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California Eateries - by a local!
53
items As an LA Native, I’ve been a big fan of the food found all over my state!! These are my favorite spots I go to time and time again - both in LA and otherwise
Map
Sections
4
Los Angeles
Ojai
Santa Barbara
San Diego
Los Angeles
You may think of this as a basic b*tch answer but I am ride or die for sugarfish. The food is always fresh, clean, and goes down sooooo easy. I could eat here every day of the week if it weren’t for mercury poisoning and potentially bankrupting mysel...
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa
Anajak Thai has been around for decades - in high school this was the spot we’d go to afterschool to have the best noodles of all time. They grew their own herbs in pots outside! It’s been a decade since, and they were finally recognized as one of th...
Anajak Thai | Thai Food in Sherman Oaks
All I can say is get the crispy morning glory salad. I have dreams about that salad!!!
Jitlada Restaurant
Sure Bacari silver lake is lovely too, but I like the Sherman Oaks location better! It’s never quite as crowded and the food and vibes are still amazing. The shareable Mediterranean bites are delish - I always go for the brunch and get double chickpe...
Sherman Oaks
This restaurant was a big part of my childhood! I grew up with an Italian mother - from Italy- and she was PICKY about Italian restaurants in California. Ca del Sole always got the stamp of approval from her! You literally can’t miss with the pastas
Ca Del Sole
This is the best place for a sloppy, saucy sandwich - aka the BEST kind. It’s an American Italian kinda fare, but I say that with love because they KNOW I want plenty of sauce on my chicken parm sandwich
Ggiata Delicatessen
This is hands down the best KBBQ spot in Los Angeles. It’s worth going with a big group, knowing you may have to wait outside in the parking lot for a table - but I have personally also gone with a small group of 3 and we gorged ourselves on the bulg...
Park's BBQ
These guys make a lunch and dinner bento box directly from the gods above - I have a hard time picking any other place when I’m in Pasadena, because this spot calls to me time and time again.
Osawa
I’ve not had a lot experience with German food or beer - but this spot has every type of sausage a girl could want. They have adventurous choices (highly recommend boar or elk) - but they also do a schnitzel and spatzle that rock. The beer flight tas...
Wirtshaus German Restaurant & Beer Garden
I have this thing where if I need to communicate with staff at a restaurant through a series of pointing and smiling because we speak different languages, I know the food is gonna rock my world. This is what I love so much about being in California. ...
Beijing Pie House北京餡餅
My friends and I are BIG soup people, therefore we are massive fans of a good Pho. This place? Amazing - and you can get some great fried tofu to boot. You’ll always end up waiting a little while for a table, but it’s so worth it!
Golden Deli San Gabriel
Do you love LA history? Do you love Italian food? Do you love good vibes? Do you love low lighting and great drinks? This is the spot. I can easily overlook the annoying valet parking situation for some Pace pastas and pizzas. I love this restaurant,...
Pace
1 word - Omakase. It’s pricey, but it’s WORTH the price!
Asanebo - 11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, California
This cutie coffee shop/store has been around for ages - it’s just got the right vibes. The coffee is good, the quiches are great, it’s a lovely little spot to sit and goss with friends on a Saturday morning
Marie et Cie.
Yet another choice that feels obvious, but if you’ve never had dumpling at this spot idk what you’re even doing! And actually, my favorite item on the menu? The woodear mushrooms - I order 3 plates just for myself. Hiiiiighly recommend. Veg friendly,...
Din Tai Fung
Burbank is a fascinating place to me - there are so many food options and yet only two I like, Mama Hong’s being one of them! I’m a big fan of the pho here, as well - I do an all beef ball one - don’t think about that too hard.
Mama Hong's
My other go-to Burbank pick! I love this place before a movie because they have great lunch specials. I’m a huge fan of Hawaiian Mac salad and they have a really good one. You can’t go wrong with the Hawaiian bbq chicken plate!
Moana Hawaiian BBQ
Listen, far be it for me, a west coaster born and raised to have a valid opinion on BBQ, but Bludso’s is fricken GOOOOOOOOOD!
Bludso's BBQ
Jon & Vinny’s is a fairly well known spot nowadays for good reason! I skip the pizzas and go straight for the spicy rigatoni and the corn agnolotti every. single. time.
Jon & Vinny's Fairfax
Not to bring up my Italian mother again, but she likes the pizza here which should be good enough for all of us. They do classic Neapolitan style pizzas and they fricken rock. There are a few of these around LA!
Pizzana
This is a spot my boyfriend and I hit up all the time - they do a fun Indian/Mexican fusion with some of their dishes! Our favorite is the Chana burrito! This spot is fun because they also own the grocery store next door, and they have some very cool...
King Of India (Amaravathi)
I’ve added this one as a bit of an inside joke and a bit completely honestly. This chain TOOK OFF in LA - and the joke is that every writers room in LA orders this for lunch constantly. It’s true, too, I work in TV. However they have some sandwiches ...
Mendocino Farms
I can’t even begin to tell you how many times I’ve had food here - you genuinely cannot miss with this menu. I’m not recommending any specific item because you should go in and try it all for yourself!
The Sisters Cafe LA – Vietnamese and Asian fusion
This is another popular lunch spot for me - I go simple with a nice chicken kebab plate. For me, the star of the show here is the garlic sauce. I want this garlic sauce on everything I eat forever. It’s sacrilegious to say but I actually prefer this ...
Sidewalk Grill
I love LA for its Thai restaurants. We have so, so many delicious Thai spots and this one has to go on the list. It’s been a staple in Hollywood for ages and it’s a great time!
Palms Thai Restaurant
No joke my boyfriend and I have come here twice for our anniversary dinners. This spot is a Thai/Japanese fusion and it’s delicious. It’s so much fun to order a roll and a noodle. My favorite menu item, though, is the Four Diplomats appetizer taster ...
