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An overhead shot of two pizzas on round trays with a metal sheet of cheesy bread in the top left corner.
Pizza from Gorilla Pies.
Farley Elliott

21 Top Stops For a Meal in the Sprawling San Fernando Valley

Mining the Valley for gems hidden in plain sight

by Eater Staff Updated
31 comments / new
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Pizza from Gorilla Pies.
| Farley Elliott
by Eater Staff Updated
31 comments / new

The all-encompassing swath of flat land in northern Los Angeles known as the San Fernando Valley (or just the Valley) offers a wealth of exceptional cuisines, from simple everyday subs and hot dogs to some of LA’s best Thai food, period. Here Egyptian pop-ups compete for space with old-school burger stands and cool-kid breakfast spots, with millions of nearby diners ready to pounce on not just the next big thing, but the best old school spots like Casa Vega. Frankly, the vastness of the Valley can be intimidating to tackle — and, in its total scope, has far too much to offer for one single map — so here now are just 21 of the San Fernando Valley’s best places to eat.

Add: The Original Hawowshi, HiHo Cheeseburger, Uncle Paulie’s, Dan’s Super Subs, Athenian Grill, Anajak Thai

Remove: Mizlala, Hayat’s Kitchen, the Green Room, Larry’s Chili Dog, Lum Ka Naad, Asanebo

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Note: Restaurants on this map are listed geographically.

Dan's Super Subss

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This Woodland Hills classic oozes charm. From the worn menu board to the broad array of meats and general sandwich selections, this is the kind of timeless and delicious spot that the Valley really excels at.

22446 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 225-8880
(818) 225-8880
A submarine sandwich with meat and cheese in a basket.
Dan’s Super Subs
Farley Elliott

Gasolina Cafe

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

21150 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 914-4033
(818) 914-4033
A young, hip crowd inside of a cafe with red tones.
Gasolina Cafe.
Gasolina Cafe.

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Cupid's Hot Dogs

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It’s all about the retro love at Cupid’s in Winnetka, where roller skaters send hot dog orders out from the small kitchen to waiting fans.

20030 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA 91306
(818) 347-1344
(818) 347-1344
Two hot dogs with sauce and relish next to chips on a red table.
Hot dogs from Cupid’s.
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Apey Kade Restaurant

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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.

19662 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 609-7683
(818) 609-7683

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Brent's Deli

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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.

19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 886-5679
(818) 886-5679
Brent’s Deli The Hot Dish
Brent’s Deli
Wonho Frank Lee

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Baja Subs Market & Deli

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Part corner store, part hidden restaurant, this Sri Lankan specialist turns out some of the Valley’s most flavorful food like string hopper and lamprais.

8801 Reseda Blvd Suite A, Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 993-7064
(818) 993-7064
Lamprais at Baja Subs on a green plate.
Baja Subs
Wonho Frank Lee

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The Original Hawowshi

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This home pop-up restaurant toggles between a garage setup in Reseda and occasional dates at hookah lounges and other stops across Los Angeles, serving Egyptian snacks rarely seen on the Southern California streets. Here the savory feteer squares and round stuffed hawawshi are the stars.

Reseda, Los Angeles, CA
Four half rounds of dough and meat inside a takeout container.
Snacks from the Original Hawowshi.
Wonho Frank Lee

Athenian Grill

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This easygoing Reseda staple works as a kind of East Coast-style Greek diner. And while there are lots of Greek dishes to know and love, most fans flock for the straightforward and satisfying breakfast burrito with just the right balance of crispy hash brown and egg inside.

7042 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 345-8445
(818) 345-8445
A cut open slice of breakfast burrito showing hash browns, sausage and egg against a blue background.
Athenian Grill’s breakfast burrito.
Farley Elliott

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Tel Aviv Glatt Kosher Grill

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Sabich, schnitzel, challah, shawarma... it’s all possible at Tel Aviv Grill, the Kosher Valley micro-chain that makes some of LA’s best Israeli food.

17201 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
(818) 774-9400
(818) 774-9400

Furnsaj Bakery

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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.

11146 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344
(818) 368-4000
(818) 368-4000

Also featured in:

Pasta|Bar

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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.

16101 Ventura Blvd #255, Encino, CA 91436
(818) 646-6085
(818) 646-6085

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Bill's Burgers

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There are burgers and burger-makers, and then there’s Bill Elwell. The namesake man behind this Van Nuys beef and bun legend still mans the griddle as often as possible, turning out some of the sturdiest and least expensive meals in the Valley.

