Guidebook for Los Angeles
Food Scene
Great mom and pop owned Cajun restaurant. This place just opened, and I went there right after I came back from New Orleans to see if they could stand up. They do!
15 locals recommend
Stevie's Creole Café
5545 W Pico BlvdGreat mom and pop owned Cajun restaurant. This place just opened, and I went there right after I came back from New Orleans to see if they could stand up. They do!
Sky's isn't my favorite taco shop in LA, but they have some options that you won't find anywhere else. Like the Lobster taco.
42 locals recommend
Sky's Gourmet Tacos
5303 W Pico BlvdSky's isn't my favorite taco shop in LA, but they have some options that you won't find anywhere else. Like the Lobster taco.
CJ's is neighborhood favorite. A great place to kick back, have a burger or french toast and people watch.
39 locals recommend
C J's Cafe
5501 W Pico BlvdCJ's is neighborhood favorite. A great place to kick back, have a burger or french toast and people watch.
World famous Oki Dog! This is the quintessential greasy spoon burger joint where you can find everything from Pastrami burgers to Chicken Teriyaki rice bowls. My favorite is the turkey burger and fries.
6 locals recommend
Oki's Dog
4601 West Pico BoulevardWorld famous Oki Dog! This is the quintessential greasy spoon burger joint where you can find everything from Pastrami burgers to Chicken Teriyaki rice bowls. My favorite is the turkey burger and fries.
Another World Famous restaurant. Roscoe's is the home of Chicken & Waffles. So famous, in fact, that President Obama visited and has a dish named after him. But during rush times, the wait can be pretty brutal.
121 locals recommend
Roscoe's Chicken And Waffles - Pico Blvd.
5006 W Pico BlvdAnother World Famous restaurant. Roscoe's is the home of Chicken & Waffles. So famous, in fact, that President Obama visited and has a dish named after him. But during rush times, the wait can be pretty brutal.
This is my go to Japanese Curry spot, though they have a lot of other stuff, too. It's a little gem. And it's open to 4am!
Isa Japanese Ramen
916 S La Brea AveThis is my go to Japanese Curry spot, though they have a lot of other stuff, too. It's a little gem. And it's open to 4am!
If you are gluten intolerant or vegetarian, Bloom has some great options. And even if you aren't, it's really good.
116 locals recommend
Bloom Cafe
5544 W Pico BlvdIf you are gluten intolerant or vegetarian, Bloom has some great options. And even if you aren't, it's really good.
This place is amazing. Family owned soul-food. The fried chicken is great. In fact, everything I've tried here is great.
52 locals recommend
My 2 Cents LA
5583 W Pico BlvdThis place is amazing. Family owned soul-food. The fried chicken is great. In fact, everything I've tried here is great.
This isn't my favorite spot, but I felt like I should include it because it's iconic. This is actor Danny Trejo's (Machette) taco shop! As you will see from his giant face on the wall. Strangely, I like the tofu tacos the best.
33 locals recommend
Trejo's Tacos - La Brea
1048 S La Brea AveThis isn't my favorite spot, but I felt like I should include it because it's iconic. This is actor Danny Trejo's (Machette) taco shop! As you will see from his giant face on the wall. Strangely, I like the tofu tacos the best.
Awesome little Izakaya Japanese restaurant. They play old anime movies and have a varied menu. The Chicken Karage is amazing.
27 locals recommend
Sake House Miro
809 S La Brea AveAwesome little Izakaya Japanese restaurant. They play old anime movies and have a varied menu. The Chicken Karage is amazing.
Great Ramen house. Strangely, the section of Mid-city is home to a lot of great little Japanese places.
24 locals recommend
bushi by JINYA
5168 Wilshire BlvdGreat Ramen house. Strangely, the section of Mid-city is home to a lot of great little Japanese places.
Alta California is literally on the corner. Ray and his family are amazing people and will take good care of you. Mexican/Californian food. Good sandwiches and burritos. In fact, everything's good here. Nice outdoor patio.
