Eating Through Los Angeles: Alex Canter’s Top 100 Restaurants for 2021
Los Angeles restaurant culture is a part of my DNA: I was born a few blocks from Canter’s Deli, the family-owned and operated restaurant my great-grandfather founded in 1931. I started waiting tables there when I was 12 years old, jumping right into the family business just like my father and grandfather did before me. For as long as I can remember, restaurants haven’t just been my life — they’ve been my passion.
I’ve always enjoyed discovering amazing food experiences, and sharing recommendations with others. That thrill of discovery is what led me to create this list of my 100 favorite restaurants in L.A.
I want more people to appreciate how wildly diverse the Los Angeles food scene is. It’s so much more than tacos (though we do have the best tacos anywhere in the U.S.). It’s Korean, Cuban, Japanese, Peruvian, Italian, Indian and Thai. In a single city, you’ll find crispy shrimp rice noodles, bone-marrow gnocchi, pork xiao long bao, and a mole negro that will blow your mind.
This list is really a celebration of all the different cultures that make L.A. so special. It’s a token of my appreciation—and, I hope, a means of supporting an industry that badly needs our help.
The pandemic has absolutely devastated the restaurant world, and particularly, mom & pops. Literally overnight, establishments were forced to pivot in unsustainable ways and had to figure out how to function at extremely limited capacities (if they could be open at all). More than 110,000 eating establishments nationwide have closed their doors in the last year alone. Millions of restaurant workers have lost their jobs. At Canter’s, we were forced to let people go who had worked with our family for more than 40 years. It has been a brutal 12 months, and we still can’t fathom the long-term effects COVID-19 will have on the industry.
Despite all that, I’m hopeful. Countless restaurants in L.A. have found creative solutions amidst unimaginable challenges: They’ve reworked their menus, leaned in to delivery being the new normal, embraced virtual restaurants, and figured out how to make al fresco dining in parking lots seem cool.
As our city starts to re-open, I hope this list inspires you to support local businesses and get excited about dining out again.
Alex is a restaurant industry innovator, in-demand speaker, and passionate advocate for restaurant operators and workers. He is the 4th-generation of Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles, where he and his team invented Ordermark/Nextbite, a company that develops restaurant technology and delivery-only brands that help thousands of restaurants succeed with off-premise ordering. Ordermark recently announced the close of its $120M funding round led by SoftBank. Alex is a recipient of the Forbes 30 Under 30 and Fast Casual Executive’s Top 25.
100 Best Restaurants in LA (in alphabetical order):
Alta Adams
Favorite Dish: Fried Chicken
Cuisine: Southern Comfort/Soul Food
Location: 5359 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Price: $$$
Instagram: @altarestaurant
APL Restaurant
Favorite Dish: Dry-Aged Tomahawk
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 1680 Vine St, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @aplrestaurant
Asanebo
Favorite Dish: Halibut Sashimi with Yuzu
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 11941 Ventura Blvd, Studio City, CA 91604
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @asanebo_restaurant
Avra Beverly Hills
Favorite Dish: Langoustines
Cuisine: Mediterranean/Greek/Seafood
Location: 233 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$$
Instagram: @avrabeverlyhills
Ayara Thai Cuisine
Favorite Dish: Drunken Glass Noodles
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Price: $$
Instagram: @ayarathai
Badmaash
Favorite Dish: Chili Cheese Naan
Cuisine: Indian
Location: 418 N. Fairfax Avenue, Hollywood
Price: $$$
Instagram: @badmaashla
Bang Bang Noodles
Favorite Dish: Xi’an Tomato Dry Noodle
Cuisine: Chinese/Noodles
Location: 5018 York Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90042
Price: $$
Instagram: @bangbangnoodlesla1
Bavel
Favorite Dish: Oyster Mushroom Kebab
Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Modern
Location: 500 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Price: $$$
Instagram: @baveldtla
Bay Cities Italian Deli
Favorite Dish: Godmother
Cuisine: Italian Deli/Bakery
Location: 1517 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @baycitiesitaliandeli
Bestia
Favorite Dish: Roasted Marrow Bone Gnocchi
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$$
Instagram: @BestiaDTLA
Bludso’s Bar & Que
Favorite Dish: Brisket
Cuisine: Barbecue
Location: 609 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @bludsosbbq
BOA Steakhouse
Favorite Dish: Japanese Wagyu Flight
