tasty noodz only.The places, the orders, and my honest take.
Price guide: $ affordable · $$ moderate · $$$ pricey · $$$$ splurge
Get ThisKanpachi al pastor
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThe kanpachi al pastor might be pricey, but it’s a showstopper. San Damian is the kind of place where I’d rather order a few things really well than work my way through the menu.
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisEscargot beignets
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI went into Marée with tempered expectations after not loving its sister restaurant, Lielle (I know I’m in the minority). But the minute I walked in, I felt transported to Paris.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisBrisket
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHCome for the really good deli classics, but don’t sleep on the Jewish chili crunch. I wanted to put it on everything.
Good ForCasual · Brunch
Get ThisBeach Sandwich
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHEveryone talks about the Beach Sandwich, and yes, it’s that good. But Little Fish is more than one famous sandwich — come for dinner, order some seafood and wine, and stay for the masa cake.
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisTonkatsu
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI came for the A5 Wagyu Katsu, but the tonkatsu stole the show. Sometimes the most expensive thing on the table isn’t the best bite.
Good ForCasual · Solo Dinner
Get ThisBouillabaisse
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThe room is an absolute showstopper. The food is mediocre-plus — decent, but definitely overpriced.Read more →
Good ForDate Night
Get ThisLucifer
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI’m officially retracting my “never eat the pizza crust” rule — exclusively for Lynx. Everyone else is still on notice.
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisFried Hainan Chicken
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHLA could use more Southeast Asian spots like Rasarumah. The food is fantastic, and the tiki-inspired bar makes the whole experience even more fun.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisSteamed Seasonal Whole Fish
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThe branzino was the kind of dish that made everything else at the table temporarily irrelevant. Kar Son is casual, unfussy, and exactly where I want to be when the food is doing all the work.
Good ForCasual
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI've been to plenty of fine dining restaurants where I can appreciate the creativity without necessarily wanting to eat the food again. Providence is not one of them.Read more →
Good ForSpecial Occasion
Get ThisLamb Ribs
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThey have a literal water menu, so I was expecting this to feel very fancy and a little pretentious. It’s actually much more relaxed than it seems.Read more →
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Date Night
Get ThisKobujime Ocean Trout
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBengara has a way of making familiar dishes feel completely new. Take their pork belly taco, except the tortilla is made of mochi.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Small Groups
Get ThisBeef Ribs
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHPadi has the look of an unassuming coffee shop, but don't let that fool you. It's quietly serving some of the best Southeast Asian food I've had in LA.Read more →
Good ForCasual · Small Groups
Get ThisDuck Quesorito · Le Draq Bäco
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBäco Mercat used to be one of my favorite restaurants in DTLA, so I was genuinely sad when it closed. Le Draq feels like it’s back and somehow even better — basically the best of Bäco Mercat and Bar Amá in one place.
Good ForCasual · Date Night
Get ThisSquimps
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHEveryone knows Sqirl for brunch, but the dinner menu is legit. Super casual, very Eastside hipster, and exactly the kind of place that makes you want to linger outside over dinner.
Good ForCasual · Date Night
Get ThisPão de queijo
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThe food is mediocre and the prices are high, but the space is gorgeous and the vibes are great. Bring a friend who cares less about the food and wants the version of LA they’ve seen in the movies.
Good ForScene-y · Date Night
Get ThisKimchi supplì · Burrata
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI went into Lapaba in Koreatown really excited for unique Korean-Italian dishes, and the small bites were definitely the most interesting part. The pastas were good, but gave me a little Uovo energy.
Good ForSolo Dinner · Date Night
Get ThisChicken Milanese
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThis surreal rooftop restaurant at the Lucas Museum has spectacular interiors and DTLA views, but the food actually held up too. The menu is pretty classic with few surprises, but everything we ordered was executed so well—we liked every single dish, which almost never happens.
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Group Dinner
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHLielle felt surprisingly approachable for a four-course tasting menu from such an acclaimed chef, but with only four courses, I needed every dish to really hit. Squab just isn’t my thing, and my favorite dish of the night ended up being the pasta I paid extra for — personally, I preferred sister restaurant Marée, though the menu here changes often enough that I could easily have a different experience now.
