For the Foodie

Los Angeles is full of good restaurants, here's a list of our favourites:

Upscale/Trendy dining

Bestia - This is currently at the top of our list! Highly recommend the Roasted Bone Marrow. Only open for dinner. Once, we were in line behind Jake Gyllenhaal to check in with the hostess. And recently, we sat right beside Jesse Tyler Ferguson straight from the SAG Awards! Tip: Make reservations on opentable exactly 2 months ahead (when it opens up). (location: DTLA aka downtown LA)

Animal - Our previous #1 restaurant. Our go-to dish is the Loco Moco. Tip: Make reservations a month ahead. (location: Fairfax district)

Redbird - This restaurant has a lovely patio, with a retractable roof for warmer days. Both the food and cocktails are delectable. (location: DTLA)

Sugarfish - A Omakase (Chef's choice) style sushi restaurant. The most popular is the "Trust Me" set meal. There are several locations in the LA area but since they do not take reservations, go early.

Pizzeria Mozza - By Chef Mario Batali, the pizzas are all so good. However, save some room for dessert, as their Butterscotch Budino is to die for. Next door is Batali's other restaurant Osteria Mozza, another great spot. No time for a sit down? There's also Mozza To Go. (location: Hancock Park)

Republique - Great for both dinner (table service) and brunch (self service, go early to avoid a long line). (location: Hancock Park)

Bottega Louie - Great pizzas, Portobello Fries, Chocolate Souffle, and the display full of Macarons. (location: DTLA)


Casual dining

Kogi Food Truck - The original Korean Tacos from Chef Roy Choi. Check the schedule for where the three trucks will be. Alternatively, they're served daily at Alibi Room in Culver City.

Smorgasburg LA - A Sunday flea market, with rows of mostly pop-up food stands (that don't operate brick & mortar locations). Bring cash to save a little (most don't charge tax when you pay in cash). (location: DTLA)

Grand Central Market - Located in the middle of DTLA, there are so many good options, but here's our go-to's:
* Sticky Rice - Order their Panang Curry, BBQ Chicken & Pad See Eew.
* McConnell's ice cream
* G&B Coffee - Pricey but delicious G&B Shake (Coffee Milkshake).

Din Tai Fung - We make the trek to the San Gabriel Valley just for their Xiao Long Baos (Soup Dumplings).

Tara's Himalayan - Similar to Indian food, must order dishes are Yak (a mountainous herd animal) Chili, Lamb Korma and Momos (dumplings). (location: Culver City)

The Boiling Crab - Cajun style seafood served in plastic bags drenched in awesome sauce with the paper lined table as your "plate". Put on a provided bib and eat away - don't forget to lick the sauce off your finger.  (multiple locations)

Porto's Bakery - This Cuban bakery has sandwiches, cakes, pastries and fresh squeezed orange juice. Lines are long but don't be intimidated, they move pretty fast. Must order are the Cheese Rolls, Guava Cheese Rolls & Potato Balls (filled with meat). (locations: Burbank, Glendale & Downey)

Wurstkuche - Exotic hotdog meats that include rattlesnake and buffalo. Not that adventurous? They have a lot of other "safe" options. (locations: DTLA & Venice)

Thai Town - The only designated Thai Town in the U.S., located in Hollywood, there are a ton of great options (most of them are cash only):
* Ruen Pair
* Thai Patio
* Pa Ord Noodle - Order the boat noodles
* Red Corner Asia

Korea Town - The options in Korea Town are limitless, here are some of our favourite spots:
* Kyochon - Fried Chicken Wings
* Road to Seoul - AYCE (all you can eat) KBBQ (Korean BBQ)
* Moodaepo II - AYCE KBBQ
* BCD Tofu - Spicy tofu soup

Japanese - Options are plenty in LA! Here are our favourites:
* Hurry Curry of Tokyo - Japanese Curry & Spaghetti (location: Japan town, West LA)
* Curry House - Japanese Curry & Spaghetti (multiple locations)
* Orochon - Spicy Ramen (location: Little Tokyo, DTLA)
* Daikokuya - Ramen (multiple locations)
* Furaibo - Japanese small plates (location: Japan town, West LA)


Dessert

Yogurtland - Can't go wrong with self-serve Froyo especially at Yogurtland.

Blockheads Shavery - Taiwanese style shaved ice. Our favourites are black sesame or strawberry shaved ice with condensed milk topped with mochi. (location: Japan town, West LA)

85 Degrees Bakery - Brioche Bread, Taco Bun, Egg Tarts, and a whole lot of other options. (multiple locations)

Milk - Macaron sandwich ice cream, ice cream cookies, cakes. Often has long lines but it's worth it. (locations: Fairfax & Silverlake)

Donut Friend - Our current top donut shop. Lots of creative flavours and the donuts are light and melts in your mouth. (location: Highland Park)

Blue Star Donut - This Portland chain was our favourite before we discovered Donut Friend. (location: Venice)

Salt & Straw - Another Portland import with unique ice cream flavors. (multiple locations)