The Beverly Hills Hotel. Image credit: Instagram.com/bevhillshotel
The City of Angels, blue skies and palm trees may be the movie capital of the world, but Los Angeles is also a foodie destination worth travelling for. The home of eating clean and green has kick-started a food and restaurant scene that is innovative, exciting and downright delicious all at once.
Here is a round-up of my favourite places, some old classics and some new kids on the block. Go hungry and ready to eat.
PCPLA. Image credit: Instagram.com/pcpla
BUT FIRST, COFFEE
The best spots in town for a caffeine hit.
PCPLA
Great coffee, so no surprise the guys behind it are from Sydney.
456 N Fairfax Ave, Fairfax.
Blue Bottle Coffee
They sure know their Cortado from their Piccolo.
Many locations but try 132 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills and 830 N Fairfax Ave, Fairfax.
Alfred Coffee
I ordered my Cortado next to Will Ferrell last visit. Great coffee + celebrity sighting = Hollywood moment.
Lots of outposts, try 8428 Melrose Place, West Hollywood.
Alfred Coffee. Image credit: Instagram.com/alfred
Caffe Luxxe
The real caffeine deal.
925 Montana Ave, Santa Monica and Brentwood Country Mart, 225 26th St, Brentwood.
Menotti’s Coffee Stop
Hipster central.
56 Windward Ave, Venice.
Roo Coffee
More good coffee from an Aussie in the Sunset Triangle. Yes, you will find avo smash but also fairy bread.
1523 Griffith Park Blvd, Silver Lake.
Intelligentsia Coffee
A must-stop when wandering Venice.
1331 Abbott Kinney Blvd, Venice (also in Silver Lake).
Intelligentsia Coffee. Image credit: Instagram.com/diannykins
BRUNCH, LUNCH & DINNER
A mix of old and new favourites.
The Tower Bar, Sunset Tower Hotel
Old-school Hollywood glamour. Go for a drinks and dinner in the bar or lunch by the pool. You’re pretty much guaranteed to have a Hollywood heavyweight talking shop next to you.
8358 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood.
Il Pastaio
Delicious and classic Italian eating at this local favourite.
400 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills.
E.P. & L. P.
Melbourne DJ Grant Smilie continues to slay with his Asian-fusion dining hall and rooftop bar that boasts the greatest West Hollywood views. This place is fun.
603 N La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood.
Gracias Madre
Vegan and Mexican – who knew they went together? But they sure do here. A few years old now, the food is delicious and good for you, so it’s a win-win all round.
8905 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood.
Gracias Madre. Image credit: Instagram.com/gmweho
The Farm Shop at Brentwood Country Mart
Fresh seasonal eating with a stellar produce store.
225 26th St, Santa Monica.
The Beverly Hills Hotel
Not to be missed, the hardest part is choosing between The Polo Lounge, the Fountain Coffee Room and The Cabana Café.
9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills.
Fred’s Beverly Hills at Barneys New York
An oldie but a goodie for both the salad and the people-watching on the terrace.
9570 Wilshire Ave, Beverly Hills.
The Ivy on Robertson
Loved for its classic fare and celebrity guests.
113 N Robertson Blvd, West Hollywood.
Cecconi’s
Perfectly located on Melrose Avenue, this crowd-pleasing Italian is open all day.
8764 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood.
Cecconi’s. Image credit: Instagram.com/cecconiswesthollywood
AOC Wine Bar
Farm-to-table eating in a gorgeous walled courtyard.
West 3rd St, West Hollywood.
Sugar Fish
Fresh and fabulous sushi.
Many locations throughout LA, try 212 North Canon Dr, Beverly Hills.
Giorgio Baldi
This family owned Italian eatery is a celebrity favourite.
114 West Channel Rd, Santa Monica.
Gwen Butcher Shop & Restaurant
Fire-based meat cooking by famed Aussie chef Curtis Stone.
6600 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood.
Gjelina
Inventive and delicious food focused on seasonal produce. Enough reason in itself to fly to Los Angeles. A must visit.
1429 Abbott Kinney, Venice.
Gjelina. Image credit: Instagram.com/gjelinarestaurant
Gjusta Bakery
The daytime off-shoot of the famed Gjelina, great for lunch on the run.
320 Sunset Ave, Venice.
Nobu Hollywood
Iconic Japanese, the atmosphere and food is always the best.
903 La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood. (If you have time, head up the Pacific Highway to Nobu Malibu – the view is worth the drive. 22706 CA-1, Malibu.)
Café Stella
Yes, another French-inspired all-day bistro – but when they are this good, it’s all good. With an interesting take on the French classics, find time to get here.
3932 Sunset Blvd, Silverlake.
Sqirl
Get there very early for breakfast; it’s tiny and the line goes around the corner.
720 N Virgil Ave, East Hollywood.
Sqirl. Image credit: Instagram.com/foodieinvancouver
Chateau Marmont
Legendary for a reason, it’s a scene and so much fun to watch.
8221 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood.
Jon & Vinny’s
The hardest pizza table to secure in town. It’s authentic Italian dishes are served up with the most awesome tunes – no surprise it’s packed to the rafters day and night, seven days a week. Book well in advance on resy.com.
412 N Fairfax Av, Fairfax (the original) and 11938 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood (newly opened).
Joan’s on Third
A great daytime eating destination. A good pitstop if you are pounding the retail pavement between The Grove, 3rd Ave and Nth Fairfax.
8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles.
The Montage Hotel. Image credit: Instagram.com/georgie_bh
AFTER-DARK DRINKS
Nothing like a luxe hotel bar to enjoy an aperitif. Here’s a few old classics and some lively, fun places for your nightcap.
The Bar at The Montage Hotel
Gorgeous décor featuring potted palms and orchids.
225 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills.
The Rose
Behold the 40-foot cocktail bar.
220 Rose Ave, Venice.
The Rose. Image credit: Instagram.com/therosevenice
1 Pico at Shutters on the Beach
Enjoy a G&T with an ocean view.
1 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica.
Bar & Lounge at Hotel Bel-Air
Super private and hidden in the Hollywood hills.
701 Stone Canyon Rd, Bel-Air.
Hotel Bel-Air. Image credit: Supplied
The Nice Guy
Pays homage to the decadent era of Mafia bars and restaurants.
401 N La Cienega, West Hollywood.
Bar Nineteen 12 at The Beverly Hills Hotel
An iconic hotel with amazing views from the terrace.
9641 Sunset Boulevard, Beverly Hills.
Click Here: afl store