Guidebook for Los Angeles

David
Guidebook for Los Angeles

Drinks & Nightlife

Great views of downtown, minutes away from the apartment. Good cocktails, excellent brunch, and beautiful rooftop vista. DJ on certain nights of the week
239 locals recommend
Ace Hotel
929 S Broadway
239 locals recommend
Great views of downtown, minutes away from the apartment. Good cocktails, excellent brunch, and beautiful rooftop vista. DJ on certain nights of the week
Mariachi Night. Rock En Espanol Night. Morrissey Karaoke Night. 40s era burlesque style dancers night. A sunken bar and poles and cheap beer. And the music…my favorite bar in all of Los Angeles.
17 locals recommend
Eastside Luv Wine Bar
1835 E 1st St
17 locals recommend
Mariachi Night. Rock En Espanol Night. Morrissey Karaoke Night. 40s era burlesque style dancers night. A sunken bar and poles and cheap beer. And the music…my favorite bar in all of Los Angeles.
Canadian-Indian fusion. Surprisingly good wine list.
38 locals recommend
BADMAASH Downtown LA
108 W 2nd St
38 locals recommend
Canadian-Indian fusion. Surprisingly good wine list.
Great cocktails. Cool atmosphere. On certain nights it's a piano bar
109 locals recommend
The Varnish
118 E 6th St
109 locals recommend
Great cocktails. Cool atmosphere. On certain nights it's a piano bar
Premiere whisky bar.
206 locals recommend
Seven Bar Lounge
515 W 7th St
206 locals recommend
Premiere whisky bar.
Great bar tucked in an alley off the street in Little Tokyo.
36 locals recommend
Far Bar
347 1st Street
36 locals recommend
Great bar tucked in an alley off the street in Little Tokyo.
Excellent happy hour, especially on Mondays when top shelf Japanese whisky is half off!
20 locals recommend
Wolf and Crane Bar
366 E 2nd St
20 locals recommend
Excellent happy hour, especially on Mondays when top shelf Japanese whisky is half off!
Cheap drinks in this unfussy bar. Pool table. Great pizza next door.
41 locals recommend
Tony's Saloon
2017 E 7th St
41 locals recommend
Cheap drinks in this unfussy bar. Pool table. Great pizza next door.
Solid selection of wine by the bottle or the glass. Also: great tastings, cheese and charcuterie plates.
26 locals recommend
Mignon
128 E 6th St
26 locals recommend
Solid selection of wine by the bottle or the glass. Also: great tastings, cheese and charcuterie plates.

