Restaurants & Bars
It’s a common joke that no one is walking in LA, and it’s mostly true!
LA is not a great place to browse and walk around, it’s best to know where to go, what to expect and to make reservations in advance. Helpful reservation sites & apps are Resy and Open table.
Here a list of some LA gems, classics, cult-y spots and healthy choices!
Santa Monica
UOVO
A pasta bar from the Sugarfish co-owners featuring fresh, handmade noodles & an array of sauces.
Santa Monica, Venice, and other locations | $$
Elephanté
Chic destination for elevated Italian cuisine in breezy, lounge-like dining areas with ocean views.
Santa Monica | $$
Urth Café
Bustling cafe offering a vast menu of American eats plus a variety of organic coffee drinks
Santa Monica, West Hollywood, DTLA | $$
Jinya Ramen Bar
Japanese noodle-soup specialist serves up hot bowls in a bright, casual setting
Santa Monica, and other locations | $$
Ashland Hill
Chill hangout with a stylish patio turning out inventive pub fare, craft beers & gin cocktails
Santa Monica, and other locations | $$
Stella Barra Pizzaria and Wine Bar
Artisanal pies, including creative breakfast options, & drinks in an airy space with open kitchen
Santa Monica and Hollywood | $$
Bardonna
Stylish coffeehouse with a hip ambiance offering creative American comfort foods
Santa Monica | $$
Marmelade Café
Local cafe chain serving breakfast fare & Californian cuisine in a relaxed space
Santa Monica, and other locations | $$
SUGARFISH by sushi Nozawa
Celebrated local sushi chain serving traditional rolls & sake in a chic, intimate space
Santa Monica, Marina del Rey, and other locations | $$$
Flower-adorned spot frequented by celebrities serving inventive drinks & Californian cuisine
Santa Monica | $$$
Calabra Rooftop @ Propper Hotel
Mediterranean and California cuisine
Santa Monia | $$$
Venice
Great White
New American classics (burgers, sandwiches) get a California treatment (avocado toast, kale salad)
Venice | $
Gjelina
Upscale versions of pizza & sandwiches feature at this carry-out joint with a modern storefront
Venice | $$
Gjusta
Artisanal bakery in a sprawling, warehouselike space offers up special breads baked on-site
Venice | $$
Superba Food & Bread
Industrial-chic cafe & bakery with Californian fare, including breakfast, plus bread & baked goods
Venice | $$
Clutch
Laid-back setting for Northern Mexican cuisine specializes in barbacoa, smoked duck & veggies
Venice | $$
Hama Sushi
This unassuming but cult Japanese joint with a patio has been a destination for rolls & sashimi since 1979
Venice | $$
Night & Market Sahm
Bustling, brightly decorated Thai restaurant for modern twists on traditional Thai fare with beer
Venice | $$
The Waterfront
Indoor/outdoor beach spot offering Swiss & American eats, beer, wine & happy hour
Venice | $$
Venice Ale House
Casual gastropub with boardwalk-side seating, specializing in organic American fare & craft beers
Venice | $$
Fig Tree
Veteran boardwalk option with a health-minded global menu, plus patio seating, beer & wine
Venice | $$
The Pier House
Beachfront restaurant and bar in Venice, CA with a coastal California style seafood program
Venice | $$
Neighbor
A California-inspired New American bistro with seasonal fare & a breezy back patio
Venice | $$
Wabi on Rose
Upbeat storefront fixture for sushi, innovative Japanese small plates & martinis
Venice | $$
The Tasting Kitchen
Hip, inventive Mediterranean option known for its creative plates, cocktails & bustling brunch
Venice | $$$
Felix
Evan Funke’s take on traditional Italian cuisine, with pasta made on sight, right before your eyes
Venice | $$$$
Marina Del Rey
Nueva
