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Dining

Cafes

 • LaBrea Bakery Cafe, 624 South La Brea Avenue, (323) 939-6813 -
 • Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf -invented the Original Ice Blended coffee drinks that are now ubiquitous throughout the country.  
 • Phillipe the Original, 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90012. Aaaah...an LA landmark situated a couple of blocks north of Olvera St. and Union Station is a nostalgic shop with hay and sawdust covered floors.

Budget

Los Angeles abounds with inexpensive, authentic food that represents the culinary traditions of LA's many immigrant communities. In this regard, LA has any other city in North America, and probably the world, beat (and this from a New Yorker). You have to be willing to do a little legwork, go to neighborhoods you might not otherwise go to and often deal with charmless florescent-lit storefronts in strip malls, but your reward is hype-free, authentic cuisine from around the world served up at bargain prices.

Below are a few favorites, this list can not ever be considered complete -- restaurants open and close with regularity. Spot a restaurant that looks interesting, take a chance, and if it's good, write about it here. This section especially needs tips on Vietnamese, Korean, Iranian, Central/S. American and Japanese restaurants.

 • The Original Pantry Cafe 877 S Figueroa St. -- The Pantry boasts it has never closed or been without a customer since it first opened in 1924. (Want proof? The front entrance has no lock on it). Come here on any morning and you will see a line stretching around the block - the wait is worth it, and the fast service will have hot plate of food in front of you within minutes of sitting down.
 • Guelaguetza 3337 1/2 W 8TH St. For the best mole this side of Oaxaca, go to Guelaguetza in Koreatown. The interior of Guelaguetza is actually quite charming, and oftentimes a Mexican band is playing. But the star is the mole. Three types of mole on offer. Try them all, and from then forward when you are stuck eating an everyday lunch, you will dream of Guelaguetza.
 • Zankou Chicken You like Chicken? Single-handedly giving fast food a good name is this LA chain of Armenian restaurants, Zankou Chicken. For instance, for about $8 you can have the chicken tarna platter, which includes a pile of the most succulent, well-roasted chicken you have ever tasted, sliced into bits, pita, salad greens, pickles and peppers, and Zankou's trademark garlic paste. America will not truly taste freedom until every McDonalds in the land is replaced by a Zankou. Maybe half a dozen locations around LA.
 • The Thai restaurant behind the 7-11 on Hollywood Boulevard by the 101 By general, learned agreement, the most authentic Thai food in the States can be found at "the Thai restaurant behind the 7-11 on Hollywood Boulevard by the 101." That's how it is known. If you are not from LA, this can also serve as an introduction to LA-style directions. The pad Thai here is light and perfumed and the curries hot enough to kill. And by authentic, exactly that is meant... don't expect any catering to farang tastes here.
 • Paru 5140 W Sunset Blvd. For wonderful south Indian dhosas in a charming garden, try Paru. Good veg options.
 • Ramayani Westwood 1777 Westwood Blvd. Ramayani Westwood is a good choice for Indonesian, a cuisine that is strangely (Indonesia is the world's 4th largest country by population) and unfortunately rare in the States. Tasting menus available for the novice.
 • Senor Fish 422 E 1ST St. Not really authentic -- it's sort of a variation on Baja-style Mexican -- Senor Fish downtown does just one thing well, but they do it better than anyone. Luckily, that one thing is an important thing: grilled fish tacos. Grilled, not fried.
 • Henry's Tacos 11401 Moorpark St, North Hollywood -- This original taco stand (circa 1961) is one great reason to make the drive into the San Fernando Valley. It's cheap, authentic tacos served fast and hot, and have become legendary in the LA area.
 • Marty's Shack on the corner of Prosser and Pico Blvd. The only spot in Los Angeles that can out do Pink's chili. Also home of the Combo, which is a hot dog and hamburger all in the form of a hamburger, amazing.
 • Taco's Mexico These ubiquitous small, red & white taco stands serve typical Mexican fast food and a very low prices. They can be found almost everywhere but the Westside..probably because of the blaring Mexican polka music from the juke box :)
 • Grand Casino Bakery This is a simple, quaint little Argentine bakery in Culver City. The "Emapanadas" are really delicious and you can always find the big screen in the dining area tuned to any soccer match. 3826 Main St, Culver City

