While Seattle has a happening food scene, the surrounding areas I grew up in were mostly suburban and even only had the basic fast food restaurants (Chick-fil-A who?). I lived in Mercer Island and Bellevue during a time before there was an 85C Bakery, Pressed Juicery, or Ascend. Simpler times when I spent birthday meals at the Red Robin at Factoria Mall. Going to casual dining chain restaurants like Old Spaghetti Factory and Olive Garden were a real treat and the mizithra cheese and brown butter do still have my heart. When I moved to Orange County for college, I developed a passion for artisanal desserts and all of my money since has gone toward eating my way through Southern California and beyond.
My mom, dad, and sister have all visited me together and separately over the past decade (eek) that I’ve been in California. We’ve tried a lot of restaurants, and this blog features only the highlights and places I think my other friends’ families would also enjoy. Here are all the Claypool-approved restaurants ordered by price point, from low to high.
Price Key (don’t come for me, these are just how LA prices are, okay?):
$: around $5-15 per person
$$: around $15-$30 per person
$$$: around $30-55 per person
$$$$: around $55+ per person
15 LA RESTAURANTS TO SHOW YOUR FAMILY
PORTO’S BAKERY & CAFE | $ | Website | Instagram
If you find yourself near a Porto’s, you need to go. It’s a fast-casual Cuban food chain that I was first introduced to at one of my summer internships, where every other Friday morning, I’d walk into the kitchen to see a glorious spread of yellow boxes in the kitchen. I finally had a reason to take my mom for breakfast before going to see a taping of The Price is Right, since that was up in Glendale. We actually had a reservation at Bacari for dinner, but my mom liked Porto’s so much that she asked to cancel our reservation and go back to Porto’s for dinner. The guava cheese refugiado pastries are my favorite, but you can’t go wrong with any of their savory pastries or sandwiches. The best part is that it is extremely affordable, and you can fill up a box of pastries for under $20. Beware, there is usually an intimidating line, but it goes quickly. You’ll want to check out the menu beforehand, or you can just order from your heart and get one of each!
- Good for: cheap casual or to-go meals, pastries, cakes for birthdays
- Locations: Burbank, Glendale, Downey, Northridge, West Covina, Long Beach, Buena Park
TACOS CHIDOS | $
My friend used to live right off of Abbot Kinney Blvd in Venice, and it’s one of the LA neighborhoods that I’d actually consider walkable, with restaurants and the beach nearby. Many a night, we’d walk to dinner at the Whole Foods on Lincoln Blvd for the taco stand that sets up in their parking lot. The al pastor quesadilla is my go-to, but the tacos are also incredible. Grab plenty of salsas and napkins! After the pandemic, they started taking credit card, but some other taco stands are still cash-only. There isn’t any seating, but there are picnic tables outside of the Whole Foods, and buy a pint of ice cream on the way out!
- Good for: to-go food, Mexican food, cheap eats
- Location: Venice
MILLET CREPE | $ | Website | Instagram
Is there a dessert that you can’t find on Sawtelle Blvd? There is truly no shortage of sweets on this street, but one of my all-time favorites is Millet Crepe. It’s a walk up window that makes crepes filled with your choice of base (custard, nutella, etc), then rolled into a cone, and then filled with more custard or ice cream. It’s basically a meal. I don’t think there’s a bad combo, but I first fell in love with this place for the creme brulee crepe. I think last time I went with Sarah, we got a mango one as well. If you go in the evening, there will definitely be a line, so be prepared to wait. There’s also no seating, so you’ll just have to eat standing up like an animal.
- Good for: when you’re not in a rush, foodies
- Locations: Sawtelle, Little Tokyo
RORI’S ARTISANAL CREAMERY | $ | Website | Instagram
One of the lesser-known ice cream shops in LA is Rori’s on Montana Ave. I’d actually never heard of it after 5 years of living here. There’s only one location at the moment and my friend who lives in that neighborhood showed my roommate and I last summer. We’ve since decided it’s one of the best ice cream shops in the city. All their flavors are fun, yet still totally appealing to the general population’s palate (malted milk ball, rootbeer float, cinnamon toast cereal crunch). No goat cheese here (iykyk)! Their smallest size is basically a little Dixie cup, which is great when you think you’re too full from dinner. When I took my dad, there was a monthly special chocolate orange flavor, which he loved. There’s only a little seating, so I like to take my ice cream and go for a walk, since it’s only about 10 blocks from the ocean.
