Restaurants in Los Angeles
It might be the spiritual home of the kale smoothie but there’s no shortage of places to get a decent meal in LA. As well as celeb-heavy eateries such as Ago, there’s cheap eats almost everywhere you look – and not all courtesy of local burger giant In-N-Out. Grand Central Market is home to a sea of tiny stalls selling everything from organic juice to Ecuadorean fare, while Silver Lake is the place to go for tasty vegan grub. Venice Beach's Abbot Kinney Boulevard is another good place to try and hobnob as stars and supper come as standard.
The Los Angeles restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over US$75)
Moderate (US$45 to US$75)
Cheap (up to US$45)
These Los Angeles restaurant prices are for a three-course meal and half a bottle of wine or equivalent. Not included is the 8.75% sales tax or a customary tip of 15-20%.
Expensive
Ago
Cuisine: ItalianPronounced 'AHHgo', this Tuscan-style restaurant co-owned by Robert de Niro attracts its fair share of stars. Delivered to your table by handsome Italian waiters, typical dishes include brick oven pizzas, bistecca (Italian steak) and porcini mushroom risotto, while the wine list is second to none. The extensive dessert menu includes a delicious ricotta cheesecake.
Address: West Hollywood, 8478 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90069Telephone: +1 323 655 6333.
Website: http://www.agorestaurant.com
POT
Cuisine: KoreanOne of LA's coolest new openings, POT sits within the ultra-hip Line Hotel and is the brainchild of local celebrity chef, Roy Choi. As the name suggests, food comes served in giant pots (although there are plenty of smaller accompaniments to be had), served to a seriously loud hip-hop soundtrack.
Address: Koreatown, 3515 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010Telephone: +1 213 368 3030.
Website: http://www.eatatpot.com
Providence
Cuisine: Fine-diningSince opening in 2005, Providence can boast two Michelin Stars and local acclaim for its seafood-focused menu and service that's almost unparalleled in the city. Chef Michael Cimarusti's tasting menu with wine pairings is worth every bit of its $325 price tag.
Address: , 5955 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, 90038Telephone: +1 323 460 4170.
Website: http://www.providencela.com
Spago
Cuisine: EuropeanDespite being fiendishly hard to book, and deliciously over-the-top within, Wolfgang Puck's Spago is still well worth a try – and that's entirely because the food is so good. It also attracts a seriously starry clientele and has a gorgeous central courtyard, complete with gnarled olive trees and a fountain.
Address: Beverly Hills, 176 North Cañon Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90210Telephone: +1 310 385 0880.
Website: http://www.wolfgangpuck.com
Moderate
Chaya Brasserie
Cuisine: Asian and MediterraneanA combination of Mediterranean and Asian fare, Chaya Brasserie is loved by Angelinos for its cool décor and (mostly) healthy menu. Tucked away in Venice Beach, it boasts a hip crowd pulled in by the lure of fresh fare and the odd bit of comfort food – the lobster and rock shrimp ravioli is worth the trip alone.
Address: Venice Beach, 8741 Alden Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90048Telephone: +1 310 859 8833.
Website: http://www.thechaya.com
Il Pastaio
Cuisine: ItalianOn a bustling corner, a stone's throw from Rodeo Drive, Il Pastaio is a favourite celebrity haunt, especially at lunchtime. Part of a small, family owned group of Italian restaurants in LA, it offers a mouth-watering array of handmade pastas, risottos and fish dishes. Tables are tightly packed but you can dine outside.
Address: Beverly Hills, 150 South Beverly Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90212Telephone: +1 310 271 0030.
Website: http://www.giacominodrago.com
Malibu Farm
Cuisine: AmericanNot, as the name suggests, an agricultural establishment but instead a seriously pretty café perched on the end of Malibu Pier. The apogee of California's healthy living ethos, all food is organic and sourced directly from local producers. The stunning Pacific views are worth the visit alone.
Address: Malibu, 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Los Angeles, CA 90265Telephone: +1 310 456 1112.
Website: http://www.malibu-farm.com
Cheap
El Cholo
Cuisine: MexicanOne of LA's oldest Mexican establishments, El Cholo first opened its doors in 1927 and has since grown to become a mini franchise, with other branches in Santa Monica and Anaheim Hills. Food, however, remains traditional so expect expertly-cooked tamales, enchiladas and other Mexican specialities.
Address: Downtown, 1121 Western Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90006Telephone: +1 323 734 2773.
Website: http://www.elcholo.com
La Vecchia Cucina
Cuisine: ItalianA pebble's toss from the beach, this casual but classy Italian restaurant is adored by locals thanks to its excellent Happy Hour at the bar and prix fixe lunch menu. Don't expect delicate Mediterranean style eats though, La Veccia Cucina specialises in robust Tuscan fare – all served in sizeable portions.
Address: Santa Monica, 2654 Main Street, Los Angeles, CA 90405Telephone: +1 310 399 7979.
Website: http://lavecchiacucina.com
Pie N’ Burger
Cuisine: AmericanOpened in 1963, Pie N' Burger is something of a Pasadena legend, and although it is pretty lo-fi, it remains enormously popular thanks to its expertly cooked burgers. As the name suggests, pie is also a menu staple but there is a decent selection of salads for those after something a little lighter.
Address: Pasadena, 913 E California Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 91106Telephone: +1 626 795 1123.
Website: http://www.pienburger.com