Gindi Thai Restaurant / Sushi / Bar
Girl, I know, I’m recommending so many Thai places. I am just such a fan. This spot is very no-nonsense and DELISH. Also, they’re open until 2 am so after hitting some Hollywood bars, nothing is better than this.
Sanamluang Cafe Hollywood
Thai again! Sorry! Not sorry! This spot has the best fried tofu in LA. The spicy eggplant is also a big fave of mine. Thank you Thai restaurants of LA for being so damn good!
Sapp Coffee Shop Thai Restaurant
My best friend’s grandfather is a Japanese immigrant who has lived in CA for 50+ years now and he is always on a hunt for the best Japanese spots in town. He recommended this spot to us and we never looked back. Iki ramen is the best ramen in town, t...
IKI RAMEN
It’s not a true LA food list if Roscoe’s isn’t on it. It speaks for itself - your best order is in the title. Prepare to be so happy
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
This one is another bit of LA history as you eat. This is a classic texmex spot - where you might end up sitting next to Quentin Tarantino unexpectedly. It’s got kitsch but it’s also got style!
El Coyote
I’m talking kebab here, these are some damn good kebabs. This casual spot is a hidden gem if you ask me!
Al Basch Chicken
Go to Eataly - whenever you are somewhere with an Eataly, do it! I personally love the rooftop restaurant at our LA Eataly - you can go for a quick drink or get some pasta and look out over the hills!
Terra at Eataly L.A.
Sawtelle is full of some of the best food in the city - I recommend walking up and down the street and trying everything. I know Marugame is an Udon chain but my GOD it’s good. I go for the classic Nikutama but I love snagging some tempura chicken an...
Marugame Udon
Yeah, this is another chain. Yeah, it’s a corporate wild time. But here’s the thing - it’s CONVEYOR BELT SUSHI. Are you hungry the minute you sit down? Fab, snag the first plate to go past you! Win a keychain or something if you eat 15 plates! I love...
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Talk about another local place that’s been around a while! I love the friendly vibe of The Great Greek - the wait staff is always so lovely - and the avgolemono soup? 🤌🤌🤌 love love love
The Great Greek
Oyster and sake fans, this one’s for you! You get a great view of Santa Monica in this spot, while you slurp!
Blue Plate Oysterette
Do you love homemade pasta? Same! This is the spot for you! The red beet ravioli are THE thing to get!
Colapasta Restaurant
This is a fun neighborhood spot for AYCE sushi - it’s so reasonably priced and tasty. They also have a fun disco ball thing going on for birthdays! My pro tip? Get all of the nigiri and limit your rolls - the nigiri fish to rice ratio is perfect for ...
Hikari Sushi Chatsworth
This is a very casual Mediterranean spot in the cutest part of Atwater - but honestly? The fried chicken! Get that!
Dune
Admittedly, LA is full of mediocre diners but Nat’s is NOT that. It’s been around for ages, and it’s clear when you walk in that locals of the area love this place - there’s always a wait but it’s always worth it. The freshly baked muffins, eggs Bene...
Nat's Early Bite
Ojai
Besides the fact that I’ve ended up sat near Marisa Tomei more than once somehow (hi queen)- this spot has a little bit of everything you love. Personally, I get the steak, something I don’t usually go for! The vibe is so cute, too!
Rory's Place
Another Rory’s? Yea! This is the next door lunch spot with baked goods, coffee, tinned fish, and bowls abound! Personally I love the pork belly korean rice bowl.
Rory's Other Place
The Dutchess pretty quickly became a staple in Ojai - you can do a fun breakfast with coffee and pastries OR come back for dinner with a delish selection of Burmese food. The interior is also gorgeous and a great spot to post up and do some people wa...
The Dutchess
Not even kidding this is my favorite açaí bowl in all of California. I go for the Awesome bowl, it’s got cacao granola and a peanut butter drizzle I dream about at night. Every time I come to Ojai, this is my very first stop! The medium sized bowl is...
Revel - Kombucha Bar and Acai
You’ve heard of wine tasting but have you ever heard of olive oil tasting? I hadn’t, but it’s SO much fun. You have to be a fan of bread, olive oil, and balsamics - but it’s heaven if you are! So decently priced too!
Ojai Olive Oil
Santa Barbara
This is my brunch spot whenever I’m staying in Santa Barbara - you order at a window and sit out by the patio but my gooooodness is it tasty! I’ve mentioned before that I’m an eggs Benedict fan - that’s always what I get here!
The Shop Brunch
This is another spot where you wait in line and order at a counter - but we are talking GOOD tacos. I usually come here and order to go and eat on the beach! The carne asada and al pastor are my go-to’s regardless of if I’m picking tacos or a burrito...
Mony's Mexican Food
Usually I’m not a smash burger kinda gal (I’m sorry!) but this place makes them SO well - on top of that, the ambiance here is unmatched! You get to sit out on a huge patio with a beer as cute families and dogs and kiddos and Santa Barbarans hang wit...
Third Window Brewing Santa Barbara
San Diego
I ended up here after a very romantic day at the San Diego Zoo - I highly recommend the Jhol Soup chicken momo, which I had never had before! It’s tomato-y and delicious!
Taste of the Himalayas
A veeeery vibey brunch place where you can get some of those fluffy Japanese pancakes you’ve probably seen all over your TikTok feed! At least that’s what I had, and it was so satisfying!
Morning Glory
If you’ve never had Ethiopian food you are in for a TREAT! I personally am a veggie + meat combo girlie, but you can go full veggie if you need to!
Awash Ethiopian Restaurant
Another solid Italian spot! The carbonara is incredible! The vibes are so cute!
Elvira