- Good for: anyone who can tolerate dairy, people who don’t like crazy ice cream flavors
- Location: Santa Monica
MADRE | $$ | Website | Instagram
I’ve lived within walking distance from two different Madre locations, so my parents have been a few times. It’s a Oaxacan restaurant, so it serves Mexican food from the state of Oaxaca, specializing in moles and mezcal. The locations I’ve been to are pretty small, and it has a nice-but-not-too-nice vibe where you can still dress casually. The happy hour is popular, so go early if you’re looking for a deal. My dad’s gotten the Madre’s Enchiladas every time we’ve gone. It’s an enchilada sampler with their different mole sauces, and it’s delicious!
- Good for: people who want to have a casual full-service sit-down Mexican meal, mezcal lovers
- Locations: West Hollywood, Palms, Torrance
GREENLEAF KITCHEN & COCKTAIL | $$ | Website | Instagram
If you find yourself on Abbot Kinney Blvd and need a break from shopping or just feel like you should eat real food before going to Levain, this is my go-to spot. The menu has all the salads, bowls, and sandwiches, and there’s a bar if you need a drink. It feels fairly healthy, and everyone can find something. They have a spacious outdoor seating situation, and it’s a nice place to chill before hitting up the chaos that is the Venice Beach boardwalk.
- Good for: casual lunch or dinner, outdoor dining, dietary restrictions, to-go orders
- Locations: Venice, there’s one in Century City but it’s tailored to business professionals in the area and is closed on the weekends
SOCIETY KITCHEN | $$ | Website | Instagram
Brunch is basically a sport in Los Angeles, and there is no shortage of restaurants to choose from. This is an unassuming restaurant in a small shopping center, not particularly close to any tourist sights, but it would be a good place to kill time while the marine layer burns off. This is the latest restaurant I took my parents to, so I’ve only been here once for brunch, but I’m intrigued by their lunch/dinner menus. My dad got the breakfast sandwich which looked amazing, and we got some cinnamon bites for the table, which I highly recommend. They serve breakfast all day, and the portion sizes are very filling! We got there right before a big brunch rush around 10:30am.
- Good for: foodies, people who like all-day breakfast, people who want to walk in without a reservation
- Locations: Santa Monica
MERCADO | $$ | Website | Instagram
My sister and dad were visiting LA and we took my dad to Mercado for dinner for Father’s Day one year. Of course, you can get great Mexican food from a taco truck/stand (I reco the one above), but if you want something fancier, try Mercado! The location we went to on West 3rd closed, but the enchiladas and tamales were delicious!
- Good for: fancier Mexican food, fun restaurant decor
- Locations: Hollywood, Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica
TARTINE | $$ | Website | Instagram
Tartine is from the Bay Area, and it’s been expanding around LA lately. It has delicious, albeit expensive, pastries and brunch items. I love their salmon tartine, but all their scones and baked goods are divine. The Santa Monica location has a nice shaded outdoor patio and the building actually used to be a mortuary. There will be a line if you come during prime breakfast/brunch hours, but you’ll need time to figure out what you want anyway. This is a great spot to chill and chat with a sibling. My sister has been here both with and without me!
- Good for: people who want a leisurely brunch, people who can handle gluten
- Locations: Santa Monica, Venice, Mid-City, West Adams, Silverlake, Pasadena
SUGARFISH | $$$ | Website | Instagram
I introduced Sarah to Sugarfish the last time she came to visit, and she was obsessed and now goes in NYC. They have the perfect sushi prix fixe menus. I’ve found that the Trust Me dinner menu that includes edamame, sashimi, 8 pieces of sushi, and 2 hand rolls is the perfect amount of food for me, but if you’re feeling hungry, definitely get the Nozawa Trust Me. They don’t take reservations which can be both good and bad news, depending on the kind of family you are. I didn’t believe in sushi to-go until I had their perfectly packaged iconic takeaway boxes, so if you’re on the go or want to have a picnic, takeaway is a great option as well.
