Los Angeles
The Morning After, Terry O’Neill, 1977
Los Angeles is a sprawling Southern California city and the center of the nation’s film and television industry. Near its iconic Hollywood sign, studios such as Paramount Pictures, Universal, and Warner Brothers offer behind-the-scenes tours. On Hollywood Boulevard, The Chinese Theatre displays celebrities’ hands and footprints, the Walk of Fame honors thousands of luminaries, and vendors sell maps to stars’ homes. Here is our travel guide to Los Angeles, California.
STAY
BEVERLY HILLS HOTEL
There is always something special about pulling up to the pink and green awning and walking down the red carpet into the BHH. Book one of the private bungalows, have an alfresco lunch at the Polo Lounge, or head down to The Fountain Room surrounded by the iconic Martinique banana leaf wallpaper. 641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills; dorchestercollection.com
HOTEL BEL-AIR With a guest list that has included Marilyn Monroe, Grace Kelly, Prince Charles, and Richard Nixon (he wrote his memoirs here), Hotel Bel-Air is iconic, to say the least. We love the swan lake at the entrance and the Wolfgang Puck restaurant with its dimly lit bar bedecked with celebrity portraits. 701 Stone Canyon Rd., Beverly Hills; dorchestercollection.com
MR. C Tucked between Beverlywood and Beverly Hills, this elegant hotel near Rodeo Drive has sophisticated private balconies offering city views. Amenities include a beauty spa, an outdoor pool, an Italian eatery/bar with a separate poolside-dining menu, and a lobby lounge with a glass pool table and live music. 1224 Beverwil Dr, Beverly Hills; mrchotels.com
THE PENINSULA From the branded fleet of Mini Coopers to the impeccably attentive service, the Peninsula is grand to say the least. Only a few blocks from Rodeo Drive and near all the major agencies and studios, it is perfect for business If you're in town for leisure, head to the rooftop pool. 9882 S. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills; peninsula.com
SUNSET TOWER An art deco jewel, which includes one of our favorite restaurants: The Tower Bar. Order a martini, the famous hamburger, and of course the build-your-own ice cream sundae for dessert. 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; sunsettowerhotel.com
CHATEAU MARMONT Set in the hills of Sunset Boulevard, the iconic Chateau Marmont was originally constructed in the ‘30s as an opulent apartment building (its design takes after the Gothic chateaus of the Loire Valley). It has quite the storied past (John Belushi died here sadly). It has operated as a secluded and celebrity-friendly hotel since the 90s when hotelier Andre Balazs took over. Currently, it is closed until it re-opens as a members-only club. Stay tuned! 8221 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; chateaumarmont.com
THE NOMAD New York's NoMad opened its LA outpost in a former bank building on Olive Street (the massive vault in the basement now leads to the restrooms), and the lushly decorated ground floor is where you'll find the lobby restaurant and coffee shop. The rooms include freestanding tubs, marble counters, and floral fainting couches. Order the breakfast sandwich off the room-service menu! 649 S. Olive St., Downtown; thenomadhotel.com
THE SANTA MONICA PROPER Kelly Wearstler designed this hotel from Proper Hospitality, led by Wearstler's developer husband Brad Korzen. Wearstler designed a breezy, maritime-inspired space. We especially love the lobby library and rooftop pool. 700 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; properhotel.com
HOTEL FIGUEROA
This 1926 hotel was restored to its former glory and recalls “Spanish colonial splendor.” Visit Veranda for Mexican dining or Bar Figueroa for an old-Hollywood cocktail. 939 S. Figueroa St., Downtown; hyatt.com
FOUR SEASONS BEVERLY WILSHIRE The hotel made famous by Pretty Woman sits right on Rodeo Drive, baby. BLVD restaurant is best on a warm day to enjoy the people watching whereas Wolfgang Puck’s CUT is the choice for dinner. Enjoy the Tuscan-inspired pool, spa, fitness center, or salon. 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; fourseasons.com
FOUR SEASONS HOTEL LOS ANGELES This contemporary hotel is understated and secluded with balconies offering city or mountain views. There's a modern Italian restaurant and a poolside cafe, as well as a chic cocktail lounge with patio seating. Other amenities include a heated outdoor pool, an open-air fitness facility, and a full-service spa with a nail salon. 300 Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills; fourseasons.com
PETIT ERMITAGE This Moroccan-inspired, all-suite hotel has one of our favorite rooftop pools as well as a bohemian bar and a Mediterranean-themed restaurant with cabana dining. There’s also a hummingbird sanctuary/garden, a gym, and movie nights on a deck with a fireplace. 8822 Cynthia St, West Hollywood; petitermitage.com
L’ERMITAGE BEVERLY HILLS Set in a residential neighborhood, this sleek mid-century modern hotel has marble tubs, fireplaces, and private balconies with skyline views. A heated rooftop pool features cabanas and city views. There's also a chic French bistro, a gym, and a spa. 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills; lermitagebeverlyhills.com
SHUTTERS ON THE BEACH Set right on the boardwalk with all rooms facing the ocean, Shutters on the Beach is perfect for a quintessential California stay. Bike, surf, swim— all are available at your fingertips. 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; shuttersonthebeach.com
WEST HOLLYWOOD EDITION British architect John Pawson designed Ian Schrager’s LA outpost on storied Sunset Boulevard features spacious suites with incredible views of the hills, complete with Le Labo products and soothing all-neutral tones. The expansive rooftop pool has a panoramic view of the city, and other amenities include outdoor dining, a luxury spa, a 24-hour fitness center with Peloton bikes, a concrete underground club, and a movie theater. It’s signature restaurant Ardor, helmed by Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, champions organic Californian produce—- try the raw cauliflower “cacio e pepe” and farro risotto served in a verdant courtyard. 9040 W Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; marriott.com
1 HOTEL WEST HOLLYWOOD In a striking contemporary building on Sunset Boulevard, the 1 Hotel has a rooftop pool, a 24-hour gym, and multiple dining options and bars. 8490 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood; 1hotels.com
WALDORF ASTORIA This luxury tower hotel designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and balconies with city views. Amenities include a French fusion restaurant, 3 cocktail lounges, and an incredible rooftop pool and bar with 360-degree views. 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills; waldorfastoria3.hilton.com
THE LANGHAM HUNTINGTON Set on 23-acre in Pasadena, this blush pink hotel includes a steakhouse, a bistro, a bar and afternoon tea in the lobby lounge. The hotel also offers a spa, tennis courts, a heated pool, and a sundeck with bar service. 1401 S Oak Knoll Ave, Pasadena; langhamhotels.com
HOTEL 850 (SAN VICENTE BUNGALOWS) Jeff Klein, the mastermind behind Sunset Tower Hotel, created members-only club San Vicente Bungalows. Hotel 850 is available to non-members and is set along a tree-lined street in a 1918 building. Most rooms provide balconies or terraces and fireplaces, as well as a rooftop terrace with panoramic city views. 850 N San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood; hotel850svb.com
THE LINE The Line is home to some of Koreatown’s best spots, all under one roof. Commissary is a sun-soaked, greenhouse-inspired restaurant famous for its weekend brunch buffet, Pot Lobby Bar has a popular happy hour, and Break Room 86 offers karaoke and dancing. The color scheme features plenty of orange tones as it is considered a happy color in Korea. Book a north-facing room for cinematic views of the Hollywood Hills. 3515 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; thelinehotel.com
HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT Head straight to the pool to see David Hockney’s famous painting. Afterwards, visit the Massage Garden for a treatment. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; thehollywoodroosevelt.com
CARA HOTEL
Cara Hotel is a new boutique hotel in Los Feliz located just below Griffith Park. “Cara” is Gaelic for friend as the owners are Irish, and the warm, welcoming hotel lives up to its name. Elevated amenities include Harry Josh hairdryers and Frette sheets and robes. The small courtyard with a reflective pool, shaded by pretty olive trees features wine from Chateau La Coste. Try Irish inspired dishes at the restaurant, which include charcoal smoked roast chicken, heirloom carrots, and colcannon (mashed potato, kale, and cabbage). 1730 N Western Ave., Los Feliz; carahotel.com
THE LONDON Designed by David Collins, the hotel's interior is beautifully modern, and the rooms and rooftop pool have views of the Hollywood Hills. 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood; thelondonwesthollywood.com
PALIHOUSE A boutique hotel chain with locations in West Hollywood, Santa Monica, Culver City, Westwood Village, as well as the Silver Lake Pool & Inn. Rooms range from studios to two-bedrooms, and are built for long stays, with a small kitchen and generous living space. The decor includes mid-century furniture. palisociety.com
THE VICEROY A hotel in Venice, steps from the beach, with a beautiful pool. 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; viceroyhotelsandresorts.com
MAYBOURNE BEVERLY HILLS Formerly the Montage, this palatial hotel features Spanish colonial décor, a Cigar Bar, a rooftop pool, a spa, and more. 225 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills; maybournebeverlyhills.com
MAMA SHELTER The Parisian hotel chain opened its LA outpost on the East Side, complete with a rooftop offering a view of the iconic Hollywood sign. Order the Y Tu Mama' Tambien cocktail while the DJ spins tracks after dark. The menu features local delicacies like fluffy pancakes, cheeseburgers and fried chicken. 6500 Selma Ave, Hollywood; mamashelter.com
THE HOXTON
The British chain’s LA location featuers a lobby which takes design cues from the building’s Beaux Arts roots whereas the garden rooftop bar and pool is mid-century modern. 1060 S Broadway, Downtown; thehoxton.com
VILLA CARLOTTA In the heart of Franklin Village on a tree-lined street, this luxury boutique hotel is perfect for an extended stay. 5959 Franklin Ave., Franklin Village; villacarlottala.com
HOTEL COVELL SMEG refrigerators, Chemex coffee makers, vintage record players, hardwood floors, and McClure’s Spicy Potato Chips complete the hipster vibe at this boutique hotel. Hotel Covell is named for author George Covell, and located in the “Brooklyn neighbordhood of LA.” 4626 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz; hotelcovell.com
HOTEL CASA DEL MAR Located next to Shutters on the Beach, resembling a Mediterranean mansion, Hotel Casa del Mar features a spa and charming candlelit terrace. The hotel started as a palatial beach club back in the roaring ’20s, and the old-world Hollywood charm remains. 1910 Ocean Wy., Santa Monica; hotelcasadelmar.com
AVALON HOTEL Originally called the Beverly Carlton when it opened its doors back in 1949, the Avalon was remodeled by Kelly Wearstler. The mid-century modern décor takes you back to a time when Marilyn Monroe called this boutique hotel her home. 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills; avalon-hotel.com
FREEHAND LA The Miami transport has landed in downtown LA, set in a storied 1924 building with an American/Israeli restaurant, a cocktail bar, and a rooftop pool. 416 W. 8th St., Downtown; Freehandhotels.com
LA PEER HOTEL La Peer Hotel is named after its street, which is tucked between Melrose and Santa Monica Boulevards. Design touches include custom couches, Moroccan tiling, and a beautiful back patio. Be sure to book a table at Viale dei Romani, the in-house Italian-meets-Moroccan restaurant. 627 N. La Peer Dr., West Hollywood; lapeerhotel.com
THE SURFRIDER MALIBU The iconic 1950s Surfrider Hotel was restored by local Matthew Goodwin, an architect who grew up surfing at First Point across the street. The twenty-room hotel is luxurious, airy, and light-filled, and each room has its own ocean-facing balcony and hammock. 23033 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; thesurfridermalibu.com
MALIBU BEACH INN Occupying an especially picturesque stretch of Carbon Beach (directly on the shore, to be exact), the Inn was the first luxury hotel in Malibu. All guest rooms feature ocean-facing balconies, and The Carbon Beach Club restaurant serves fresh seafood. 22878 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibubeachinn.com
CALAMIGOS RANCH Nestled in the Santa Monica Mountains, this resort feels miles away from Los Angeles. The private bungalows and cottages are set within 200 oak-filled acres. Built in 1947 and family operated ever since, this rustic gem features a vineyard and organic garden that grows strawberries and herbs. Beyond exploring their three pools and five restaurants, take a quick trip to their five-acre beach club. 327 Latigo Canyon Rd., Malibu; calamigos.com
NOBU RYOKAN Nobu Ryokan is set right on the PCH near Carbon Beach. The intimate 16-room hotel is decorated in a minimalist Ryokan-style with terraces, floor-to-ceiling windows with ocean views, and teak, bronze and limestone detailing. 22752 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibu.nobuhotels.com
SUNSET MARQUIS From its inception in 1963 when the hotel opened to give entertainers and guests of the nearby Playboy Club a place to stay, the Sunset Marquis has been the favorite destination of writers, artists, and actors visiting LA (hence the underground recording studio). 1200 Alta Loma Rd., West Hollywood; sunsetmarquis.com
OCEANA BEACH CLUB HOTEL A pale exterior, mid-century furniture, and a courtyard swimming pool make this 70-room boutique hotel near the beachside bluffs at Palisades Park a classic Santa Monica option. In-suite spa treatments, private yoga sessions, guided hikes of nearby Temescal Canyon, and complimentary Saturday surf lessons are all available. 849 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica; hoteloceanasantamonica.com
THE RANCH AT LIVE OAK This week-long luxury bootcamp in the mountains of Malibu encourages you to relax and rejuvenate through exercise, diet, massage, and rest. 2220 Cotharin Rd., Malibu; theranchmalibu.com
CHARLIE HOTEL A quaint, hidden gem made up of 14 West Hollywood bungalows named after the Hollywood luminaries who lived in them— the hotel itself is named after Charlie Chaplin, who lived here back in the '20s when it originally opened. 819 N. Sweetzer Ave., West Hollywood; thecharliehotel.com
RITZ-CARLTON, MARINA DEL REY Located on the Marina, close to Venice Beach, and one of the only hotel options south of Santa Monica— complete with a pool, gym, and spa. 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey; ritzcarlton.com
FOUR SEASONS WESTLAKE VILLAGE This massive resort near Calabasas and Malibu includes a restaurant, a bar, a lobby lounge, a cafe, a wine-tasting room, indoor and outdoor pools, a Japanese garden, a gym, and an Asian-inspired spa. 2 Dole Dr, Westlake Village; fourseasons.com
THE CULVER HOTEL
Established in 1924 by Culver City’s founder Harry H. Culver, this storied, six-floor inn and National Historic Landmark has seen everyone from Clark Gable, Judy Garland, and Greta Garbo to both Charlie Chaplin and John Wayne were once owners. Book one of the 46 rooms or pop in for drinks on the elegant light-strung patio or second-floor speakeasy. 9400 Culver Blvd, Culver City; culverhotel.com
LITTLE BEACH HOUSE MALIBU Sharing a driveway with another highly-trafficked Malibu spot, Nobu, Little Beach House Malibu caused quite a buzz when it first opened in May 2016. (A bit of backstory: Even those who were already a part of Soho House have to apply specifically to this location for access.) Much of the activity centers around the wrap-around terrace, which juts right up First Point Break and a stretch of sandy shoreline. (There are heat lamps and blankets, too.) The space itself—impeccably designed by Montalba Architects—is quintessential California, with a minimalist palette, teak wood, indoor/outdoor fireplaces, floor-to-ceiling windows, and a large and impressive gallery wall featuring a mix of contemporary artwork. 22716 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; sohohouse.com/en-us/houses/little-beach-house-malibu
MAYBOURNE Next to Beverly Cañon Gardens in the posh Beverly Hills neighborhood, this sophisticated hotel is a 5-minute walk from the designer boutiques along Rodeo Drive. Amenities include an elegant open-air restaurant, Dante, as well as a full-service spa, and a rooftop pool flanked by cabanas that offer city views. 225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills; maybournebeverlyhills.com
CAFES | BAKERIES | SPECIALTY SHOPS | FARMER’S MARKETS
FOUNTAIN COFFEE ROOM Located off the lobby of the Bevery Hills Hotel, down a set of stairs surrounded by Martinique banana-leaf wallpaper. This old-fashioned soda fountain serves American diner classics— shakes, floats, malts, pancakes, hamburgers and the like. 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills; dorchestercollection.com
URTH CAFFÉ An L.A. staple with multiple locations serving healthy, organic fare as well as small-roased coffee, tea, and pastries. Try the matcha latte and pumpkin pie. 8565 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; urthcaffe.com
PROOF BAKERY Famous for having the best croissants in the city, the space has actually been a bakery for more than 60 years. Baker and owner Na Young Ma serves freshly baked pastries, cakes, quiche, bread, and more in an oven that's been on site since the bakery's first iterations. Try a cup of the Culver City-roasted Cognoscenti coffee. 3156 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; proofbakery.com
PORTOS A family run Cuban bakery that began with Rosa Porto’s love of sharing her cakes and pastries with friends and family. Rosa passed away in 2019, but her recipes remain. Try the Refugiado, a pastry filled guava cream and cheese. portosbakery.com
JOANS ON THIRD A coffee bar with pastries, prepared salads and sandwiches, and cheeses, wines, snacks, and frozen treats to go. joansonthird.com
SQIRL Try the house made jam at this trendy Silver Lake café. 720 N Virgil Ave, Silver Lake; sqirlla.com
GJUSTA An artisanal bakery adjacent to Gjelina restaurant serving specialty breads baked on-site. 320 Sunset Ave, Venice; gjusta.com
BOTTEGA LOUIE A sprawling Italian café and restaurant with high ceilings and light, bright decor in downtown LA. Pick up a pastry or selection of macarons from the pâtisserie counter. 700 S Grand Ave, Downtown; bottegalouie.com
SPRINKLES Candace Nelson sparked the cupcake craze when she opened Sprinkles. The dense mini-cakes feature buttercream frosting and signature flavors include Red Velvet, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Black & White, and a flavor of the month. sprinkles.com
MOON JUICE As the birthplace of the cleanse, Los Angeles is home to many a juice bar. Moon Juice is one of the most popular and sells a multitude of healthy drinks— lemon juice with turmeric, green juice, matcha coconut milk, and more. moonjuice.com
PRESSED JUICERY Another popular fresh juice spot with multiple options for fasts and detoxes. Order The Greens 1 with celery, cucumber, kale, parsley, romaine, and spinach. 8714 Santa Monica Boulevard; pressedjuicery.com
BRU COFFEEBAR An artisan coffee and tea bar, serving pour-over coffee from single origin beans. 1866 N Vermont Ave, Los Feliz; brucoffeebar.com
THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER This beloved NYC transplant has an indoor-outdoor terrace and a vegetarian menu, which includes standbys like avocado toast. 1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; thebutchersdaughter.com
KREATION ORGANIC JUICERY Kreation has multiple juicebars as well as a few cafe/restaurants throughout LA, including the original on Montana, serving salads, grilled kebabs, and pressed juice. 1023 Montana Ave., Santa Monica
STUMPTOWN COFFEE The Portland, Oregon coffee roastery has an LA location in the Arts District. Order a pour-over to stay or go. 806 S Santa Fe Ave, Arts District; stumptowncoffee.com
HEY HEY A tea house with milk teas and boba in an industrial space. 1555 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; heyheydrinks.com
ERIN MCKENNA’S BAKERY A vegan, kosher, gluten free bakery (this is LA after all). Along with cakes, there are doughnuts, soft-serve, cookies, brownies, and more. 236 North Larchmont Blvd., Larchmont; erinmckennasbakery.com
LE CAFÉ DE LA PLAGE A french couple from Provence opened this ice cream shop with unique, natural flavors like lychee, rose, fresh fig, pineapple and basil. 29169 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu; lecafedelaplagemalibu.com
ROSE & BLANC TEA ROOM A tea salon serving French Palais des Thés, American Harney & Sons, as well as Rose & Blanc’s own blends as well as an afternoon tea service with macaroons, scones, and waffles with lavender syrup. 301 S. Western Ave., Koreatown; roseandblanctearoom.com
NATUREWELL A tiny juice bar and health market serving smoothies and acai bowls (try the coconut-kale smoothie). 3824 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; naturewelljuice.com
MAGPIES SOFTSERVE A Silver Lake soft serve ice cream spot with one-of-a-kind vegan flavors like black rice horchata, chocolate taro, and orange yuzu creamsicle. 2660 Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake; magpiessoftserve.com
STANDING EGG COFFEE A coffee shop with gluten-free doughnuts and an old-school record player in the corner that seems to always be playing the Rolling Stones. 2833 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; standingeggcoffee.com
SALT & STRAW Another Portland, Oregon transplant that has made its way to Los Angeles (lucky for us). Try the famous saled caramel ice cream flavor. saltandstraw.com
SWEET LAUREL Laurel Gallucci makes cakes and baked goods using dairy-free almond-flour. Her creations include towering layers of coconut-lemon, vanilla, or chocolate sponge iced to perfection and decorated with fresh-cut flowers and fruit. 15279 Sunset Blvd., Pacific Palisades; sweetlaurel.com
LA COLOMBE The East Coast staple has landed in LA, serving the same artisanal coffee in porcelain cups, inviting one to pull up a chair and linger or work. 3900 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; lacolombe.com
CAFFE LUXXE An Italian-style small batch coffee roaster, founded by childhood friends Mark Wain and Gary Chau. 22333 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; caffeluxxe.com
GELATERIA ULI The eponymous shop serves gelato as well as vegan flavors, a speculoos cookie latte, and affogatos. gelateriauli.com
JENI’S James Beard Award-Winning Jeni Britton Bauer’s famous ice cream has made its way from Ohio to Los Angeles. We love the brambleberry crisp, salted caramel, goat cheese with red cherries, Riesling poached pear sorbet, and the list goes on. jenis.com
LITTLE DAMAGE The soft serve at this tiny shop is made daily in small batches, using local ingredients from organic dairy farmers. Try the signature almond-charcoal flavored swirl served in hand-rolled black cones. 700 S. Spring St., Downtown; littledamage.com
ALFRED A chain of coffee shops and tea rooms serving matcha, loose leaf, boba, and coffee. alfred.la
SIDECAR DOUGHNUTS Fresh doughnuts and coffee are served at the Santa Monica outpost. Favorite flavors include huckleberry and vanilla twist. They also serve gluten-free options. sidecardoughnuts.com
HONEYMEE ICE CREAM All natural soft serve ice cream served with healthy toppings like granola, honey oats, slivered almonds, and real honeycomb. honeymee.com
DINOSAUR COFFEE Designed by MASS Architects, everything about it is well-considered, from the Scandinavian stools to the fin-shaped sculpture above the counter, which also displays the menu. 4334 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; dinosaurcoffee.com
HONEY HI Owned and operated by two best friends (including a nutritionist), Honey Hi serves gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, GMO-free fare. Menu highlights include the Moroccan bowl, the miso bowl, the matcha moringa drink, and the chocolate chip cookies made with cassava flour, grass-fed butter, and Maldon salt.1620 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; honeyhi.co
EARTHBAR Earthbar is one of LA’s original, nutrition-focused juice bars. In addition to smoothies, organic cold-pressed juices, salads, and wraps, the shop stocks a wide variety of plant-based vitamins and supplements. earthbar.com
DIDDY RIESE Diddy Riese serves famous ice cream sandwiches to UCLA students with a sweet tooth in Westwood. 926 Broxton Ave., Westwood; diddyriese.com
SWEET ROSE CREAMERY A local, seasonal ice cream spot serving matcha, fig, and goat cheese flavors. sweetrosecreamery.com
VAN LEEUWEN Born out of a yellow truck in NYC, Van Leeuwen now has multiple locations in LA. They’re particularly famous for their vegan ice cream, a combination of cashew milk, coconut milk, cocoa butter, and carob beans. vanleeuwenicecream.com
THE BIGG CHILL With the original '80s logo intact more than 20 years later, the Bigg Chill serves frozen yogurt with a wide assortment of flavors and endless toppings. 10850 W. Olympic Blvd., West LA; thebiggchill.com
MCCONNELL’S FINE ICE CREAMS The original McConnell’s opened in Santa Barbara in 1948. Their dairy is sourced from grass-fed cows which are raised just north of LA on the central coast, and they've been working with the same creamery since they got their start. The classic flavors like vanilla and chocolate are the gold standard here. 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, Downtown; mcconnells.com
BLUE BOTTLE COFFEE Originally from Oakland, California, Blue Bottle serves Japanese-style coffee made from a siphon filter. bluebottlecoffee.com
DONUT FRIEND The best donughts in LA. Period. Try the Girl Scout Cookie-inspired “Samoa” flavor. donutfriend.com
THE TRAILS CAFE Stop by the charming Trails Café after hiking through Griffith Park. Try the avocado sandwich and enjoy at one of the picnic tables. 2333 Fern Dell Dr., Los Feliz
THYME CAFÉ & MARKET A modern, stylish eatery and shop for gourmet entrees, soups, sandwiches, and more, plus beer & wine. 1630 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; thymecafeandmarket.com
TOP TIER TREATS Elaborate, multi-tired special occasion cakes as well as cookies, pies, and cupcakes are made at this bakery. 11511 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; toptiertreats.com
CALIFORNIA DONUTS Open 24/7 serving signature signature donut letters— a great alternative to birthday cake. 3540 W. 3rd St., Koreatown; cadonuts.com
JOHN KELLY CHOCOLATES Handmade, artisantal chocolates ranging from the traditional (chocolate and sea salt) to the exotic (dark chocolate with Habanero and Jalapeno chile). johnkellychocolates.com
SWEET LADY JANE Cakes and pastries (plus a pretty famous tuna fish sandwich) are served here. sweetladyjane.com
THE BOURGEOIS PIG A bohemian late-night coffee shop with a pool table, a jungle-themed room in the back, serving coffee and chai tea. 5931 Franklin Ave., Hollywood
SCOOPS Owner Tai Kim creates regular and vegan unique ice cream flavors, including brown bread and lychee grapefruit sorbet. 5105 York Blvd, Highland Park
COOLHAUS Coolhaus makes handmade ice cream sandwiches, including Chocolate Brownie with Maldon Sea Salt. 8588 Washington Blvd., Culver City; cool.haus
ESPRESSO CIELO Coffee and croissants are served at this cozy, corner café. 3101 Main St., Santa Monica; espressocielo.com
HUCKLEBERRY CAFÉ A busy breakfast spot serving homemade doughnuts as well as quinoa, veggie, and egg bowls. 1014 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; huckleberrycafe.com
GARDEN CAFE A Sherman Oaks café with classic sandwiches and artisanal grilled cheeses. 4351 Woodman Ave., Sherman Oaks; yumgardencafe.com
VANILLA BAKE SHOP This husband and wife-helmed catering company still bakes everything entirely from scratch, turning out birthday cakes, cupcakes, and macarons. 512 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; vanillabakeshop.com
SUSIECAKES American classic ice box cakes, including their funfetti birthday cake bestseller, are sold at locations throughout Southern California. susiecakes.com
LOVE COFFEE BAR A whitewashed, bright café with a backyard. Excellent for working remote or bringing your dog. 1732 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; lovecoffeebar.com
INTELLIGENTSIA Hip coffee shops in industrial-style environs with multiple locations throughout the Greater Los Angeles area. intelligentsia.com
COFFEE COMMISSARY Coffee Commissary brings in a different guest roaster every few weeks. coffeecommissary.com
LARK The specialty is birthday cakes, although they also make Berry shortcake, chocolate mocha, and red velvet flavors, as well as cupcakes. larkcakeshop.com
BRICKS & SCONES A two-story coffeehouse with a mini library and a menu filled with scones and sandwiches— perfect for digital nomads. 403 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park; bricksandscones.menufy.com
DOCUMENT COFFEE BAR Order the Document Cold, a maple-syrup-spiked cold brew reminiscent of New Orleans chicory coffee. 3850 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; documentcoffeebar.com
DEUS EX MACHINA A coffee shop in an auto garage where one can order an espresso as well as buy a custom-made motorcycle or a leather jacket. 3850 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; deuscustoms.com
FUNNEL MILL Made to order coffee drinks using ancient techniques, which require various beakers, siphons, and butane systems make for quite the experience. Feeling fancy? Try the $75 Esmeralda Especial. 930 Broadway, Santa Monica; funnelmill.com
LAMILL COFFEE This coffee shop looks more like a restaurant with its leather banquette, floral wallpaper, and chandeliers. Pastries as well as a full menu of toasts, soups, and salads are served. 1636 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; lamillcoffee.com
VERVE COFFEE ROASTERS Fair trade espressos, lattes, americanos and cappuccinos are served at this trendy café. vervecoffee.com
BAR NINE
Excellent coffee is served in glass jars along with a breakfast menu of egg sandwiches, yogurt, and granola. 3515 Helms Ave, Culver City; barnine.us
FOOD + LAB A gourmet cafe serving seasonal, organic fare and specialty goods in a minimal interior. 732 N Highland Ave, West Hollywood; foodlab-la.com
MALIBU KITCHEN & GOURMET Located in the Malibu Country Mart, this café and deli is the perfect pit stop before the beach. Pick up the crispy chocolate chip cookies and cranberry muffin or the tuna salad sandwich and fried chicken. 3900 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu
MELROSE PLACE FARMERS MARKET Fresh produce and prepared foods are sold every Sunday at this local farmer’s market. 8400 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood
BRENTWOOD FARMERS MARKET Beyond the fruit and veggie stands, this neighborhood farmers' market offers all sorts of organic prepared foods, like gluten- and dairy-free treats from Coco Bakes, hummus from Mom's, and fresh tamales. There's also a petting zoo for the kids. 741 S. Gretna Green Wy., Brentwood; pcfma.org
HOLLYWOOD FARMERS MARKET The best of organic California produce is sold here plus coffee carts and homemade tamales. 1600 Ivar Ave., Hollywood; hollywoodfarmersmarket.net
THE GROVE ORIGINAL FARMER’S MARKET A favorite destination among locals and tourists since 1934, offering over 100 gourmet grocers and restaurants. 189 The Grove Dr, La Brea; farmersmarketla.com
MALIBU FARMERS MARKET Set up in the local library parking lot, within walking distance of the Country Mart, this is where you’ll find the freshest seasonal produce, driven in from local organic farmers that morning, pastry and snacks by small family owned businesses, and just-picked flowers. 23555 Civic Center Way, Malibu
LARCHMONT FARMERS MARKET In addition to the usual fresh California produce found at most markets in LA, this small market often has puppies and kittens for adoption. Flowers are also for sale and prepared food vendors sell enchiladas and homemade soups. 209 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park; rawinspiration.org
SILVER LAKE FARMERS MARKET Fresh produce, home-grown herbs, artisanal coffee, and crêpes are all found here on Sundays. 3700 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake
ITALIAN BAKERY & DELI Every city in LA seems to have a local old-school Italian deli. Our favorite is in Eagle Rock. Order the Pignole cookies, loaves of fresh bread, and deli meat to build your own authentic, artisanal sandwiches. 1726 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock.
