Personally, TikTok still feels like a mystery to me. One day I’ll post about a new restaurant and barely get a reaction, and the next, a photo of Doubting Thomas’s passionfruit pie blows up. You never really know what’s going to capture people’s attention.
But recently, I shared 32 of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants with nothing more than the caption: “I love eating in LA.” And this time, TikTok definitely paid attention.
For those of you not on TikTok, I didn’t want you to miss out. So here are the 32 LA restaurants that had everyone talking.
Leora, Beverly Hills
Founded by Leor & Laura (of Klein Kitchen), Leora is tucked away in the UTA building and doubles as a community spot and a workplace perk for UTA. This hidden gem is a must for coffee, breakfast, and lunch.
Must Try: Tuna Melt, Breakfast Platter, Chicken Caesar Wrap, Chicken Cutlet
Anajak Thai, Sherman Oaks
Anajak Thai is a long-standing family-owned Thai restaurant on Ventura Blvd, originally opened in 1981 by Ricky Pichetrungsi which was then passed on to his son and now owner Justin Pichetrungsi. The current menu blends tradition with thoughtful innovation and their food speaks volumes. The best thai in the city.
Must Try: Fried Chicken, Mango Sticky Rice, Pad Thai
Hatchet Hall, Culver City
Hatchet Hall is absolutely phenomenal. Focused on farm to table ingredients, Hatchet Hall is perfect for brunch, lunch or dinner. The cornbread is the best thing I’ve ever eaten.
Must Try: Anson Mills Cornbread, Ricotta Toast, Wild Blue Shrimp, Loaded Baked Potato Gnocchi, Pan-Roasted Broccolini, Egg Sandwich
Miya Miya Shawarma, Sawtelle
Miya Miya Shawarma is soon to open their first location in Sawtelle at West Edge and I can’t contain my excitement. Chef Yaz launched Miya Miya as a backyard pop-up around June 2023, later opening at Smorgasburg. His passion for Jordanian flavors deepened after a trip to Amman; Miya Miya is in many ways his effort to bring those flavors to LA.
Must Try: Shawarma “Yaz Way”
RVR, Venice
RVR is my favorite restaurant of 2025. Tucked into the former MTN spot on Abbot Kinney, RVR is a Japanese-California izakaya from the brilliant chef Travis Lett. Travis Lett was a founding force behind Gjelina, Gjusta, and earlier ventures in Venice. Oh… and it’s pronounced “river”.
Must Try: Chicken Kaarage, Pork Dumplings, Kanpachi Handroll, Bok Choy, Duck Meatballs
Doubting Thomas, Historic Filipinotown
Nestled between Echo Park and Rampart Village, Doubting Thomas is a restaurant I can’t stop thinking about…EVER. Chef Naomi Shim is impressive as it gets with her ever-changing menu that highlights the yummiest seasonal produce. It is also the last Filipino owned restaurant in Historic Filipinotown. Whatever you do, make sure to get a slice of Passionfruit pie.
Must Try: Passionfruit Pie, Doubtless Breakfast Burrito, Pork Belly Rice Bowl
Dunsmoor, Glassell Park
Located in Glassell Park, Dunsmoor is an upscale Southern inspired restaurant with an old-fashioned aesthetic. Every bite will get better and better as the meal goes on. Pro tip: Sit at their bar to enjoy the incredible burger.
Must Try: Sour Milk Cornbread, Wood-Roasted Pacific Oysters, Baby Albacore, Beef Ribeye
Little Fish, Echo Park
I’m pretty picky about my fish sandwiches, but Little Fish makes the best fish sandwich. For breakfast, they’ve got items like fish congee, a smoked whitefish tartine, and brown cheese toast. While seafood is definitely the star here, the menu also branches out with vegetarian dishes and even a few steak-leaning options.
Must Try: Fish Sandwich, Tuna Sandwich
Jyan Isaac, Santa Monica
In my opinion, Jyan Isaac is slept on. Baker Jyan Isaac got his start baking at Gjusta in Venice, where he learned the craft early on. After COVID, he opened up Jyan Isaac Bread on Ocean Park Blvd where I’d argue has some of the best bagels and pastries in the city.
