The Best Ethnic, Historic, and Budget-Friendly Restaurants
Where to Eat in Los Angeles: A Local’s Guide to the Best Restaurants, Hidden Gems, and Cheap Eats
Los Angeles is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. Until 1848, California was part of Mexico before being ceded to the United States following the Mexican-American War. Not surprisingly, Los Angeles has a huge Mexican-American population and arguably the best Mexican food in the United States. Unlike many other ethnic cuisines, Mexican food is everywhere—from fast-food restaurants and food trucks to street vendors and fine-dining establishments. Just east and south of downtown are several Central American neighborhoods, each with its own distinctive cuisine, including Guatemalan, Nicaraguan, and Salvadoran.
Elsewhere, you’ll find Thai Town, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, and Chinatown, as well as the large Chinese communities of the San Gabriel Valley. Westwood, on the Westside adjacent to Beverly Hills, is home to the largest Persian immigrant community in the United States, while Glendale, just north of downtown, has a sizable Armenian population. There is also a Little India about 20 miles southeast of downtown and a Little Bangladesh east of downtown. Long Beach, about 30 miles south of downtown, has a large Cambodian community, while neighboring Orange County is home to one of the country’s largest Vietnamese populations. There are also numerous smaller communities of Ethiopians, Russians, Georgians, Afghans, and many others, each contributing their own cuisines and restaurants to the city’s extraordinary dining scene.
While Mexican, Thai, Chinese, Japanese, and Indian restaurants are ubiquitous, many other ethnic restaurants are scattered throughout the metropolitan area. Given the sheer number of restaurants, it is almost impossible to write a guide to dining in Los Angeles without producing an entire book. Instead, I have distilled this list down to my personal favorites and a selection of well-known, moderately priced restaurants that are relatively accessible to the average visitor. The restaurants are listed in no particular order.
Mexican Food
Trying Mexican food is an absolute must in Los Angeles. Outside of Mexico City and Oaxaca, I have never eaten Mexican food this good.
Here are a few of my recommendations:
Guelaguetza (Koreatown): Los Angeles’ best-known Oaxacan restaurant. There are several outstanding moles to choose from, and the food is consistently excellent. There is usually a line out front, a testament to its popularity. They also sell their famous mole sauces, allowing you to take a taste of Oaxaca home with you. Prices remain reasonable, and at the time of writing, a generous plate of mole with chicken or pork, served with rice and large enough for two people, costs around $24.
Sonoratown (Multiple Locations): This family-owned taqueria has earned a devoted following. Their handmade flour tortillas are exceptional, and the fillings are equally delicious. Tacos start at an unbelievable $3.50 each.
Casa Gish Bac (Pico Union): Famous for its tender, succulent Barbacoa Blanca and Barbacoa Roja, both pit-roasted daily with fragrant spices. It is also remarkably budget-friendly.
Guisados (Multiple Locations): A family-owned chain specializing in braised meat tacos. The tortillas are made fresh daily, while the meats are tender, flavorful, and delicious.
Damian (Arts District, Downtown): If you can’t make it to Mexico City to dine at Chef Enrique Olvera’s famed Pujol (two Michelin stars and consistently ranked among the World’s Top 25 Restaurants), Damian offers the next best thing. The restaurant serves innovative contemporary Mexican cuisine with outstanding flavors and impeccable service.
Mercado La Paloma (South Los Angeles): This large food hall is home to the Michelin-starred seafood restaurant Holbox, as well as Michelin Guide-recommended Komal. In truth, you can’t go wrong eating at any of the six restaurants here.
Thai Food
Los Angeles has countless excellent, moderately priced Thai restaurants, and Pad Thai is almost as popular here as tacos, pizza, burgers, and fried chicken. Having said that, these are my personal favorites.
Jitlada (Thai Town, Hollywood): Specializing in Southern Thai cuisine, Chef Jazz has been delighting Angelenos with her authentic, fiery cooking for decades. The restaurant occupies a modest strip mall, and the menu runs several pages long. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, simply ask the staff for recommendations. Be prepared to set your taste buds on fire while admiring the celebrity photographs covering the walls.