7 locals recommend
Alta California Fonda
5303 West Pico BoulevardAlta California is literally on the corner. Ray and his family are amazing people and will take good care of you. Mexican/Californian food. Good sandwiches and burritos. In fact, everything's good here. Nice outdoor patio.
This is not really walking distance, but if you want to jump in a LYFT, Gus' Chicken is well worth the five minute ride.
31 locals recommend
Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken
1262 Crenshaw BlvdThis is not really walking distance, but if you want to jump in a LYFT, Gus' Chicken is well worth the five minute ride.
The Farmer's Market is connected to The Grove, but it has been here much longer. Since the 20s or something. It's a great place to visit. But go early or late, because the tour buses make it impossible. You can get a wide variety of food here. And some cool gifts.
819 locals recommend
The Original Farmers Market
6333 W 3rd StThe Farmer's Market is connected to The Grove, but it has been here much longer. Since the 20s or something. It's a great place to visit. But go early or late, because the tour buses make it impossible. You can get a wide variety of food here. And some cool gifts.
Solid BBQ, good with big groups. Can get pretty scene-y at times. The original Bludso's is in Compton, but I've never been there, so can't compare them.
76 locals recommend
Bludso's Bar & Que
609 N La Brea AveSolid BBQ, good with big groups. Can get pretty scene-y at times. The original Bludso's is in Compton, but I've never been there, so can't compare them.
Mid City is the home to Little Ethiopia, and Awash is my favorite Ethiopian spot. Really good. Messob on Fairfax is also good. But I prefer Awash. And it's closer!
6 locals recommend
Awash
5990 1/2 W Pico BlvdMid City is the home to Little Ethiopia, and Awash is my favorite Ethiopian spot. Really good. Messob on Fairfax is also good. But I prefer Awash. And it's closer!
Local high end grocery store that also makes sandwiches and salads. And if you are feeling too lazy to make the 3 block walk, no worries - they deliver!
163 locals recommend
Yummy.com
5520 San Vicente BlvdLocal high end grocery store that also makes sandwiches and salads. And if you are feeling too lazy to make the 3 block walk, no worries - they deliver!
Great pour over coffees. They roast their own beans. Nice place to hang out and spend some time relaxing. Cool staff.
12 locals recommend
Healing Coffee Roasters
5007 West Pico BoulevardGreat pour over coffees. They roast their own beans. Nice place to hang out and spend some time relaxing. Cool staff.
Another place to get a great pour over coffee. But Healing Coffee has a chiller vibe to hang out.
9 locals recommend
Hermanos Coffee
5616 San Vicente BoulevardAnother place to get a great pour over coffee. But Healing Coffee has a chiller vibe to hang out.
Excellent food, Vegan, some Gluten free. It's a great, secret neighborhood restaurant run by some amazing people. Really tasty.
21 locals recommend
Powerplant Superfood Cafe
5671 W Pico BlvdExcellent food, Vegan, some Gluten free. It's a great, secret neighborhood restaurant run by some amazing people. Really tasty.
Arts & Culture
Definitely visit LACMA. Great standing collection. Also, they usually have special exhibits which are world class. Stanley Kubrick Exhibit was there. The Art of Tim Burton was there. It's a great museum to spend a day. And right next door is the La Brea Tar Pits. Worth checking out.
3162 locals recommend
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdDefinitely visit LACMA. Great standing collection. Also, they usually have special exhibits which are world class. Stanley Kubrick Exhibit was there. The Art of Tim Burton was there. It's a great museum to spend a day. And right next door is the La Brea Tar Pits. Worth checking out.
If you like cars, you must visit the Petersen. That's all I'm going to say.
538 locals recommend
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd If you like cars, you must visit the Petersen. That's all I'm going to say.
I have not yet been here, but people tell me it is amazing. Google it and see if it's your jam.
191 locals recommend
Museum of Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.I have not yet been here, but people tell me it is amazing. Google it and see if it's your jam.
