Intimate Inglewood spot serving a fusion of West African, Californian, and Latin flavors. Dishes like crispy catfish over jollof rice and root beer braised short ribs pack the small, lively dining room nightly – reservations are essential.
Casual slice shop serving foldable New York-style rounds and thick Sicilian square pies. The counter runs steady with quick slice orders, whole pie pickups, and hot garlic knots.
Rustic oyster bar steps from the beach, serving Pacific seafood often caught by the restaurant's own team. The candlelit room gets lively at night – expect fresh-shucked oysters and a deep list of natural wines.
Buzzy izakaya on Abbot Kinney where the open kitchen revolves around a binchotan charcoal grill. An in-house DJ spins vinyl for the lively downstairs bar; grab a seat on the quieter rooftop deck.
No-frills Sawtelle counter spot slinging messy, Thai-spiced smashburgers for quick lunches. The tight room moves fast, turning out holy basil beef patties with fried eggs, papaya fries, and sweet pandan shakes.
Long-standing Highland Park fixture dishing up huge, Mexico City-style antojitos from a simple, open kitchen. The specialty is the namesake huarache – a fried, bean-stuffed masa base piled high with toppings like asada, pastor, or chorizo.
Raucous counter in Far East Plaza slinging Nashville hot chicken to a perpetual line. The energy is loud and fast, with heat levels on the signature Sando climbing from mild to reaper.
Airy Frogtown warehouse serving elevated Baja seafood, from raw bar ceviches to fatty tuna tostadas. The signature zarandeado-style whole fish arrives with tortillas and salsas for the table to share.
Sinaloan-style taqueria focused on wood-grilled carne asada served in tacos and mulitas on handmade tortillas. The simple space has a self-serve bar for loading up on fresh beans, radishes, cilantro, and salsas.
