Food and Los Angeles are synonymous, it's a sin to visit the city and not partake in its energetic and unparalleled culinary scene. Breaking gastronomic grounds, experimental in nature, and flat out bursting with palate tantalizing flavors, LA's food scene is a homage to indigenous ingredients and avant-garde cooking techniques. It's no surprise that LA is home to some of the most prominent and alluring restaurants in the world.
Badmaash
What do you get when you take pop culture, mix it up with Bollywood, sprinkle in some family love for cooking, take a side trip to Canada, and finally set-up shop in downtown LA? Well, that's Badmaash, in a nutshell, a 'gastropub' serving traditional Indian food amidst a Californian contemporary setting. A passion project of Pawan Mahendro and his sons Nakul and Arjun, Badmaash is a quick ride to authentic Indian flavors served in a no-fuss casual space. Start your meal at Badmaash with either the onion fritters or Punjabi fish fry and move on to the in-house fusion favorite, chicken tikka poutine. Finish it all up with the spicy ghost chili chicken vindaloo for a truly memorable food experience.
Address: 108 W 2nd St #104, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Cielito Lindo
A legendary food stand situated on the iconic Olvera Street, Cielito Lindo has been dishing out finger-licking Mexican food for almost 90 years now. LA street food at its very best, the restaurant, with a small seating option inside, has a cozy neighborhood feel to it, adding to its charm. Cielito Lindo's "world-famous" taquitos - that's a rolled-up taco - with avocado sauce is the main reason for its popularity. Crunchy, sweet, sour, and texturally diverse, this homemade recipe of taquitos will definitely leave you wanting more. Although the menu at Cielito Lindo is limited, you'll still find Mexican favorites like burritos and tamale on offer here, all of which go down rather well with a glass of raspberry ice tea or horchata.
Address: E-23 Olvera St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Jon and Vinny's
Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo's masterclass in Italian cooking, this is by far the best place in town to satisfy those unavoidable pizza yearnings, provided you can find a spot to sit. The quaint and somewhat cafe like interiors might make you wonder about the food for a second, but that's only till the plates start to arrive, and the sight and smell of piping hot dishes hit your nose first and then your tongue. Jon and Vinny's is so good with their pizzas that you can close your eyes and pick one from their menu, and end up with precisely what you desired. Still, if you must choose, go with the White Lightening and LA Woman if you're a vegetarian or the Roman Gladiator for a meat-filled delight. The plates of pasta are equally delectable here, and if you can't get enough of Jon and Vinny's, you're in luck, because they open for breakfast too.
Address: 412 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Dumpling Monster
Budget eating at its delicious best, Perry Cheung's Dumpling Monster is all about Chinese food served with love and a passion for cooking. While the business model caters more towards Dumpling Monster being a "fast-food" joint, don't let its appearance fool you. Inside, the chefs work tirelessly to hand-make the dumplings, guaranteeing freshly prepared dishes each time, every time. The soup dumplings are hot sellers here. Go with the pork and Dungeness crab filling, or better yet, the pork and black truffle soup dumplings which are available to dine-in customers only.
Address: 7318 Santa Monica Blvd Suite 60, West Hollywood, CA 90046
Spago
First-timers in LA need to visit Spago. It's quite simply a culinary institution and the "flagship restaurant" of world-renowned chef, Wolfgang Puck. A fine-dining affair of the highest quality, sophistication oozes from every corner of this charming restaurant situated in Beverly Hills. If the wine bottle wall isn't enough to seduce you, the food presentations will. The a la carte menu comprises of exotic delicacies like Kaluga caviar, Santa Barbara uni served with soft scrambled egg and a whole Cantonese duck. If unsure, pick the tried and tested California tasting menu for a gastronomic journey with plentiful local ingredients and specialties.
Address: 176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Destroyer
Subtle novelty is the name of the game at Jordan Kahn's Destroyer, a contemporary hipster joint that opens its doors only for breakfast and lunch. Now, the name is a bit of a red-herring, considering how delicate the restaurant feels from inside. Unless of course you take into account the food, which completely destroys any preconceived notion you might have. The decor is minimalistic, and the open kitchen, a pleasant surprise. After all, when is it not a delight to watch food being prepared? The food, though, is phenomenal to look at and taste. Start with their roasted cauliflower and end with the chicken confit for a meal you won't easily forget.
Address: 3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
Banadir Somali Restaurant
Exotic, inexpensive, and tasty, Banadir brings to light all the pluses of Somali cuisine in a casual eatery where food and conversations take precedence over flair and sophistication. There aren't any printed menus at Banadir, but don't be afraid to ask the staff for recommendations. Rice with chicken or goat meat are the staples, and their beef suqaar is a must-try. Unassumingly good, Banadir is perfect for when you're out and about with friends as their servings are quite large. At the same time, the unfamiliar tastes, they serve a banana with every dish, something truly novel.
Address: 137 Arbor Vitae St, Inglewood, CA 90301
Dan Tana's
The place in LA for celebrity spotting, Dan Tana's, has been a favorite with locals and Hollywood bigshots now for over 50 years. A vintage joint in the most real sense, it's here that you can enjoy copious amounts of wine with comforting Italian food all year round in a festive and warm ambiance. In a city that is trying to reinvent food every few days, Dan Tana's is one place where you can still have the classic spaghetti and meatballs or a veal cutlet Milanese, for an unforgettable trip down memory lane.
Address: 9071 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Conclusion
LA's culinary appeal lies in the fact that you are guaranteed a great bite of food no matter where you go. Furthermore, the sheer diversity in cuisines available is mind-blowing and a dream come true for any gourmand. From award-winning food trucks to restaurants under the tutelage of celebrity chefs, there's food here to satisfy every possible craving.