Los Angeles is a city I deeply love. The allure of the hills, the beaches, and the luxury always draws me in, but seeing the devastation caused by wildfires in the northern part of the city was heartbreaking. While communities have come together to rebuild, the damage is immeasurable. Despite the challenges, I still long to return and contribute, even in small ways, to help revive the local economy. And for me, the best way to start is always through food.
Yes, the West Coast is famous for its Mexican cuisine, but no trip to LA is complete without a visit to In-N-Out Burger and a dive into their secret menu. However, dining in LA offers so much more! From celebrity-favourite spots (where your chances of spotting a star are high) to sprawling food markets showcasing hidden gems, to stunning rooftop restaurants offering breathtaking views of the skyline, the city is a haven for food lovers. On our last trip to LA, these were the culinary spots that truly stood out.
In-N-Out Burger
A prerequisite for any trip to Los Angeles is a visit to the iconic Sunset Boulevard. Of course, no West Coast adventure is complete without a pilgrimage to In-N-Out Burger. It was unanimously agreed that we would not leave without enjoying a meal from this renowned fast-food chain. After a beautiful tour of the Hollywood sign and some leisurely driving around Los Angeles, our appetites grew, leading us straight to In-N-Out Burger.
I was beyond excited and decided to order the single cheeseburger. But what's a visit there without diving into the not-so-secret secret menu? As the brand explains, “It’s just the way some of our customers like their burgers prepared, and we’re all about making our customers happy.” So, what's on the menu? In addition to the standard single and double patties, you can customize your burger by adding up to four patties to any sandwich. You can enhance the flavour by requesting your burger to be mustard-grilled and stacked with the standard lettuce, tomato, and raw onion slices. If you prefer, you can also add grilled onions, cooked down in the meat juices on the hot griddle, to any sandwich.
One of the highlights is the Animal Style option. The Animal Style burger features extra Thousand Island spread, mustard-grilled patties, and additional pickles. For something extra tasty, animal-style fries are topped with cheese, spread, and grilled onions. For my order, I chose the cheeseburger and asked for Animal Style, which includes extra sauce, well-done fries, and the addition of standard lettuce, tomato, and raw onion slices inside the burger.
*Must Try: Their animal style from the (not-so-secret) secret menu
Cara Cara Rooftop at Proper Hotel
Perched on the 15th-floor rooftop of the luxurious Proper Hotel, Cara Cara is the perfect place for a meal on a chilly evening. With heaters providing warmth over every table, the limited menu is both refined and delicious. Guests can enjoy sweeping 360-degree views of the city, overlooking the twinkling lights of Downtown LA and its impressive skyline—just another added bonus.
This venue is ideal for al fresco dining, and the curated menu, filled with fresh and flavorful seasonal California ingredients, features dishes that are perfect for sharing. Highlights include Quinoa Fritters with feta, tahini, and cherry tomatoes; Scottish Salmon with cauliflower couscous and ginger chutney; and Spiced Pork Ribs with glazed apples, fennel salad, and champagne vinegar. Start your meal with a glass of wine paired with the Three Cheeses + Charred Dates cheese board, which includes orange marmalade, candied walnuts, and dried figs, enjoyed alongside Douro almonds and marinated olives. For a kick, try the Chorizo “Little Heat” + Jalapeno, and if you're looking for something healthy, opt for the sweet potato, avocado, black beans, beets, and tomato salad. If you're in the mood for Mexican cuisine, the Braised Wagyu Brisket Tacos with pickled red onions, habanero crema, and salsa verde are a standout choice. For a hearty option, consider the brioche with celery and piri piri aioli or the Hangover Burger served with a side of deliciously crunchy Fried Brussels Sprouts. Finish your meal on a sweet note with a chocolate treat like the Triple Chocolate Parfait or an Apple Cinnamon Hand Pie.
*Must Try: Cheese Board
The Rose Venice Beach
Strolling through Venice Beach and Abbott Kinney Boulevard, we arrived at a charming little café, The Rose Venice. This iconic restaurant has been serving locals and travellers alike since 1979 and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The Rose Venice is a fantastic spot, known for its excellent service, ambience, and food.
The expansive space, designed by a local company called Studio UNLTD, features a beer garden, a full market and bakery, and a 40-foot cocktail bar. The interiors are bright and vibrant, with colourful chairs adding a pop of colour, while the covered outdoor patio makes it weather-safe for dining. You could come here for the drinks alone, but the brunch menu is extensive—possibly the largest in LA. Led by Chef Jason Neroni, the menu focuses on local Southern California cuisine, infused with international influences from his world travels.
The bakery serves a wide range of offerings that celebrate American classics, along with some original Rose bakery recipes, all reinvented. Additionally, the bakery allows guests to build their own pastry boards.
One standout dish is the Grain Bowl, which is just as appealing to the eyes as it is to the palate. This extremely healthy option boasts a rainbow of colours and a wealth of nutrition. Featuring brown rice and quinoa, a poached egg, roasted butternut squash, kale, avocado, feta cheese, pickled cabbage, pomegranate seeds, and Mexican green goddess dressing, it’s perfect for those who want to eat healthily. Another must-try dish is the Chicken Quesadilla. Expect a bit of mess as you eat—juices oozing out—but the tenderness of the chicken and the generous amount of toppings prove that it’s nothing short of delicious. Undoubtedly, one of the finest meals I’ve had, the Grain Bowl and wood-fired quesadilla are absolute winners!