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Date Night
Get ThisSaewoo Jang · Uni Toast
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHIf you’re looking for traditional sushi, Sonmari probably isn’t your place. But if Korean-Japanese fusion served as creative, open-faced hand rolls sounds like your kind of thing, you’re in for a treat.Read more →
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisTwo Sheet Vongole
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHHermon’s is a New American neighborhood bistro that doesn’t try too hard to reinvent the wheel — it just does the classics really well. Unfortunately for me, the carb-heavy dishes were the standouts, especially the pasta and garlic bread, and this is absolutely one of those places where I’d make a reservation instead of gambling on the wait.
Good ForDate Night · Casual
Get ThisUni Sweet Potato
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHIne is a cozy Japanese spot in Highland Park doing much more than sushi and hand rolls. You can get playful dishes like uni with sweet potato, but also really comforting classics like the gyudon — it feels creative without losing that warm, neighborhood feel.
Good ForCasual · Date Night
Get This$80 Omakase
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHSushi Bar Tetsuya is a great little Studio City sushi spot, and the $80 omakase is easily the best value on the menu. Ordering à la carte can add up quickly, but they carry some less-common fish, make a really good spicy tuna crispy rice, and also have a surprisingly good happy hour.
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisChopped Cheese
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBodega Park is a tiny Silver Lake café that feels like the kind of neighborhood spot you end up becoming a regular at. The sandwiches are great, the coffee gets fun with Korean-inspired flavors, and it’s equally good for grabbing lunch alone or catching up with a friend.
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisLobster Skewer
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHSaffy’s is the more casual sibling to Bestia and Bavel, but the food absolutely doesn’t feel like a step down. It’s cute, chic, and equally good for date night or a group dinner — just know the daytime breakfast/brunch setup is much more casual and counter-service, while dinner is full-service.
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisBrisket · Pork Belly Burnt Ends · Burger
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHMoo’s is hands down my favorite BBQ in LA. The meats are excellent, the sides are just as good, and the whole place has a fun, casual energy — the only downside is the line, so if you don’t want to wait, ordering ahead for pickup is the move.
Good ForCasual · Group Dinner
Get ThisPortafoglio
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBar Avoja is a gorgeous, moody little hideaway tucked behind Mother Wolf — basically made for date night. The menu leans heavily into Roman street food and carbs, everything we tried was good, and Evan Funke once again proves he makes the best squash blossoms.
Good ForScene-y · Date Night
Get ThisCornbread · Green Chili
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHDunsmoor cooks almost everything over a live hearth, and it is ridiculously good. The whole place feels transportive — more like something I’d stumble into in wine country than LA — and there’s a reason reservations are so hard to get.
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisSquid Ink Mafaldine · Tiramisu
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHCento has been one of my favorite pasta spots since the DTLA pop-up days, and the food still absolutely delivers. I was a little shocked by the prices for the area, but the pasta is great across the board and they might honestly make the best tiramisu in LA.
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisSmoked Tomato
Tiffany’s TakeVandell is easily one of my favorite bars in LA right now. The cocktails are some of the most creative I've had in the city, without the outrageous price tags you might expect.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Solo Dinner
Get ThisKouign-Amann
Tiffany’s TakePetitgrain is one of my favorite bakeries in LA — I just wish it were closer to me. I’ve never had a miss here, and the quality-to-price ratio is kind of wild; just expect a line, though thankfully it usually moves pretty quickly.
Good ForQuick Bite · Brunch
Get ThisLocal Abalone & Rice Stew
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI’ll admit I have a little nostalgia bias here. I went to the chef’s restaurant in Nashville years ago with friends, and I still have such fond memories of that meal. Luckily, Darling lives up to them.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisShrimp Toast
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHYou could come to Lucia just for the room, and honestly, I wouldn’t blame you. It’s dark, gorgeous, and knows exactly what kind of night it’s selling.Read more →
Good ForScene-y · Date Night
Get ThisLamb Shoulder
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHRVR is another Venice spot I’d happily drive across town for. It’s dark, moody, and intimate, with tight seating that works best for date night or a small group — and the grilled dishes were the real standouts, especially the lamb shoulder.
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisChicken Wings
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHMala Class is such a good fit for Highland Park because nobody else nearby is really doing what they’re doing. The food is affordable, genuinely delicious, and way more approachable than the name might make you think — they ask your spice tolerance, so don’t be scared off if you can’t handle a ton of heat.