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 9200 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @boasteakhouse
Broad Street Oyster Company
Favorite Dish: Lobster Roll
Cuisine: Seafood
Location: 23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
Price: $$
Instagram: @broadstreetoysterco
Burgers Never Say Die
Favorite Dish: Double Smashburger
Cuisine: American/Burgers
Location: 2388 Glendale Blvd Unit A, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Price: $
Instagram: @burgersneversaydie
Burritos La Palma
Favorite Dish: Bean and Cheese Burrito
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 5120 N Peck Rd, El Monte, CA 91732
Price: $
Instagram: @burritoslapalma
Canter’s Deli
Favorite Dish: Pastrami Brooklyn
Cuisine: Jewish Deli
Location: 419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @canters_deli
Carla Cafe (Pop-up)
Favorite Dish: The Tuna Chop
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Location: 9229 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$
Instagram: @carlacafela
Cassia
Favorite Dish: Sunbathing Prawns
Cuisine: Southeast Asian
Location: 1314 7th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$$
Instagram: @dinecassia
Cofax
Favorite Dish: Chorizo Breakfast Burrito
Cuisine: Coffee/Breakfast Burritos
Location: 440 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$
Instagram: @cofaxcoffee
Colapasta
Favorite Dish: Lasagna Classica Al Ragu
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 1241 5th St, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @colapasta.restaurant
Coni’Seafood
Favorite Dish: Aguachiles
Cuisine: Mexican/Seafood
Location: 3544 W Imperial Hwy Inglewood, CA 90303
Price: $$
Instagram: @coniseafood
Courage Bagels
Favorite Dish: Smoked Salmon on Burnt Everything Bagel
Cuisine: Bagels
Location: 777 N Virgil Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Price: $$
Instagram: @courage_bagels
Daikokuya
Favorite Dish: Daikoku Ramen
Cuisine: Ramen
Location: 2208 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Price: $$
Instagram: @bishamongroup
Dal Rae Restaurant
Favorite Dish: NY Pepper Steak
Cuisine: Steakhouse
Location: 9023 Washington Blvd, Pico Rivera, CA 90660
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @dalraerestaurant
Dan Modern Chinese
Favorite Dish: Crab Fried Rice
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: 1403 2nd Street Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @danmodernchinese
Din Tai Fung
Favorite Dish: Pork Xiao Long Bao
Cuisine: Taiwanese/Chinese
Location: 10250 Santa Monica Boulevard #2400 Level 2, Los Angeles, CA 90067
Price: $$
Instagram: @dintaifungusa
Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen
Favorite Dish: Smothered Chicken
Cuisine: Traditional Soul Food
Location: 202 E Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
Price: $$
Elephante
Favorite Dish: Cacio e Pepe Pizza
Cuisine: Italian/Lounge
Location: 1332 2nd St, Santa Monica, California 90401
Price: $$$
Instagram: @elephante
Elite Restaurant
Favorite Dish: Crispy Shrimp Rice Noodle
Cuisine: Chinese/Dim Sum
Location: 700 S Atlantic Blvd, Monterey Park, CA 91754
Price: $$
Emporium Thai
Favorite Dish: Phuket Wings
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 1275 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Price: $$
Instagram: @emporiumthai
Felix
Favorite Dish: Cacio e Pepe
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$$
Instagram: @felixlosangeles
Genwa Korean BBQ
Favorite Dish: Marinated Galbi
Cuisine: Korean BBQ
Location: 5115 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$$
Instagram: @genwaofficial
Gjusta
Favorite Dish: Smoked Fish Plate
Cuisine: American/Bakery
Location: 320 Sunset Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$
Instagram: @gjustabakery
Golden Rice Co. (Pop-up)
Favorite Dish: Original Golden Rice
Cuisine: Persian
Location: 755 N La Cienega Blvd, CA 90069
Price: $$$
Instagram: @goldenriceco
Guelaguetza Restaurante
Favorite Dish: Mole Negro
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 3014 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Price: $$
Instagram: @laguelaguetza
Guerrilla Tacos
Favorite Dish: Sweet Potato Taco
Cuisine: Contemporary Mexican
Location: 2000 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Price: $$
Instagram: @guerrillatacos
H&H Brazilian Steakhouse
Favorite Dish: All you can eat…
Cuisine: Brazilian Steakhouse
Location: 518 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Price: $$$$
Hide Sushi
Favorite Dish: Engawa (Halibut Fin)
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 2040 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Price: $$$
HiHo Cheeseburger
Favorite Dish: Double Cheeseburger (Make it Spicy)
Cuisine: American
Location: 1320 2nd St Ste. B, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Price: $$
Instagram: @hihocheeseburger
Howlin Ray’s
Favorite Dish: Hot Chicken
Cuisine: Southern/Fried Chicken
