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Broken Spanish Chicharron
Broken Spanish Chicharron
Stan Lee

The Single Best Dish to Try in 18 Different LA Neighborhoods

One thing to order, from Brentwood to Arts District

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Broken Spanish Chicharron
| Stan Lee

With such a broad geographical spread and notoriously infuriating traffic, it isn’t always easy to eat through all the neighborhoods in LA. So when in a new part of town, it’d be wise to make it count and hunt down the single best dish in the area. Here now, a highly curated list of the best dishes in 18 neighborhoods, presented from west to east.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

North Valley: Pastrami Reuben at Brent's Deli

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The reuben sandwich at Brent’s Deli is a study in balance: how the longtime deli takes thinly sliced pastrami and stacks it high with a layer of sauerkraut. Melted cheese and griddled rye complete the package for what might be LA’s best grilled sandwich.

Brent’s Deli The Hot Dish

Santa Monica: Fried Egg Sandwich at Huckleberry Cafe

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Expect to wait upwards of an hour at prime brunch hours at Huckleberry. Most of the crowd has the egg sandwich on its mind, a perfect compilation of sunny-side-up eggs, Niman Ranch bacon, gruyere, arugula, and aioli on country toast.

Fried egg sandwich with sunny eggs, crispy Niman Ranch bacon, melted gruyere, fresh arugula, and rich aioli on toasted country bread. Huckleberry

Venice: Smoked Fish at Gjusta

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Few restaurants are more representative of the current state of Venice than Gjusta, what may be the best lunch on the Westside with an outstanding selection of baked goods and an outstanding porchetta sandwich. The star of the show though is the smoked fish which can be had as a plate or on a bialy with pickled onions and herbs.

Brentwood: Pizza at Pizzana

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Big words have been said about Brentwood newcomer Pizzana. Thankfully, the naturally fermented dough and wood firing that comes by way of Italian-born chef Daniele Uditi makes for a gloriously chewy miracle that doesn’t disappoint.

A black background featuring an uncut, charred vegetable pizza from Pizzana. Wonho Frank Lee

South Valley: Burger from Bill's Burgers 

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Proprietor Bill Elwell makes a fantastic two roadside burger in Van Nuys, along a sleepy road that looks like it hasn’t changed much in decades. Order up a double cheeseburger with some crispy bacon, and marvel at how good this simple burger can be.

Westwood: Kabobs from Taste of Tehran

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There are plenty of great places for kabobs in Westwood, or otherwise known as Tehrangeles for its concentration of Persian restaurants. Taste of Tehran strikes a nice balance between affordable and flavor-forward without being too fussy.

Manhattan Beach: Bacon Cheddar Biscuits at MB Post

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There may be no more delicious carbohydrate in all of Los Angeles than the bacon cheddar biscuits with maple butter at MB Post. A meal at this Manhattan Beach staple just isn’t complete without the generous pucks of all things delicious.

Beverly Hills: Chocolate Souffle at CUT

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The chocolate souffle is legendary here for a reason: it’s basically a textbook example of how good the French dessert can be when it’s well prepared. Leave room after gorging on grilled meats from Wolfgang Puck’s flagship steakhouse.

Cut Souffle

West Hollywood: Chicken Parm from Dan Tana's

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One of Hollywood’s most legendary eateries has been serving its signature chicken parm for 50 years. Although the dish may seem rather pricey, the hefty helping is more than enough to share.

Hollywood: Steak at Chi Spacca

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No one should complete a meal at this temple of carnivorous predilections without what is arguably the best steak in the city—the 50-ounce dry-aged black angus porterhouse that is the bistecca fiorentina.

Chi Spacca Steak Nick Solares

Torrance: Soba at Ichimiann

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The bucksheat noodles at this Old Torrance institution come in a variety of ways. The basic zaru soba is fantastic on its own, served arrayed on a wooden mat. However, the hot or cold bowls add variation to repeat visits, such as the one laden with seaweed for extra doses of umami flavor.

