Los Angeles is a food lover’s paradise! From trendy new spots to timeless classics, the city has it all. You can’t walk a few steps without stumbling upon a chic restaurant. But hidden among the glitz and glamour, there are those tried-and-true gems that have stood strong for decades, attracting crowds with their ageless appeal.
Here you can discover 16 Best Classic dining spots in Los Angeles:
Table of Contents
1.The Anchor
It’s New York meets Venice Beach at popular hangout The Anchor, where seafood dishes are the main focus of the menu. Stop in for dinner and try the signature Lobster Roll or Ceviche.
The weekend brunch menu is great, with dishes such as Lobster Benedict. Be sure to save room for one of their famous desserts. Owners, Kristin Ciccolella and Sandy Ames, opened The Anchor in 2014.
You can find this chic eatery on Main Street in Venice. 235 Main Street, Venice, California, Phone: 310-664-9696
2.The Craft Los Angeles
Dine in elegance at the award-winning Craft Los Angeles, which serves spectacular, farm-to-table New American cuisine.
Using only the finest seasonal ingredients, the menu features delicious dishes such as the Smoked Wheat Orecchiette with Lamb and English Peas, Alaskan Halibut with Roman Bean Soffrito, or Roasted Quail. Craftbar, located in the restaurant, also has a small plates menu, as well as an extensive selection of wines, beer and craft cocktails.
Owner and chef Tom Colicchio opened Craft in 2007, after six successful years of operating the original Craft restaurant in New York.
You can find craft in the Century City area.
Address: 10100 Constellation Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 310-279-4180
3. Alimento
Alimento is a creative Italian restaurant whose menu is inspired by the regional traditions of Italy. Your mouth will water when you smell great dishes such as the Lamb Belly (with chickpea pancake, fennel, mint, tomato and fiard sardo), the Maccheroncini (smoked brisket carbonara), or the fennel braised pork ribs.
They also offer an eclectic wine list (all organic and/or biodynamic) and breweries from the US and Italy. Owner, Chef Zach Pollack, opened Alimento in 2014, bringing his intense passion for food from all regions of Italy.
You’ll find this fine dining restaurant in the historic Silver Lake district.
Address: 1710 Silver Lake Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 323-928-2888
4. Providence
Providence is an award-winning contemporary American seafood restaurant that is passionate about sustainability and serves only wild produce, primarily from US waters.
Tantalize your taste buds with spectacular dishes such as the main lobster (with summer greens and truffle vinaigrette), Hokkaido scallop (with Brentwood sweet corn, haricot vert and lemon verbena), Wild King salmon or Josephine’s Clam Fritters. This two-Michelin-starred restaurant is owned by respected restaurateur Donato Poto and award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti.
Providence is located in Hollywood right next to Paramount Pictures.
Address: 5955 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 323-460-4170
5. Plan Check Kitchen+ Bar
Plan Check Kitchen + Bar is a neighborhood restaurant serving modern American comfort food in a small plate format. Your taste buds will thank you when you treat them to dishes like the K-BBQ Burger (made with pork belly), the Short Rib Pot Roast, or the Salmon Pastrami.
Unique cocktails, premium whiskeys, and craft beers are also available. Owner and real estate developer, Terry Heller, opened Plan Check at the original Sawtelle site in 2011 and has since opened two additional locations. You can find them downtown on Wilshire Boulevard, on Fairfax in WeHo, and on Sawtelle in West LA.
Address: 11800 Sawtelle Boulevard, Los Angeles, 310-444-1411; 351 North Fairfax Avenue, Los Angeles, 323-591-0094; 1111 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, 213-403-1616
6. AOC Wine Bar
AOC Wine Bar is a charming, chic hangout with inspired wines by the glass and a European-influenced small plates menu.
Enjoy the beautiful outdoor seating as you savor incredible dishes such as Brioche with Melted Gruyère, Grilled Quail with Panzella, and Arroz Negro with Squid.
The impressive wine list features sustainable, organic and biodynamic wines, while handcrafted cocktails are also available. AOC Wine Bar opened in 2002 is located in the Beverly Grove area, adjacent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Address: 8700 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 310-859-9859
7. Tatsu Ramen
Tatsu Ramen is advertised as Ramen with Soul. This small shop on Sawtelle Boulevard is one of three in Los Angeles and the line for a bowl of hot soup is as long as for concert tickets. Do you choose tonkotsu first, standard? Or cold dry noodles without soup soaked in sesame oil. Then choose your protein – pork, chicken or tofu. Add the spicy and garlic level, whether you want green onions, corn, seaweed or boiled egg, and what you get is a hot, delicious, super fresh, quite intense and dark bowl of noodles.
Locations:
- 2123 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025, Phone: 310-684-2889
- 7111 Melrose Ave,Los Angeles, CA 90046 ,Phone: 323-879-9332
- 319 S Arroyo Parkway, Pasadena, CA 91105,Phone: 626-345-5688
8. Water Grill
Water Grill is a long-standing upscale seafood restaurant. Enjoy the elegant, relaxed atmosphere while dining on exquisitely prepared dishes such as the Wild Jumbo Mexican Brown Shrimp Banh Mi, Squid Ink Pasta with Local Market Squid, or Wild Alaskan Red King Crab Legs.
They also offer an impressive wine list and handcrafted cocktails. Water Grill first opened in downtown Los Angeles in 1989 and has since expanded to two additional locations. Owner, Sam King (a well known restaurateur) has brought Chef Damon Gordon to the kitchen.