Must Try: Bacon, Egg and Cheese Bagel, Salmon Roe Bagel
Bavel, Arts District
Bavel is the most consistent and best Middle Eastern restaurant in the city. It’s always packed and for good reason. Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis are genius. If the weather’s nice, try to get a table outside on the patio and enjoy every dish to its fullest.
Must Try: Hummus Duck ‘Nduja, Moroccan Carrot, Grilled Celery Root, Grilled Prawns, Lamb Neck Shawarma
companion, Venice
Nick and Dakota Monica, who also run Gnarwhal Coffee in Santa Monica, founded companion in 2024 and have transformed this little Lincoln space into the perfect Venice staple. The mood is intimate and curated — the space features vinyl records, vintage touches, and a mix of cozy furniture and design elements. Their pizzas and pastas are incredible. I have no notes on companion.
Must Try: Meatballs, Caesar Salad, Pepperoni Pizza
Highly Likely, Highland Park & West Adams
Highly Likely is an all-day neighborhood spot in both Highland Park and West Adams. It’s my favorite spot for a work meeting or casual lunch with the girls. At 5 p.m., it switches to full table service with a bar scene.
Must Try: Parmesan-peppercorn Burger, Crispy Hippie Bowl, The Levantine Sando
Marvin, West Hollywood
Marvin is THE wine bar in LA for me. Besides the fact that the menu is amazing, their extensive wine list is what will continue to draw me back here. Oh… and also the salami, burrata and honey toast.
Must Try: Roasted Olives, Salami, Burrata and Honey Toast, Cacio E Pepe, Roasted Chicken, Burger
Petit Trois, Hollywood & Sherman Oaks
This cute, chic French restaurant transports me back to a lil Parisian café. The vibes are immaculate. The chef behind Petit Trois Ludo Lefebvre, one of LA’s most celebrated chefs, is known for bringing approachable yet elevated French cooking to the city.
Must Try: French Onion Soup, Burgundy Escargots, Big Mec (An absolute must!)
Dudley Market, Venice
My love for Dudley runs deep. Serving up the best burger in the city, Dudley has the freshest seafood, best vibes, and a killer wine selection. It’s not one to miss.
Must Try: Dudley Burger, Fish Tacos, Oysters, Kanpachi
Fiorelli, West Hollywood
Previously located in the Cook’s Garden in Venice, Fiorelli pizza is moving to West Hollywood for their first brick and mortar location. Run by Chef Michael Fiorelli and Liz Gutierrez, Fiorelli is one of LA’s top pizza joints.
Must Try: Zucchini Pizza, Sausage & Kale Pizza, Classic Cheese Pizza
Breadhead, Santa Monica
It’s dangerous how good Breadhead is. Alex Williams and Jordan Snyder (both formerly of Trois Mec) are the core chef-founders who built this sandwich concept around a signature homemade focaccia-style bread. It’s my go-to on Montana Avenue.
Must Try: Mozzarella Sandwich, Roast Beef Sandwich, Turkey Pesto Sandwich
Vicky’s, West Adams
Part French café, part classic diner, Vicky’s blurs breakfast, lunch, and dinner — offering everything from shakshouka and benedicts to sabich pita, bistro burgers, and Mediterranean-style plates. It’s my favorite pastime in West Adams.
Must Try: Shakshouka, Breakfast Sandwich, Crispy Mushrooms
Courage Bagels, East Hollywood
Dare I say… the best bagel in LA. Courage makes the perfect bagel: crisp exterior and chewy interior. “They’ve been credited with redefining what a LA bagel can be” and I fully believe that. I’m all in.
Must Try: Simply Delicious, Cheddar Cave (if they have it), Salted Sesame Bagel with Butter, Run It Through the Garden
Lasita, Chinatown
Lasita is one of those LA restaurants when you know, you know. It’s a Filipino rotisserie + natural wine bar in Chinatown’s Far East Plaza, serving food that’s relaxed but full of personality. The owners, Chase Valencia and Steff Valencia, pivoted from their former concept LASA into this more casual, livable version which blew my mind.