Anajak Thai (Sherman Oaks): Elevated Thai cuisine accompanied by an outstanding wine list. The only downside is its location across the Sepulveda Pass in the San Fernando Valley, making it a little less convenient for visitors.
Chinese Food
Choosing Chinese restaurants is perhaps the most difficult category. Over the past three decades, the San Gabriel Valley has welcomed a huge influx of Chinese immigrants, resulting in hundreds of outstanding restaurants representing regional cuisines that were virtually unheard of in Los Angeles a generation ago. Listing all of the recommended restaurants would be exhausting, so I’m going to go out on a limb and recommend one old-school American-Chinese institution alongside one modern favorite.
I know I’ll receive plenty of criticism for this choice. “What about Din Tai Fung? Big Sheep Hot Pot? Chengdu Taste?” people will ask. As I said, the list would be endless, so I’m simplifying it to my personal favorites.
Yang Chow (Chinatown): Famous for its savory Slippery Shrimp, this restaurant has been feeding Angelenos for nearly 50 years. It has become an institution in the heart of historic Chinatown. Don’t miss the walls covered with photographs of the countless celebrities who have dined here.
Yang’s Kitchen (Alhambra): One of the very best places for elevated contemporary Chinese cuisine. Reservations are highly recommended, as it is almost always busy.
Persian and Armenian
Persian restaurants are concentrated around Westwood, while Armenian restaurants are centered in Glendale. These are two of my standout favorites.
Shamshiri (Westwood & Glendale): Serving Angelenos for more than 45 years, Shamshiri is famous for its succulent, melt-in-your-mouth kebabs accompanied by perfectly crisp tahdig. It is simply unforgettable.
Raffi’s (Glendale): Open since 1993, this spacious restaurant has long attracted diners from across Southern California. With indoor and patio seating, a full bar, and outstanding koobideh (luleh) kebabs, it remains one of Glendale’s premier dining destinations.
Japanese
Japanese restaurants are everywhere in Los Angeles, ranging from neighborhood ramen and sushi shops to internationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurants such as Nobu.
Sushi Gen (Little Tokyo, Downtown): Located in the heart of tourist-friendly Little Tokyo, Sushi Gen is famous for its long lines—but the food is well worth the wait. The seafood is consistently fresh, and the prices remain surprisingly moderate.
Sugarfish (Multiple Locations): This immensely popular Los Angeles chain has expanded to New York City. Prix fixe menus range from approximately $30 to $50 per person. Chef Nozawa’s creations are exquisite and represent exceptional value for the quality.
Korean
The bustling Koreatown neighborhood west of downtown is packed with restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. There are countless excellent choices, and generally speaking, any restaurant with a queue outside is probably worth visiting.
My personal favorite is:
Chosun Galbee (Koreatown): A large, lively restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. You can smell the aroma of grilling meats from a block away. It offers an excellent selection of marinated meats and seafood that you cook yourself over tabletop grills. It’s an ideal place to visit with family or a group of friends.
Indian
Los Angeles does not have a particularly large Indian diaspora and, consequently, lacks the depth of Indian restaurants found in cities such as London, New York, or even San Francisco. Many Indian restaurants are concentrated along Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia, about 25 miles southeast of downtown. More recently, however, several outstanding fine-dining restaurants have emerged.
These are my favorites.
Baar Baar (Downtown): Helmed by a Michelin-star-winning chef, this elegant restaurant features Bollywood-inspired décor, creative cocktails, and elevated Indian cuisine in an upscale setting.
Cali Chilli (Downtown): With a menu curated by a Michelin-starred chef, this intimate restaurant serves modern Indian cuisine infused with Southeast Asian and American influences and techniques.
American, Italian, and Mediterranean
Since the end of the pandemic, although many well-known restaurants unfortunately closed, an exciting wave of new restaurants has opened across Los Angeles. It is a wonderful time to dine in the city.
