Derek’s Guidebook
Food scene
Fresh and seasonal salads + sandwiches. A little pricey, but always delicious.
72 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Four Cafe
2122 Colorado BlvdFresh and seasonal salads + sandwiches. A little pricey, but always delicious.
Delicious Vietnamese dishes. Can't go wrong with the garlic noodles, pho, filet mignon, banh mi, and egg rolls!
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chateau Lemongrass
1952 Colorado BlvdDelicious Vietnamese dishes. Can't go wrong with the garlic noodles, pho, filet mignon, banh mi, and egg rolls!
Amazing ambiance and delicious high-end Italian food. Very hip and pricey.
322 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bestia
2121 E 7th PlAmazing ambiance and delicious high-end Italian food. Very hip and pricey.
Antigua Bread
5703 N Figueroa StLove their breakfast burritos.
Excellent Latin/American fusion breakfast and brunch.
31 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Gloria's Cuisine L.A.
231 North Avenue 50Excellent Latin/American fusion breakfast and brunch.
In N Out is the best... but this is coming in close!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Goldburger (for a limited time only)
5623 York BoulevardIn N Out is the best... but this is coming in close!
Great little breakfast/brunch spot tucked away in Highland Park.
88 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Amara Kitchen
519 N Avenue 64Great little breakfast/brunch spot tucked away in Highland Park.
Savory Persian/Armenian food and one of my favorite restaurants (solely based on food, not necessarily vibe).
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Raffi's Place
211 E BroadwaySavory Persian/Armenian food and one of my favorite restaurants (solely based on food, not necessarily vibe).
The best pizza I have found in LA. The love and care for every ingredient is clear, and you'll dream about the next slice.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pizzana West Hollywood
460 N Robertson BlvdThe best pizza I have found in LA. The love and care for every ingredient is clear, and you'll dream about the next slice.
Some of the best Italian food ever. If you're going to Venice, CA and are able to get a reservation, jump on it. Pricey and worth it.
93 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdSome of the best Italian food ever. If you're going to Venice, CA and are able to get a reservation, jump on it. Pricey and worth it.
A Los Feliz brunch gem with very cool night life as well! Love the food, love the drinks.
310 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Alcove
1929 Hillhurst AveA Los Feliz brunch gem with very cool night life as well! Love the food, love the drinks.
Maybe the best sandwich I've had... it's definitely up there. If you're in Santa Monica, it's a great option.
141 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery
1517 Lincoln BlvdMaybe the best sandwich I've had... it's definitely up there. If you're in Santa Monica, it's a great option.
Food and night life... very cool ambiance in West Hollywood.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Olivetta
9010 Melrose AvenueFood and night life... very cool ambiance in West Hollywood.
True Food Kitchen
395 Santa Monica PlHealthy options with cool ambiance.
Shop at the Century City Westfield Mall, and then grab a drink or dine at Eataly... this is a great Sunday Funday.
64 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Eataly L.A.
10250 Santa Monica BlvdShop at the Century City Westfield Mall, and then grab a drink or dine at Eataly... this is a great Sunday Funday.
Get the kale salad and the chicken sandwich. One of my personal favorites spots in the city.
49 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Honor Bar
122 S Beverly DrGet the kale salad and the chicken sandwich. One of my personal favorites spots in the city.
Steak salad, chicken sandwich, kale salad, cocktails... everything is delicious! Ambiance is on point!
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Houston's
1550 Rosecrans AveSteak salad, chicken sandwich, kale salad, cocktails... everything is delicious! Ambiance is on point!
SunCafe Organic
10820 Ventura BlvdGreat vegan option.
Another great Sunday Funday spot for food, drinks, and occasional live entertainment.
211 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Culver Hotel
9400 Culver BlvdAnother great Sunday Funday spot for food, drinks, and occasional live entertainment.
Panda Inn
3488 E Foothill BlvdThe panda beef and garlic noodles are worth the visit.
One of the best meals you can ever have. Not pretentious, just delicious with great ambiance, food, drinks, and service.
