53 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles, California

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. 

Founded by Santa Monica natives, Huckleberry brings together the best ingredients from local farmers and growers to craft diner-style comfort food with a chic twist. Nearly everything is made on-site, even the hot sauce and almond milk. The light, bright space is perfect for a quick brunch. Choose from savories like huevos rancheros with black bean puree or a Niman Ranch ham and Gruyère sandwich. Breakfast is served all day. Baked goods rotate frequently according to the seasonal whims of the pastry chef; the kouign amann is always a standout. Bonito Coffee Roasters coffee tempts from the extensive drink menu.

Assemble a beach picnic like a Malibu local at this humble, health-conscious spot where sandwiches include the Surfer Princess (turkey and avocado) and the salads include the Quinoa Queen. You can also choose from smoothies and juices, salads, acai bowls, snacks, drinks, and more.

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's not surprising that Little Dom's is a neighborhood gem. The restaurant features a vintage bar and besuited barkeep who mixes up seasonally inspired retro cocktails, an attached Italian deli where you can pick up a make-at-home pizza kit, and a $25 Monday-night supper. Cozy and inviting with big leather booths you can sink into for the night, the restaurant puts a modern spin on classic Italian dishes such as rice balls, fish piccata, and spaghetti and meatballs.

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.

Part restaurant, part bakery, and part learning annex, Lodge Bread Company beckons customers with freshly baked sourdough—the aroma of which wafts over the entire neighborhood. Inside, guests can enjoy fermented pizzas, savory sandwiches, and crisp morning toasts. For budding bread makers, the shop offers classes on baking sourdough, where you can learn how to make a starter from scratch and how to best stretch and score dough.

Lodge Bread in Beverly Hills brings serious sourdough game with thick-cut toasts, hearty sandwiches, and killer pastries. The vibe is casual, the coffee’s strong, and everything’s made with top-notch ingredients.

A longtime refuge from California's lean cuisine, Nate 'n' Al's serves up steaming pastrami, matzo ball soup, and potato latkes. Big-time media and entertainment insiders are often seen kibbitzing at this old-time East Coast–style establishment. There can be a bit of a wait, so plan accordingly.

Opened in 1924 by Dewey Logan, this classic diner's former claim to fame is that it never closed in the entirety of its run. Currently owned by former L.A. mayor Richard Riordan, the diner has more limited hours and serves American food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and is known for cakes, pies, steaks, and chops. The establishment is also a Los Angeles historic cultural monument.

As the rooftop dinosaur and Lady Liberty statues suggest, this leprechaun-green roadhouse, tucked into the hillside of Pacific Palisades, is a maximalist ode to the past crammed with memorabilia ranging from British railway signs to cheeky bronze statuettes. An Old World portrait of a young Arnold Schwarzenegger in epaulets lords over the proceedings, along with Arnold's throne, which you can request to be seated in. Solid breakfast options include the chilaquiles with a generous topping of sliced avocado or the beyond-immense breakfast burrito. For lunch or dinner, come for the just-right fish and chips or the Pot of Gold burger, and try to resist adding the house-made potato chips and banana cream pie. Waitstaff are brisk and friendly and big band and Great American Songbook tunes keep the atmosphere lively.

Since 1963, this small and charming diner has done two things really well—pies and burgers. Most seats are counter-style, with a griddle searing up patties. Along with limited outdoor seating, there's also a smattering of tables for larger groups, where you can spy on the oversize cake and pie slices in the back. Burgers are on the simple side, but the pies range from banana and lemon meringue to apple and blackberry. It's the perfect way to end your day after a long trudge in the Huntington Gardens.

Roscoe's is the place for down-home Southern cooking in Southern California. Just ask the patrons who drive from all over L.A. for reasonably priced fried chicken and waffles. The name of this casual eatery honors a late-night combo popularized in Harlem jazz clubs. Friday and Saturday nights, Roscoe's Hollywood location stays open until 4 am.