COFAX A coffee shop with a baseball theme and the best breakfast burritos in Los Angeles. 440 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; cofaxcoffee.com
HIGHLY LIKELY A breakfast café serving burritos with house-made hot sauce, seed cookies, and Japanese porridge. 4310 W Jefferson Blvd., West Adams; itshighlylikely.com
PAPER OR PLASTIK CAFÉ At Paper or Plastik, the lavender chai is something special, the maple latte is as good as they say, and the gluten-free marshmallow chocolate chip cookie? You’ll want another. This all-day coffee spot gets busy during lunch and dinner, but it’s always a good place to catch up on work or sit and read (just look for a laptop-friendly table). Pick a spot under the big industrial windows downstairs or climb up to the loft overlooking the dance studio next door—sometimes you’ll catch a rehearsal to watch as you sip some of the best pour-over coffee in LA. 5772 W Pico Blvd., Mid-City; paperorplastikcafe.com
EREWHON From organic produce to the juice bar, prepared foods, wheat, gluten and dairy-free treats, a salad bar, sushi and so much more, this market is a wonderful place for groceries or to have a healthy lunch or dinner. Seating consists of wooden tables outside, so go on a nice day if you’re eating in. erewhonmarket.com
PAM’S COFFY A cafe from Quentin Tarantino that celebrates Pam Grier and her iconic "Coffy" character. 4473 Sunset Blvd
MEYERS MANX CAFE The new cafe and restaurant within the Petersen Automotive Museum, sponsored by Meyers Manx dune buggies. 6060 Wilshire Blvd; meyersmanxcafe.com
LADURÉE Thanks to loads of press and a swift global expansion in 2005, the Ladurée celadon green is almost as iconic as Tiffany’s robin’s egg blue, or Hermes’ orange: It all started in 1862 at 16 rue Royale, when writer Louis Ernest Ladurée opened a pastry shop. Though macaroons had been kicking around France since the 16th century, when Catherine de Medici introduced them from Italy, Ladurée’s grandson revolutionized the concept in 1930 by using a bit of ganache to create a macaron sandwich. That said, their lunch service is great, with a kid-friendly menu that adults can enjoy too. The original Ladurée is a fixture on the Champs-Elysées; in addition to this new location at The Grove and another in Beverly Hills, there are now outposts in New York, London, Lebanon, Japan, Sweden, Hong Kong, Brazil, and more. 189 The Grove Dr., West Hollywood; laduree.us/laduree-l-a-beverly-hills.html
HOMEGIRL CAFÉ Over the last few decades, Homeboy Industries has built a small empire in Los Angeles founded on a beautiful ethos and impactful mission: to improve the health and safety of the community through jobs and education, instead of incarceration. At Homegirl Café, a Homeboy enterprise (that also sells baked goods from Homeboy Bakery), young women enter an 18-month training certificate program where they learn about the restaurant industry and urban farming while working with a case manager to address other needs, including GED prep, substance abuse, domestic violence, tattoo removal, and legal services. The restaurant they run is as amazing as the program itself; the farm-to-table breakfast and lunch spot serves up soups, salads, and vegan and gluten-free-friendly iterations of classic Latin American dishes. Their tacos are not to be missed–make sure to try their vegan offering prepared with sautéed hibiscus flower, caramelized onions, avocado, cucumber, serrano peppers, and cilantro. 130 Bruno St., Chinatown; homeboyindustries.org/social-enterprises/cafe/
MALIBU CAFE Wedged between the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu wine country, Malibu Cafe and its sprawling grounds (one hundred and thirty acres, to be exact) and outdoor games (corn hole, pool, and shuffleboard) make it a great place to bring littles. Much of the action centers around the courtyard, which is set up with a bar, lawn games, and picnic tables. Cafe reservations are recommended, especially on weekends, when without one, the wait can be several hours for a table. A BBQ-heavy menu includes pulled pork, brisket, and Southern fried chicken, but there are a handful of veggie options, like, say, a Brussels sprout salad with Cara Cara oranges and avocado, for those looking for something lighter. There’s a small kids menu with grilled cheese, a burger, and pasta. On the way out, stroll through the little boutique, Shop Calagmigos, which is stocked with beach-y separates like YSTR dresses, tassel bracelets, and Apolis reusable totes. 327 Latigo Canyon Rd., Malibu; calamigosguestranch.com
SANTA MONICA FARMER'S MARKET Make sure to visit Logan from Logan’s Gardens for vegetables.
JYAN ISAAC BREAD The bread scene in Los Angeles has never been better or more competitive than now. Nineteen-year-old Jyan Isaac Horwitz cut his baking teeth in the Gjusta kitchen. Cut to the pandemic, when he started baking loaves at home to sell to family and friends. But word spread, and within weeks everyone wanted a taste of Horwitz’s long-fermented artisanal sourdough. Though a bakery space is in the works to open on the Westside, right now, all orders are online via the young baker’s site. Order your French baguette, Danish rye, sourdough boule, cultured butter, and never-too-sweet jam at least four days in advance for delivery or pickup in person at Stella Barra or Hollywood’s Harvey Easton Cafe. 1622 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; jyanisaacbread.com
VINOVORE There’s something seriously appealing about a store with a point of view. Vinovore focuses its lens on female winemakers, a rare breed in an industry heavily dominated by men. Curbside pickup and delivery to several Los Angeles zip codes are available from the location on Hoover, in that patch of East LA that’s not quite Silver Lake but not East Hollywood proper. When stores reopen, we strongly recommend stopping by for wine, as well as quality tinned fish, charcuterie, and artisanal chocolate. In the interim, we’re deep in the thrall of Vinovore’s wine club, the Wolfpack. Owner and sommelier Coly Den Haan selects two to four female-made natural wines monthly, and tasting notes and pairing suggestions are included in the box. 616 N Hoover St., Silver Lake; vinovore.com
BAR & GARDEN While Bar & Garden certainly feels like a neighborhood spot—super-helpful and friendly staff, a cozy, plant-adorned space; it's been in Culver City for years—it's definitely not your average local liquor store. Known for carrying hard-to-find bottles, owners Lauren Johnson, Marissa Mandel, and Ryan Frick make sure their unusual and constantly-updated selection of spirits are free of artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. In addition to stocking a solid selection of natural wines and craft beers, they also curate an assortment of every kind of barware item you could possibly need. They have tastings every Tuesday and Sunday—plus, it's a great stop for gifts. 6142 Washington Blvd., Culver City; barandgarden.com
DOMAINE LA With a heavy focus on natural and low-intervention bottles, Domaine LA is one of the city’s most revered wine shops—and now it’s delivering. We like to pick up the phone, roughly describe our preferences and budget, and savor the selection pulled together for us. You can, of course, specify specific bottles or stick to that drinkable Montepulciano you’ve been pouring since 2008, but trusting the selection to the more-than-capable Domaine staffers feels like having your own personal sommelier. 6801 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; domainela.com/collections/all-wines
VENICE BEACH WINES While Venice is awash in good food options (hello, Gran Blanco), wine stores offering delivery are oddly absent. Venice Beach Wines on Rose is our usual wine bar of choice, and now, it’s (thankfully) delivering its full range of organic and natural wines. Take a look at the detailed tasting notes, choose a bottle, and while you’re at it, order a cheese box to accompany a perfect glass. 529 Rose Ave., Venice; venicebeachwines.com
COMPARTÈS HOLLYWOOD CHOCOLATE FACTORY & STORE Before there were disruptors and influencers, there was: chocolate. Compartès has been at the forefront of the chocolate scene—yes, there is a chocolate scene—since Elvis, Sinatra, and the Kennedys were fans. And now the Los Angeles brand offers people who love chocolate and food and chocolate with food a peek behind the cocoa. 5735 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles; compartes.com
JACKSON MARKET Housed on a residential street in Culver City, Jackson Market has a grocery section (lots of gourmet candy, drinks, and snacks) in addition to a lengthy lunch menu. While the Jamaican Jerk sandwich had a nice kick to it and the Rueben has the perfect brisket-to-sauerkraut ratio (best enjoyed right away as the dressing makes the bread soggy), the classic Italian sub is a definite fan favorite, particularly when you take the build-your-own option and opt for a turkey-and-pesto sandwich.4065 Jackson Ave., Culver City; jacksonmarketanddeli.com/
LARCHMONT VILLAGE WINE & CHEESE While it’s billed as a wine and cheese shop—and they do in fact put together an excellent cheese board—it’s the sandwich counter that’s the real draw. At only seven items long, and with the option to order by the half, you can easily sample the entire menu in a few visits—and if you need a good place to start, we always go for #1 (the freshest mozzarella, basil, and tomato situation) or the #3 (Italian salami and manchego cheese smothered in sundried tomato sauce) on fresh-baked baguette, though the ciabatta has a loyal following as well. 223 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park; larchmontvillagewine.com
BAR KEEPER Bar Keeper stocks small batch liquors in a beautifully appointed storefront in Silver Lake. In addition to finding everything you might need to set up a top-notch bar (they're so good that they do drink set consulting for HBO's Mad Men and supply many of LA's finer cocktail bars like The Varnish), they have a staff mixologist that can come to your home and mix for you and your friends. The experience is meant to be hands-on, getting everyone involved in the process. 3910 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; barkeepersilverlake.com
PSYCHIC WINES As much as we miss Saturday strolls around the incredibly serene, beautifully merchandised Psychic Wines, we’re over-the-moon that it delivers. Owner Quinn Kimsey-White applies a deeply personal approach to his store’s offering, sourcing each bottle from tiny vineyards helmed by creative, low-intervention winemakers. An order from Psychic Wines is the perfect opportunity to go rogue and try something completely new. 2825 Bellevue Ave., Silver Lake; psychicwinesla.com
KAE SUNG MARKET The tendency to romanticize the food cooked by our grandmothers runs through every culture, and Korean culture is no exception. At Kae Sung Market, an actual grandmother, Sook Jae Cho, spends her days brining and fermenting the vegetables that make up her kimchi, famous among in-the-know neighborhood locals. Cho has been living in LA. for over forty years and started selling her homemade kimchi as a side business in the ’80s. (The mart is named for her North Korean hometown, Kae Sung.) This side hustle has turned into a full-day market, and on any given day there are up to ten kinds of kimchi on offer, including kosher and vegan-friendly varieties. The signage is entirely in Korean, so look out for the yellow storefront on the corner of St. Andrew’s Place and West Olympic, or just ask a bystander—chances are anyone you ask in the area will know how to get there. 1010 S. St. Andrews Pl., Koreatown
CALIFORNIA MARKET What was formerly called Gaju Marketplace has recently been remodeled into an incredibly vast food court and grocery store that’s a staple for the goop staffers who live in Koreatown. The banchan (small prepared sides like bean sprouts with sesame oil) are convenient to pick up for a light solo meal or for an impromptu dinner party. And because of the big Latino community that also lives within K-town, you’ll find the freshest avocados and papayas alongside daikon and jars of kimchi. The best part: the free, on-site, five-floor parking structure with panoramic views stretching from DTLA to Culver City. 450 S. Western Ave., Koreatown
HI HO LIQUOR
Somewhat of an upscale bodega, this liquor-general store mashup stocks everything from small-batch, bottled cocktails to gourmet yogurt. Owners Chris Harris and Talmadge Lowe curate the beer, wine, and spirits selection while their significant others (Kelly Harris and Paige Appel, the previously mentioned owners of Midland) collaborate on the market and sundries offerings. hiloliquor.com
STANLEY'S WET GOODS
Three-fourths of this Venice Boulevard spot is dedicated to sustainable wines and small-batch beers and spirits. The other quarter is a beer and wine bar within the shop where you can either drink your purchase from the store (there’s no corkage fee on Monday) or order from the thoughtfully crafted menu. Either way, you’ll likely end up talking beer and wine all night with Stanley’s highly knowledgeable bartender. 9620 Venice Blvd., Culver City; stanleys.la
EATALY Occupying a cavernous space in Century City's Westfield, this Italian gourmet food emporium and restaurant space—which stretches across multiple floors—makes a solid attempt at replicating the charm of the Italian grocery shopping experience in America. Dozens of counters and mini kitchens make and sell everything from fresh mozzarella and home-made pasta, to vegetables and desserts. While the lines for each of Eataly's three restaurants are admittedly long the wait is worth it, whether you're opting to try the pizza at La pizza & La Pasta, the sustainably caught, wild California fish at the incredible Il Pesce Cucina, or just a few small bites and a glass of wine at La Piazza. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City; eataly.com/us_en/stores/los-angeles
SILVER LAKE WINE With its poured-concrete floors and rustic shelving, Glendale Boulevard’s Silver Lake Wine looks like a wine temple. And in many ways, it is. Bottles, stacked from floor to ceiling, cover every square foot with no real organizing principle (or at least not one that we could figure out), and that’s half the fun. That weird, random bottle you had at a friend’s wedding in Corsica last summer? They probably have it. Call ahead and ask for their top choices or have the knowledgeable staffers point you in the right direction. Order four or more bottles and delivery to several zip codes (check the site) is free. There are two other locations, in Highland Park and Downtown LA. 2395 Glendale Blvd., Silver Lake; silverlakewine.com
THE OYSTER GOURMET French-born chef Christophe Happillon has become known as L.A.'s oyster sommelier through his oyster pop-ups at high-end restaurants and hotels. In 2014, he brought The Oyster Gourmet to Grand Central Market in the form of a tiny stall with wood-canvas wings that open and close not entirely unlike...yes, an oyster. Like the space, the menu is small but satisfying—oysters, of course, and also a selection of clams, shrimp, and some raw fish, along with wine and beer. In addition to his space at Grand Central Market, Happillon still does seafood catering, and brings oyster pop up bars to events and parties in Los Angeles. 317 S. Broadway, Downtown; theoystergourmet.com
SANTA MONICA SEAFOOD Santa Monica Seafood is our go-to fishmonger in LA. There's also a cute little café and bar where you can pull up a chair, have a glass a wine, and dig into some freshly shucked oysters. 1000 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; smseafoodmarket.com
BARS
HOTEL BEL-AIR BAR The dimly lit Hotel Bel Air bar has live piano music and large-scale vintage portraits of celebrities. Order a dirty martini and soak up the old-Hollywood glamour of yesteryear. 701 Stone Canyon Rd., Bel Air; dorchestercollection.com
SUNSET TOWER BAR Bugsy Siegel’s apartment has been transformed into one of the most classic bars in LA. Come at sunset to see the view from the terrace, listen to live piano music, and order an old-school cocktail with a side of french fries. 8358 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; sunsettowerhotel.com
BAR MARMONT Although the hotel is undergoing renovations and rumour has it that it will be transformed into a members-only club, guests can still make reservations at the restaurant. Order the “Night at the Iguana” made with mezcal, green chartreuse, benedictine, Lillet blanc, habanero shrub, and sage. 8171 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood; chateaumarmont.com
MIJARES Family owned and operated since 1920, this Mexican restaurant and bar in Pasadena is a hidden gem. Last time were were there we saw Paul McCartney enjoying of their famous “Spa Margaritas.” 145 Palmetto Dr, Pasadena; mijaresrestaurant.com
APOTHEKE An apothecary-themed speakeasy tucked away in Chinatown where bartenders dressed in lab coats prescribe inventive (and strong) botanical concoctions for every imaginable “ailment”. Mixing fruits, vegetables, herbs, spices, and roots, the new summer drinks menu promises flavourful “aphrodisiac” and “painkiller” cocktails that pack a punch. 1746 N Spring St, Chinatown; apothekemixology.com
THE EDISON Located in a a renovated power plant, The Edison is a speakeasy that serves absinthe-based craft cocktails, plus burlesque and live music nights. 108 W 2nd St. Downtown; theneverlands.com
ARTS DISTRICT BREWING CO. A rotating selection of 30 craft beers is offered along with ping pong tables, darts, and Skeeball machines. 828 Traction Ave, Arts District; artsdistrictbrewing.com
AMERICAN BEAUTY A horeshoe bar within the steakhouse with deep emerald walls, dark wood, and house martinis made with bayleaf-infused vodka. 425 Rose Ave., Venice; americanbeauty.la
LOWBOY A moody, softly lit, cozy bar. Order the popcorn sprinkled with Old Bay as a snack. 1538 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; lowboybar.com
EIGHTYTWO A good old-fashioned arcade bar with classic video games and pinball with food trucks in the courtyard. 707 E. 4th Pl., Arts District; eightytwo.la
TABULA RASA Far from a blank slate, Tabula Rasa is a wine bar with an extensive wine list and a rotating roster of food pop-ups. 5125 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; tabularasabar.com
THE SEMI-TROPIC A café by day and European wine bar by night. 1412 Glendale Blvd., Echo Park; thesemitropic.com
GOOD HOUSEKEEPING Hidden behind Café Birdie, the brick-lined bar serves craft cocktails like The Nature Baby— a muddle of tequila, sage, orange bitters, ginger, and tonic. 5635 N Figueroa St., Highland Park; goodhousekeepinghlp.com
TOE BANG CAFE A Koreatown dive bar with soju-based cocktails, a hip-hop playlist, and bar snacks like kimchi pancakes, bulgogi cabbage wraps, and scallop skewers. 3465 W. 6th St., Koretown
KYE’S A healthy café that serves take-out wild seared salmon and macro-pressed veggies wrapped in nori, collard greens, or romaine leaves. 1518 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; kyesfeelgoodfood.com
SOOPSOK A karaoke bar with twenty rooms. Order a bottle of soju (Korea’s national drink) and some plates of spicy chicken wings and nachos, and sing your heart out. 4070 W. 3rd St., Koreatown; soopsokkaraoke.net
THE NORMANDIE CLUB Set in the Hotel Normandie, this bar serves craft cocktails like the daiquiri with a salted-grapefruit cordial, an old-fashioned with coconut bourbonor the shandy lager with Suze, blueberry mint syrup, and a squeeze of lemon. 3612 W. 6th St., Koreatown; thenormandieclub.com
HMS BOUNTY A kitschy, nautical dive bar with a jazz jukebox. 3357 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; thehmsbounty.com
BAR STELLA Sit outside and enjoy an Aperol Spritz shaded by a canopy of bougainvillea at Bar Stella. 3932 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; cafestella.com
EMPLOYEES ONLY The LA outpost of the beloved West Village cocktail bar. Fans of the original will notice the neon “Psychic” sign in the window, and indeed, there are three psychics in residence each night, available for fifteen-minute readings. Try the Hope Monkey (Kaffir-lime-infused Gin Mare and absinthe bitters). 7953 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; employeesonlyla.com
ASHLAND HILL A beer garden and gin bar in Santa Monica with bar snacks including crispy cauliflower and shishito mac ’n’ cheese as well as pub food like a shawarma wrap, fried chicken sandwich, and white cheddar burger with Parmesan cheese fries. 2907 Main St., Santa Monica; ashlandhill.com
FIRESTONE WALKER BREWERY A restaurant, bar, and brewhouse in Venice with Firestone classics like the 805, DBA, and Union Jack IPA and a rotating on-tap selection. 3205 Washington Blvd., Venice; firestonebeer.com
SANTA MONICA BREW WORKS Try Santa Monica-made beer at this tap room. Try the 310 blonde ale. 1920 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica; santamonicabrewworks.com
BREAK ROOM 86 An 80s themed club behind the Line Hotel. The private rooms play karaoke, and there's a burlesque show every hour. 630 S. Ardmore Ave., Koreatown; breakroom86.com
THE FRIEND A ‘friendly’ bar with a pinball marchine and disco balls. 2611 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; thefriendbar.com
LITTLE BEAR A Belgian beer hall. 1855 Industrial St., Arts District; littlebearbar.com
WOLF & CRANE An inventive cocktail list wiht a large selection of Japanese whiskey. 366 E. 2nd St., Little Tokyo
THE SUNSET A whitewashed bungalow with unobstructed views of Zuma Beach. Order ceviche and fish tacos. 6800 Westward Beach Rd., Malibu; thesunsetrestaurant.com
YSABEL A mid-centruy modern space with an outdoor patio, excellent cocktails, and a Mediterranean-inflected menu. 945 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; ysabel.la
BAR BANDINI Natural wines and bar snacks like Sicilian olives, cured meats, and local cheeses are served at this romantic bar. 2150 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; barbandini.com
ESTERS WINE SHOP & BAR An Art Deco–style spot for wine and small plates with a retail shop selling bottles and gourmet snacks. 1314 7th St., Santa Monica; esterswineshop.com
BAR LUBITSCH A Russian-themed vodka bar with tables in the front and dancing in the back. 7702 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; barlubitsch.com
BAR COVELL The walls are lined with vintage cameras, keys, and other antiques at this cocktail bar. 4628 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz; barcovell.com
LA DESCARGA A Cuban-themed speakeasy with rum, salsa, live jazz, a cigar lounge, and burlesque. 1159 N. Western Ave., Hollywood; ladescargala.com
EL PRADO A cozy, wood-paneled watering hole with craft beers, select wines, and vinyl music. 1805 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; vernonbrewersguild.com
THE VARNISH Located in the back room of Cole’s French Dip (LA’s oldest restaurant and the birthplace of the French Dip sandwich), mixologists handcraft custom cocktails. 118 E. 6th St., Downtown; thevarnishbar.com
LIBRARY BAR Literary-themed libations like 'Tequila Mockingbird' are served at this aptly-named bar, and the library area is outfitted with leather-bound books and a fireplace. 630 W. 6th St., Downtown; librarybarla.com
THE GOLDEN GOPHER An old-school, urban bar with a great craft beer selection, cocktails, a photo booth, pacman, jukebox, and more. 417 W. 8th St., Downtown; goldengopherla.com
ANGEL CITY BREWERY Located in the historic John A. Roebling Building in the Arts District, Angel City includes a large beer hall and brew house. 216 S. Alameda St., Downtown; angelcitybrewery.com
TIKI-TI A 50 year old landmark that whips up tropical drinks with Hawaiian decor. 4427 Sunset Blvd., Los Feliz; tiki-ti.com
THE BUNGALOW A beachhouse turned bar on the corner of Wilshire and Ocean with a view of the Pacific. 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; thebungalow.com
ROSENTHAL A wine bar and tasting room in Malibu with two labels: The Malibu Estate wines made from the twenty-acre Malibu vineyard, and the Surfrider label which sources grapes from around California. Picnic, order food from the foot trucks, and enjoy live music on the weekends. 18741 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; rosenthalestatewines.com
DUKE’S BAREFOOT BAR Adjacent to Duke’s Malibu is their casual Tiki Bar where they serve mai tai'‘s, mojitos, and margaritas at pau hana (happy hour in Hawaiian). On Friday nights, they have hula dancers and music. 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; dukesmalibu.com
CAPRI CLUB Eagle Rock's neighborhood aperitivo bar. 604 Eagle Rock Blvd; capriclublosangeles.com
DINE
GIGI’S Easygoing destination with arty decor & a patio serving classic French meat & seafood dishes. 904 N Sycamore Ave; gigis.la
POLO LOUNGE Our favorite spot for lunch happens to be the shaded outdoor courtyard of the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel. Order the famous tortilla soup and McCarthy salad. The Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills; dorchestercollection.com
DAN TANA’S An L.A. institution, 50 years strong, with a long, hand-drawn menu filled with Italian classics. 9071 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; dantanasrestaurant.com
LIL DOMS An intimate Italian bistro with indoor and outdoor seating. We like to go after a performance at the nearby Greek Theatre in Griffith Park. 2128 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; littledoms.com
GJELINA Gjelina was named after founder Fran Camaj’s mother, and opened on Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice in 2008 serving locally-sourced, produce-forward food. They also operate Valle, Gjusta, and GTA. Make sure to sit in the charmig courtyard out back. 1429 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice; gjelina.com
DANTE The NY transplant opened in the Maybourne Hotel with sweeping views over Beverly Hills. 2745 Beverly Blvd; dantebeverlyhills.com
DUKE’S The iconic Waikiki restaurant has a location in La Jolla and Malibu, and both are set on the water with a view of the ocean. Order one of their famous Mai Tai’s to start and the Hula Pie to finish. 21150 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; dukesmalibu.com
BAY CITIES A popular deli and lunch spot in Santa Monica. Order The Godmother sub, tuna salad, or the turkey pesto and eggplant parm. The market is stocked with authentic, imported Italian goods. 1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica; order.bcdeli.com
ALL ABOUT THE BREAD As the name suggests, the sandwiches here revolve around the artisanal bread. 7111 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; allaboutthebread.com
MEL’S DRIVE-IN Famous for its iconic scene in American Graffiti, Mel’s Drive-In is a chain of diners, established in 1947. Visit the one on Sunset Boulevard for an authentic LA experience. 8585 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood; melsdrive-in.com
BOB’S BIG BOY Home of the original Double Decker Hamburger. You will spot the larger than life statue of “Bob” before you see this iconic diner in Burbank. It was built in 1949, and is the oldest remaining Bob's Big Boy in America. 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank; bobs.net
COLE’S The birthplace of the French Dip sandwich and an LA institution since 1908. 118 E 6th St, Downtown
PHILIPPE THE ORIGINAL Another rival French Dip restaurant, which has been around since the ‘50s. 1001 N. Alameda St., Chinatown; philippes.com
CLEMENTINE April is grilled cheese month at this café, marked by a grilled cheese-specific menu centered on a specific theme. 1751 Ensley Ave, Century City; clementineonline.com
IKE’S LOVE & SANDWICHES A Bay Area export, famous for their sauces and sandwiches like the Tony Soprano (an extra saucy Italian sub). ikessandwich.com
SANTOUKA RAMEN A Japanese Hokkaido restaurant with an overseas outpost in Santa Monica serving excellent ramen. 3760 Centinela Ave., Santa Monica; santouka.co.jp
WEXLER’S DELI Wexler's Deli in Grand Central Market focuses on Jewish classics like bagels with lox and shmear, pastrami and smoked fish, and pickles. Grand Central Market, 317 S. Broadway, Downtown; wexlersdeli.com
JOHN’S GARDEN Located in the Malibu Country Mart, and open for over 40 years, serving the same sandwich menu. Try the Surfer Princess with turkey, sprouts, and avocado and the coconut-macadamia-chocolate-chip cookie. 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu; johnsgardenmalibu.com
BANH MI MY THO A hole-in-the-wall restaurant in the San Gabriel Valley serving authentic banh mi sandwiches and Vietnamese iced coffee. 304 W. Valley Blvd., Alhambra; banhmimytho.com
REDDI CHICK Located in Brentwood Country Mart, serving perfectly-seasoned rotisserie chicken with barbecue dipping sauce and a side of fries. 225 26th St., Brentwood; reddichickbbq.com
ROSCOE’S HOUSE OF CHICKEN & WAFFLES A beloved Los Angeles staple, founded by Herb Hudson in 1975, and serving the namesake winning combination ever since. roscoeschickenandwaffles.com
LOS TACOS Not to be confused with Los Tacos No. 1 in New York City, this casual shop in West Hollywood serving authentic carnitas tacos 24 hours a day. 7954 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood
THE BEST FISH TACO IN ENSENEDA Baja-style shrimp and fish tacos, plus housemade salsas, in a tiny, eclectic space with patio seating. 1650 N. Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; bestfishtacoinensenada.com
LOTERIA GRILL Located in the long-standing Farmer’s Market adjacent to The Grove, serving regional Mexican food. 6333 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; loteriagrill.com
WAX PAPER Chef Peter Lemos names all the sandwiches after NPR correspondents. The Ira Glass has avocado, sprouts, picked and raw onions, cucumber, and garlic aioli with cheddar cheese, served on wheat bread from LA bakery Bub and Grandma's. The Audie Cornish is ham and cheese with honey butter and cornichon vinaigrette served on a baguette, and the Kai Ryssdal is tuna on a sesame roll. waxpaperco.com
TRIPLE BEAM PIZZA Nancy Silverton and Matt Molina's Roman pizzeria serves rectangular pieces of pie, plus beer, and wine. 5918 N Figueroa St, Highland Park; triplebeampizza.com
CHI SPACCA An award-winning Tuscan restaurant in Los Angeles by Joe Bastianich and Nancy Silverton. 6610 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles; chispacca.com
TOWN A Highland Park pizzeria that gives Prince Street Pizza in Nolita a run for their money (if you know, you know). 5101 York Blvd, Highland Park; townla.com
WURSTKÜCHE Bratwurst sausages with Belgian fries and imported beers are served at this beer garden. wurstkuche.com
FAT SAL’S An East Coast-style sandwich shack serving hero’s like the sausage and pepper. fatsalsdeli.com
EGGSLUT A famous breakfast spot (with a line to prove it). Served on a brioche bun with bacon and scrambled eggs. The famous Fairfax sandwich comes with cheddar cheese, caramelized onions, and Sriracha mayo. eggslut.com
BREAKFAST BY SALT’S CURE Oatmeal griddle cakes topped with sea-salt butter and powdered sugar is the order at this popular breakfast spot. breakfastbysaltscure.com
THE COUNTRY KITCHEN A tiny burrito and burger joint across the PCH from the water since the early ‘70s, and the go-to spot for post-surf session breakfast burritos. 21239 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu
LILY’S Lily's is known for their breakfast burritos, which are packed with eggs, bacon, cheese, and beans and served with a side of their signature green salsa, and hit the spot after a long surf session in Malibu. Point Dume Plaza Shopping Center, 29211 Heathercliff Rd., Malibu
MASTRO’S OCEAN CLUB Mastro’s steak house took over the former Chart House. Come at sunst and sit next to the expansive glass windows, which offer a panoramic view of the Pacific. 18412 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; mastrosrestaurants.com
LA SCALA A 60 year old Italian restaurant, famous for its chopped salad, homemade pastas, and celebrity customers. 434 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills; lascalabeverlyhills.com
GRACIAS MADRE A vegan, organic Mexican restaurant with a charming courtyard. 8905 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood; graciasmadre.co
THE IVY You are nearly guaranteed to see a celebrity (or a paparazzi waiting for them at the very least) at this buzzy West Hollywood restaurant. 113 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; theivyrestaurants.com
CASA BIANCA A family-owned 50s style Italian restaurant, famous for their pizza pies, on Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. 1650 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock; casabiancapizza.com
THE APPLE PAN An L.A. classic with a U-shaped counter serving paper-wrapped burgers and pie à la mode. 10801 W. Pico Blvd., West LA; theapplepan.com
COLOMBO’S A classic old-school family-owned steak and jazz joint off Colorado Boulevard in Eagle Rock. Order a dirty martini and enjoy the evening show. 1833 Colorado Blvd, Eagle Rock; colombosrestaurant.com
DIN TAI FUNG The L.A. outposts of the Taiwanese dim sum chain serves the same soup dumplings and Chinese food. dintaifungusa.com
NIGHT + MARKET Chef Kris Yenbamroong learned to cook in Bangkok in the kitchen of his parents’ long-standing Thai mainstay Talésai. He has opened multiple iterations of his Thai streef food restaurants (NM Song in Silver Lake and NM Sahm in Venice). Try the famous chicken sandwich, pad thai, grilled fatty pork collar, and crab fried rice. The wine list is all organic and biodynamic. nightmarketsong.com
GUISADO’S Guisado is the Spanish word for stew, but we come for the authentic Tijuana style carnitas and al pastor tacos. 541 S. Spring St; Downtown; guisados.la
PINK’S HOT DOGS An LA original since 1939, Pink’s serves hot dogs with creative toppings, named after celebs. 709 N La Brea Ave, West Hollywood; pinkshollywood.com
LAUREL HARDWARE A farm-to-table restaurant in a former hardware store serving New American cuisine. 7984 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood; laurelhardware.com
YANGBAN SOCIETY A Korean American deli, street market, and restaurant in LA’s Arts District. 712 S Santa Fe Ave, Arts District yangbanla.com
GAMBOGE A Cambodian restaurant with a lovely garden. 1822 N Broadway, Lincoln Heights; gambogela.com
THE PIE HOLE Horrible name, delicous pies. Home-made recipes with a multitude of flavors, including maple & pecan, strawberry & lavender, cereal cheesecake, mexican chocolate, chocolate chip cookie, and more. thepieholela.com
GRAND CENTRAL MARKET A downtown landmark since 1917, converted into an emporium with food vendors and florists. 317 S Broadway; Downtown; grandcentralmarket.com