208 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N Canon DrOne of the best meals you can ever have. Not pretentious, just delicious with great ambiance, food, drinks, and service.
Food is decent... but the place is great overall due to the views and ambiance. Perfect for a date night.
281 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Yamashiro Gardens
1999 N Sycamore AveFood is decent... but the place is great overall due to the views and ambiance. Perfect for a date night.
Felix
1023 Abbot Kinney BlvdPossibly the best meal you'll ever have!
Food and ambiance are great! Love to come here for a Sunday Funday and have an ancient grains bowl or a pizza, a nice drink, and then walk around old town Pasadena.
True Food Kitchen
Food and ambiance are great! Love to come here for a Sunday Funday and have an ancient grains bowl or a pizza, a nice drink, and then walk around old town Pasadena.
Some argue it's the best pizza in LA... not sure I like it better than Pizzana, but at this level you can't go wrong.
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Apollonia's Pizzeria
5176 Wilshire BlvdSome argue it's the best pizza in LA... not sure I like it better than Pizzana, but at this level you can't go wrong.
Breakfast burritos, breakfast burritos, breakfast burritos :)
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Wake & Late
105 E 6th StBreakfast burritos, breakfast burritos, breakfast burritos :)
All around delicious breakfast/brunch... but the breakfast burrito is a MUST!
38 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cafe Los Feliz
2118 Hillhurst AveAll around delicious breakfast/brunch... but the breakfast burrito is a MUST!
Howlin' Ray's Hot Chicken - Pasadena
Best Nashville hot chicken. Also a DTLA location.
Burgers Never Say Die
2388 Glendale BlvdGreat smash burgers!
Birria... yum!!! Coming soon to Echo Park, be on the look out!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Teddy’s Red Tacos Venice
46 Windward AveBirria... yum!!! Coming soon to Echo Park, be on the look out!
Tacos 1986
Several locations around... great tacos!
I've tried pho all over the city... this is one of the best (along with pho 87).
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pho So 1
6450 Sepulveda BlvdI've tried pho all over the city... this is one of the best (along with pho 87).
Modern take on delicious kabobs and wraps. On the heavier side, but worth it!
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spitz Eagle Rock - Mediterranean Food & More - Dine-In or Outdoor Dinning
2506 Colorado BlvdModern take on delicious kabobs and wraps. On the heavier side, but worth it!
Activity
Great spot for a cool night out to have some drinks and bowl. 5 star architecture/ambiance.
253 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Highland Park Bowl
5621 N Figueroa StGreat spot for a cool night out to have some drinks and bowl. 5 star architecture/ambiance.
Like Chucky Cheese for adults. Full bar, virtual reality, arcades, story rooms, and also kid friendly. Good times!
13 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Two Bit Circus
634 Mateo StLike Chucky Cheese for adults. Full bar, virtual reality, arcades, story rooms, and also kid friendly. Good times!
Go see the space shuttle... super cool! Then over to the Natural History Museum if you have the time.
442 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
California Science Center
700 Exposition Park DrGo see the space shuttle... super cool! Then over to the Natural History Museum if you have the time.
Definitely one of the better museums in LA.
461 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Museum ye-Natural History ye-Los Angeles County
900 W Exposition BlvdDefinitely one of the better museums in LA.
Great place to spend a morning/afternoon. Tons to see, and you're in Miracle Mile with lots more to do.
890 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
La Brea Tar Pits neMuziyam
5801 Wilshire BlvdGreat place to spend a morning/afternoon. Tons to see, and you're in Miracle Mile with lots more to do.
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire BlvdAwesome auto museum!
One of the oddest places around. Stumbled into here by accident. Spend an hour or two, checkout the weirdest oddities, then explore Culver City... maybe add as a small stop on a Sunday Funday.
