Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Excellent place to hide away and work on your laptop. Killer lattes, and really good pourovers. Lots of table space upstairs!
56 locals recommend
Caffe Vita
4459 Sunset BlvdExcellent place to hide away and work on your laptop. Killer lattes, and really good pourovers. Lots of table space upstairs!
Best. Croissants. In. LA. Period. So good! Come early to get them fresh before they run out. I always get a latte to, then a pastry to go. Everything here is baked on-site and is amazing.
171 locals recommend
Proof Bakery
3156 Glendale BlvdBest. Croissants. In. LA. Period. So good! Come early to get them fresh before they run out. I always get a latte to, then a pastry to go. Everything here is baked on-site and is amazing.
Ruen Pair
5257 Hollywood BlvdReally delicious Thai place. Highly recommend!
Wifi, totally decent food and coffee, and a really relaxed atmosphere. You *have* to check out the room around the bar to the right - it's like walking into a moonlit forest.
143 locals recommend
Bourgeois Pig
5931 Franklin AveWifi, totally decent food and coffee, and a really relaxed atmosphere. You *have* to check out the room around the bar to the right - it's like walking into a moonlit forest.
Great place for a beer and some delicious wings or burgers! Stop by here after a show at UCB.
214 locals recommend
Birds
5925 Franklin AveGreat place for a beer and some delicious wings or burgers! Stop by here after a show at UCB.
Hipster paradise. Come here for fantastic coffee (or grab a bag of freshly ground beans!) and stay for the people-watching and even Silver Lake celeb sightseeing.
510 locals recommend
Intelligentsia Coffee Silver Lake Coffeebar
3922 Sunset BlvdHipster paradise. Come here for fantastic coffee (or grab a bag of freshly ground beans!) and stay for the people-watching and even Silver Lake celeb sightseeing.
Delicious German-style currywurst, run by actual Germans. So good.
30 locals recommend
Berlin Currywurst
3827 Sunset BoulevardDelicious German-style currywurst, run by actual Germans. So good.
The best vegetarian food you might ever have. Call in advance to reserve - they're a small joint, but sooooo worth it. Even if you're not vegetarian, which I'm not. Such a filling meal!
125 locals recommend
Elf Cafe
2135 Sunset BlvdThe best vegetarian food you might ever have. Call in advance to reserve - they're a small joint, but sooooo worth it. Even if you're not vegetarian, which I'm not. Such a filling meal!
The beer and food are really good but I think the best part is the atmosphere. It's an old movie theatre - get a seat in the back under the skylights during the day if you can!
323 locals recommend
Mohawk Bend
2141 Sunset BlvdThe beer and food are really good but I think the best part is the atmosphere. It's an old movie theatre - get a seat in the back under the skylights during the day if you can!
Bru Coffeebar
1866 N Vermont AveA nearby cafe with good coffee, ample seating, and wifi.
I wish I was eating here now. Such good Italian, it's crazy. The inside is really quaint, kind of feels like walking into another era. The cocktails are great too.
276 locals recommend
Little Dom's
2128 Hillhurst AveI wish I was eating here now. Such good Italian, it's crazy. The inside is really quaint, kind of feels like walking into another era. The cocktails are great too.
Not cheap exactly, but really nice outdoor atmosphere. Great place to meet friends and relax with some good food.
310 locals recommend
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveNot cheap exactly, but really nice outdoor atmosphere. Great place to meet friends and relax with some good food.
This is another one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Small plates, local ingredients, delicious.
20 locals recommend
Red Hill
1325 Echo Park AvenueThis is another one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Small plates, local ingredients, delicious.
Square One Dining
4854 Fountain AveMmm, the brunch here is divine.
My newest find in the area. Had the spicy tonkotsu ramen, which they say takes 16 hours to prepare. You can taste it... so rich and delicious. A cheap dinner too! Eat in or take out. Small space.
278 locals recommend
Silverlake Ramen
2927 Sunset BlvdMy newest find in the area. Had the spicy tonkotsu ramen, which they say takes 16 hours to prepare. You can taste it... so rich and delicious. A cheap dinner too! Eat in or take out. Small space.
This place has excellent made-to-order deserts. It's a totally relaxed, fun place with friendly staff and board games if you feel so inclined.
Ramekin
1726 N Vermont AveThis place has excellent made-to-order deserts. It's a totally relaxed, fun place with friendly staff and board games if you feel so inclined.
Totally delicious, affordable burgers. I love the classic Umami Burger and the Hatch Burger, as well as the smashed potatoes.
106 locals recommend
Umami Burger - Los Feliz
4655 Hollywood BlvdTotally delicious, affordable burgers. I love the classic Umami Burger and the Hatch Burger, as well as the smashed potatoes.
Arts & Culture
A great local movie theatre! The decor is Egypt-themed, and there's usually a good movie playing here. Not too long a walk, either!
417 locals recommend
Vista Theater
4473 Sunset DrA great local movie theatre! The decor is Egypt-themed, and there's usually a good movie playing here. Not too long a walk, either!
Almost all shows are $5. Get there early, wait in line, and get ready to laugh your ass off. I take improv classes here - I'd say it's the best venue for improv in the city.
282 locals recommend
Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre LA
5919 Franklin AveAlmost all shows are $5. Get there early, wait in line, and get ready to laugh your ass off. I take improv classes here - I'd say it's the best venue for improv in the city.
Drinks & Nightlife
Come here to see Marty and Elayne, the past-their-prime but still wonderful lounge singers here. So fun.