Here are a few of my favorites.
Bavel (Arts District, Downtown): Owned by husband-and-wife chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, this exceptional Mediterranean restaurant has received rave reviews ever since opening in 2018. The menu spans the cuisines of the Levant. The lamb shawarma is tender and juicy, while the freshly baked breads are outstanding. The couple also own Bestia (Italian) and Saffy’s (Mediterranean), both of which are equally worthy of a visit.
Osteria Mozza / Pizzeria Mozza (Hancock Park): This Michelin-starred Los Angeles institution was created by Chef Nancy Silverton, featured on Chef’s Table. Osteria offers a more formal dining experience, while the neighboring Pizzeria Mozza serves some of the city’s finest pizzas. Silverton also founded the renowned La Brea Bakery and several other restaurants. The wine selection and handmade pastas are exceptional.
République (Hancock Park): Housed in the historic building that once served as Charlie Chaplin’s United Artists offices, République is run by husband-and-wife chefs Walter and Margarita Manzke. It is equally celebrated for its superb pastries and sophisticated modern French cuisine.
Bacari (Multiple Locations): A family-owned group of restaurants serving tapas-style small plates inspired by Venetian and Mediterranean cuisine.
Los Angeles Classics
These legendary restaurants have served generations of Angelenos and deserve at least one visit from every traveler.
Musso & Frank Grill (Hollywood): More than a century old, this is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant. Walking inside feels like stepping back in time. Put on a jacket and tie, settle into one of the classic booths, and it’s easy to imagine Charlie Chaplin or Humphrey Bogart sitting nearby. The list of legendary actors, directors, writers, and producers who have dined here would fill several pages. This was where scripts were written, deals were negotiated, and Hollywood history unfolded. Order their legendary martini and lamb chops. It is an absolute must for movie lovers.
Philippe the Original (Downtown/Chinatown): Open since 1908 and famous for “inventing” the French Dip sandwich, which still costs under $15 at the time of writing. Located just steps from historic Union Station, it is an essential stop in a city with relatively few surviving links to its past.
Langer’s Delicatessen (Westlake): Located near MacArthur Park in a working-class neighborhood west of downtown, this legendary, award-winning delicatessen has long served what many consider the finest pastrami sandwich in America. Don’t leave without ordering the famous #19: juicy pastrami layered on fresh rye bread with coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing—an explosion of flavor in every bite.
Fast Food
No article about eating in Los Angeles would be complete without mentioning fast food. California gave birth to many of America’s most successful fast-food chains and pioneered the drive-through concept. McDonald’s began in nearby San Bernardino, about 60 miles east of downtown. Other famous California chains include Jack in the Box, Taco Bell, Carl’s Jr., Del Taco, Wienerschnitzel, and Panda Express, among many others.
The most iconic of them all, however, is In-N-Out Burger. Famous for its never-frozen beef patties, freshly cut fries, and legendary “secret menu” featuring favorites such as Animal Style, In-N-Out has locations throughout Southern California. Its most famous restaurant sits beside Los Angeles International Airport, directly beneath the flight path of arriving aircraft, where diners can enjoy burgers while watching jets roar overhead.
Before You Go
Allow plenty of extra time for Los Angeles traffic and parking when planning your dining itinerary. Many of the restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles, Koreatown, and Hollywood are easily accessible by Metro, while Uber and Lyft are widely available throughout the city. For many visitors, combining public transportation with a rideshare service can be the most economical and stress-free option if you prefer not to drive.
Tipping is customary in Los Angeles, with 20% generally considered appropriate for good service. Before paying, however, always check your bill carefully, as some restaurants automatically include a service charge or other additional fees.
Disclaimer
The recommendations in this guide are based solely on my personal experiences and opinions. I have not received any compensation, sponsorship, endorsements, or other incentives from any of the restaurants mentioned. Dining experiences are inherently subjective, and your own favorites may differ from mine.
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