16 Unique Restaurants in Los Angeles

Dining is one of the most diverse things to do in Los Angeles. From the sights and scents as you walk in the door to the first taste as expertly prepared morsels enter your mouth. We've all been to chain restaurants, but how about some of the most unique places to grab a bite in Los Angeles? Fancy restaurants in Los Angeles are often popular, making it difficult to secure a table. However, their impressive culinary offerings make them worth the effort and time investment!

Hollywood

The first neighborhood that comes to mind when people think of Los Angeles is Hollywood. The heart of America’s motion picture industry. The “dream factory” that shaped so much of America’s mythos and fueled countless dreams of fame and stardom over the years.

Amid the entertainment magic of Tinseltown is a pair of fascinating restaurants dedicated to magic in a much more direct way.

Black Rabbit Rose

The Black Rabbit Rose’s legend speaks of ghosts of silent film stars wandering its halls, unsurprisingly as it's part of the haunted and historic Hillview Building. It boasts a connection to the iconic Italian film star Rudolph Valentino: a hidden private speakeasy that, as the story goes, was uncovered during recent renovations.

It’s only natural, then, that Black Rabbit Rose’s style, decor, and atmosphere hark back to Prohibition-era America. The intimate speakeasy-style eatery embodies two American entertainment mainstays: jazz and stage magic.

• Address: 1719 N Hudson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (About 6.7 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Thai
• Unique Feature: The intimate, immersive magic shows will make each evening spent there memorable.
• Price Range: $$$
• Vibe: Mysterious and fun
• Reservation Needed? : Yes

The Magic Castle

The Magic Castle is a mystical destination in Hollywood. This private clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts devotes itself to magicians and dedicated fans of the arcane.

Rumored to be haunted by the legendary Houdini, it was founded in 1909 and has a rich history as a stage for members of the celebrity set seeking out enchantment. Although it’s open only to friends and members of the Academy that runs it, tourists have gotten in through the goodwill of one of the performers.

It lays claim to the title of the most unusual private club in the world. It's the most mysterious restaurant in Los Angeles, with a strict dress code and one of the busiest full-service dining rooms in the city. The Castle also contains bars and theaters where at least five magical performances grace the stage on any given night.

• Address: 7001 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (About 7.6 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Classic American fine dining
• Unique Feature: This members-only magic clubhouse is surrounded by an aura of mystery that dates back to the old days of Hollywood.
• Price Range: $$$
• Vibe: Elegant and mysterious
• Reservation Needed? : Yes, membership needed

Downtown

The central business district of Los Angeles is home to a diverse population and some of the most singular eateries anywhere. From fresh farm-to-table dishes to classic French cuisine, the dining establishments here cater to a wide range of culinary preferences.

These fancy restaurants in Los Angeles are often popular, making it difficult to secure a table. However, their impressive culinary offerings make them worth the effort and time investment.

Bavel

Southern California’s Bavel is a place where the food is the star of the show. The open-air Middle Eastern spot is dedicated to honoring and elevating the extraordinary culinary traditions of the region.

Offering an array of fresh breads, this restaurant wraps up the experience with desserts like Persian mulberry ice cream. On the strength of its incredible menu, Bavel has earned its ranking among the coolest restaurants in Los Angeles.

• Address: 500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013 (About 1.4 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Middle Eastern
• Unique Feature: The open kitchen gives you an exclusive look into what the chefs are cooking.
• Price Range: $50-$100
• Vibe: Lively and welcoming
• Reservation Needed? : Yes

République

LA’s République is located in a historic building where Charlie Chaplin worked in 1929. A part of the French scene in LA, this is the perfect place to find out-of-this-world pastries and a nourishing selection of pasta, fish, and meat dishes. Its pastry chef won a coveted James Beard Foundation Award for her work in 2022.

The approach centers on the simple (but creative) use of quality ingredients in selections like duck leg confit, mussels, and rotisserie chicken, delivering an authentic flavor that keeps their patrons coming back.

• Address: 624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 (About 5.9 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: French and Californian seasonal dishes
• Unique Feature: The historic building has a grand dining hall lit by a large skylight.
• Price Range: $$$
• Vibe: Elegant
• Reservation Needed? : Yes

Petit Trois

Petit Trois combines skilled chefs and excellent service with an air of contemporary cool, using French hip-hop as the theme music for noon to late-night operations. The chefs assemble flavorful dishes on display in front of the customers.

They serve up bistro classics like escargots de Bourgogne, steak frites, and omelets with their own creations. Their specialty — a double cheeseburger served with bordelaise and named the “Big Mec” — brings together the blend of tradition, edgy creativity, and all-around visionary confidence that makes Petit Trois unique.

• Address: 718 Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (About 6.1 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: French 
• Unique Feature: In a cozy Parisian-style setting, you can enjoy delicious bistro classics.
• Price Range: $$
• Vibe: Intimate and charming
• Reservation Needed? : Recommended

Destroyer

Destroyer has become a destination for Angelenos with discerning palates. It offers up strange and beautiful culinary creations that could go toe-to-toe with any of the city’s fine-dining taster menus.