191 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Museum yase-Jurassic Technology
9341 Venice Blvd.One of the oddest places around. Stumbled into here by accident. Spend an hour or two, checkout the weirdest oddities, then explore Culver City... maybe add as a small stop on a Sunday Funday.
Can get a little crowded, but worth it. Great day trip for the family to see the wonders of the sea.
806 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Aquarium ye-Pacific
100 Aquarium WayCan get a little crowded, but worth it. Great day trip for the family to see the wonders of the sea.
Hike Runyon to get out, get fit, checkout the views, and spot celebrities!
2445 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveHike Runyon to get out, get fit, checkout the views, and spot celebrities!
Interesting place for a hike and/or picnic. See the abandoned zoo with old cages intact, then hit the trails!
22 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Izoo Los Angeles ephethe
4801 Griffith Park DrInteresting place for a hike and/or picnic. See the abandoned zoo with old cages intact, then hit the trails!
Night Life
La Descarga
1159 N Western AveSpeak easy Cuban rum bar. Awesome!
Decent food, but awesome vibes. Grab some drinks, mingle, and checkout the views at Perch.
786 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Perch
448 S Hill StDecent food, but awesome vibes. Grab some drinks, mingle, and checkout the views at Perch.
Cool flamenco show and drinks. Dinner is an option, but I prefer eating elsewhere.
65 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
El Cid
4212 Sunset BlvdCool flamenco show and drinks. Dinner is an option, but I prefer eating elsewhere.
The Ice House
24 N Mentor AveOldest comedy club... of all?
Great spot for food and drinks... love the old rock n roll vibe!
21 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
SPA Sunset Marquis
1200 Alta Loma RdGreat spot for food and drinks... love the old rock n roll vibe!
If those walls could talk... they'd say come have a drink. The history here is epic.
353 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Chateau Marmont
8221 Sunset BlvdIf those walls could talk... they'd say come have a drink. The history here is epic.
Break Room 86
630 S Ardmore Ave80's themed karaoke speak easy anyone?
When not grab a drink in the tallest building west of the Mississippi. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at the Intercontinental below. They have charcuterie and 18 year old Yamazaki... just saying.
45 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Spire 73
900 Wilshire BlvdWhen not grab a drink in the tallest building west of the Mississippi. If you're hungry, you can grab a bite at the Intercontinental below. They have charcuterie and 18 year old Yamazaki... just saying.
Catch LA
8715 Melrose AveGreat date night... dinner, drinks, and celebrities!
Legendary comedy store. I've laughed so hard here I was embarrassed... until I realized everyone else was cackling just as hard.
225 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Comedy Store
8433 Sunset BlvdLegendary comedy store. I've laughed so hard here I was embarrassed... until I realized everyone else was cackling just as hard.
Hip place... quintessential who's who of young Santa Monica night owls.
525 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Bungalow
101 Wilshire BlvdHip place... quintessential who's who of young Santa Monica night owls.
Neighborhoods
Echo Park
1632 Echo Park AvePaddle boats in the lake... classic.
Highland Park
Super hip with amazing food and coffee options.
Sightseeing
Amazing architecture, incredible LA views, cools exhibits, fun laser light show. Pick your days/times carefully as it can get crowded and parking can be difficult.
4367 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdAmazing architecture, incredible LA views, cools exhibits, fun laser light show. Pick your days/times carefully as it can get crowded and parking can be difficult.
Such a cool museum! Fun half day activity with family, friends, or solo (although kids may get bored if you linger too long).
89 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Battleship USS Iowa Museum
250 S Harbor BlvdSuch a cool museum! Fun half day activity with family, friends, or solo (although kids may get bored if you linger too long).
Depends on what's going on here. Sometimes there's cool events so be sure to check in. Or, rent a room at the Queen Mary if you're brave enough (lots of spooky ghost stories)!
624 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
I-Queen Mary
1126 Queens HwyDepends on what's going on here. Sometimes there's cool events so be sure to check in. Or, rent a room at the Queen Mary if you're brave enough (lots of spooky ghost stories)!