Mariam's Guidebook
Food scene
A beautiful Japanese restaurant and a place to be on Sunset strip. They have great sushi but also the small robata grilled skewers. Sea-bass & grilled steak skewers among many others are delicious. Try to sit outside as it has a lot of character but the inside is quite beautiful as well.
173 residents recomanen
Katana LA
8439 Sunset BlvdA beautiful Japanese restaurant and a place to be on Sunset strip. They have great sushi but also the small robata grilled skewers. Sea-bass & grilled steak skewers among many others are delicious. Try to sit outside as it has a lot of character but the inside is quite beautiful as well.
Beautiful Spanish roof top restaurant and patio area with beautiful views of downtown LA.
786 residents recomanen
Perch
448 S Hill StBeautiful Spanish roof top restaurant and patio area with beautiful views of downtown LA.
Beautiful views of downtown LA from every direction. The food is served as a fixed menu. Given that it’s a major tourist spot, the food is actually pretty delicious although portions are small. For parties 4 and larger, window seats can be requested with a down payment at the time of reservation.
73 residents recomanen
71Above
633 W 5th StBeautiful views of downtown LA from every direction. The food is served as a fixed menu. Given that it’s a major tourist spot, the food is actually pretty delicious although portions are small. For parties 4 and larger, window seats can be requested with a down payment at the time of reservation.
Great steak and sea food in Beverly Hills! It’s a total LA loud scene with a piano bar. I typically ask for the balcony seating which is much quieter and it overlooks the beautiful Canon Drive. If you prefer a quieter space and would like to sit inside, ask for downstairs seating or the second floor Private area which is separated from the main area by glass walls. Maestro’s in Malibu is also beautiful with the gorgeous view of the ocean.
208 residents recomanen
Mastro's Steakhouse
246 N Canon DrGreat steak and sea food in Beverly Hills! It’s a total LA loud scene with a piano bar. I typically ask for the balcony seating which is much quieter and it overlooks the beautiful Canon Drive. If you prefer a quieter space and would like to sit inside, ask for downstairs seating or the second floor Private area which is separated from the main area by glass walls. Maestro’s in Malibu is also beautiful with the gorgeous view of the ocean.
Went there years ago and it was a great experience. I was star struck by so many producers and actors there.
477 residents recomanen
Nobu Malibu
22706 Pacific Coast HwyWent there years ago and it was a great experience. I was star struck by so many producers and actors there.
Love this place especially sitting on the high tables in the bar area. Also love their bread baskets. And of course the steaks. Saw Sofia Vergara and her husband there a few years back.
130 residents recomanen
Mastro's Ocean Club
18412 Pacific Coast HwyLove this place especially sitting on the high tables in the bar area. Also love their bread baskets. And of course the steaks. Saw Sofia Vergara and her husband there a few years back.
Beautiful Serene place in the mountains of Topanga Canyon. If I ever get married, it will be here. Best is to make you reservation right before sunset so you can enjoy both the daylight and sunset scenes. Their indoor seating is very small. The experience is in the outdoor seating. Beautiful place and delicious food.
220 residents recomanen
Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon RdBeautiful Serene place in the mountains of Topanga Canyon. If I ever get married, it will be here. Best is to make you reservation right before sunset so you can enjoy both the daylight and sunset scenes. Their indoor seating is very small. The experience is in the outdoor seating. Beautiful place and delicious food.
Always Classic, comfortable, consistent yet awesome food in a beautiful spanish setting. Ask for patio setting. It’s beautiful! Make sure that you reserve well ahead of time in Open Table as the place is typically fully booked on weekends.
81 residents recomanen
A.O.C.
8700 W 3rd StAlways Classic, comfortable, consistent yet awesome food in a beautiful spanish setting. Ask for patio setting. It’s beautiful! Make sure that you reserve well ahead of time in Open Table as the place is typically fully booked on weekends.
Beautiful and cozy gem of a garden restaurant hidden behind a little door. Food is Moroccan French. Saw George and Amal Clooney there the last time I was there.
