The Best Casual Restaurants in Los Angeles

Gjusta is an all-day bakery and deli in Venice known for its relaxed setting and fresh, high-quality offerings. The bustling patio and laid-back atmosphere make it a welcoming spot for breakfast or lunch. Locals appreciate the straightforward focus on good ingredients and a comfortable place to gather.

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Daniel Modlin

Food & Wine Editor

Still hits. Its been open for a while but the menu hasnt really changed. Great coffee, bagels, samdwiches, fish, etc. A surfer spot + a jewish deli, it doesnt get more LA than this.

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Botanica Restaurant & Market is a relaxed spot in Los Angeles’s Silver Lake neighborhood, known for its fresh, California-style cooking. Their focus on local ingredients and simple preparation means the flavors really shine. There’s also a small market area, so you can bring some of their seasonal finds home.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

Great Californian food reminds me of Italian and Greek food in that it lacks the complexity of French food but instead focuses on bringing out the simple features of a few ingredients. This simplicity is anything but easy, as a great Cacio e Pepe can show, and certainly requires access to fresh ingredients, something both Greece, Italy and California are blessed with. There are a couple of neighborhoods in LA that stand for this type of food. Santa Monica and Venice on the coast with places like Gjusta and Rustic Canyon and then more inland there is the Los Feliz and Silver Lake area with places like Kismet. Botanica, just south of the Silver Lake reservoir is one of the best examples of this type of LA Californian food. Simple but surprising and no matter which month of the year the ingredients taste like they just came fresh from the farm. Like the White Beets and Persimmon (salad or plate) was so simple but full of subtle flavors. The Seared Pointed Cabbage with the touch of Gouda. And then for the main the Striped Bass in probably the lightest coconut broth I have ever had and an edge from the charred radicchio and squash. While all these dishes were outstanding and made me think about when I could squeeze in another visit, the highlight of the dinner was the date desert. This was just perfection. Dates on a bed of fluffy tahini and olive oil and rosemary drizzled all over. It could have been a starter or a desert, but no matter which, it was amazing.

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Gjelina Take Away sits on Venice’s Abbot Kinney Boulevard, sometimes called one of America’s coolest streets, and has a relaxed vibe with stylish decor. It’s a convenient spot for both breakfast and dinner, offering a range of creative menu options in a casual setting. The same team behind Gjusta runs it, keeping the atmosphere laid-back and inviting.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Even though it says Gjelina Take Away (or GTA), we will refer mainly to Gjelina. Gjelina is one of our favorite breakfast spots in Venice, probably only beaten by Gjusta (and they are the same owners anyway). We love the vibe of this place, the decoration, and the location in the middle of America's coolest street, Abbot Kinney Boulevard! Whenever we come for breakfast we always order their yogurt with granola and some fancy unique fruit (as mentioned with Gjusta, these guys manage to make of this almost boring dish something really exciting) and the soft scramble with smoked trout and mushrooms! The place is also great for dinner, offering wood-oven pizzas and many other creative dishes.

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Anajak Thai Cuisine offers a relaxed setting where you can enjoy Thai flavors in both a cozy dining room and a lively outdoor alley space. They’re known for an impressive wine list and a friendly team that makes you feel welcome. It’s a straightforward spot where good food, music, and atmosphere come together.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Thai restaurant with a nice wine selection in Sherman Oaks. This was one of our favorite meals, if not the favorite meal of this trip. First of all, Sherman Oaks is becoming cooler by the minute, we want to explore this area more on our next trip, as on our way there we saw many cool spots and just a nice general vibe. We really enjoyed the restaurant's atmosphere, the sommelier was super friendly, as was the rest of the team, and perhaps the only downside is that it can be a touch tight depending on where you get seated. Regarding the wine, they have a pretty wide selection, and it includes a couple of natural wines so there’s a little bit for everyone here. Now, focusing on the food, we had the following: * Massaman Brisket Curry. * Southern-Thai Fried Chicken. * BBQ Pork Collar, coriander molasses, soy & sesame. * Pad Thai. Except for the Pad Thai, which wasn’t bad, but we wouldn’t order it again, we absolutely loved the rest of the dishes, and the one that stood out the most was the Massaman Brisket Curry, this was the best Massaman we’ve had so far, it’s super rich in flavor, with a nice thick texture, the brisket was still juicy, just a great dish. Definitely one of our new favorite spots in the city, and a place we want to come back to on our next trips.

