Los Angeles Eats A to Z: Eat Your Way Through L.A.

By Lauren Elizabeth Campbell, Editor-in-Chief

As a mecca for creativity and the arts, the food in L.A. is as exotic as it is Instagrammable. West Hollywood’s The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker creates a signature colorburst latte of rainbow colors from the freshest European coffee beans - that both looks and tastes magical.

As the city of stars, L.A. provides dining options made famous by the movies filmed there. Randy’s Donuts, featured in Iron Man 2 where Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) munches on the round treat while sitting in Randy’s iconic giant concrete donut sign.

From the ocean on the coast to the San Gabriel Mountain range and the concrete jungle of Downtown L.A., it all contributes to L.A. ’s food scene. A little bit of everything is brought to the table, making the food and restaurants unique.

There is a lifetime of restaurants to visit, and new ones opening daily, but here are several of L.A. ’s iconic eats A to Z:

APL Restaurant Steakhouse - Downtown Hollywood 1680 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028

APL is one of Hollywood's most outstanding steakhouses. Known for his smoked short ribs, Chef Adam Perry Lang perfected his grilling talent hosting "Serious Barbecue" back lot BBQ pop-ups at his friend, Jimmy Kimmel's Jimmy Kimmel Live! studio. APL serves hyper-seasonal, producedriven dishes, but the restaurant's best-kept secret is its seafood.

Bestia Italian - Arts District 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Bestia put L.A. 's Arts District on the map as a restaurant destination when it opened in 2012. While they have since tweaked their menu, it still serves as L.A. 's go-to spot for unique Italian dishes. To order like a local, try the alla'nduja pizza (spicy pork sausage) or the cavatelli alla norcina (sausage pasta). But be sure to save room for dessert - their bar au chocolat bittersweet chocolate budino tart is a must!

Courage Bagels Bagel Shop - Virgil Village 777 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Courage Bagels, which opened on L.A. 's Eastside last October, soon became an L.A. icon when the New York Times featured the bagelry in an article titled "The Best Bagels are in California (Sorry, New York)" in March. The Montreal-style bagels are only available sandwich style, as they recently stopped serving loose bagels due to the demand from their popularity. Whichever sandwich option you try, be sure to order their fan-favorite burnt everything bagel.

Dan Tana's Italian - West Hollywood 9071 Santa Monica Blvd, WeHo, CA 90069

This L.A. tradition, located in a hard-to-miss yellow bungalow beside WeHo Art Park, is among the city's most iconic restaurants. Decorated inside with Christmas lights yearround, Dan Tana's serves old-school Italian food that may not blow your mind but will fill your soul. While the spaghetti with meatballs is the classic choice, locals know the chicken parmesan is the best item on the menu.

El Coyote Mexican - Fairfax 7312 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Family-owned and operated since 1931, El Coyote provides a sense of familiarity for Angelenos and a place in pop culture for the rest of the world. Quentin Tarantino featured the restaurant in "Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood, " as the reallife location Sharon Tate and her friends dined before the tragic Manson murders. Nothing had to be changed about the restaurant for the filming as it looks nearly identical to the way it looked in 1969 including its bright Christmas lights, kitschy chandeliers, and velvet paintings.

Forma Restaurant & Cheese Bar Italian - Wilshire Montana 1610 Montana Ave, SM, CA 90403

If you have a cheese obsession, Forma is the place to go! Its menu features a fantastic array of cheeses that their knowledgeable waitstaff can help you navigate. In addition, Forma caters to every type of restaurant-goer, offering healthy, gluten-free, and vegan options, as well as options for people who want to splurge on calories.

Greenblatt's Deli Deli - Laurel Canyon 8017 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

Even if you've never been to Greenblatt's, the cozy interior and fresh smells provide a sense of familiarity. The old-school Jewish deli offers many items, but the go-to is their hot pastrami sandwich and macaroni salad. Even if you choose a different sandwich item, you must try the macaroni salad, which is the best in the city.

Howlin' Ray's Chicken - Chinatown 727 N Broadway #128, LA, CA 90012

Howlin' Ray's is one of the only places, apart from the South, that does Nashville Hot Chicken right. The small, order-fromthe-counter restaurant has six different heat levels on their menu ranging from "country" (no heat) to "howlin'" (a Scoville rating of 2,000,000+ units). However, for those who can take the heat, Howlin' Ray's offers two secret menu levels of spiciness: "howlin' plus" and "howlin' plus plus, " both of which come with gloves and a stern warning. So, if you are looking for a place to train for a spot on Hot Ones, this is it.