Fans — and it has a lot of them of all ages — often describe Destroyer’s food as from the future. This kid-friendly restaurant is one of the many things to do in LA with kids. It offers innovative twists on presentation and flavor that you’ll find nowhere else. Serving delicious dishes like sunchoke waffles and avocado confit, Destroyer is an experience.

• Address: 3578 Hayden Ave, Culver City, CA 90232 (About 9.3 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Scandinavian-Californian breakfast & lunch
• Unique Feature: The stunning minimalist space paired with the artful plating of the dishes is really worth the visit.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Modern and simple
• Reservation Needed? : No

Sqirl

Sqirl is one of the many beloved and unique rooftop restaurants in Los Angeles. It claims a loyal community of regulars who line up for signature dishes like brioche toast slathered with seasonal house-made jam and fresh ricotta.

This rooftop dining experience somehow manages to be healthy, delicious, and decadent at the same time. There’s a sorrel rice bowl topped with fried egg, a rich nutty porridge, house-made sausage, and even a sandwich named after meat-loving food critic Jonathan Gold that features prosciutto and fennel on a toasted baguette.

Combined with the temptation of that extraordinary house-made jam — which you can also get by the jar — it’s not surprising that Sqirl tends to be crowded beyond belief.

• Address: 720 Virgil Ave #4, Los Angeles, CA 90029 (About 3.2 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: New American breakfast & brunch
• Unique Feature: Try the house-made jams and jump headfirst into their inventive dishes.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Casual and hip
• Reservation Needed? : No

The Griddle Cafe

The Griddle Cafe is famous for its generous portions, mouth-watering all-day breakfasts, and all-around great American diner food. Popular with locals this unique spot is located on a quiet stretch of Sunset Boulevard.

Some of the striking options include French toast with fillings like Chips Ahoy or Nutella or pancakes infused with Kahlua and Bailey’s. Regular versions of these dishes are available too. Lunch features an array of tacos, salads, burgers, and sandwiches on a menu that should please the most ravenous appetite.

• Address: 7916 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046 (About 8.3 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: American breakfast & brunch
• Unique Feature: Whet your appetite for the oversized pancakes, the signature dish of The Griddle Cafe.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Energetic and family-friendly
• Reservation Needed? : No

West LA

When it comes to the concentration of massive amounts of culinary brilliance in a very small area, West Los Angeles is a prime example. Sophisticated fine dining and individual creativity, tradition, innovation, and casual vibes thrive. Diverse sources of inspiration and experiments in atmosphere and flavor attract hungry diners.

n/naka

n/naka, a two Michelin-starred restaurant, embodies and extends the Japanese cuisine Kaiseki tradition. This modern kaiseki experience focuses on multi-course memorable meals that provide subtle showcases of flavor, texture, and color. It draws on historic haute cuisines from tea ceremonies to the tables of the imperial court, Buddhist monks, and samurai.

n/naka’s Chef Nakayama elaborates on it with modern Californian touches. That means a combination of sashimi bites and delicate aromatic broths alongside a signature pasta dish that combines spaghetti with abalone, black truffle, and pickled cod roe. The chef’s creativity in crafting banquets and dishes means there’s always something fresh to come back for.

• Address: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034 (About 10.7 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Japanese kaiseki (multi-course)
• Unique Feature: This is your chance to dine in a two Michelin stars with a wonderful seasonal tasting menu.
• Price Range: $$$
• Vibe: Elegant and intimate
• Reservation Needed? : Yes

The Apple Pan

The Apple Pan does simple things well, and that’s their key to greatness! This burger-focused eatery that has preserved the bulk of its original menu since it was founded in 1947, the Apple Pan has been almost a living time capsule of the Forties diner experience for most of its more than seven-decade run.

Through consistency and excellence of execution, this menu, featuring a pair of classic burgers and a range of delicious pies, has become an iconic slice of nostalgic America. Recently, the Apple Pan has modernized a few things. It put up a website and added a couple of new cream pie flavors, a vegan burger, and the ability to pay by credit card.

• Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 (About 11.4 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Classic American diner
• Unique Feature: Their famous burgers and pies bring in patrons form all over since 1947.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Retro and nostalgic
• Reservation Needed? : No

Electric Karma

Electric Karma provides an authentic and unconventional take on Punjabi cuisine. It’s a date night favorite with its intimate layout, warm and friendly candle-lit atmosphere, and soundtrack of house and world music backed by silent projections of Bollywood film classics.

It all forms a perfect backdrop for the delicious food of Chef Paramjit Singh. His signature dishes include the coconut curry Nirvana Chicken and the Tandoori Platter. Electric Karma provides a compelling showcase for delicious vegetarian and vegan from Punjabi traditions like masala dosa and paneer tikka.

