Los Angeles' 17 Best Neighborhoods for Eating, Ranked

The sprawl of Los Angeles can sometimes seem a daunting feat on an empty stomach , but thankfully the county feature a rich hodgepodge of neighbourhood pack with phenomenal eating address – so long as you ’re willing to brave out the dealings . We zig - zagged across the culinary landscape painting to bring you the best focal points and place them based on the denseness of special and exciting eateries , giving bonus point for eclectic variety . Chances are you ’ll be inquire about some of the smaller enclaves such as Little Ethiopia or the great Native American slur in Artesia , but we decide they were a flake too one - note . And whileLong Beachundoubtedly has some great berth , we felt it has n’t quite collect enough destination eating house .

17. Boyle Heights/East LA

of the essence restaurant : Guisados , Mariscos Jaliscos , La Azteca Tortilleria , Vaka Burgers

If you ’re looking for some of LA ’s best tacos , tortas , and burritos – in a Ithiel Town full of great – you ’ll find a premium of legends just east of the LA River . From the shrimp tacos dorados and aquachile of the Mariscos Jalisco truck to the downlike tortillas of La Azteca Tortilleria ’s burritos , it ’s intemperate to go far without find out an unassuming goldmine . And fresh - school spots like the original localisation of Guisados with their deep fret and thick tortillas or the loom feasts of Vaka Burgers are helping to gestate the siren call of the area ’s delectable options further across LA . That enunciate , the river still seems to stand as psychological roadblock to many itinerant eaters , and there has n’t been quite the human body up of new eateries as the neighboring Arts District .

16. Chinatown

Essential restaurants : Pok Pok LA , Howlin ’ shaft , Philippe The Original , The Little Jewel Of New Orleans

One of LA ’s older intellectual nourishment - centric destination , Chinatown is in the early stages of a striking revival after X of disregard and with it comes an exciting and eclectic mix of options . Much of the recent excitation has been focalize on Far East Plaza where you ’ll find Roy Choi’sChego , the desired Nashville hot chicken of Howlin ’ Ray ’s , the Taiwanese street food of recently openedLao Tao , modern chuck coming from culinary incubatorUnit 120 , and several others . Just around the nook you ’ll find hearty po - boys at The Little Jewel of New Orleans , and further down the road the iconic French dips of Philippe The Original . Wander in the other way and you ’ll find Portland ’s famed Thai daub Pok Pok , while up the mound is Eastside Market Italian Deli , a classic remanent from LA ’s former Little Italy . And if you ’re feel nostalgic , there ’s always slippery half-pint atYang Chow .

15. Highland Park

Essential eatery : Maximiliano , Good Girl Dinette , Sonny ’s Hideaway , El Huarache Azteca

This northeastern hood is full of sight of older - school pet , more late foodie destinations , and what seems like a buzzy new opening every week . So while it ’s an exciting space to eat , it has n’t quite reached the top 10 ( yet ) – and we distrust longtime locals are totally nerveless with that . At El Huarache Azteca , you ’ll find the Mexico City - flair huaraches – sandal - shape masa topped with beans , pith or veggies , crumbled cotija cheese , and other fixings . Maximiliano hooks you up with splendid Ellen Price Wood - dismiss pizzas and handmade pastas , Good Girl Dinette has your American - diner - meets - Vietnamese comfort transportation , while pallidly lit Sonny ’s Hideaway offers sublime gastropub morsel . You ’ll also require to keep an heart on recent possible action likeRamen of York , Recess Eatery , andCafe Birdiefor your a la mode fresh spots .

14. South LA

Essential Restaurant’s : Phillip ’s Bar - B - Que , Coni’Seafood , Orleans & York Deli , Post & Beam

While the geographical scope of South LA does n’t make for a big walkable eating destination , the magnetics of the region ’s top spots is hard to resist . The lure of slow - smoked goodness in the ribs and brisket of Phillip ’s BBQ is undeniable , while the smoked marlin tacos and ceviche of Coni’Seafood are essentials . You ’ll find awful po - boy and subs at Orleans & York , towering patties atHawkins House of Burgers , drool - suitable chicken & waffle atThe Serving SpoonandPann ’s , and soulfulness food classic at places like Post & Beam and Harold & Belle ’s . On 2nd mentation , maybe a brisk base on balls would be advisable after such square grub .

