Los Angeles is overflowing with good food. From taco trucks to Michelin-starred restaurants, LA boasts a mouthwatering array of delicious dining for any budget. Here’s a quick guide on where to eat in LA, including everywhere I ate for my four-day vacation in LA, a small sampling of all the foodie favorites scattered throughout Los Angeles county.
Where to Eat in LA Day One – Dinner at the Market
We arrived in LA on a Thursday evening, and after a four-hour drive was looking for something fast and casual. Feeling peckish, we ventured to somewhere I knew had an array of food that was fast, casual, and easy — the LA Farmer’s Market.
Dinner: The Original Farmer’s Market at the Grove
The Farmer’s Market is home to over 100 food vendors, restaurants, and grocers, hosting everything from French crepes to clam chowder. Of the several stalls we visited, my personal favorite was Danny Trejo’s Taco stand, Trejo’s Tacos, which serves up a variety of tacos, including multiple vegan options. The vegan Horchata was the highlight of the evening, sweet and creamy in a perfect balance to the spicy acidity of the (giant) tacos.
Being a Thursday night, the market was pleasantly empty. While it also meant not all the stalls were open, we were free to move around and quickly order different foods.
Where to Eat in LA Day Two – West Hollywood & Miracle Mile
Breakfast: Breakfast Republic, West Hollywood
You know when you eat something, and then months later you find yourself thinking about it? Wishing you had it right then and there? Maybe it comes to you in a dream and you wake up in a puddle of your own drool. You try to find a replacement to hold you over, but nothing quite compares. This is how I feel about the Vegan Eggs Benedict at Breakfast Republic. Hollandaise, fatty sausage, a sweet and spicy jam slathered all over. Simply incredible.
Too dramatic for a breakfast plate? It may seem that way until you’ve gone years without a good eggs benny and then happen upon this plate of heaven. Since I had this breakfast I’ve thought about it at least once a week since. Highly recommend.
Their vegan breakfast options are life-changing, clearly, but they offer plenty of omnivore/carnivore options as well. Do you want a life-changing breakfast? Look no further. This is the place.
Lunch: Yuko Kitchen, Miracle Mile
Transport out of the hustle of LA into an artsy esthetic woodland fairy hideaway at Yuko Kitchen. Located off Miracle Mile, on the corner of an alley sits Yuko Kitchen. The space is small, but the ceilings are high, and a forest of indoor plants threatening to take over. Hayao Miyazaki films play silently in the background. Grab an authentic cup of Gen Maicha and enjoy affordable sushi and sashimi options. After two days of wandering (and driving) around the packed streets of LA, Yuko Kitchen was a welcome reprieve. We left full and refreshed.
Dinner: La Boheme, West Hollywood
La Boheme puts out the trendy vibes you’d expect from a restaurant in West Hollywood. Parking is difficult, and the outdoor seating is plentiful. I’d recommend taking an Uber, or settling for valet parking as we did.
La Boheme offers live music on Friday and Saturday nights inside the restaurant. The atmosphere is dark and romantic inside, with dim lighting and loud music. The menu offers favorites like the salmon filet and tender steak. A notable favorite appetizer was the vegan squash blossoms, stuffed with a vegan ricotta substitute. La Boheme was a great spot to enjoy dinner and hang out with friends.
Where to Eat in LA Day 3 – Old Favorites and a New Adventure
Breakfast: Met Her at a Bar
I come here every time I visit LA. Frequented by celebs like Adam Sandler, Met Her at a Bar is known for its innovative waffle combinations, like dessert-worthy OMG Oreo Fudge Waffle (with vanilla ice cream and Oreos) to spins on breakfast classics as I Miss You Waffle and Lox, which takes the classic bagel and lox and places it on a waffle. The Huevos Rancheros is a delicious deconstructed version of a classic. The lattes and atmosphere are killers, making it a great spot for a casual breakfast with friends.
Lunch: Farmer’s Market at the Grove
Still full from breakfast and exhausted from days of adventuring, we traversed back to old reliable for lunch — The Farmer’s Market at the Grove. Having visited on Thursday evening our first day, the experience on a Saturday afternoon was completely different. This place gets packed! Tables are full, lines are long and it’s more difficult to navigate through the maze of amazing food vendors.
Ultimately though, it’s always worth it. There’s something incredibly enticing about the idea of making a meal of snacks from different vendors. Today we enjoyed a crepe from The French Crepe Company, a Farmers Market Original, and a smoothie from a juice stand.
Dinner: Warrior on Sunset Blvd.
Conveniently located by the Roxy Theater in Hollywood, Warrior offers an upscale take on Chinese-American cuisine. We made the mistake of thinking the ‘To Share’ section on the menu was personal entrees. Honestly, I’ve never seen such a big plate of orange chicken in my life. Generous portions, killer views out over Hollywood, and intense ambiance. Incredible service as well.
Recommendation: Warrior is best enjoyed by a larger party, ordering plates as indicated — to share! If coming as a couple or small party, take the menu’s advice and order an appetizer and then something to share.
Where to Eat in LA Day 4 – Breakfast at an LA Diner
Breakfast: Hugo’s Diner, West Hollywood
For our last morning in LA, we chose a casual spot, Hugo’s in West Hollywood. This restaurant boasts a classic diner feel infused with LA vibes (think healthy) and a plethora of legitimate vegan dining options. Hugo’s is a reliable spot for any meal and a local favorite, including a full bar for any of your late-night desires. Great espresso and tea to boot!