CAFÉ GRATITUDE A popular chain of restaurants serving organic, vegan food. From kale salads to macrobiotic bowls to fruit and granola, each plate is based on a good intention (intuition, grace, bravery, humanity) to improve the karma of the eater. Namaste. cafegratitude.com
SUGARFISH Lead by Chef Kazunori Nozawa, Sugarfish is a favorite sushi restaurant amongst Angelenos. Order the specialty sea urchin sushi, tuna nigiri, yellowtail sashimi and lobster rolls. sugarfishsushi.com
IN N’ OUT When asked what West Coasters miss most, and the answer is usually In N’ Out. The original was founded in Baldwin Park in 1948, and they only operate 300 miles away from their patty making facilities— only California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah are the lucky states to have locations. Order a double double animal style (made with a secret sauce) and a chocolate shake. The fries are sadly missable (due to the fact that they aren’t double-fried). in-n-out.com
DESTROYER
Chef Jordan Kahn’s Nordic-inspired breakfast and lunch spot surrounded by architect Eric Owen Moss’ buildings. The daily menu includes dishes like avocado confit, beef tartare with smoked egg cream and pickled mushrooms. Kahn’s also operates Vespertine in one of Moss’s undulating two-story structures with a burgundy, grid-like metal facade. 3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City; destroyer.la
LODGE BREAD
What started as a bakery in 2015, founded by chefs Alexander Phaneuf and Or Amsalam who specialize in ‘slow’ bread made with organic whole grains, has since expanded into a 50-seat restaurant beloved for its selection of classic and seasonally inspired pizzas. lodgebread.com
PIZZANISTA New York thin-style crust is served here along with a weekly mac ’n’ cheese pizza night. 2019 E 7th St, Downtown; pizzanista.com
1 PICO The restaurant at Shutters on the Beach in Santa Monica serves fresh, delicous seafood dishes like hamachi tartare, squid-ink pasta, and market fish with a view. 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; shuttersonthebeach.com
MATSUHISA A Japanese seafood and tasting menu by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa. Visit the private sushi bar. 129 North La Cienega Boulevard; nobumatsuhisa.com
YAMASHIRO You might recognize this scenic Japanese restaurant, set at the top of the Hollywood Hills, from Tom Ford’s film Nocturnal Animals. Visit the koi pond and explore the surrounding property before dinner. 1999 N Sycamore Ave, Hollywood Heights; yamashirohollywood.com
NOBU MALIBU
The crown jewel of Nobu’s chain of 32 global restaurants. Positioned on a bluff in Malibu, overlooking the Pacific ocean with panoramic views. Come at sunset and don’t miss the famous black miso cod and spicy tuna crispy rice. 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; noburestaurants.com
LUNASIA An Alhambra-based restaurant known for its traditional Chinese cuisine and delicious dim sum. Order the shrimp har-gow, pork siu-mai, sticky rice, pan-fried turnip cakes, and char siu bao: a crispy, crackly bun stuffed with sweet BBQ pork. lunasiadimsum.com
ADRIFT BURGER BAR Chef David Myers worked under Chef Daniel Boulud, which shows in his delicious burgers that come with tomato jam, house-made pickles, and a secret sauce. 1025 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; adriftburgerla.com
DEAR JOHN’S Dear John’s originally opened in the ’60s, and was a haunt for Old Hollywood actors like Frank Sinatra, and entertainment executives from the nearby studios. They offer a classic steak dinner complete with broccolini, buttery mashed potatoes, and tiramisu. 11208 Culver Blvd., Culver City; dearjohnsbar.com
ENDLESS COLOR A local spot to pick up pizza, salad, and sides for dinner after hiking the nearby Tuna Canyon. 123 S Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Canyon; endlesscolortopanga.com
THE WINDOW The Window is literally a window off of the Venice steakhouse American Beauty. Order the cheeseburger, fresh lemonade, and an ice-cream sandwich. 425 Rose Ave., Venice; thewin-dow.la
KISMET ROTISSERIE Order the famous blistered rotisserie chicken with vegetable sides. 4666 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; kismetrotisserie.com
THE KICKIN CRAB April Hendrix turns out crab boil platters complete with jumbo shrimp, potatoes, corn, lemon, and and seasonings. thekickincrab.com
SUSHI NOTE If the complimentary sparkling cocktail you were handed upon arrival didn’t clue you in, Sushi Note is more than a neighborhood sushi joint. It’s also a wine bar. And a great one at that (co-owner Dave Gibbs is the discerning palate behind Augustine Wine Bar and Mirabelle). What sets it apart: It takes your traditional omakase tasting menu and one-ups it with sommelier-curated wine pairings from the best vineyards in Burgundy. And we haven’t even gotten to the sushi yet. Yuzu-and-truffle-drenched scallops, peppered albacore, and simple, salt-dusted sea bass that might be the single greatest bite within miles, and then there are the precisely sliced, perfectly seasoned cuts of nigiri that defy description. It’s only after you leave that you realize the sushi was so spectacular, you didn’t even drizzle it with soy sauce. Our advice: Snag a seat at the bar, go for the tasting menu, and watch the chefs work their magic. 13447 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; sushinotela.com
TREJO’S TACOS Danny Trejo has built an LA-wide empire that reaches from Hollywood to Woodland Hills. Hit up any of the locations for an extensive menu that includes all the hits, served all day (including vegan options)—or head straight to happy hour for street tacos and drinks on the cheap. On top of supplying LA with carne asada and jackfruit with avocado cream, Trejo’s holds court at the Original Farmers Market on 3rd Street. We’d expect nothing less from the boxer-actor-seventy-something well of energy: The man has starred in over 250 films, and his life story is documentary material. He’s the kind of entrepreneur you expect to throw a curveball, and here it is: Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts in Hollywood, with flavors that include nacho, lemon papí, and dulce de leche. 1048 S La Brea Ave., Mid-City; trejostacos.com
GENGHIS COHEN Genghis Cohen has been a staple for good Chinese in Los Angeles for more than three decades. And since Marc Rose and Med Abrous, the restaurant partners behind Winsome and the Spare Room, took over ownership several years ago, it's gotten even better. The interiors are dark and moody. The food, umami-rich and satisfying. Go for the New York Style Eggrolls (never greasy, always crispy), vegetarian pot stickers, crackerjack shrimp, and cashew chicken, which is unexpectedly smoky and sweet. 740 N Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; genghiscohen.com
ELEVEN CITY DINER This Jewish delicatessen’s opening was long awaited by Miracle Mile residents, and it’s been packed ever since. Eleven City LA makes most traditional foods—kreplach dumplings, matzo ball soup, challah, corned beef—in-house but sources from local standbys for the best of the rest: Winston Pies pies, Bagel Broker bagels, Langer’s Deli pastrami, and ice cream from McConnell’s. And the classic soda fountain and retro neon signs are cool touches. 5400 Wilshire Blvd., Mid-City; elevencitydiner.com
ALL TIME If there’s anything you must get when you come to Los Feliz, it’s the focaccia at All Time. Let’s put it this way: It’s loaded with burrata, roasted cherry tomatoes, and olive oil. It’s too good to miss, as is nearly everything you could order off the handwritten dinner menu (it changes frequently). But they know a great thing when they have it at All Time: You’ll always find the focaccia on the menu. 2040 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; alltimelosangeles.com
L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE If you haven’t read Eat, Pray, Love here’s a brief recap: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. In addition to a life’s journey, a transcontinental catharsis, and so much more, writer Elizabeth Gilbert goes to Naples and eats at da Michele. In no time, the rest of the world falls in love with this place—a hole-in-the-wall pizzeria that basically serves only pizza with cheese, pizza with no cheese, and pizza with extra cheese. For argument’s sake (and also because it’s true), let’s agree that this really is the best pizza in the world. So imagine the thrill that ran through goop HQ when they decided to open their first US outpost in Los Angeles. The first da Michele in America is a galaxy away from the hole-in-the-wall in Naples: There’s an elegant wood patio, luxuriously long bar, and a dining room with greenery, high ceilings, a fireplace, and a polished crowd. The menu is rounded out with Italian appetizer all-stars (we’d suggest the fiori di zucca), the freshest pastas imaginable (we’d suggest the linguine with olives, capers, and tomatoes), and all manner of pizzas (we’d suggest them all). 1534 N McCadden Pl., Hollywood; damicheleusa.com
OTOTO Like its sister restaurant Tsubaki, Ototo serves an iteration of Japanese pub grub. These are the snacks and bites you devour with beer and sake (if you’re looking for sushi and sashimi, look elsewhere). Once you start ordering and eating and ordering more, you just get it. Kara-age (Japanese sweet and sour fried chicken), potato salad with pickled carrots and ponzu, and miso-grilled eggplant is food made to be paired with cold, fizzy beer. Panko-crusted fried oysters and smoky daikon need the silkiness of unfiltered sake. Come on a Saturday night with a pack of friends as an excuse to order the whole menu. 1360 Allison Ave., Echo Park; ototo.la
CEVICHE PROJECT How does a lawyer decide to open a raw fish bar? Well, you can ask Octavio Olivas himself if you get a seat inside his super tiny (no reservations) restaurant. The Ceviche Project was Olivas’s long-running pop-up—one of the best in the city—that he often took on the road to his native Mexico City, NYC, and other places. In 2019, he decided to make it permanent, but not much bigger. The sleek, intimate space on Hyperion Avenue is ideal to catch Olivas artfully arranging uni and shrimp ceviche every night of the week (except Monday and Tuesday). 2524 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake; cevicheproject.com
TACOS 1986 The breakout taco stand of 2018 now has a brick-and-mortar spot on the corner of Spring and 6th Streets, and it couldn’t be more well-deserved. Whether you order the mushroom or the adobada tacos, get it “con todos”—the team applies salsa, onions, and other toppings with mixologist-level precision. Victor Delgado and Jorge “Joy” Alvarez-Tostado understand, in the same way a white-tablecloth restaurant does, that the excitement and energy a dish is served with is critical to the dining experience—their version is just way more fun. Head to Tacos 1986 to get the best street taco in LA without having to hang on a street corner all night: The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. during the week and to 3 a.m. on the weekends. 1200 N Highland Ave., Hollywood; https://www.tacos1986.com/
ROBERTA’S PIZZA In NYC, Roberta’s pizza is the OG. In LA, it’s the new kid who became the prom queen. Roberta’s, and its roster of signature pastas and pizzas, originally came west as a pop-up at Platform. But like so many East Coast transplants dipping their toes in the Pacific, Roberta’s decided to stay. A good thing, considering locals have developed a mean Bee Sting habit. (A Bee Sting is when you make soppressata and mozzarella into a pizza and top it with chili and honey.) The cacio e pepe here nails the cacio to pepe ratio, and the kid’s pastas are so good, adults know to order a second for themselves. 8810 Washington Blvd., Culver City; robertaspizza.com/culver-city
HAIL MARY PIZZA From two Gjusta/Gjelina alums comes a neighborhood pizza joint that does exceptional pizzas, like—sausage and smoked mozzarella with rosemary—that you can watch being tossed in the open kitchen before they slide into the oven. Order at the counter, grab your plates and utensils, and don’t miss trying out the funkier pies that chef David Wilcox often throws on chalkboard menu (it changes often), like the feta, potato, and artichoke one. 3219 Glendale Ave., Atwater Village; hailmarypizzala.com
DAMA Across from Rossoblu is the latest from the Scopa Italian Roots team, this time a chic Latin-inspired venture with a lush, tropical feel. Everything is meticulously executed, from the vibe (gorgeous, open-air) to the food (whipped beans, spicy beef empanadas, and the corn—oh man, the corn with the queso fresco, cotija, and chili-lime salt). The drinks are in a category all their own; they’re inspired by vintage cocktails, so get into it. Order a daiquiri or piña colada at the bar. 612 E 11th St., Downtown; damafashiondistrict.com
CHULITA The best part about Chulita isn’t the charming rattan chairs or the vibrant greenery cascading down the walls. Although the color-happy Californian-meets-Oaxacan décor is very easy on the eyes. Nor is it the Mexico City–style tacos done on hand-pressed purple corn tortillas. Though those are pretty epic, too. It’s the fact that it’s one of the few places tucked away on Rose Avenue—and in the greater Venice area, for that matter—where you can walk in, grab a couple stools at the bar, and order from an extensive list of top-shelf, artisanal tequilas. It’s a taco spot that moonlights as a damn good mezcal bar. And in Venice—the land of beer and wine—those liquor licenses are essentially a luxury currency. Our best advice: Snag a seat on the patio, order the serrano-infused mezcal, and don’t skip the coliflor fundido. 533 Rose Ave., Venice; chulita.com
MASSILIA It’s billed as a cross between France, Italy, and Morocco, which, granted, is hard to envision. Until you get there. It’s the only place we’ve ever seen bucatini amatriciana on a menu alongside ratatouille with Provençal roasted vegetables, which is next to baba ghanoush with pita and pomegranate. But somehow, impossibly, it all works. Exposed-brick walls, bistro tables, a lively atmosphere, and really flattering lighting obviously don’t hurt. But for the times that you just can’t stomach another avocado toast in this neighborhood, Massilia is just the place. 1445 4th St., Santa Monica; massilia.com
DUDLEY MARKET Cozied up in an unassuming corner off the Venice Beach boardwalk within earshot of the surf lies the local hangout and unpretentious wine bar Dudley Market. On the menu du jour: something they like to call “sustainable seafood,” which is really LA-speak for locally caught crudo, the freshest sashimi you’ve ever tasted, and shucked oysters so good, they actually do come with a disclaimer: Buy twelve rounds and the thirteenth’s free. 9 Dudley Ave., Venice; dudleymarketvenice.com
BIRDIE G’S Say the name Jeremy Fox and we're there. This brilliant chef, author, and vegetable whisperer has been winning the hearts and palates of goop staffers, Angelenos, and tourists for more than a decade with his inventive, mostly-plant-based dishes at Rustic Canyon. Fox is known for hyperlocal and inventive food. But there's a bit of nostalgia to his cooking, which is what you get at his latest venture, Birdie G's. Named after his daughter (Birdie) and grandmother (Gladys), Birdie G's harks back to Fox's roots with a menu that nods to his heritage (comforting matzo ball soup, noodle kugel, artisan matzo with cultured butter) and to his home state (wood-grilled chicken from a local California ranch, Pacific sand dabs piccata). And because Birdie G's is expansive and light-filled with a stylish bar, it's a spot to come for drinks, dinner, or all of the above. 2421 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica; birdiegsla.com
TSUBAKI Tsubaki co-owner Courtney Kaplan knows her sake. She'll come to your table and tell the story behind a variety's founder or the acidity of the soil in the region where it's from. Kaplan has spent a great deal of time in Japan (she's fluent in Japanese) and built her career as a sommelier of wine and sake in some of the top restaurants in NYC and LA (i.e., Bestia). Her love for craft sakes and shochu (a traditional distilled spirit of Japan) makes coming here an education in the first ten minutes. And then you start to order, and the food adds a layer of fun. Chef and co-owner Charles Namba pulls from his Japanese roots creating authentic dishes and adding a Californian flair. A few (of many) goop favorites: tofu salad with garlic soy vinaigrette, tomatoes with whipped tofu, sake-steamed Alaskan king crab with French seaweed butter. 1356 Allison Ave., Echo Park; tsubakila.com
RONAN There is no lack of restaurants along this strip of Melrose Avenue. But Ronan offers something different: quiet. It's dark, New York vibe sets it apart from the slew of bright, loud eateries in the neighborhood. (And it is also literally set apart; the space sits tucked back from the sidewalk.) Come here to hunker down in one of the cozy booths or share space at the giant communal table. The pizzas are incredible: chewy, airy, slightly charred crust (thanks to the brick oven imported from Italy) underneath perfectly acidic sauce, savory artichokes, and wilted greens. If you're feeling like you want something lighter, chef makes a "rigatoni" from twirled artichokes, lacing them with garlic and butter. It's incredible. Everything at this husband-and-wife-owned spot—down to the cocktails—satisfies. 7315 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; ronanla.com
JON & VINNY’S BRENTWOOD At Jon & Vinny’s in Brentwood, the hysteria-level popularity is entirely justified, mainly because every dish is mind-blowingly wonderful. The pizza is chewy and blistered and cheesy (Sonny’s Favorite—bacon, mozzarella, tomato, and Grana Padano—is a crowd-pleaser), and before you prepare to sigh at the pile of crust left over by your kids, order Jon & Vinny’s crust dips (hello, ranch) and watch them wipe their plates clean. The handmade plates of pasta are luscious and hearty and addictive (the cavatelli with fennel sausage and the ricotta ravioli top our list), and those little cones of soft-serve are a dose of nostalgia impossible to pass up. 11938 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; jonandvinnys.com
PIZZANA Pizzana—one of the harder reservations to snag on the West Side—has finally come to West Hollywood. Expect excellent thin-crust pizza from Naples-born chef Daniele Uditi, as well really great iterations of carciofi and caprese. High ceilings and lots of natural light open up the narrow space, which is already packed and buzzy at lunch time—definitely make a reservation, wait times for dinner can be especially long. Note: the pizzas are generous in size—two or three people could comfortably split one (but trying two to share is a safer bet and also too hard to pass up). 460 N Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; pizzana.com
L & E OYSTER BAR We're going to go ahead and say it: L & E Oyster Bar serves one of the three best breakfasts in LA (the other two being at Sqirl and Jon & Vinny's). Sit outside and watch the flocks of cool locals who patrol West Silver Lake Boulevard on weekends. Kick off with a dozen oysters, a glass of fizz, and a breakfast of everything but eggs—smoked trout toast with pickled shallots, the cured salmon plate, a few servings of cornmeal pancakes, and the sugar-dusted beignets. And if brunch runs late, move upstairs to the raw bar balcony for stunning views of the surrounding hills. 1637 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; leoysterbar.com
ÉLEPHANTE BEACH HOUSE Élephante is a breath of fresh air—quite literally, you can feel the ocean breeze from your perch on the terrace. It’s run by Nick Mathers, the force behind West Hollywood spots Eveleigh and Goldie’s, which is to say he knows a thing or two about drawing a crowd. It’s the kind of place you’ll come for cocktails but want to stay for dinner—the food, largely coastal Italian, is really good. In fact, the entire space is a love song to Pantelleria, an island that sits between the coast of Italy and Tunisia, where Mathers visited on a research trip to Southern Italy. Here, every design detail is considered: a Brazilian Tiger-wood deck, soapstone-topped bars, Moroccan rugs, plus lots of Buhera baskets brought in from Zimbabwe. Menu standouts include the whipped eggplant and tuna crudo to start, Tuscan kale salad, and the wood-fired Soppressata pizza, which is great to share with a group. If you really feel like going for it, there’s a whole lobster on offer, too. 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica; elephantela.com
SUPERBA FOOD + BREAD You’d never guess it with its beautifully light and airy atmosphere, but Superba Food + Bread was once an auto body shop. It’s now one of Venice’s most popular spots for healthy-ish breakfasts and brunches, with five varieties of toasts that go way beyond the ubiquitous avocado version. We love the kale toast—a slab of the house made grilled bread topped with sunny side eggs, avocado, braised kale and chili oil—and pair it with a side of heirloom tomato gazpacho with cucumber and garlic croutons. Superba is also rightly famous for its crispy brussels sprouts in dashi broth, and no visit is complete without a bowl of them. 1900 Lincoln Blvd., Venice; lifesuperba.com
YUK DAE JANG Yukgaejang is a spicy, rich Korean soup made with brisket, mushrooms, bean sprouts, and scallions in bone broth, and it’s been perfected at this small, no-frills spot. The menu is limited (printed on a single laminated sheet with pictures), featuring just a few variations of yukgaejang (original, with noodles, or with tofu), as well as handmade steamed pork dumplings, pork belly with a side of kimchi, and cold buckwheat noodle soup. 3033 W. 6th St., Koreatown
PARKS BBQ This is the gold standard of Korean BBQ in this city. The original Parks, in Seoul, is still going strong, and the LA outpost is similarly known for using prime cuts of meat (including American Wagyu and Kobe-style beef) and some of the best-quality banchan—the complimentary small dishes like kimchi, bean sprouts, and soy-brushed lotus root that arrive before your meal—you’ll ever try. 955 S. Vermont Ave., Koreatown; parksbbq.com
KYOCHON Incredibly crispy, garlicky, yet not-greasy fried chicken is the specialty at this low-key strip mall spot that was the center of the Korean fried chicken craze a few years ago. The secret lies in the double-fry technique KyoChon uses, but for us, it’s the sauces that really put it at the top of our K-town list. The three choices include honey, hot and sweet, and (our favorite) soy garlic. 3833 W. 6th St., Koreatown; kyochonus.com
HANGARI BAJIRAK KALGUKSU A hearty, rich noodle soup in chicken stock, dak kalguksu is a Korean comfort food that’s perfected at this bright, airy restaurant. The steaming bowls are flavored with garlic and onions and thickened with potatoes. Protein options include Manila clams, crab, and game hen, and each order comes with sides of radish and cabbage kimchi. Be aware that wait times can be long here, especially during cool weather, when people feel like warming up with something nourishing and hot. 3470 W. 6th St., Koreatown; hangarikalguksu.com
EIGHT KOREAN BBQ The grilled pork belly is the thing to order here—and there eight kinds to choose from. You’ll find variations including black sesame, curry, garlic, and miso, as well as steaming bowls of kimchi stew, spicy buckwheat noodles, and stir-fries. The space is bright and airy, with a slightly industrial vibe (polished concrete floors, super high ceilings) that creates a feeling of breathing room from the smoke at other tables. 863 S. Western Ave., Koreatown; eightkoreanbbq.com
BCD TOFU HOUSE When Korean-American chef Roy Choi decided to go vegetarian a few years ago, he named this place as one of his go-to restaurants in K-Town for its vegetable soon tofu. It’s a spicy, bubbling stew full of squash, mushrooms, broccoli, and onions, served in a traditional Korean earthenware bowl. In a neighborhood that prides itself on its BBQ dishes, BCD Tofu acts as the perfect meeting ground for both bulgogi fans and vegans. 3575 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; bcdtofuhouse.com
THE PRINCE Opened in the 1920s (originally as the Windsor), the Prince is a kind of time machine you visit for the atmosphere as much as the food. The entire place is swathed in crimson, including its leather banquettes and wallpaper, with stained-glass windows and oil portraits that give it an old-school gentlemen’s club vibe. It’s no wonder the Prince is a popular film location (it appeared in the 1974 film Chinatown, as well as several episodes of Mad Men), and the food is great. The specialty is Korean-style fried chicken, and the cocktails (margaritas, kamikazes, Midori sours) aren’t anything groundbreaking but are strong and expertly made. 3198 W. 7th St., Koreatown
YUCHUN It’s traditionally a summertime dish in Korea, but in LA’s climate, mool naeng myun—chilled noodle soup—can be eaten any time of year. Coming to Yuchun is a truly authentic experience (you probably won’t hear English spoken by anyone, including staff), but the menu—as at so many places in K-town—is easily decipherable through clear photos and descriptions. Go with a classic, chic mui naeng myun, served with sliced beef, cucumbers, pickled zucchini, and chili paste in an almost icy broth. 3185 W. Olympic Blvd., Koreatown
BUIL SAMGYE TANG Samgyetang is the Korean version of homemade chicken soup (according to folklore, a better remedy than any medicine), and Buil Samgye Tang, in a tiny strip mall space, serves the best samgyetang this side—or any side—of Seoul. The restaurant stuffs a whole chicken with fresh ginseng, sticky rice, garlic, sweet potato, green onions, and herbs. After our first bowl here, we knew we were probably ruined for any other chicken soup. 859 S Western Ave, Koreatown
KOBAWOO HOUSE Since 1985, Kobawoo has been the place in Koreatown for bossam, a favorite of newbies to Korean food (it’s a make-your-own dish that lets you control the level of spiciness), consisting of thinly sliced pork belly wrapped in Napa cabbage leaves. There are optional additions, like kimchi, chili peppers, and pickled daikon, to mix and match until you create the perfect bite. 698 S. Vermont Ave., Koreatown
EIGHTH STREET SOONDAE Soondae isn’t for everyone. It’s a type of Korean sausage that’s a mixture of cow’s blood, sweet potato glass noodles, ground beef, and various vegetables, sliced and served with a side of offal (tongue, liver, and heart being the most popular). Eighth Street Soondae is the king of soondae in LA, and for those who are ready to take their next step in the world of Korean cuisine, this is the place to come. Like so many spots in the neighborhood, the strip mall location and bare-bones interior aren’t much to look at, but when you come here, you’re guaranteed to try something you haven’t before. 2703 W. 8th St., Koreatown
JAE BU DO Korean BBQ is most often associated with all manner and cuts of beef, but at Jae Bu Do, seafood takes over the grill. A spread of steamed lobster, giant clams, scallops, and prawns is cooked right at the table (fair warning: Your clothes will smell like smoke by the time you leave), all of it dipped in gochujang (melted butter). It’s open until 2 a.m., making it a good spot after a night of karaoke and cocktails. 474 N. Western Ave., Koreatown
HAN BAT SHUL LUNG TANG Bone broth (aka sullungtang) isn’t a trend in Korean cuisine; it is a staple of everyday life—and Han Bat serves one of our favorite versions. It’s also pretty much the only thing they serve—a testament to their dedication to this one dish, which is enhanced with brisket or offal, as well as scallions and dangmyeon (thin, clear noodles made from sweet potato starch). The restaurant itself is as bare-bones as can be, but service is quick and efficient. 4163 W. 5th St., Koreatown
GUELAGUETZA Guelaguetza is the most authentic Oaxacan food you’ll find outside of Mexico. There, we said it. And it’s all thanks to its owners, Fernando Lopez and Maria Monterrubio, who brought their family recipes with them to LA—and have been faithful to those recipes since they opened their restaurant in 1994. Today, the couple’s children run the place, but the menu remains unchanged and includes Oaxacan classics like enmoladas (black mole chicken enchiladas served with queso fresco) and salsa de carne frita (pork ribs fried in a spicy tomato sauce served with rice and beans). 3014 W. Olympic Blvd., Koreatown; ilovemole.com
BONJUK Part of a popular Seoul-based chain and located on the ground floor of an office building, Bon Juk is an ode to rice porridge, the ultimate Korean comfort food. Oversize photos of its various types hang on the wall, acting as a kind of communal menu, and feature popular iterations like chicken and ginseng, black sesame, and octopus and kimchi. On those rare chilly LA days, this is the place to come for a warming, satisfying—utterly Korean—meal. 3551 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown
A-WON The soup known as al tang embodies so much of what we love about Korean food: hot and spicy; packed with paengi beoseot (long, delicate bunches of white mushrooms), tofu, daikon, generous heaps of fish eggs; and punched up with chili powder and garlic. The best version in Los Angeles is at A-Won, a low-key spot that also specializes in hwe dup bap (the Korean version of sashimi), which is really more like a poke bowl. It’s mixed with seaweed, watercress, sliced cucumber and carrots over rice, along with plenty of chili paste. 3551 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown
JEWEL Rather than adopting one specific credo (vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free), Silver Lake’s Jewel simply characterizes itself as plant-based. Everything’s good here, but we’re especially big fans of the pizza, which uses Jewel’s own house-made gluten-free activated-charcoal crust. Our favorite pie is the Black + Gold, topped with squash blossoms, basil pesto, almond milk ricotta, and Fresno chili. And the cozy leather booths and subway-tiled bar give it a chic modern diner vibe. 654 N. Hoover St., Silver Lake; jewel-la.com
ROSSOBLU LA has no shortage of incredible Italian restaurants—Mozza, Bestia, Officine Brera to name a few—but Rossoblu has a very distinct specialty: Bolognese-style food. You won’t find a long list of pizzas on the menu; the focus is on Bologna’s culinary claim to fame, which is handmade pasta—and lots of it. Chef Steve Samson’s tortellini in brodo—a mix of ground pork, chicken, mortadella, prosciutto, and a little umami-rich Parmesan to bind—are salty and satisfying. The pappardelle is swirled into a rich sausage ragu and peppered with shreds of broccoli. For secondi (come hungry and order a proper four courses), the milk-braised pork and cabbage so caramelized, it’s almost sweet. The cavernous, warehouse-like space is totally at home downtown, with a full patio out front for long summer nights. 1124 San Julian St., Downtown
MOMED With an outpost in Atwater Village and another in Beverly Hills, Momed has both sides of LA covered. The focus here is on the zesty, refreshing North African and Mediterranean soups, salads, mezze, and mains that are so well suited to the soupy Los Angeles heat. We’re partial to the Beverly Hills location—super casual with small tables running the length of the deli-style bar—which is an ideal spot for a healthy lunch that doesn’t break the bank. The chicken souvlaki (a Greek word for anything grilled on a skewer) is doused in a citrusy sumac vinaigrette with tomatoes, a scattering of herbs, and some lavash to mop up the chickpea aioli. 233 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; atmomed.com
PETIT TROIS Tucked into the tail end of a Hollywood strip mall (across the street from Nancy Silverton’s Mozza empire, if you’re lost) is one of the most sublime French bistros outside of France. Chef Ludo Lefebvre has clung on to his Burgundy culinary roots—and his accent—despite more than twenty years in Los Angeles. The dining room, a small, narrow room that seats maybe twenty, has antique mirrors running the length of the wall reflecting the dim lights and open kitchen. Small stools and slivers of table space force diners to sit close; French rap makes the vibe as appealing as the food. A plate of garlicky escargots and half a warm baguette—never sliced, just torn with your hands—the confit-fried chicken, and a carafe of house red is the perfect order. Petit Trois doesn’t take reservations, but a much bigger sister restaurant has opened in the Valley, and honestly, an aperitif at the tiny bar while you wait is half the pleasure. 718 N. Highland Dr., Hollywood; petittrois.com
OFFICINE BRERA The word on Officine Brera hasn’t quite gotten out yet. Maybe it’s the location, almost hidden in a warehouse building in an industrial pocket of the Arts District—you need to know it’s there to find it. Angelo Auriana and Matteo Ferdinando, who run this place, grew up in Italy’s Po Valley and, fittingly, serve no-nonsense, traditional Northern Italian trattoria food. In short: Officine Brera is the real deal. A simple, unfussy interior and sensational food. Come hungry and order the beef carpaccio, drizzled in a grassy, green olive oil to start. The stinchetto—a big hunk of falling-off-the-bone pork shank on a bed of polenta—is ideal for three people to pull apart. Then the dumpling dishes: The capunsei are made with ricotta, the pisarelli with bread, and the gnocchi with potato. Oenophiles will appreciate the breadth of the wine list, full of the heavy-hitting Barolo and Amarone bottles alongside more unusual, small-production labels. 1331 E. 6th St., Arts District; breraristorante.com
BLOSSOM Owner Duc Pham, who was born in Vietnam but raised in Anaheim, obsesses over every detail in his restaurants, from the Scandinavian-inspired furniture to the wine list to the bread on his banh mi, which is baked fresh daily. At this (new) Santa Monica location, the dining room is limited to one large communal table, which fills the entirety of the small, narrow space; when it’s warm out, there are a few small tables outside that you can snag, too. While the classic dishes are excellent at all four locations—anything on the menu with pork belly is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser—we love the Silver Lake location, which has a secret wine bar downstairs. 2821 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; blossomla.com
SALT’S CURE Formerly crammed into a tiny space on Santa Monica Boulevard–where it quickly became known for both amazing oatmeal griddle cakes and long waits for brunch—the new Salt’s Cure has found a happier home. A few miles east on Highland, it now has a much larger, more relaxed dining room and really good cocktails. The menu stays true to the restaurant’s original ethos: Animals are bought whole, directly from California farms; seafood is sustainable and caught by local fisherman; produce comes from LA-area farmers’ markets. Make a reservation in advance if you can, for brunch especially. (If you want less fanfare with the best of the morning offerings, stop by Breakfast by Salt’s Cure, which recently opened in the restaurant’s original space.) 1155 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; saltscure.com
