How To Eat Well in Los Angeles

A lot of people say they “hate LA” but I just think they haven’t done it properly or haven’t found part that fits them yet. It’s a massive, diverse city with so much to offer for everyone. It’s got great weather, amazing dive bars, live sports, music and food, (especially Mexican). It’s the best place for Mexican food outside of Mexico.

📝 As we as Mexican, LA is also a great city for Korean food. Two places not listed below I’d recommend are Ham Ji Park and Park’s Barbecue.

📝 A few extra bakeries/dessert places I haven’t mentioned below; Dominique Ansel, Aalt & Straw, Afters, Honeymee, Papillon Bakery.

📝 LA is a great city for catching live sport; You have two NFL teams (Rams & Chargers, two NBA teams (Lakers & Clippers), Dodgers (baseball) LAFC (soccer) and LA Kings (ice hockey).

📝 Drinking in DTLA; Mezcalero DTLA, Mikkeller DTLA, Modern, Times Darkness Dojo, Mumford Brewing, The Standard rooftop bar.

📝 Drinking in Hollywood; Whisky A Go Go (Old dive bar), The Viper Room (Live music venue. Loads of famous bands started out here).

📝 Drinking in Santa Monica; Hotel Shangri-La Rooftop, Ye Olde King’s Head (English pub for football), The Bungalow, Chez Jay, The Craftsman Bar & Kitchen, The Gaslite.

📝 Drinking in Venice; Hinano Cafe (my favourite dive bar in LA. Live music most evenings. They also do great burgers), The Venice Whaler, Wurstkuche Venice (German beer house in Venice), Venice Ale House, High Rooftop Lounge, The Brig.

1. Petit Trois

📍Hollywood. A classy French brasserie in a strip mall from famous chef, Ludo. I love the burger here.

2. Tire Shop Taqueria

📍Historic South Central. Eating here will automatically transport you south of the boarder. Go for the carne asada on fresh warm corn tortillas for only $2 each. Open 17:00-23:00/24:00 daily.

3. Howlin’ Ray’s

📍Chinatown. A popular Nashville hot chicken spot in Chinatown. It’s always got massive queues I’d advise going early as possible to avoid disappointment. If you can’t handle the queues then checkout Dave’s Hot Chicken.

4. Moo’s Craft Barbecue

📍Lincoln Heights. Up there with the best barbecue spots in Texas. The brisket especially is incredible.

5. Night + Market

📍Multiple Locations. Amazing Thai restaurant. Also has 2 other locations.

6. Tacos 1986

📍Multiple Locations. I used to hit these guys up at Smorgasburg but have since expanded into a few permanent locations. They serve up some of the best tacos in LA, a lot of which are vegetarian. Try the mushroom quesadilla.

7. Pizzeria Mozza

📍Hancock Park. Great pizza from LA restaurant legend, Nancy Silverton. Get the zucchini flower pizza.

8. Tacos y Birria La Unica

📍Boyle Heights. Incredible birria tacos. Takeout only. They come with a side of broth for dipping. 08:00-15:00 everyday. Arrive earlier to avoid disappointment.

9. Leo’s Taco Truck

📍Multiple Locations. A city favourite for ridiculously cheap Al Pastor tacos.

10. Guisados

📍Multiple Locations. A large menu of delicious tacos on fresh corn tortilla.

11. Cassell’s Hamburgers

📍Korea Town. An old school LA burger spot since 1948. Now with a second location in Korea Town. Another old school burger spot to checkout is Apple Pan.

12. Abbot’s Pizza Company

📍Venice. A buzzing NY style pizza he the slice spot Venice. I ended up here most nights when I stayed in Venice. Try the garden pizza.

13. Hinano Cafe

📍Venice. A legendary dive bar in Venice that also serve some pretty good burgers. I could lose a whole afternoon sitting at the bar here. They also have live music most evenings.

14. Bestia

📍DTLA. Iconic italian restaurant.

15. Sqirl

📍East Hollywood. A popular brunch spot in East Hollywood. Try their ricotta toast with housemate jams.

16. Randy’s Donuts

📍Inglewood. An iconic donut shop near the airport. The perfect stop before or after visiting the airport.

17. Guerilla Tacos

📍Fashion District. A modern taco spot not far from DTLA.

18. Mariscos 4 Vientos

📍Boyle Heights. Right near Tacos y Birria La Unica. Go for the seafood tostada.

19. Clarke Street Bread

📍DTLA. Another good spot in Grand Central Market. Get the avocado croissant.

20. Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffle

📍Multiple Locations. A city institution for fried chicken & waffles with maple syrup.