210 locals recommend
The Dresden Restaurant & Lounge
1760 N Vermont AveCome here to see Marty and Elayne, the past-their-prime but still wonderful lounge singers here. So fun.
This place has crazy good tropical drinks. It's tiny and cash only. Be prepared to squeeze in on busy nights for some strong fruity drinks and lots of campy decor!
123 locals recommend
Tiki Ti
4427 Sunset BlvdThis place has crazy good tropical drinks. It's tiny and cash only. Be prepared to squeeze in on busy nights for some strong fruity drinks and lots of campy decor!
Good beer, chill atmosphere. Come quench your thirst after a walk around Echo Park Lake.
138 locals recommend
el prado
1805 Sunset BlvdGood beer, chill atmosphere. Come quench your thirst after a walk around Echo Park Lake.
Amazing wine, and they let you taste different ones and offer recommendations based on your preferences. Can get busy, but grab a table if you can and enjoy!
139 locals recommend
Bar Covell
4628 Hollywood BlvdAmazing wine, and they let you taste different ones and offer recommendations based on your preferences. Can get busy, but grab a table if you can and enjoy!
If you feel like dressing up and being transported to a Cuban speakeasy, this is your place! Look sharp and don't miss the entrance - it's really tucked away. A cool experience!
98 locals recommend
La Descarga
1159 N Western AveIf you feel like dressing up and being transported to a Cuban speakeasy, this is your place! Look sharp and don't miss the entrance - it's really tucked away. A cool experience!
The definition of a dive bar. Cheap beer, pool table, ugly lighting, amazing karaoke.
27 locals recommend
Smog Cutter
864 Virgil AvenueThe definition of a dive bar. Cheap beer, pool table, ugly lighting, amazing karaoke.
The Virgil
4519 Santa Monica BlvdA great dark bar with good cocktails.
Everything Else
Rudy's Barbershop
8019 Melrose AveGreat place for a cheap haircut. Totally hip.
Echo Park Lake is recently renovated, and is totally worth a visit. There are paddle boats! And a really serene path to walk around. Really funky neighborhood too.
563 locals recommend
Echo Park Lake
Echo Park Lake is recently renovated, and is totally worth a visit. There are paddle boats! And a really serene path to walk around. Really funky neighborhood too.
The closest Metro stop! Just a short 15-20ish minute ride to Downtown.
50 locals recommend
Hollywood/Western station
The closest Metro stop! Just a short 15-20ish minute ride to Downtown.
Excellent selection of any alcoholic beverage you can think of!
21 locals recommend
Cap N' Cork Junior Market
1674 Hillhurst AveExcellent selection of any alcoholic beverage you can think of!
Essentials
If you're feeling courageous, check out Silom for authentic Thai ingredients to make a feast! Feel free to use my wok and other cooking tools to help you out.
Silom Supermarket
5321 Hollywood BlvdIf you're feeling courageous, check out Silom for authentic Thai ingredients to make a feast! Feel free to use my wok and other cooking tools to help you out.
This is the big chain grocery store nearby. Pretty much any food item you can think of, as well as toiletries and other supplies.
947 locals recommend
Ralphs
7257 Sunset BlvdThis is the big chain grocery store nearby. Pretty much any food item you can think of, as well as toiletries and other supplies.
One of two close-ish Trader Joe's. It's always important to know where the closest Trader Joe's is.
1811 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura BlvdOne of two close-ish Trader Joe's. It's always important to know where the closest Trader Joe's is.
My Farmers' Market of choice (open Sunday mornings until about 2). Check out Laurent Bonjour, the cheese guy - he can always make great recommendations. I get all my fresh produce, eggs & bread here.
52 locals recommend
Larchmont Farmers' Market
209 N Larchmont BlvdMy Farmers' Market of choice (open Sunday mornings until about 2). Check out Laurent Bonjour, the cheese guy - he can always make great recommendations. I get all my fresh produce, eggs & bread here.
A great local grocery store - think Whole Foods, but much more intimate and even a little crunchier.
202 locals recommend
Lassens Natural Foods & Vitamins
2080 Hillhurst AveA great local grocery store - think Whole Foods, but much more intimate and even a little crunchier.
Sightseeing
Take a walk up to Barnsdall Art Park - once you get to the top of the hill, take in the views of LA all around. Relax amongst the pine trees, have a picnic. Check out the Frank Lloyd Wright house too!
224 locals recommend
Barnsdall Art Park
4800 Hollywood BlvdTake a walk up to Barnsdall Art Park - once you get to the top of the hill, take in the views of LA all around. Relax amongst the pine trees, have a picnic. Check out the Frank Lloyd Wright house too!
It's not a real trip to LA if you don't go here. I'd say arrive as the sun is setting to check out the views. See a planetarium show, then come outside again & look at Saturn through a telescope.
4367 locals recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdIt's not a real trip to LA if you don't go here. I'd say arrive as the sun is setting to check out the views. See a planetarium show, then come outside again & look at Saturn through a telescope.
Silver Lake Reservoir
A great place to walk around and relax.
Shopping
My friend Whitney's store - worth a look if you're in the market for women's clothing and accessories by independent female designers. Such a cute store.
Myrtle
1318 East 7th StreetMy friend Whitney's store - worth a look if you're in the market for women's clothing and accessories by independent female designers. Such a cute store.
Home of the Echo Park Time Travel Mart. It's hard to explain, but it's for a good cause (826LA). Stop by!
50 locals recommend
Echo Park Time Travel Mart
1714 Sunset BlvdHome of the Echo Park Time Travel Mart. It's hard to explain, but it's for a good cause (826LA). Stop by!