Koreatown: Galbi Jjim at Sun Nong Dan

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Once considered a dish reserved for royalty, galbi jjim, or braised Korean short ribs, is best prepared at Sun Nong Dan. Order it spicy and prepare for a super garlicy, ultra delicious stew that has the likes of Jonathan Gold and David Chang singing its praises.

Sun Nong Dan
Sun Nong Dan
Farley Elliott

Silver Lake: Fried Chicken Sandwich at Night + Market Song

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Once an off-menu special for those in the know, the craze for Night + Market’s fried chicken sandwich was so real that it became a staple on the menu. When in Silver Lake, there may be no better lunch than the Chiang Rai-style chicken thigh that is dressed in the east-meets-west accoutrements of papaya slaw and ranch dressing. 

Downtown: Chicharron at Broken Spanish

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Ray Garcia’s modern Mexican restaurant has one dish everyone must try: the crispy pork chicharron. It’s a whole pork belly slice deep-fried and then topped with a lime-riddled sauce of elephant garlic and fresh herbs. Try it with house made salsa and blue corn tortillas.

Arts District: Cavatelli alla Norcina at Bestia

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Bestia opened back in 2012, completely revolutionizing the now-hip Arts District. Back then, it was without question the hottest table in town, and now, nearly five years later, little has changed. That’s in part thanks to the ever-popular cavatelli alla norcina made of ricotta dumplings, housemade pork sausage, black truffles, and Grana Padano.

Pasadena: Breakfast Burrito at Lucky Boy

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Perhaps the platonic ideal of a breakfast burrito, this Pasadena favorite has been making this affordable morning classic for generations. Just be prepared to skip lunch.

SGV: Toothpick Lamb from Chengdu Taste

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The dish on everyone’s table at Chengdu Taste is without question the toothpick lamb. The fatty pieces of meat are heavily doused in cumin and chili and skewered on toothpicks, practically begging for it to be paired with a frosty glass of beer    

South LA: Tacos Los Guichos

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While there are certainly plenty of excellent places for tacos al pastor in Los Angeles, don’t miss out on this street food favorite that sports two dueling al pastor trompos on weekends. Spinning late through the night, they’re some of the best tacos in the city.

Tacos Los Guichos

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North Valley: Pastrami Reuben at Brent's Deli

The reuben sandwich at Brent’s Deli is a study in balance: how the longtime deli takes thinly sliced pastrami and stacks it high with a layer of sauerkraut. Melted cheese and griddled rye complete the package for what might be LA’s best grilled sandwich.

Brent’s Deli The Hot Dish

Santa Monica: Fried Egg Sandwich at Huckleberry Cafe

Expect to wait upwards of an hour at prime brunch hours at Huckleberry. Most of the crowd has the egg sandwich on its mind, a perfect compilation of sunny-side-up eggs, Niman Ranch bacon, gruyere, arugula, and aioli on country toast.

Fried egg sandwich with sunny eggs, crispy Niman Ranch bacon, melted gruyere, fresh arugula, and rich aioli on toasted country bread. Huckleberry

Venice: Smoked Fish at Gjusta

Few restaurants are more representative of the current state of Venice than Gjusta, what may be the best lunch on the Westside with an outstanding selection of baked goods and an outstanding porchetta sandwich. The star of the show though is the smoked fish which can be had as a plate or on a bialy with pickled onions and herbs.

Brentwood: Pizza at Pizzana

Big words have been said about Brentwood newcomer Pizzana. Thankfully, the naturally fermented dough and wood firing that comes by way of Italian-born chef Daniele Uditi makes for a gloriously chewy miracle that doesn’t disappoint.

A black background featuring an uncut, charred vegetable pizza from Pizzana. Wonho Frank Lee

South Valley: Burger from Bill's Burgers 

Proprietor Bill Elwell makes a fantastic two roadside burger in Van Nuys, along a sleepy road that looks like it hasn’t changed much in decades. Order up a double cheeseburger with some crispy bacon, and marvel at how good this simple burger can be.

