Over the past 10 years I’ve lived in Los Angeles, I’ve been able to guide many first-time visitors on their journey eating their way across the city: parents, friends, and even old coworkers or classmates who happen to be in town for a few days. The sprawling city of Los Angeles can be tough to navigate as a tourist, especially without any firsthand knowledge of the different neighborhoods. Anyone who has lived here for a while knows the pain of hearing a visiting friend say they want to see the Santa Monica Boardwalk before hitting dinner downtown during rush hour. It’s famously not super walkable like New York City, so having some insider information from someone who lives in Los Angeles is always beneficial. On the flip-side, one of the best parts of moving to Los Angeles is getting to show out-of-town family and friends how to live like a local.
Of course, the second-most populous city in America is home to countless incredible restaurants designed to dazzle diners, but some places are tried-and-true favorites for out-of-town visitors. Whether they’re visiting the city for the first time or are frequent flyers looking for somewhere new and exciting, these restaurants are sure to be a hit. From the ambiance to the delicious food to the location — these are the five places I always take out-of-town friends and family to for a good meal and a good night out on the town.
Electric Owl
One of my first apartments in Los Angeles was just a few blocks down the street from Electric Owl. Between 2017 and 2019, you could find me there on any given Friday. Now it’s about a half hour away, but I still make the drive frequently — especially when friends are visiting from out of town.
This neighborhood favorite restaurant was modeled after the railcar station that sat in the same spot in the early 1900s. Old-school leather booths and sturdy wooden tables line this indoor/outdoor restaurant that sits on Sunset Boulevard right in the heart of Hollywood. Electric Owl is a great place to eat like a local — a hidden gem where in-the-know Angelenos can always find a good table…