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisOyster Mushroom Kebab
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBavel was one of my first favorite restaurants in LA, and somehow the quality has stayed remarkably consistent over the years. I still love coming back for the food, the gorgeous patio, and honestly, I’m still waiting for them to bring back the duck — iykyk.
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBaroo is one of those rare places where the creativity is matched by how delicious everything actually is. On my second visit, I had to swap out a seafood course because of my allergy, and they brought me a vegetarian alternative.Read more →
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Date Night
Get ThisBlack Sesame Parker House Rolls + Ikura Add-On
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI love Japanese food. I love French food. So naturally, a restaurant combining the two already had my attention.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
Get ThisPork Belly Siu Yuk
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHSmoke Queen is my favorite BBQ spot in Orange County so far — not just because the meat is ridiculously tender, but because the Asian-inspired flavors make it feel completely different from the usual barbecue lineup. It’s the kind of place that’s hard to compare to anywhere else, which is exactly why I keep thinking about it.
Good ForCasual · Group Dinner
Get ThisFried Boneless Leg of Chicken (add-on)
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHFirstborn is doing some pretty special things with modern Chinese food. The cooking is so inventive it even got me to willingly eat sweetbreads, which is saying something.Read more →
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Date Night
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHAt Vinfolk, apparently everyone is a chef. Even our server. And honestly, it shows.Read more →
Good ForSpecial Occasion · Date Night
Get ThisFocaccia
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHAlba is gorgeous, very scene-y, and definitely more of a “go for the room” kind of dinner. The food wasn’t bad, but for the prices, nothing really stood out enough for me to rush back.
Good ForScene-y · Date Night
Get ThisPanang Chicken Sando
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHLA is overflowing with smash burgers and fried chicken sandwiches, but Ban Ban is one of my favorites because the Thai flavors actually make it feel different. The Panang curry fried chicken sando is absurdly good, and everything has that sweet-salty-spicy balance that keeps it from tasting like just another burger spot.
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisAny of the Empanadas
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHFuegos makes some of my favorite Argentine empanadas in LA — super flaky, packed with flavor, and exactly the kind of casual spot I want more of. The bonus is you can also buy them frozen and make them at home, which is dangerously convenient.
Good ForCasual · Quick Bite
Get ThisQueso Fundido · Taco de Pulpo
Tiffany’s TakeDaisy is a gorgeous bar, but the real draw is how seriously they take their tequila. We're talking Fortaleza, G4—the good stuff.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Solo Dinner
Get ThisGruyère Tart
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHMelrose Hill is turning into one of the more interesting little food pockets in LA, and Bar Etoile is one of my favorite spots there. It’s a chic little French bistro with a distinctly California feel — great for date night, a solo dinner, or catching up with a couple friends.
Good ForDate Night · Solo Dinner
Get ThisAguachile Negro · Carne Asada · Mango Aguachile
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHIt's getting harder to find affordable food in LA, let alone food this good. Aguachiles y Asada in Lincoln Heights delivers on both.Read more →
Good ForCasual
Get ThisSpicy lamb skewers from Xinjiang BBQ
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHThis is exactly the kind of place that makes me love LA. Kebab Alley is an unofficial late-night street food destination in Downtown Los Angeles, where a stretch of Sunset Boulevard near Beaudry is lined with vendors serving kebabs and specialties from across Central and West Asia.Read more →
Good ForCasual · Group Dinner
Get ThisTsukune
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHGokigen isn't cheap, but honestly, I wasn't expecting bargain yakitori on the Westside. The good news? The food actually delivers.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Special Occasion
Get ThisShrimp-Stuffed Squash Blossoms, Cocktails
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHBar Fortuna had all the makings of a great night out. Cute space, promising menu, and shrimp-stuffed squash blossoms that were easily the best thing we ate. Unfortunately, it was mostly downhill from there.Read more →
Good ForDrinks
Get ThisIkura Egg Salad on Crispy Hash Brown, Little Luck Roll
Tiffany’s TakeWATCHI'm always a little suspicious of restaurants that are this pretty. Sometimes the ambiance is doing more work than the kitchen, but Little Luck proved me wrong.Read more →
Good ForDate Night · Group Dinner
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