Los Angeles is one of the most exciting places to eat in the world right now. The Mediterranean climate allows farmers to grow a wide-ranging bounty year-round, encouraging Los Angeles-born chefs and restaurateurs to stay put while attracting new culinary talent from the U.S. and beyond.

Asian cuisines stand out. The largest Korean population in the United States is located in Los Angeles County and nearby Orange County, and their culinary center is downtown Los Angeles. Koreatown’s Jinsol Gukbap restaurant sells pork soup that simmers for 24 hours before being served; Surawon Tofu House is the place where silky tofu is made from scratch. And Kobawoo House is the place to enjoy traditional bossam, which is stewed pork with spices wrapped in lettuce or cabbage.

North Koreatown, in East Hollywood, is America’s only officially designated Thai Town and serves distinctive regional cuisine. Try jade noodles with barbecue pork, duck and crab at Sapp Coffee Shop, morning glory (water spinach) with crispy pork at Ruen Pair, and grilled sai ua (pork sausage) at Amphai Northern Thai Food Club.

The greater Los Angeles area excels when it comes to food from the Middle East. Head to the Armenian enclave of Glendale, where Mini Kabob serves delicious ground beef skewers, or the Persian district of Westwood, known as Tehrangeles, where Shamshiri Grill is known for its tahdig (basmati rice infused with gold, saffron and turmeric). butter crust) and bamieh (tomato and garlic stew). For a modern twist, Dune offers a street food-inspired menu featuring some of Los Angeles’ best falafels.

Traditionally the preserve of South Los Angeles, excellent soul food is now available throughout the city. Joyce, a Downtown restaurant run by chef and co-owner North Carolina native Sammy Monsour, sells Southern staples, including Louisiana crawfish (crawfish) hushpuppies, cornmeal-crusted Nashville catfish, and the standout Jamaican jerk duck dessert. At Alta Adams, a modern black-dining restaurant in West Adams, two-time James Beard Award nominee Keith Corbin serves black-eyed pea fritters, blackened salmon over mashed and fried potatoes with curry sauce, and his signature miso-ve. soy braised oxtail.

Surrounded by California’s wine country, Los Angeles has seen a plethora of new bars offering food pairing in a casual atmosphere. Esters Wine Shop & Bar in Santa Monica offers a generous selection by the glass, while Bar Bandini in Echo Park serves natural wines on draft and hosts food vendors. Elsewhere, The Ruby Fruit is an inclusive LGBTQ+ venue in Silver Lake serving an exemplary natural wine list and plenty of plant-based, gluten-free pub grub.

LA is a place that rewards forward planning. Focus your trip on one or two areas; the notorious spread will be more manageable. And although this is a driver’s city, you won’t even need to get behind the wheel.

One day in Culver City

Founded in 1917 by real estate agent Harry Culver, Culver City began life as the home of the first movie studios and later gained fame as an aircraft manufacturing center. Remnants of these industries still exist, but today it is the food scene that attracts most visitors.

Start at acclaimed breakfast spot Destroyer, which serves renowned chef Jordan Kahn’s Koshihikari rice porridge and avocado confit, as well as a creative rotating menu of specialty coffees, teas and pastries. Don’t miss the smoked lapsang milk tea and vegan chocolate chip cookies.

Nearby Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook offers panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin, Pacific Ocean and surrounding mountains. See native wildflowers and birds as you climb the Culver City Steps before descending the causeway.

From here it’s a short walk to the Museum of Jurassic Technology (book ahead), a collection of artistic, scientific and ethnographic curios housed in what looks like a small store on Venice Boulevard.

Steps away, The Brothers Sushi has a fantastic Japanese menu that spans a wide price range and includes everything from soy sauce chicken to sushi omakase.

After lunch, enjoy a walk through downtown Culver City and visit the Wende Museum, which displays art and artifacts from the Cold War era. Or pre-book a tour of Sony Pictures Studios, responsible for cinema classics like The Wizard of Oz and The Men in Black.

Head to Washington Boulevard and Motor Boulevard to end the day at Mayura, a family-owned and operated restaurant. Amazing Keralan cuisine for more than 20 people For years, it has been located in a simple spot in the corner of a shopping centre. Start with dosas, followed by a delicious fish curry or dum biryani. chicken.

A day in the arts district

The Downtown LA Arts District, once orange groves planted with vines and then razed to make way for factories, was so named in the late 1960s when industrial spaces were converted into studios and low-rent living spaces by artists. It later spawned a thriving arts and punk rock scene, and today it’s home to some of the city’s trendiest eating and drinking venues.

Located in the Row DTLA restaurant/retail area, Go Get Em Tiger has several locations throughout Los Angeles and some of the best coffee in town. The breakfast burrito is the thing to order, although there are delicious pastries as well. Alternatively, Smorgasburg Los Angeles is a gathering of up-and-coming artisan vendors selling everything from vegan tacos and ribs to dim sum and seafood ceviche every other Sunday. There is also a lively beer garden.