140 residents recomanen
The Little Door
8164 West 3rd StreetBeautiful and cozy gem of a garden restaurant hidden behind a little door. Food is Moroccan French. Saw George and Amal Clooney there the last time I was there.
One can not have a list without naming Providence. #1 or #2 best restaurant in Los Angeles depending on the source of the published rating. Michelin Restaurant and they only offer tasting menu. Every thing has been made with outmost care and attention. The restaurant is not for everyone though. With the variety of food that they serve, it may not sit well with people with sensitive stomach. One last thing to mention is that the restaurant is very pricey.
83 residents recomanen
Providence
5955 Melrose AveOne can not have a list without naming Providence. #1 or #2 best restaurant in Los Angeles depending on the source of the published rating. Michelin Restaurant and they only offer tasting menu. Every thing has been made with outmost care and attention. The restaurant is not for everyone though. With the variety of food that they serve, it may not sit well with people with sensitive stomach. One last thing to mention is that the restaurant is very pricey.
Oldie but goodie! Always great food and consistent service. It has become a major tourist attraction so I typically go to their other restaurants “Piccolo Paradiso, or Panzanella”
125 residents recomanen
Il Pastaio
400 N Canon DrOldie but goodie! Always great food and consistent service. It has become a major tourist attraction so I typically go to their other restaurants “Piccolo Paradiso, or Panzanella”
Delicious appetizers and food in general. They also have a great brunch. This is where they have the Vanity Fair parties or Elton John parties after the Oscars.
191 residents recomanen
Cecconi's West Hollywood
8764 Melrose AveDelicious appetizers and food in general. They also have a great brunch. This is where they have the Vanity Fair parties or Elton John parties after the Oscars.
Delicious Argentinian cuisine with a lively vibe
16 residents recomanen
Carlitos Gardel Argentine Steakhouse
7963 Melrose AveDelicious Argentinian cuisine with a lively vibe
Great club. More geared toward LQBT but they are also very straight friendly.
471 residents recomanen
The Abbey
692 N Robertson BlvdGreat club. More geared toward LQBT but they are also very straight friendly.
One of the oldest restaurants on Hollywood Blvd. Old Hollywood favorite, a landmark. They serve the meal in the original China plates. This place is beautiful and classic.
198 residents recomanen
Musso & Frank Grill
6667 Hollywood BlvdOne of the oldest restaurants on Hollywood Blvd. Old Hollywood favorite, a landmark. They serve the meal in the original China plates. This place is beautiful and classic.
The best/freshest sushi in LA, hands down! The restaurant is not a scene, it’s just the freshest sushi which is surprisingly not as expensive as many other sushi places. Every hour of the day, there is a 1 to 1.5 hour wait and unfortunately they don’t accept reservation. We typically go an hour before they close as the wait time goes down and we’ll be seated by around the time they are about to close but the restaurant is still full and they serve for another hour or so.
110 residents recomanen
Sushi Gen
422 E 2nd StThe best/freshest sushi in LA, hands down! The restaurant is not a scene, it’s just the freshest sushi which is surprisingly not as expensive as many other sushi places. Every hour of the day, there is a 1 to 1.5 hour wait and unfortunately they don’t accept reservation. We typically go an hour before they close as the wait time goes down and we’ll be seated by around the time they are about to close but the restaurant is still full and they serve for another hour or so.
This hidden gem is located in Sunset Marquise hotel which is a beautiful small Hollywood hotel. It’s a rock n roll hotel and is known for its celebrity sighting.
Cavatina
1200 Alta Loma RdThis hidden gem is located in Sunset Marquise hotel which is a beautiful small Hollywood hotel. It’s a rock n roll hotel and is known for its celebrity sighting.
Fig restaurant is located in Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. It’s a beautiful hotel and restaurant and it’s located in perfect place in Santa Monica. The parking is valet and you can take a walk in the beautiful Santa Monica after your lunch or breakfast.
37 residents recomanen
FIG
101 Wilshire BlvdFig restaurant is located in Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica. It’s a beautiful hotel and restaurant and it’s located in perfect place in Santa Monica. The parking is valet and you can take a walk in the beautiful Santa Monica after your lunch or breakfast.