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Hangari Kalguksu is a welcoming, family-owned Korean spot in Los Angeles. They cut their noodles fresh each day and let their broths simmer for hours, giving every meal a comforting homemade feel. It’s a relaxed place where you can enjoy authentic flavors in a cozy, laid-back setting.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice

One delicious eat in Koreatown is Hangari Kalguksu. They specialize in Kal-guk-su (hand cut noodle soup). Kalguksu is the most perfect comfortfood - hearty, steaming bowls filled with a rich noodle soup that are flavored with garlic and onions and thickened with potatoes and must include Manila clams. Each order comes of course with traditional sides of radish and cabbage kimchi. Really tasty and damn, those hand cut noodles!!

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Mother Wolf is Chef Evan Funke’s homage to Rome, set in the historic Citizen News Building in Hollywood. Its glamorous Art Deco interior and lively atmosphere offer a glimpse of old Hollywood charm while focusing on authentic Italian traditions. You’ll find a balance of classic influences and contemporary energy in this bustling Los Angeles destination.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Evan Funke’s latest project offering Italian food, specifically focused on the city of Rome. While in LA, this was one of the hotspots many people were talking about, so we knew we had to check it out. First of all, you can see right away there has been invested a lot of money in this place, with all the glamorous decoration and the interior design. The place can be a little too loud sometimes. Now, focusing on the dishes we ordered, we had the following: * Ricatoncini all vaccinara. * Tonnarelli cacio e pepe. * Spaghetti all’amatriciana. * Gamberi in salsa verde. * Pizza margherita. * Pizza diavola. * Torta della nonna. * Torta di olio d’oliva. The food was overall pretty good. The prawns were nice, the pizzas were good, (but we personally prefer pizzas napolitanas compared to the pizza romana). The cacio e pepe was our favorite pasta and dish of the meal, it had a nice texture and nice flavor and the desserts also were good.

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American Beauty is a neighborhood steakhouse with locations in Venice and Los Angeles, open daily. They focus on wood-grilled steaks, seafood, and inventive vegetable dishes, along with a bar that offers craft cocktails and an extensive wine list. The setting is relaxed, welcoming anyone looking for a straightforward yet satisfying meal.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice

The Window at American Beauty on Rose Ave serves a mind-blowing double cheese smash burger for a bargain! Let’s not lie, we tried a “few” burgers during our time in LA and this is probably one of the best burgers we had. It reminded us of our favourite​ burger in Stockholm (Funky Chicken Food Truck), that also has the extra-caramelized crust on the meat that makes these beauties stand out!

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Bacetti is a relaxed Italian spot in Echo Park with a cool interior and friendly service. They specialize in natural Italian wines, creating an easygoing atmosphere for enjoying a meal. Prices feel reasonable for the quality, making it a welcoming place to spend an evening in Los Angeles.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Italian restaurant with natural wines in Echo Park. This was our favorite Italian restaurant of this last trip to Los Angeles. First of all, the whole vibe and the interior is super cool here, and service as in most places in LA, is very very good. The wines are pretty much only Italian and all of them natural or low intervention. Now, focusing on the food, we had the following: * Strozzapreti cacio e pepe. * Blistered sunchoke, labneh, dates & sunflower seeds. * Focaccia Ebraica & honey butter. * Campanelle with portobello, shimeji, oyster mushrooms, thyme & ricotta salata. * Caramelized nut tart with rosemary, salt & pecorino. Also, a part from this, but not pictured (as we came back on a different occasion without a camera) we tried the pizzas. All of the dishes were very nice, but the favorite was definitely the focaccia. The pasta also had a great texture and nice flavor. Overall one of the better restaurants we’ve been to this last trip and also fairly priced for what it is in our opinion.

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Bavel is a Middle Eastern–inspired restaurant in Los Angeles, created by the team behind Bestia. It offers an elevated take on time-honored flavors in a comfortable setting. Guests can expect a relaxed atmosphere and a creative menu that stays true to its roots.

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Cemre Torun

Food Writer

Ori and Genevieve Menache’s Middle Eastern inspired restaurant in LA. Meze, kebap, pide, lots of exciting spicy goodness.

