When I first moved to LA 13 years ago, I wasn’t exactly impressed with the food. After all, I grew up in the south with some of the best Mexican food, fried food and delish Chinese food. But now, I can’t imagine living anywhere else, besides maybe NYC or Italy, because LA’s food scene is incredible. There are so many great restaurants to choose from and renowned chef’s from around the world are moving here. From the best sushi, Mexican, Italian and more, here are some must eat spots whether you live in LA or are coming to visit!
Brunch
Let it be known, I am not a huge fan of breakfast food, so I generally don’t go out for breakfast, but if I do usually order lunch food. My favorite brunch spot is Cecconi’s because it’s so chic inside and they have great avocado toast and coffee and mimosas (lunch and dinner here is great as well). Alcove Cafe, is such a cute outdoor brunch spot with a menu filled with everything from breakfast burritos, french toast, sandwiches, eggs benedict, you name it. I also love the Butcher, Baker and Capuccino Maker for coffee or breakfast meetings because it is so cute and they have a healthy menu. If you love Tex Mex like I do, you definitely want to try the breakfast tacos at a little spot called HomeState. And if a fancy brunch is in the cards, definitely head to the Beverly Hills Hotel and either eat by the pool or the breakfast cafe. It’s great for people watching and the prettiest hotel ever!
Lunch
I am a huge fan of lunch in LA. We have he cutest little spots and many with outdoor seating. The first restaurant I ever went to in LA is still my favorite for lunch and that is Toast on 3rd St in West Hollywood. The fries with ranch are amazing, the tortilla soup is the best have ever had, and the salads are so good too – I always order half the Tuscan salad with a side of fries and pray someone get the soup so I can have some too! They also have amazing red velvet cupcakes if you want to grab one before you leave. My other go-to casual lunch spot is Joan’s on Third for their to-die-for Chinese Chicken Salad or get a deli salad trio – the curry chicken salad is bomb. If I am craving a sushi lunch date I love Izakaya or Sugarfish or if I am in the Valley I love Kabosu. If you want something a bit fancier after a day of shopping in Bev Hills, head to La Scala for their chopped salad or South Beverly Grill for great burgers, sandwiches and more. If you are looking for a spot in Malibu, we love Paradise Cove Beach Cafe for their seafood and eating with your toes in the sand (their clam chowder is sooo good and their portions are insanely big), but if you want something a little more low-key with great seafood, go to Malibu Seafood and order either fresh fish or the yummy and super affordable fried fish sandwich. If you are in Venice, Gjusta is a total must! They make their own bread and their soups and pizza is amazing. I like it all!
Dinner
I am a huge pasta lover so it shouldn’t be surprising that some of my favorite spots in LA are Italian. It’s so hard to narrow it down, but let me just say you cannot go wrong at Terroni (I die for their sausage truffle pasta and their lemon pasta), Eataly (their papardelle pasta is a melt in your mouth dream), Jon and Vinnys (I seriously love everything on the menu, but especially the LA woman pizza, the spicy fusili and meatballs), and Dan Tana’s is a great old school spot with the best chicken parm. For delish tacos and margs I love Mercado (the carnitas and queso are killer here) and Petty Cash Taqueria (I love all of their tacos). For real Mexican, I love Don Cuco’s. For sushi I love all of the above lunch sushi spots, plus Catch – their salmon is so good as is their spicy tuna crispy rice and tartare and crab pasta. For the best steak, Mastro’s (the one in Malibu is such a great spot – don’t forget to order butter cake) and Cut at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel (yes, “Reg. Bev. Wil”). But my new discovery and now my favorite restaurant is All Time in Los Feliz. Everything we got, including the good ass salad, two homemade pastas and dessert was so incredible and the playlist is awesome!
Let me know if you have a favorite spot I need to try and am missing from my list! I still have a few on the Westside I need to make it to (like Felix and Forma), but I think I covered a lot of my bases with this list and check out my LA City Guide from last year HERE. Thanks so much for stopping by today and hope to see you back here Monday for a new fashion post! Until then, follow along on Insta Stories with me @thestyleeditrix.