BAVEL Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis (both of Bestia fame, still, after all these years, a hard table to land) have opened Bavel. The duo’s roots span Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, so the menu has a strong Middle Eastern bent. There’s the expected hummus, baba ghanoush, and assorted flatbreads, in addition to a Wagyu beef tagine and grilled lamb, finished in Menashe’s signature flavor-happy style—all meant to be shared. And because interiors can be just as much of a draw as the food, particularly downtown, where raw and industrial spaces prevail, Gergis tapped Studio UNLTD to collaborate on the light and bright décor (skylights, hanging planters, whitewashed brick walls, brass fixtures, and Moroccan tiles). 500 Mateo St., Downtown; baveldtla.com
VESPERTINE An eighteen-course meal spanning several hours inside of an architectural marvel to a score composed by This Will Destroy You may not be for everyone. While one person says it was the best meal of her life, the next might say they could hardly sit through the experience. Coming here is just as much about showmanship as it is about food. But one thing’s for sure: You’ve never had dinner like this before. Chef Jordan Kahn (formerly of Red Medicine, currently of Destroyer) took over architect Eric Owen Moss’s “Waffle” building in 2017 with the intention of opening a fine-dining restaurant that has a function for every floor. Enter on the ground floor; get on the elevator to the kitchen and look around; get back on to the twenty-two-seat dining room. (If you notice a particular scent, it’s likely the custom fragrance Kahn developed to round out the dining experience.) 3599 Hayden Ave., Culver City; vespertine.la
UOVO Uovo in Santa Monica is as close as you’ll get to the kind of authentic, handmade Italian pasta you'd normally have to hop a plane to Italy for. The concept was spearheaded by two of the founders of Sugarfish: The guiding principle here is the same fierce authenticity that the group applies to sushi. After consulting the greatest chefs in Italy, they decided that duplicating the magic of Bolognese pasta anywhere else would require flying it in. Fresh. Every day. The restaurant—intimate, but not cramped—does just that. 1320 2nd St., Santa Monica; uovo.la
MAJORDŌMO The mild pandemonium around David Chang’s first West Coast restaurant is entirely warranted. The food is difficult to describe, not definable by any one region or culture. It’s a mishmash of foreign flavors that many will find unexpected and familiar at the same time. Definitely not a repeat of Chang’s greatest hits—there’s no ramen here. Instead, this is an entirely new menu of shareable dishes that are often prepared tableside. The grilled bings (a type of Chinese flatbread), topped with everything from cultured butter to uni, are something we’ve never seen before. Sausage-stuffed peppers with buttermilk and the short ribs with all their many fixings are reason enough to book a table. Call a few weeks ahead for a table, or if you’re just two, go early and try for a walk-in (then get a cocktail at nearby Apoteke while you wait). 1725 Naud St., Chinatown; majordomo.la
BLAIR’S Blair’s is that quintessential neighborhood eatery where the chef’s wife takes your order and all the tables are packed with locals. 2901 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake; blairsrestaurant.com
BOTANICA Botanica sits on a stretch of Silver Lake that feels like a real neighborhood (a rarity in LA). It’s both a restaurant and a market—pop in to re-up on local eggs, fruit, vegetables, and house-made specials like the Aleppo-Urfa butter and thick labneh. There are few prettier spots for a healthy breakfast of Mediterranean-inspired dishes, the freshest orange juice, and really good espresso. We go for the soft scramble (creamy soft-scrambled eggs with a side of lemony greens); the crunchy, garlicky bread; and the entire pastry case. (Bear in mind that portions are on the light side, so order with abandon.) Whether you're alone, with a friend, or coming with kids, the space is comfortable and inviting, with high ceilings and airy décor. Sit on the terrace out back and work your way through the biodynamic wine list (we’ve moved on to lunch now), and snack on one of the epic seasonal vegetable boards. The selection of wine and cookbooks is a godsend for last-minute gifts. 1620 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; botanicarestaurant.com
GRACIAS MADRE When we think of Mexican food, it's often tender pulled-pork carnitas or spicy beef tacos that come to mind. Gracias Madre serves up those same complex, spicy, tangy flavors we associate with Mexican cuisine with the following disclaimer: It's all vegan. The quesadillas are filled with butternut squash, caramelized onions, pumpkin seed salsa, and nutty cashew cheese; enchiladas con mole are reimagined using sweet fried plantains, black beans, and cashew crema. This food is super satisfying and layered with those salty, zesty tastes we all crave. Aside from the feat of creating vegan Mexican food that's actually delicious, Gracias Madre also has a patio that is arguably one of the most beautiful in LA—trees (studded with little lights), plush sofas, and mosaic-topped tables. Request a seat outside and start with an order of chips and guac with the signature mezcal margarita, or if you're feeling adventurous, a CBD snow cone (lemon, agave, hibiscus hielo raspado, and cannabidiol oil). 8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; graciasmadre.com
LOQUI Loqui—which started as a pop up in San Francisco’s Tartine—has their first brick-and-mortar location in Platform, Culver City. 8830 Washington Blvd., Culver City; eatloqui.com
WALLFLOWER Tucked away on Rose, Wallflower specializes in Southeast Asian and Vietnamese cuisine. 609 Rose Ave, Venice; wallflowervenice.com
ROSALINÉ After a three-year break, chef Ricardo Zarate is back with Rosaliné, named for his mother. The dining room is one of the most beautiful in LA. 8479 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood; rosalinela.com
COSA BUONA Every neighborhood needs a good local pizza joint and the latest offering from chef Zach Pollock of nearby Alimento is exactly that—Italian-American comfort food done well. 2100 W. Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; cosabuona.com
BLUEYS MARKET & CAFE Santa Monica’s Bondi Harvest brings breakfast and lunch in Sydney to LA. 1814 Berkeley St., Santa Monica; blueyskitchen.com
GREAT WHITE Chilean chef Juan Ferreiro intuits exactly what we want to eat. Prepandemic, this involved light, hyperseasonal, fresh fare like smoothies and farm-to-table grain bowls. Now, from the confines of home, we’re craving California-style comfort food—healthy with a dash of indulgence. Ferreiro’s lamb kofta doused in zingy tzatziki and crunchy herb salad, crispy chicken sandwiches with pickles and secret sauce, and the heartiest breakfast burrito laced with roasted salsa and Oaxacan cheese are…as absolutely perfect as they sound. Order online for delivery or curbside pickup. 1604 Pacific Ave., Venice; greatwhite.cafe
MANUELA Located in the Hauser and Wirth gallery complex in DTLA’s Arts District, at Manuela, chef Wes Whitsell nostalgically cooks the food he ate growing up in Texas, injected with modern flavor and technique. The restaurant is very much farm-to-table, the garden eggs really do come from the garden (they have their own chicken house, home to twelve rare-breed birds). All the smoking, fermenting, preserving, and pickling are done in-house. The sides really stand out, featuring vegetables commonly eaten in the South but rarely seen on LA menus like okra, scarlet runner and dragon beans. 907 E. 3rd St., Downtown; manuela-la.com
SALAZAR Salazar is one of those rare restaurants that puts just as much emphasis on togetherness as it does its food. There’s a giant patio that’s often crowded with every type of diner, from families to groups of friends to those on a first date–all noticeably enjoying themselves. The vibe is chill–you can grab a margarita or Horchata cocktail at the bar while you wait to be seated (trust us: there will be a wait)–and the food is some of the best fresh, inventive, Sonoran-style Mexican we've had. Housed in a coveted auto body shop right by the LA River, this place is unlike any other. 2490 Fletcher Dr., Frogtown; salazarfrogtown
PIZZANA Just a few blocks from MiniLuxe and Alfred Coffee, this brand-new casual eatery offers excellent thin-crust pizza from Naples-born chef Daniele Uditi, as well really great iterations of carciofi and caprese. High ceilings and lots of natural light open up the narrow space, which is already packed and buzzy at lunch time—definitely make a reservation, wait times for dinner can be especially long. Note: the pizzas are generous in size—two or three people could comfortably split one (but trying two to share is a safer bet and also too hard to pass up). 11712 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; pizzana.com
FELIX TRATTORIA Chef Evan Funke’s crispy-on-the-outside, pillowy-on-the-inside sfincione (Sicilian focaccia) is justifiably famous around town. And then there are the silky, saucy plates of pasta. Funke and the Felix team have adapted to the current environment by deconstructing their signature pasta dishes for assembly at home. Order fresh pasta kits (we’re partial to pappardelle with Bolognese ragu and the simple rigatoni pomodoro) and cook them yourself at home. Or if you want to get through the cartons of dried pasta you’ve probably accumulated in recent weeks, order pints of Felix’s sauces without the pasta for your refrigerator, plus a sfincione to mop up every last morsel of sauce. If you really can't handle the thought of cooking, well...anything, order the polpette as an antipasto and the tonarelli cacio e pepe to follow. Cocktail kits (choose the mezcal negroni—just do it), wine, and beer are also available to go with your order. 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; felixla.com
LUNETTA ALL DAY Brought to you by chef (and West Side restaurant veteran) Raphael Lunetta and the guys behind Maple Block Meat Co., this just-opened spot is a seriously welcome addition to Santa Monica’s Pico neighborhood. The bright, chic space—which is complemented by a quiet, ivy-shrouded patio away from the street—is laid-back but elevated enough for a working lunch or date night; the menu has something for everyone, which is something you can say confidently when decadent ricotta pancakes, a bright brassica salad, and an amazing burger are all options for dinner. Two other things that cannot be understated: a free parking lot behind the entrance, and also their just-sweet-enough iterations of the margarita and Moscow mule. (Look out for the adjacent, more upscale dinner spot, Lunetta, set to open in time for summer.) 2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; lunettasm.com
THE REEL INN Another PCH standby, the beauty of The Reel Inn lies not only in its massive seafood offering—everything from fresh lobster, mahi mahi, ahi tuna, and shrimp tacos, grilled or fried at your request and arranged into refreshingly generous portions—but also in its brilliant layout: The restaurant is split into two sprawling seating areas, one indoor, one outdoor, with rows upon rows of booths and picnic tables, meaning that finding a spot for the whole crew is doable even during peak season. There’s no waiter service, just a walk-up window with an easy-to-navigate chalkboard menu. 18661 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; reelinnmalibu.com
PARADISE COVE Tucked into a particularly idyllic nook off the PCH, Paradise Cove lives up to its name. While it bills itself as a café—and it’s definitely worth making the drive for a lunch of live Maine lobster or their famous fish tacos—it’s really more of a beach club. Everything from beach beds to umbrellas to full-on beach terraces is available for rent, meaning you can post up for the day. Expect a fun, lively vibe—perfect for kids. (Note that the beach can get packed during the summer months.) 28128 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; paradisecovemalibu.com
THE OLD PLACE Family owned and virtually unchanged for over 40 years, this is another one of those tiny, out-of-the-way spots that feels completely out of place in Los Angeles—which is a big part of its charm. It looks like a roadside saloon, complete with giant antlers over the front door, an almost all-wood interior, and old timey bar. The food offering is classically protein-heavy (steaks, stews, and a shepherd’s pie we haven’t tried but hear is amazing) with a few non-meat—mushroom skillet, grilled veggies, a delicious house version of mac n’ cheese—options thrown in for good measure. Dining here comes with its own set of rules: There are exactly three seatings (lateness is not appreciated), no congregating outside while you wait for your table (go to the bar or Cornell Winery next door), and please don’t complain if the kitchen runs out of your favorite dish (there is no freezer on-site and things sell out). 29983 Mulholland Hwy., Agoura Hills; oldplacecornell.com
TRA DI NOI This traditional Italian food spot is situated right in the center of the Malibu Country Mart, making one of the outside tables prime people watching real estate. The fact that the menu of house-made pastas, risottos, and fish dishes is undoubtedly the best in town is icing on the cake. Pro tip: if you can’t get a table, order pizza and salad (try the Tuscan kale) at the little take-out window and stake out a shaded benches or patch of grass for an impromptu picnic. 29983 Mulholland Hwy., Agoura Hills; tradinoimalibu.com
TAVERNA TONY What’s great about Taverna is that while it’s definitely one of the more scene-y restaurants in town, it’s also one of the best food-wise. The menu has all the traditional Greek specialties covered (dolmathes, spanakopita, and more) with an emphasis on fresh seafood—get the bass, it’s grilled and served whole with just the right amount of seasoning—and vegetarian dishes which range from elaborate savory pastries to basic grilled veggie plates. The restaurant is deceptively large, with an outdoor patio, indoor balcony, and massive main dining room, which on weekends also hosts live music and belly dancers. For a car snack, get some humus and pita to-go—trust us. 23410 Civic Center Wy., Malibu; tavernatony.com
SADDLE PEAK LODGE The big-game meat-centric menu at this historic Malibu Canyon hunting-lodge-turned-restaurant (the drive up is really pretty at sunset) is not for the faint of heart. And with its scattered mounted deer busts and other such hunting regalia, neither is the décor. All that said, dining at this institution is a deeply LA-experience and not near as kitschy as it may sound—the outside tables in particular are perfect for romantic evenings. It’s not just for carnivores either—fish options, salads, and veggie sides are readily available. There’s also a $145 tasting menu for the adventurous. 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas; saddlepeaklodge.com
NEPTUNE’S NET This roadside spot has remained a Malibu classic since the 1950’s, offering the best grilled seafood and beer-battered fish-and-chips, chowder, and all the expected sides (cole slaw, fries, onion rings) in a setting that’s more biker bar than restaurant: If you don't recognize the sign from its many film cameos, just look for the line of gleaming motorcycles out front. It’s downright blasphemous not to stop in for a quick meal on your way up the PCH—leathers not required. 42505 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; neptunesnet.com
MALIBU SEAFOOD Every item on the modest menu at this beloved local spot is a sure thing, whether it’s the chowder (both Manhattan or New England are available), steamed mussels, tuna burger, or fish-and-chips (the fish is gently battered, never heavy). You place your order at the counter then carry your tray up to the semi-open-air patio to take in the views of the Pacific right across the PCH. Best part: BYOB. The teeny fish market is always well stocked with the best local catch with extra attention paid to freshness, which makes sense since the owner was a commercial fisherman for years. For working off a big meal, the entrance to the Corral Canyon hiking path—quick, relatively easy, and really beautiful—is right at the adjoining parking lot, just keep in mind that the rangers are not shy about writing tickets if you park and don’t pay the fee. 25653 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibuseafood.com
OLLO The chefs here cook with ingredients from local farms (One Gun Ranch, for one), resulting in a menu that covers all the bases (expertly prepped proteins, veggie-driven plates, and more). The space is open with natural light flooding in from every direction—trees covered in string lights rise directly out of the floor in the middle of the indoor dining area, and there's a lush outdoor patio surrounded by vines and greenery. Make sure to order a pizza. 23750 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; ollomalibu.com
CHOLADA THAI CUISINE While it may not look like much more than a roadside shack to the untrained eye, locals know that inside is where you’ll find the best Thai food this side of the 405. The interior is decidedly no frills—same goes for the backyard area—but that doesn’t take away from the fact that the lengthy menu of curries, noodles, and soups (the Tom Kah—coconut milk-broth, lemongrass, and mushrooms—is out of this world) is authentic and executed to delicious results. Get the pineapple-fried rice and a few orders of “golden bags” for the table (funny name, seriously good) and wash it all down with some Thai coffee (some of the best in all of LA). 18763 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; choladathaicuisine.com
SEA HARBOUR RESTAURANT Modeled in the style of high-end dim sum restaurants in Vancouver and Hong Kong (the management company also manages several restaurants in both those cities), most people view Sea Harbour as the quintessential LA dim sum experience. Accordingly, it also has some of the worst lines, but trust us when we say that everything on the menu is worth the wait. They excel at the classics, like the barbecue pork buns, which you can order in several different styles; note, though, that the original rice-noodle-roll version usually sells out early on weekends. The chefs here also offer some innovative takes on classic dishes, like the sticky rice ball stuffed with "salty egg," a dumpling with the texture of mochi wrapped around a soft, sweet, custard-y egg. 3939 Rosemead Blvd., Rosemead; seaharbourrosemead.com
ELITE RESTAURANT Though the dinner scene at Elite is a little intense (they've got a long menu full of traditional Chinese delicacies, and it's easy to rack up a significant bill), the weekend dim sum is accessible and blessedly cheap, as even the chef's specials top out at under $7. Foodie types come here for the egg custard, a classic dish that they do especially well, and the pork shu mai, which comes topped with a delicate scallop and a generous dollop of roe. 700 S. Atlantic Blvd., Monterey Park
SHANGHAI NO. 1 SEAFOOD This quirky spot in the San Gabriel Valley is famous for its over-the-top interior, which features ornate silver chairs, chandeliers, and red velvet walls. Like most dim sum places in LA, they've scrapped the carts in favor of paper menus—and admittedly, the carts wouldn't fit in with the decor anyway. The dim sum here is mostly Cantonese, but there are some Shanghai-style dishes, too. We love the Shanghai vegetable bun, the fried rice cakes with pork, and the deep fried tarot balls (the pan-fried noodles are also a favorite if you need a break from dishes that come in baskets). 250 W. Valley Blvd., San Gabriel Valley
MONTEREY PALACE RESTAURANT This old-school spot in Monterey Park doesn't have any carts—you order your dim sum (which is priced at a seriously cheap $2.09 per order) from a fill-in paper menu. The menu is huge and a little intimidating, but it's pretty hard to screw up an order here, since they do most things well—keep an eye out for siu mai, har gow, and the steamed bean curd roll, and they're most famous for their yellow shumai with orange crab roe. Crowds can get intense on the weekends, so we recommend coming early or late, or during the week. Another pro tip: Park in the surrounding neighborhood, as the spots in their lot are tricky to access. 1001 E. Garvey Ave., Monterey Park
KISMET On the border of Los Feliz and Hollywood, this all-day, full-service restaurant comes from chefs Sarah Hymanson and Sara Kramer, who ran the kitchen at Glasserie in NYC before stealing Angelenos’ hearts with their vegetable-centric falafel joint, Madcapra, in Grand Central Market. Teaming up with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (of Animal, Jon & Vinny’s, and Son of a Gun fame), they’ve successfully brought their Middle Eastern/Californian cuisine to the East Side. Be sure to order the flaky bread with labneh, preserved lemon, and honey; za’atar squash tart; Persian cucumber salad with labneh and rose water; and squid with saffron, pine nuts, and cilantro, to name a few goop favorites. 4648 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz; kismetla.com
FIG Located inside the Fairmont hotel (the same property as the popular, young-crowd bar The Bungalow), FIG is helmed by Chef Yousef Ghalaini, and the Mediterranean menu draws on dishes he made growing up with his grandfather in Lebanon. Highlights come from the restaurant's wood-burning oven/grill: roasted veggies, wood-smoked clams with thyme and pepper relish, whole fish and, if meat is your thing, serious steaks. The beautiful indoor-outdoor space centers around the bar (cocktails are worth sampling here), and spills onto a patio overlooking the Fairmont's pool. 101 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; figsantamonica.com
MAPLE BLOCK MEAT CO. Historically, Los Angeles hasn’t been a great town for barbecue, but that seems to be changing with Culver City's Maple Block Meat Co. Launched by Daniel Weinstock (Spago), Adam Cole (The Bazaar), and restauranteur Mike Garrett, the menu combines their intimate knowledge of food and presentation with barbecue chops gleaned from Cole’s Texas upbringing. At Maple Block, the entire butchering process is executed on site, where there just happens to be an enormous smoker (which, appropriately, is fueled by locally-sourced peachwood). The result is what many are calling the best barbecue in the city, served alongside a pared-down menu that showcases southern-inspired veggie, fluffy biscuits, and fruit cobbler that’s more than worth the sugar bomb. Brisket is definitely one of the things to order, along with the absurdly good turkey and pulled pork. 3973 Sepulveda Blvd., Culver City; https://mapleblockmeat.com/
71ABOVE This new destination dining spot on the 71st floor of the US Bank building downtown is, unsurprisingly, best known for its breathtaking 365-degree views of the city. Dinner is a three-course pre-fixe menu for $70 but, if you’re in the market for drinks and snacks, the lounge offers excellent cocktails and small à la carte menu. This place is busy, so be sure to make a reservation in advance and consider paying the extra fee for a window seat. 633 W. 5th St., Downtown; 71above.com
FORMA A major player in the mini restaurant scene that's developing on Montana, Forma is the kind of place that's equally appropriate for a low-key after work bite, or a big night out. While all of the Italian classics are represented, there are some surprises on the menu, too, like a great cheeseburger and a gluten-free spaghetti that's pretty great. 1610 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; formarestaurant.com
OTIUM Fittingly situated behind the Broad contemporary art museum, Otium’s box-like, wood, steel, and glass building can easily be mistaken for a large-scale art installation. Inside, the large light-filled dining room and communal table area revolve around a sprawling open kitchen and are meant to accommodate the museum crowds without making anyone feel, well, overcrowded. Chef Timothy Hollingsworth, formerly of The French Laundry, developed a menu that’s at times experimental but always approachable and delicious, think: artichoke and burrata, bacon tart, and falafel. 222 S. Hope St., Downtown; otiumla.com
MAUDE At his celebrated Beverly Hills restaurant Maude (which is currently one of the hardest reservations to snag in Los Angeles), Curtis Stone and his team create an elaborate tasting menu centered around one seasonal ingredient every month. So if you come in during, say, Radish Month, the veggie will be incorporated in some way into each of the nine courses. The restaurant is named after Stone’s grandmother, and is lovingly decked out with antique linens and dishes as a homage to her kitchen. 212 S. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; mauderestaurant.com
BADMAASH No one’s ever really attempted to make Indian food cool until brothers Nakul and Arjun Mahendro enlisted the help of their classically trained chef dad Pawan Mahendro to open their Indian gastropub, Badmaash. The menu here is devoted to both traditional and reimagined Indian dishes: chili-cheese naan, Punjabi fish-fry, chicken tikka poutine—an homage to the Mahendro’s Canadian roots—and our personal favorite, butter chicken. While the majority of the tiny two-story space is kept starkly industrial, there are several focal points throughout, like a brightly striped wall and a mural of a sunglasses-clad Ganghi. 108 W. 2nd St., Downtown; badmaashla.com
CANTER’S DELI Around since 1931, Canter’s can’t-miss neon signage along Fairfax is easily one of L.A.’s the most iconic visuals, outshined only by the famous hot pastrami sandwiches and house-brined dill pickles inside. The menu is rife with all the Jewish comfort food staples–matzo ball soup, blintzes, smoked fish, and so much more—one might expect from a deli, prepared in the same reliably delicious way for decades and served 24/7. Then there’s the adjoining Kibitz Room—an old-school cocktail bar with a rich musical past (everyone from The Doors to Guns N’ Roses to Fiona Apple hung out here), where you can still hear live acts nightly. 419 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; cantersdeli.com
NONG LÁ Considering Nong Lá’s immense popularity, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually a small, family-run operation. It started with brother-and-sister duo, Elaine and Victor Phuong, and their mom Khanh Phan, who sourced family recipes and adapted them into a perfect menu of Vietnamese banh mi, egg-topped fried rice, and a light, flavorful pho that you can customize to your liking. The new La Brea location is just a smidge fancier than the Sawtelle original but the menu is for the most part identical. Tip: Treat yourself to a glass of the homemade passion fruit iced tea—it’s delicious and just sweet enough to constitute as dessert. The original location is on the West Side. 145 N. La Brea Blvd., Hollywood; nonglacafe.com
MARUGAME MONZO Marugame Monzo is the place to go for udon of all flavors—from curry udon to uni creamy sauce udon, shrimp tempura udon, and seafood tomato cream udon. 329 E. 1st St., Little Tokyo; marugamemonzola.com
LE COMPTOIR The intimate, memorable dinner experience takes place inside Koreatown's cozy Hotel Normandie, and rings in at a surprisingly affordable $89/person. Hotel Normandie, 3606 W. 6th St., Koreatown; lecomptoirla.com
CASA BIANCA A family owned red sauce, red-and-white checkered tablecloth joint, Casa Bianca has been open since 1955. They serve all the classic pasta dishes, salads, and subs, but their speciality is thin crust pizza. 1650 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock; casabiancapizza.com
DUNE Scott Zwiezen, who was the chef at vegetarian LA restaurant Elf, opened Dune in early 2015, and it quickly became known for its excellent falafel. Dune is a casual joint—you order at the counter and then, if you can, grab a counter seat or a patio table outside. It serves hummus plates, salads, and sourdough toasts, as well as a pickled beets sandwich and a lamb one for carnivores. But again, the falafel sandwich is the real star of the show here. 3143 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; dunekitchen.com
ALIMENTO LA local Zach Pollack split his culinary education between Italy—he fell in love with Italian food while studying (architecture) abroad—and the west coast, eventually teaming up with Chef Steve Samson to open the Italian restaurant Sotto in LA. And then in 2014, Pollack opened his own: Alimento in Silver Lake, which serves outstanding pastas (including a most notable tortellini), good wine, and a chopped salad that GP loves. It is small—and busy—so make a reservation or go early/late to avoid a long wait. 1710 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; alimentola.com
LITTLE BEAST Housed in a Craftsman bungalow, Little Beast is a charming neighborhood restaurant opened in 2012 by wife and husband team Deborah Schwartz-Lowenthal and Chef Sean Lowenthal (Sean was previously the sous chef at Chateau Marmont). Little Beast's menu is a mix of small and large plates designed for sharing—seasonal, California-style fare like burrata and beet salad, steelhead trout crudo, roasted organic chicken breast, and charred flat iron steak. In addition to their homey dining room inside, they also have an outdoor patio decorated in strings of white lights. And it's known to be kid friendly—the restaurant is named after their son (affectionately, of course). 1496 Colorado Blvd., Eagle Rock; littlebeastrestaurant.com
DAIKOKUYA There's something so comforting about a hot bowl of ramen on a cold day, and anytime there's even a hint of rain in Los Angeles, the lines at Little Tokyo's Daikokuya are out the door. What makes the ramen here stand out is the broth, which is cooked with pork bones for hours to achieve its thick, flavorful consistency. The portions are huge, so be prepared to take home leftovers. This location, on Sawtelle, has the same ramen with shorter lines. 2208 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA; daikokuyala.com
KAZUNORI This is an offshoot of Chef Kazunori Nozawa's popular sushi restaurant, Sugarfish—and like Sugarfish, the emphasis is on the freshness and quality of the fish. But that's where the similarities end, as KazuNori is all about the hand rolls. They have two menus—one if you're ordering to go or eating on their patio, and another if you're sitting at the sushi bar. 421 S. Main St., Downtown; handrollbar.com
ALL’ACQUA The wood-fired pizza at this Atwater Village spot is on par with Pizzeria Mozza, Milo & Olive, and Bestia—which says a lot. It also has a late-night menu, which is kind of key if you're looking for a good option after a Dodgers game. 3280 Glendale Blvd., Atwater Village; allacquarestaurant.com
THE ROSE VENICE Rose Cafe, a Venice standby since 1979, is breathing new life under the direction of chef Jason Neroni. While the interior has been updated, the space pays homage to it's long-time Venice Beach roots—local artists have decorated the walls with a mix of modern pieces and whimsical, historic, imagery of this rapidly-changing neighborhood. The space is vast, encompassing a soaring dining room, open-air patio, food market, bakery, and Verve coffee bar. The takeout counter—filled with tempting prepared foods—is a welcome addition for the time-strapped local who can't linger over their morning matcha and avocado toast. Speaking of toast, the bread here is a must-order. Other stand-outs: the cacio e pepe and the fire-roasted chicken. 220 Rose Ave., Venice; therosevenice.la
PLANT FOOD + WINE When the long-standing Axe shut its doors, a lot of West Siders were pretty bummed—but then chef Matthew Kenney, a force in the plant-based movement, swooped in to take over the space, turning the upstairs into a plant-based cooking academy. The place still has a light, low-key vibe, with exceptional outdoor seating; the difference is the menu is now completely vegan. Kenney’s restaurants across the country all do things with veggies and nuts that you don’t see anywhere else. They’re known for their aged-nut-cheese plate, fantastic salads, and the (amazing) curried cauliflower tacos. 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice
LOCAL KITCHEN + WINE BAR The Ocean Park Avenue in Santa Monica has been having a bit of a mini-renaissance, a micro-movement that started with Maire Byrne’s Thyme Café, which opened in 2009. Now, she’s opening a second restaurant on the street—Local Kitchen + Wine Bar. The new spot is a little bit more dressed up than Thyme, with a sit-down menu and rounded-out wine list. The interior is light and airy, with an intimate outdoor porch and two big, long bars: one in front of the sky-high wine rack and the other in front of their blazing pizza oven. Stephen Murray, formerly a sous chef for Michael Chiarello at Bottega in Napa, is the guy you’ll find manning said oven and running the rest of the kitchen. The American-style menu is filled with seasonal, California fare, but it’s a little bit heavier than you’re used to seeing from Byrne: Expect classic pizzas, straightforward pasta, and pared down meat dishes. If you’re not up for the full dinner, stop by before seven for a very well-priced happy hour. 1736 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; localkitchenandwinebar.com
BALTAIRE This big, splashy steakhouse smack in the middle of San Vicente delivers on all the American classics you'd expect (filets, lobster rolls, and the requisite sides, like creamed spinach and mashed potatoes). It's expensive, but fun for groups or cozy date nights. 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; baltaire.com
Q SUSHI Downtown Los Angeles in a word? Colorful. And in three words: loud, congested, and hectic. Which is what makes us especially grateful for the succinctly named Q Sushi. Beyond a heavy wooden door on bustling W 7th Street, Q Sushi is a transporting and utterly serene getaway in the middle of the endless energy of the city. Classical music alongside perfunctory service devoid of small talk, it’s the kind of place that lowers your blood pressure as soon as you walk in. It’s also the kind of place that was recently awarded a Michelin star for its omakase-only experience. So settle in and clear your schedule—you’ll be here for about twenty mind-blowing courses. 521 W. 7th St., Downtown; qsushi.com