13. Silver Lake

Essential restaurants : Night + Market Song , Alimento , Cliff ’s Edge , Cafe Stella

Silver Lake has systematically remained a authentic eating goal with a divers range of options within walk space , and that ’s true now more than ever . Some of LA ’s most creative Italian menu is going down at Alimento , while Thai street food has been take to new heights at Night + Market Song ( both position also happen to have two of the city ’s bestfried chicken sandwich ) . The amorous , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - continue patio of Cliff ’s Edge stay on a quintessential brunch address , while French stalwart Cafe Stella has date nighttime write all over it . And if you ’re in need of a seafood fix , look no further thanL&E OysterandKnuckle & Claw .

12. Thai Town/Little Armenia/Los Feliz

Essential restaurants : Jitlada , Carousel , picayune Dom’s , Yuca’s , Messhall

With the curries and noodles of the only official Thai Town in the US overlapping with the bakeries and kabobs of Little Armenia , you already make love you ’re in a great place to consume . tally to that the nearby sidewalk patio and first-class eateries of walker - friendly Los Feliz , and you wo n’t be walk far for your next memorable meal . The extensive offerings and off - computer menu Jazz burger of cult favored Jitlada only scratch up the surface of the region ’s Thai specialties . Down the street you ’ll find the lamajunes ( fundamentally mini Armenian pizza pie ) of Taron Bakery or the giving kebab platters of Carousel and the rotisserie chicken of crowd favoriteZankou . Or you could meander up Vermont or Hillhurst boulevard for a smorgasbord of neighborhood place like taco rack legend Yuca ’s or the next date / brunch smirch of lilliputian Dom ’s and Messhall .

11. Ventura Blvd

Essential restaurants : The Bellwether , Barrel & Ashes , Ramen by Omae , Asanebo

While you could roam the immense area of the San Fernando Valley in search of good chow , we determine that Ventura Blvd serves as an excellent divining rod to navigate the Valley ’s best . From the exceptional omakase of Asanebo or the smoky brisket and tri - tip of Barrel & Ashes in Studio City , to the fire miso stock of Ramen by Omae and the charred octopus and other internationally minded transportation at vicinity darling The Bellwether , there ’s no deficit of top - ledge options along the boulevard .

10. Culver City

Essential restaurants : Father ’s Office , Lukshon , The Cannibal , Hatchet Hall

Culver City seems to have a habit of go through waves of bonanza and bust every few years with several notable eating place shut down in the last few months alone . gratefully though , some definitive spot have held on while new exciting fledgling – specially on the outskirts of Downtown Culver – show promise of stay power , help to keep it in the top 10 . consider all you want about the city ’s right beefburger , but Father ’s Office really kicked off the recent gourmet Warren E. Burger trend and is still a worthy rival , while Chef Sang Yoon ’s neighboring spot Lukshon remains a go - to spot for upscale Southeast Asian greatness . If you ’re in hunting of house - cure heart , nozzle - to - tail feast , and an harebrained selection of wiliness beer , then make your way recent NY - graft The Cannibal . And if you ’re in need of Southern - inspired fare with a twist like cornbread with shishitos or electrocute quail with persimmon , attend no further than Hatchet Hall .

9. South Bay

of the essence eating house : Love & Salt , MB Post , The Standing Room , Ichimi Ann Bamboo Garden

All correctly , we get it : the South Bay is a big area and each city has a collection of bang ( and misses ) , but together with the culinary power of the area is stronger . So , let ’s just hold to split the Uber and eat some incredible food for thought . Whether it ’s the addictive bucatini and duck testis pizza at Love & Salt , or the mussel with immature curry at MB Post , the silly burger from The Standing Room or the legendary udon from Ichimi Ann Bamboo Garden , we ’re down for a food tour through the South Bay any day .

8. Sawtelle/Westwood Blvd

Essential restaurants : Tsujita , Plan Check , Farsi Café , Attari Sandwich Shop

If you were to be blindfolded and dropped along Sawtelle Blvd . somewhere between Olympic and Santa Monica boulevards , you ’d have a great opportunity of stumbling upon an excellent meal ( adopt you ’re ok eating blindfolded ) . While officially known as Sawtelle Japantown and domicile to excellent sushi , Japanese curries , izakaya place and some of the cities best ramen at places like Tsujita , you ’ll also stumble upon bully choices for Taiwanese , Formosan , Korean , and Vietnamese eats . you’re able to even grab burgers at Plan Check or stellar southerly vittles atFlores & Sons . Then it ’s just a light Uber ride over to Westwood Blvd , along a stretching get it on as Little Tehran , where you ’ll find Persian kabobs and much more at places like Farsi Café , and laughably right tongue sandwiches at Attari Sandwich Shop .

