Food & Dining Culture
Must-Try LA Specialties:
- Tacos: LA has arguably the best tacos outside Mexico. Try street tacos from food trucks, especially tacos al pastor and carne asada. Famous spots: Leo's Tacos, Guisados, Tacos 1986
- Korean BBQ: Interactive dining where you grill meat at your table. Kang Ho Dong Baekjeong and Park's BBQ are top choices. Don't miss Korean fried chicken too.
- In-N-Out Burger: California's iconic burger chain. Order 'Animal Style' (off-menu) for grilled onions and special sauce. Multiple locations citywide.
- Sushi: World-class sushi from budget to omakase. Try Sugarfish (mid-range) or splurge at Sushi Zo
- Food Trucks: Gourmet food trucks revolutionized here. Kogi BBQ (Korean-Mexican fusion) started the trend. Find trucks at Smorgasburg or follow on social media
- California Burritos: San Diego-style burritos with french fries inside. Widely available at taco shops
- Açai Bowls: California health trend - Brazilian superfruit bowls topped with granola and fruit. Ubiquitous at beach areas
- Dim Sum: Outstanding Chinese dim sum in San Gabriel Valley (20 minutes east). Elite, Sea Harbour, and Din Tai Fung
- Armenian Food: Large Armenian community means excellent kebabs, lavash, and dolma. Try Carousel or Mini Kabob
Dining Etiquette & Tips:
- Tipping: 18-20% standard for table service. 15% minimum. Some restaurants add automatic gratuity for parties of 6+
- Reservations: Essential for popular restaurants. Use OpenTable, Resy, or call directly. Book 2-4 weeks ahead for weekends
- Water: Tap water safe to drink. Restaurants serve free water (with ice unless you request otherwise)
- Portions: American portions are large. Don't hesitate to ask for takeout containers
- Dietary Restrictions: LA is extremely accommodating. Vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free options everywhere. Always ask about modifications
- Corkage: Many restaurants allow bringing your own wine ($20-40 corkage fee). Call ahead to confirm
Where to Eat by Budget:
- Budget ($): Food trucks, Grand Central Market, ethnic restaurants in Koreatown/Little Tokyo/Thai Town, In-N-Out Burger
- Mid-Range ($$): The Grove restaurants, Third Street Promenade, neighborhood bistros in Silver Lake/Los Feliz
- Upscale ($$$): Beverly Hills dining, Santa Monica beachfront, Melisse, Providence, n/naka (requires advance reservations)
- Celebrity Chef: Wolfgang Puck's Spago, Nancy Silverton's Mozza, Curtis Stone's Maude (book months ahead)
Food Neighborhoods:
- Koreatown: Korean BBQ, Korean fried chicken, late-night dining
- Arts District: Bestia, Zinc Café, trendy restaurants and coffee shops
- Little Tokyo: Ramen, sushi, Japanese curry, mochi ice cream
- San Gabriel Valley: Best Chinese food in USA, including dim sum and hand-pulled noodles
- West Hollywood: Trendy restaurants, rooftop bars, celebrity sightings
- Venice/Abbot Kinney: Farm-to-table, organic, health-conscious dining
Farmers Markets for Fresh Produce:
- Wednesday & Sunday Santa Monica Farmers Markets - largest and best
- Saturday Hollywood Farmers Market
- Sunday Original Farmers Market (The Grove location)
- Bring reusable bags; sample fruits; buy local honey, bread, and flowers