The Ultimate LA Guide
My long awaited guide to LA! Seven years in the making: all of my favorite spots, including restaurants, cafes, shopping, flea markets and more.
Moving to a new city can be challenging when you are away from your people. I didn’t have a ton of friends right away in LA and most of my family and friends were in Chicago, so I often felt a bit lonely. A key distraction was constantly stopping by a new restaurant or shop and looking forward to reservations or impromptu visits to places around town. When I first started sharing on social media, a lot of my content was centered around these visits and posting my experience. What I ordered, the vibes, etc. I think being able to share this content, even though it wasn’t for many people to see, pushed me out of my comfort zone to explore the new city I found myself in. It forced me to fall in love with a city I was not so sure about. For this, I am so grateful.
Over the last 7 years, I’ve found many places that have become staple establishments in my life. Many that I’ve celebrated milestones, shared laughs and tears over a steak and martinis, and many that hold so many precious memories. One of my most asked questions: “What are your LA recs?!”. I knew it would take awhile to get them all into one place, so I wanted to take my time and thoughtfully gather all of my favorite recommendations in one spot for you. I’m hoping to add to this Substack post as new favorites come about, and I’ll share as more is added so you can check back. As this post is super long, I recommend viewing in the Substack app or on a desktop.
These places are very special to me, and I love being able to share them with all of you. Nothing makes me more excited than when I can help you find a good spot! I hope you enjoy this guide and find it helpful. Shares are always so appreciated, so thank you in advance if you share this guide. If you ever have any questions, my DM’s are always open for LA talk! I am open to creating a Google maps for paid subscribers so let me know your thoughts on that.
Love, Gabs
Restaurants and Eats
Primo Passo Coffee - my all time fav coffee shop in LA - I order: the house made hazelnut latte with almond milk (iced and decaf).
Courage Bagels - you might be living under a rock if you haven’t heard of Courage Bagels. I tell everyone it is the best bagel in the country and I stand by that! I order: the tomato + cream cheese and always get some loosies to go for the next days!
Gjusta Bakery - a fan favorite. Don’t let the order process stress you out. I recommend going in with a strategy before taking a number in line. Great for lunch. It depends on what I’m feeling but you truly cant go wrong! I usually order: tomato confit + burrata sandwich, chicken dumpling soup, the pizza + salads, build your own sandwich.
Philz Coffee - if you’re in CA, you must get Philz at least once! I order: the Philtered soul, half decaf, medium honey and medium almond milk.
Des Croissant Paris - new(ish) to Culver City and owned by Parisians. They know what they’re doing is all I have to say. The best croissant in LA (IMO).
La Scala Beverly Hills - you have probably heard of the Iconic La Scala Chopped Salad and it is iconic because it actually is the best salad ever. Everyone in there is there for the salad. I order: the chopped chicken salad with basil, onion, and a side of shredded parm.
Un Caffè Altamura - great for breakfast and lunch right in downtown MB, extremely fresh ingredients. I order: the clean salad with shrimp sub feta. Great for brunch.
All Time - a cozy, old favorite with an ambiance that transports you somewhere. A place that hand writes their menu on kraft paper is the place I want to be. Love visiting for lunch or dinner.
Cobi’s - by far in my Top 5 favorite LA spots. I dream about this place. I order: the butter chicken + wontons, and kanpachi.
Charcoal - This has been a go-to spot for a while. My best friend and I would go here when we were having a bad day and it would always cheer us up. Truly one of the best steakhouses in LA. Great cocktails too.
American Beauty - one of mine and Jimmy’s favorite spots and where we love taking out of towners! It is perfectly casual, cozy, yet upscale. Perfect if you’re craving a steak but don’t want white tablecloths. During the day you’ll be able to visit their burger window called “The Window” for one of my fav smash burgers in town!!
Dudley Market Venice - the best local spot for fresh fish. Transports you to Europe. Feel free to walk in, but be prepared to wait a little (you can drink wine while you wait) I order: all of the fish is obviously at the top of the list, but do not underestimate the burger.
Pizzeria Sei - one of the best pizzas in LA. Also, such an intimate and cool setting. I order: the margherita with green olives.
Marvin - NYC vibe in LA. Cannot go wrong on the menu, but I can never go here without getting the ricotta salami honey toast.
Triple Beam Pizza - some of the best, especially if you want pizza delivered. I wish they had a west side location, too. I order: the sausage and fennel pizza is my fav!
Hinano Cafe - local Venice spot, perfectly dive-y and an awesome burger.
Barrique Venice - adorable Italian spot situated in an old house in Venice Beach. Delish and romantic. Go for a special occasion, girls night or date night. I order: the (very special) tagliatelle.
Saltie Girl - the famed Boston restaurant now on Sunset. I think it’s so fun and has an incredible Lobster roll on the menu! I order: the tinned fish and warm butter lobster roll.
Din Tai Fung - there’s most definitely more authentic, hole in the wall dumpling establishments in LA, but I do love a good Din Tai Fung visit. I order: pork Xiao Long Bao, spicy shrimp and pork wontons, shrimp fried rice, rice cakes or fried noodles, and grand finale= chocolate mochi xiao long bao.