Fun, relaxed Cantina with a modern approach to classic dishes from Mexico
Marina del Rey | $
Charcoal Venice
Casual grill house for wood-fired meats, seafood & vegetables in a contemporary space with booths
Venice | $$
Brizo Bar & Restaurant
Stylish venue in the Residence Inn featuring cocktails & local fare, plus a patio & water views
Marina del Rey | $$
Tony Ps
Seafood joint with varied seating options, including a shaded waterfront deck & a sports tavern
Marina del Rey | $$
KazuNori
The Original Hand Roll Bar
Marina del Rey | $$
26 Beach
Creative burgers on housemade buns & brunch are specialties of this quaint bar/eatery with a patio
Marina del Rey | $$
Scopa
Roomy brick-walled gastropub dishing up hot & cold antipasti, pastas & other Italian specialties
Venice | $$$
Hatchet Hall
Stylish, lodgelike spot with taxidermied animals, a hidden spirits bar & hearty meat-centric menu
Marina del Rey | $$$
Old Man Bar
Hip, dimly lit bar with focus on spirits featuring a vinyl-music playlist & woodsy, lodgelike decor
Marina del Rey | $$$
SALT Restaurant & Bar
Casual hangout at the Marina del Rey Hotel pool offering standard burgers, pizza & salads
Marina del Rey | $$$
West LA
Marugame Udon
Little Tokyo comes to Sawtelle with this cult-favorite thick-noodle shop, served cafeteria style
Sawtelle Blvd | $
Manpuku Tokyo BBQ
Elegant eatery for creative Japanese-style BBQ dishes, served à la carte or in 4-course set menus
Sawtelle Blvd | $
Tasty Noodle House
Shanghai cuisine specialized in dim sum, noodles & dumplings
Sawtelle Blvd | $
Killer Noodle Tsujita
Tsujita turns spicy at this ramen noodle bar with customizable bowls ranked by heat level
Sawtelle Blvd | $$
Din Tai Fung
Modern Century City outpost of a Taiwanese chain known for handmade soup dumplings & Chinese fare
Century City | $$
Culver City
Margot
Italian cuisine gets a modern California twist, with many plant-based dishes, pasta & proteins
Culver City | $$
Roberta's
Brooklyn import shilling wood-fired pizzas with a cult-like status
Culver City | $$
Father’s Office
Beloved burger joint famous for its no-substitutions, perfectly executed burgs
Culver City, Santa Monica | $$
Le Jardin at The Culver Hotel
Local and seasonal ingredients take center stage on these classically inspired but unmistakably California plates
Culver City | $$$
West Hollywood / Beverly Hills
The Abbey
Cult spot; Cocktails & shared plates are served at this lively gay lounge with outdoor terraces & dance floor
West Hollywood | $$
Laurel Hardware
Hip farm-to-table restaurant in former hardware store serving New American fare & fancy cocktails
West Hollywood | $$$
The Nice Guy
Comfy booths & dim lighting set the mood at this classic Italian spot with an old-school feel
West Hollywood | $$$
Graigs
American cuisine, including meatloaf & rib-eye steak, in a handsome venue known for celeb sightings
West Hollywood | $$$
Nurs-Et
Steakhouse by celebrity chef Salt Bae
Beverly Hills | $$$
The Little Door
Parisian-style brasserie boasts seasonal French fare, pastries & fine wines, plus artisanal goods
Beverly Grove | $$$$
Catch LA
Slick, rooftop space known for celebrity sightings, creative seafood-focused food & cocktails
West Hollywood | $$$$
Nobu
Upmarket standard for Peruvian-accented Japanese fare served in a chic, happening setting
West Hollywood, Malibu | $$$$
The Ivy
Upscale eatery & bar with all-day New American food, plus brunch & cocktails
West Hollywood $$$$
Downtown LA (DTLA)
Bestia
Trendy Italian restaurant from an acclaimed husband-&-wife team highlights creative seasonal fare
DTLA | $$
Bavel
Ori Menashe’s Middle Eastern follow-up to his always-packed Bestia, with a similar downtown vibe
DTLA | $$$$