Food Scene

Incredible rustic Italian food, excellent wine selection, and great cocktails at one of L.A.s premiere restaurants. Get there before doors open to ensure a seat. Order the mussels.
322 locals recommend
Bestia
2121 E 7th Pl
322 locals recommend
Incredible rustic Italian food, excellent wine selection, and great cocktails at one of L.A.s premiere restaurants. Get there before doors open to ensure a seat. Order the mussels.
One of the best cafes in town is a short walk away!
80 locals recommend
Blue Bottle Coffee
582 Mateo St
80 locals recommend
One of the best cafes in town is a short walk away!
Another coffee favorite, close to Bestia
80 locals recommend
Stumptown Coffee Roasters
806 S Santa Fe Ave
80 locals recommend
Another coffee favorite, close to Bestia
Great baked goods, breakfast bites and sandwiches
52 locals recommend
Bread Lounge
700 S Santa Fe Ave
52 locals recommend
Great baked goods, breakfast bites and sandwiches
One of the best French restaurants in town, located in the Nabisco Biscuit Lofts. A Jonathan Gold favorite.
62 locals recommend
Church & State LA
1850 Industrial St
62 locals recommend
One of the best French restaurants in town, located in the Nabisco Biscuit Lofts. A Jonathan Gold favorite.
A great cafe down a quant little alley. Serves top notch espresso drinks (with foam art) and great breakfast and lunch. Try the following sandwiches: "The Margot" for breakfast and "The Farmer" for lunch. A good place to sit with your laptop and write on a sunny day too!
36 locals recommend
Cafe Societe
1820 Industrial St
36 locals recommend
A great cafe down a quant little alley. Serves top notch espresso drinks (with foam art) and great breakfast and lunch. Try the following sandwiches: "The Margot" for breakfast and "The Farmer" for lunch. A good place to sit with your laptop and write on a sunny day too!
A huge selection of domestic and foreign beers. Little Bear specializes in Belgians. Great menu as well--it may well have the 2nd best reuben in town
25 locals recommend
Little Bear
1855 Industrial St
25 locals recommend
A huge selection of domestic and foreign beers. Little Bear specializes in Belgians. Great menu as well--it may well have the 2nd best reuben in town
Best ramen in town, hands down. Get ready for long lines, but worth the wait for the Korubuta pork belly ramen. A Jonathan Gold favorite.
122 locals recommend
Daikokuya
327 1st St
122 locals recommend
Best ramen in town, hands down. Get ready for long lines, but worth the wait for the Korubuta pork belly ramen. A Jonathan Gold favorite.
One of the last remaining vestiges of old Boyle Heights when it was home to a larger community of Japanese. Go here to eat inexpensive sushi and sashimi, tempura, and noodles. A staple since the 50s!
10 locals recommend
Otomisan Restaurant
2506 1/2 E 1st St
10 locals recommend
One of the last remaining vestiges of old Boyle Heights when it was home to a larger community of Japanese. Go here to eat inexpensive sushi and sashimi, tempura, and noodles. A staple since the 50s!
Incredibly delicious roasted goat. You can't find a better birrieria for miles!
Birrieria De Don Boni
1845 1st St
Incredibly delicious roasted goat. You can't find a better birrieria for miles!
Great thin crust slices, vegan offerings, and made to order pies.
13 locals recommend
Purgatory Pizza
1326 E 1st St
13 locals recommend
Great thin crust slices, vegan offerings, and made to order pies.
Best tacos in town and winner of many accolades for their home made tortillas and stewed meats. Veggie options. Try the mole and cochinita pibil tacos (watch the heat levels!) and aguas frescos.
395 locals recommend
Guisados
1261 Sunset Blvd
395 locals recommend
Best tacos in town and winner of many accolades for their home made tortillas and stewed meats. Veggie options. Try the mole and cochinita pibil tacos (watch the heat levels!) and aguas frescos.
Delicious Joseph Centeno restaurant specializing in various "back" sandwiches. Excellent cocktails as well.
125 locals recommend
Bäco Mercat
408 S Main St
125 locals recommend
Delicious Joseph Centeno restaurant specializing in various "back" sandwiches. Excellent cocktails as well.
Genius small dishes. Winner of several awards and on everyone's list of places to eat in downtown LA.
142 locals recommend
The Little Door
246 26th St
142 locals recommend
Genius small dishes. Winner of several awards and on everyone's list of places to eat in downtown LA.
Another Joseph Centeno restaurant serving Tex-Mex inspired food. Excellent.
89 locals recommend
Bar 107
118 W 4th St
89 locals recommend
Another Joseph Centeno restaurant serving Tex-Mex inspired food. Excellent.
Vietnamese restaurant specializing in pho soup. Very fresh. Good wine list too.
61 locals recommend
Blossom Vietnamese restaurant
426 S Main St
61 locals recommend
Vietnamese restaurant specializing in pho soup. Very fresh. Good wine list too.
The originator of the french dip sandwich (or is it Philippe's? You be the judge.) Also--two great bars, one in front, one in back (The Varnish).
153 locals recommend
Cole's French Dip
118 E 6th St
153 locals recommend
The originator of the french dip sandwich (or is it Philippe's? You be the judge.) Also--two great bars, one in front, one in back (The Varnish).
Sausages, sandwiches, and beer. A perfect afternoon hang out.
194 locals recommend
Wurstküche
800 East 3rd Street
194 locals recommend
Sausages, sandwiches, and beer. A perfect afternoon hang out.
Traditional and innovative flavors from Latin America and other parts of the World. Vegetarian options. Live acoustic music certain nights.
8 locals recommend
Un Solo Sol
1818 E 1st St
8 locals recommend
Traditional and innovative flavors from Latin America and other parts of the World. Vegetarian options. Live acoustic music certain nights.
Mexican food and tequila.
33 locals recommend
Mas Malo
515 West 7th Street
33 locals recommend
Mexican food and tequila.
Delicious Peruvian food.
13 locals recommend
Mo-Chica
514 West 7th Street
13 locals recommend
Delicious Peruvian food.
Great outdoor patio area, excellent cocktails
85 locals recommend
Zinc Cafe & Market and Bar
580 Mateo Street
85 locals recommend
Great outdoor patio area, excellent cocktails
Amazing. Simply Amazing! Rustic Italian food in a beautiful setting.
32 locals recommend
The Factory Kitchen
1300 Factory Pl
32 locals recommend
Amazing. Simply Amazing! Rustic Italian food in a beautiful setting.
INCREDIBLE handmade udon noodle restaurant. Easy parking or metro a block away. Excellent shopping and bars within a block from the restaurant. One of my new favorite restaurants in LA
24 locals recommend
Marugame Monzo
329 E 1st St
24 locals recommend
INCREDIBLE handmade udon noodle restaurant. Easy parking or metro a block away. Excellent shopping and bars within a block from the restaurant. One of my new favorite restaurants in LA
Best sushi in Little Tokyo. Great lunch specials.
110 locals recommend
Sushi Gen
422 E 2nd St
110 locals recommend
Best sushi in Little Tokyo. Great lunch specials.
Great ramen, especially when Daikokuya is too long of a wait.
33 locals recommend
Shin-Sen-Gumi Hakata Ramen - Little Tokyo
132 S Central Ave
33 locals recommend
Great ramen, especially when Daikokuya is too long of a wait.
Awesome Izakaya restaurant close to bars and other eateries.
Izakaya Haru Ulala
368 E 2nd St
Awesome Izakaya restaurant close to bars and other eateries.
Soft serve frozen yogurt!
59 locals recommend
Pinkberry
2829 Hyperion Ave
59 locals recommend
Soft serve frozen yogurt!
Acclaimed restaurant from Josef Centeno, creator of Baco Mercat and Bar Ama
6 locals recommend
Lazy Ox Canteen
241 San Pedro Street
6 locals recommend
Acclaimed restaurant from Josef Centeno, creator of Baco Mercat and Bar Ama
Solid, cheap slices or whole pies. Next to a whole-in-the-wall bar, Tony's Saloon.
57 locals recommend
Pizzanista!
2019 E 7th St
57 locals recommend
Solid, cheap slices or whole pies. Next to a whole-in-the-wall bar, Tony's Saloon.

