It goes without saying that Los Angeles is a hot tourist destination, with its beaches, temperate weather, and robust restaurant scene. Even its tourist-friendly restaurants have something more to offer than the average chain, like a spot that offers freshly fried or grilled seafood with an ocean view, or an old-school Mexican restaurant that celebrities often frequent. Here are 20 restaurants that draw in travelers, but are actually good for locals too.
Read More20 LA Tourist-Friendly Restaurants That Are Actually Good
Destination dining doesn’t always have to disappoint
Malibu Seafood
Be patient when at Malibu Seafood, as the line is as legendary as the food. This small, but mighty shack on Pacific Coast Highway serves golden-fried fish and chips, creamy clam chowder, and other tantalizing seafood classics. It’s also a market, so consider buying fresh seafood to cook at home. Pick a table outdoors, or grab it to go and enjoy while at the beach.
Hot Dog on a Stick
The first Hot Dog on a Stick has been a mainstay along the boardwalk in Santa Monica for a good reason: The corn dogs are excellent. There are wiener options — from turkey to vegetarian and beef — that have a little something for everyone and are battered and fried to order. Pair that with lemonade and some funnel fries for a whole experience. More reason to visit? The iconic food stand that has been around for 76 years unveiled a new building in 2022.
Cha Cha Chicken
Don’t dismiss this beachside restaurant. Cha Cha Chicken menu features plantains, rice and black beans, jerk chicken wings, coconut fried chicken, and a patio that’s amenable to those carrying a bottle of wine.
Great White
Venice’s sunny Great White sits just a few blocks from the iconic Boardwalk serving a breezy Australian-inspired daytime cafe menu that should please anyone. There are heaping crisp salads, comforting pastas, a mean burger, and wood-fired pizzas. The breakfast burrito is also considered one of LA’s top versions. The wide patio should be a nice place for tourists to really feel like an Angeleno, though the place has no problem filling up locals every day.
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Casa Vega
Casa Vega has long been a draw for celebrity clientele, including the likes of the Kardashians and Selena Gomez as well as locals and tourists. The old-school Mexican restaurant, which has been a major part of the Sherman Oaks community for over 60 years, always has warm and welcoming service, refreshing margaritas, and massive plates topped with enchiladas, chicken mole, and rice and beans.
Tito’s Tacos
This beloved restaurant has been in Culver City for over 60 years, feeding generations of families its particular style of hardshell tacos stuffed with shredded beef, iceberg lettuce, and cheddar cheese. One of the stars of the show is its mild, tomato-based salsa that perfectly complements the tacos and chips.
The Kettle
The Kettle, a South Bay institution, has been home to brunch lovers and late night revelers for nearly 50 years. A spot that’s open 24 hours on the weekends at until midnight on other days, it’s a great gathering place for patty melts, pot roasts, and buttermilk honey fried chicken.
Crustacean
A popular fixture on reality TV shows and the jet set of Beverly Hills, Crustacean continues to deliver chef Helene An’s vision of upscale Vietnamese and Asian fusion cuisine with ritzy ambience to match. Service is stellar, always accommodating, and on-point from the start, which adds to the special feeling of dining here. And the food, prepared by veteran chef Tony Nguyen, who returned to the kitchen after a time away, reflects the balanced creativity of An’s dishes in things like smoky tuna caviar cigars and the restaurant’s famous garlic noodles with crab.
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Spago
Wolfgang Puck could reasonably be considered the first-ever celebrity chef in America and for the Austrian, it all started here (well, Spago was originally in West Hollywood before it came to Beverly Hills in the early 2000s). And the place is still jammed with famous folks and oglers (Taylor Swift recently had dinner here with friends). Order the classics, like caviar-topped smoked salmon pizza and wiener schnitzel, or delve into the timeless seasonal California fare that still inspires.
Matsuhisa
If you haven’t heard of Nobu Matsuhisa, well, the empire-building Japanese chef started his restaurant business here with a humble, almost forgettable building along Beverly Hills’s Restaurant Row preparing miso black cod, excellent nigiri, and creative Peruvian Japanese dishes. But famous folks can still come regularly, like a recent star-powered meal with new Dodger players Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani.
