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.

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.

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.

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.

Reseda’s Vinh Loi Tofu is a hit with herbivores and omnivores alike with its extensive menu of Vietnamese classics prepared without animal protein. Any dish containing the restaurant’s signature made-from-scratch tofu is sure to please.

It takes a massive jaw and a serious appetite to conquer a cemita poblana, a beast of a sandwich constructed from a plush sesame roll jam packed with ripe avocados, panela cheese, Oaxacan string cheese, salsa, onions, and meat. Here at Cemitas Don Adrian, the Pueblan specialty comes together like a dream.

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.

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.

Scratch Bar is one of the most compelling places to dine in the Valley because of Phillip Frankland Lee and Margarita Lee’s irreverent and divisive approach to dining. At the heart of this moderately priced tasting menu restaurant are the Lees’ willingness to experiment with ingredients to delight diners, making Scratch Bar one of the most adventurous and forward-thinking restaurants in the area.

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.

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.

Asanebo has been on the receiving end of plenty of critical acclaim for its pristine cuts of fish, inventive sushi done to perfection, and exceptional chawanmushi and king crab to boot.