Osteria Mozza - classic Italian in WEHO. Fancier. Get the Raviolo!
Izakaya by Katsuya Manhattan Beach - one of my very favorite sushi places in all of LA. We always get the crispy rice, creamy popcorn shrimp on spicy tuna, red snapper sushi with lemon/salt and baked crab hand rolls.
Sushi Fumi - is anything greater than sushi specials written on a whiteboard? I love Fumi for super fresh, high quality fish in a casual setting. They don’t take reservations, so get there on the earlier side to join the waitlist.
Kazu Nori + Sugarfish - truly the best. Nothing more to say!
Felix - I think one of the best Italian restaurants, which many can agree with. Cannot beat it. Go for a special occasion or if you’re in town visiting!
Night + Market - some of my favorite Thai and best vibes.
Horses - Quickly became LA’s hardest reservation a few years back. Some say its overrated, but I think it’s fun and they have an awesome menu, great food and cocktails. I love that the restaurant has kept the same design from the previous establishment.
Larchmont Village Wine and Cheese - one of the best sandwiches in LA. Wish I could have this every day- might be a good thing I don’t live nearby. I order the #5 with no balsamic.
Hatchet Hall - Neighborhood spot with hearty dishes and good cocktails.
Love & Salt - My favorite Italian spot in Manhattan Beach! Perfectly located in Downtown and great pasta + pizza.
Prime Pizza - for ordering in when you’re craving NY style slices! My favorite to-go pizza in LA.
Pijja Palace - If you’re also dating someone who loves a good restaurant with TVs, this is the SPOT! Incredible food too.
R+D Kitchen - a classic spot to grab a martini and a sandwich (part of the Hillstone group).
Woon Kitchen - has become our favorite Sunday spot! I order: the noodles, friend rice, and scallion pancakes.
Slang Burgers - one of the best new smash burgers in LA. They pop-up at HiLo Liquor once a month!
Bianca Bakery - Jimmy’s favorite.
Goop Kitchen - my favorite healthy takeout. You can’t go wrong! I order: the Chinese chicken salad, the sweet potato or curry soup, the arugula salad, the spicy Caesar salad, the warm salmon bowl, the cheese pizza, the vodka pasta and the pesto pasta!
Honorable mentions:
Antico Nuovo (Italian, Weho)
Bestia (Italian, DTLA)
Broad Street Oyster Co. (Seafood, Malibu)
Grá (Pizza, Los Feliz)
Cookbook Market (Larchmont)
Atla (Mexican, Venice)
Malibu Seafood (self explanatory)
Jon + Vinny’s (Italian, multi-location)
Jame Enoteca (Italian, El Segundo)
Bacetti (Italian, Echo Park)
Proudly Serving (Burgers, South Bay)
Casablanca (Mexican, Venice)
Blossom (Vietnamese, Santa Monica)
Tangaroa Fish Market (Seafood, Mar Vista)
Musso and Frank Grill (Steakhouse, Hollywood)
Stir Crazy (Wine Bar, Hollywood)
Angelini Osteria (Italian)
Bub and Grandma’s (Deli, Eagle Rock)
Eataly LA (Century City)
Dan Sung Sa (Korean Grill, Koreatown)
Lazy Acres smoothie bar (Hermosa Beach)
Rainbow Acres smoothie bar (Marina Del Rey)
Hi-Ho Cheeseburger (Multi-location)
Tacos 1986 (Taqueria, Multi-location)
Sonoratown (Taqueria, Downtown LA)
Dune (Mediterranean, Downtown LA)
Good Cocktails and Dives and Wine
Sunset Tower Bar
Hatchet Hall
Saffy’s
Capri Club
Jones Hollywood
Shellback Tavern Manhattan Beach
Ercole’s Manhattan Beach
Barra Santos
Dudley Market
LoLo Wine Bar
AM Spots
Primo Passo Coffee
Gjusta Bakery
Des Croissant Paris
Chaumont Bakery
Courage Bagels
Clark Street Bread
Caffe Luxxe
Tartine Bakery Santa Monica
Community Goods
Jyan Isaac Bread
Layla Bagels
Sweet Tooth
Susie Cakes - get the celebration cake
Erewhon Market - their entire dessert section is epic. I get the chocolate blackout cake
Fleur et Sel - fav cookie in LA
The Bigg Chill - soft serve supremecy
Ginger’s Ice Cream - my favorite chocolate ice cream in LA
Jon + Vinnys - soft serve
Sidecar Donuts - my favs are the old fashion and butter and salt
Sunset Tower Bar - the custom sundae
To Try - On My List
Etra
Leopardo
Fiorelli Pizza
Holy Basil
Pizzeria Bianco
Burgette
Donna’s
Cou Cou
Shopping
The shopping portion of this guide is available to paid subscribers. As you know, these guides take a lot of time to curate and write. This one specifically has taken me many long days and nights to complete. Thank you for understanding and thank you to everyone who is a paying subscriber, I truly appreciate it so much. If you’d like to preview the paid portion of posts, you have the option to do a trial.
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