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Camphor is a French-Indian bistro in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles, run by chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George. They blend refined French technique with Indian influences for a modern dining experience in a relaxed setting. Guests can also look forward to creative cocktails and attentive service in a welcoming atmosphere.

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Geeta Bansal

EIC of Salty Magazine

Bistronomie à la LA by chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George. Camphor, a French/ Indian bistro in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles by chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George embodies modern cooking with a LA apropos relaxed ambience. French technique, refined in Ducasse outposts, plays harmoniously with aromas of Indian spices, the kitchen thankfully not holding back when it comes to the crispy Indian “gunpowder” dredged baby shrimp while judiciously exercising restraint when it comes to dishes like the scallop demi lunes. Other highlights include Dungeness crab barbajuan, mustard dressed mackeral, a lentils and lamb side that pairs so well with the main of mushrooms, madeira and basmati rice. The proverbial steak au poivre, oysters, caviar, pomme frites, chicken, and lobster also feature on the a la carte menu along with a tempting dessert selection. A souffle doppelganger hazelnut chocolate meringue and a minty Kiwi confection standout. Creative cocktails, wines by the glass, a bar cart with liquors, attentive service and great food are reasons enough to go and go back.

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Ceviche Project is a small restaurant tucked along a busy stretch of Hyperion Avenue in Los Angeles. It focuses on fresh seafood presented in raw forms, and you can often see the chef preparing each dish behind the bar. The atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, making it a nice spot for anyone who appreciates simple, bold flavors.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

There are few places in Los Angeles that cool you off and transport you into another dimension like Ceviche Project. The place that Ceviche Project’s Octavio Olivas (owner and chef) transports you to, is a mix between 1950’s Saint-Tropez, Acapulco, and the Copacabana. You will find this amazing restaurant on a busier stretch of Hyperion Avenue (borderline Silver Lake and Los Feliz) in a small little space. The best place to sit at is right at the bar, allowing you to watch Olivas as he prepares the various dishes. Fresh fish is what is on the menu, prepared in various ways — but all raw (or ceviche). The restaurant opens at 5pm and closes when they are out of fish, so I would recommend going between 6 and 7. The dishes are a feast for both your eyes and your taste buds. If there is a special I would highly recommend ordering it. And all ceviches (Mexican style, not Peruvian) are to die for. I especially loved the Sea Bass Ceviche. Another highlight for me was the Green Shrimp Aguachile, where you could see the raw shrimp “cook” in the aguachile in front of your eyes as you poured the green sauce over the ingredients. Another must have are the scallops on the half shell (and order them with the optional uni) — this is one of the best starters I have ever had. The olive oil combined with the uni coats the mouth as the flavors burst in your mouth. And in a city where you find raw fish tostadas nearly at every street corner, do not skip the Kanpachi Tostada, which will blow you away with its fresh ingredients. Each of my visits has been outstanding, and even before leaving I was hashing out my next visit.

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Damian is a CASAMATA restaurant in Los Angeles’ Arts District that serves contemporary food rooted in Mexican culture and inspired by Pacific coastal traditions. Its friendly service, airy decor, and focus on high-quality local ingredients create an inviting atmosphere. With a thoughtful bar program featuring artisanal spirits, it offers a warm and relaxed dining experience.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

After several visits to Enrique Olvera’s Mexico City Pujol I was truly looking forward to the opening of Damian. It took some tries to get in due to the shut downs last year but then on my most recent trip I was finally able to eat there and it was so worth the wait. I would say the food is somewhere between Pujol and Cosme … a bit more elevated than Cosme but also a bit more accessible than Pujol. The restaurant certainly takes advantage of LA access to fantastic ingredients and you can taste that in anything from the various fish to the Mexican herbs and obviously the avocados. While the food certainly shines and is the star of the show, I have to say the service was outstanding, extremely friendly, and mezcal selection, while selective, was outstanding, and the decor was beautiful. Located right across Bestia in the Arts District this is a place I am already looking forward to coming back to … soon

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Golden Bull Restaurant has been part of the Santa Monica Canyon community since 1949, offering a comfortable, old Hollywood–inspired atmosphere. It focuses on classic chophouse fare and signature cocktails in a laid-back setting. People appreciate its traditional approach that stays true to its roots, making it a welcoming spot for both regulars and newcomers.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