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 785-4086
(818) 785-4086
A handheld burger with lots of cheese from Bill’s Burgers in the San Fernando Valley.
Bill’s Burgers
Farley Elliott

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Anajak Thai Cuisine

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This longtime family-owned Thai restaurant in Sherman Oaks is on top of the world right now, having just won the LA Times restaurant of the year award. It’s been the cool-kid hangout of the past two pandemic years thanks to lots of fun collaborations, weekly taco parties in the back alley, and plenty of natural wine. This is the must-eat restaurant of 2022 for the Valley.

14704 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 501-4201
(818) 501-4201
Dry-aged black sea bream with nam jim seafood sauce from Anajak Thai.
Whole dry-aged fish at Anajak Thai.
Matthew Kang

Also featured in:

Petit Trois

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The second location for Petit Trois 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.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600
Petit Trois’ messy burger with bordelaise sauce and lots of cheese shown on a white plate in the restaurant.
Petit Trois
Matthew Kang

Also featured in:

Sushi Note

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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.

13447 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 802-3443
(818) 802-3443

Also featured in:

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Casa Vega

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Casa Vega has more than stood the test of time. The casual Mexican-American restaurant known for its big, deep red booths and colorful atmosphere has become a mainstay for the entire San Fernando Valley, even earning Jame Beard recognition along the way. Tortilla chips and margaritas are always fun with big groups, but sometimes sitting at the bar and chatting with the ageless staff is just as much of a treat.

13301 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 788-4868
(818) 788-4868
Bar at Casa Vega, lit up with string lights.
Casa Vega
Wonho Frank Lee

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Myke's Cafe

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Brunch staples like french toast, pancakes, and coffee form the backbone of this Pacoima daytime specialist.

13171 Van Nuys Blvd, Pacoima, CA 91331
(818) 890-4815
(818) 890-4815

HiHo Cheeseburger

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This wagyu beef specialist has made a name for itself with locations across the LA basin, but it’s the sunny, patio-friendly Studio City outlet that’s really been turning heads lately. For one of LA’s best burgers, bar none, this is the spot.

4220 Coldwater Canyon Ave Suite 421, Studio City, CA 91604
(747) 212-2698
(747) 212-2698
A juicy HiHo Cheeseburger sits as a product shot.
HiHo Cheeseburger.
HiHo Cheeseburger [Official Photo]

Cilantro Mexican Grill

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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.

7214 Whitsett Ave, North Hollywood, CA 91605
(818) 765-7998
(818) 765-7998
A burrito split in half on a black plate. Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Gorilla Pies

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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.

12417 Burbank Blvd, Valley Village, CA 91607
(818) 821-3777
(818) 821-3777
An overhead shot of two pizzas on round trays with a metal sheet of cheesy bread in the top left corner.
Gorilla Pies.
Farley Elliott

Uncle Paulie's

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Cool-kid sandwich spot Uncle Paulie’s has found its Valley audience in Studio City, where fans arrive early and often for bacon egg and cheese breakfast sandwiches, daytime East Coast-style subs, and more casual favorites.

3990 Vantage Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
(818) 821-3313
(818) 821-3313

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Dan's Super Subss

22446 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
A submarine sandwich with meat and cheese in a basket.
Dan’s Super Subs
Farley Elliott

This Woodland Hills classic oozes charm. From the worn menu board to the broad array of meats and general sandwich selections, this is the kind of timeless and delicious spot that the Valley really excels at.

22446 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 225-8880
(818) 225-8880
A submarine sandwich with meat and cheese in a basket.
Dan’s Super Subs
Farley Elliott

Gasolina Cafe

21150 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
A young, hip crowd inside of a cafe with red tones.
Gasolina Cafe.
Gasolina Cafe.

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

21150 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills, CA 91364
(818) 914-4033
(818) 914-4033
A young, hip crowd inside of a cafe with red tones.
Gasolina Cafe.
Gasolina Cafe.

Cupid's Hot Dogs

20030 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA 91306
Two hot dogs with sauce and relish next to chips on a red table.
Hot dogs from Cupid’s.
Farley Elliott

It’s all about the retro love at Cupid’s in Winnetka, where roller skaters send hot dog orders out from the small kitchen to waiting fans.

20030 Vanowen St, Winnetka, CA 91306
(818) 347-1344
(818) 347-1344
Two hot dogs with sauce and relish next to chips on a red table.
Hot dogs from Cupid’s.
Farley Elliott

Apey Kade Restaurant

19662 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356

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.