Location: 727 N Broadway #128, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$
Instagram: @howlinrays
Il Tramezzino
Favorite Dish: Chicken Special Panini
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 454 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$
Instagram: @iltramezzino
In-N-Out Burger
Favorite Dish: Double-Double
Cuisine: American
Location: 9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
Price: $
Instagram: @innout
India’s Oven
Favorite Dish: Saag Paneer (Hot)
Cuisine: Indian
Location: 11645 Wilshire Blvd #200, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Price: $$
Izaka-ya by Katsu-ya
Favorite Dish: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 8420 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $$
Instagram: @katsuyagroup
Jame Enoteca
Favorite Dish: Scarpinocc
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 241 Main St El Segundo, CA 90245
Price: $$
Instagram: @eatjame
Jitlada
Favorite Dish: Green Curry
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 5233 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Price: $$
Instagram: @jitlada_la
Joan’s on Third
Favorite Dish: Chinese Chicken Salad
Cuisine: American
Location: 8350 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $$
Instagram: @joansonthird
Johnny’s West Adams
Favorite Dish: Pastrami on Marble Rye
Cuisine: American/Deli
Location: 4327 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Price: $$
Instagram: @johnnyswestadams
Jon & Vinny’s
Favorite Dish: Spicy Fusilli
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 11938 San Vicente Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Price: $$$
Instagram: @jonandvinnydelivery
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Favorite Dish: Margherita Pizza
Cuisine: Italian Pizzeria
Location: 1534 N McCadden Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Price: $$$
Instagram: @pizzeriadamichele
La Scala
Favorite Dish: Chopped Salad
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 434 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$$
Instagram: @lascalabeverlyhills
Larchmont Wine and Cheese Shop
Favorite Dish: #1-Caprese, Add Soppressata
Cuisine: Wine/Cheese
Location: 223 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Price: $
Instagram: @larchmontvillagewine
Leo’s Tacos
Favorite Dish: Al Pastor Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 1515 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90019
Price: $
Instagram: @leostacostruck
Little Fatty
Favorite Dish: Xo Fatty Noodles
Cuisine: Taiwanese
Location: 3809 Grand View Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Price: $$
Instagram: @littlefattyla
Majordomo
Favorite Dish: Bing Bread + Sides
Cuisine: New American/Asian
Location: 1725 Naud St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $$$
Instagram: @majordomola
Margot
Favorite Dish: Pan Con Tomate
Cuisine: Spanish/Mediterranean
Location: 8820 Washington Blvd General Chemistry Lab, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$$
Instagram: @margotlosangeles
Mariscos Jalisco
Favorite Dish: Shrimp Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 3040 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Price: $
Instagram: @mariscosjalisco
Mizlala
Favorite Dish: Falafel Plate
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Location: 5400 W Adams Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Price: $$
Night + Market
Favorite Dish: Crispy Rice Salad
Cuisine: Thai
Location: 9043 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$
Instagram: @ntmrkt
n/naka
Favorite Dish: Whatever’s on the Menu
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: 3455 Overland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90034
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @nnakarestaurant
Nobu Malibu
Favorite Dish: Tiradito
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 22706 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu, CA 90265
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @noburestaurants.us
Orsa & Winston
Favorite Dish: Satsuki Rice Porridge
Cuisine: Italian/Japanese
Location: 122 W 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @orsaandwinston
Ospi
Favorite Dish: Crispy Provolone
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 2025 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$$
Instagram: @ospivenice
Osteria La Buca
Favorite Dish: Rigatoni Bolognese
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 5210 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$
Instagram: @osterialabuca
Osteria Mozza
Favorite Dish: Grilled Octopus
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @osteriamozza
Papi Tacos y Churros
Favorite Dish: Birria Quesatacos with Consomé
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 2622 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018
Price: $
Instagram: @papitacoschurros
Park’s BBQ
Favorite Dish: Short Rib
