The 10 Essential West Hollywood Restaurants
LA’s expansive landscape can be both a blessing and a curse. While its segmented neighborhoods allow for a great diversity of restaurants and vibrant fare, making long treks during peak dinner hours isn’t always a viable option. Enter Eater LA’s neighborhood guides, handy maps of essential restaurants grouped strictly by neighborhood boundaries.
First up, West Hollywood. While mostly known for its glitzy, celebrity-magnet hotspots, there’s actually a vast range of restaurants that run from old school to ultra trendy. Here now, the essential guide to West Hollywood restaurants, presented in alphabetical order:
1 Connie and Ted’s Seafood
With the recent lobster roll craze, New England-inspired restaurants aren’t difficult to come by in Los Angeles. And still, Connie & Ted’s stands out as chef Michael Cimarusti’s homage to his grandparents and the time they spent fishing off the shores of New England. When you can order fried clams (with bellies!) and those outrageous Angels on Horseback that come by way of a Michelin-starred chef, there’s just no reason to leave the Best Coast.
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2 Dan Tana’s
This longstanding red sauce joint is as old school as it gets. Although the restaurant’s conspicuous preference to seat regulars and celebrities over nobodies can make snagging a table rather difficult even with a reservation, you won’t regret waiting for the deliciously straightforward chicken parmesan that could feed an entire table.
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3 Dominick’s
This 1948 institution is the definition of Old Hollywood glam, with its red booths, lush outdoor patio, and brick fireplaces. Enjoying chef Brandon Boudet’s old-school Italian fare here brings you back to the time of Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe, who actually frequented the restaurant in the Rat Pack glory days.
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4 Eveleigh
This Sunset Boulevard mainstay has been rolling out European and American country cooking since 2010. Besides being one of the few places you can get a charcuterie board and other elevated snacks until 12:30 am, Eveleigh boasts one of the most stunning views in not only West Hollywood, but all of Los Angeles.
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5 Gracias Madre
Nestled on the stretch of Melrose that hosts fellow celebrity hot spots Craig’s and Cecconi’s, Gracias Madre has become quite the place to see and be seen while enjoying an al fresco meal on its expansive patio. While Gracias Madre offers what is likely the most approachable vegan fare for those with carnivorous predilections, you’re really here for the extraordinary organic tequila and mezcal program that takes the agave-based spirits to new heights.
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6 Irv’s Burgers
This roadside stand on the original Route 66 has been slinging burgers for decades. While the classics probably haven’t changed much since then, (relatively) new owners Sonia Hong and “Mama” are welcome new figures, having become known for their affable hospitality and the personalized drawings they sketch on every plate. When your double cheeseburger comes with your very own portrait, it’s impossible not to smile.
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7 Jones Cafe
You could go to Jones for its decent renditions of Italian-American classics, but you’re really here for some of the best apple pie in town. When a centrally located restaurant serves spaghetti & meatballs and pie until 2 a.m. nightly, it certainly is an essential addition to the neighborhood.
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8 Lucques
Suzanne Goin and Carolyn Styne’s Lucques, the first of their restaurant empire that would go on to include a.o.c. and Tavern, has been serving market-driven California cuisine for nearly two decades. The gorgeous carriage-house setting with its elevated, seasonal fare and exceptional cocktails and wine list undoubtedly makes it one of the most refined restaurants in West Hollywood.
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9 Roppongi Asian Tapas Bar and Sushi
West Hollywood denizens know that Roppongi, formerly Yatai, is one of the best kept secrets in the neighborhood. The hidden gem, tucked away in a courtyard off Sunset Boulevard, has become beloved for its extended happy hour deals that include $3 hand rolls and $5 sake generously poured from a giant bamboo shoot. With deals like that, it is certainly an idyllic place to kick off a night on the town.
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10 Sushi Park
You wouldn’t expect some of LA’s best sushi to come from a second-floor strip mall joint, but that’s exactly what you get a Sushi Park. Although many stumble upon the restaurant hoping for a few quick rolls, a sign politely explains “No Trendy Sushi,” “No California Roll,” and “No Teriyaki, Tempura.” But for all the sushi purists who come for omakase excellence, it’s a wonderful thing.
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