7. West Hollywood/Beverly Grove/Fairfax

crucial restaurants : Lucques , Connie & Ted’s , Animal , Terrine

The area bordered by Doheny Dr and Fairfax Ave to the west and east , and Sunset Blvd and West Third St to the north and Dixie , rein some seriously culinary star power . When you ’ve got places like hail Cal - Mediterranean bistro Lucques , the outstanding seafood of Connie & Ted ’s , the carnivore - centric Animal , and the olympian French - leaning menu and patio of Terrine , you ’re in good company . Sure , you have to elude some unsatisfying trendy spots , but more often than not , you ’ll score heavy in these parts .

6. Santa Monica/Malibu

all-important eating place : Cassia , Bay Cities , Malibu Seafood , Nobu

While you may need to occasionally dodge hordes of holidaymaker , you may go from fantastic high - end spots in Santa Monica like Cassia andTar & Rosesto trusted luncheon legend like Bay Cities andTacos Punta Cabrasand all points in between without much trouble . If you ’re in need of a seafood fix , head further up the PCH to the fish shack with a opinion Malibu Seafood or go for the sushi amber with Nobu . surely , the dealings can be brutal at times , but the pay off around here is worth it .

5. Koreatown

substantive restaurants : Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong , POT , Guelaguetza , Beer Belly

Koreatown has a mind - bending plethora of incredible spot to eat up that are n’t just fix to KBBQ legends like Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong or more New spins like Roy Choi ’s POT – even though those alone are worth the visit . you could also junket on Oaxacan moles and tlayudas at Guelaguetza , or spicy wing and duck fatty french fries at Beer Belly . Or maybe you ’re in need of the excellent Salvadorian pupusas atJaraguá , or the $ 1 oysters atEMC Seafood & Raw Bar . Any direction you head , there ’s a huge range of delicious feast in store .

4. San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena

Essential eatery : Din Tai Fung , Chengdu Taste , Union , Pie ' n Burger

You could devote weekend after weekend to exploring the Chinese , Taiwanese , and other Asian eateries of the San Gabriel Valley like Din Tai Fung and Chendu Taste , and still feel like you were just scratching the open of the tremendous offerings . ( Also , can you ask in us along next weekend ? ) And if you ’re journey out the 210 freeway to explore all of those gems , you might as well carve out time to explore the riches of surpassing eats in Pasadena , like chef Bruce Kalman ’s stunning porchetta at Union or the irresistible jazz group of classic mainstay Pie ‘ n Burger .

3. Hollywood

Essential eating place : Pizzeria Mozza , Trois Mec , Baroo , Papilles

While you might think more of social club and gang when venturing into Hollywood , the neighborhood is packedwith some of LA ’s most exciting newfangled eateries , and the numbers are only produce . From the unbelievable pizza , pastas , and cured meats of the Mozza mini - conglomerate , it ’s just a short walk to the one - two French punch of Trois Mec and Petit Trois . And address hidden strip - mall gems , the fermented wonders and caryopsis bowls of Baroo and the flyspeck French spot Papilles are worth venturing off the worn path to explore .

2. Venice

Essential eating house : Gjelina , The Tasting Kitchen , Scopa Italian Roots , Leona

Venice seems to be in a perpetual province of reinvention – athrillingordevastatingtrend depend on whom you ask – but one thing stay constant : a in high spirits density of creative and delicious spots to eat . From the Neapolitan pies and patio of Gjelina to the charcuterie and seafood for The Tasting Kitchen , and the hearty coney tagliatelle of Scopa Italian tooth root or the lamb belly won ton and kimchee latke of Leona , you ’d be well served to hop on a bicycle and sail through Venice on a culinary tour .

1. Downtown/Arts District/Little Tokyo

substantive eating house : Grand Central Market , Broken Spanish , Bestia , Daikokuya

While it may seem unjust to call on over the No . 1 spot to a three - elbow room sleeper , the tremendous feeding potential of these three neighborhoods is difficult to parse out due to their proximity . It seems like virtually every hebdomad an exciting raw spot open in Grand Central Market , while late Downtown opening like Broken Spanish have drawn not only local extolment , but deserve national attention . The streets and warehouses of the Arts District no longer hang tranquil at nighttime , but are fertile ground for successes like Bestia and Factory Kitchen . And you ’d be remiss in planning a feast business district without considering the must - visit classics like ramen at Daikokuya orHama Sushi .

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