In-N-Out Burger Hamburger - Westchester 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, LA, CA 90045

The late American chef Anthony Bourdain named In-N-Out his "favorite restaurant in L.A., " and for a good reason. In-N-Out is a California staple. Their patties are free of additives, fillers, and preservatives of any kind and are never frozen. While you can visit their restaurants up and down the West Coast, their location near LAX is their most iconic. Angelenos have made it a tradition to stop at In-N-Out on their way to and from the airport. To order like a local, order your double-double "animal style, " a secret menu item where the burger is cooked in mustard, and an extra "secret sauce" is added, with pickles and grilled onions.

Joan's on Third New American - Beverly Grove 8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048

First founded as a catering company in the 90s, Joan's on Third is a high-end deli that serves prepared dishes as well as a marketplace of foods to prepare at home. Run by Joan McNamara with her daughters, the menu changes daily, based on what delicious ingredients they have in stock at their store, plus they serve breakfast all day long. In addition to their delicious meals, they bake some of the best cupcakes in the city. A local favorite is their cloud cupcake, a marshmallow-filled dark chocolate dome over a chocolate cupcake.

Katsuya Glendale Japanese - City Center 702 Americana Way, Glendale, CA 91210

Katsuya serves unique sushi in a great atmosphere, with a large outdoor patio. Chef Katsuya Uechi, born in Okinawa, Japan, is known for his high-quality dishes and Japanese flavors for American palates. Along with an inventive sushi menu, a Katsuya favorite is the caked crab hand rolls with baked snow crab and Chef Katsuya's signature dynamite sauce, wrapped with rice in soy paper.

Lawry's The Prime Rib Steakhouse - Beverly Hills 100 La Cienega Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Lawry's has been serving luxurious comfort food from Beverly Hills since 1938 and is still operated by the founders' families. For years Lawry's only offered one entrée, rib roast. Today, they offer a limited menu of perfected items. For the ultimate Lawry's experience, order their signature Lawry cut prime rib and pair it with their blue-cheese-stuffed heirloom tomatoes and creamed corn.

Musso & Frank Grill American - Yucca Corridor 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028

Nothing is more "old school Hollywood" than the Musso & Frank Grill, known to Angelenos as just "Musso's. " Built before the iconic Hollywood sign, the L.A. icon has sat unchanged on Hollywood Boulevard for over 100 years. Order Musso's jellied consommé (savory brown jelly) and flannel cakes, which have been on the menu since the 1920s. For the full Musso's experience, sit at the counter or request table no. 1 in the West Room, Charlie Chaplin's regular spot.

Nobu Malibu Japanese - Malibu 22706 PCH, Malibu, CA 90265

All sushi lovers need to try Nobu Malibu at least once. The iconic celeb-loved sushi spot, located on a wood deck overlooking Carbon Beach, Nobu Malibu is as sceney as it is delicious. When dining at Nobu, it is best to be an adventurous eater. Ask your waiter what they recommend, but be sure to try the Malibu crispy rice with tuna, and to be seated nearest the ocean.

Orsa & Winston Asian Fusion - Gallery Row 122 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Orsa & Winston is Chef Josef Centeno’s second downtown L.A. restaurant, located directly beside his first, Bar AMÁ, a TexMex cantina, and named for Centeno’s two dogs, who regularly check-in on the establishment. Orsa & Winston features a hyper-creative menu of Japanese-meetsItalian dishes. For something more casual, try one of their à la carte katsu sandwiches or grain bowls, such as their tsukune chicken-burger sando with cheese. But if you're willing to splurge, Orsa & Winston offers a 5-course tasting menu for $125 per person.

Pine and Crane Taiwanese - Silver Lake 1521 Griffith Park Blvd, LA, CA 90026

Pine & Crane is a fast-casual Taiwanese restaurant offering authentic Taiwanese food with vegetarian and vegan options. Serving a mixture of small plates and noodles & rice dishes, Pine & Crane has options for people looking to grab a quick bite and those looking to have a full meal. Of course, their pan-fried pork buns and spicy shrimp wontons are a must. They also have an extensive list of teas, beer, wine, and sake.

Quiadaiyn Restaurant Mexican - Mar Vista 12326 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066

"Quiadaiyn" was the name given to owner Melissa Martinez's grandfather's mountain home in Oaxaca, Mexico, and what her family named her restaurant to honor him. Quiadaiyn Restaurant is Martinez ’s first restaurant after over ten years of being in the catering business, owning and operating Leimert Park's Melissa's Catering with her parents. The restaurant’s back patio is a great, quiet place for a first date, or dinner with friends and family. Everything is made from scratch, including their traditional Mexican mole sauce.