DIN TAI FUNG Located in the sprawling Americana mall, this Taipei export is famous for its steamed dumplings—and all the requisite extras like green beans with sauteed garlic, Shanghai rice cakes with shrimp, and noodle soups. 177 Caruso Ave., Glendale; dintaifungusa.com
JON & VINNY’S If there's anything to dislike about this relatively new arrival from the guys behind almost every great restaurant in town (Animal, Son of a Gun, Trois Mec, Trois Familia...) it's that it's not twice as big. People line up out the door for both a table, and takeout, thanks to a pretty epic menu of pizzas and pastas. If you want a more low-key experience, stop by for breakfast when it's nice and quiet. 412 N. Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; jonandvinnys.com
CAFÉ STELLA Cafe Stella is fun and low-key, and just the ticket when you want some cozy French bistro food and a glass of good wine. 3932 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; cafestella.com
IL TRAMEZZINO Affectionately known as “Il Trem,” this is a great place to grab a sandwich on your way to check out all the commissioned architecture in the Rodeo Drive area: It’s surrounded by Beverly Hill’s most notable architectural gems, which include Frank Lloyd Wright’s Anderton Court Shops from the ‘50s (one of his only forays into retail), and Rem Koolhaus and Ole Scheeren’s 2004 Prada store on Rodeo Drive. 454 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills; iltram.net
PERCH This terrace bar overlooks downtown’s Pershing Square, the home of several prime examples of classic L.A. architecture including the art deco building it tops. It has a French, bistro-themed restaurant and all the cocktails you’d want, though the real draw here is the view. 448 S. Hill St., Downtown; perchla.com
BARBRIX Here, you’ll find Spanish tapas, cheese plates, and a handful of pastas, all served in a lowkey homey setting—homey indeed, as the restaurant lives in a 1940’s house in the Silver Lake hills. In fact, a select few can grab a seat at kitchen counter, and watch chef Don Dickman cook. 2442 Hyperion Ave., Los Feliz; barbrix.com
TSUJITA LA This L.A. outpost of a popular Japanese restaurant is somewhat of a mecca for noodle snobs: Made all the more elusive because Tsujita only serves their artisanal ramens at lunch (come dinner, it’s traditional Japanese fare). Fortunately, they just opened an Annex on the opposite side of Sawtelle, where you can get bowls of Tsukemen-style ramen all day long. 2057 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA; tsujita.com
HAMASAKU Where East meets West. And by that we mean that its central location—right off the 405—makes it an excellent meeting point for friends from opposite sides of town. It’s also where sushi purists and California Roll enthusiasts can dine at the same table. There’s an extensive menu of cooked dishes, along with the whimsically-named rolls like Green Dragon, Asylum, and Sixteen Plus. 11043 Santa Monica Blvd., West LA; hamasakula.com
SUSHI PARK This quintessential sushi spot is tucked away on the second floor of a nondescript strip mall on Sunset; it’s a good thing since seats (and opening hours) are limited. It’s strictly Omakase at the sushi bar, and well worth it—should you take this option, you’ll have to cross your fingers that the blue crab hand roll (more and more ubiquitous around LA, but still superb) and skipjack sashimi are on the night’s menu. 8539 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; thesushilegend.com
NIGHT + MARKET 30-something chef, Kris Yenbamroong, may not have any formal culinary training, but no matter: He learned how to cook in Bangkok, and in the kitchen of his parent’s long-standing Thai mainstay, Talésai, which is now Night + Market. Tucked away behind a curtain in the back, you won’t find the white tablecloths that mark the former. Instead, you’re met by a stark white space where the only décor is a handful of Christmas lights and a Singha beer sign. Here, the hype continues to mount: Maybe it’s the low-slung and crowded communal tables (this place is loud), or maybe it’s the exquisite and (very) spicy street food, like pad thai, grilled fatty pig collar, and fried chicken wings, bathed in “rooster sauce.” 9041 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; nightmarketsong.com
MADEO Longtime Beverly Hills institution Madeo has temporarily moved a couple of blocks to North Camden Drive while the original (and much beloved) restaurant undergoes renovations. Here, you’ll find the best eggplant parmesan in the city, and what is probably the most delicious linguini al pesto outside of Liguria. Their fish with red sauce is also crazy delicious. The emphasis is on classic Northern Italian dishes, all served in the charmingly clubby space—the bill is invariably steep, but the quality of the meal erases any sticker shock. 362 N. Camden Dr., Beverly Hills; madeoristorante.com
SUSHI YOTSUYA It may be located in Tarzana, but the unreal omakase at Sushi Yotsuya definitely justifies the drive. Chef Masa’s word-of-mouth reputation has grown steadily over the years and his restaurant is a valley insider’s secret. It’s a no-frills situation down to the TV news blaring in the background, and the sign that states “Sushi” out front. We like to sit at the bar with the chef, who is generally happy to throw back some sake. 18760 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana
FARMSHOP Jeff Cerciello (former Thomas Keller culinary director) perfects the bakery-cum-larder-cum-restaurant concept in this sunny space with all-day dining at rustic communal tables, including a wonderful family-style dinner with a market-driven menu. Ingredients here are top-notch, and Cerciello knows what to do with them, keeping the food exciting and tasty without over-complicating. The Roast Jidori Chicken is a standout, along with any of the fresh seafood or excellent produce-based dishes. There's an attached mini-grocery store with an excellent cheese selection, pastries, and prepared salads and sandwiches. 225 26th St., Brentwood; farmshopca.com
VIA VENETO Delicious regional Italian dishes, mainly from Rome and Tuscany, are served in a stylish, bustling space with romantically hushed lighting here. Co-owned by guitarist Warren Cuccurullo of Duran Duran, this place has a distinct European vibe and often star-studded crowd. The fresh ravioli is incredible and they serve the best cioppino in town. 3009 Main St., Santa Monica; viaveneto.us
LA SCALA A classic Beverly Hills lunch spot, this place has the best chopped salad, which they do Italian-style and allow you to modify it to your liking from a long list of fresh items. They also have a large selection of antipasti, soups, panini, fresh, homemade pastas and more. It's been around forever and probably always will be. There's another, less-buzzy (read: quieter) outpost in Brentwood. 434 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills; lascalabeverlyhills.com
BAR AMÁ Puffy tacos, frito pie, queso, and other evolved Tex-Mex dishes are mainstays at chef Josef Centeno’s latest operation. Do not miss the perfectly caramelized sweet potatoes, the fried Brussels sprouts, and the guacomole, which just might be the best in the city. The ’50s hall-like space also offers its fair share of tequila and mescal drinks, along with homemade fruit mashes and Bäco-Pops. 118 W. 4th St., Downtown; bar-ama.com
BESTIA In an industrial-inflected, warehouse-like space in L.A.'s Arts District, you'll find Bestia, helmed by husband-and-wife duo, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. While the scope of the menu is ambitious (and innovative, as Ori hates to waste meat, meaning you'll find the occasional beef and lamb heart or chicken gizzard dotting the offerings), you should really go for the pizza: Ori gives his dough a good 24-hours to rise and fall before it heads into the wood-burning oven, and you can tell. A trip here requires Uber, as this place draws huge crowds—the bar is a fun place to wait, and the cocktails are delicious. 2121 E. 7th Pl., Downtown; bestiala.com
SUSHI GEN The long, sinuous sushi bar is where it's at, though you'll need to order a minimum of four items to sit here, which, once you taste the fish, won't be a problem. Fresh as can be, the sushi is prepared diligently by experienced chefs who emphasize the high-quality cuts with a light ponzu sauce here, a sprinkling of lemon and sea salt there. In typical LA style, it's located in a strip mall, and ideal for a business or casual lunch. Don't be intimidated by the line, as it moves fast. 705 W. 9th St., Downtown; sushigen-dtla.com
SUSHI NISHI-YA While its location is perfect if you work at the studios (or have just landed at the Burbank airport), an idle weeknight works for a trip here, too. When you arrive, the hostess will tersely explain that this is an omakase only place. "No California Rolls." In case that isn't clear enough, there's a large sign right behind the bar that reiterates: Omakase Only. Once through the gauntlet, an incredibly jovial sushi chef compensates. Sit as close to him as possible, as the restaurant doesn't offer much in the way of ambiance, and he will walk you through your meal, explaining the provenance of the fish, and exactly how to season it. 1712 Victory Blvd., Glendale
ANGELINI OSTERIA Angelini Osteria is always busy. The vibe is unpretentious, and the food is delicious, homey, and simple, from the pastas, (like the insane Lasagne Verde and the creamy risottos), to a whole branzino baked in salt. 7313 Beverly Blvd., Hancock Park; angelinirestaurantgroup.com
ZINC CAFÉ & MARKET Zinc got its start down in Orange County (there are similar outposts in Laguna Beach, Corona del Mar, and Solano Beach), before branching out to the Arts District downtown in the summer of 2014. The airy, bright space is marked by an open kitchen and a smattering of tables and chairs for low-key breakfast and lunch meetings, though many carry out. Baked goods, really delicious salads, and wood-fired pizzas round out the mix. 580 Mateo St., Downtown; zinccafe.com
OSTERIA LA BUCA The in-house pastas are particularly stand-out here, especially the bucatini and the rye rigatoni. A young, friendly staff and airy brick-and-wood interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and long steel bar make this place feel more like the East Village than LA. The extensive wine list, great pizzas, and even better prices make it a real gem. There's a second location in Sherman Oaks. 5210 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; osterialabuca.com
THE YORK The fine beer selection here is complemented by great gastropub food (we love the truffle grilled cheese and fried chickpeas). 5018 York Blvd., Pasadena; theyorkonyork.com
CHEEBO From taco night to free-range fried chicken, this homey restaurant/café serves up Californian comfort food that's local, sustainable, natural and all that other good stuff. 7533 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; cheebo.com
JITLADA You wouldn't expect it from the outside, but this place serves up excellent and innovative Southern Thai cuisine, that pushes the boundaries on flavor and spice. The mussels are a standout and people rave about the 'crying tiger.' It's tiny, which makes for long but worthwhile waits. 5233 1/2 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; jitladala.com
MUSSO & FRANK GRILL Well-worn red leather banquettes, stiff martinis, bowtied waiters, and what was the first pay-phone in Hollywood, are just the beginning of this fabled restaurant's story. Thanks to its proximity to the Screen Writer's Guild, literary stars like F. Scott Fitzgerald, Faulkner, and Aldous Huxley, wrote while they snacked on liquor. The menu has evolved since they opened in 1919, though it's really more about drinking up the scene. 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; mussoandfrank.com
PACE Though its just a few miles from L.A.'s busiest stretch, Pace feels like it's in the middle of the nowhere. It's actually in the residential hillside enclave, Laurel Canyon, right below a sweet little neighborhood grocery store. It's one of those rare restaurants that works equally well for big, lively dinners with friends or more romantic dates. The food—Italian—is strong, but it's really more about the cozy, tucked-away vibe than culinary fireworks. 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Hollywood; pacerestaurant.com
PIZZERIA MOZZA The incredible crust that makes the pizza here so delectable is the doing of LaBrea Bakery founder and former owner Nancy Silverton. And while we don't know who exactly to thank for the chopped salad, it deserves a notable mention. Other highlights are the fried squash blossom with ricotta and butterscotch budino, but anything you order will not disappoint. It all packs up beautifully to-go, too, making it a great option for a weeknight dinner when you don't feel like cooking. 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Hollywood; pizzeriamozza.com
THE GRIDDLE The long wait to get into this get close and comfy place for breakfast is so worth the amazing waffles and French press coffee. They'll definitely set you right for the day. There's also good people watching. 7916 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood; thegriddlecafe.com
MESSHALL KITCHEN Occupying the former home of Willard’s Chicken Inn (and perhaps more notably, an outpost of The Brown Derby), MessHall serves gussied up versions of the items you might have had at camp, like hot wings, macaroni and cheese, and pie in a jar. Camp probably didn’t come with a huge selection of craft beer, though, or $1 Oysters on Tuesday nights. 4500 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Feliz; messhallkitchen.com
HIKO SUSHI The "No Cell Phone" sign at the door sets the tone for a meal focused on melt-in-your-mouth sushi made by one serious chef. While he presents seasonal highlights and rare cuts (among other delights, we sampled a buttery escolar with a light garlic glaze, and kinka-saba, a thinly sliced, sweet Mackerel from northern Japan) his warm and welcoming wife Miyo gives the low-down on each dish. She's happy to add that she doesn't actually like sushi unless it's made by her husband—apparently his is the only technique to trust. The unusual cuts of fresh fish and the subtle twists to the traditional format, like using warm rice to contrast with the cold fish and adding sesame seeds to the typical tuna sashimi starter's ponzu sauce for crunch, make all the difference. 11275 National Blvd., Culver City; hikosushila.com
ECHIGO SUSHI This is as low-profile as it goes for strip mall sushi, which says a lot. It's always quiet (besides the elevator jazz in the background that lends a shred of ambiance) and there's never a wait to get a table. Whether you're ordering off the menu or opting for the set omakase at the bar, it's nicely affordable, too, which doesn't translate to lower grade fish. 12217 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; echigosushi.com
GIORGIO BALDI Giorgio's is like a culinary second home in Los Angeles, in no small part because this is still a family operation, and it shows. The service is warm and attentive, and the unfussy and fun vibe is the perfect backdrop for the incredible Northern Italian fare. Go for the octopus carpaccio with deep fried capers, penne langostine, sweet corn agnolotti with truffle butter, and sea bass—and stay for the white truffles, which are imported from Piedmont every fall. While it's not exactly casual, Giorgio's is never uptight, meaning children are always welcome at the table. 4 W. Channel Rd., Santa Monica; giorgio-baldi.com
FORAGE Local, sustainable, and fresh ingredients are the focus at this rustic-meets-modern spot, so much so that if you bring your own home-grown produce, they'll exchange it for credit. And the credit is worth it: The roasted salmon bowl is particularly excellent, though there are very few misses on Forage's constantly changing chalkboard menu. 3823 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; foragela.com
HATCHET HALL Chef Brian Dunsmoor's Hatchet Hall joined the strip of West Washington near A Frame in 2015, taking over the large space formerly occupied by Waterloo & City. The space has largely been transformed—there's an outdoor patio in the front that leads into the restaurant, which begins as airy and light, and becomes darker (in a handsome, cozy way) as you continue deeper into its rooms. The back of the restaurant houses a second, separate bar deemed Old Man's Bar—it looks as brooding as you'd expect, but it's also beautiful, and it serves up noteworthy serious cocktails from 8pm to 2am. In addition to the restaurant's cool ambience and the charm of the speak-easy-like Old Man's Bar, there's Chef Dunsmoor's modern and fresh Southern-inspired food, which is equally pleasing. The menu rotates but you can expect dishes like yellowtail tartare with lemon aioli, grilled flat breads, roasted game hen, brilliant grilled veggie sides, and of course oysters—there's an oyster happy hour daily, 5:30 to 6:30pm. Also worth noting: Hatchet Hall serves Sunday brunch. 12517 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City; hatchethallla.com
N/NAKA It's hard to score a ticket to reservation-only n/naka, which books up to three months in advance. But it's popularity (and price tag) is justified by the truly first-rate food experience you get there—this is a special occasion kind of place. Run by renowned chef Niki Nakayama, who was profiled in Netflix's docu-series Chef's Table, n/naka offers two different thirteen-course omakase dinners—one of which is vegetarian friendly. (You choose between the two tastings a couple weeks before your reservation.) The restaurant focuses on using local, organic, and seasonal ingredients—they actually have their own organic farm with urban farming venture, Farmscape Gardens. You won't be able to predict your exact tasting, but don't expect traditional sashimi. Each course is a modern take on Japanese dishes, with plenty of unexpected ingredients (like pasta) that Nakayama makes work (really well). 3455 S. Overland Ave., Culver City; n-naka.com
TOTORAKU LA's secret Japanese beef restaurant, Totoraku, isn't so much a secret anymore. But it's still incredibly difficult to get into. You either have to know chef-owner Kaz Oyama or know someone who has dined at Totoraku before and knows him. (The ultimate seal of approval as a guest of Totoraku is getting a business card at the end of your meal with the private number used for reservations.) Nothing about the look of Totoraku is impressive. It's marked from the outside by a sign for "The Teriyaki House Pico," a failed restaurant of Oyama's. Inside the tiny space, there is little to no decor to speak of. And there's no wine menu—interestingly, Totoraku is BYOB. But there's probably no better place for beef—of all kinds, served raw, cooked, and grilled right at your table. 10610 W. Pico Blvd., West LA
SILVERLAKE RAMEN You'll find the best ramen on the east side at this extremely well-priced strip mall-esque spot. Silverlake Ramen boils their broth for 16 hours, and you can tell. Get the pork buns, too—they are similarly out of this world. (Side note: they serve beer and sake until 10pm. 2927 Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; silverlakeramen.com
LITTLE SISTER In 2015, Chef Tin Vuong opened his second Little Sister, this outpost near Pershing Square downtown. One thing that makes the DTLA location stand out from the original Manhattan Beach Little Sister is that breakfast is served here in addition to lunch and dinner. (The breakfast menu includes dishes like Vuong's elevated take on congee—a popular rice porridge throughout Asia, Chinese-inspired savory donuts, banh mi, and pho.) But that doesn't make this Little Sister any less of a spot for lunch and dinner—head here when you're in the mood for good Southeast Asian food. 523 W. 7th St., Downtown; dinelittlesister.com
NONG LA Considering Nong La’s immense popularity, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually a small, family-run operation. It started with brother-and-sister duo, Elaine and Victor Phuong, and their mom Khanh Phan, who sourced family recipes and adapted them into a perfect menu of Vietnamese banh mi, egg-topped fried rice, and a light, flavorful pho that you can customize to your liking. The new La Brea location is just a smidge fancier than the Sawtelle original but the menu is for the most part identical. Tip: Treat yourself to a glass of the homemade passion fruit iced tea—it’s delicious and just sweet enough to constitute as dessert. A new location just opened on La Brea. 2055 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA; nonglacafe.com
YUCA’S This stand serves up authentic Mexican street food, including killer cochinita pibil (Yucatán-style roasted pork), carne asada, carnitas burritos, and more. The beans here are homemade and full of flavor, and they also have a pretty great burger. Their portion sizes are also authentic, so don't expect Chipotle-esque burritos. Cash only and open until 6PM. 2056 Hillhurst Ave., Los Feliz; yucasla.com
YANG CHOW Named after the province of its founders, Yang Chow serves up authentic Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine in a simple downtown space. Their signature slippery shrimp is worth the trip alone. There are also locations in Pasadena and the Valley. 819 N. Broadway, Downtown; yangchow.com
FATHER’S OFFICE This popular burger joint—which fronts Helms Bakery’s giant furniture shop, H.D. Buttercup—is just a stone’s throw from Culver City’s gallery scene. Order the Office Burger, complete with bacon, caramelized onions, gruyere, and blue cheese (no substitutions allowed), with a side of sweet potato fries, and one of an encyclopedia’s worth of craft beers. There's another location in Santa Monica. fathersoffice.com
MULBERRY STREET PIZZA If you want a slice of New York pizza that is better than most places in New York, look no further: A super-thin crust, and wonderfully tangy sauce set the standard for pies you can eat by the slice or takeout whole. We particularly love the eggplant parm and the white spinach pizzas, but nothing disappoints. There is another location in Sherman Oaks, and there are two in Beverly Hills—in Beverly Hills proper and on Beverly Blvd.17040 Ventura Blvd., Encino; mulberrypizzeria.com
STOUT This place is a welcome refuge for an awesome burger in a cool and clean environment. It's also great to sit outside during the day and enjoy any of their creative beef (ground in-house daily), chicken (the one with smoked mozzarella and artichoke spread is amazing,) or veggie burgers with a cold artisanal draft. The original is in Hollywood, and there's also a location in Santa Monica. 11262 Ventura Blvd., Studio City
CERVETECA One of the first things you'll likely notice is that the stools here aren't particularly comfortable—we're guessing this was an intentional decision, otherwise everyone would stick around for even longer. Despite the packed scene (you'll get intimate with your neighbor), this is one of our favorites in Culver City, thanks to the California-Mexican menu and the frequent happy hours. 9418 Venice Blvd., Culver City; cervetecala.com
E.P. & L.P. While the downstairs restaurant, which serves Asian-inspired dishes, is certainly deserving of a spot on any "to try" list, any one of the bars (there are three, one inside the restaurant and two on the roof-top deck) is definitely the place to be. Upstairs, the décor feels very L.A., with a wood deck, neon chairs, and ample greenery to round out stunning views of the hills. Drink-wise, expect to find everything from traditional Pimm's cup to spiked boba tea. 603 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood; eplosangeles.com
MALIBU FARM Malibu Farm is our go-to restaurant for impressing out-of-towners, thanks to its sweeping views of the ocean in both directions (and even of Catalina Island on a clear day). You can watch surfers and stand-up paddleboarders on iconic Surfrider Beach, plus the white sangria is perfectly refreshing on a hot day. Enjoying a zucchini pizza on the porch while you watch the sun set is pretty much as California as it gets. 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibu-farm.com
NATE ‘N AL Nate 'n Al in Beverly Hills the place to go for authentic Jewish deli food (there's now an outpost at LAX, but it's not quite the same). You'll feel like you're stepping back into the '60s when you walk through the door. Bagels, turkey sandwiches on rye, matzo ball soup, are all givens—quality cold cuts and fresh bread make the sandwiches truly delicious. 414 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills; natenals.com
SASABUNE Unadorned sushi, attentive service, a busy and buzzy atmosphere. What sets it apart from the other west side options is very simple. It's the rice. Perfectly moist and served slightly warm, it's the ideal vehicle for the fish, which is, for the most part, presented sans sauce (why mar perfection?). They offer a $28 lunch special that condenses the omakase menu but still packs the same punch. There's also a location in Beverly Hills, and now one in New York. 11917 Wilshire Blvd., Brentwood; sushi-sasabune.business.site
HINOKI & THE BIRD Inspired by the aromatic wood of Tokyo, the walls of this beautiful, organic-looking restaurant (named after a favorite scent by Comme des Garçons) are lined with fragrant cedar and one of the most popular dishes, the black cod, is infused tableside with hinoki smoke. The Asian-inspired menu by chef Brandon Kida (who came to Hinoki from Clement at the Peninsula in New York) incorporates the fresh, healthy Californian fare, including a raved about lobster roll and kale salad. 10 W. Century Dr., Century City; hinokiandthebird.com
SUSHI ZO It looks like nothing from the outside, but inside, you'll have some the best sushi going. The policy is omakase only, so it's an indulgence in all ways, but it's a place for purists, as the incredibly high-quality, fresh but uncomplicated fish actually melts in your mouth. There's another location in Culver City, and they've recently opened a restaurant in New York, too. 334 S. Main St., Downtown; sushizo.us
IZAKA-YA BY KATSU-YA You'd never know that the Katsuya of today got its start in a strip mall in Studio City; now, the chain occupies some of the slickest spaces around, thanks in no small part to Phillippe Starck (and a major partnership with sbe). For a more laid-back vibe, we actually prefer Chef Katsuya's take on a traditional Japanese izakaya in West Hollywood. It's impossible to skip the spicy tuna on crispy rice, though the crab and creamy popcorn shrimp tempura probably shouldn't be missed, either. 8420 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; katsu-yagroup.com
UMAMI BURGER The eponymous burger here warrants the elusive name, which refers to the fifth taste in Japanese. You'll find a sleek interior and fantastic burgers, plus inventive sides and sauces. Not to mention, they grind their own meat, process their own cheese, and pickle their own veggies. Because why not? With multiple locations throughout LA area, you can't, and shouldn't, miss this. 852 S. Broadway St., Downtown; gobycitizens.com/umami-burger
RÉPUBLIQUE With long and star-studded resumés (Walter Manzke has worked at El Bulli, for one, while his wife, Margarita, worked at Melisse), nobody expected this ambitious duo’s LA venture to be anything less than extraordinary. Occupying the former home of Campanile (i.e., Charlie Chaplin’s film studio back in the ’20s), the focus here is on French-inflected staples, like duck confit, oysters, and tartes flambées. The uni toast is insane, the baguettes are absurd (Margarita is a pastry chef), and the space has been reworked beautifully: The heavy floor tiles and mahogany tables were all imported from The Philippines, where Margarita was born. (Should you ever find yourself in Manila, the Manzkes also have a small chain of successful cafés there called Wildflour.) 624 S. La Brea Ave., Hancock Park; republiquela.com
PINE & CRANE What’s really special about this Taiwanese-Chinese food spot is that for the most part, the ingredients come from Chef Vivian Ku family’s Asian produce farm. The pared-down menu is pretty heavy on the noodles (the wanton noodle soup is hearty and delicious) as well as traditional small plates like potstickers and dumplings. They also make a mean three-cup chicken and serve it in an individual pot with lots of garlic and ginger. The space is small and cheerful, with cement walls, two-tops, and communal tables—these tend to fill up fast, but it’s a quick turnaround, so stick it out. The tea menu is really impressive, too, with several kinds of oolong and milk teas (boba optional). 1521 Griffith Park Blvd., Silver Lake; pineandcrane.com
MARVIN Steven Arroyo (of Escuela Taqueria and Potato Chip fame) and Max Marder transformed the former House Cafe into Marvin—a French-inflected bistro that’s picked up a few design tricks from Arroyo (aluminum cans line the ceiling, to pretty stunning effect, and simple plates dot the walls). The wine list is great, and the menu is packed with classics, from fried egg topped asparagus to a perfect roast chicken. The best part? It’s open until midnight (a rarity in Los Angeles) and you can usually get a seat at the bar with minimum wait time. 8114 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; chezmarvin.com
CROSSROADS KITCHEN Only in LA would the bar inside a vegan restaurant be a major scene (it's kind of the best place to sit for a full meal, too). While vegan food rarely seems to get the upscale touch, it certainly does at Tal Ronnen’s dimly lit, luxurious bistro. There’s no mention on the menu of the fact that every dish is plant-based: Hearts of palm masquerade as crab cakes and calamari, and almonds pretend they’re cheese. Without the clever naming conventions, the food would still stand on its own. In short: You won’t miss dairy or meat. There are also lots of workarounds for the gluten-intolerant as well. 8284 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; crossroadskitchen.com
MILO & OLIVE Many would argue that Milo & Olive has some of the best pizza on the West Side, if not all of L.A. We have to agree. This is the third restaurant from culinary power couple Josh Loeb and Zoe Nathan, and much like Huckleberry and Rustic Canyon, the menu is completely ingredient driven. Breakfast and weekend brunch is devoted to classic egg dishes (a totally decadent creamy polenta with poached eggs wins, every Saturday) and baked treats. For dinner, a pizza-salad-pasta combo is the ideal order for two. The restaurant doesn’t accept reservations so come early to snag a spot at the bar, which offers uninterrupted views of the open kitchen, or at one of the marble communal tables. Thankfully, they recently completed a much-needed expansion. They recently opened Cassia, too. 2723 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; miloandolive.com
KIWAMI It's a bit of a hike out in the valley, but Kiwami, which comes from the original Katsuya team, has all the appeal of the original Katsuya Studio City location with a bit more atmosphere. Try to snag a reservation for the omakase with Katsuya himself—pricey, but worth it. 11920 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; katsu-yagroup.com
ASANEBO This might just take the cake for the least spectacular strip mall exterior: Funny, because it belies the cozy décor and Michelin-starred sushi and small plates inside. It's all exquisite, whether you order from the menu or opt for one of the three omakase menus. "A", "B", and "C", range from expensive to extravagant, but they're all worthwhile treats. It's possible to walk-in (and wait) on a week-night, but reservations are essential on weekends. 11941 Ventura Blvd., Studio City; asanebo-restaurant.com
COLE’S Cole’s is one of several spots in town claiming to serve the “original” French Dip sandwich, and though we can’t confirm or deny, we can say that their dip is bomb. Yeah, the dipping jus is flavorful and the prime rib tender, but it’s the Atomic mustard that pulls it all together (don’t forget the garlic fries). Post-dinner proceed to the quirky little speakeasy in the back for an Old Fashioned. 118 E. 6th St., Downtown; colesfrenchdip.com
LANGER’S DELI In a city rife with delis, this is where you want to go for hot pastrami—the #19 is legendary. 704 S. Alvarado St., Downtown; langersdeli.com
R+D KITCHEN You can’t tell just by looking at it, but R+D Kitchen is actually part of Hillstone Group, and happens to be one of the best restaurants in Santa Monica. Our standing order? Ding’s Crispy Fried Chicken sandwich, which is delicious and huge and therefore, comes pre-sliced into four only slightly more manageable pieces. The space itself can get packed at night, but totally doable for lunch any day of the week. 1323 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; rd-kitchen.com
BEACHWOOD CAFE The cornerstone of the one-street commercial area in adorable, historic Beachwood Canyon, Beachwood Cafe is still one of LA’s best-kept secrets. The eclectic décor has a distinctively ‘60s vibe that makes you nostalgic for the city’s early years, when development in the canyon really started to explode. The restaurant serves classic American/Californian food that’s heavy on vegetables and vegetarian options—that said, the meatball sub and pulled pork sandwiches are flat out great. 2695 N. Beachwood Dr., Hollywood; beachwoodcafe.com
NIGHT + MARKET SONG Chef Kris Yenbamroong may not have any formal culinary training, but no matter. He learned how to cook in Bangkok and in the kitchen of his parents' long-standing Thai mainstay in West Hollywood, Talésai, which is now the home of Night + Market's first iteration. The Silver Lake location mimics the feel of devouring an out-of-this-world Pad Thai down an alley in Bangkok. The tables are low-slung and always crowded (this place is loud), the food is exquisite and (very) spicy, like grilled fatty pig collar and fried chicken wings bathed in rooster sauce. While the fried chicken sandwich is among LA's best, it's the thoughtful, all-natural wine list that draws us in over and over. 3322 W. Sunset Blvd., Silver Lake; nightmarketsong.com
SON OF A GUN Styled to look like an East Coast clam shack (buoys, taxidermied fish, and life belts line the wood-paneled walls), Son of a Gun is one of those spots that could probably routinely fill a space five times its size. While you might have to wait for a seat, the linguine and clams, peel-and-eat shrimp, insane sashimis, shrimp toast, smoked trout with crackers, and mini lobster rolls fully justify the time spent. Though one of their biggest hits, the fried chicken sandwich, has nothing to do with the sea. 8370 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; sonofagunrestaurant.com
