I've spent most of my life in the San Fernando Valley so I know the dining scene pretty well, but there's still so much for me to discover. I tend to eat at the more hole-in-the-wall places in Los Angeles rather than the hottest restaurants on any "best in Los Angeles" food list. If you're an adventurous eater, you'll probably appreciate this list.
Hope you enjoy my list of the best places to eat in the Valley! There isn't a shortage of good local lood in the 818.
Hope you enjoy my list of the best places to eat in the Valley! There isn't a shortage of good local lood in the 818.
ARGENTINE
Mercado Buenos Aires - Steak and eggs, Argentine-style pizza
AMERICAN
Horseless Carriage - Prime rib dinners including pie, lobster omelet, clam chowder (might be available on certain days)
Probably the best value for prime rib in Los Angeles.
BAKERY
Lodge Bread - Artisan bread and pastries
BARBECUE
Boneyard Bistro - Barbecue, craft beer on draft and bottle list
This place is so underrated. They have excellent barbecue and some the best craft beer selection in Los Angeles.
Handy Market - Baby back ribs and beef ribs on Saturday mornings
Swinging Door BBQ - Persian-owned Texas-inpired barbecue joint which gives you a feeling of a passion project
BREAKFAST
Athenian Grill - Breakfast burrito
One of the best breakfast burritos in Los Angeles. You won't be disappointed.
Carrillo's Tortilleria - Mexican breakfast
Get the tamales with mole and the pozole.
Granville Cafe - Dutch pancakes
Ever since the closure of Du-Par's there's been a void of really good pancakes. I recently discovered the proscuitto pancakes at Granville after my sister introduced them to me. They are perfectly crisp and fluffy, but not too thick. This is the best dish I've had at Granville so far. Better texture than Cici's pancakes.
The Hungry Fox - Chicken and waffles
The best chicken and waffles in Los Angeles.
BRITISH
Robin Hood Pub - Fish and chips and bangers
Probably the best British fish and chips in LA. Head next door and get the frozen bangers to cook at home.
CHILEAN
Chilenazo - Chilean tamal
CHINESE
Bamboo Cuisine - Best shrimp fried rice at this Chinese restaurant catering to the American palate.
Szechuan Place - Regional Chinese food catering to Chinese students at CSUN.
Sam Woo - Cantonese-style barbecue chain with an extensive menu. I like the mixed barbecue plate and their deep fried calamari.
CARIBBEAN
Johnny Pacific - Empanadas inspired by chef's time cooking in the Caribbean
The best empanadas you will taste in your life from a fine dining chef inspired by the food stands during his time working in the Caribbean.
Cha Cha Chicken - Coconut chicken
COFFEE (for true coffee aficionados that drink their coffee black without flavored syrups)
10 Speed Coffee
Blue Bottle Coffee - Dependable craft coffee chain with strict training program for baristas
House Roots Coffee - Non-profit coffee shop one of several coffees shops in Los Angeles affiliated with a Christian church
Red Window Coffee - Cute Australian coffee window serving a limited menu of coffee, pastries, and Aussie pies
Superba Snacks + Coffee - Coffee window with friendly service, outstanding pastries, and coffee beans from 49th Parallel Coffee
Tortoni Cafe - Argentine-owned coffee pour coffee made with Verve coffee beans
Gateway coffee for Starbucks drinkers and those that don't like the taste of coffee -- they have a plethora of flavored syrups.
COLOMBIAN
Sazón Colombia - breakfast, cheese bread
CUBAN
Porto's - Potato balls, pan con lechon
La Taverna Cubana - Cubano sandwich
Versailles - Dependable Cuban in the Valley. I like the lechon asado here.
FILIPINO
Bamboo Bistro - "Boodle Fight" dinners or better known in USA as kamayan-style.
Barrio Fiesta - Crispy pata and kare-kare
They are known for these two dishes. Don't sleep on ordering these.
Goto at Silog - Goto, arroz caldo (Filipino rice porridges)
Hopia Like It - Hopia mongo and halo-halo. Best cebuchon in LA.