Must Try: Vedge Salad, Chicken Inasal, Chicken Fat Rice, Vegetable Atchara, All the sauces, Calamansi Cream Pie
Si Mon, Venice
A Venice beach gem. Si! Mon merges Central American and Californian culinary cultures by chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas’ at his first U.S restaurant.
Must Try: Baked Oysters, Curry Spiced Sashimi, Dungeness Crab Guacho
Escuela, West Hollywood
I crave Escuela multiple times a week. It’s classic Mexican food with the absolute best atmosphere. They give you containers of guacamole and salsa that you can easily take home… who doesn’t love that!?!
Must Try: Beef & Pickle Taco, Wagyu Burrito, Pork Belly Taco
Gjusta, Venice
This Venice classic is a bakery, grocer, goods, and flower shop combined. It’s my favorite place to grab a croissant (or salmon bagel), sit on the back patio and relax.
Must Try: Any of their pastries, Mushroom Pizza, Roasted Carrots, Honeynut Squash Cavatelli
Broad Street Oyster Co., Malibu
Broad Street Oyster Co. is a must every time I’m in Malibu. Chef Christopher Tompkins is originally from New York and brought a strong appreciation for New England seafood to Southern California. I know it’s expensive, but nothing beats a lobster roll and lobster bisque soup. They also have an amazing burger.
Must Try: Lobster Rolls, Lobster Bisque, Oysters, Cheeseburger
Donna’s, Echo Park
Donna’s is a cozy, nostalgic Italian–American “red sauce” restaurant where familiar favorites are done with care. The restaurant is a part of Park Hospitality (owners of Lowboy, Bar Flores, etc. – some of my favorite LA establishments) and truly stole my heart.
Must Try: Garlic Bread, Caesar Salad, Spicy Rigatoni Pasta, Pesto Pasta, Meatballs
Crudo e nudo, Santa Monica
I was late to the game on this one, but Crudo e Nudo is *chef’s kiss* and everything I hoped it would be. This sustainable seafood restaurant is a great spot for a casual dinner with friends. The menu is handwritten daily based on what is most fresh and in season.
Must Try: Oysters, Halibut Crudo, Prawns A La Plancha
Ospi, Venice & Brentwood
Ospi has always had a special place in my heart. From Chef Jackson Kalb, Ospi takes Italian comfort food to new heights. Their pizzas and pastas are extraordinary, but don’t sleep on their antipasti.
Must Try: Ricotta Toast, Japanese Eggplant, Kale Salad, Cacio e Pepe Pizza, Copione Pizza, Spicy Rigatoni, Raschiatelli, Butter Chicken
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, Beverly Hills
It seriously doesn’t get any better than this. The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills has the most magnificent selection of cheeses, meats, sauces, and more, but they’re also home to some of the best sandwiches in the city. Don’t believe me? Try La Zucca and report back.
Must Try: La Zucca, Il Domenico, Cheese Store Club
Saffy’s, East Hollywood
From the team behind Bavel and Bestia, Saffy’s is a vibrant Middle Eastern / skewers-and-shawarma–centric restaurant that needs to be your next reservation. They also run a coffee & tea shop / bakery side by day serving the best pita sandwiches in the city.
Must Try: Hummus Ful, Peruvian Scallop Crudo, Green Falafel, Roasted Celery Root, Any of their skewers
Gjelina, Venice
Gjelina is an imaginative American kitchen with a stylish interior. To me, their pizzas are really the star of the show.
Must Try: Kampachi Crudo, Butterball Potato, Grilled Broccolini, Mixed Market Greens Salad, Squash Blossom Pizza, Housemade Chorizo Pizza, Four Onion Pizza, Wood Roasted Prawn
Awan, Multiple Locations Around LA
I can never get enough of Awan. Made from Indonesian coconut cream and coconut water, this “not ice cream” is vegan and gluten free. It’s exceptionally made with local seasonal ingredients.
Must Try: Chocolate Oreo, Coffee, Blood Orange
THE WATERS EDIT 