Guidebook for Los Angeles
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is a short walk from the property and hosts one of the best happy hours around, which runs from 11 am-7pm. It’s good for morning coffee, brunch, drinks and light menu fare. It has a laid back vibe and it’s perfect for hipster sightings. Keep in mind this is a 21 and older establishment.
92 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Semi-Tropic
1412 Glendale BlvdThis place is a short walk from the property and hosts one of the best happy hours around, which runs from 11 am-7pm. It’s good for morning coffee, brunch, drinks and light menu fare. It has a laid back vibe and it’s perfect for hipster sightings. Keep in mind this is a 21 and older establishment.
Walk to it, but google map it for the best route. Think upscale brew hall with over 60 beers to choose from. It resides within an old movie theater, but don’t let the retro marque out front fool you—it’s light and airy inside with ample elbow room and it even has a cozy fireplace in the back room. It’s a great place to grab a burger or pizza in a low key environment. And for you herbivores, they do have vegan options as well.
323 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Mohawk Bend
2141 Sunset BlvdWalk to it, but google map it for the best route. Think upscale brew hall with over 60 beers to choose from. It resides within an old movie theater, but don’t let the retro marque out front fool you—it’s light and airy inside with ample elbow room and it even has a cozy fireplace in the back room. It’s a great place to grab a burger or pizza in a low key environment. And for you herbivores, they do have vegan options as well.
There is a Blue Bottle in town (cafe chain recently bought by Nestlé), but I prefer this neighborly cafe as it supports the little guy. They have a great selection of premium coffees and do fancy drinks as well as pour overs. It’s super chill and you’ll be most likely enjoying a cuppa cuppa with one of my friendly neighbors.
25 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Andante Coffee Roasters
2201 Sunset BlvdThere is a Blue Bottle in town (cafe chain recently bought by Nestlé), but I prefer this neighborly cafe as it supports the little guy. They have a great selection of premium coffees and do fancy drinks as well as pour overs. It’s super chill and you’ll be most likely enjoying a cuppa cuppa with one of my friendly neighbors.
Named after a character word-smithed up by the LA iconic writer John Fante, Bar Bandini is a richly dark and comfortable wine bar serving natural wines, craft beers and a local favorite. The sign out front is not easy to spot, but it’s adjacent to the firehouse. If you’re lucky, the firework will turn on the lights and it transforms the dark interior so it looks like you’re inside a big glass of red wine.
60 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Bar Bandini
2150 Sunset BlvdNamed after a character word-smithed up by the LA iconic writer John Fante, Bar Bandini is a richly dark and comfortable wine bar serving natural wines, craft beers and a local favorite. The sign out front is not easy to spot, but it’s adjacent to the firehouse. If you’re lucky, the firework will turn on the lights and it transforms the dark interior so it looks like you’re inside a big glass of red wine.
This cafe is technically in Silver Lake, the adjacent town over, but you can easily walk it if you know where the secret steps are. Head west on Berkeley Ave (away from Glendale ave) until it ends into Silverwood Terrace. Make a right and three houses down you will see steps. Walk too fast and you may miss them. Simply head down the steps, cross North Easterly Terrace (it’s a street), keep going down the steps, hang a right on N. Occidental Blvd. You’ll pass three properties and you will see another staircase heading downward. Take that down to Silver Lake Blvd and you will come to a quaint little villiage where Lamill is located.
219 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
LAMILL COFFEE Boutique
1636 Silver Lake BlvdThis cafe is technically in Silver Lake, the adjacent town over, but you can easily walk it if you know where the secret steps are. Head west on Berkeley Ave (away from Glendale ave) until it ends into Silverwood Terrace. Make a right and three houses down you will see steps. Walk too fast and you may miss them. Simply head down the steps, cross North Easterly Terrace (it’s a street), keep going down the steps, hang a right on N. Occidental Blvd. You’ll pass three properties and you will see another staircase heading downward. Take that down to Silver Lake Blvd and you will come to a quaint little villiage where Lamill is located.
This place is great for a stiff drink while elbowing with the locals. It can get a bit loud and a bit crowded, but that's part of it's charm.
