LA: Where to eat? My favorite restaurants

LA is warm and sunny, and the city’s restaurants are blessed with a year-round supply of high-quality fresh produce. This is reflected in the menus which are packed with sun-ripened organic fruit and vegetables, and there is something for most palates and wallets.

Most people arrive to the restaurants by car, as almost all places offer valet parking, but it can be pricey ($15-20). If you want a glass of wine with your meal, then Uber or Lyft are often better and cheaper options.

Down below I have listed some of my favorite LA restaurants. These are places I have dined at several times, and that I would recommend to friends who ask me about dining tips in LA. The restaurants are not the cheapest places to dine, (around $40-$50 + beverages for a meal) but they are all really nice places with good food and service. Consider booking a table in advance.

Gjelina

Really, really nice restaurant down in Venice. Even though I usually stay in WeHo when I visit LA, I always make sure to come by Gjelina. Everything that leaves their kitchen is delicious, and I have yet to order something that I do not like. Changes and modifications are not allowed so forget about asking for dressing on the side (just ask Victoria Beckham). The patio is where everybody wants a table.

Gjelina, 1429, Abbot Kinney Blvd. (corner of Abbot Kinney & Milwood), Venice Beach, Los Angeles

Gracias Madre

Really good vegan Mexican restaurant in bright, airy settings. Mexican without meat? Don’t worry. Gracias Madre really knows how to juggle the plant-based ingredients, and the dishes are just as (and even more) tasty and filling as at any other Mexican restaurant.

Gracias Madre, 8905 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, LA

Spartina

Italian classics with a touch of California. My sister Trine loves their selection of cheese, and I love their pasta (made in-house, of course) and the trendy, rustic décor. On Mondays it is happy hour all night.

Spartina, 7505 Melrose Avenue, Fairfax, Los Angeles

E.P. & L.P.

One of those places that seems too trendy for its own good, but once you are inside, the nice staff and delicious food will most likely win you over, so if you don’t mind loud music and a 20-something hipster crowd, you would definitely want to add E.P. & L.P. to your list.  E.P. is the restaurant and L.P. is the rooftop bar, and in addition, they also have a semi-private bar called Frankie’s. The food at E.P. is predominantly Asian fusion dishes, and the restaurant is particularly good at Thai-inspired food. The rooftop bar is wonderful, and a cocktail up there is a great way to start or end the evening.  

E.P. & L.P., 603 N. La Cienega Boulevard (cross street: Melrose Ave West Hollywood), West Hollywood, LA

The Ivy

Some might say that The Ivy is an overpriced tourist trap, but the restaurant is a real LA classic, and Sunday brunch at The Ivy is something that you would want to do at least once in your life. Even though there may be a lot of tourists from time to time, The Ivy also has a loyal clientele of rich and famous Angelenos (just check out their valet parking Sunday around brunch time). The food is good, and the service is surprisingly warm and friendly. For brunch you are greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne, and fresh baked scones with jam. Try to get one of the tables on the patio outside.  

The Ivy, 113 N Robertson Blvd, Beverly Grove, Los Angeles

L & E Oyster Bar

L & E Oyster Bar is a cozy oyster-shack tucked away in a residential area in Silverlake. It is not the cheapest place to get your oyster fix, but the quality and the selection does not fail to impress. During happy hour, the bar one stair up from the restaurant offers a dozen of oysters for $32 and drinks at a reduced price. A perfect place for date night.

L&E Oyster Bar, 1637 Silver Lake Boulevard, Silver Lake, LA

Katana

Katana is a sushi/robata (Japanese grill) restaurant right in the middle of all the Sunset Boulevard action. It is a great place to start a night out and the Friday night vibe is definitely more nightclub than restaurant, so make sure to dress accordingly. On weekends, Katana is open until midnight, and after dinner, most people stay for a drink or two in the bar, but if you want to go somewhere else, SkyBar is just across the street. Everybody wants to sit outside, and only once, I have managed to score one of those most-wanted tables overlooking Sunset Boulevard, but it is worth giving a try. If they still have spicy tuna on crispy rice, it is a must-order. Super tasty!

Katana, 8439 W Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, Los Angeles

Eveleigh

Eveleigh is partly tucked away in what feels like a secret garden on Sunset Boulevard. I dined there for the first time in 2012 and even though a lot of things have happened since then, both regarding food (what happened to the Mexican corn on cob) and the price level (it has become more expensive), Eveleigh is still one of those places that I always come back to. Like most of the restaurants on this list, the focus at Eveleigh is on locally sourced ingredients and a menu that changes with the season. Eveleigh also has a good selection of plant-based dishes, so it is a good place to bring your vegetarian friends.

Eveleigh, 8762 W Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, LA