West Hollywood is a favorite spot among partying celebrities, but this hip little city also packs in a lifetime’s worth of dining experiences. From strip-mall sushi to Old Hollywood haunts, West Hollywood has a cure for every craving.
Fashion and design are integral to the WeHo lifestyle, so it’s not surprising that some of the best food is served amidst stunning decor. Long-standing favorite Gracias Madre serves plant-based traditional Mexican cuisine in an indoor/outdoor whitewashed brick-and-beam setting. Enjoy farm-fresh fare on Eveleigh’s ivy-covered patio. Lauded for its lobster rolls and oyster platters, Connie and Ted’s Restaurant is also an AIA Restaurant Design Awards finalist.
For those seeking a special-occasion dining experience, the city is well represented in the Michelin Guide. Two of the guide’s coveted stars have been awarded to Sushi Ginza Onodera for several years running, and though their prices land it firmly in the “splurge” category, sushi aficionados keep it packed. Other establishments that have earned mentions include the aforementioned Gracias Madre and Connie & Ted’s as well as French brasserie Amour and Ardor, where vegetarians will be pleased with the center-stage vegetarian options, though duck, beef, and lamb dishes are on the menu as well.
If people-watching is what you’re after, head to one of Innovative Dining Group’s West Hollywood spots: Katana, which serves imaginative Japanese cuisine, or BOA Steakhouse. Real Housewives' Lisa Vanderpump’s SUR Restaurant & Lounge (featured on the series) and PUMP Restaurant offer eclectic cuisine with posh backdrops and almost-guaranteed reality-star sightings; another locale frequented by celebrities is Italian mainstay Cecconi’s. For a taste of the L.A. glam-rock scene, try Rainbow Bar & Grill on the Sunset Strip, a former hangout of ‘80s bands Poison and Mötley Crüe, which also serves up American-Italian delights. Dan Tana’s also serves calamari fritti-esque fare, but with an Old Hollywood vibe.
Enjoy excellent eats minus the scene at one of the area’s hidden gems. In the eastside of West Hollywood (a neighborhood known fondly as Little Russia), Traktir boasts some of the tastiest borscht in the city, best enjoyed with a side of black bread and horseradish-infused vodka. Royal Gourmet Deli and Stolichnaya Bakery have all the caviar and piroshki your heart could desire. For a uniquely L.A. experience, get a ticket to raw fish heaven at Sushi Park. This unassuming storefront located in a shopping plaza serves a fixed-price omakase menu with exceptionally fresh and delicately prepared plates.