Westwood: Kabobs from Taste of Tehran

There are plenty of great places for kabobs in Westwood, or otherwise known as Tehrangeles for its concentration of Persian restaurants. Taste of Tehran strikes a nice balance between affordable and flavor-forward without being too fussy.

Manhattan Beach: Bacon Cheddar Biscuits at MB Post

There may be no more delicious carbohydrate in all of Los Angeles than the bacon cheddar biscuits with maple butter at MB Post. A meal at this Manhattan Beach staple just isn’t complete without the generous pucks of all things delicious.

Beverly Hills: Chocolate Souffle at CUT

The chocolate souffle is legendary here for a reason: it’s basically a textbook example of how good the French dessert can be when it’s well prepared. Leave room after gorging on grilled meats from Wolfgang Puck’s flagship steakhouse.

Cut Souffle

West Hollywood: Chicken Parm from Dan Tana's

One of Hollywood’s most legendary eateries has been serving its signature chicken parm for 50 years. Although the dish may seem rather pricey, the hefty helping is more than enough to share.

Hollywood: Steak at Chi Spacca

No one should complete a meal at this temple of carnivorous predilections without what is arguably the best steak in the city—the 50-ounce dry-aged black angus porterhouse that is the bistecca fiorentina.

Chi Spacca Steak Nick Solares

Torrance: Soba at Ichimiann

The bucksheat noodles at this Old Torrance institution come in a variety of ways. The basic zaru soba is fantastic on its own, served arrayed on a wooden mat. However, the hot or cold bowls add variation to repeat visits, such as the one laden with seaweed for extra doses of umami flavor.

Koreatown: Galbi Jjim at Sun Nong Dan

Once considered a dish reserved for royalty, galbi jjim, or braised Korean short ribs, is best prepared at Sun Nong Dan. Order it spicy and prepare for a super garlicy, ultra delicious stew that has the likes of Jonathan Gold and David Chang singing its praises.

Sun Nong Dan
Sun Nong Dan
Farley Elliott

Silver Lake: Fried Chicken Sandwich at Night + Market Song

Once an off-menu special for those in the know, the craze for Night + Market’s fried chicken sandwich was so real that it became a staple on the menu. When in Silver Lake, there may be no better lunch than the Chiang Rai-style chicken thigh that is dressed in the east-meets-west accoutrements of papaya slaw and ranch dressing. 

Downtown: Chicharron at Broken Spanish

Ray Garcia’s modern Mexican restaurant has one dish everyone must try: the crispy pork chicharron. It’s a whole pork belly slice deep-fried and then topped with a lime-riddled sauce of elephant garlic and fresh herbs. Try it with house made salsa and blue corn tortillas.

Arts District: Cavatelli alla Norcina at Bestia

Bestia opened back in 2012, completely revolutionizing the now-hip Arts District. Back then, it was without question the hottest table in town, and now, nearly five years later, little has changed. That’s in part thanks to the ever-popular cavatelli alla norcina made of ricotta dumplings, housemade pork sausage, black truffles, and Grana Padano.

Related Maps

Pasadena: Breakfast Burrito at Lucky Boy

Perhaps the platonic ideal of a breakfast burrito, this Pasadena favorite has been making this affordable morning classic for generations. Just be prepared to skip lunch.

SGV: Toothpick Lamb from Chengdu Taste

The dish on everyone’s table at Chengdu Taste is without question the toothpick lamb. The fatty pieces of meat are heavily doused in cumin and chili and skewered on toothpicks, practically begging for it to be paired with a frosty glass of beer    

South LA: Tacos Los Guichos

While there are certainly plenty of excellent places for tacos al pastor in Los Angeles, don’t miss out on this street food favorite that sports two dueling al pastor trompos on weekends. Spinning late through the night, they’re some of the best tacos in the city.

Tacos Los Guichos

Related Maps