Greekman’s, which straddles the border of Echo Park and Silver Lake, is a recent rework of the Freedman’s address, with a new white and blue patio out front serving all manner of Grecian treats. Look for lamb and wagyu kefta, Greek beer and wines, and cocktails perfect for any season.

What’s not to love about natural wine, puffy-crusted pizza, and mozzarella sticks? It’s all possible at Zach Pollack’s busy Cosa Buona, right on the corner of Sunset and Alvarado. The tight spot stays bustling most days, particularly on weekend evenings when a hopeful line can be seen spilling out the door.

On the border of Echo Park and Westlake is Grá, which means love in Gaelic. It’s a cozy spot offering sourdough pizza and natural wines. Enjoy pies topped with everything from pistachio pesto to kimchi to bacon and spicy pineapple, as well as shared plates like a pickled cucumber salad, in Grá’s rustic dining room Wednesday through Sunday nights.

The legendary Masa of Echo Park has a lot to offer on its menu, though most folks rightfully know it as one of LA’s enduring homes for deep-dish pizza. Expect the red sauce staple to be mobbed during Cubs games, though it’s likely to find at least a few tables ordering the massive pizza any night of the week. Need a plant-based option? Masa’s got that too.

Honey Hi is a near-perfect encapsulation of a certain type of Los Angeles dining, found at other spots like Kitchen Mouse in Highland Park. There are bowls, healthy drinks, and well-sourced animal proteins galore, served up with a smile inside a picture-perfect and awfully colorful dining room right on Sunset.

There is, truly, no other place to get the Lowburger than the home of the Lowburger. If big, meaty sandwiches aren’t your thing, there’s still plenty of reason to swing through this vibey neighborhood joint. Sad Girl Country Night, when fans can drink their sorrows away in an actual boot and listen to country-themed DJ sets, a must-hit.

Every neighborhood needs its burger and burrito place, and thankfully Echo Park has Patra. This is the spot for a simple afternoon bite to eat, or better yet, a very necessary weekend morning breakfast burrito.

This ode to Rome is a love letter to gorgeous architecture and rich pasta, like the campanelle with chanterelle mushrooms. Opened last November, chef Joel Stoval dishes up everything from fresh focaccia to octopus and tiramisu, while Christian Clarke manages the natural wine selection.

This pizza parlor is so much more than a place to nab a topping-laden sheet of pie on the weekend. The wizards at this shop also whip up delectable cakes, too; it’s not uncommon to score a thick slice of polenta and olive oil chiffon or an ultra-rich serving of spumoni.

When first visiting Thunderbolt, take a look around to study the room. There’s likely a large group of friends, people on dates, and the lone sipper. Thunderbolt is the place for all types of drinkers with varied cocktails and solid food.

The original Konbi is still busy in Echo Park, even with a new location in Culver City. The hyper-focused Japanese spot does pickled vegetables, coffee, pastries, and of course those Instagrammable sandwiches, be they made of egg salad or pork katsu.