Gracias Madre
8905 Melrose AveReally cool place with delicious vegan food and drinks
Old Beverly Hills restaurant. Gorgeous with lights everywhere. Perfect for a special occasion.
35 residents recomanen
Il Cielo
9018 Burton WayOld Beverly Hills restaurant. Gorgeous with lights everywhere. Perfect for a special occasion.
One of my all time favorite Italian places. I 100 times prefer this restaurant over Il Pastaio which is right across the street on Cannon Drive and is super popular and touristy. This restaurant is charming, high class and delicious food. The dishes are a bit small and one is meant to order a few dishes hence making it a bit pricy.
10 residents recomanen
E Baldi
375 N Canon DrOne of my all time favorite Italian places. I 100 times prefer this restaurant over Il Pastaio which is right across the street on Cannon Drive and is super popular and touristy. This restaurant is charming, high class and delicious food. The dishes are a bit small and one is meant to order a few dishes hence making it a bit pricy.
Another chef Drago masterpiece. This restaurant has the same owner as Il Pastaio and many restaurants on Canon Drive, same great food, a lot less touristy and pretentious. Everything here is delicious but you’re not hovered over by standing tourists. I love the food here.
Piccolo Paradiso
150 S Beverly DrAnother chef Drago masterpiece. This restaurant has the same owner as Il Pastaio and many restaurants on Canon Drive, same great food, a lot less touristy and pretentious. Everything here is delicious but you’re not hovered over by standing tourists. I love the food here.
LA night life
One of the more chic and happening places in Los Angeles. Full of shops, beautiful hotels and restaurants. Mondrian Hotel, the Standard Hotel, Le Petit Four Restaurant, and Eveleigh are among many places to visit and dine. There are also many that are purely catered to tourist and not great quality. Be sure to read reviews before choosing a place to eat.
79 residents recomanen
Sunset Plaza
8591-8720 Sunset BlvdOne of the more chic and happening places in Los Angeles. Full of shops, beautiful hotels and restaurants. Mondrian Hotel, the Standard Hotel, Le Petit Four Restaurant, and Eveleigh are among many places to visit and dine. There are also many that are purely catered to tourist and not great quality. Be sure to read reviews before choosing a place to eat.
Very close to my place. The house of many memorable concerts. Many take sandwiches and picnic while enjoying the concert. During holidays they have the best fireworks in LA!
1407 residents recomanen
Hollywood Bowl
2301 Hollywood Bowl RdVery close to my place. The house of many memorable concerts. Many take sandwiches and picnic while enjoying the concert. During holidays they have the best fireworks in LA!
The lounge is an ultimate LA Scene. This place is not suitable if you’re not into loud places and small dishes (and I mean really small).
45 residents recomanen
SLS Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Beverly Hills
465 S La Cienega BlvdThe lounge is an ultimate LA Scene. This place is not suitable if you’re not into loud places and small dishes (and I mean really small).
Teatre Grec
2700 N Vermont AveOne of the coolest and most beautiful concert venues in LA
Beautiful concert hall by the famous Frank Gehry. The museum gift shop has gorgeous items to purchase for a very reasonable price.
1063 residents recomanen
Sala de concerts Walt Disney
111 S Grand AveBeautiful concert hall by the famous Frank Gehry. The museum gift shop has gorgeous items to purchase for a very reasonable price.
"Gorgeous bar and an architecture award winner that used to be a power plant. The drinks and appetizers are just okay but the place looks amazing. The bar is made of small rooms and a large main area as they kept the original walls and structure. You can see the old pumps and equipment displayed. The play with lighting make the space amazing.
The Edison
"Gorgeous bar and an architecture award winner that used to be a power plant. The drinks and appetizers are just okay but the place looks amazing. The bar is made of small rooms and a large main area as they kept the original walls and structure. You can see the old pumps and equipment displayed. The play with lighting make the space amazing.
