Best of Los Angeles
Where locals eat in Los Angeles
Start with Langer's Delicatessen in Westlake for the #19, Courage Bagels in Virgil Village for A bagel with tomato and cream cheese, or the lox and Guisados in Echo Park for the taco sampler and the chicharron taco. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Langer's DelicatessenWestlake · French dip
Get: The #19 (pastrami, Swiss, coleslaw, Russian on twice-baked rye) or #1
The hand-cut LA pastrami benchmark since 1947.
- Courage BagelsVirgil Village
Get: A bagel with tomato and cream cheese, or the lox
Hand-rolled bagels with a cult following and lines to match.
- GuisadosEcho Park · Mexican tacos
Get: the taco sampler and the chicharron taco. Braised-meat tacos on handmade tortillas
Echo Park taco counter known for braised meat guisados piled onto small handmade corn tortillas.
JitladaThai Town · Southern ThaiGet: the crispy morning glory salad and a southern Thai curry. A strip mall room in Thai Town
Thai Town institution known for fiery Southern Thai specialties and an extensive, adventurous menu.
- Bludso's Bar & QueMid-City · Texas barbecue
Get: the brisket and the pork ribs. Texas barbecue on La Brea
Mid-City barbecue joint with Texas roots, known for smoky brisket, ribs and a lively bar scene.
- Joe's FalafelStudio City · falafel, Middle Eastern
Get: the falafel plate. A tiny strip mall spot in the Cahuenga Pass
Casual Studio City counter serving falafel and Middle Eastern plates, a neighborhood go-to for a quick bite.
- KismetLos Feliz · Mediterranean
Get: the jeweled crispy rice and the flaky bread. A Los Feliz neighborhood room
Bright Los Feliz restaurant known for vegetable-forward Mediterranean dishes with a lively, modern feel.
- Night + Market SongSilver Lake · Thai
Get: the larb and the khao soi. Loud, spicy Thai on Sunset
Lively Silver Lake Thai spot known for funky, spicy cooking like crispy rice salad and sour sausage.
- Osteria La BucaHancock Park · Italian trattoria
Get: the bucatini carbonara. A neighborhood Italian place on Melrose
Cozy Hancock Park Italian trattoria known for red-sauce classics, truffled pastas, and a loyal neighborhood following.
- Pine & CraneSilver Lake · Taiwanese
Get: the dan dan noodles and the three cup chicken. Tables fill fast
Casual Silver Lake counter-service spot known for Taiwanese comfort food like dan dan noodles and beef roll.
- Sapp Coffee ShopThai Town · Thai, Isaan
Get: the boat noodles and the jade noodles
Thai Town diner-style spot loved for boat noodles and Isaan dishes in a no-frills setting.
- Yuca'sLos Feliz · Mexican
Get: the cochinita pibil tacos. A tiny Los Feliz stand
Beloved Los Feliz hut famous for cheap, excellent cochinita pibil tacos and burritos since the 1970s.
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Save the whole listAsk Chef for morePlan my Los Angeles food tripWhere locals eat in Los Angeles: questions people ask
What are the local restaurants in Los Angeles?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Langer's Delicatessen (Westlake), Courage Bagels (Virgil Village) and Guisados (Echo Park). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Langer's Delicatessen, get the #19 (pastrami, Swiss, coleslaw, Russian on twice-baked rye) or #1. At Courage Bagels, get A bagel with tomato and cream cheese, or the lox. At Guisados, get the taco sampler and the chicharron taco. Braised-meat tacos on handmade tortillas. At Jitlada, get the crispy morning glory salad and a southern Thai curry. A strip mall room in Thai Town.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Los Angeles?
Most of these are in Thai Town, Los Feliz and Silver Lake. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Los Angeles: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Los Angeles
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.