PLAN CHECK Plan Check is primarily known for the Plan Check Burger (PCB), which pairs a juicy patty with their signature ketchup leather (it’s like ketchup-flavored fruit leather). With the burger hogging the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the restaurant also serves what’s arguably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the city. The secret is that they cold smoke and brine the chicken before it’s fried—the perfectly crispy, flavorful result is served with pimento cheese, duck breast ham, and crunchy pickles. There are two other locations, on Fairfax and Downtown. 1800 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA; plancheck.com
AOC When it comes to easy, seasonal California cuisine, Suzanne Goin has a pretty spotless track record (see: Lucques, Tavern, The Hungry Cat). While it's impossible to pinpoint which one is best, if we had to play favorites, A.O.C. would be it. So good is A.O.C.'s offering of shareable veggie, grain, and very thoughtfully selected meat dishes, that it inspired a cookbook of the same name. The interior is simple and beautiful, and for private gatherings, the clubby Wine Room can accommodate up to 40 guests. Downstairs, the outdoor garden—one of the prettiest open-air setups in the city—can seat 70. 8700 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; aocwinebar.com
CONNIE AND TED’S Connie & Ted's is undeniably one of the best options in L.A. for a great New England-style seafood meal. The menu is vast and great all around, but you can't go wrong with the daily fresh catch, prepared simply and skillfully—that or the fish and chips, which is buttery, flaky, and not the least bit greasy. Same goes for the overflowing fried oyster sandwich, which you'll be all too happy to eat with a fork and knife. Their family-style dinners, served to up to 16 guests on the private patio, are perfect for any low-key special occasion. 8171 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; connieandteds.com
CECCONI’S This is the quintessential LA hangout where the fun people-watching comes with a side of craft cocktails and decent Italian food. The Butterfly Room (named after its centerpiece, a heart-shaped painting by Damien Hirst) is roomier than most private dining areas (it can accommodate up to forty guests) and has a private entrance. 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; cecconiswesthollywood.com
CASSIA Zoe Nathan and Josh Loeb are basically the First Family of West L.A.’s food scene. There’s Rustic Canyon, which started it all, and Huckleberry Café, and Milo & Olive, and Sweet Rose Creamery, and now, Cassia, which they opened in partnership with another great culinary couple, Bryant Ng (R.I.P. Spice Table) and Kim Luu-Ng. With three stretch bars, a stunning Art Deco dining room, and buckets of natural light, it’s by far one of the biggest and most beautiful spaces in Santa Monica, and the Southeast Asian-inflected food is some of the best we’ve ever tasted. The airy space, not to mention the convenient location, make it a no-brainer for small parties and events as well—call ahead to reserve the separate private dining room which can comfortable seat up to 20 people. 1314 7th St., Santa Monica; cassiala.com
PROVIDENCE With two Michelin stars at its back, Michael Cimarusti’s Providence easily ranks as one of L.A.’s best. The prix-fixe menu revolves around Cimarusti’s deep love for the sea, and the provenance of the fish on the menu is clearly-defined: There’s down-home “chowda,” lobsters from Maine, coho salmon from the Olympic peninsula, and a smattering of exotics, like ikura, uni, and razor clams. Meanwhile, the quietly-fancy space feels like it could double as the dining room of an opulent ocean liner. They have two private rooms for events. 5955 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; providencela.com
MICHAEL’S Decades after opening, this place—like its counterpart in NYC—is still going strong, retaining that old-school Santa Monica feel. With chef Frank Fermin's revamped menu, outrageously fresh cocktails, and a breathtaking redesign of their lush back patio, we’ve recently come to regard it as our very classy new evening drinking destination. The candle-lit back patio is also a magical spot for hosting an event. 1147 Third St., Santa Monica; michaelssantamonica.com
CHI SPACCA This wonderfully tiny, six-table spot is the latest addition to the Mozza family—with a homepage distinguished by a giant cleaver, Chi Spacca offers innumerable versions of pork and beef chops, which should definitely be shared (many are 42 to 50 ounces). Like any great steak house, even of the Italian variety, all that carne comes with a bountiful menu of delectable sides: The mashed potatoes are insane, as are the squash blossoms and grilled cauliflower. And, as this is California and all, you can trust that there's a simple grilled fish on the menu, along with a hearty kale salad. It's possible to rent the entire space for events. 6610 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; chispacca.com
CHINOIS ON MAIN This place has been around since the '80s, but in the intervening years, it's lost none of its appeal. As a pioneer in the Asian-fusion space (one of Wolfgang Puck's first restaurants), Chinois—which marries French and Chinese cuisine—totally revolutionized the L.A. food scene. Now, the food feels wonderfully familiar in a space that looks straight out of Ruthless People. The curried oysters, duck pancakes, and spicy miso black cod are classics. A trip here always brings a real sense of nostalgia, as this was one of the first foodie destinations in California. The excellent service and family-style servings make it perfect for a group (and there's a private room to accommodate, too). 2709 Main St., Santa Monica; wolfgangpuck.com/restaurants/chinois-santa-monica
SPAGO Since 1982, Spago has managed to hold its spot as one of the busiest and most celebrated LA restaurants. Sure, there's a ton of air-kissing and people-watching, but the seasonally-focused food succeeds thanks to fresh produce, meat, and fish that's done simply and well (the beet layer salad is always a highlight). It's the kind of place that's justified by a special occasion, and there are plenty of private room options for large parties. 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills; wolfgangpuck.com/restaurant
OSTERIA MOZZA For the true Italophile, pull out all the stops and order the seven-course pasta tasting menu at the more dressed-up of the two Mozza dining rooms. If you choose, you can accompany each course with their suggested wine. Their wine room is an ideal location for a small private event, but it's also possible to arrange a full buyout. 6602 Melrose Ave., Hollywood; osteriamozza.com
MÉLISSE X CITRIN Luxe ingredients like lobster and caviar, made with a nod to traditional French technique, earned Melisse two Michelin stars. A tasting menu is basically mandatory at a place like this—if you're adventurous go for Chef Josiah Citrin's Carte Blanche menu. It's a great place for a white tablecloth-style event in one of their private rooms, too. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica; citrinandmelisse.com
COOKBOOK MARKET Cookbook Market, founded six years ago by two longtime Echo Park residents (who also happen to be married), is the serious home cook's culinary playground. The tiny, tightly edited space stocks plenty of daily provisions (farm-fresh dairy, organic meat and vegetables, homemade pasta, pickles, and salsas), alongside harder-to-find artisanal items (Anson Mills grains, obscure oils and vinegars, special spice blends). Aside from fresh produce and pantry items, you'll also find a host of flavorful prepared salads, sandwiches, and tempting baked treats by the counter. Order a cup of the espresso-based coffee and sip it surrounded by buckets of wildflowers on the benches outside. For those living farther east, a second Cookbook Market location has just opened in Highland Park. 1549 Echo Park Ave., Echo Park; cookbookla.com
THE HIVE You can learn everything you need to know about this place from the menu displayed when you walk in: There’s a section devoted entirely to avocado appetizers, another to a fairly extensive offering of bone broth elixirs, kombucha on tap, and adaptogens sprinkled throughout. The comfort food is of the mushroom panini variety—which, at the Hive, means not just sautéed portobello, but also reishi, cordyceps, and maitake with goat cheese, green onion, and white truffle oil (kale chips side optional). Order at the counter and take a seat indoors or outside, or grab and go if you’re looking for a quick post-workout smoothie. 606 Broadway, Santa Monica; thehivesm.com
GABY’S Casual spot for Mediterranean specialties such as pita sandwiches, kebabs & many vegetarian options. 10445 Venice Blvd; gabysrestaurants.com
CASABLANCA Long-running Mexican eatery with a Bogart theme serving classic eats with a tequila cart & guitar. 220 Lincoln Blvd, Venice; casablancarestaurant.net
CUT The sleek, flagship location of Michelin-starred CUT by Wolfgang Puck delivers a contemporary twist on the classic steakhouse, where some of the most exquisite cuts of beef – and seafood – from around the world are expertly prepared in a lively, open kitchen. 9500 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills; wolfgangpuck.com
FANNY’S RESTAURANT & CAFE Fanny’s, the Restaurant and Café at Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, was brought to life by restaurateurs Bill Chait and Carl Schuster, with support from philanthropist Wendy Stark. Named after Fanny Brice—the legendary movie, vaudeville, theater, and radio star portrayed by Barbra Streisand in her Oscar®-winning role in Funny Girl (1968)—the striking two-story, 10,000-square-foot space, conceptualized by the late architect Osvaldo Maiozzi, features a chef-designed open kitchen, elegant bar, and captain-based service style that nods to a bygone era, and offers diners cuisine and cocktails by Chef Raphael Francois and Julian Cox, respectively. 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; fannysla.com
TAYLOR’S Steaks, seafood & cocktails offered in a classy, supper-club setting with a bygone vibe. Episodes of Mad Men were filmed here. 3361 W 8th St, Los Angeles; taylorssteakhouse.com
CAFE HABANA MALIBU Hip, festive spot has Cuban & Mexican fare, taco nights, karaoke, a mural by Shepard Fairey & more. 3939 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu; habana-malibu.com
ARTS | CULTURE | ACTIVITIES
EAMES HOUSE While the former home and studio of the most lauded husband-and-wife designers of all time is now a private residence, its current owner has been kind enough to allow Eames fanatics to take self-guided tours of the exterior (reservations required). For its impact on modernist architecture, it’s worth the look, no question. 203 Chautauqua Blvd, Pacific Palisades; eamesfoundation.org
SCHINDLER HOUSE The MAK Center for Art and Architecture is an art museum and a cultural center headquartered in the Schindler House in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is affiliated with the Museum of Applied Arts, Vienna. R.M. Schindler’s 1920’s home is the headquarters for this Art & Architecture Center. There are exhibitions and events throughout the year, but the main pull is visiting the house that Schindler designed as a communal live/work space. It’s an icon of modern design. 835 Kings Rd, West Hollywood; makcenter.org/schindler-house
STAHL HOUSE Pierre Koenig’s 1960 Hollywood Hills design checks all the boxes when it comes to California modernist dream homes. It has floor-to-ceiling glass that blurs distinctions between interior and exterior, extraordinary views of the city, and, most importantly, a pool. Regular tours are available. stahlhouse.com
GAMBLE HOUSE An architectural survey of Los Angeles isn't complete without seeing the work of brothers Charles and Henry Greene who pioneered the Arts & Crafts movement in California. The Gamble House in Pasadena is a particularly outstanding specimen of their endemic architectural style, as Greene & Greene custom-designed every single joint and beam in this 1908 bungalow, from the remarkably crafted staircase to the stained glass doors in the entryway, to the furniture and even the textiles—all full of references to the local natural surroundings. There's a standard hour-long tour, though architecture buffs and carpentry aficionados will appreciate the longer, more intensive options, one of which is led by a woodworker. 4 Westmoreland Pl., Pasadena; gamblehouse.org
LACMA L.A.’s anchor arts institution condenses so many icons of Southern California in one place, including the architecture of William Pereira, the plant-based art of Robert Irwin, and a forest of street lamps installed by the late Chris Burden that greets you even before you enter the building. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., West Hollywood; lacma.org
MOCA Until the opening of the Broad across the street, MOCA was LA's only museum wholly dedicated to contemporary art. As always, there's something great to see at their downtown location, their outpost in the Pacific Design Center, and the super rad Geffen Contemporary, housed in a former police car warehouse in Little Tokyo. 250 S. Grand Ave., Downtown; moca.org
HOLLYHOCK HOUSE Frank Lloyd Wright’s 1919–21 templelike design for an eccentric oil heiress marks two separate milestones: L.A.’s introduction to the architect, and a turning point in Wright’s career geared toward embracing the outdoors, one that paved the way to what is now known as California modernism. After a recent renovation, the house reopened to the public as a museum. 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles; hollyhockhouse.org
ACADEMY OF ARTS MUSEUM The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a film museum opened in 2021 located in Los Angeles, California. Being the first large-scale museum of its kind in the United States, it houses more than 13 million objects, and is dedicated to the history, science, and cultural impact of the film industry. 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; academymuseum.org
NORTON SIMON MUSEUM The Norton Simon Museum is an Art Museum located in Pasadena, California. It was previously known as the Pasadena Art Institute and the Pasadena Art Museum and displays numerous sculptures on its grounds. 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena; nortonsimon.org
HUNTINGTON GARDENS The Huntington Library, Art Museum and Botanical Gardens, known as The Huntington, is a collections-based educational and research institution established by Henry E. Huntington and Arabella Huntington in San Marino, California. 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino; huntington.org
PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM Though it's an equal draw for car-obsessed adults, this museum—immediately across the street from LACMA—has huge kid appeal. For one, in the third floor Discovery Center they can climb aboard a California Highway Patrol Motorcycle, a Ford Model T, and a racecar. They can also race Hot Wheels and pick up a few tidbits about what makes a car tick. 6060 Wilshire Blvd., West Hollywood; petersen.org
DESCANSO GARDENS Descanso Gardens is a 150-acre botanical garden located in La Cañada Flintridge, Los Angeles County, California. It sits on the northern edge of the San Rafael Hills. Descanso Gardens features a wide area, mostly forested, with artificial streams, ponds, and lawns. 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge; descansogardens.org
THE GETTY The hilltop home of the late J. Paul Getty’s massive collections of paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts is a white travertine masterpiece of modernist architecture, designed by Richard Meier. Artist Robert Irwin conceived the Central Garden, which is an immersive, constantly evolving work of art in itself. 1200 Getty Center Dr., Brentwood; getty.edu/visit/center
GETTY VILLA Modeled after a first-century Roman country house, J. Paul Getty originally built the Getty Villa to house an art collection that was quickly outgrowing his house. Now, beyond touring the exquisite home and gardens, you can see his collection of 44,000 antiquities, with treasures that range from 6,500 B.C. to A.D. 400. 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades; getty.edu/visit
THE FOUNTAIN THEATRE debuted its outdoor stage in East Hollywood with Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s An Octoroon on 16 June. Set in slave-era Louisiana, the Obie Award-winning “play within a play”, based on Dion Boucicault’s 1859 melodrama, promises a shrewd critique of the original, in which a white plantation owner must choose between his true love (an “octoroon”, someone who is one-eighth Black by descent) and a rich heiress. 5060 Fountain Ave, Los Angeles; fountaintheatre.com
THE GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY The Griffith Observatory Immortalized a million times in opening scenes of many Hollywood movies, the Griffith Observatory must be one of the most visited places in the city, and for good reason. The beautiful Art Deco building, perched at the top of Mount Hollywood, offers hands-down the best view of LA. 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles; griffithobservatory.org
THE ECHO A concert venue hidden away in a building that doesn't look anything special from the outside, The Echo welcomes the coolest kids in Los Angeles, from Hedi Slimane to the hipster fans of Magma and Christine and the Queens. With razor-sharp musical program mixing rock and West Coast electro, it's easy to see why. 1822 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles; theecho.com
THE BROAD Museum Situated Downtown, The Broad has seduced contemporary art lovers from far and wide. Hidden behind the futuristic exterior, inside, visitors can admire works by Andy Warhol (including the first portrait of Marylin Monroe), paintings by Murakami and Jeff Koons' extravagant sculptures. Not forgetting Yayoi Kusama's Mirrored Room, a small room dotted with iodine and blinking bulbs that reflect in the mirrored walls and the water floor, one of the most Instagrammed works of art. 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles; thebroad.org
HAUSER & WIRTH The hot spot of the Art District, considered the coolest area at the moment, Hauser & Wirth is a must-see when in Los Angeles. Spread out across a whole block of its own, this art gallery mixes specialized modern art exhibitions, graffiti frescos from the 80s and a henhouse which provides fresh eggs to the restaurant, Manuela. Jason Rhoades' exuberant works are currently on show. 901 E 3rd St, Los Angeles; hauserwirth.com
WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL The Frank Gehry–designed home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic is, arguably, the cultural centerpiece of downtown L.A. Despite its worldwide fame, a little-known fact remains: Staircases actually line the steel curves of its façade, allowing visitors to scale its peaks. 111 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles; laphil.com
SELF-REALIZATION FELLOWSHIP LAKE SHRINE Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine The rumors are true: Angelenos have an unusual attraction to all that is New Age. On the more esoteric end of the L.A. architecture spectrum is this white hilltop temple, the centerpiece of a ten-acre spiritual oasis brimming with lush flora and a spring-fed lake. 17190 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades; lakeshrine.org
THE VISTA THEATRE It’s no surprise that Tinseltown takes its movie theaters very seriously, adding an extra oomph to the moviegoing experience through design. Silver Lake’s Vista Theatre is a classic example. The single-screen 1923 movie house still retains its original kitschy interiors. 4473 Sunset Dr, Los Angeles; vistatheaterhollywood.com
WATTS TOWERS Over the course of more than three decades, Italian-born construction worker Simon Rodia built these 17 monumental structures (the tallest standing at nearly 100 feet) from rebar and an array of other found objects, producing one of the most acclaimed and recognizable works of Outsider Art. The Watts Towers are now a National Historic Landmark. 1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles; wattstowers.org
GREYSTONE MANSION Tours of the gorgeous 1928 Beverly Hills estate offer a glimpse into how the other half lives—or lived. (Mysteriously, its original resident was found murdered only five months after he moved in.) You might recognize the Gothic exterior from its roles in films like X-Men and The Big Lebowski. 905 Loma Vista Dr, Beverly Hills; greystonemansion.org
CATHEDRAL OF OUR LADY OF THE ANGELS One of the largest churches in the world overlooks the 101 Freeway. Spanish Pritzker Prize winner José Rafael Moneo’s light-filled design, studded with unusual geometric protrusions, hardly fits the traditional profile of a church; the giant cross built into the façade’s central window is the only giveaway. 555 W Temple St, Los Angeles; olacathedral.org
THE MAYAN THEATRE The downtown venue for live music and other nightlife is a show in itself—the artist Francisco Cornejo sculpted the façade to reference pre-Columbian architecture, a popular Art Deco theme that continues in the tomblike interiors. Its over-the-top stylings are a throwback to the excesses of the roaring ’20s. 1038 S Hill St, Los Angeles; themayan.com
WAYFARERS CHAPEL Lloyd Wright, the too-often overlooked son of the great Frank Lloyd Wright, designed the Rancho Palos Verdes church almost entirely in glass. Its transparent walls flood the interior with sunlight and offer views of the wooded surroundings overlooking the ocean. It’s so picturesque, in fact, that it’s where The O.C. filmed Caleb and Julie’s wedding. 5755 Palos Verdes Dr S, Rancho Palos Verdes; wayfarerschapel.org
LA RIVER A favorite shooting location for many a movie, commercial, and music video, the cement pipeline that is the L.A. River has a strange industrial charm—just take a look at its cameo as the backdrop in Grease. In certain places, it also has bike trails, wildlife, and gorgeous bridges. lariver.org
THE BRADBURY BUILDING Built in 1893, the Bradbury is the oldest commercial building in central Los Angeles, and still retains much of its turn-of-the-century flair. The structure was originally designed by Sumner Hunt and completed by George H. Wyman, and it’s pièce de résistance is a soaring atrium with decorative iron railings, marble staircases, and open cage elevators. 304 S Broadway, Los Angeles; laconservancy.org
UNION STATION An unusual blend of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco styles, this train station is an architectural gem. Built in 1939 by the father-and-son team at Parkinson & Parkinson, Union Station was one of the last grand train hubs to be built in America, and now serves as a stop for L.A.’s Metro Rail. unionstationla.com
THE THEME BUILDING When you land at LAX, the Theme Building is right there to greet you. Completed in 1960, the spaceship-esque structure was commissioned during an expansion to the airport spurred by the postwar boom in air travel. Though the restaurant inside closed in 2014, the observation deck is still open to visitors. 201 World Way, Los Angeles; flylax.com/laxathome/theme-building
PACE LOS ANGELES Contemporary art gallery showcasing international artists in a space designed by James Turrell. 1201 South La Brea Avenue; pacegallery.com/galleries/los-angeles
THE GREEK THEATRE Greek Theatre is an amphitheatre located in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California. It is owned by the city of Los Angeles and is operated by ASM Global. 2700 N Vermont Ave, Los Angeles; lagreektheatre.com
THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL Though parking (and the accompanying traffic) can be a total nightmare, it’s well worth it, because once you’ve settled into your seat, and busted out your picnic dinner and wine, you’re in for one of the more special outdoor concert experiences in the country. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood; hollywoodbowl.com
MARCIANO ART FOUNDATION The Marciano Art Foundation is a new contemporary art space in the heart of Los Angeles. 4357 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; marcianoartfoundation.org
GAGOSIAN The LA outpost of Larry Gagosian’s global network of art galleries specializing in modern and contemporary art. 456 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills; gagosian.com
PARAMOUNT PICTURES Classic Hollywood studio offering cart tours of its historic & active backlot sets & prop warehouse. 5515 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles; paramountstudiotour.com
WARNER BROTHERS Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood is a guided walk-through tour of Warner Bros. Studios, Burbank, located in Los Angeles, California. Over a two-to-three-hour period, visitors can glimpse behind the scenes of one of the oldest film studios in the world. 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank; wbstudiotour.com
COLORADO STREET BRIDGE The Colorado Street Bridge is a historic concrete arch bridge spanning the Arroyo Seco in Pasadena, California. 504 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena
RUNYON CANYON In addition to the great workout, this hike provides some of the best views in LA. There are a few different trails to choose from (depending on how hard you want to work) and since this is one of the most popular hikes in LA, you're bound to have some company. Reward yourself with a healthy, vegan lunch to-go afterward at nearby Café Gratitude, or, you know, grab a cone at Scoops. 2000 N. Fuller Ave., West Hollywood; laparks.org/runyon
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY Since the early 1900s, L.A.'s Natural History Museum has been playing host to millions of artefacts from the past five or so billion years—and the collection keeps growing. (In 2011, they opened Dinosaur Hall.) 900 Exposition Blvd., Downtown; nhm.org
LA BREA TARPITS The La Brea Tar Pits is an active paleontological research site in urban Los Angeles. Hancock Park was formed around a group of tar pits where natural asphalt has seeped up from the ground for tens of thousands of years. Over many centuries, the bones of trapped animals have been preserved. 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; tarpits.org
MATTHEW MARKS GALLERY This Ellsworth Kelly-designed structure fits into the neighborhood's landscape in a strange but beautiful way, as he likened his black sculpture on the outside of the building to the opposite of the "Hollywood" sign. The gallery is one of five exhibition spaces that represent 24 American and European artists working with all kinds of media. The second location is nearby on Santa Monica Blvd. 1062 N. Orange Grove Ave., West Hollywood; matthewmarks.com
SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER The Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish cultural institution that offers everything from exhibits to readings to recitals, is also home to architect Moshe Safdie's Arc, an incredible installation that occupies an 8,000 square foot gallery. Kids can climb aboard the wooden ship and interact with the animals, crafted with everything from rope, to recycled newspaper, to keyboards, and vegetable steamers. Make reservations well in advance. 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Encino; skirball.org
HONOR FRASER GALLERY Honor Fraser Gallery is one of LA's premier galleries for contemporary art. 2622 S. La Cienega Blvd., Culver City; honorfraser.com
BARNSDALL ART PARK Overlooking the Hollywood Hills and crowned by Frank Lloyd Wright's Hollyhock House, built in the early ‘20s for oil heiress Aline Barnsdall, this park draws locals and tourists alike for art classes, outdoor movies, and Friday afternoon wine tastings. 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Feliz; laparks.org/historic/barnsdall-art-park
BLUM & POE If you're an artist in LA, one of your goals is probably to get a show at Blum & Poe, one of, if not the, best LA galleries for contemporary art. It's a wonderfully big and airy space, and there's always something interesting showing. 2727 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles; blum-gallery.com
MURPHY SCULPTURE GARDEN Sculptural works from the likes of Alexander Calder, Barbara Hepworth, Henri Mattisse, Isamu Noguchi, and others, sprawl across five acres of UCLA’s campus. You can wander around yourself, or arrange a tour though they book up far in advance. Charles E. Young Dr. E, Westwood; hammer.ucla.edu/collections/franklin-d-murphy-sculpture-garden
HAMMER MUSEUM There’s always something excellent on display at this UCLA museum—it’s also nicely manageable, making it the perfect way to spend a few idle hours. The adjacent museum store is one of the best in the city: The bookstore is gigantic, and they have some great gifts from L.A.-based designers, but they win the biggest points for their kids room in the back, where you’ll find art and design-specific tomes for little ones, along with a handful of well-conceived toys. 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles; hammer.ucla.edu
THE ANNENBERG SPACE FOR PHOTOGRAPHY A view of the Century Plaza Towers from below (the duo were designed by Minoru Yamasaki, the architect who designed The World Trade Center, and the visual similarities are eery), and free admission are just bonuses: The photo exhibits here are both excellent and manageable. 2000 Ave. of the Stars, Century City; annenbergphotospace.org
ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB DRIVE-IN AT SANTA MONICA AIRPORT While there are several drive-in theater experiences popping up around town, the Rooftop Cinema Club Drive-In at Santa Monica Airport is on the more affordable and child-friendly end of the spectrum. With cost per vehicle starting at $30 (littles under three are free), a slew of kiddo-appropriate movies on the roster, and a bring-your-own-food-if-you-like policy (though snacks are available for purchase), this is a drive-in experience that feels doable for the whole family. 3233 Donald Douglas Loop S., Santa Monica; rooftopcinemaclub.com/los-angeles/venue/dtla/
HOLLYWOOD ROOSEVELT DRIVE-IN THEATER A rooftop with expansive views over the Los Angeles cityscape is iconic, pandemic or no pandemic. And now, with limited social options, a movie night in the coziness of your own car atop a storied hotel rooftop feels like the glamorous vacation we all need. The Hollywood Roosevelt has put a great deal of thought into its drive-in experience—it feels safe and super fun. Order snacks from a retro Airstream, sit back, and enjoy the movie. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood; thehollywoodroosevelt.com/events
L’ANTICA PIZZERIA DA MICHELE DRIVE-IN MOVIE NIGHT The LA edition of the most famous pizzeria in Naples and, arguably the world (courtesy of Eat Pray Love), may be a little glitzier than the original, but the pizza is just as transcendent. Nowadays, Antica Pizzeria da Michele is taking Neapolitan hospitality one step further with a drive-in dinner-and-a-movie experience Thursday through Sunday at 9 p.m. Date night or really any nighttime experience that isn’t dinner-on-the-sofa feels super special, and this one is entirely worth it. Order a proper pizza in the comfort of your car and settle in for a (safe, socially distant) night at the movies. 1534 N McCadden Pl., Hollywood; dola.com/p/dinner-a-movie-in-your-car-at-lantica-pizzeria-da-michele
VENICE SKATE PARK Afternoons at the skate park are a thing for Cali kids, and no half-pipes are more iconic than the ones on Venice beach, the birthplace of LA skater culture. Kids are welcomed by the older, experienced crowd and the combination of the cooling breeze and the mesmerizingly good skating makes it appealing to every member of the family. 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice; laparks.org/skatepark/venice-skate
ZUMA CANYON ORCHID Even if you’re not in the market for orchids (though odds are, you’ll go home with one or two new buds) this sprawling greenhouse and the surrounding grounds are worth a visit. In addition to à la carte flowers, the staff will gladly put together a beautiful arrangement right on the spot, arrange a local delivery, or even shipping. This is a sweet mom-and-pop operation, so expect hands-on service but none of the big-box nursery frills. 5949 Bonsall Dr., Malibu; zumaorchids.com
EL MATADOR STATE BEACH The giant rocks coming up from the sand (not to mention the exquisite sunset views) at El Matador make it a favorite for photographers, and many people stage engagement or family photoshoots here. That said, it's usually not too crowded, in part because those same rocks make it difficult to swim and surf—it's really best for picnicking, reading, and enjoying the view. Be sure to pack a blanket and wear tennis shoes, as the parking lot is on a bluff far above the beach, and the walk down can get a bit hairy. 32215 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; californiabeaches.com/beach/el-matador-state-beach
DRILL SURF & SKATE While surf lessons for kids are a dime a dozen around these parts, skateboarding lessons are more complicated to arrange. As its name suggests, Drill Surf & Skate does both, and does them really, really well, so you should feel good knowing the kiddos are in good hands. Also on offer, rentals for every type of board-centric sport (surf, body, SUP), plus all the supporting accessories. And for board-owning pros, they’ll arrange to send your board out for minor repairs and have it looking like new in less than a week. 30745 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; drillsurfskate.com
MALIBU SURF SHACK This isn’t the only spot on the highway to rent gear, but it’s arguably one of the best, due in no small part to its cozy proximity to Surfrider Beach. In addition to rentals—kayaks, boards (including SUP), and wetsuits—you can book lessons from skilled instructors who know their craft and the surrounding area. If you’ve got time to spare, consider arranging a guided kayak or paddle boarding tour. The shack is also a good place to purchase Malibu-centric souvenirs for pals back home. 22935 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibusurfshack.com
MALIBU HINDU TEMPLE Technically outside Malibu city limits in Calabasas, this gleaming, otherworldly, South Indian-style temple is a straight shot up Las Virgenes Canyon from PCH. The temple was built in 1981 for the god Venkateswara, with shrines for various deities scattered throughout the property along with ample space for quiet reflection and meditation. Other than the breathtaking architecture, what’s special is that participating in ceremonies or prayer isn’t a requirement—visitors are welcome to simply take it all in from the sidelines—just make sure to reference the rules of conduct. On weekends, the temple kitchen serves surprisingly delicious vegetarian snacks for a small charge. 1600 Las Virgenes Canyon Rd., Malibu; malibuhindutemple.org