Address: 544 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 213-891-0900
9. n / Naka
N/naka specializes in their own interpretation of kaiseki, a traditional Japanese culinary art that focuses on capturing the ever-changing rhythms of the earth with beautiful presentations of the freshest seasonal ingredients.
The vegetables are served in their own organic garden. You won’t be disappointed with incredible creations, such as the Yakimono (a baked sea bass dish) or the vegetarian Agemono (fried zucchini, sweet baby peppers and green onions).
Chef Niki Nakayama opened n/naka in 2011 and also owns Azami Sushi Café. and Inaka. You can find n/naka in the Mar Vista area of West Los Angeles.
Address: 3455 South Overland Avenue, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 310-836-6252
10. Philippe The Original
Philippe The Original is one of the oldest and best known restaurants in Southern California and the home of the original? French dipped? Sandwich = Philippe’s specialty.
Make yours made with beef, pork, ham, lamb or turkey. Or, if you’re not in the mood for a French dip, they also offer soups, salads, and desserts.
A classic American breakfast is also served daily. Philippe’s has a rich history dating back to 1908 when Philippe Mathieu founded the place and later accidentally invented the French Dip Sandwich. Philippe The Original is located in downtown Los Angeles, steps from Union Station.
Address: 1001 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 213-628-3781 Photo: Philippe The Original
11. Q Restaurant
Q Restaurant is one of Los Angeles’ hottest sushi spots, only it’s not your average sushi place. They offer a 20-course Omakase experience, with sashimi and nigiri expertly prepared in the traditional Japanese ‘Edomae’ style. At Q, the menu is determined by the fresh catch of the day.
Expect incredible dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, such as Black Sea Bass or Scorpion fish. Or a miso-marinated Santa Barbara Urchin. Chef Hiroyuki Naruke has over 25 years of experience in Edomae-style cooking and opened Q (his second restaurant) in 2013.
You’ll find this great sushi bar in LA’s Financial District.
Address: 521 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 213-261-3479
12. Langer’s Deli
Langer’s Deli is an old time favorite where they specialize in hot pastrami sandwiches. Their pastrami is a select steak that’s sweetened with sugar, seasoned like corned beef, then slow-smoked for tenderness and flavor before seasoning.
They have a variety of hot pastrami and non-pastrami sandwiches, as well as other dishes such as Grilled Liver and Onions, Langer’s Beef Stew, and the Alvarado Omelet.
Langer’s Deli was founded in 1947 by Al Langer and his family. His son, Norm, runs the place today, along with his wife, Jeanette, and daughter, Trisha. You can find them directly across from MacArthur Park.
Address: 704 South Alvarado, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 213-483-8050
13. La Otra Taqueria Escuela
Don’t let Escuela Taqueria’s small, unassuming dining room fool you. It is intentionally designed to resemble a typical Mexican cantina and the food they serve is not the average taqueria fare available all over Los Angeles. Chef Steven Arroyo plays with ingredients like an artist, so his tacos come with baby back ribs, sea bass, or pork belly. All ingredients are sourced from the region, fresh and seasonal. Even the drinks are freshly made – they juice their fruits and vegetables fresh daily for their aqua fresca. Try the delicious guacamole or green chile nachos, piled with braised pork, refried beans, green chile, kale, pico de gallo, guacamole and crema Mexicana.
Address: 7615 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, Phone: 323-932-6178
14. The Magic Castle
Magic Castle is an exclusive, private clubhouse, where you can enjoy performances by some of the world’s best magicians while dining on classic American fare.
Try the Beef Wellington or the Portabello & Porcini Mushroom Ravioli from the dinner menu or, perhaps, a Magic Burger from the bar menu. They also serve weekend brunch. Wine, beer and a full bar are always available, along with drinks at the on-site Hat & Hare Pub.
You must have a club membership or valid guest card to dine here and reservations are required. You can find the Magic Castle near Hollywood Heights.
Address: The Magic Castle, 7001 Franklin Avenue, Hollywood, 323-851-3313
15. Culina Restaurant+ Caffe
Culina Restaurant is a popular eatery that serves classic Italian dishes with a modern twist.
Enjoy great flavors in dishes like the Honey Biscuit Breakfast, Open Face Meatball Sandwich or Angnello (a rack of lamb with ciabatta and herbs). Culina also offers handcrafted cocktails, craft beers and an impressive wine list.
Executive Chef, Mette Williams, winner of Food Network’s ‘Chef Wanted’ with Anne Burrell, has brought her vast knowledge and intense passion to the kitchen.
Eat inside or enjoy the incredible alfresco dining space set against the beauty of Beverly Hills. Culina is located in The Four Seasons Beverly Hills.
Address: 300 South Doheny Drive, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 310-860-4000
16 .Vibrato Grill Jazz
Vibrato Grill Jazz, is a restaurant and the best jazz space in town. The establishment serves the best of contemporary American cuisine and believes great music should be accompanied by great food.
Enjoy extraordinary culinary creations such as the Grilled New Zealand Lamb Lollipops, Roquefort Filet or Pan-Seared Diver Scallops. Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. is the brainchild of nine-time Grammy Award-winning musician, Herb Alpert.
Executive Chef Carlos Gonzalez is at the helm, bringing his intense passion for food to the kitchen. Vibrato Grill, Jazz, Etc. is located off Mulholland Drive, near the Beverly Glen Park.
Address: 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Los Angeles, California, Phone: 310-474-9400