République French - La Brea-Hancock 624 South La Brea Ave, LA, CA 90036

Serving modern French plates on communal tables, République is led by Chef Walter Manzke, who learned to cook with his family ’s backyard produce in San Diego. Manzke opened the restaurant in 2011 with his wife, Margarita. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, brunch at République is a delicious experience. People wait in lines for their homemade pastries. The Spanish-style building of République was constructed in 1928 for Charlie Chaplin as a business investment, and while modernized, the building’s 1920s style architecture shines through.

Sonoratown Mexican - The Fashion District 208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

After the California Gold Rush in 1850, Mexican immigrants settled in what is today L.A. ’s Chinatown, but then referred to as "Sonoratown. " The restaurant was built in 2016 to honor those immigrants and serve delicious Mexican food in the style of San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora, a city in northern Mexico. The menu is small but delicious. Try Sonoratown’s iconic burrito 2.0, served with your choice of meat, chunky guacamole, Monterey Jack cheese, pinto beans, and chiltepin salsa.

The Apple Pan Diner - West Los Angeles 10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

The Apple Pan has been serving classic American fare from burgers to pies from its tiny but iconic U-shaped counter since 1947. In 2019, The Apple Pan was sold to Irving and Shelli Azoff, with the condition they would preserve the food and character of The Apple Pan and keep all the employees. The Azoffs are music industry moguls - Irving, a longtime artist manager for the Eagles and Steely Dan, and Shelli, a managing partner of The Madison Square Garden Company. Despite the change in ownership, The Apple Pan remains the same as intended. A first-timer should try their iconic steak burger served with their homemade secret sauce, and of course, a slice of apple pie.

Urth Caffé Coffee Shop - The Arts District 459 S Hewitt St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Urth Caffé is an L.A. European cafeteria-style café chain offering healthconscious food, including organic, heirloom coffees, fine teas, brunch options, and pastries. Urth works directly with suppliers in Africa, Japan, and South America to make and supply their unique roasts. The quality Urth provides separates them from other cafés. Angelenos can be found in Urth having brunch with friends, working on a screenplay, or picking up their morning fuel to-go. From their avocado toast to their unique pizza options and their lasagna, Urth has something for everyone to enjoy.

Villa Corona Mexican - Atwater Village 3185 Glendale Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90039

Tacos Villa Corona serves breakfast and lunch Mexican fare out of their colorful counter-serving location near Griffith Park. Known for their $5 potato-filled burritos, Tacos Villa Corona is a great place to grab a cheap breakfast or lunch. There is no seating, so be prepared to take them to go, eat on the sidewalk outside the restaurant, or picnic in Griffith Park. They are closed Monday and are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. the rest of the week, but it is best to arrive before 2 p.m. as they sometimes run out of food.

Wirtshaus German Restaurant German - Fairfax 345 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Wirtshaus German Restaurant is a great place to celebrate Oktoberfest in L.A., join in on the party in one of their many Bavarian Nights or soccer watch parties. Their menu features authentic schnitzel, sausages, potato pancakes, currywurst, and pretzels. They also feature over 35 German beers. While waiting on food, play “Around the World” on their ping pong table, or relax in their outdoor Biergarten.

X’tiosu Kitchen Lebanese - Boyle Heights 923 Forest Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90033

Started by brothers Felipe and Ignacio Zapotec, X’tiosu Kitchen serves healthy Lebanese-style fast food with a twist of inspiration from their Oaxacan heritage. Their chicken shawarma tacos, made with a corn tortilla, chicken, onion, cilantro, and arabesque salsa, is arguably the most delicious menu item and is best washed down with house-made agua fresca.

Yuca’s Mexican - Los Feliz 2056 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Known for its Yucatán-style cooking, Yuca’s is a no-frills taco hut that started more like a burger stand, serving hamburgers, hot dogs, French fries, falafel, and steak sandwiches - much more like their previous restaurant menu when they ran a Middle Eastern joint. Eventually, the owner Socorro Herrera’s Yucatán heritage started to take over the menu, and they became known for their carne asada (grilled steak) and carnitas (shredded pork) burritos. You can still order a Yuca’s hamburger, but everyone needs to try their side of Yucatán style tamales, which are only available on Saturdays.

Zinqué French - West Hollywood West 8684 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90048

Zinqué is a community hub for great European food in a warm and charming atmosphere with a welcoming patio. This counter-ordering spot serves upscale breakfast, lunch, and dinner with several authentic-tasting items to choose from, along with many French-Californian fusion meals. For an authentic French meal, try their leek and gruyère quiche. For something more Californian, try their prawn tacos.