206 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Thirsty Crow
2939 Sunset BlvdThis place is great for a stiff drink while elbowing with the locals. It can get a bit loud and a bit crowded, but that's part of it's charm.
Food Scene
Another one within walking distance. Established in 1927, this is a historic LA landmark and used to be the hang out of the brat pack and Hollywood starlets. There is a cozy restaurant and retro bar to choose from. The decor is a throwback, but the dishes are ooh la la. Try the risotto or escargot with a big basket of bread and pretend your sitting next to Greta Garbo. Some Friday nights they have live music in the bar area. C’est la vie.
125 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Taix French Restaurant
1911 Sunset BlvdAnother one within walking distance. Established in 1927, this is a historic LA landmark and used to be the hang out of the brat pack and Hollywood starlets. There is a cozy restaurant and retro bar to choose from. The decor is a throwback, but the dishes are ooh la la. Try the risotto or escargot with a big basket of bread and pretend your sitting next to Greta Garbo. Some Friday nights they have live music in the bar area. C’est la vie.
This one is a walker—but well worth it if you want to gorge on Vegan. The jackfruit nachos and Cauliflower wings are stoopid good (my kids gave me that phrase)! And the ice cream? Don’t even get me started, because then I won’t stop gushing about it. It’s clean eating at its finest.
311 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Sage Plant Based Bistro and Brewery Echo Park
1700 Sunset BlvdThis one is a walker—but well worth it if you want to gorge on Vegan. The jackfruit nachos and Cauliflower wings are stoopid good (my kids gave me that phrase)! And the ice cream? Don’t even get me started, because then I won’t stop gushing about it. It’s clean eating at its finest.
“Cosa Buona” means “Good Thing” in Italian. And if you are into an authentic neighborhood pizzeria experience, then it’s a good thing you know about this place. Recommended by LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold, this is the kind of place you may expect to find in Brooklyn. Firstly, their chopped salad reminds me of the kind my mom used to make—and she was the real deal. Secondly, they carbonize their crusts to add a charcoal tangy flavor to their delicious pizza pies (much like they do in the old country). I like to keep it simple and stay with the traditional margherita pizza. But hey, you may be more adventurous. Whatever your taste, Cosa Buona is within walking distance, and that too is a
30 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cosa Buona
2100 Sunset Blvd“Cosa Buona” means “Good Thing” in Italian. And if you are into an authentic neighborhood pizzeria experience, then it’s a good thing you know about this place. Recommended by LA Times food critic Jonathan Gold, this is the kind of place you may expect to find in Brooklyn. Firstly, their chopped salad reminds me of the kind my mom used to make—and she was the real deal. Secondly, they carbonize their crusts to add a charcoal tangy flavor to their delicious pizza pies (much like they do in the old country). I like to keep it simple and stay with the traditional margherita pizza. But hey, you may be more adventurous. Whatever your taste, Cosa Buona is within walking distance, and that too is a
This is one of my favorite restaurants. They offer seasonal dishes in a modern, clean environment. There is outdoor patio seating in the back for those warm evenings. And in front they host a small market of locally grown and crafted goodies. The offerings are ever-changing, so expect to be treated to wonderful new surprises if you come back.
69 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Botanica Restaurant and Market
1620 Silver Lake BlvdThis is one of my favorite restaurants. They offer seasonal dishes in a modern, clean environment. There is outdoor patio seating in the back for those warm evenings. And in front they host a small market of locally grown and crafted goodies. The offerings are ever-changing, so expect to be treated to wonderful new surprises if you come back.
If you want to sit downstairs, you'll need a reservation. But walk ins are welcome upstairs where they host a fabulous happy hour from 5pm-7pm in a chill atmosphere. Discover goods from the oysterman and the fisherman, the rancher and the farmer, the brewmaster and the winemaker, and of course, the magnificent oyster.
227 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
L & E Oyster Bar
1637 Silver Lake BlvdIf you want to sit downstairs, you'll need a reservation. But walk ins are welcome upstairs where they host a fabulous happy hour from 5pm-7pm in a chill atmosphere. Discover goods from the oysterman and the fisherman, the rancher and the farmer, the brewmaster and the winemaker, and of course, the magnificent oyster.
