Given that Los Angeles is home to the largest Iranian population outside of Iran, it’s no surprise that the city is rich with incredible Persian restaurants. With another location in Thousand Oaks, Sadaf in Encino is arguably the best Iranian spot the Valley has to offer. The kashke bademjan, or eggplant delight as it’s called on the menu, and ghormeh sabzi are top-tier, as are all the other stews. There’s also live music; a guitar player serenades evening crowds on weekend evenings.

Above Vitello’s restaurant and the Rendition Room bar is the Velvet Martini Lounge: an Old Hollywood, Rat Pack-inspired lounge located in Studio City. The Velvet Martini Lounge aims to transport visitors to another time and place with live jazz music, drinks, and dishes that stick to the theme, including an old-fashioned TV dinner that’s served on a metal tray. At the piano bar, diners can expect the occasional singer to join instrumentalists, too. Cocktails are well-made, as they are in the rest of the building, and include Sammy’s Jazzerac, which comes together with rye, amaretto, bitters, and an absinthe rinse.

Vibrato Grill Jazz is a respected venue by music legend Herb Alpert with old-school jazz club vibes. During live performances, the staff asks diners to keep quiet while eating wild striped bass crudo, New Bedford scallops with sunchoke puree, or the Wagyu ribeye. Alpert’s wife is a well-known Brazilian vocalist, likely the inspiration behind the caipirinha with cachaça, passion fruit liqueur, pineapple, and lime. That cocktail, along with everything from Vibrato’s curated drink menu, is worth sipping while watching some of the world’s best talent.

Arguably, the Hollywood Bowl is LA’s crown jewel of venues, with more dining options than any other venue in town. Concertgoers can pre-order dinner boxes the day before the event, make mobile orders for pick-up, or get coffee from South LA Cafe. And while self-prepared picnicking is a tradition at the Bowl, chef Suzanne Goin and Caroline Styne have three sit-down restaurants on-site. There’s the Pool Circle for Bowl subscribers with a three-course, prix-fixe dinner with wine selections; wines with small plates at Ann’s Wine Bar; and the Backyard utilizing two wood-burning grills to prepare crusty house-made bread, whole sea bream, grilled asparagus with farro tabbouleh, and some outstanding mac and cheese.

Since its inception, ETA always served oysters and cocktails alongside the jazz performances in Highland Park. But there’s been gradual men additions and is now an essential Northeast LA spot to eat shrimp cocktails, pork belly and crispy rice, steak baguette sandwich, and shrimp and scallops while enjoying live music.

Originally located on Cahuenga Boulevard, the Catalina Jazz Club’s on Sunset near Highland has ample history. The 36-year-old venue has hosted some of the world’s best jazz composers and musicians, along with stand-up comedians. Catalina’s got an easy menu showcasing a casual short rib quesadilla or goat cheese pesto burger, and for mains includes grilled vegetable pasta, or the traditional rack of lamb.

There’s such charm at Silver Lake’s El Cid. After walking down the noticeably crooked stair entry at the 61-year-old restaurant, one might catch live music, burlesque, or flamenco performances with a mostly Mediterranean menu. Deep-fried patatas bravas with aioli, empanadas, bocadillos/sandwiches with serrano ham, or even paella filled with shrimp, mussels, clams, chicken, and chorizo made in a traditional paella pan is available. Reservations are recommended and always check the events schedule.

Beverly Hills’ Tatel has live jazz nights from the Ice Gonzalez Quartet every Thursday. Diners can enjoy the music with Spanish fare, including ceviches, croquetas, paella, and more. On Fridays and Saturdays, diners can expect either local DJs or cover bands performing Latin music on the back patio.

Culver City’s Industry Cafe and Jazz has been in the neighborhood for 18 years, serving as a hub for local musicians who can come to the weekly open jam nights that are held every Wednesday and hosting jazz performances from Thursday through Sunday. The vibes are communal and convivial, and as lovely as the music-filled evenings at Industry Cafe and Jazz are, the food is far from an afterthought. There’s a soup that is expertly seasoned, and hummus that is made extra special with bits of tomato, basil, and feta. The veggie platter is also abundant, filled with generous portions of veggies and lentils, and enough injera for two to share.

Italian steakhouse the Georgian Room, which first opened in 1933 inside the Art Deco Georgian Hotel, is located above the Georgian Room. Inside the old Hollywood joint, diners can expect live jazz performances and a piano bar, plus classic Italian dishes like veal Parmesan, rigatoni alla vodka, and a 48-ounce dry-aged ribeye. The space is open from Thursday to Saturday, and reservations can be made by calling or emailing the restaurant.