Some of greater LA’s best Spanish food hides in plain sight out in Woodland Hills, where Sandra Cordero turns out all day dishes like pan tomate, tortilla española, and weekend paellas.

The wide breadth of Sri Lankan food is on full display at Apey Kade in Tarzana. From raw kale salads to rice to hearty soups and stews, this place can do it all.

An LA deli institution, Brent’s has been a staple in the Northridge neighborhood for nearly 40 years. The outlandishly good black pastrami reuben is reason enough to make the drive.

Valley denizens don’t have to make the drive to Thai Town to find extraordinary Thai fare thanks to Lum Ka Naad. The northern and southern Thai specialties served here don’t mess around when it comes to spice, so order with caution.

Regional Chinese cooking can be found in pockets across the San Fernando Valley, particularly at Northridge’s Szechuan Place, where American Chinese classics are served alongside more traditional Sichuan fare. The mapo tofu is a hit with regulars.

Granada Hills mainstay Furnsaj Bakery doesn’t look like much from the outside of its strip mall digs, but head inside for some of the best Lebanese food in all of Los Angeles. The shawarma is a must hit, and the flatbreads are the stuff of legend.

Who could have ever guessed that the Michelin Guide would find Pasta Bar tucked away in its Encino strip mall home? Sure enough the big red book has given Phillip Frankland Lee a star for he and his team’s work at this refined Italian-focused spot along Ventura Boulevard.

One wouldn’t expect such outstanding, refined Mediterranean fare to be coming out of the humble confines of Mizlala. Longtime SBE chef Danny Elmaleh took over his father’s former restaurant space, Simon’s Café, to serve an exciting menu of small plates and tagines that are worth driving for.

Petit Trois’ second location in the Valley is larger in every sense than the original one in Hollywood, from the space to the menu. However, expect the same outstanding French bistro fare, like the perfected omelet and the Big Mec.

In a city that has come into its own, barbecue-wise at least, in the past few years, it’s refreshing to see Boneyard Bistro continue to turn out quality meats and sides from its spacious Sherman Oaks building. Stop in for ribs, brisket, or one of the other popular items from burgers and sliders to deviled eggs. Don’t forget to snag a beer, too.

There are no shortage of great sushi restaurants in the neighborhood and Sushi Note ranks somewhere near the top. Snag a seat at the seven-seat bar dedicated to serving omakase from celebrated chef Kiminobu Saito.

North Hollywood’s Cilantro Mexican Grill makes what may be the best meat burrito in the entire city. Tucked into a quiet corner of a busy gas station, this place draws dozens upon dozens of lunchtime diners eager to enjoy the craftsmanship of chef Adolfo Perez, a Le Cordon Bleu graduate with a corporate chef background who is now making his dream come true.

Heavily charred, seriously cheesy, and impossibly crispy. That’s the way the pies are done at Gorilla, the Valley Village newcomer that’s trying to give the Valley a taste of Pittsburgh, one pizza at a time.

Prepare for heat (and lots of it) at this staple roadside stop for spicy tortas ahogadas, dunked in a blistering sauce and served up with plenty of cooling refreshments.

Los Angeles is a breakfast burrito town, and there is no shortage of options across the San Fernando Valley. Among the biggest contenders for the throne is Larry’s Chili Dog, an old-school hot dog spot for eggs and meat wrapped in tortillas, as well as classic dogs with a variety of toppings.

Pinocchio and Monte Carlo Deli are the sort of places that Italian food dreams are made of. From inexpensive noodles offered a variety of ways (red sauce, meat sauce, alfredo, and beyond) to heaps of garlic bread, meatballs, and deli staples and take home snacks, this is Burbank’s home for eating well.