House of Grill - My aunt and other older Filipino tell me this is the best Filipino cooking in the Valley
Jollibee - Fried chicken with white rice and gravy, peach mango pie inspired by McDonald's hand pies
Some of the best fast food fried chicken.
Lilian's Bread & Sweets - Ukoy, hard-to-find regional Filipino dishes, empanadas
This is probably my favorite Filipino restaurant in the Valley tucked inside a car wash.
Manila Sunset - Bibingka, puto bumbong, grilled squid
Oi Asian Fusion - Adobo and pork belly bowl
FRENCH
Petit Trois Le Valley - Croque madame or monsieur
Go for the buzzy scene and cocktails rather than out of the ordinary food. This is French bistro fare, so if you've been to France, this place will take you back. Chef Ludo is known for his omelet which you can try to make at home. Not a fan of their pastry or bread.
GREEK
Firehouse Restaurant - Chicken gyros
This is their most popular dish and my most favorite gyros in Los Angeles.
The Great Greek - Amazing pita bread and saganaki (flaming cheese dish)
Festive and loud Greek restaurant. If you want a lively atmosphere at dinner, this is it. Opa!
HAMBURGER
Bill's Hamburger - Old time roadside stand using high quality beef from a local purveyor
The Habit Burger Grill - To some, better than In-N-Out
Hiho Cheeseburger - My favorite hamburger sourcing Wagyu from New Zealand
In-N-Out - There's a long long for a reason. Classic hamburgers served with a smile and a fair price.
HOT DOGS
Dog Haus - Creative hot dogs in Hawaiian bread
Fab Hot Dogs - You can't go wrong with the ripper or any of their hot dogs and their tater tots
Vicious Dogs - Sweet and spicy dog
ICE CREAM
Fatamorgana Gelato - Gelateria from Rome opened in Studio City. Chef Ludo Lefebvre is a fan.
McConnell's - Farm-to-table ice cream
La Michoacana in San Fernando - Mexican-style ice cream, mangeonadas, and paletas
Salt & Straw - Adventurous flavors for gourmands from this spot from Portland. Look for the local chef series. Not for everyone!
INDIAN
India's Sweets & Spices in Canoga Park - Ask for recommendations
The prices are low and always crowded with Indians. Always a good sign if you see where Indians eating Indian food. I'll eat anything. I love their dosas. My Indian friend said the cooking here is the best in Los Angeles other than what she can get at home.
Chennai Tiffins - Dosas
More "gourmet" dosas than what you'll find at India's Sweets & Spices. They also have a location in Artesia (Little India).
ISRAELI
Hummus Bar & Grill - Hummus, fresh flat bread, falafel, shakshuka, you'll want to "open the table"
Go with a large group and ask them to "open the table"
Tel Aviv Grill - Chicken schawarma, sabich, falafel, schnitzel
My favorite spot for Israeli cuisine. They currently have four locations and is very popular with the Israeli community.
ITALIAN
Grandi Italiani - LA Institution that relocated to the Valley serving their popular spaghetti bolognese, NY-style cheesecake
Lido's / Chi Chi's Pizza - Housemade pasta
I enjoy their spaghetti and meatballs. Come for lunch and enjoy all you can eat pasta.
Monte Carlo Italian Deli - Grocery (tinned seafood!), lasagna, meatballs, pasta with meat sauce, house wine reminscent of Italy
Shop for Italian goods for home then head to the restaurant for lasagna, meatballs or pasta with meat sauce.
Osteria La Bucca - short rib ravioli, bucatini carbonara, crispy brussels sprouts, housemade ricotta
ITALIAN SANDWICHES
Cavaretta's Italian Deli - Corned beef (my fave) and meatball sandwiches are popular, lasagna (cold or hot), cannoli
Cricca's Italian Deli - Ask for any sandwich on their crunch bread
The owner started at Cavaretta's and parted ways and opened Cricca's.
Domingo's Italian Deli - Really good sandwiches made with great bread
JEWISH DELI
Brent's Deli - Black pastrami reuben
Some say this is the best Jewish deli west of the Mississippi. I come here if I am too lazy to head to Langer's.