Cuisine: Korean Barbecue
Location: 955 S Vermont Ave G, Los Angeles, CA 90006
Price: $$$
Instagram: @parksbbq
Pasta Sisters
Favorite Dish: Pesto Gnocchi
Cuisine: Italian
Location: 3280 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$
Instagram: @pasta_sisters
Petit Trois
Favorite Dish: Big Mec
Cuisine: French
Location: 718 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Price: $$$
Instagram: @petittroisla
Phillipe The Original
Favorite Dish: Beef French Dip
Cuisine: Sandwiches
Location: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Price: $
Instagram: @philippetheog
Plancha Tacos
Favorite Dish: Bean and Cheese Burrito
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 8250 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
Price: $
Pollo a la Brasa
Favorite Dish: Half Roasted Chicken (Extra Aji Sauce)
Cuisine: Peruvian
Location: 764 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90005
Price: $$
Porto’s Bakery and Cafe
Favorite Dish: Potato Balls
Cuisine: Cuban Bakery
Location: 3614 W Magnolia Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505
Price: $
Instagram: @portosbakery
Raffi’s Place
Favorite Dish: Soltani Kabob
Cuisine: Middle Eastern/Persian
Location: 211 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
Price: $$
Instagram: @raffisplace
Republique
Favorite Dish: Kimchi Fried Rice
Cuisine: Modern French
Location: 624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Price: $$$
Instagram: @RepubliqueLA
Roberta’s Pizza
Favorite Dish: Bee Sting
Cuisine: American/Pizza
Location: 8810 Washington Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232
Price: $$
Instagram: @robertaspizza
Sarita’s Pupuseria
Favorite Dish: Revuelta Pupusa
Cuisine: Salvadoran
Location: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
Price: $
Instagram: @saritas_pupuseria
Sonoratown
Favorite Dish: Beef Chivichanga
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: 208 E 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Price: $
Instagram: @sonoratownla
Spago
Favorite Dish: Smoked Salmon Pizza
Cuisine: American Cuisine
Location: 176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Price: $$$$
Sugarfish
Favorite Dish: Trust Me (Nozawa, If Very Hungry)
Cuisine: Sushi
Location: 4722 Admiralty Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
Price: $$$
Instagram: @sugarfishbynozawa
Sun Nong Dan
Favorite Dish: Galbi Jjim
Cuisine: Korean
Location: 3470 W 6th St #7, Los Angeles, California 90020
Price: $$
Sushi Ginza Onodera
Favorite Dish: Omakase
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 609 La Cienega Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @sushiginzaonoderala
Sushi One
Favorite Dish: Chawanmushi (Steamed Egg Custard)
Cuisine: Sushi
Location: 3905 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020
Price: $$$
Instagram: @sushione_la
Sushi Park
Favorite Dish: All the Tunas
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi
Location: 8539 Sunset Blvd #20, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$$$
Tacos y Birria La Unica
Favorite Dish: Birria Tacos
Cuisine: Mexican/Tacos
Location: 2840 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Price: $
Instagram: @tacosybirrialaunica
Ta-Eem Grill
Favorite Dish: Shawarma Plate
Cuisine: Mediterranean (Kosher)
Location: 7422 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
Price: $$
Instagram: @taeemgrill
The Garden (Soho House Weho)
Favorite Dish: Brunch Buffet
Cuisine: American
Location: 9200 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069
Price: $$$$
Instagram: @sohohouse
The Tasting Kitchen
Favorite Dish: Bread and Butter
Cuisine: Mediterranean/New American
Location: 1633 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $$$
Instagram: @the.tasting.kitchen
The Win-Dow
Favorite Dish: Cheeseburger
Cuisine: American/Hamburgers
Location: 1827 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Price: $
Instagram: @americanbeauty.la
Tire Shop Taqueria
Favorite Dish: Carne Asada Tacos
Cuisine: Tacos
Location: 4077 S Avalon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Price: $
Tito’s Tacos
Favorite Dish: Tito’s Taco with Cheese
Cuisine: Tacos
Location: 11222 Washington Pl, Culver City, CA 90230
Price: $
Instagram: @titostacosusa
Tsujita LA
Favorite Dish: Char Siu Tsukemen
Cuisine: Japanese/Noodles
Location: 2057 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Price: $$
Instagram: @tsujitala
Versailles Cuban Food
Favorite Dish: Roasted Garlic Chicken
Cuisine: Cuban
Location: 1415 S La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Price: $$
Vito’s Pizza
Favorite Dish: Cheese Slice
Cuisine: Pizza
Location: 2455 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Price: $$
Instagram: @vitospizzaweho
Ye Rustic Inn
Favorite Dish: Hot Wings (Extra Crispy)
Cuisine: American/Dive Bar
Location: 1831 Hillhurst Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Price: $$
Instagram: @yerusticinn