LOS ANGELES
OO la la la, LALA land. There is so much good food in LA. These are my top favs from my college days. I still go back many times a year so there are some new ones here too. Mostly Echo Park, Silverlake, East LA because thats just what I know best. Still, this list is so hard to narrow down to 12 but here we go, in no particular order ....
01
Joy
This place got a little ran through after Chrissy Teigan went here, but i think they're back on the come up. I could eat these dan dan noodles forever. The thousand layer pancake is also amazing, i get it with egg but no cheese. (Joy)
02
Little Beast
This place is just so cute for the vibes, most adorable little bistro with a bit of a rotating seasonal menu. So intimate and cozy, every bite is made with so much love. (Little Beast)
03
Cento Pasta Bar
This is a very recent find for me but def one of the best meals I've had in LA. Everything here was so good, the starters were delish but the pasta was incredible. we tried 4 different ones and literally couldn't pick a fav (beet spaghetti, sweet corn agnolotti, broccoli bucatini, and spicy pomodoro -- hello ideal lineup) each one was so unique. 10/10 recommend. (Cento)
04
All Time
Best brunch ever. The french toast here is so good and the breakfast crispy rice is another one of my favs. This food is fresh, farm to the table and you can taste it. Their coffee is also amazing and they have the best little bakery selection if you want to pick up bread or cookie for later. (All time)
05
Night+Market
This is "LA Thai" as described by the chef, the place is just fun vibes for a big group so you can try everything. They have a couple locations, i've only been to the Weho one. Noodles and cocktails are so good (Night + Market)
06
Bacetti
Bacetti does not miss. I went with my sister and she ordered the focaccia 3 times thats how good it is. It has currants and rosemary and you order it with a honey butter. would go back a million times again just to keep eating this bread. chef's kiss. their carbonara is also really solid.
07
Villas Tacos
This is my favorite taco on all of earth and probably my favorite bite of food in all of LA. Victor and his team are the most incredible people, they've gone from a stand outside his house to a pop up to a full brick and mortar in like 2 years. Won best taco in LA multiple times (after i discovered them just to say). I get their nopales and potato con queso. i actually dream about these tacos and it is my most mandotory stop every time i come back. literally drooling as im writing this. (Villas)
08
Sticky Rice
First time I went here it was a little pop up on York with only sidewalk seating (so nyc core in LA), now i think they have a couple locations. Thai street food, their roti curry is one of the best i've had. crispy tofu and papaya salad are also a big slay. (Sticky Rice)
09
Bacari
Another place that got too popular and kind of stopped being as good but the silverlake one is such cool spot with the trees inside and really good for a huge group, ive sat like 15 people at a table and they handle it so well. I personally didn't love brunch here but i do love ordering a million things off their dinner menu. the mac and cheese is so good, beet ricotta, seabass, and stuffed mushrooms are all also really good -- drinks are also delish. (Bacari)
10
Alimento
Cutest little fresh pasta place in Silverlake. Looks like their menu has changed since last time I went so no specific recs but this is good fresh fresh pasta from a James Beard so im sure everything new is equally delicious. (Alimento)
11
Porto's
If you actually want to have the most amazing, incredible delicious french toast of your life go here. It's Cuban "torrejas" with some kind of cream that must be made with actual magic. (you have to order this before 10am so make sure you go early) The potato balls and all their other pastries are also delicious. Another meal i think about very often. This is a bakery not like a sit down restaurant so just beware but still 100% worth the stop. (Portos)
12
Guerilla Tacos
The sweet potato feta taco here did actually change my life a little bit, really anything in a taco shape can be a taco if you do it right. Their cod taco is also really good, all the flavor combos here are so unique i had never really had a habanero onion before but so good. (also great drinks) but restaurant is kind of in a very random spot. (Guerilla)