There are restaurants which mesmerize you and then there are those places which feel like home the moment to walk in the door. And those latter restaurants (a lot of times older places) might not even have the most amazing food, but rather they focus on getting traditional dishes absolutely right. Golden Bull is such a place. It feels old Hollywood while being approachable. The food is traditional steak house fare but done extremely well (the corn side dish especially stood out to me … crisp and flavorful, using corn from the cob). The staff was friendly and overall despite this being my first visit it felt like I had been here many times. A great place to come back to, to hang out at, all while eating great, fresh basic food.

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Located right across from the famous Venice Beach sign, Great White has become a local favorite thanks to its fresh and flavorful menu. There are plenty of options to suit different tastes, but it never feels like a tourist trap. Its relaxed vibe makes it a welcoming spot any time of day.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

Just across the street from the famous Venice Beach sign that leads you to the beach and skatepark this place could have easily become a tourist trap. But this is quite clearly big with locals and that is because of the food. The menu can feel a bit like Cheesecake Factory considering how many items there are but what I had was outstanding. Fresh and flavorful. The ceviche was definitely my favorite. And the fried chicken sandwich was extremely good, not greasy at all with the kale slaw balancing the fried chicken perfectly.

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Han Bat Sul Lung Tang in Los Angeles is a laid-back spot known for its authentic Korean soup and friendly service. Its consistently satisfying flavors and quick attention have made it a go-to place for locals and visitors alike. With an inclusive staff and relaxed atmosphere, it’s an inviting place to enjoy a comforting meal.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice

Lunch or dinner, this casual local joint serves a delicious authentic Korean oxtail soup in K-town LA! You go here for mainly one dish, their traditional Korean oxtail soup with various add-ins. The extremely deep broth cames as it is, unseasoned with just the pure flavours of the meaty bones. On the table, you have salt, chilli paste and scallions along with some Korean traditional side dishes - Kimchi. Really great local spot for those who are looking for an authentic eat!

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Hokkaido Ramen Santouka is a Japanese ramen chain located in a supermarket food court in Los Angeles. Diners line up to pay and then wait for their number to be called, making it a straightforward, casual experience that many find worth the wait.

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Nicole Jacobsen

Co-Founder TheFoodOffice

The white tonkotsu (pork bone) soup served with a small, pickled plum in a round bowl at @ramensantoukausmawa is worth traveling for. This is a Japanese ramen chain located in the food court of a Japanese supermarket in Los Angeles. The process is simple, you line up with your cash ready (cash only), then choose from shio (salt), soy, miso or spicy miso ramen. Move on to place your order and then just wait for them to call your number over the loudspeaker. We tried the Hokkaido-style shio (salt) ramen which is a bit lighter than other bowls of tonkotsu that we have tried over the years - and damn this was a comforting bowl!! 🤤👏🏻

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Holbox is a welcoming, family-run spot tucked inside Mercado la Paloma in Los Angeles. They focus on fish-forward Mexican cooking and create a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. It’s a comfortable place to enjoy a satisfying meal without any fuss.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

Casual but among the best restaurants in LA with ceviche at the highest level. The beauty of LA is that the ugliness and roughness of the vastness of this megalopolis creates ample opportunities for little gems to blossom. Holbox is such a place that is tucked away inside a market / food hall (more specifically the Mercado La Paloma), which itself is nearly under the always busy 110 highway on one side and a middle school and some smaller factories on the other. At the same time Holbox is also the story of a family from Mexico making the US their home and sharing their love for Mexican food. These days the Mercado seems to have been built around Holbox but the opposite is the truth and you can sample dishes from Holbox’s fish focused menu and add items from other stalls. Or, on Thursdays and Fridays you can have the eight course chef’s menu at the bar seats. And the experience is exceptional. Before I talk about the food let me just say that chef Gilberto Cetina and his whole crew is amazing. If there wasn’t the hustle and bustle from the market behind you, the atmosphere is like you are sitting in his kitchen and being part of his family. Ok so the food, and maybe I should say THE FOOD. It is incredible. In a way ceviche has been the mezcal of the 2020s. Just like in the 2010s every place added a mezcal bar, the last couple of years seem to have seen an increase in places that focus on Mexican ceviche. And I love this trend. While the ceviche dishes at Holbox are among the very best I have had (like the Ceviche de Erizo con Corvina) Holbox is more than ceviche and more than raw fish (even though I would make sure to order the Tostada de Atun and the Aguachile de Camaron. Like with the ceviche the presentation is just gorgeous . If you are looking for a warm dish, the Langosta la Mojo de Ajo is amazing. Each dish makes the fish shine and it feels like the fish just came out of the water, it’s fresh and full of flavor. All the praise Holbox received in the last 12 months (including being named best restaurant for 2023 by the LA Times) are more than deserved. I can’t wait to come back. If there was one criticism it is that the eight course menu is a lot of food. I think six courses would have been all I needed and the price of the eight course dinner would still be extremely generous for a six course menu.