Superior Fast Food

There are some local fast food places that are universally acclaimed:

 • Original Tommy's at Rampart and Beverly near downtown for cheap chili burgers.
 • In-and-Out Burger
 • FatBurger famous for hamburgers topped with a fried egg.
 • El Pollo Loco Mexican food.
 • Busy Bee Market This has got to be the best sandwich deli in LA. The sandwiches are relatively inexpensive ($5 a sandwich) with generous portions of meat, served fast but really long lines during the lunch hour. Located at 2413 S. Walker Avenue, San Pedro (LA).

Mid-Range

 • Real Food Daily Vegetarians and vegans from the world over swear by Real Food Daily. Watch your favorite health and eco-conscious celebrity seal a deal over a seitan stir fry before darting off in their Mercedes SUV. Branches in Santa Monica and West Hollywood.
 • Alegria on Sunset Try Alegria on Sunset in Silverlake for their excellent, thoughtful, modern take on Mexican classics.
 • Canter's Deli Awesome Jewish deli on Fairfax, a few blocks north of 3rd. This place has been around for over 70 years and you'll know why if you stop by.
 • The Corner Place 2819 James M Wood Blvd (just east from the corner of Vermont) -- Good Korean BBQ at a really great price (around $20 is enough to stuff two people)! The decor isn't as fancy as the more expensive places, but it still has a certain charm about it. The menu's family-style, so one order is enough to feed 2 people. Like most Korean BBQ places, they'll bring the meat out for you to cook at your table and enjoy with your family and friends (but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tip). With your meal comes a variety of traditional Korean side dishes and a plate of julienned scallions to enjoy with your freshly grilled meat. For finicky eaters or those new to Korean food, the bulgoki (marinated beef) is always a good choice. On warmer days, or whenever you want a lighter meal, try having their cold noodle soup (white somen noodles in a cold soup of clear, non-spicy kimchi) with your meal instead of rice
• BCD Tofu House Various locations in Koreatown, Downtown, and Greater Los Angeles -- Their menu includes various types of soon tofu stews (at around $8) and combination meals that include other traditional Korean entrees (Korean BBQ, bibimbap, etc.) along with a small bowl of soon tofu stew (at around $11-$14). Each order comes with a bowl of rice and the standard array of traditional Korean side dishes served at most Korean restaurants. Service and atmosphere are always great (the decor at the location on Wilshire is particularly nice). For those new to eating soon tofu, especially at this restaurant, there is a certain order of things to follow in eating this meal (such as cracking the raw egg into the stew while it's still boiling, though it's up to you whether or not you want to add egg to your stew). So don't be afraid to wave your server down and ask questions (many Korean restaurants have implemented little wireless bells at each table in case you have a particularly hard time getting a hold of any servers). Several locations (including the 2 in Koreatown) are open 24 hours.
 • Langer's Deli, 704 S. Alvarado Street, (213) 483-8050 across the street from MacArthur Park. Their devoted patrons swear they make the best pastrami sandwiches in Los Angeles.
 • El Arco Iris, 5684 York Boulevard (90042) in Highland Park. For good Mexican food and margaritas in one of LA's oldest neighborhoods, visit this family restaurant.

Splurge

 • Matsuhisa 129 N La Cienega Blvd. The original restaurant of one of the most influential sushi chefs in the world.
 • Urasawa 218 North Rodeo Drive. When Masa Takayama relocated to New York, his assistant, Hiro Urasawa took over the space. The space still has the most expensive restaurant in California, but it's well worth it for sushi fanatics.