This place offers Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, but with a healthy twist. Many of the dishes are Vegan, but there are plates for meat lovers as well. It fills up with hipsters and families alike, with a big share table in the middle. A local favorite.
255 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pine and Crane
1521 Griffith Park BlvdThis place offers Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, but with a healthy twist. Many of the dishes are Vegan, but there are plates for meat lovers as well. It fills up with hipsters and families alike, with a big share table in the middle. A local favorite.
Handmade tortillas, horchata, fruity beverages and tacos to die for. It's a bit of a hike if you are walking, but well worth the effort. Don't be surprised if there is a line out the door.
395 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Guisados
1261 Sunset BlvdHandmade tortillas, horchata, fruity beverages and tacos to die for. It's a bit of a hike if you are walking, but well worth the effort. Don't be surprised if there is a line out the door.
Parks & Nature
Beacon Cafe is located adjacent the paddle boat house on Echo Park Lake. This is a great place to go on a sunny day for a coffee or an apple brie sandwich. Afterward, you can rent a paddle boat and float around the lake, where you can get some of the best views of Downtown LA skyline.
8 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beacon | Echo Park
751 Echo Park AveBeacon Cafe is located adjacent the paddle boat house on Echo Park Lake. This is a great place to go on a sunny day for a coffee or an apple brie sandwich. Afterward, you can rent a paddle boat and float around the lake, where you can get some of the best views of Downtown LA skyline.
When it's sunny, you'll see locals out for a tan on the many lawn spaces. You can also rent paddle boats for spectacular views of the LA skyline. Also, it's home to some ducks and geese as well as mini turtles and fish. There are food venders on the north end near the Metro Bike station and playground.
563 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Echo Park Lake
When it's sunny, you'll see locals out for a tan on the many lawn spaces. You can also rent paddle boats for spectacular views of the LA skyline. Also, it's home to some ducks and geese as well as mini turtles and fish. There are food venders on the north end near the Metro Bike station and playground.
Getting Around
One of my favorite things to do is explore downtown LA on bike. Granted, this city is not built for pedestrians in mind so map out your bike route before you go. You can buy a bike pass here: https://bikeshare.metro.net or you can use a credit card at the kiosk. There are bike stations all over the area, so be sure to download the app.
Metro Bike Share - Park & Echo Park
One of my favorite things to do is explore downtown LA on bike. Granted, this city is not built for pedestrians in mind so map out your bike route before you go. You can buy a bike pass here: https://bikeshare.metro.net or you can use a credit card at the kiosk. There are bike stations all over the area, so be sure to download the app.
Essentials
This is an intimate green grocer with responsibly grown produce, meats, cheeses, bread, coffee, chocolate and other seasonal goods. Everything is super fresh and super delicious.
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Cookbook Los Angeles
1549 Echo Park AveThis is an intimate green grocer with responsibly grown produce, meats, cheeses, bread, coffee, chocolate and other seasonal goods. Everything is super fresh and super delicious.
This is a health food store with many options for vegetarians and vegans alike. They also have a big selection of supplements and vitamins. It's all good in the neighborhood.
267 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lassens Natural Food and Vitamins
1631 Sunset BlvdThis is a health food store with many options for vegetarians and vegans alike. They also have a big selection of supplements and vitamins. It's all good in the neighborhood.
Arts & Culture
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a favorite. Check the website for what is on display. It is right across the street from the Broad Museum, so you can really overdose on art if you want.
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I-Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S Grand AveThe Museum of Contemporary Art is a favorite. Check the website for what is on display. It is right across the street from the Broad Museum, so you can really overdose on art if you want.
The Broad houses many famous works of art. Check the website for what is on display. It is right across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art, so you can really get your fill of art in one block.
1555 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Broad
221 S Grand AveThe Broad houses many famous works of art. Check the website for what is on display. It is right across the street from the Museum of Contemporary Art, so you can really get your fill of art in one block.