MALIBU CREEK STATE PARK Nestled into the Santa Monica mountains high above PCH, people call this state park the Yosemite of Southern California because of the many rock climbers it attracts year-round. It's also home to some great wildlife: On any given day, you can almost always find lizards, rattlesnakes, raccoons, foxes, bluebirds, and more up here. If rock climbing isn’t your thing, the park offers a long list of activities such as biking, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, camping, bird watching, and even painting. Fun fact: The park was formerly owned by 20th Century Fox Studios, and has starred in Pleasantville, The Seven Year Itch, and Love Me Tender, among many other films. Note: While you can bring them to your campsite, dogs aren't allowed in the backcountry here. 1925 Las Virgenes Rd., Calabasas; parks.ca.gov
ADAMSON HOUSE This immaculately preserved 1930’s Moorish-Spanish-style villa serves an important purpose in the community: to educate visitors about the history of Malibu, going all the way back to the 18th century when the land was home to the Chumash Indians. You can see the entire house, with its elaborate tile work and stunning views of the Pacific Ocean during a one-hour guided tour, and if you visit on a Friday, save some time for a tour of the gardens as well. (Its' history and idyllic setting also make the property a coveted wedding venue.) Also on site is the Malibu Lagoon Museum, offering an even deeper dive into Malibu’s past. 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibuadamsonhouse.org
ZUMA BEACH One of our go-to beaches, Zuma is also one of the most impressive in scope, stretching close to three miles along the coast. It’s usually pleasantly un-crowded, too, leaving plenty of room to spread out. It’s also home to a great break for beginner surfers as well as a meeting spot for paddle boarding classes. For kids, there’s a junior lifeguard program during the summer. 30000 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; beaches.lacounty.gov/zuma-beach
SURFRIDER BEACH Odds are if you’ve seen a Malibu postcard or any surfing movie, you’ve seen Surfrider Beach. Home to the iconic first point surf break, this is one of the more crowded beaches along PCH, though it’s well situated if you’re looking to take in a bit of sun and some surfer-watching after lunch on the pier. Don’t waste time searching for roadside parking; it's easier to splurge for the lot or valet on the pier instead—unless it’s peak season, in which case, it’s every man for himself. 23050 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; beaches.lacounty.gov/malibu-surfrider-beach
POINT DUME Rockier than other local beaches and fortified by picturesque cliffs, Point Dume is ideal for exploring, not just laying out. There’s a hiking trail for taking in the scenery, plus it goes up the bluffs to an overlook spot at the very top of Point Dume for panoramic views of the Santa Monica Bay and a good chunk of the Malibu coast. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a glimpse of the migrating grey whales in winter. There's also plenty of swimming, scuba diving, and surfing here if watersports are your thing.29245 Cliffside Dr., Malibu; parks.ca.gov/
ESCONDIDO BEACH This semi-hidden beach sprawls over the stretch of coastline where PCH meets Escondido Road. Not quite as crowded as the more spacious beaches in the area, Escondido is the perfect size and vibe for mellow sunbathing or strolling with the family. Parking can get tricky, so its best to park along PCH, and access the beach through a public stairway west of Geoffrey’s. Keep in mind, no dogs allowed. 27420 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; californiabeaches.com/beach/escondido-beach
LOS LEONES TRAIL Starting at the end of Los Leones Drive in the Palisades, the best version of this hike ends at the Parker Mesa Overlook in Malibu, which is the perfect perch to have a snack or a meal after a roughly three-mile ascent. (About a mile in, make sure you take a hard left at the Paseo Miramar Trail junction.) There’s not a lot of shade—and because of the unsurprisingly gorgeous view of the Santa Monica Bay and surrounding area at the top, it’s fairly well-traveled—so it’s best to go in the early morning. You’ll see “Los Leones” and “Los Liones” used interchangeably; don’t worry, they’re the same thing. There are a couple small parking lots at the bottom, and ample (free) street parking. Note: No dogs allowed. Los Leones Dr., Pacific Palisades
TUNA CANYON Situated in the mountains between Malibu and Topanga, Tuna Canyon Park is less well-known than other parks in the area—which just makes it less crowded and more appealing. There are several trails, but the best destination is the Big Rock Lateral fire road, where you’ll reach stunning views of the surrounding mountains (and the Pacific, of course). The three-mile hike is mostly downhill on the way there—you’ll get a workout on the way back to your car, along with views of Saddle Peak. Getting to Tuna Canyon can be a little tricky; if you’re coming from PCH you’ll be spending a bit of time in the car winding through Topanga roads. Dogs are welcome and parking is free. 2806 Tuna Canyon Rd., Malibu
ZUMA CANYON At Zuma, you have several (equally great) trail options, depending on what you’re looking to get out of your hike. If you want a good, efficient workout, you can take the Ocean View Trail, which is an aptly-named three-mile loop boasting ocean views at the top. If you’ve got plenty of time and want to enjoy the scenery, consider the Zuma Ridge Trail, which is considerably longer workout at about six miles and also has an ocean view payoff. There's a section of the Backbone Trail that's considerably easier and shorter than the other two, but if you’re lucky—try going after winter rains—you’ll see water flowing through Upper Zuma Falls. All trails are dog-friendly, and there's plenty of parking. Bonsall Dr., Malibu
ONE GUN RANCH Tucked away in the hills of Malibu, One Gun, a dreamy ranch owned by Alice Bamford and Ann Eysenring is breathtakingly beautiful, sure, but it also serves as a kind of ground zero for sustainable agriculture. Every nook and cranny reveals another Instagram-ready moment: There’s a mountainside guesthouse with its own potbellied stove, a suped-up vintage Airstream, a dressage arena, as well as alpacas, sheep, goats, chickens, and a loving donkey named Waffles who strolls the grounds, willingly accompanying Alice and Ann on foraging hikes. While the property is no longer open to visitors, the pair hosts a series of school tours for children to learn about composting and gardening at home while exploring One Gun’s own garden where they grow corn, beans, squash, and even pumpkins. For a closer look, it’s worth picking up a copy of One Gun Ranch, Malibu: Biodynamic Recipes for Vibrant Living for tips on healthy living, easy-to-follow recipes, and a closer look at environmental stewardship on the ranch. 22634 Mansie Ln., Malibu; onegunranch.com
SANDSTONE PEAK Anyone who's done a lot of hiking in the LA area will tell you that Sandstone Peak is one of, if not the, most beautiful hikes within driving distance of the city. It's a bit of a schlep to get there, as it's on the very edge of Malibu—the turnoff is the just after Neptune's Net, and you'll drive 15 minutes up Yerba Buena Road until you get to the trailhead—but more than worth it. The hike itself is about six miles round-trip, and the entire way is filled with sweeping views of Westlake Lake and Sherwood Lake on one side and the ocean on the other, plus a section where you can see rock climbers scrambling up the Echo Cliffs. This is a really good place to come the day after a rainstorm, when the smog clears and you can see the snow on the peaks of the San Gabriel Mountains across the valley. 12896 Yerba Buena Rd., Malibu
THE ARBORETUM The Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Gardens—The Arboretum for short—is one of those magical LA gems that feels worlds away from the craziness of the city, but takes under an hour to get to (unless you get caught in a freak traffic jam, so planning off-hours trips is best). Before you even step inside to explore the 127 acres-worth of lush, immaculately manicured grounds, you're likely to be greeted by a member of the resident peacock family, who much to the delight of visitors young and old, roam the property freely. It may seem like a lot of ground to cover at first, but the main sites—a tropical greenhouse, the famed rose garden (the fragrant, romantic Edward Huntsmen Trout-designed landscape makes for the perfect wedding ceremony site), herb garden, the allegedly haunted Queen Anne Cottage, and '50s-era library—are situated within strolling distance of each other. There's also a duck-filled lake, a packed events calendar, and several cafes on-site, meaning you can easily stay opening to closing. 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia; arboretum.org
ECHO PARK PEDAL BOATS Echo Park isn't as celebrated as LA's larger parks, like Griffith Park or Runyon Canyon, but with excellent views of Downtown's skyline and a well-tended walking trail, it's a local favorite (you'll recognize it from the park's tall fountains, which are visible as you leave Downtown on the 101). For a kid-friendly afternoon adventure, rent a four-person pedal boat for the afternoon. 751 N. Echo Park Ave., Echo Parka; wheelfunrentals.com/ca/los-angeles/echo-park
INSPIRATION POINT HIKE If you’ve got little ones in tow or only an hour or so to stretch your legs, this hike is your ticket: It’s under two and a half miles, and it starts and ends in the stunning Will Rogers State Park (which is also perfect for a picnic). 1501 Will Rogers State Park Rd., Pacific Palisades
VENICE CANAL WALK In the early 1900s, Abbot Kinney resolved to make a “Venice of America” and decided to turn modern-day Venice into a system of canals. While many of the waterways have been filled in during the intervening years, a small patch remains—though they had fallen into disrepair, they were restored in the ’90s and are now lined with some of Venice’s fanciest homes. It’s a totally random yet awesome enclave, and worth a stroll on a nice day. Court A to Court E, Venice
NEUTRA VDL STUDIO AND RESIDENCES Richard Neutra built the “VDL Research House I” in the '30s as a live/work space where he proved, with sweeping windows, that spatial limitations need not constrict one’s lifestyle or budget. It’s a premier example of modern architecture in California and is under continual renovation by researchers at Cal Poly Pomona; these same architecture students give excellent tours on Saturdays from 11 to 3. 2300 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; neutra-vdl.org
HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY As the name suggests, a lot of glamorous silver-screen stars are buried here—but the cemetery has a second life. The beautiful grounds play host to outdoor movie screenings and some of the city’s best concerts. 6000 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood; hollywoodforever.com
WILL ROGERS STATE PARK Nestled at the base of the Santa Monica mountains, this 186-acre state park boasts horse stables, a polo field, and a riding ring, along with a host of trails that feed into other state park systems. Whether you come for a riding lesson or a trail ride, or just want to throw down a blanket and have a picnic while a polo game unfolds, it’s a pretty idyllic place to spend the day. Tours of Will Rogers’ homestead are also available. 1501 Will Rogers Park Rd., Pacific Palisades; parks.ca.gov
BALDWIN HILLS SCENIC OVERLOOK When you're thinking of scenic hikes and spots in LA, Culver City doesn't usually to come to mind. But you can get a surprisingly amazing view of LA from this small state park in the Baldwin Hills area of Culver City. On a clear day, you'll get a panoramic view of downtown LA, the Hollywood sign, and the majestic San Gabriel Mountains to the east; and to the west, you can see all the way to the Pacific Ocean, with Malibu to the north and Palos Verdes to the south. Street parking is not impossible, but you can also try the lot at the top of hill, which costs $6. The trail to the overlook spot begins at Jefferson Boulevard and Hetzler Road—and you should be ready to climb: It's 280+ stairs to the top of the overlook—and they aren't baby steps. In this case the cliché is true, though, because the view really is worth it. And there is an alternative route, a switchback trail, which we recommend taking on the way down to save your knees. 6300 Hetzler Rd., Culver City
PASEO MIRAMAR This five-mile round-trip hike offers epic views of the ocean—the trailhead is at Paseo Miramar just off Sunset, making it easy to get to, as well (just park on the street). Then end your trip with gluten-free pancakes at Café Vida.
PALISADES PARK Set on a cliff overlooking the water, this park spans from just north of San Vicente Boulevard to Colorado Avenue. It's a wonderful place for a light hike or a long walk or bike ride. When you get tired, the lush green grass is there for you to take a rest, underneath the swaying palm trees.
THE SPARE ROOM With only two beautiful, wooden lanes, you'll have to wait your turn to bowl on most nights here. Fortunately, it's more about the fantastic cocktails and buzzy scene than the sport. 7000 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles; spareroomhollywood.com
TEMESCAL CANYON There’s a seasonal waterfall on this 2.5 to 4.6 mile trail (we like to do the Skullrock extension to get in a bigger workout)—and there’s also stunning water views.
TCL GRAUMAN’S CHINESE THEATRE The TCL Chinese Theatre, colloquially referred to as Grauman's Chinese Theatre, is a movie palace on the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. The original Chinese Theatre was commissioned following the success of the nearby Grauman's Egyptian Theatre, which opened in 1922. 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood; tclchinesetheatres.com
THE MAGIC CASTLE The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts and for magicians and magic enthusiasts. The Academy was started in 1952 by William Larsen Sr., who founded Genii magazine in 1936. The Castle was opened on January 2, 1963 by brothers Bill and Milt Larsen, sons of William Sr and Bill's wife Irene Larsen. 7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles; magiccastle.com
SHOP
THE FUTURE PERFECT A collectible design gallery located in The Goldwyn House where everything is shoppable. thefutureperfect.com
FIE ISOLDE A fine jewelry boutique designed by Mark Kremer of ExtraOrdinary Studio in West Hollywood. 953 N Sycamore Ave Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA; fieisolde.com
JUST ONE EYE Plush gallery & boutique in Howard Hughes' old digs for designer clothes, jewelry & art. 915 N Sycamore Ave, Los Angeles; justoneeye.com
MAXFIELD Iconic purveyor of high-end apparel, fragrances, accessories & more (some focus on jewelry). 8825 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles; maxfieldla.com
STORIES Stories is Echo Park’s much-loved local bookstore, but what most people don’t realize is that behind all the books is a tiny café (and a good one, at that). We love escaping here for the quiet—the stacks and stacks of haphazardly arranged tomes soak up all the street noise. The tables are filled with other studious folks tapping away on computers or reading through screenplays, so there’s not much chatter. You can sit here for hours munching through the pastry selection without being disturbed. 1716 Sunset Blvd., Echo Park; storiesla.com
FLAMINGO ESTATE A lifestyle company set in a 1940s Spanish-style house in the hills on the border between the Eagle Rock and Highland Park neighborhoods, sells candles that smell like tomatoes and rosemary. 5638 N Figueroa St, Los Angeles; flamingoestate.com
THE WEBSTER An iconic pink luxury boutique designed by architect David Adjaye in The Beverly Center. Beverly Center, 8500 Beverly Blvd UNIT 157, Los Angeles; thewebster.com
THE ROSE BOWL FLEA MARKET This is one of my favorite things to do in L.A.—the market is a gold mine for the vintage-obsessed. It only takes place on the second Sunday of every month, so you have to get there super early! 1001 Rose Bowl Dr, Pasadena; rgcshows.com/rose-bowl
PACIFIC DESIGN CENTER Designed by architect César Pelli, this tricolor complex opened in phases. The blue building debuted in 1975, followed by the green one in 1988, and the red in 2012. Besides office space, the campus features two restaurants helmed by Wolfgang Puck, a 380-seat film venue and reception facility, and a Michael Graves–designed fitness center. 8687 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood; pacificdesigncenter.com
LCD This multi-brand boutique founded by Geraldine Chung is a beautifully curated store full of perfect pieces for your wardrobe. It is situated a little off the beaten track on Lincoln Boulevard in Venice. It’s also a few roads down from Abbot Kinney, where there is a whole cluster of cool stores. 1355 E 15th St, Los Angeles; shoplcd.co
SURFING COWBOYS A favorite spot among surfers, the Abbot Kinney area is just a stone's throw away from Venice Beach, the home of the Surfing Cowboys shop. Dedicated to water sports and that quintessentially Californian way of life, it stocks everything from vintage posters and 70s-inspired beach house furniture to surf boards. With the Beach Boys on loop, it's the ultimate haunt for surfing enthusiasts. 3844 Cross Creek Rd, Malibu; surfingcowboys.com
PLATFORM
At this highly curated outdoor mall—which boasts design details like a large-scale Jen Stark mural and manicured cactus gardens—you can have breakfast (São Acai, an acai bowl and smoothie spot), lunch (Loqui, Mexican street food–inspired tacos), and dinner (Hayden, the just-opened café and restaurant from chef Ari Kolender that shares a space with Tom Dixon’s homewares store), work out (SoulCycle), get a manicure (Tenoverten), and shop for any everything from high-end hats and beach coverups (Janessa Leoné, Lemlem) to stationery and hand soap (Poketo and Aesop). 8850 Washington Blvd, Culver City; platformlosangeles.com
ARCANA
Situated within the former Helms Bakery complex (now home to the Helms Design Center) is this not-to-be-missed bookstore specialing in hard-to-find art, photography, fashion, architecture, and design books. arcanabooks.com
MIDLAND
Kelly Harris and Paige Appel source the goods at their almost one-year-old Washington Boulevard boutique from designers and makers across the Southwest and Mexico. Geometric pattered ceramics handmade by the Santo Domingo tribe in Santa Fe mingle on selves of herbal apothecary goods made in Laurel Canyon. The entire airy space is layered with giftable pieces that fit into the Midland ethos of well crafted, laid-back cool. 8634 Washington Blvd, Culver City; shop-midland.com
J.F. CHEN The showroom offers an incredibly curated selection of interesting and eclectic furniture and antiques. It’s a decorator’s dream. 1000 Highland Avenue; jfchen.com
THE WELL REFILL Not only is this the prettiest low-waste refill store we’ve ever seen; it’s decidedly low-key. Tucked in Pine Tree Circle in Topanga, the Well is an easy trip from Malibu, the Westside, or the Valley. You’re bound to be one of just a couple (if that) of patrons in the store, making it an incredible place to pick up goods for keeping a clean home. The shop carries natural brands in bulk, so you can bring your own containers (it sells gorgeous options to get you started as well) and refill your body care, laundry soap, and household cleaners. Also on offer are a collection of vintage housewares and clothing, carefully selected and beautifully curated, plus plenty of storage options and home goods for transitioning to a low-waste lifestyle. Pro tip: Have random glass jars hanging around? Drop them off and rest easy knowing they’ll be repurposed. 120 S Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga Canyon; thewellrefill.com
ROLLING GREENS Rolling Greens in the Arts District (there are also locations on Beverly and Jefferson) is a city within a city, but greener. Two acres of flowers, plants, and home décor ideas hug the Los Angeles River—and we can’t get enough of this place. The former scrap-metal yard is the perfect one-stop shop to kit out your house and yard with Cali-appropriate plants, pottery, and gorgeously rustic pieces. There’s a cute café on-site because mulling over rosebushes and landscaping conundrums with Rolling Greens’ designers is more fun with a cappuccino to sip. We also keep the cavernous entertainment space at the back of our minds for friends hunting for a beautiful wedding venue or event space. 1005 Mateo St., Arts District; rollinggreens.com
HATCH Every pregnancy is unique, but every pregnant person has had one shared experience: The moment you realize you can no longer get away with wearing your regular jeans. (Skirts, jumpsuits, and dresses are next.) HATCH in Brentwood is the next natural stop for many of the local women we know. The airy, achingly pretty store is lined with racks of easy, floaty dresses, some of the best bump-friendly denim, and everything else in between—all of which is cut to accommodate a woman’s body both during and long after pregnancy. In other words, these are things you won’t want to get rid of as soon as the aforementioned jeans start to fit again. And like the Manhattan store, there’s also a cravings bar with pickles, ice cream, and more. Cliché? Maybe. But we’ve yet to meet a mama-to-be who’d turn down a good dill. 240 26th St., Brentwood; hatchcollection.com
PALISADES VILLAGE Rick Caruso, the real estate mogul behind the Grove and the Americana, has built, in his signature classic California style, 2019’s answer to the mini mall. It’s contemporary, mostly outdoors (this is LA, after all), and frankly, too beautiful to be called a mall at all. Veronica Beard, Jennifer Meyer Jewelry, and Vince are just a sampling of the thirty-three stores on the property that manages to feel more like a quaint little village than a retail experience. The restaurants deliver, with Edoardo Baldi’s (of famous Beverly Hills E. Baldi Ristorante), Sweet Laurel Bakery, and the more casual Edo Little Bites leading the charge. 15225 Palisades Village Ln., Pacific Palisades; palisadesvillageca.com
KINTO New to DTLA, Kinto focus on striking a balance between beauty and functionality when it comes to building out the ultimate home cook’s kitchen. In other words, not only will the delicate Japanese pottery and double-wall champagne glasses on offer add pizzazz to your counters but, thanks to Kinto’s obsession with quality, they’ll stand the test of time, too. With the coffeeware collection of carafe sets and porcelain brewers, you’ll navigate your kitchen with the dexterity of an artisanal coffee-shop barista. 767 S Alameda St., Downtown; kinto-usa.com
NOW SERVING This quaint bookshop, nestled in the heart of Chinatown, is made for those rare, rainy afternoons in Los Angeles. (Though we’ve been known to use the stacks as a hiding place from the sun, too.) You could spend hours getting lost among the hundreds of curated cookbooks and knickknacks ranging from salt cellars to vintage bandannas all tucked away on the corner of North Hill Street. Not only does it offer an extensive range of unique reads, such as the Portuguese tea magazine Eighty Degrees, but Now Serving regularly hosts book signings and guest speakers with many of the authors whose work lines the shelves. Follow them on Instagram (@nowservingLA) to stay up to date on upcoming events. 727 N. Broadway, Unit 133., Downtown; nowservingla.com
ROW DTLA There’s no way to grasp the size and scope of ROW DTLA without seeing it in person, so we won’t attempt to describe this massive conglomerate of industrial structures as anything but WOW. What we can put into words is the impressive the curation of places to eat, shop, work, and just chill. A sampling of restaurants includes San Francisco’s Tartine Manufactory, Japanese food at Hayato (order a bento box), and the flakiest, crunchiest Japanese fried chicken we’ve ever had at chef Kuniko Yagi’s Pikunico. Stores are focused on locally owned businesses, like Erica Tanov, Kinto, Ahlem, and Bodega—arguably the most well-stocked sneaker store in the city. On weekends, the streets are closed off to cars, leaving ample space for kids to shake the willies out. On Sundays, Smorgasburg LA takes over ROW DTLA’a neighbor, the Alameda Produce Market. 777 Alameda St., Downtown; rowdtla.com
THE GREAT Designers Emily Current and Merritt Elliott are known for their denim line Current/Elliott. In 2015, they launched the GREAT., a vintage-inspired line of denim, embroidered sweatshirts, and super soft tees. The 1,800-square-foot space sits on a well-trafficked stretch of Melrose Avenue, and features plenty of thoughtful details: Fixtures are inspired by antique brass buttons and rivets on denim, Venetian Murano glass chandeliers hang overhead, and there’s a wall lined with hand-painted green Moroccan tile—a nod to the brand’s signature army jackets. Another visual coup is the wallcovering, done in collaboration with Portola paint, and meant to resemble timeworn denim. There’s the core line, for which they’re best known, but there are also lots of one-offs: a hand-selected assortment of vintage clothes and jewelry, plus little things that make great gifts, like perfume from Coqui Coqui, embroidered bandanas, and beautifully wrapped sage bundles. 8575 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; thisisthegreat.com
ALDEA HOME & BABY It’s perfectly logical that after nurturing a thriving community of parents and kids in San Francisco’s Mission District, kid’s store Aldea founder Johanna Bialkin would set her sights on an equally family-oriented LA neighborhood: Culver City. That’s because community is just as big a part of the Aldea ethos as sustainability (most toys, clothes, and furniture reside on the eco-friendly spectrum), creativity (there are things here we’ve never seen anywhere else), and aesthetics (Oeuf, Monte, and Aelfie are just a few of the design-y brands on offer). There are weekly wine nights (for parents), story time (for kids), mommy-and-me yoga classes, live music, and more (for parents and kids). Walk through shelves upon shelves of giftables and Iittle nooks you’ll want to lift directly from the store and plop in your home as is—and the good news is that you totally can, by setting up an Aldea registry. 3825 Main St., Culver City; aldeahome.com
THE WESTSIDE AND EVERAFTER The Westside is proof positive that retailing duo Haro and Sari Sloane Keledjian know a thing or two about creating a store that women want to shop in. After selling the Intermix brand to the Gap back in 2013, they’ve dreamt up a new shopping concept that speaks to busy moms on the go. They’ve opened a series of boutiques, the Westside (for stylish moms) and Everafter (a children’s boutique) side byside in Tribeca, on the Upper East Side, and in Manhasset on Long Island. Their arrival in Brentwood should come as no surprise, located just across the street from the highly-trafficked Brentwood Country Mart. The mix for women is solid—denim by Re/Done, cashmere by Lingua Franca, and easy dresses by LoveShackFancy. Next door, there’s tons for your mini-me: Aviator Nation sweats, Zimmerman separates, and lots of great gifts like pool floats from Sunnylife and furry friends from Jellycat. 256 26th St., Santa Monica; thewestsideshop.com
POKETO Poketo founders Ted Vadakan and Angie Myung—partners in business and in life—have a whimsical aesthetic that’s all their own, and their shop in the Line Hotel explodes with color and a sense of playfulness. We’re usually tempted by everything here, whether it’s the beautifully illustrated notebooks, a stack of richly patterned textiles, or a set of quirky ceramic mugs. It’s clear that much thought has gone into the store’s curation, but at the same time, nothing is taken too seriously, and you can sense the joy Vadakan and Myung must have had finding everything. We rarely leave empty-handed. 3513 Wilshire Blvd., Koreatown; poketo.com
AMANU STUDIO There are many reasons to travel to Capri. But one of the ones you probably wouldn’t think of is footwear. So good are the strappy leather sandals you find at the family-run workshops on the island that stylist Anita Patrickson used to stock up on custom sandals every time she traveled there. With Amanu Studio, she brings her love of the made-to-measure slides, gladiators, and thongs to the States. To make sure that her West Hollywood studio re-creates the experience as closely as possible, she worked with an Italian master cobbler for months to train her team. There are ten core styles to choose from, and everything from the leather sole to the straps is totally customizable and cobbled together right on the spot. You can be in and out the door with a pair of bespoke sandals in hand (or on foot) in eight minutes. Amanu even keeps your measurements on file—smart, because you’ll be back. 605 W. Knoll Dr., West Hollywood; amanustudio.com
ARMADILLO & CO. You likely don’t spend much time thinking about rugs. And why should you? Jodie Fried and Sally Pottharst do it for you. In 2009, they launched Armadillo & Co., a line of rugs handwoven by artisan weavers in India. The rugs are known for being incredibly soft—and truly meant for living. In fact, Pottharst and Fried—who has three young kids at home—personally wear-test each of the rug styles before sending them to market. The Beverly Hills flagship is the first US retail and showroom space for the brand, so it’s meant to be a place where customers can come in, review samples, see pieces in situ, and ultimately customize the rug-buying experience based on what they need. 8715 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills; armadillo-co.com
SUNROOM MALIBU Owner Lucy Jolis has the uncanny ability to pull together a shop full of brands you love (Apiece Apart, Rachel Comey, Warm, and Eve Denim), plus smaller, lesser-known labels like Shaina Mote and Miranda Bennett in a way that still feels surprising. The space, tucked into a well-trafficked corner of the Malibu Country Mart, is just as inviting to shop in—it's not overly packed with items to browse, instead it's thoughtfully broken up into swimwear, party dresses, wear-anywhere pieces. Don't miss the jewelry display, which includes a nice selection of small gold-and-turquoise pieces from Larisa Laivins, plus pendants by goop favorite CVC Stones. The original location is in Austin. 3900 Cross Creek Rd., #3A, Malibu; shopsunroom.com
THESE DAYS Located on an unassuming street, this gallery-boutique hybrid is one of the most delightfully unexpected finds in LA. Owners Jodi and Stephen Zeigler had their first exhibit in 2014 and have since been featuring some of the most compelling works on display in the city. Hosted in a stellar light-filled room, the art covers a wide range, from nostalgic punk rock memorabilia to experimental photography ane mixed media pieces. (Their most recent exhibit featured a stunning collection of rare posters produced by British band The Smiths.) On the other side of the space is the boutique, where the duo offer a well curated mix of wares, from indigo-dyed fabrics to Le Feu de L'eau candles to out-of-print photography books and zines, all of which make ideal gifts. 118 Winston St., 2nd FL., Downtown; thesedaysla.com
MUD AUSTRALIA + VITSŒ LOS ANGELES Both a shoppable store and gorgeous showroom, this space brings together two extremely useful, aesthetically pleasing home lines: Mud Australia porcelain and Vitsœ furniture. While each Mud piece has a handmade quality, they come in an assortment of smooth glaze finishes, from off-white to bright peach, blue, and yellow—on display here, propped up by Vitsœ shelving, which can be customized to fit any challenging spaces in your home. 8216 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; mudaustralia.com
GOOP BRENTWOOD Gwyneth Paltrow’s lifestyle boutique. 225 26th St., Brentwood; goop.com
MOHAWK GENERAL WEST With four locations throughout LA, this general-style store offers a vast amount of men's and women's clothing and accessories, along with really beautiful home goods and exceptional gifts. 2929 Main St., Santa Monica; mohawkgeneralstore.com
CREDO We've been fans of this impeccably curated natural-beauty boutique since its original opening in San Francisco in 2015. It stocks a wide range of nontoxic brands from around the globe (more than a hundred), including top skin-care and makeup products from de Mamiel, Ilia, Kjaer Weis, Kypris, RMS, Tammy Fender, and our very own goop by Juice Beauty. Each of its locations (which also include Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Chicago) boasts a friendly and knowledgeable staff who will help you find healthy beauty essentials that fit your lifestyle and needs. Extra bonus: LA is one of the locations that has an exclusive Tata Harper spa in its space. credobeauty.com
THE DETOX MARKET We've long been fans of this clean beauty shop, which opened a Montana outpost (the OG location is in West Hollywood) a few months ago. Simple and well-organized, The Detox Market is a veritable mecca for safe cosmetics and skincare. Founded to combat the fact that some of the most toxic elements in a woman’s life come straight from her beauty products, they sell lines such as RMS, ila, Rahua, and Odacité. thedetoxmarket.com
RANCH AT THE PIER One Gun Ranch's sweet two-story shop at the end of the pier (directly across from Malibu Farm) feels like the perfect Malibu hotel shop. There are plenty of luxury, gift-y items, like gorgeous candles, blank notebooks, and loose sweaters, plus beach essentials like blankets and towels, sunscreen, and sunglasses—and you can find the activewear line from local hero Laird Hamilton. Visitors can rent surfboards and fishing rods, too (they also have bait and tackle, as well as the necessary fishing permits). 23000 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; malibupier.com/shop
BURRO This gift shop is a color-happy, exceptionally well-merchandised wonderland—but significantly more spacious, and therefore, a bit easier to navigate. The floor-to-ceiling shelves of notecards, journals, stickers, and pens can make any stationery freak feel like a kid again. In addition, there are tables full of charming beach-themed home décor, jewelry, coffee-table books, giftables covering every price point, and a sweet children’s section in the back, with toys, books, and pint-sized beach accessories (think teeny swim trunks and heart-shaped sunnies). 1409 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; burrogoods.com