The absolute definition of a night life. The only place in LA that you could barely drive at midnight. It’s absolutely packed with people. Bars are full, people walking on the streets, shops are open and there is a police station right there watching everyone. So, be careful. It’s a gay area of LA. Maybe that’s why it’s so cool but the area is extremely straight friendly. Bars have half naked dancers on the podiums so it’s not a child friendly place.
Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, Estats Units d'Amèrica
The absolute definition of a night life. The only place in LA that you could barely drive at midnight. It’s absolutely packed with people. Bars are full, people walking on the streets, shops are open and there is a police station right there watching everyone. So, be careful. It’s a gay area of LA. Maybe that’s why it’s so cool but the area is extremely straight friendly. Bars have half naked dancers on the podiums so it’s not a child friendly place.
Pretty cool, low key yet classy bar with great drinks. Last time I was there, there was no building sign but it’s close to the Classy Lingerie store.
60 residents recomanen
The Roger Room
370 La Cienega BlvdPretty cool, low key yet classy bar with great drinks. Last time I was there, there was no building sign but it’s close to the Classy Lingerie store.
Local
Neighborhood restaurant, very close to my place. It’s a comfortable place with the decor and feel of Venice, Italy. Servers take turns and sing during the evening. They all have beautiful voices. My boyfriend and I prefer their pasta dishes over their pizzas especially the mixed sea food pasta.
31 residents recomanen
Miceli's
3655 Cahuenga BlvdNeighborhood restaurant, very close to my place. It’s a comfortable place with the decor and feel of Venice, Italy. Servers take turns and sing during the evening. They all have beautiful voices. My boyfriend and I prefer their pasta dishes over their pizzas especially the mixed sea food pasta.
Yamashiro Hollywood
Great sushi place with a stunning view of the entire city. A landmark
Located in Garland Hotel. Nice outdoor space. Have breakfast and brunch and food is delicious.
29 residents recomanen
The Front Yard
4222 Vineland AveLocated in Garland Hotel. Nice outdoor space. Have breakfast and brunch and food is delicious.
This hotel is the best part of visiting Hollywood Blvd. It’s an old hotel with Spanish Architecture. It’s gorgeous. We like to visit the hotel often and have drinks at the lobby. Sometimes they have live music. Don’t forget to go to the small bar in the corner of the lobby called the library. They make unique drinks to your liking. There is a secret door in the back of it that used to open to another bar! There is also a dinner/burger place in the hotel facing Hollywood Blvd and they have good burgers. Love this place!
284 residents recomanen
The Hollywood Roosevelt
7000 Hollywood BlvdThis hotel is the best part of visiting Hollywood Blvd. It’s an old hotel with Spanish Architecture. It’s gorgeous. We like to visit the hotel often and have drinks at the lobby. Sometimes they have live music. Don’t forget to go to the small bar in the corner of the lobby called the library. They make unique drinks to your liking. There is a secret door in the back of it that used to open to another bar! There is also a dinner/burger place in the hotel facing Hollywood Blvd and they have good burgers. Love this place!
Firefly
11720 Ventura BlvdBeautiful courtyard
Interesting Architecture. Delicious breakfast and food in general. Casual place but yet great food.
134 residents recomanen
GRANVILLE
12345 Ventura BlvdInteresting Architecture. Delicious breakfast and food in general. Casual place but yet great food.
Very close to my place and great food. The restaurant has a casual setting but the food is a bit more upscale than typical Mexican food. Plates are small and shareable. For some reason they sometimes have Rib Eye steak on special or if specifically requested. It is to die for! It’s one of the best steaks I have had in my life although it’s not a steak house! Their branzino also gets rave reviews although I have never had it. Try out their spicy cucumber margarita.
193 residents recomanen
Mercado
7910 W 3rd StVery close to my place and great food. The restaurant has a casual setting but the food is a bit more upscale than typical Mexican food. Plates are small and shareable. For some reason they sometimes have Rib Eye steak on special or if specifically requested. It is to die for! It’s one of the best steaks I have had in my life although it’s not a steak house! Their branzino also gets rave reviews although I have never had it. Try out their spicy cucumber margarita.
