Food and drink · Hub guide
Best Restaurants in Los Angeles: Local Food and Drink Guide
Los Angeles is one of the best places in the country to eat, and much of that food comes from taco trucks, strip malls and family restaurants. This guide sorts the city’s food scene by cuisine and neighborhood so you know where to go for what.
Eating in Los Angeles at a glance
- Signature foods Tacos, Korean barbecue, Thai, dim sum, ramen and burgers
- Best food halls Grand Central Market in Downtown, the Original Farmers Market in Fairfax
- Sunday markets Smorgasburg LA (10am to 4pm) and the Hollywood Farmers Market (8am to 1pm)
- Where to go for Korean food Koreatown, along Western Ave. and Olympic Blvd.
- Where to go for Chinese food The San Gabriel Valley, including Alhambra, San Gabriel and Monterey Park
- Reservations Recommended for popular dinner spots, especially Friday and Saturday
In this guide
- Tacos and Mexican food
- Korean barbecue and Koreatown
- Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley
- Thai Town and more Asian cuisines
- Food halls and markets
- Burgers, sandwiches and LA classics
- Fine dining and special occasions
- Coffee, bakeries and brunch
- Where to eat by neighborhood
- Tips for eating out in Los Angeles
- Restaurant week
- Frequently asked questions
- More guides
The best restaurants in Los Angeles range from tasting menus to taco stands that only open at night. You will eat well if you follow the neighborhoods: Koreatown for barbecue, the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese food, East Los Angeles and Boyle Heights for Mexican, Thai Town for Thai and Sawtelle for Japanese.
We keep this page as a hub. Our food and drink category has the newer posts, and the Los Angeles nightlife guide covers bars and late-night spots.
Tacos and Mexican food
Tacos are the city’s everyday food. Taco trucks and stands set up across the city, especially in the evening, and many of the best are cash-friendly and casual. Look for al pastor cooked on a vertical spit, carne asada, birria and mariscos. East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights and parts of South Los Angeles have some of the highest concentrations of stands.
For sit-down Mexican food, Oaxacan restaurants are a local favorite, with moles and tlayudas. Olvera Street in El Pueblo has long-running counters serving taquitos.
Korean barbecue and Koreatown
Koreatown is dense, walkable by LA standards and open late. Barbecue restaurants line Western Avenue, Olympic Boulevard and Sixth Street, and many stay busy well after 10pm. Go with a group so you can order several meats. Koreatown also has tofu soup houses, Korean fried chicken and dessert cafes. The D Line stops at Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/Normandie.
Chinese food in the San Gabriel Valley
East of Downtown, the San Gabriel Valley has a large number of Chinese restaurants, from Cantonese dim sum halls to Sichuan, Shanghainese and Taiwanese spots. Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park and Rowland Heights are good starting points. Dim sum is busiest on weekend mornings, so arrive early or expect a wait.
Thai Town and more Asian cuisines
Thai Town
Along Hollywood Boulevard in East Hollywood, with late-night noodle shops, boat noodles and Thai markets.
Sawtelle Japantown
On the Westside, known for ramen, udon, Japanese curry and dessert shops.
Little Tokyo
Downtown, with ramen, sushi, mochi and izakayas. The A and E Lines stop at Little Tokyo/Arts District.
Historic Filipinotown and beyond
Filipino, Vietnamese, Armenian, Ethiopian and Persian food all have strong followings in different parts of the city.
Food halls and markets
Grand Central Market in Downtown has been feeding Angelenos since 1917, with counters for tacos, sandwiches, noodles and more. The Original Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax is another good stop, next to The Grove.
On Sundays, Smorgasburg LA brings dozens of food vendors to ROW DTLA from 10am to 4pm, with free entry. The Hollywood Farmers Market runs 8am to 1pm at Ivar and Selma, with produce and prepared food.
Burgers, sandwiches and LA classics
Los Angeles has plenty of old-school spots that locals return to for decades: French dip sandwiches, pastrami, chili burgers and diners. In-N-Out has a cult following, and you will find a location near LAX where you can watch planes land. Ask locals which classic is closest to your hotel and you will get strong opinions.
Fine dining and special occasions
The city has a strong fine dining scene, including restaurants recognized by the Michelin Guide. Many of the best-known spots are in West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Downtown and Santa Monica. Book well ahead for weekend tables, and check whether the restaurant uses a set menu or deposits.
Coffee, bakeries and brunch
Brunch is a weekend ritual, and lines form early at popular spots in Silver Lake, Los Feliz, Venice and Santa Monica. The city also has a busy specialty coffee scene. For pastries, look for Armenian bakeries in Glendale, Mexican panaderias across the Eastside and Japanese bakeries near Sawtelle and Little Tokyo.
Where to eat by neighborhood
| Neighborhood | Known for |
|---|---|
| Koreatown | Korean barbecue, tofu soup, late-night food |
| San Gabriel Valley | Dim sum, Sichuan, Taiwanese |
| East LA and Boyle Heights | Tacos, Mexican seafood, panaderias |
| Thai Town | Thai noodles and late-night food |
| Sawtelle | Ramen, udon and Japanese desserts |
| Downtown | Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo, Arts District |
| Santa Monica and Venice | Seafood, brunch, California cooking |
Tips for eating out in Los Angeles
Dining tips
- Reserve popular spots. Weekend dinner tables at well-known restaurants book up, sometimes weeks ahead.
- Carry a card and some cash. Most places take cards, though a few stands and trucks prefer cash.
- Plan around traffic. A dinner across town at rush hour can take a long time to reach.
- Check for service charges. Some restaurants add a service or kitchen fee to the bill, which should be listed on the menu.
- Follow the line. A busy taco stand at night is usually a good sign.
Restaurant week
dineL.A. Restaurant Week usually runs twice a year with set menus at participating restaurants. Watch Discover Los Angeles for dates, and check our events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
What food is Los Angeles known for?
Tacos, Korean barbecue, Thai food, dim sum, ramen and burgers are some of the city’s best-known foods, along with California-style cooking built on farmers market produce.
Where is the best Korean barbecue in Los Angeles?
Koreatown, especially along Western Avenue, Olympic Boulevard and Sixth Street, has the highest concentration of Korean barbecue restaurants.
Where should I eat in Downtown Los Angeles?
Grand Central Market is an easy first stop. Little Tokyo and the Arts District are also close by.
Is Smorgasburg LA free?
Entry is free. You pay for food from individual vendors. It runs Sundays from 10am to 4pm at ROW DTLA.
Do I need reservations at Los Angeles restaurants?
For popular dinner spots on Fridays and Saturdays, yes. Casual places and taco stands do not take reservations.
Where can I find good dim sum near Los Angeles?
Head to the San Gabriel Valley, including Alhambra, San Gabriel, Monterey Park and Rowland Heights.
More guides
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- Events calendar
- Where to stay
- Nightlife
- Neighborhoods
- Getting around
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- Living in Los Angeles
- All Food & Drink posts
Photo credits
Featured image: NewtonCourt / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0