Then head along 7th Avenue to the 4,000-square-foot Los Angeles Institute of Contemporary Art, where works by emerging artists are boldly curated. Nearby, Ditroit sells sample tacos courtesy of chef extraordinaire Enrique Olvera (best known for Pujol in Mexico City and Cosme in New York). The Suadero beef taco and fish flauta rolled taco are popular, but there is also a tamale option that changes daily. Afterwards, head back to 7th Street, but first grab another coffee and an espresso brownie for dessert from the Bread Lounge.

Stroll through Dover Street Market, where you can find avant-garde and trendy clothing. Or you can call ahead to book the Peter Lai Asian Village tour. Lai collects original Japanese and Chinese clothing and other rare artifacts from his time as a designer and customer and displays them in this unique house museum.

For dinner, try the tasting menu at Baroo, a few minutes’ walk from East Second Street. Chef Kwang Uh cooks modern Korean dishes inspired by his studies in Korea with Buddhist nun and chef Jeong Kwan, while beverage director Jason Lee curates a list of handcrafted Korean soju, makgeolli and yakju, as well as non-alcoholic pairings.

Asian-American cuisine

Los Angeles’ notable second-generation Asian-American chefs grew up in Los Angeles, forged their own culinary paths, and earned not only local but international acclaim from the likes of Michelin. Camphor offers exquisitely prepared French bistro fare, lightly infused with South and Southeast Asian spices, favored by its two Alain Ducasse-trained chefs, Lijo George and Max Boonthanakit.

At nearby Row DTLA, Kato is a multi-course experience shaped by Taiwanese-American chef Jon Yao’s upbringing in the San Gabriel Valley east of the city. The menu changes as he takes apart and reconstructs dishes from his childhood, such as Iberico ham cruller (deep-fried pastry), sea urchin roe, and caviar. Also located at Row DTLA is Hayato, where chef-owner Brandon Hayato Go, who has worked in top Japanese kitchens for many years, showcases ingredients flown in from Japan, such as sakura shrimp, black-throated sea bass, and channel rockfish. Elsewhere, at N/Naka, Niki Nakayama follows the principles of kaiseki (traditional, multi-course Japanese meals) using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients like tomatillos and California spiny lobsters.

Where to eat Mexican street food in Los Angeles

1. Mariscos Jalisco
Located between the Los Angeles River and Interstate 5, this iconic taco truck serves up crispy fried shrimp tacos and fiery seafood tostadas with spicy red octopus and shrimp aguachile (a ceviche-like dish). They’re all topped with sliced ​​avocado, in case you forgot you’re in California.

2. Teddy’s Red Tacos
Known for tacos, mulitas (tortilla sandwiches), quesadillas, and birria de res (stewed beef) served with liberal use of consommé, chef and owner Teddy Vazquez specializes in food that bursts with flavor and satisfies crunchy food. The original location was in South Los Angeles, but Teddy’s now has locations throughout the city.

3. Pancho’s Tlayudas
Available only on Friday evenings, these tlayudas (a type of Mexican pizza) are usually filled with pork belly, beans, cheese, cabbage and chorizo, then folded and grilled over charcoal, with a side of exceptional homemade moronga – blood sausage – or grilled steak .

The best coffee shops in Los Angeles

1. Be Bright Coffee
Owned by 2024 U.S. Barista Championship winner Frank La, this Melrose Avenue cafe (above) serves specialty drinks that blend unexpected flavors like ube (purple sweet potato) and baklava. Beans are sorted by taste (“dark and bold,” “bright and vibrant,” etc.), making choices easy, including whole and ground bagged coffee varieties.

2. Kumquat Brown
At various locations around the city, coffee purveyors Scott Sohn and AJ Kim offer an impressive selection of single origins and blends as well as loose leaf teas from around the world. Try Green Plum Shaken, made with Pu’er fermented tea and plum extract.

3. Bloom & Feather Brown
With its distinctive bright purple facade, this shop in Filipinotown sells coffee from black-owned roasters like Black in North Carolina & White Coffee Roasters. Signature drinks include matcha and butterfly pea tea with blueberry puree and blue rose milk, and nitro passion fruit tea infused with calendula and rose flowers.

Historic markets in Los Angeles

1. The Original Farmers Market
Get a slice of Friends & A new addition to this market, Family Pizza has been in business since 1934. There’s also chicken pot pie from Du-Par’s or old-school ice cream from Bennett’s.

2. Santa Monica Farmers Market
A major source of contestants from the US TV series Top Chef, this Wednesday market offers amazing empanadas and crepes alongside the riches of Southern California farms.

3. Hollywood Farmers Market
This Sunday, items like strawberries from Harry’s Berries and avocados from Ace Ranch are on sale. Try spanakopita (Greek spinach pie) from Calamaki and blue corn tamales with roasted green peppers from Tamales Treats & More.