Everything Else

Here's where you want to catch a train. Convenient and cheap! Also the site of our local ice cream parlor and a Mexican farmer's market serving great neighborhood street food.
12 locals recommend
Mariachi Plaza
1831 E 1st St
12 locals recommend
Here's where you want to catch a train. Convenient and cheap! Also the site of our local ice cream parlor and a Mexican farmer's market serving great neighborhood street food.
Mexican version of a snow cone. Come in a variety of flavors.
Raspado Don Manuel
1156 S Lorena St
Mexican version of a snow cone. Come in a variety of flavors.

Essentials

A Latin Whole Foods. Great selection of organic produce. Delicious tacos outside.
11 locals recommend
Northgate Market
425 S Soto St
11 locals recommend
A Latin Whole Foods. Great selection of organic produce. Delicious tacos outside.
Easy and inexpensive alternative to Northgate Market on Soto Street.
38 locals recommend
Food 4 Less
5100 N Figueroa St
38 locals recommend
Easy and inexpensive alternative to Northgate Market on Soto Street.
Wonderful selection of spirits and beers.
Ramirez Liquor, Wine, & Kegs
736 S Soto St
Wonderful selection of spirits and beers.
High end and pricey grocery store with an excellent selection of organic packaged foods, gluten-free and selected produce, specialty food items, gourmet cheeses and meats.
35 locals recommend
Urban Radish
35 locals recommend
High end and pricey grocery store with an excellent selection of organic packaged foods, gluten-free and selected produce, specialty food items, gourmet cheeses and meats.

Shopping

One of the best bookstores in town, and definitely the best in downtown.
324 locals recommend
The Last Bookstore
453 South Spring Street
324 locals recommend
One of the best bookstores in town, and definitely the best in downtown.
If you need an inexpensive Sweatshop-free...
25 locals recommend
American Apparel
747 Warehouse St
25 locals recommend
If you need an inexpensive Sweatshop-free...
Get your basic clothes needs taken care of here
137 locals recommend
Macy's
750 W 7th St
137 locals recommend
Get your basic clothes needs taken care of here

Sightseeing

Restaurants, shops, and general cultural interests. Dim sum!
399 locals recommend
Chinatown
399 locals recommend
Restaurants, shops, and general cultural interests. Dim sum!

Arts & Culture

Go blow some steam off. Safely.
9 locals recommend
Los Angeles Gun Club
1375 E 6th St
9 locals recommend
Go blow some steam off. Safely.
Museum of Contemporary Art -- the best modern art museum in Los Angeles.
401 locals recommend
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N Central Ave
401 locals recommend
Museum of Contemporary Art -- the best modern art museum in Los Angeles.
Great sister museum to the MOCA in the heart of Little Tokyo
401 locals recommend
The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA
152 N Central Ave
401 locals recommend
Great sister museum to the MOCA in the heart of Little Tokyo
Climbing gym in the Brewery Arts District
7 locals recommend
The Stronghold Climbing Gym
650 S Avenue 21
7 locals recommend
Climbing gym in the Brewery Arts District
Great modern art museum and latest art addition to downtown L.A. lines can be very long, but book in advance to reserve tickets. A must see.
1555 locals recommend
The Broad
221 S Grand Ave
1555 locals recommend
Great modern art museum and latest art addition to downtown L.A. lines can be very long, but book in advance to reserve tickets. A must see.
Incredible acoustics make any performance (and always top-notch) an excellent experience. The LA Philharmonic calls this place home.
1063 locals recommend
Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 S Grand Ave
1063 locals recommend
Incredible acoustics make any performance (and always top-notch) an excellent experience. The LA Philharmonic calls this place home.