With pierced, steel-paneled walls covered with fanciful designs, this tucked-away, twin-concept Thai palace has an extensive menu that varies a bit between the two neighboring locations; compare the menus before settling on a location. Next door to the indoor Saladang proper, Saladang Garden offers an outdoor dining space that's also used for special events. You'll find all the SE Asian favorites, including satays, curries, and pad Thai. But also consider the restaurants' other specialties, like Saladang Garden's Thai omelet with ground chicken or the fried taro rolls served with a cucumber salad. Be sure to save room for the mango with sweet sticky rice for dessert. 

Featuring all locally sourced meat, seafood, and produce and a popular patio, this brunch and lunch spot proves that despite appearances, Californians love traditional meat-based staples and cocktails just as much as they love their kale salads and smoothies. If you're in doubt, just take a good look at this joint's hearty sandwiches.

Sip & Sonder is a trendy, Black women–owned coffee shop and community space in downtown Inglewood. Founded by two local entrepreneurs, it's more than just a café—it's a cultural hub. The shop serves high-quality coffee and teas, alongside a selection of pastries and light bites like bagels and a turkey and brie sandwich. With its sleek, modern interior, incredible music, and welcoming atmosphere, it attracts remote workers and creatives alike. The space often hosts events, workshops, and exhibitions, emphasizing its commitment to fostering community and celebrating Black culture. As Inglewood's first true specialty coffee house, Sip & Sonder exemplifies the neighborhood's swiftly rising star while staying true to its roots.

Some of the spiciest and most succulent tacos in L.A. are made at Sky’s. This quaint taco joint offers up beef, chicken, turkey, seafood, and vegan options that will leave your mouth on fire and your belly full. Chef-owner Barbara “Sky” Burrell also dishes out steaming breakfast tacos and has an enormous vegan and vegetarian menu.

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. 

Taverna Tony, nestled in the heart of Malibu's Country Mart, is a beloved Greek restaurant that has been serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine to generations of residents and visitors for more than three decades. The restaurant's rustic decor, complete with white-washed walls and blue accents, transports guests to a traditional Greek taverna. The menu features a wide array of classic Greek dishes, from fresh seafood and grilled meats to traditional appetizers like dolmades and saganaki. Try the combination platter to get a morsel of everything, or one of the happy hour bargains. Their signature dish, a whole grilled branzino fish, is as fresh as the crisp decor. Bread is made onsite daily and served with Tony's famous dip. On weekends, the restaurant comes alive with live Greek music, belly dancing, and occasional plate-breaking, adding to the festive atmosphere. Opa!

Muggles can feast on British pub fare and toast with butterbeer just like the boy who lived and generations of Hogwarts students at Three Broomsticks and Hog's Head, a snow-capped rustic tavern and bar found within the Wizarding World of Harry Potter section of Universal Studios. Wash down across-the-pond favorites—including shepherd's pie (there's also a vegan version), fish-and-chips, chocolate trifle, and bangers and mash—with four types of butterbeer (hot, cold, nondairy, and frozen). It's a great choice for diners with allergies as they have menus that cater to those who can't eat the top nine culinary allergens (milk, sesame, soy, tree nuts, etc.).

Despite being set in the middle of Hollywood’s mad dash, the surprisingly serene oasis that is the Tropicana Bar is where California fare meets refreshing tropical cocktails in a vintage Hollywood setting. While the poolside loungers are technically restricted to hotel guests, visitors are welcome (at the hotel's discretion) to take advantage of the bar and kitchen service in view of that glorious heated pool with its David Hockney mural. Summer events include movie nights and daytime DJs, so plan accordingly if visiting during the warmer months. On the menu are crowd favorites like fish tacos, sliders, and the ever-present avocado toast, here on house-made sourdough and topped with pickled onions.

In fast-paced Century City, this quaint restaurant pays homage to comfort food classics. Look for chicken potpie, macaroni and cheese, roast beef sandwiches, and a slew of hearty salads. A great breakfast or lunch detour as you make your way to the beaches, Clementine has a bakery case that's filled to the brim with slices of banana bread with cream-cheese frosting, oatmeal raisin cookies, and freshly made cinnamon rolls (Saturday only).