Nice bar and restaurant setting in the 50’s with great decor and singers. Drinks are great. The food not so much. When we were there they had someone who came to each table and did a magic show. Overall great experience.
Room Number 13
Nice bar and restaurant setting in the 50’s with great decor and singers. Drinks are great. The food not so much. When we were there they had someone who came to each table and did a magic show. Overall great experience.
General Admission
Sports bar, great vibe
Upscale tapas bar. They have good food. Our favorite drink is “Red, Hot & bothered”. The sticky toffee pudding for desert is really good. All and all, their food is pretty good but the cost adds up pretty quickly.
90 residents recomanen
Black Market Liquor Bar
11915 Ventura BlvdUpscale tapas bar. They have good food. Our favorite drink is “Red, Hot & bothered”. The sticky toffee pudding for desert is really good. All and all, their food is pretty good but the cost adds up pretty quickly.
Sweet Lily Bakery
3315 Cahuenga Blvd WFrench Bakery with awesome croissants and coffee for breakfast.
Delicious Persian Cuisine. Very small restaurant. They have great kabobs and stews. I typically take the food for take out. I would ask them to take it easy on butter or oil on the rice.
Kaban Persian Restaurant
Delicious Persian Cuisine. Very small restaurant. They have great kabobs and stews. I typically take the food for take out. I would ask them to take it easy on butter or oil on the rice.
Joe's Falafel
3535 Cahuenga Blvd WGreat Middle Eastern Cuisine. Good for take out.
Good Neighbor Restaurant
3701 Cahuenga Blvd WNeighborhood restaurant for breakfast and lunch
On Sunset strip, about 20 minutes from my place. They have great breakfast. It’s in the heart of Sunset Plaza which is a must see for visitors and it’s full of shops and restaurant. The ambiance is light and pretty.
57 residents recomanen
The Butcher, The Baker, The Cappuccino Maker
8653 Sunset BlvdOn Sunset strip, about 20 minutes from my place. They have great breakfast. It’s in the heart of Sunset Plaza which is a must see for visitors and it’s full of shops and restaurant. The ambiance is light and pretty.
Really good Chinese restaurant, casual and comfortable with interesting cocktails.
23 residents recomanen
Genghis Cohen
740 N Fairfax AveReally good Chinese restaurant, casual and comfortable with interesting cocktails.
Haven’t been there personally but have read great reviews on the food and drinks. The food is tapas style.
41 residents recomanen
The Village
12345 Ventura BlvdHaven’t been there personally but have read great reviews on the food and drinks. The food is tapas style.
Vegan Restaurant. Have not personally been there but have read rave reviews. It’s very close to my place.
22 residents recomanen
Veggie House
3217 Cahuenga Blvd WVegan Restaurant. Have not personally been there but have read rave reviews. It’s very close to my place.
Shopping
Short Stop Food Store
3278 Cahuenga Blvd WConvenient store 15 minutes walk from my house.
Beautifully renovated outdoor mall. Full of cool restaurants and shops. Beautifully decorated with numerous seating areas throughout the mall. The only thing is that because of the long walkways and the shape of the mall, it tends to get chilly in cold days. It’s best to do there in sunny days or when you prefer to stay away from the heat because it inherently tends to be on a cooler temperature side.
372 residents recomanen
Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica BlvdBeautifully renovated outdoor mall. Full of cool restaurants and shops. Beautifully decorated with numerous seating areas throughout the mall. The only thing is that because of the long walkways and the shape of the mall, it tends to get chilly in cold days. It’s best to do there in sunny days or when you prefer to stay away from the heat because it inherently tends to be on a cooler temperature side.
Small Convenient store but they seem to have every immediate item one needs
8 residents recomanen
Short Stop Food Store
3278 Cahuenga Blvd WSmall Convenient store but they seem to have every immediate item one needs
Ralphs
10901 Ventura BlvdGrocery Store
Trader Joe's
11976 Ventura BlvdGrocery store
Nice place for shopping and entertainment in Santa Monica, close to the beach.
27 residents recomanen
Promenade Street
1415 3rd Street PromenadeNice place for shopping and entertainment in Santa Monica, close to the beach.