*Must-Try: Grain Bowl and Chicken Quesadilla
*Closed since December 2024
Grand Central Market
We chose to have our first meal at Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles and to be honest, we were spoiled for choice. Entering the market was overwhelming, with over 50 food stalls offering a variety of cuisines, including Korean, Italian, and Mexican, juice counters, doughnuts (which were the best I’ve ever had), ramen, and even a stall selling fresh fruits and vegetables. By the time we left, I was completely satisfied. Grand Central Market features a mix of smaller food spots alongside standalone outlets, including Villas Tacos Los Angeles, a Michelin-star taco spot known for its blue tacos. We tried a range of non-vegetarian tacos from Villas Tacos, and while they were delicious, we still preferred the hand-rolled vodka pasta from Knead Noods. The market offers a variety of creative Los Angeles cuisine, from vegan ramen and handmade pasta to authentic street tacos. There are also vegetarian options at Bento Ya, Knead, La Fruteria, Ramen Hood, Sarita’s Pupuseria, and Shiku. Don’t miss the iconic Egg Slut counter, which may require a long wait. Enjoy refreshing almond macadamia iced coffees from G&B Coffee or grab a quick bite at Sarita's Pupuseria. Villa Moreliana’s carnitas tacos showcase perfect Michoacan cuisine, while For the Win serves a delectable grass-fed beef burger with onions, cheese, and Thousand Island dressing on a potato bun—truly perfect. The only downside? There might be too many great options to choose from at once!
*Must Try: Chorizo taco from Villas Tacos and Vodka Pasta at Knead
Smorgasburg LA
Sundays in downtown LA are all about Smorgasburg at The ROW DTLA in the Arts District. With music and a variety of food stalls, Smorgasburg L.A. feels like a never-ending food festival. It's a place where you can return repeatedly and try something new each time.
The event provides a platform for nearly 100 small businesses, showcasing unconventional food options, many of which are unique to this market. The key highlight is that several of these brands may not have locations outside of Smorgasburg, allowing them to build their brand and identity.
Some current standouts include I Love Micheladas for micheladas, The Dumpling Dream's mushroom dumplings, Tacos 1986 for their delicious mushroom taco, Be Bright Coffee's iced coffee, and Ensaymada Project’s classic brioche cheese bun. Many of the vendors are on the path to opening their first brick-and-mortar locations.
The curation at Smorgasburg has been carefully planned. General Manager Zach Brooks selects the lineup by meeting with vendors, tasting their food, getting to know them, and understanding their goals during the application process. With a family-friendly beer garden and a welcoming atmosphere, Smorgasburg is the perfect place to spend a day with friends, family, or colleagues.
*Must Try: @tacos1986la tacos from this little taco spot, which started as a small venture and now has multiple outlets across the city
The Original Farmer’s Market
No visit to Los Angeles is complete without exploring the famous Original Farmers Market. Located just a short distance from the popular shopping destination, The Grove, this is the perfect spot to unwind after a long day of shopping. The Original Farmers Market boasts a lively atmosphere with a quaint, vintage vibe, making it ideal for a quick bite or a leisurely stroll. With fresh produce and the enticing aroma of ready-to-eat snacks, you’ll find it hard to leave disappointed!
The market offers a wide variety of food options that can be somewhat overwhelming. For a classic American diner experience, you can visit Du-Par's Restaurant or head to Patsy D'Amore's Pizzeria. However, the variety doesn't stop there. You can also find delicious offerings such as crepes, pasta, gumbo, fried chicken, tacos, sushi, and much more at the Original Farmers Market. Among the diverse food spots, we opted for a delightful Italian meal at Ettore Vino & Cucina. It combined two of my favourites—wine and Italian cuisine. Let's be honest: nothing pairs better with Italian food than a fine glass of wine.
Ettore Vino e Cucina is a collaboration between LA's beloved Osteria Mamma and Ettore, a boutique organic estate and winery located in Mendocino. Designed by de Falco, the indoor-outdoor dining space draws inspiration from southern Italy, particularly Puglia, which is de Falco's birthplace. The charming decor features sturdy wooden tables and vintage furniture sourced from Italy and France, adding character to this expansive venue. Not only was the food incredible, but their in-house selection of wines, curated by Italian-born winemakers Ettore Biraghi and Sofia Rivier, added an extra layer of refinement and joy. Complementing the meal was the exceptional olive oil produced from their vineyard in Mendocino, CA.
Behind the spacious and rustic dining room, there's a cosy heated back patio complete with a fire pit. The menu features hard-to-find aperitivi, such as crispy chickpeas, fried anchovies, and octopus-and-sausage skewers, alongside a selection of pasta, salads, and main dishes. Each menu item is thoughtfully paired with a recommended wine. Starters include shareable plates like marinated olives and fried squid with citrus mayonnaise, while pasta takes centre stage. Standout dishes include spinach pesto trofie, potato-stuffed ravioli with wild boar sugo, and gnocchi served with San Marzano tomato sauce.
What’s even better? You can take a piece of Ettore Vino e Cucina home with you. They offer a small selection of retail items such as dried pasta, canned tomatoes, and Ettore olive oil and wines, available for purchase whether you are dining in or visiting the market.
*Must Try: Truffle Pasta
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