Lawry's the Prime Rib
Los Angeles’s Restaurant Row isn’t quite what it used to be, but that hasn’t stopped Lawry’s from continuing to anchor the La Cienega stretch, offering some of the city’s best service and prime rib. Despite the well-known name and national appeal, this first-ever location feels just as personal and important to Los Angeles as it always has.
Randy's Donuts
If driving around Inglewood, always hit the Inglewood original Randy’s Donuts. Not only is the giant rooftop an iconic LA landmark, the doughnuts rival any other maker in the city. It’s also fashioned with a drive-thru, but there’s always a scene at the walk-up window. Randy’s now has multiple locations around town, and even a few overseas.
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Toadstool Cafe
There will likely be a very long line at this incredible Super Mario Bros.-inspired restaurant at Universal Studios Hollywood. While the cafeteria fare is going to be really pretty and frankly Instagrammable, don’t expect fine dining. The mushroom soup, cheesy garlic knots, and Luigi burger are the ones to order. But beyond the food, just soak in the whimsical video walls, colorful dining room, and overall fun vibes of this theme park experience. If anything, the desserts are going to be pretty reliable.
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Pink's Hot Dogs
With Pink’s Hot Dogs having been around for over 80 years, it’s a testament to how the team is doing something right. The Hollywood stalwart boasts an incredibly long hot dog menu that pays homage to famous people and LA institutions. (Pro tip: Always get the nacho chili cheese fries.) It’s a slice of LA history seeing the signed celebrity autographs on the walls that are both cheesy and fun. And while there may occasionally be a line, it moves rather quickly.
Musso & Frank Grill
Hollywood icon Musso & Frank’s is still one of the best places in the city for sidling up to the bar and confidently ordering a stirred martini. It helps that cocktail is one of the best in the region, the appetizers are solid, and the people-watching is even better. The dining room, with zero music and all ambient sounds, remains one of the best places to get dinner in Hollywood, with well-done classics like French onion soup, pasta, or grilled chops.
Langer's Delicatessen-Restaurant
Not only is Langer’s a home for celebrities trying to low-key nosh, it’s also home to what is likely the single best deli pastrami in America. Add some to an order of chili cheese fries for a gut-busting lunch of the number 19 sandwich, placed on soft rye bread (with its crunchy crust), cole slaw, Russian dressing, Swiss cheese, and heaping slices of cured pastrami.
Howlin' Ray's
Howlin’ Rays’ Nashville-inspired hot chicken brought the craze to LA with perennially long lines to boot. Now that its spicy chicken tenders and sandwiches are available for walk-ups, and online orders for pickup and delivery on Postmates, it’s a lot easier for folks to get a mouth-tingling taste of the revered restaurant’s dishes. There’s another location with on-site seating and even craft beers in Pasadena.
Cielito Lindo
Open since 1934, Cielito Lindo is one of the best stands in Los Angeles. Stationed in the historic Olvera Street, Cielito’s deep-fried taquitos drowned in avocado salsa are worth a trek to this charming area just north of Downtown. Afterward, walk through the city’s first official street for more bites and knick-knacks.
La Azteca Tortilleria
Those seeking a bona fide East LA burrito should look for the substantial flour tortilla versions from La Azteca, whose claim to fame comes from carne asada burritos filled with refried beans and a whole cheesy chile relleno. The burrito will definitely crush any hunger; in fact, one of them is probably good for two grown adults. Just note the hours, call ahead to place an order, and get there before it closes by the mid-afternoon.
Lupe's Burritos
Another classic East LA burrito destination, Lupe’s has it all, from the bustling counter and swift service to bean-and-cheese combination burritos wi— th the option of the super-spicy rojo to the more reasonable verde salsa. Burritos come in a special paper bag but don't try and eat this in the area while driving. It’ll fall apart pretty quickly. Best get a table and eat this comforting LA specialty with the sun and breeze on your face.