TOY CRAZY This easy toy shop (which has a second location at the Brentwood Country Mart) is on speed dial for kids birthday parties, since they do great gift wrapping and local deliveries. The shelves are lined with everything a kid could ever want, and we appreciate the emphasis on IRL, low-tech toys like the Etch A Sketch, blocks, trains, puzzles, kites, and stuffed animals. 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu; gotoycrazy.com
MALIBU COUNTRY MART Only half a block from the PCH in the heart of Malibu, and a 20-minute drive from LA, the Malibu Country Mart has something for everyone: a great blend of boutiques, both big-name and indie, including Oliver Peoples, Ron Herman, and a small but incredibly well-stocked Madison outpost. Plus, there are several galleries and a pleasantly manageable amount of restaurant options—everything from local treasure Taverna Tony to Mr. Chow. To keep the kiddos busy, there's a spacious outdoor playground with swings, sandboxes, and a jungle gym. A few steps up Cross Creek Road is the Lumber Yard, a newer, shinier shopping center home to a really pretty J.Crew concept shop. 3835 Cross Creek Rd., Malibu; malibucountrymart.com
COSENTINO’S NURSERY Cosentino’s has been Malibu's go to florist since its founding in 1950, and it’s easy to understand why. Located right at the intersection of Las Flores Canyon and the PCH, they offer everything from elaborate floral bouquets to succulents, many of which they grow in their nursery. Best of all, their prices are easy to justify—case in point: the two-dozen roses for $20 deal is available on most days, along with a selection of beachy giftables. You can order or pick up an arrangement on the spot, or visit their nursery farther up the coast, near Pepperdine, for the full experience. 25019 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu; cosentinosnursery.com
CANVAS MALIBU The first thing you'll notice upon entering this gleaming two-story boutique-slash-gallery are the shoes, a nod to the shop's past as a sneakerhead mecca—it's a tight edit, but every pair is a slam dunk. The space has since evolved to house, among others, Nili Lotan basics, structured Assembly New York separates, and Diemme sneakers for women (they've recently revamped the upstairs loft to better accommodate the ladies) and Engineered Garments, Maison Kitsune, Visvim, and the house line of Japanese cotton shirting and basics for dudes. Seamlessly merchandising the apparel and shoes with art from both local and international artists is the doing of owners Arlington and Jac Forbes—both entertainment industry veterans—who do an incredible job of scouting fresh talent. 23410 Civic Center Way, Malibu; canvasmalibu.com
JANESSA LEONÉ California-based designer Janessa Leoné finally has a brick-and-mortar space where you can peruse her line of structured, beautifully made hats, which manage to be minimalist while still making a statement. The same can be said of her line of leather accessories, which are also fashioned in her signature neutral color palette. The other side of the brightly-lit space is home to footwear brand Freda Salvador, whose quirky brogues and stacked-heel boots are a fitting complement to Leoné’s wares. 8840 Washington Blvd., Culver City; janessaleone.com
L’ECLAIREUR It's fitting that beloved high-end Parisian boutique L'Eclaireur would choose a sprawling chateau to house its first U.S. outpost. Spread out over three floors (the "residence" is meant to double as a special-events space as well), expect to find an exquisitely curated offering of home decor, furnishings, and objets d'art from both American and European designers, and of course, lots of Fornasetti special editions you wouldn't find at the department stores. And while the Paris locations are focused for the most part on wearables from avant-garde staples like Dries van Noten, Maison Martin Margiela, and the like, here, the Los Angeles shop is devoted almost exclusively to things for the home, with a few exceptions being made for special-edition fashion pieces. 450 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood; leclaireurla.com
HUDSON GRACE The original Hudson Grace is in San Francisco: There, Monelle Totah (Williams-Sonoma, Banana Republic) and Gary McNatton (Gap), turn out a very specific, pristine, and simple sensibility, evidenced by clean-lined pitchers, sturdy cutting boards, and a house line of linen napkins. They are now three boutiques strong in California—including one in the Montecito Country Mart—where you’ll find the same mix, including Cire Trudon candles, white lacquer salt mills, and Laguoile corkscrews. 225 26th St., Brentwood; hudsongracesf.com
RH WEST HOLLYWOOD While you've probably been to plenty of Restoration Hardware galleries, you've definitely never seen one like this. Set in the heart of West Hollywood's design district a few blocks from the Pacific Design center, Restoration Hardware's Melrose location is one of the biggest in the country, occupying a full block and spanning three stories, each filled with RH's signature simple, classic, and supremely comfortable designs. In true LA style, the entire space is open-air, with wide doors that open to the street during the day. Perhaps the best part of the entire setup is the green rooftop—filled with trees, fire pits, couches, and even a ping pong table—that's open to the public anytime the store is open. 8564 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; rh.com/us/en/WestHollywood
SHOUT AND ABOUT Known for fun, colorful stationery and cards for every occasion, it's entirely possible to (happily) lose an afternoon at Shout and About browsing through every good on display. In addition to their stationery, the store has a selection of jewelry, plants, and other gifty items, making it an ideal one-stop shop for last minute birthday, housewarming, and just-because presents. 547 Echo Park Ave., Echo Park; shoutandabout.com
FLOWERBOY PROJECTS This airy spot on Lincoln is kind of the perfect trifecta: Part café (plus donuts!), part home goods shop, and part florist. The taste level here is spot-on, as it's the sort of place where you might swing by for a latte and emerge with five hostess gifts and a stunning bouquet. 1342.5 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; flowerboyproject.com
QUINNIE & B This brand-new, self-named "tiny toy shoppe" from the owners of nearby Thyme Café and Local Kitchen + Wine Bar is an undeniably adorable addition to Ocean Park. While it's not large, the selection is spot-on, with good birthday options for kids of all ages. 1632 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica; quinnieb.com
CARO BAMBINO This is one of those spots that will make you believe that having kids doesn't always require a cacophony of brightly-colored plastic toys: Airy, and sparely stocked, Caro Bambino offers everything you'd want for a clean-lined, modern nursery—and nothing more. There are well-designed cribs, a smattering of wooden toys, and neutral-hued onesies. 2710 Main St., Santa Monica; carobambino.com
EAST/WEST VINTAGE Conveniently set up inside the same Chinatown strip mall as Roy Choi’s Chego, this teeny but beautifully curated vintage store is arguably one of the best in L.A. It’s also the place you want to be when hunting down the perfect pair of vintage Levi’s—the selection here isn’t necessarily vast, but each piece is lovingly chosen, washed, and repaired by the owners themselves to look its best. There are also band t-shirts, army jackets, and a few racks of dresses—all in excellent shape. If pins and patches are your thing, the semi-annual pin-and-patch parties are a totally gold mine. 727 N. Broadway, Chinatown; eastweststuff.com
MELROSE TRADING POST The $5 entry fee goes directly to supporting programs at Fairfax High School, where this market is held (contactless tickets are available for purchase via the website). Once you're in, you'll find hipster heaven, as it's loaded with vintage and up-cycled clothes, shoes, and jewelry. There's also usually a live band playing to accompany your browsing, and a selection of stands to sample in the "food court." 7850 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; melrosetradingpost.org
LA LA LING For the past eight years, Ling Chan has made this store a go-to for the coolest contemporary kids' fashion. But it doesn't stop at clothes. La La Ling also stock bedding, furnishings, hand-picked artwork for the nursery, and personalized gifts. With the help of their personal shopping service, they can help you put together a perfect baby shower gift. 1810 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz; lalaling.com
ACORN Though its just two-blocks from the Third Street Promenade, which sucks up a lot of the area's oxygen, this is inarguably one of the most special toy shops in the country. Everything here is made of wood, from the pint-sized grocery store stands (complete with farmers market fruits and veggies) to the rainbow-hued teethers. 1220 5th St., Santa Monica; theacornstore.com
THE PINK CHICKEN With stints at Ralph Lauren and babyGap at her back, it was arguably only time before Stacey Fraser started making little dresses for her kids. While the label launched in 2006, this is her first Los Angeles boutique—it's beachy feel is a perfect backdrop for the paisley printed dresses and subtly embroidered tops. Besides girls, there's also pieces for tweens (and grown-ups, too). 1524 Montana Ave., Santa Monica; pinkchicken.com
FLICKA This place carries adorable clothes and whimsical accessories for both boys and girls from newborn to tween. Jelly sandals, tutus, and Petit Bateau staples mingle on the racks with plenty of European brands. 204 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park
YOLK Whether you're in the market for kids furniture from Scandinavia, or a Pantone-themed mug, this long-standing boutique sources home goods and gifts for kids from all over the world. 1626 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; shopyolk.com
EGGY Inarguably one of the coolest selections of baby and kids clothing in Los Angeles, everything here is pretty much something we’d wear in adult sizes, from the Valentina silk dresses to the striped tank tops from Milk & Honey. 8365 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; shopeggy.com
RECORD SURPLUS Since 1985, this place has been offering every conceivable genre of vinyl to loyal West LA music lovers. Merchandise is re-stocked daily, there are stations where you can sample music, and you can trade in or sell your records here, too. 12436 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica; recordsurplusla.com
RTH SHOP Styled like an other-worldly trading post, RTH takes much of its inspiration from the Southwest. It makes sense, as he owner (and designer), René Holguin, hails from El Paso and did stints at Ralph Lauren, J.Crew, and Levi’s before setting out on his own. There’s a house line of perfectly aged leather bags, smocks, and Liberty print scarves, along with seed bead pins and bracelets. 537 & 529 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood; rthshop.com
ROSEARK Offering an encyclopedia's worth of designers, there's something for pretty much any sensibility at this Los Angeles boutique. We gravitate toward the double eagle rings by owner Kathy Rose, along with the key pendants by Amanda Keidan and Yakira Rona's delicate starfish necklaces. 1111 N. Crescent Heights Blvd., West Hollywood; roseark.com
RAOUL TEXTILES Raoul, family-owned since 1981, has a proven history of churning out high-quality, hand-printed textiles. Inspired by the historical patterns of various regions and cultures, the custom prints are creative and bright, adding pops of color and pattern to a room. We love their showroom in the PDC, which is to-the-trade only, with its stacks of books and antiques: It has the feel of an old English library. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; raoultextiles.com
PORTOLA PAINTS & GLAZES Portola specializes in small-batch, VOC-free, custom paints, gorgeous plaster finishes, and old-world techniques. All paints at this boutique's answer to big-name hardware stores are produced locally in small batches and mixed for you in store. The staff is super-friendly and encourage customers to play around with swatches, helping you pick the right color for your situation. They will help you do things with paint you never thought possible, like instantly give an aged, suede look to an interior with their Limewash or make a surface appear weathered. 8213 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; portolapaints.com
NOODLE STORIES This airy, all-white space is a fitting back-drop for the avant-garde lines on offer: Here you'll find Maison Martin Margiela dresses, asymmetrical tanks and tees from Clu, and Comme des Garcons jackets. There's a Noodle Stories temporary space down the street that's singularly devoted to Issey Miyake. 8323 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood; noodlestories.com
MICUCCI Micucci's showroom in the Pacific Design Center is a wonderful resource for all things Italian in décor and design, Including beautiful faceted crystal vases. Don't miss the new Micucci Arte, an Italian contemporary art space, adjacent to the showroom. Pacific Design Center, 8687 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; micuccicollection.com
HOLLYWOOD AT HOME Acclaimed interior and textile designer Peter Dunham created Hollywood at Home to provide a complete range of services, from finding the perfect chair for an otherwise perfect room to decorating an entire home. In addition to his own textiles, you'll find options from John Robshaw, along with one-off vintage finds and custom pieces. 703 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood; hollywoodathome.com
BOOK SOUP Just about as famous as the city itself, Book Soup is the sort of place where you stop by to pick up a book, and end up sitting in an aisle, picking through its literary feast for hours. 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; booksoup.com
BIG DADDY’S ANTIQUES For 20 odd years, Big Daddy has been filling a corner on La Brea with pieces sourced from around the world—and by pieces, we don't mean straightforward couches and case goods. This is the sort of place where you go for something significant and statement making, whether it's a vintage dental case, an antique birdcage, or a seasoned Louis Vuitton trunk. You can also find them at the Rosebowl Flea, or at their warehouse in San Francisco. 3334 La Cienega Pl., West Adams
HUSET This sliver of space on Abbot Kinney has a really healthy selection of all the Scandinavian home goods lines we've all come to love: Iittala glassware, Arne Jacobsen for Stelton water jugs, and Marimekko trays. There's also a small range of clothing, and some cute stuff for kids. 1316 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; huset-shop.com
HEIST While many stores on Abbot Kinney quickly come and go, Heist has become a long-standing staple, evolving and expanding with the ever-changing Venice. The large, modern boutique brims with labels both well-loved and still-unknown: You’ll find a huge range of Isabel Marant and Raquel Allegra, along with Newbark, Golden Goose, and Crippen. 1100 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; shopheist.com
LAKE Founder Melissa Lovoy opened Lake in February 2007 in the heart of Silver Lake and filled this quietly low-key space with pieces that are modern, beautiful, and well made. You'll find simple leather pouches from Clare Vivier, Isabel Marant blouses, and delicate scents from Il Profumi di Firenze. 1618 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake; lakeboutique.com
MICHAEL S. SMITH SHOWROOM Michael Smith's project list is undeniably impressive—most notably, he decorated the White House living quarters of Barack and Michelle Obama and the Oval Office. He's trusted not only for his exquisite taste, which is a wonderful mix of European elegance and Californian chic, but he's also known for his eye for art. 8525 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; michaelsmithinc.com
HENNESSEY + INGALLS As the West Coast's largest art and architecture-centric bookstore, this is the sort of place where you can easily rack up excess baggage charges with beautiful coffee table books. 300 S. Santa Fe Ave., Downtown; hennesseyingalls.com
SUSANNE HOLLIS Susanne Hollis specializes in fine antiques from Asia, Europe and South America, in addition to more contemporary pieces from her own collection. From an 18th century Chinese desk from the Qing Dynasty to a 1930's Art Deco table, there's always an interesting piece for the home in here. 230 Pasadena Ave., Pasadena; hollispasadena.com
ELYSE WALKER Though its Pacific Palisades location feels a little far-flung, this mini-department store justifies the trip: At 2,000 square feet, it’s expansive but manageable, and the racks are filled with everyone from Alexander Wang and Rag & Bone, to Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen. 15306 Antioch St., Pacific Palisades; elysewalker.com
DES KOHAN Desiree Kohan has amassed a stable of envelope-pushing designers—Juan Carlos Obando, Ryan Roche, Sharon Wauchob, Damir Doma—that you can't find anywhere else. Everything is airily arranged in her light-filled space on Fairfax. Beyond the beautiful clothing and accessories, Des will always help you put a look together. 914 North Fairfax Ave., West Hollywood; deskohan.com
LONG BEACH ANTIQUE MARKET Get here early: Not only are the early birds the ones who get the best picks (for an extra $5 you can get in at 5:30am), there are over 800 vendors to browse meaning it can eat up most of the day. Everything is laid out in a super-easy grid system and there are plenty of reasonable price tags. Long Beach Veterans Stadium, Long Beach; longbeachantiquemarket.com
THE NANZ COMPANY LOS ANGELES SHOWROOM Based in New York with showrooms around the country, Nanz works closely with architects and designers to get their custom work just right, providing pretty much any custom hardware you can think of for your project. Highly professional—and armed with great aesthetics—we’d recommend them, and their work, for any restoration need. They also have a massive online catalog, which is an excellent tool if you’re looking for ideas. The office is in Midtown and we also love the appointment-only showroom in Soho. 318 N. La Brea Ave., Hancock Park; nanz.com
ROSE TARLOW Rose Tarlow began restoring antiques in LA in the 1970's and remains one of the most sought-after names in design. Her shop on Melrose now stocks more of her own line than antiques and is a great place to go for meticulously-crafted and beautifully-designed (yet still homey and comfortable) furnishings, textiles, rugs, and lighting. The prices as high as her reputation. 8540 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; rosetarlow.com
MANSOUR Mansour has been offering the highest quality and designed European, Persian, and Oriental rugs and tapestries for over four generations, and has outfitted everything from royal palaces to family living rooms. The more recently launched Mansour Modern, right next door, is a gallery-style showroom that features, as the name suggests, a more modern selection. 8600 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; mansour.com
BLACKMAN CRUZ Adam Blackman and David Cruz's eponymous shop occupies a space that once was a gay nightclub (it was in American Gigolo if you'd like to see it in its former incarnation), which just gives credence to the concept that you never know where you might find treasure. They have impeccable taste and a curatorial sensibility which makes this one of LA's more inspirational home goods shops. 836 Highland Ave., Hollywood; blackmancruz.com
IGE It's easy to overlook this home goods shop, which has been holding down the fort on Beverly for years. It's a little bit out-of-the-way, which makes it easy to miss, but it's absolutely worth seeking out. John Derian decoupage plates, hand-beaded scarfs from Megan Park, and slightly macabre (but gorgeous) objects, like bronze cast beetles mingle with Ige's own line of pillows and fabric calendars. 7382 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; igedesign.com
CHEVALIER’S BOOKS This intimate shop offers a well-edited selection of various genre titles with staff recommendations throughout the shelves. This is a great place for gifts (their wrapping is perfect). 126 N. Larchmont Blvd., Hancock Park; chevaliersbooks.com
AMERICAN RAG This classic, mini department store is home to loads of denim, along with a smattering of harder-to-find labels and an endless array of racks of denim. 150 S. La Brea Ave., Hancock Park; americanrag.com
THE LAST BOOKSTORE A hugely successful used books and record shop may seem like an anachronism but this shop keeps expanding. Partnering with local institutions like CalArts and Crossroads Cultural Center, there’s a comprehensive schedule of open mic nights, readings, and talks. 453 S. Spring St., Downtown; lastbookstorela.com
SURFAS Surfas offers a wonderful selection of any and every tool and supply you could ever need for your kitchen whether you're a home cook or a professional. They stock everything from the highest quality pots and pans to industrial-sized mixers not typically sold to the general public. They also stock a range of common and hard-to-find ingredients, including a whole aisle dedicated to chocolate. 3225 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City; surfasonline.com
SKYLIGHT BOOKS We're loving Skylight's podcast—recordings of readings at the store. Skylight is the kind of independent bookstore that makes you wish Amazon never happened. They have a particularly deep selection of graphic novels, zines, hard-to-find quarterly's and journals, literary fiction, and art books. 1818 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz; skylightbooks.com
TORTOISE GENERAL STORE Taku and Keiko Shinomoto, the owners and curators of this much-loved shop, urge customers to slow down (like the animal the store is named for) and enjoy life’s small pleasures. The focus here is on everyday items, made beautiful, whether it’s gardening shears, beautiful Tenugui cloth napkins, coffee grinders, or sake pitchers. In the spring of 2018, the shop made a move from Venice to Mar Vista. 12701 Venice Blvd., Mar Vista; shop.tortoisegeneralstore.com
SATINE Former lawyer Jeannie Lee opened Satine on Third Street when it was just getting established as a shopping destination—and her forward-thinking sensibility and buy was probably what ultimately pushed it over the edge to become one of the city's busiest drags. Not long after, she opened a smaller outpost on Abbot Kinney, with an edit that matches the neighborhood's clientele. You'll still find classics (Preen, Rochas) and progressives (Prism, The Odells) artfully mixed together. 1508 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; shopsatine.co
RESURRECTION WEHO Resurrection’s stores in Los Angeles and New York are comfortable, well-appointed spaces with mid-century furniture scattered throughout. And then, of course, there're the clothes. Owners Katy Rodriguez and Mark Haddawy gather all the greats like Lacroix, Valentino, and Westwood with an eye for some of their more colorful, over the top designs—though there are plenty of beautiful gowns and dresses here that don’t scream costume. 8006 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; resurrectionvintage.com
UNDEFEATED LA BREA The limited edition sneaker world is a strange one (long, break of dawn lines, huge markups on eBay), but while Undefeated gets plenty of notable exclusives from brands like Nike, you don't feel like you've stepped into another (albeit intimidating) world when you shop here. Most of the shoes are for men though there's a healthy selection of women's options and the kid collection is pretty adorable, too. There are secondary locations in Santa Monica and Silver Lake, too. 111 S. La Brea Ave., Hancock Park; undefeated.com
LAWSON-FENNING Glenn Lawson and Grant Fenning opened Lawson-Fenning on Beverly Boulevard, the epicenter of LA's design district, before opening this more far-flung second location, which they conceived as a concept store. As such, their goal was to provide a curated selection of mid-century California and Scandinavian design that's equal parts affordable and luxe. The furniture and furnishings, which are all made in Southern California with sustainable wood, are gorgeously turned out, and there's also plenty of small packables, like glass carafes from Copenhagen, and knotted door mats. The shop includes a design bookstore, Ivanhoe Books, which has become a popular neighborhood destination for current and vintage design titles. 6824 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood; lawsonfenning.com
KINOKUNIYA DOWNTOWN Straddling downtown and Little Tokyo, the Japanese-based Kinokuniya offers great notebooks, stationery, pens, and gifts. Kids, in particular, go nuts here. There's also a location in Culver City. 123 Astronaut E. S. Onizuka St., Downtown; kinokuniya.com
GENERAL QUARTERS Shopping for dudes can be risky business, though in our experience, the house line of basic tees and pants at this handsomely turned out men’s shop has a pretty stellar success rate. The vibe here is all about California cool, and the walls of vintage photography and retro memorabilia express that aesthetic perfectly. And if the racks of essential from Filson, Red Wing, and Rogue Territory, plus the tables of subtle, well-designed accessories and home goods aren’t enough of a draw, there’s a classic barbershop in the back where barber, Chrissy Phelan, performs her famously precise cuts. 153 S. La Brea Ave., Hancock Park; generalquarters.com
LOST & FOUND Lost & Found in Hollywood occupies a stretch of adjacent buildings on Yucca Street, which is tucked away above Hollywood Boulevard. It’s there that you'll find one of LA's best shopping destinations. While there are spaces for women and homes, we particularly love the kids' edit, which revolves around feathered headbands, papier-mâché masks, and T-shirts emblazoned with everything from motorcycles to birds. The new outposts in Santa Monica are huge, offering more floor space to men's and women's clothing, along with even more delights for little ones. (Plus, a great edit of home.) 2000 Main St. & 2230 Main St., Santa Monica; lostandfoundshop.com
NICKEY KEHOE Interior designers Todd Nickey and Amy Kehoe put out their own own line of perfectly-textured home goods (solid cast brass hand sconces, tufted headboards, hassock ottomans), which they've mixed with an eclectic range of accessories at this subtly-industrial shop. You'll find Japanese bear bookends, pillows cut from vintage Hmong embroidery, black-bristled brooms, and Astier de Villate journals—and you'll want to buy it all. 7221 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; nickeykehoe.com
HEATH CERAMICS A true mid-century American icon, Heath has been producing beautiful modern and minimal tableware (with a brief break) and tiles since 1948. In fact, it's part of the permanent collections in New York's MoMA—and graces many a table across the Los Angeles restaurant scape. The store, like the products, is modern and minimal, with wooden shelves, concrete floors and a lot of space to browse. Besides the Heath line, they've selected a handful of designers to showcase. There are multiple locations in the SF area, including an outpost in the Ferry Building—the factory store in Sausalito offers seconds (i.e., subtly imperfect plates and bowls) at big discounts. 7525 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; heathceramics.com
OK STORE Everything at this long-standing, architecturally-minded boutique—from Noguchi lamps, to Heath bud vases, to Alice Park wallets—would look just right inside, say, a Schindler or a Neutra home. 1716 Silverlake Blvd., Silver Lake; okthestore.com
SUGAR PAPER Known for modern and beautiful letterpress stationery, Sugar Paper also does great holiday cards, wedding invitations, and monogramming. The tiny shop (in the Brentwood Country Mart) also offers cards and paper goods from Rifle Paper Co., Kate Spade, and more—and they can wrap any gift (just bring a box) while you wander the mart. 225 26th St., Brentwood; sugarpaper.com
URBANIC If you're one of those people who believes that the card should be as well-conceived and personal as the gift, this is your mothership. They have all the best lines, along with sweet notepads, journals, and a good selection of pens. 1644 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice; urbanicpaper.com
BROOME STREET GENERAL STORE In addition to the delicious lattes, homemade sandwiches, and old-fashioned candies and trinkets, this general store stocks an equally excellent selection of homewares, including perfectly minimal white ceramic bowls, gardening tools, kitchen supplies, and more. 2912 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake; broomestgeneral.com
GARDE Marble-topped Tom Dixon candles, cyan-hued wallets from PB 0110, and pretty sublime cashmere blankets are just a few of the offerings at this serene, grey-washed space. Bedding and linens, coffee table books, and Hella Jongerius plates round out the mix. 7418 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood; gardeshop.com
JILL ROBERTS Since 1995, Jill Roberts' mini-chainlet of boutiques have been holding strong, offering that specifically LA-buy: Plenty of denim and t-shirts, plus a few stand-out pieces from designers like Rag & Bone, Alexander Wang, and Kelly Wearstler. 12053 Ventura Pl., Studio City; jillroberts.com
ARCANA Tucked away in the back of the Helms Bakery building, Arcana is easy to miss: In fact, they seem to play it intentionally low-pro. They have an incredible selection of rare and hard-to-find art books, many of which are behind glass. 8675 Washington Blvd., Culver City; arcanabooks.com
A + R Though this design shop got its start in a space on Abbot Kinney, its relocation to DTLA is finally letting A + R stretch its legs a bit, and show larger pieces, like Bend Good's metal chairs and Scholten & Baijings' technicolored rugs. It's all arranged with smaller, more suitcase-appropriate picks, like Hay's Kaleido trays and Y'a Pas Le Feu Au Lac's vases. 777 S. Alameda St., Suite 100, Downtown; aplusrstore.com
LIBROS SCHMIBROS This lending library lets readers borrow or buy books in a very relaxed way, as the staff here seems to care more about getting people to read the books than buy them, and lending times, unlike a typical library, vary according to the length and difficulty of the novel. 103 N. Boyle Ave., Boyle Heights; librosschmibros.org
BRENTWOOD COUNTRY MART This 1950s old-time country mart got a renovation and restoration about a decade ago. Home to great boutiques like Jenni Kayne, Turpan, Broken English, and adorable kids store Poppy. There's also an old-school candy shop (Edelweiss), an ice cream parlor (Sweet Rose Ice Cream), a bookstore (Diesel), a toy store (Toy Crazy), and a mini carousel. 225 26th St., Brentwood; brentwoodcountrymart.com
BROKEN ENGLISH Occupying a tiny sliver of a space in LA's Brentwood Country Mart, Broken English is one of those rare spots where you'll find a $200 pendant nestled next to diamond slice earrings that might be $20,000. Price aside, it's all good, from Annette Ferdinandsen's Mexican Opal earrings to tasseled gold bracelets by Carolina Bucci. There is a second location in New York City. 225 26th St., Brentwood; brokenenglishjewelry.com
TURPAN Everything at this pristine home store in the Brentwood Country Mart is a design classic—past or future. While it's the sort of spot where you duck in for a hostess gift, it's invariably the sort of store where you end up re-thinking your china and splurging on some steak knives too. They also have impeccable stationery, beautiful blankets, and every conceivable size and color of Comme des Garçons pouch. There's also a location in East Hampton. 225 26th St., Brentwood; turpanonline.com
UN DEUX TROIS Kids love this boutique, in no small part because the shop's "personal stylists" pre-assemble entire looks—with the accessories to match. It's pretty much tween heaven, from the vegan leather leggings to the sequined tops. 11670 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood; udtfashion.com
POPPY STORE Situated in the Brentwood Country Mart, the racks at Poppy are exquisitely tasteful, from the mini striped shirts from Petit Bateau to the Makie t-shirts stamped with zebras. The pricetags match the taste level, which makes this better for gifts than wardrobe basics. 225 26th St., Brentwood; poppystores.com
HD BUTTERCUP Occupying the former Helms Bakery building, this department store-like store sits in a complex that plays host to Room & Board, and a handful of rug and lighting boutiques. It's divided into shop-in-shops for various vendors, which means that you'll find vintage collectibles arranged next to furniture and bedding companies. They have another LA location downtown, as well as one in SF and one in Orange County. This summer Australian furniture line Coco Republic launched its outdoor collection at HD Buttercup—sleek chairs, tables, and patio accessories made with a mix of concrete, rope, teak, and other materials. 3225 Helms Ave., Culver City; hdbuttercup.com
OBSOLETE If you're looking for an incredibly long farm table, or a bed from an period home, look here. Everything here is insanely cool and patina'd, from the perfectly restored furniture to the truly one-of-a-kind finds. They've elevated store design and arrangement to an art, too, making this a fun place to browse. 11270 Washington Blvd., Culver City; obsoleteinc.com
THE REAL REAL The RealReal is the world’s largest online marketplace for authenticated, resale luxury goods, with more than 24 million members. Buy & Sell bags, jewelry, and clothing from designers like Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and Prada. 8500 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood; therealreal.com
JENNIFER MEYER When Jen started her eponymous brand over a decade ago, it was the realization of a dream. Founded on the idea that jewelry could be more than an accessory, the Jennifer Meyer collection is designed to become an extension of the woman wearing it - a symbol of luck, celebration & love - a way for every woman to reflect on the important milestones in her life. Every piece is handmade in Los Angeles with master jewelers who share their commitment to quality and passion for innovation. 1050 N Swarthmore Ave, Pacific Palisades; jennifermeyer.com
SPA
THE NOW Inspired by the Coqui Coqui hotel's boho universe in Tulum, The Now is a relaxing hub in the center of Santa Monica. Decked out with rattan armchairs, cacti and linen hammocks, there are relaxing massages, aromatherapy sessions and detoxifying treatments on offer. All at very reasonable prices. thenowmassage.com
Photo: Terry O'Neill, Faye Dunaway “Oscar Stare” 1993