JAPANESE
Go's Mart - Expensive, exotic fish sushi in a no frills dive environment
Sushi Iki - High-end omakase
If you're feeling spendy, order the omakase which starts at $100. Expect foie gras and caviar.
Sushi Spot - Traditional, inexpensive no fuss omakase with the best service! This is a destination restaurant where chefs eat.
This is my favorite spot for sushi. I am a regular -- more so pre-Covid days. Try the chef's choice menu then the omakase from $40+. It's not for pretty Instagrammable sushi on pretty plates (you'll get sushi on melamine plates), but well made sushi at a great value. Chef has been making sushi since the 80s.
Ramen Nippon - Tokyo-style ramen (lighter broth). This is where local Japanese chefs eat ramen.
KOREAN
ABC Tofu House (formerly BCD Tofu House) - tofu clay pot soups.
AYCE Gogi - Not Koreatown, but when you're lazy to drive. All you can eat Korean barbecue and craft beer, with a pinball arcade in the back. Not many Koreans eat here, but it's a lively environment for a night out with friends.
MUSSE - Bone broth soup
Myungin Dumplings - Korean dumplings from this Koreantown spot now open in Northridge. Bourdain was a fan.
Shik Do Rak - Galbi
MEXICAN
Birrieria Apatzingan - Birria, chavindeca, huchepos
Regional Mexican food from Apatzingan.
Birrieria Gonzalez
Carnitas Loya Fast Food - Carnitas tacos on handmade tortillas
Catch 818 Mariscos - Cevicheria with refreshingly great service.
Try the clamatado or the ceviche de camaron en salsa negra con mango
Cemitas Poblanas Don Adrian - Cemitas
I'm a regular and usually get the traditional vegetarian or milanesa with papalo.
Centro Botanero Mazatlan - Shrimp tacos on tortilla de nopal
Mariscos Camarena Estilo Nayarit - Shrimp empanadas, aguachile, campechana, tostadas
Mariscos Mazaltecos - Food truck specializing in ceviche
Mi Ranchito Veracruz - Veracruz-style tamales, Veracruz-style fish and shrimp tacos, churros
The banana leaf tamales is what they are known for. This is my go-to dish. Their fish tacos are different than Ensenada style, but they are equally delicious and worth trying.
Rosie's Tamales - tamales (go early they sell out), champurrado (hot chocolate)
Tacos el Tijuanense - quesabirria tacos
Taqueria Mi Ranchito - carne asada and cabeza tacos
My favorite carne asada and cabeza tacos in Los Angeles.
PERSIAN
Sadaf - Ground chicken kabob (their specialty is chicken kabob)
Their specialty is the ground chicken kabob. A Persian said that this was the best Persian resto in the Valley.
PIZZA
786 Pizzeria - Creative Neopolitan-style pizzas with a secret menu from a passionate halal chef
Pizza Wagon of Brooklyn - Best NYC slice in LA!
Pizzana - Neo-Neopolitan style pizza
PORTUGUESE
Natas Pastries - Natas (Portuguese egg tart) and hard to find Portuguese dishes
SINGAPOREAN
Maxwell Chicken Rice - Hainan chicken rice inspired by Singaporean hawker stalls and fried chicken
TEXMEX
AJ's Tex-Mex & Barbecue - Brisket breakfast tacos
HomeState
SPANISH
Gasolina Cafe - Ask for recommendations. Great for breakfast and lunch.
SYRIAN
Esso Mediterranean Bistro - Donut-shaped falafel
Kobee Factory - Kobee barbecue
THAI
Bua Siam - Fried catfish and apple salad, dynamite wings
Chai Thung - everything is good!
This is where Thai families eat Thai food in the Valley. My favorite Thai restaurant in Los Angeles.
Sri Siam - crispy rice with Thai sausage, khao soi, sweet and sour pork ribs
Chefs in the know from all over city make the trek to the Valley to eat Thai food.
Wat Thai (Thai Temple) - Weekend food festival. Try everything. This is Thai food for Thai people.
This is where all Thai families come to eat Thai food on the weekends.