19662 Ventura Blvd, Tarzana, CA 91356
(818) 609-7683
(818) 609-7683

Brent's Deli

19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324
Brent’s Deli The Hot Dish
Brent’s Deli
Wonho Frank Lee

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.

19565 Parthenia St, Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 886-5679
(818) 886-5679
Brent’s Deli The Hot Dish
Brent’s Deli
Wonho Frank Lee

Baja Subs Market & Deli

8801 Reseda Blvd Suite A, Northridge, CA 91324
Lamprais at Baja Subs on a green plate.
Baja Subs
Wonho Frank Lee

Part corner store, part hidden restaurant, this Sri Lankan specialist turns out some of the Valley’s most flavorful food like string hopper and lamprais.

8801 Reseda Blvd Suite A, Northridge, CA 91324
(818) 993-7064
(818) 993-7064
Lamprais at Baja Subs on a green plate.
Baja Subs
Wonho Frank Lee

The Original Hawowshi

Reseda, Los Angeles, CA
Four half rounds of dough and meat inside a takeout container.
Snacks from the Original Hawowshi.
Wonho Frank Lee

This home pop-up restaurant toggles between a garage setup in Reseda and occasional dates at hookah lounges and other stops across Los Angeles, serving Egyptian snacks rarely seen on the Southern California streets. Here the savory feteer squares and round stuffed hawawshi are the stars.

Reseda, Los Angeles, CA
Four half rounds of dough and meat inside a takeout container.
Snacks from the Original Hawowshi.
Wonho Frank Lee

Athenian Grill

7042 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
A cut open slice of breakfast burrito showing hash browns, sausage and egg against a blue background.
Athenian Grill’s breakfast burrito.
Farley Elliott

This easygoing Reseda staple works as a kind of East Coast-style Greek diner. And while there are lots of Greek dishes to know and love, most fans flock for the straightforward and satisfying breakfast burrito with just the right balance of crispy hash brown and egg inside.

7042 Reseda Blvd, Reseda, CA 91335
(818) 345-8445
(818) 345-8445
A cut open slice of breakfast burrito showing hash browns, sausage and egg against a blue background.
Athenian Grill’s breakfast burrito.
Farley Elliott

Tel Aviv Glatt Kosher Grill

17201 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Sabich, schnitzel, challah, shawarma... it’s all possible at Tel Aviv Grill, the Kosher Valley micro-chain that makes some of LA’s best Israeli food.

17201 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
(818) 774-9400
(818) 774-9400

Furnsaj Bakery

11146 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344

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.

11146 Balboa Blvd, Granada Hills, CA 91344
(818) 368-4000
(818) 368-4000

Pasta|Bar

16101 Ventura Blvd #255, Encino, CA 91436

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.

16101 Ventura Blvd #255, Encino, CA 91436
(818) 646-6085
(818) 646-6085

Bill's Burgers

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
A handheld burger with lots of cheese from Bill’s Burgers in the San Fernando Valley.
Bill’s Burgers
Farley Elliott

There are burgers and burger-makers, and then there’s Bill Elwell. The namesake man behind this Van Nuys beef and bun legend still mans the griddle as often as possible, turning out some of the sturdiest and least expensive meals in the Valley.

14742 Oxnard St, Van Nuys, CA 91411
(818) 785-4086
(818) 785-4086
A handheld burger with lots of cheese from Bill’s Burgers in the San Fernando Valley.
Bill’s Burgers
Farley Elliott

Anajak Thai Cuisine

14704 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
Dry-aged black sea bream with nam jim seafood sauce from Anajak Thai.
Whole dry-aged fish at Anajak Thai.
Matthew Kang

This longtime family-owned Thai restaurant in Sherman Oaks is on top of the world right now, having just won the LA Times restaurant of the year award. It’s been the cool-kid hangout of the past two pandemic years thanks to lots of fun collaborations, weekly taco parties in the back alley, and plenty of natural wine. This is the must-eat restaurant of 2022 for the Valley.

14704 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 501-4201
(818) 501-4201
Dry-aged black sea bream with nam jim seafood sauce from Anajak Thai.
Whole dry-aged fish at Anajak Thai.
Matthew Kang

Petit Trois

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Petit Trois’ messy burger with bordelaise sauce and lots of cheese shown on a white plate in the restaurant.
Petit Trois
Matthew Kang

The second location for Petit Trois 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.

13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
(818) 989-2600
(818) 989-2600