-
Hollywood: 25 Degrees
The Number One burger with crescenza and gorgonzola cheeses, bacon, arugula, and Thousand Island is a must-have in this Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel restaurant. Don’t forget the half-and-half onion rings, sweet potato fries, and a vanilla malt.
• Burgers
• Open daily, 24 hours.
• $
• 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA; 323/785-7244
• www.25degreesrestaurant.com -
Santa Monica: The Counter
The neatly organized burger ballot lets you choose from 11 cheeses, 29 toppings, 21 sauces—and even turkey or veggie burgers. The Counter represents a creative collaboration between cook and customer and has over 25 locations.
• Burgers
• Open daily
• $$
• 2901 Ocean Park Blvd., Santa Monica, CA; 310/399-8383
• www.thecounterburger.com -
Santa Monica: Euphoria Loves Rawvolution
Flop on a funky couch and check out psychedelic spiritual art as you sip cold tomato basil bisque, drink an Uber Protein Shake, or munch on The Green Dragon Roll. You’ll find no animal products, no gluten, and nothing cooked on the menu.
• Raw / Vegan
• Open daily
• $
• 2301 Main St., Santa Monica, CA; 310/392-9501
• www.euphorialovesrawvolution.com -
Pasadena: Fair Oaks Pharmacy and Soda Fountain
This 1915 soda fountain serves humongous sundaes as well as egg creams and phosphates. You also can’t go wrong with a banana split or a milkshake.
• Dessert
• Open daily
• $
• 1526 Mission St., South Pasadena, CA; 626/799-1414
• www.fairoakspharmacy.net -
Pasadena: Firefly Bistro
Enjoy sophisticated food in an unusual setting: under a garden tent. They go fast, so don’t miss the spicy butternut squash doughnuts with toasted walnut-madras, curry dip, and oregano honey.
• American
• Closed Mondays
• $$$
• 1009 El Centro St., South Pasadena, CA; 626/441-2443
• www.eatatfirefly.com -
West Hollywood: Gordon Ramsay
The namesake restaurant from Gordon Ramsay, a Michelin-starred chef, has a menu showcasing small plates, local ingredients, and fresh, clean flavors. Try the hand-dived sea scallops or the roasted Wagyu beef sirloin.
• European
• Open daily
• $$$
• 1020 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood, CA; 310/358-7788
• www.gordonramsay.com -
Fairfax: Lotería Grill
For breakfast, head to this Farmers Market gem for excellent chilaquiles, huevos rancheros, and huevos a la Mexicana.
• Mexican
• Open daily
• $
• 6333 W. Third, Ste. 322, Los Angeles, CA; 323/930-2211
• www.loteriagrill.com -
Eagle Rock: The Oinkster
The house-cured pastrami, pulled pork, and hamburgers arrive in paper-lined red plastic baskets in this American-style sandwich joint. The lemon-orange Oinksterade tastes fresh enough to have been squeezed straight from the trees.
• Sandwiches
• Open daily
• $
• 2005 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA; 323/255-6465 -
Manhattan Beach: Petros
Get ready for updated Greek dishes in this spare and elegant modern setting. The Greek salad is a popular menu choice, as are the feta-crusted rack of lamb, and avgolemono soup. Stop by for lunch or dinner.
• Greek
• Open daily
• $$
• 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA; 310/545-4100
• www.petrosrestaurant.com -
Long Beach: Pike Restaurant & Bar
Punk-rock drummer Chris Reece restored a rundown ‘50s diner into this neighborhood fish house and decked itout with his own collection of seaworthy antiques. This is the place to be for shoulder-to-shoulder communal beer drinking and gorging on lobster tacos.
• Seafood
• Open daily
• $
• 1836 E. Fourth St., Los Angeles, CA; 562/437-4453
• www.pikelongbeach.com -
Hancock Park: Pizzeria Mozza
Nancy Silverton, Joseph Bastianich, and Mario Batali’s Mozza is the queen bee of the new upscale-downscale scene, where a wood-burning oven turns out stunning pizzas with super-fresh tomatoes and mozzarella—not to mention broccoli rabe, burrata cheese, and guanciale (cured pork cheek).
• Pizza
• Open daily
• $$
• 641 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA; 323/297-0101
• www.mozza-la.com -
Pasadena: Pop Champagne & Dessert Bar
Stop by for a glass of prosecco paired with bites like truffle mac ‘n’ cheese and flatbread pizza in a sexy environment with exposed brick walls, crystal chandeliers, and granite tabletops. For dessert, try the housemade churros rolled in sugar and served with chocolate, dulce de leche, and cinnamon dipping sauces.
• Dessert
• Closed Mondays
• $$
• 33 E. Union St., Pasadena, CA; 626/795-1295
• www.popchampagnebar.com -
Beverly Hills: Sprinkles Cupcakes
You may have to stand in a line for one of the famous red velvet cupcakes, but these decadent treats are worth it. Sprinkles claims to be the world’s first cupcake bakery and, with flavors like chai latte and ginger lemon, takes credit for the craze.
• Dessert
• Open daily
• $
• 9635 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA; 888/220-2210
• www.sprinkles.com -
Hollywood: Susan Feniger's Street
Nab a spot on the outdoor patio for spinach varenyky (Ukrainian dumplings) with lemon marmalade and Moroccan winter squash with pepitas, chestnuts, and popcorn. Top Chef Masters’s best-natured contestant and all-around culinary guru Susan Feniger puts a crazy-flavored twist on all her dishes.
• International
• Open daily
• $$
• 742 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, CA; 323/203-0500
• www.eatatstreet.com -
Santa Monica: Ye Olde King’s Head
At this traditional British pub, the thing to get is the massive serving of fish and chips. Or try the popular steak Guinness and mushroom pie and then sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Wash it all down with a Snakebite—a blend of Harp lager and Blackthorn cider.
• Pub fare / Bar
• Open daily
• $$
• 116 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, CA; 310/451-1402
• www.yeoldekingshead.com
