10 Great Places To Eat & Drink In Los Angeles This Year

January 25, 2021

The largest city in California, Los Angeles, known more popularly as LA, is one of the hottest travel destinations in the United States. The home of Hollywood, it is also a target for many aspiring actors, musicians and artists who move to the city looking to make it big. With this diverse and creative crowd, it is little surprise that the LA food scene is also one of quirkiness and class. In this article, we’ll show you some of the best cafes and restaurants in Los Angeles.

Groundwork Coffee Company

Groundwork Coffee, Los Angeles
The tasty Daybreaker sandwich from Groundwork Coffee, Los Angeles

Beginning life as a small café at Venice Beach, Groundwork has spent the last 30 years growing and growing. They now boast a host of cafes along the West coast and two roasteries, in LA and Portland. In total, there are 15 cafes spread across LA, each with its own charms. All of the cafes offer dine in services, with comfortable seating and a chilled vibe in which to chat or catch up on some work. Sandwiches and a range of other lunches are served in the majority and some of the cafes even have an outside dining area, so you can make the most of the Californian weather.

Kinjiro

Kinjiro, Ls Angeles
Succulent grilled octopus from Kinjiro, Ls Angeles

Named after the famous Japanese agricultural reformer Ninomiya Kinjiro, the restaurant which carries his name now aims to continue his mission by bringing joy to its customers via food and drink. This top rated Japanese restaurant is found in the Little Tokyo region of LA and specialises in large sharing platters and other smaller Japanese dishes, washed down with Kinjiro’s very own sake – a kind of Japanese rice wine. Consistently rated as one of the best Japanese restaurants in LA, you’ll be hard pressed to find somewhere better to enjoy a meal.

Bolt

Bolt, Los Angeles
Warm rosemary chicken sandwich with melted Vermont sharp cheddar cheese from Bolt, LA

Bolt’s focus is on simple, comforting food and drink, whilst its chic interior reflects the artistic quirkiness of LA as a whole. Food, coffee and a range of baked goods and pastries can be eaten in or taken away, and there is a small outdoor dining area too. Bolt serves Beanstock coffee from Massachusetts and the menu as a whole is styled on the US east coast, bringing the other side of the country into California. The café does a delicious hearty breakfast, including breakfast burritos, avocado toast and breakfast sandwiches, whilst lunch typically includes a range of sandwiches and salads.

Hinterhof Vegan German Kitchen and Beer Garden

Hinterhof Vegan German Kitchen and Beer Garden
In German, a “hinterhof” is a backyard meeting place, used for everything from playing, cooking, hanging the laundry, drinking with friends and more

This place screams LA to its very core. In German, a “hinterhof” is a backyard meeting place, used for everything from playing, cooking, hanging the laundry, drinking with friends and more. This practice is most common in Berlin and it is this atmosphere that Hinterhof Vegan German Kitchen and Beer Garden have tried to tap into. Their menu is entirely vegan, with plant-based versions of some of Germany’s most classic dishes on offer. Vegan schnitzels and other German street food can be enjoyed with a tankard of beer in the indoor equivalent of a traditional hinterhof, but with a modern twist.

Mama’s Chicken

Mama's Chicken
Boasting just one exclusive location, the menu includes a host of delicious chicken meals

Operating in the heart of LA for more than 50 years, Mama’s Chicken remains family-owned and operated, as it was when it first started life as a simple hamburger stand. Boasting just one exclusive location, the menu includes a host of delicious chicken meals. Fried chicken breast, thighs, legs and more are served with a variety of sides including fries and salads. The restaurant also does breakfasts, and an array of sandwiches, sausages and tacos to boot.

Candela La Brea

Candela La Brea, Los Angeles
Candela La Brea is primarily a private hire restaurant, offering a full service Mexican menu

Candela La Brea is primarily a private hire restaurant, offering a full service Mexican menu, perfect for parties and other gatherings of friends and family. The venue boasts three rooms and a square footage of more than 16,000! However, the company do run a normal day-to-day restaurant as well, serving great tasting Mexican food to LA diners. On Taco Wednesdays, tacos are reduced in price to just $1 (excluding seafood), whilst other appetising entrees include enchiladas and burritos. There is also a daily Happy Hour on drinks from 5pm until 7pm, with great deals on draft beer, cocktails and wine.

40 Love

40 Love, Los Angeles
40 Love is renowned as one of LA’s best sports bars

Styled on a classic American country club and with comfortable booth seating and more than 25 large flat-screen TV’s, 40 Love is renowned as one of LA’s best sports bars. The perfect place to cheer on your favourite team with a few drinks and some delicious food, the bar features an extensive menu. Burgers, hot dogs and a range of paninis and sandwiches make perfect meals while you’re watching the game and the drinks flow readily between 4 and 6pm Monday to Friday, as Happy Hour takes over. The white interior decorated with abundant green plants makes for a really pleasant atmosphere, and when there’s no sport on, it makes a great place for a quiet, chilled meal.

Sharky’s

Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill
Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill is renowned throughout LA as one of the top-rated Mexican chains in the city

Sharky’s Woodfired Mexican Grill is renowned throughout LA as one of the top-rated Mexican chains in the city. With more than 30 restaurants in all, the majority in LA, it has also succeeded in rising to the top of the market share. Sharky’s has managed this thanks to an innovative menu, packed with fresh ingredients and unique cooking styles, thanks to the vision of founder Steve Paperno. Nachos with fresh guacamole, quesadillas and enchiladas are just some of the classics you’ll find one the menu, along with a range of more unusual Mexican dishes.

800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen

800 Degrees Los Angeles
800 Degrees offers mouth-watering meals, with woodfired pizzas and rotisserie meats being some of the most popular menu items

Founder of 800 Degrees Woodfired Kitchen is Anthony Carron, whose motivating passion is cooking with wood fire. The resulting smokiness of the dishes served at his restaurants is what has made it such a popular haunt for LA residents, as well as in cities across the United States, where the brand has established a presence. High quality ingredients cooked in this way lead to mouth-watering meals, with woodfired pizzas and rotisserie meats being some of the most popular menu items. The chain also sells a variety of sandwiches and salads, packed with smoky and fresh fillings.

Just Turkey LA

Just Turkey, LA
Just Turkey sells a variety of turkey burgers and other poultry based dishes

Guess what this restaurant sells! Just Turkey sells a variety of turkey burgers and other poultry based dishes. Originating in Chicago, the company has seen such success that it has been expanding rapidly, and LA is just the latest in a long line of new store openings. Rich in protein, turkey is often lauded as a healthier alternative to red meat and even chicken, and it is this that the company tries to tap into. As well as the burgers, you can order turkey legs, turkey wraps and turkey salads, with the restaurant also offering delivery to customers.

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