Shopping
Open air mall with a trolley rolling through the faux European town. Pretty fountains and lightshows. It can be a scene and get busy, especially when tour buses show up, which they do. Good movie theater and an Apple Store!
2581 locals recommend
The Grove
189 The Grove DrOpen air mall with a trolley rolling through the faux European town. Pretty fountains and lightshows. It can be a scene and get busy, especially when tour buses show up, which they do. Good movie theater and an Apple Store!
Melrose Ave. is another world famous shopping destination with many stores and boutiques.
86 locals recommend
Melrose Ave Shopping District
Melrose AvenueMelrose Ave. is another world famous shopping destination with many stores and boutiques.
Drinks & Nightlife
Downtown Culver City has some cool bars and lots of restaurants. And a terrific Arclight movie theater where you choose your own seats and can order alcohol. Also, some awesome restaurants. Definitely worth checking out.
10 locals recommend
Culver City Downtown Business
Downtown Culver City has some cool bars and lots of restaurants. And a terrific Arclight movie theater where you choose your own seats and can order alcohol. Also, some awesome restaurants. Definitely worth checking out.
Local waterhole. People are cool, good selection of beers on tap. Rock and roll vibe.
58 locals recommend
Little Bar
757 S S La Brea AveLocal waterhole. People are cool, good selection of beers on tap. Rock and roll vibe.
Old school LA Blues club! They have branched out now and have all sorts of bands, but they still hold down the jazz and blues. Check their schedule before you go and you might see a legend play.
70 locals recommend
The Mint
6010 West Pico BoulevardOld school LA Blues club! They have branched out now and have all sorts of bands, but they still hold down the jazz and blues. Check their schedule before you go and you might see a legend play.
Right in the middle of Downtown Culver City, the Culver Hotel is a piece of LA history. Built by Harry Culver and opened in 1924, this place is awesome. Great cocktails, jazz bands playing every night. It's like a travel back in time. Also, good restaurant. Check up the upstairs bar. Sort of hidden. And watch out for ghosts! They claim the hotel is haunted!
211 locals recommend
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdRight in the middle of Downtown Culver City, the Culver Hotel is a piece of LA history. Built by Harry Culver and opened in 1924, this place is awesome. Great cocktails, jazz bands playing every night. It's like a travel back in time. Also, good restaurant. Check up the upstairs bar. Sort of hidden. And watch out for ghosts! They claim the hotel is haunted!
I haven't been here since they totally renovated it. But Tom Bergin's is a historic LA bar. If you go, let me know what you think.
26 locals recommend
Tom Bergin's
840 South Fairfax AvenueI haven't been here since they totally renovated it. But Tom Bergin's is a historic LA bar. If you go, let me know what you think.
Molly Malone's
575 S Fairfax AveGood place to see bands and grab a few pints.
Parks & Nature
Huge park with amazing views at top. Even has a lake where people fish. Great place to spend an afternoon. Or, if you feel like a scene, hike the stairs and make some friends.
289 locals recommend
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4100 S La Cienega BlvdHuge park with amazing views at top. Even has a lake where people fish. Great place to spend an afternoon. Or, if you feel like a scene, hike the stairs and make some friends.
Essentials
Ralphs
7257 Sunset BlvdIt's Ralph's. They are a grocery store. They have everything you need.
스토리투어
5069 W Pico BlvdMy local Dry Cleaner and tailor. Korean run, nice people.
Getting Around
This is the EXPO LINE station, which will take you west to Santa Monica Beach, or east to Downtown LA for $1.75. This is the brand new above ground train line that opened less than a year ago. LYFT here or borrow a bike from me and park it there.
32 locals recommend
La Cienega/Jefferson station
This is the EXPO LINE station, which will take you west to Santa Monica Beach, or east to Downtown LA for $1.75. This is the brand new above ground train line that opened less than a year ago. LYFT here or borrow a bike from me and park it there.