Nice area to walk around, shop and eat during a sunny day
3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica, CA 90401, Estats Units d'Amèrica
Nice area to walk around, shop and eat during a sunny day
Sightseeing
Beautiful outdoor mall with a lot of nice restaurants to choose from. It’s perfect in a sunny day. During the Christmas Holidays they light up all the trees and it’s gorgeous. Very popular destination in LA. Don’t miss the oldest indoor farmers market right next to it which is at the end of the tip of the walk way. Also, inside the farmer’s market there is a French restaurant called Monsieur Marcel which is great and has very good escargot.
2581 residents recomanen
The Grove
189 The Grove DrBeautiful outdoor mall with a lot of nice restaurants to choose from. It’s perfect in a sunny day. During the Christmas Holidays they light up all the trees and it’s gorgeous. Very popular destination in LA. Don’t miss the oldest indoor farmers market right next to it which is at the end of the tip of the walk way. Also, inside the farmer’s market there is a French restaurant called Monsieur Marcel which is great and has very good escargot.
Full of cute shops and great restaurants. It’s perfect to go during a sunny day and just walk around. Rodeo Dr, Beverly Dr, & Cannon Drive are all parallel to each other so they are easily accessible once you park. Make sure you visit Cannon Dr & Beverly Dr and not just Rodeo Dr.
Beverly Hills has several low cost parking structures. One is next to Crate & Barrel on Beverly Drive. One access is through Beverly & the other access is through Cannon Drive. Another low cost parking structure is next to Il Fornaio. Cannon Drive has many great restaurants, Il Pastaio, e.baldi, & Xian Chinese Restaurant to name a few. I have attached maps showing the two parking structures with free two hours parking.
678 residents recomanen
Beverly Hills
Full of cute shops and great restaurants. It’s perfect to go during a sunny day and just walk around. Rodeo Dr, Beverly Dr, & Cannon Drive are all parallel to each other so they are easily accessible once you park. Make sure you visit Cannon Dr & Beverly Dr and not just Rodeo Dr.
Beverly Hills has several low cost parking structures. One is next to Crate & Barrel on Beverly Drive. One access is through Beverly & the other access is through Cannon Drive. Another low cost parking structure is next to Il Fornaio. Cannon Drive has many great restaurants, Il Pastaio, e.baldi, & Xian Chinese Restaurant to name a few. I have attached maps showing the two parking structures with free two hours parking.
One of my favorite cities in LA! Everything is walking distance. There are so many shops, clubs, everything… you name it.. Also it’s very close to Beverly Hills so I would make a point to visit both cities in one day.
299 residents recomanen
West Hollywood
One of my favorite cities in LA! Everything is walking distance. There are so many shops, clubs, everything… you name it.. Also it’s very close to Beverly Hills so I would make a point to visit both cities in one day.
Nature & Hiking
Very popular canyon in LA. Often you will see celebrities walking there. It’s a huge place so I’d be cautious not to get lost in the canyon. There seems to be several paths to choose from when you arrive. Try to remember your paths. Parking is very limited. It’s very close to here (1.5 miles) however to get there by waking, you’d have to take several uphill streets.
Runyon Canyon Park
2000 N Fuller AveHave not been there personally. It’s in my to do list. It is a small park but has a good view of the Hollywood sign.
129 residents recomanen
Lake Hollywood Park
3160 Canyon Lake DrHave not been there personally. It’s in my to do list. It is a small park but has a good view of the Hollywood sign.
Mirador Jerome C. Daniel sobre el Hollywood Bowl
7036 Mulholland DrBeautiful view of LA.
Short trail. 2-3 hour hike. Great views at the Observatorium, Downtown La and the sign.
Mount Hollywood Trail
Mount Hollywood TrailShort trail. 2-3 hour hike. Great views at the Observatorium, Downtown La and the sign.
Observatori Griffith
2800 E Observatory RdMuseums
Awesome cool cars, plus it’s a cool building and has a great cafe
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd
Museu de l'Acadèmia de les Arts i les Ciències del Cinema
6067 Wilshire Blvd