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Jinsol Gukbap 3rd is a relaxed spot in Los Angeles known for its southern Korean-inspired cooking. Founded by the same person behind Hangari Kalguksu, it focuses on rich broths and straightforward comfort food. You’ll find a welcoming atmosphere and a genuine commitment to satisfying flavors.

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Randy Moon

Restaurant Owner

Southern Korean comfort food. From the founder of Hangari Kalguksu, southern Korean food of the highest quality. I like the (massive) kimchi stew, the jjimdak, and of course the namesake gukbap.

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Kuya Lord is a casual Filipino restaurant in Los Angeles that began as a backyard pop-up by Chef Lord Maynard Llera. The friendly team serves regional Filipino dishes inspired by the chef’s childhood in Lucena City, using simple ingredients with a personal touch. It’s a cozy spot with a short, focused menu that makes you feel welcome as soon as you step in.

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David P. Leja

@thegastrojourney

Small casual restaurant serving regional Filipino dishes in chef Lord Maynard’s way. One of our favorite meals in LA was this one, and it’s very unlikely you will find a better value for money spot in the city. This place was initially born as a pop-up during covid times until former Bestia chef Lord Maynard decided to turn it into a restaurant. The menu is short but packed with super tasty dishes. We ordered the following: * Tray with slow-roasted rolled pork belly. * Almond wood-grilled Hiramasa collar, toyomansi & chili-garlic oil. We liked both dishes, but the pork belly was definitely our favorite, and actually every part of that tray was really tasty, the pickled vegetables were super refreshing and had a nice touch of acidity, the noodles were very flavorful and the rice was perfect to combine with the pork belly. The place felt so genuine and the owners were so friendly and always asking for feedback, you could really feel they were really happy running the place.

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L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is a relaxed spot in Hollywood that blends old-school Neapolitan roots with a modern Californian vibe. It has an airy layout, cozy fireplaces, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels ideal for both casual get-togethers and special occasions. The open, inviting space makes it easy to enjoy a taste of Italy right in Los Angeles.

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Carsten Schmidt

Culinary Explorer

Might just be LA’s best pizza. On the one side knowing a great pizza place in a city is important (pizza can fill all kinds of needs — from quick snack, to comfort food, to a fun time with friends, even to a romantic dinner). At the same time, I think there is little as contentious as a pizza place — I think it’s rare for even two foodies to agree on the best pizza joint in a city. So let me start by saying that for me a great pizza is an Italian style pizza, not the cheese and gluten monstrosities they serve in Chicago (if this last sentence offended you, no need to read further 🙂). Thin crust, crispiness on the edges of the crust, a little burn, nice acidity in the sauce, and overall simplicity, that is what I am looking for in a great pizza. LA might not be a traditional pizza country, with the more famous slices being those strange creations at places like Spago that add salmon and caviar. Nice but way too over the top for me (at least when it comes to pizza.) L’Antica is a special place, on the other hand, a place where I have driven from Santa Monica because I wanted some pizza. It is traditional, old school Neapolitan style pizza, served in a side street of touristy Hollywood, in a place that is modern Californian (with lots of open space) yet cozy and romantic with its several fireplaces. I usually have a Marinara and a salad or pasta on the side. The tomato sauce on the marinara is divine, mouthwatering. I won’t go into the whole connection between this LA restaurant and its Neapolitanian namesake (think more franchise than the second restaurant), but the pizza will transport you to Italy.

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