- Good for: sushi lovers, people who don’t want to worry about making a reservation
- Locations: Beverly Hills, Brentwood, DTLA, Hollywood, La Brea, Manhattan Beach, Marina Del Rey, Pasadena, Studio City, Santa Monica
COBI’S | $$$ | Website | Instagram
Cobi’s is one of LA’s Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants, meaning that it has high-quality food for a lower price point. This restaurant is cute and pink inside and serves a variety of Southeast Asian dishes like butter chicken and nasi goreng. I went with Sarah and a couple of friends, and she said it was hard not to say “yummm” after eating each dish. Be sure to make a reservation! They’re also open for brunch, which I’d be interested in trying.
- Good for: small groups, foodies, dinner
- Location: Santa Monica
BACARI | $$$ | Website | Instagram
I truly couldn’t imagine growing up in a family that doesn’t share food. Bacari specializes in small shared plates, and it’s the perfect place to take your family because every location is beautiful, (most locations) have gorgeous outdoor patios, and the menu doesn’t have anything too crazy on it. I’d say it’s mostly American/Mediterranean food. They have a cake on the dessert menu that is called “the best cake” and idk if it’s the best, but it is really good (and I’m not a cake person)! Have I figured out how to properly pronounce the name of the restaurant? No. But your parents will remember this meal. This is a popular spot, so don’t forget to make a reservation!
- Good for: people who like outdoor dining, aesthetic restaurants, shared plates, people who have dietary restrictions
- Locations: They’ve been expanding like crazy lately! Bacari currently has locations in West Adams, Beverly Grove, Playa Del Rey, Glendale, Silverlake, Beverly Hills, Sherman Oaks, and Culver City.
SCOPA ITALIAN ROOTS | $$$$ | Website | Instagram
Los Angeles has a lot of solid Italian food. I’d say most aren’t noteworthy, but they do the job. Scopa is different. The prices are high, but this is some gooood pasta. If you live in LA, you’ve probably unknowingly driven past it since there’s no signage outside. My dad and I had excellent service and loved the pesto bucatini and the pappardelle. Of course, we had to get the zeppole for dessert, tossed with powdered sugar and served hot in a paper bag. It’s pricey, but not stuffy, and you will leave with a happy tummy.
- Good for: a nice sit-down dinner
- Location: Marina Del Rey
HATCHET HALL | $$$$ | Website | Instagram
This place is so unassuming, and I forget that it exists half the time, but my sister, dad, and I had a delicious meal here! Unfortunately, the menu does change, so you might not be able to have the same thing twice, but I had the best gnocchi in my life here. It was a baked potato gnocchi and I truly would go back just for that. All the dishes are fairly small and meant to share, but you won’t have a bad bite. It’s mostly American/Southern food, so nothing too wild. There’s a nice big covered patio in the front, and the Old Man Bar is in the back.
- Good for: shared plates, elevated American food, bigger groups
- Location: Culver City
GIRL & THE GOAT | $$$$ | Website | Instagram
I had only been to Girl & the Goat one time for brunch but I proclaimed it was my favorite restaurant. I went back with my parents for dinner and tried most of the dinner menu and can confirm that it is still my favorite restaurant. Brunch would be more of a crowd-pleaser than dinner, since the dinner menu isn’t very extensive, so it’s not great for picky eaters. Everything they do here, they do extremely well. The hamachi crudo (dinner menu) and the potato crepe (brunch menu) are some standouts for me, and my parents loved a goat dish that was their daily special when we went.
- Good for: foodies, people who like aesthetic restaurants
- Location: Downtown LA (but parking is easy!)
A FEW ORANGE COUNTY RECS
- Blue Bowl | $ | Website | Instagram: Think Chipotle, but for acai bowls. Sarah is a big fan, and she’s gone every time she’s been in OC, with or without me.
- Bear Flag Fish Co | $$ | Website | Instagram: If your family likes fish tacos/poke! My mom loved the salmon poke with chips.
- Tim Ho Wan | $$ | Website | Instagram: Dim sum specialists sums it up, pun intended. We’ve ordered just the bbq pork buns for takeout for a snack before, they’re that good.
- Playa Mesa | $$ | Website | Instagram: Coastal casual sit-down Mexican restaurant. Parents loved this place!
- Mama D’s Italian Kitchen | $$$ | Website | Instagram : Small family-owned Italian spot by Newport Beach known for their pink sauce. I’ve taken my parents a few times!
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