LA is brimming with great restaurants where hipsters, creatives and celebrities come together for a delicious meal. If you find your way to the City of Angels, check out our picks for the 7 best restaurants in Los Angeles, hand-picked from our free city guide for Los Angeles, momondo places, for iPhones.
Bäco Mercat
Chef Josef Centeno’s Bäco Mercat presents a seasonally changing menu that is the definition of fusion food: Western- and Eastern-Mediterranean dishes blend various ingredients and flavours together.
Try the signature flatbread ‘bäco’ sandwiches. The bread itself takes centre stage and is served in both classic sandwich form and rolled thin and baked with delicious toppings.
Professionals and city workers flock to Bäco Mercat, as well as couples and groups of friends grabbing a bite before a Broadway show. For larger parties of more than three people, make reservations a week in advance via e-mail.
Where: 408 S. Main St.
Tel: +1 213 687 8808
Nearest station: Pershing Square Station
SQIRL
The young and trendy residents of East Hollywood and Silver Lake congregate at SQIRL to indulge in something a little different to your average café.
The owner originally set up a successful small-batch jam business that made itself noticed through the creative combinations of ingredients, such as her blueberry jam with thyme or tomatoes jam with coriander. Naturally, the toast with jam here is pretty phenomenal.
They are a bit limited on seating space, given the volume of people that frequent SQIRL. But with high quality coffee, and an abundance of vegetarian and vegan options, the food is eclectic, delicious, and worth the wait.
Where: 720 N. Virgil Ave.
Tel: +1 323 284 8147
Nearest station: Vermont/Santa Monica Station
The Ivy
Join the star-studded crowd at The Ivy. Dine al fresco on the popular front porch with the cosy ambience and white picket fence. The epitome of glamorous Los Angeles, seeing paparazzi lurking outside, is common, as this celebrity hangout is a place to be seen.
Serving a respectable Californian menu, with tasty desserts and excellent cocktails, the decor resembles a quaint English tearoom: floral and checked patterned tablecloths, armchairs and cushions, blue and white porcelain on the walls, flowers in vases and other kitsch decorations.
Where: 113 N. Robertson Blvd.
Tel: +1 310 274 8303
Transport: Bus 14/37/220 to Robertson/Beverly
The Hudson
Modelled on a pre-prohibition Chicago bar, The Hudson has excellent food and great cocktails (happy hour between 4–7pm). Diners sit on upholstered banquettes and the exposed Edison light bulbs exude a gentle glow on the wooden beams overhead. While looking around you notice two large tree trunks rising through the roof: the Hudson is basically a tree house, a congenial West Hollywood hideaway, complete with a DJ.
The usual crowd is made up of stylish creative types and relaxed hipsters. Food-wise, The Hudson offers a gastropub take on burgers, fried chicken, fries and fish tacos. Their brunch menu features carafes of mimosas and beermosas.
Where: 1114 N. Crescent Heights Blvd.
Tel: +1 323 654 6686
Transport: Bus 4/218 to Santa Monica/Crescent Heights stop
L&E Oyster Bar
Specialising in the culinary art of preparing oysters, Silver Lake’s L&E Oyster Bar masterfully blends a luxury seafood bistro with a relaxed, neighbourhood bar vibe.
L&E Oyster Bar attracts well-dressed local diners, keen to indulge in the delights of the multitude of oyster options available. You can pop in on a sunny afternoon for oyster happy hour (between 5–7pm). Sit outside at one of tables on the pavement and enjoy a glass of wine with the oysters.
There are some other seafood and meat options on the menu such as clam chowder soup and steak sandwich.
Where: 1637 Silverlake Blvd.
Tel: +1 323 660 2255
Transport: Bus 201 to Silver Lake/Effie
The Church Key
Not many restaurants can claim to have servers in vintage flight attendant uniforms pushing Pan Am carts around. However, at The Church Key carts are constantly rolling around the room, stopping by to offer extra little bites to try with your meal. Attracting the super good-looking clientele, this upmarket ‘American dim sum’ restaurant has nailed the combination of novel and delicious cuisine.
The dimly lit ambiance complements the modern decor: chairs and couches, parquet hardwood flooring, white brick walls, and a large fireplace.
Where: 8730 Sunset Blvd.
Tel: +1 424 249 3700
Transport: Bus 2/302 to Sunset/Horn
Bottega Louie
Set in the 100-year old Brockman Building, the versatile and cavernous Bottega Louie combines Italian-American cuisine with pâtisserie and gourmet market (you can buy various delicacies here).
The lively open space feels more like a bustling Parisian brasserie, with white marble, wooden furniture and fresh flowers. Arrive early, as there are no reservations. If there is a wait for a table, feast your eyes on the vibrant dessert display, and don’t forget to pick up a box of macarons on your way out.
Thirty-somethings congregate for early breakfast, or late dinner. If you only want dessert, self-seating near the bar is available.
Where: 700 South Grand Ave.
Tel: +1 213 802 1470
Nearest station: 7th Street/Metro Center