• Address: 8222 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (About 7.2 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Indian
• Unique Feature: Watch Bollywood movies to your heart’s contempt in the outdoor seating area while munching on classic Indian dishes.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Cozy and exotic
• Reservation Needed? : Recommended

Crosstown

All across LA, amazing eateries represent their cultures and offer fresh takes on authentic dishes. Some of the best examples can be found sprinkled across the city and the greater Los Angeles area. No matter where you are in the city, there’s a good chance that you’re not far from some very special dining experiences.

The Misfit Bar

The Misfit Bar takes full advantage of its location in one of the city’s historic buildings to bask in a vintage Parisian-style aesthetic with columns, tiled floors, and ambient lighting. 

Located near Santa Monica’s famous 3rd Street Promenade, the Misfit is famous for its joyous atmosphere, delicious cocktails, fine food offerings, and generous definition of “Happy Hour.”

It attracts a vibrant, young, and beautiful Westside crowd and the bar’s signature cocktails are available at half-price from noon until 7 p.m. The Misfit Cocktail leads a roster of potent but delicious concoctions with its smooth and aromatic blend of gin, vermouth, and orange bitters.

• Address: 225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (About 15.9 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: American gastropub
• Unique Feature: Enjoy half-prices on cocktails during happy hour in a velvety ambiance.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Vintage and lively
• Reservation Needed? : No

Chi Spacca

Chi Spacca is a perfect spot in the Mozza complex at Melrose and Highland featuring an intimate ten-table dining room. It displays an unabashed devotion to the joys of meat. This upscale and extravagant take is definitely a destination for parties looking to indulge who aren’t worried about price.

Starting a delicious meal here with a cheesy Focaccia de Recco and a bottle of wine can take you on a journey through several more bottles accompanied by six-meat charcuterie board, grilled octopus, beef and bone marrow pie, or a massive tomahawk steak that’s only the third-largest piece of meat on the menu.

• Address: 6610 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038 (About 6.2 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Italian (whole-animal cooking)
• Unique Feature: Serving impressive Tomahawk pork chops & cooked-to-perfection bistecca fiorentina , this Italian grill will wow you!
• Price Range: $$$
• Vibe: Upscale and intimate
• Reservation Needed? : Yes

Guelaguetza

Guelaguetza is one of the absolute standouts in a thriving Los Angeles Mexican food scene. The focus is on one of the less familiar parts of the Mexican culinary world: Oaxaca. They offer some of the best examples of this region's traditions with a lively atmosphere, buzzing dining room, and a live mariachi band.

Oaxacan cuisine is built around empanadas, molotes (stuffed fry-bread), a variety of meat and seafood plates, and the famous mole sauces that blend savory Mexican spices and chilies with Oaxaca’s famous chocolate. Guelaguetza delivers it all with amazing quality alongside its signature mezcal margaritas.

• Address: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (About 3.5 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Oaxacan Mexican
• Unique Feature: The traditional mole and the live music performances really transport you to a lively Mexican neighborhood eatery.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Vibrant and festive
• Reservation Needed? : Recommended

Sushi Gen

Sushi Gen, nestled in a strip mall between the Arts District and Little Tokyo, is far from the only great choice for sushi in Los Angeles. What makes this bustling sushi place special, though, is that its excellent food is affordable in a way that’s hard to find elsewhere without losing quality.

It's especially famous for the sashimi special, a robust and diverse platter of sashimi that runs just over twenty dollars. Sushi Gen also offers an omakase experience that ranks with any of the top sushi places in LA. It’s easy to understand why it attracts long lineups of enthusiastic diners.

• Address: 422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (About 0.9 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Japanese sushi & sashimi
• Unique Feature: Daily-fresh fish is the bread and butter of this sushi bar, where freshness and flavors are always on the menu.
• Price Range: $$
• Vibe: Serene and minimalist
• Reservation Needed? : No

Yang’s Kitchen

Yang's Kitchen generated buzz in 2019 when it opened as a daytime counter-only eatery with a Taiwanese flavor. It has grown in scale and ambition since.

It's become a full-service restaurant with a curated list of natural wines that pays attention to its ingredients. It also pays special care for its employees' wages.

Yang's is a great choice for breakfast or lunch. It has a selection of simple and larger dishes and customizable breakfast plates. However, it’s at dinner time when it becomes one of the city’s most compelling culinary destinations.

• Address: 112 W Main St, Alhambra, CA 91801 (About 8.3 miles from downtown Los Angeles)
• Cuisine: Modern Taiwanese
• Unique Feature: Yang's Kitchen focuses on farm-to-table ingredients and modernizes traditional Taiwanese dishes for the L.A. crowd.
• Price Range: $
• Vibe: Casual and inviting
• Reservation Needed? : No

Discover, Dine & Delight: Los Angeles Awaits!

The culture of high-flying culinary creators in LA has given rise to many more remarkable restaurants than we can cover in a single post. The next time you travel through Los Angeles, you definitely owe it to yourself to explore its ever-thriving culinary scene.

Naturally, the many dreamers, darers, and doers of the City of Angels are the kind of people we like to visit as often as we can. Immerse yourself in a breathtaking world of imagination when you discover one of our shows in Los Angeles.