vegan doughnuts inspired by the pop punk and emo music scene.

Family-owned Guisados has achieved cult status in L.A. with locations throughout the city (Downtown, Boyle Heights, West Hollywood) to accommodate its popularity. This Echo Park spot is worshipped and well supported locally for Nana’s slow-cooked stew recipes, cooked to perfection for five to six hours and slapped on house-grilled tortillas. Since this is L.A., there are vegan and vegetarian options as well, but the bestsellers include the steak picado, chicken tinga, and chorizo quesadilla. All tacos are delicious, so you may want to get a sampler to try a variety. Chase your picks with made-daily agua frescas like the summer-perfect Armando Palmero. 

The award-winning Knowrealitypie, tucked away in a strip mall in Eagle Rock, is the passion project of Tracy Ann DeVore. Devoted to its artisanal touch, the pie shop is only open from Thursday through Saturday until it sells out (it often does). Indulge in its rotating menu of seasonal savories and sweet pies, turnovers, and other pastries in innovative flavors such as triple berry cabernet, summer peach macaroon, and caramel apple pecan.

There are a lot of Thai restaurants in Los Angeles, but none have quite reached the level of cult status of Night + Market Song. Its flavorful (and properly spicy) Thai dishes are practically mandatory when you’re in the neighborhood. Tucked between a free clinic, a small clothing store, and a tax office, this second rendition of chef Kris Yenbamroong’s popular WeHo restaurant is hard to miss with its pink exterior.

Azizam is introducing Silver Lake to a casual way to enjoy comforting stews, punchy yogurt dips, and many other seasonal dishes that are often found in the comfort of an Iranian home. The all-day café is ideal for a quiet, leisurely lunch with a book or a friend. Standout items include Maman’s fried potatoes and the savory-and-sweet kofteh tabrizi, a beef and rice dish that socks up the savory tomato broth that collects at the bottom of the plate.

If sandwich-making was an art form, Bodega Park is a culinary gallery. The Korean-owned café has made a buzz in Silver Lake for its ingenious offerings such as their Peruvian chicken breakfast burritos and juicy pork bulgogi rolls. Bodega Park knows how to keep it light as well: the minimalist environment also makes for a great space to meet a friend over a cup of hot nurunji latte.

Opened by local Christie Lujan in 2009, CaCao Mexicatessen was one of the first places in town to showcase the creative potential of the street-style taco, offering options such as sea urchin and pork crackling as fillings. With handmade tortillas and a serious commitment to the flavors of Mexico, CaCao has embedded itself as one of the go-to places for Mexican food in Northeast L.A.

Available only during the day, this coffee shop shares its beautiful, green space with Tenants of the Trees, a popular nighttime destination for weekend revelers. In the warm Los Angeles sun, Cafe Nido stuns visitors with its charming patio that evokes the tree-lined streets of Roma Norte. Enjoy simple sandwiches and crisp iced teas while escaping into a book. Cafe Nido is a perfect getaway spot for a weekday afternoon.

Started by former music producer and Donut Friend creator Mark Trombino, Creamo is to Silver Lake ice cream as In-N-Out is to burgers. Everything is vegan in the shop; nonetheless, non-vegans will love its 16 soy-based flavors, many of which are named after pop-punk and emo bands. Crowd-favorites stay year-round, but two to three flavors rotate seasonally in addition to a new flavor every season. Not an ice cream fan? Vegan shakes like the Paramoreo, named after Paramore, might just change your life.

By blending geometrical shapes and horizontal lines in an airy place with big windows, Dinosaur Coffee has utilized its space well, bringing a touch of modern into an older section of Silver Lake. Yet it’s more than just the interiors that draw people in—the coffee is excellent, as are the pastries. And in a neighborhood where independent coffee shops are a dime a dozen, that’s saying a lot.

Simple, small, and understated, the best falafel spot in the neighborhood can be easy to miss. At Dune, patrons can revel in the piles of hearty chicken shawarma generously plated on homemade flatbread. Other menu items include tabbouleh and lamb, but, honestly, stick with the falafel—it’s second to none. Enjoy it al fresco in Dune's outdoor dining space along Glendale Boulevard, where people-watching is a favorite pastime. There's cold brew as well to perk you up before your weekend adventures.

While you definitely should try the flat shoe-shaped dish El Huarache Azteca is named after—think somewhere between a flatbread and a tostada—you cannot go wrong with any of the other options at this family restaurant that’s been a fixture in the area since the '90s. Be ready to wait for your food to arrive, but all that thick masa tortilla, meat, veggies, crema, and salsa are well worth it.

Smashburger spots in L.A. are a dime a dozen, but only a handful---like Goldburger---stand out. Tucked in a tiny spot on buzzing York Boulevard, this joint makes some of the juiciest, tastiest smashburgers in town, thanks in large part to the grass-fed beef and house-made sauces. The titular Goldburger is the one to try, of course, but you also can't go wrong with the other burger specials. Pair one with curly fries, and chase it all down with the craft sodas on offer.

