Angelenos are nothing if not devoted to their cravings. They regularly battle long lines, grueling traffic, and stiff competition for reservations at some of the best dining spots in Los Angeles – all to secure a few scrumptious sips and bites.
Why the devotion? Because LA residents have known for ages what the rest of the country has only realized recently: LA is a top-notch food metropolis, on par with culinary favorites like New York City and Chicago. Grazing the city’s foodie delights is one of LA’s top experiences.
You’ll soon discover that the city’s cuisine is innovative, multicultural, and rooted in the area’s history. Here, life-changing culinary experiences are just as likely to occur at no-frills food stands as in fine-dining restaurants.
Now on to those culinary moments! Here are the best things to eat and drink in LA right now – and the best places to find them…
Chicken and Lemon Pancakes at Marelle (Santa Monica)
Riffing on the sweet-and-savory combo of chicken and waffles – a traditional favorite in Los Angeles thanks to legendary joints like Roscoe’s – Marelle offers lemon ricotta pancakes topped with crispy Jidori chicken and sweet roasted peppers to its breakfast and brunch menus.
This California cuisine outpost is set in the recently opened oceanfront Sandbourne Santa Monica hotel. Grab a table with views of the pool and beach and enjoy your pancakes with the tequila-and-bubbles tang of a La Vie en Rosé cocktail, which comes with a pair of rose-colored sunglasses.
How to get it: For weekend brunch, it’s advisable to make a reservation a few days in advance. Walk-ins on weekdays should be manageable.
Superfood Smoothies at Erewhon (Multiple Locations)
Health food grocer Erewhon has initiated a smoothie craze in LA with no signs of slowing down. Fruit-first concoctions mixed with premium ingredients like blue spirulina and collagen powder have customers shelling out upwards of $20 per drink.
For a more modest price of $11, try the Regenerada Smoothie 2.0, packed with protein thanks to its main ingredient, Mikuna Chocho – a superfood grown exclusively in the Andes Mountains. Even if the Regenerada drink falls off the menu, you can add Mikuna Chocho to any other smoothie.
How to get it: To avoid a wait at the smoothie counter, which can sometimes be up to 30 minutes, pre-order on Erewhon’s website and pick it up 20 minutes later. There are branches in Santa Monica, Venice, and other popular LA areas.
Kale Pizza at Side Pie (Altadena)
What started as a COVID-era project has evolved into a full bricks-and-mortar operation. The team at Side Pie has transported their pizza oven to their Altadena storefront where they create a kale-covered pie called The Bobby Green, featuring mushrooms, mozzarella, and plenty of zesty garlic.
Other favorites include Honey’s Hammered, topped with ham and drizzled with honey, and the Crabby Neighbor, made with a garlic-butter cream base and wild-caught crab meat. The shop also features an impressive retail selection with Dead-inspired tees and hats.
How to get it: The back patio at their East Altadena Drive location follows a seat-yourself, first-come-first-serve policy, so no reservations are necessary. You may also order a pizza in advance online or by calling 707-SIDE-PIE.
Historic Hot Dogs at Tail O’ the Pup (West Hollywood)
You can’t miss Tail O’ the Pup. This hot-dog-shaped food stand became an architectural icon when it opened in 1946. While the stand closed in 2005, it re-emerged in 2022, rekindling the city’s love for frankfurters.
Today, they serve an onion-smothered dog that honors their 1946 classic, alongside an onion-free 1976 Pup, and a border-style chili-covered edition. When you visit, keep an eye out for the hidden door that leads to the speakeasy-style The Lucky Tiki bar.
How to get it: Tail O’ the Pup is a casual, walk-up stand with outdoor seating and indoor seating in an adjacent building. Metered street parking is available, or you can park in the Sprouts parking structure for $2 with validation from Tail O’ the Pup.
Buried Treasure Cocktails at The Lucky Tiki (West Hollywood)
Totally kitschy yet undeniably cool, tiki bars are a timeless treat for cocktail lovers. The tradition continues at West Hollywood’s The Lucky Tiki. Access is granted by calling on an intercom hidden behind a door in a pickle barrel at Tail O’ the Pup. After entering, order a Buried Treasure – a bourbon cocktail served with edible sand and a mini-shovel.
How to get it: Reservations are released 30 days in advance and typically get booked immediately, so planning ahead is essential.
Muffuletta Sandwiches at Bread Head (Santa Monica)
Los Angeles may be health-obsessed, but the city’s new love for Bread Head – a sandwich spot that opened on Santa Monica’s Montana Avenue in 2024 – reveals that carbs are still in the game.
Here, the muffuletta sandwiches are massive, made with freshly baked bread and Vermont Creamery cultured butter. Priced at $25, this meat-filled delight can feed two with ease. Don’t forget to ask for a side of hot sauce and consider ordering an Arnold Palmer to complete the meal.
How to get it: Consider ordering your sandwich online in advance to skip the inevitable lunch line.
Falafel Tacos at MidEast Tacos (Silver Lake)
For those undecided between Middle Eastern and Mexican cuisine, MidEast Tacos serves multicultural dishes that bridge both worlds. This no-frills eatery features outdoor seating lining a vibrantly graffitied wall. Known for their falafel taco, the steak kebab version is equally delicious.
How to get it: Simply stroll up, place your order, and find an outdoor table on either Sunset or Maltman Ave.
Wagyu Laab Smash Burgers at Ban Ban Burger (Sawtelle)
The LA love affair with burgers continues to evolve. The smash burger, a thin patty pressed against a hot griddle for a crispy exterior and juicy interior, is the current craze.
Ban Ban Burger embraces this culinary trend with their Thai-inspired smash burgers, including a wagyu version topped with spicy laab and garlicky gremolata sauce. Look for their distinctive pink building with a small patio.
How to get it: Arrive at opening time– noon daily – to avoid the long lunch lines. If you’re visiting on a Sunday, parking is free! To skip the dinner rush, consider stopping by after 8 PM, as they close at 10 PM.
Steak and Eggs on the Rooftop at The Wayfarer DTLA (Downtown)
Although dining with a view is often linked to LA’s Westside, the Rooftop at The Wayfarer DTLA hotel provides a different perspective. Located twelve stories up, you’ll enjoy alfresco dining surrounded by the city’s skyscrapers, complemented by a fire pit for evening ambiance.
The menu offers unique globe-trotting experiences. The $39 prix fixe brunch includes intriguing combos, such as a Thai lemongrass and mango salad, followed by achiote-marinated steak with eggs, and ending with beignets and bubbles.
How to get it: Reservations for brunch, lunch, or dinner are recommended a week in advance. While street parking is limited, a paid parking structure is conveniently located nearby on Flower Street.
Kanpachi Tacos and Uni Ceviche at Holbox (Historic South Central)
Edgy culinary creations are not exclusively the domain of newer establishments. Holbox has been delighting customers with kanpachi tacos and uni ceviche since 2017, garnering a passionate following.
Naming the spot after a Caribbean island, this Mexican seafood locale is part of the Mercado La Paloma food hall, situated inside a former garment factory in South Central.
How to get it: Holbox operates mainly on a counter-order basis, however, they offer an eight-course tasting menu on Thursday and Friday evenings. Reservations for this event are released on the first of the month for the following month; booking in advance is advised.