Open since 1969, House of Pies is quintessential SoCal comfort food. With a slight retro diner vibe, the restaurant famously offers over 20 flavors of pie for sale, ranging from coconut cream and banana cream to lemon meringue and Dutch apple. A menu hangs on the wall above the register, so take your time at your booth to brainstorm how you will tackle all of its flavors with your party. Depending on what time of day you go in to satiate your cravings, House of Pies also has classic diner options that never fail, such as creamy eggs Benedict, chicken quesadilla, and a hearty cup of clam chowder. 

Bringing Taiwanese food made with California ingredients to a Central American--dominated neighborhood may sound ambitious, but Joy has long made it work by keeping close ties with the community, preserving its building's history, and serving comforting, affordable classic Taiwanese dishes. Pine & Crane's sister restaurant uses spices and flavors that are more accessible to less adventurous food lovers, but the unfussy dishes on its small menu are still comforting, wholesome, and familiar to those who grew up eating some versions of them. Prepare to share small bites and mains with a small group; Joy's dan dan Noodles and pork belly rice are must-have items. Expect modest lines during the weekends, but the food rolls out quickly. 

Born out of owner Erica Daking’s need for more kitchen space for her growing production catering business, Kitchen Mouse has blossomed into a wildly popular neighborhood restaurant with a cozy rustic-meets-modern look and an inspired, mostly organic vegan/vegetarian menu. The food is bright with vibrant flavors, ranging from snickerdoodle pancakes to chilaquiles that are irresistible and accessible to people of all diets. It’s no coincidence that pop superstar Billie Eilish is known to frequent Kitchen Mouse!

It may feel like your typical sports bar, but a couple of things elevate the Link N Hops experience, such as the excellent hot dog sandwiches and 24 craft beers on tap. And about those signature links: there are around 20, some of which are made with less commonly seen ingredients like rattlesnake, duck, and bacon. Link N Hops is an ideal place for a quick bite on the cheap. 

Not even a year after it officially opened in Echo Park, Little Fish was awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and rightfully so. As the name suggests, this casual restaurant that shares its space with a market serves seafood-forward dishes, like fish tartines and fish and mushroom congee. Their most beloved item, the signature fried fish sandwich, is only available during lunch and comes with kewpie mayo and dill pickles on a potato bun. Little Fish also has steak and vegetarian offerings that are just as delicious, making it a worthwhile add to your list of must-eats.

The typical family backyard barbecues scattered throughout Echo Park—which has traditionally overlapped with L.A.’s historic Filipinotown—are transformed into fantastic dining at The Park's Finest. Slow-cooked meats and vinegar-based sauces are topped with longganisa sausage, ube, soy sauce, and banana leaves. The name doesn't lie—this truly is some of Echo Park's finest grub.

This is not your typical Taiwanese restaurant; it's a fast-casual, often locally sourced restaurant housed in a modern setting and dedicated to best of Asian cuisine. The menu changes based on season, and the beverages menu features a carefully curated tea section. Expect longer waits during lunch and dinner rushes. 

Essentially a sleek shack with a roofed outdoor dining space populated by picnic tables, the no-frills Playita Mariscos is a beloved local joint lauded for its Baja-style tacos. You'll also find beer-battered fish and shrimp tacos that evoke feelings of the sun-dappled Baja Mexico coast. Be sure to add the aguachile and ceviche to your order.

Open in 2010, Proof Bakery has stood the test of time as it continues to serve the flakiest, butteriest croissants in Atwater Village. The worker-owned cooperative also produces small batches of thin European sandwiches and refined desserts sourced from high quality seasonal ingredients from local farmers’ markets. Make someone’s day by ordering one of their gorgeous Basque cheesecakes or rich chocolate Earl Grey cake.

Just a skip away from the Silver Lake Reservoir, the Silver Lake House is a perfect stop for a hearty Thai lunch before embarking on a hike, walk, or a run with the dogs. Their lunch specials boast some of the best deals around, arriving with a veggie spring roll and your choice of soup or salad.

There’s a reason Stereoscope has a line out the door on any given day of the week. With a staff that loves to see its regulars, this coffee shop is warm while also feeling very modern with all of its modular furniture. Stereoscope is for the serious java-lovers; just the hand-drip coffee alone has an aroma and unique flavor profile that will soothe the soul.

You likely won't notice this cramped little spot on Glendale Boulevard unless there's a line or you're a fan of the late, great Anthony Bourdain (he was a big fan). But trust that line to mean that Tacos Villa Corona serves some of the best no-fuss tacos, chilaquiles, breakfast burritos in the neighborhood, especially on weekend mornings when the locals come to nurse their hangovers. 

Coffee and light foods are the main event at Valerie Echo Park. Different varieties of tea take over half the menu and many of the morsels advertised only serve to complement the hot beverages; the desserts, though, are the unique kind that only a celebrated chocolatier like co-owner Valerie Gordon could produce. Even those who don't enjoy tea may find themselves perfectly delighted.

While Wax Paper has a few outdoor tables set up for dining, this tiny sandwich place in Frogtown is tailor-made for to-go orders. The modest selection of brilliantly prepared sandwiches are made with fresh ingredients and named after NPR hosts; they're best enjoyed along the river or at a nearby park. They come in hearty helpings, so bring your appetite.