Seek and find
Last updated: October 3, 2019
These are the must-visit neighborhoods and hotspots in Los Angeles!
The first time I went to Los Angeles was when I was 13, and last year I finally went for the second time, and man, what a great city it is. Downtown Los Angeles used to be a neighborhood you'd rather avoid, but now it's one of the city's hippest areas, where you'll want to visit for its excellent restaurants and fun concept stores. You can easily spend a week exploring Los Angeles, as there's so much to see, and the distances between A and B are quite long. If you really want to get to know Los Angeles, it's recommended to stay two nights in a different neighborhood each time. This way, you won't have to spend so much time in the car and you'll really get to know the different neighborhoods. Are you, like me, an LA lover, or perhaps you're thinking of visiting for the first time? At the bottom of this Los Angeles Travel Guide, you can find out how you can win a trip to LA for two!
12 Los Angeles Hotspots You Want to Know:
Gjelina: One of my favorite hotspots in LA, from breakfast to cocktails, is Gjelina. With a bit of luck and nice weather, you can snag a spot in the garden behind the restaurant. Or sit by the window for a wonderful people-watching experience on bustling Abbot Kinney Boulevard. I love coming here for lunch and then doing some shopping. All dishes are great for sharing, and I recommend ordering three veggie dishes and two plates with fish or meat.
1429 Abbot Kinney Boulevard, Venice, Los Angeles – gjelina.com
Alfred Coffee: Alfred Coffee is a great place for your morning brew. They have several locations in Los Angeles, but I think the best ones are Downtown (with a lovely covered patio) and the smaller Silverlake location. And did I mention the iced latte is absolutely delicious there?
3337 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles – alfredcoffee.com
Beast: For good Italian food, Bestia in Downtown LA is highly recommended. You can go there for something simple like pizza, or for a more elaborate dinner with antipasti, primi, secondi, and dolci. Try the various crostini to share beforehand and save room for one of the desserts. The panna cotta is truly delicious!
2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles – bestiala.com
Grand Central Market: If you ask me, this is the best indoor food market in Los Angeles. You'll find eateries from all over the world, and chances are you'll be a little overwhelmed by the choices you'll make because you want to try everything. One of the newest food stands you definitely shouldn't miss is Sari Sari, which serves Filipino rice dishes in bowls and was opened by the people behind hotspot Republique.
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles – grandcentralmarket.com
Wurstküche: When you walk in, you might initially think you've stumbled into a small, trendy snack bar. But don't be fooled! At the back is a very large restaurant area with a bar and even a lovely patio. As the name suggests, this is the place to be for sausage. Hot dogs in all sorts of unique flavors, like duck or even rattlesnake meat! And of course, those hot dogs taste wonderful with a local craft beer or an ice-cold Coca-Cola.
800 E 3rd St, Los Angeles – wurstkuche.com
The Butcher's Daughter: You might know this great hotspot from New York, but they've also had a location on Abbot Kinney in LA for a while now. Good news for anyone who loves healthy food and fresh juices!
1205 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, Los Angeles – thebutchersdaughter.com
Night + Market Song: For all your Thai food cravings, head to Night + Market Song in the Silverlake neighborhood. It's a kind of Asian cantina with a menu featuring Northern Thai street food. From complete dishes to tasty bites to share. And the good news is, they serve some seriously delicious cocktails!
3322 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles – nightmarketsong.com
Sweetfin Poké: No matter where I go these days, I always research the best poké bowls beforehand. In Los Angeles, I'm a huge fan of the poké bowls from Sweetfin Poké in Santa Manica. The spicy tuna one remains my favorite!
829 Broadway, Santa Monica, Los Angeles – sweetfinpoke.com
Republic: I mentioned this hotspot before, but Republique is another one you really don't want to miss in LA. A beautiful old building commissioned by Charlie Chaplin (something like that could only happen in LA!) now houses an all-day restaurant. I think it's a great spot for an early breakfast. They open at 8 a.m. and have their own bakery! Later in the day, it's a great place to enjoy delicious Mediterranean dishes.
624 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles – republiquela.com
Fritzi: Downtown Los Angeles is teeming with great hotspots, and you'll find restaurants with influences from all over the world. You name it, you can find it here! For the tastiest chicken in Los Angeles's Art District, head to Fritzi's. They have several locations now, but this one is my favorite. Here, you can dine with a view of rotisserie chickens in an industrial-style interior. Definitely try the chicken wings. They're truly incredible!
814 Traction Ave, Los Angeles – fritzicoop.com
Mama Shelter rooftop: It's always fun to have a drink at a trendy rooftop bar in a city. Los Angeles has several great rooftop bars, often located on hotel roofs, just like in other cities. One of the best rooftop bars I've been to in Los Angeles is at the new Mama Shelter hotel in Hollywood. Why not have a drink there before dinner or later in the evening?
6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles – mamashelter.com
Tintorera: This Mexican restaurant is one of the newest hotspots in the hipster neighborhood of Silverlake. They have a lovely patio and are the perfect place for delicious Mexican food with seafood as the main ingredient. A very tasty twist, if you ask me!
2815 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles – check the Facebook page
5 things to do in Los Angeles:
The Getty Center: Even if you're not a fan of museums, a visit to The Getty is highly recommended in Los Angeles. By far the most beautiful museum I've ever been to. Located on a hill on the outskirts of LA, and admission is free!
Renting bikes: Another fun thing to do is rent bikes at the Santa Monica pier and then cycle down the boardwalk towards Venice Beach!
Abbot Kinney Boulevard: If you ask me, Abbot Kinney Boulevard near Venice Beach is the BEST street in Los Angeles. You'll find tons of great restaurant hotspots there for a cold Coca-Cola, as well as tons of clothing boutiques selling unique items.
The Hollywood Sign: A must-see in Los Angeles… the world-famous Hollywood Sign! There are several fun hikes you can do starting from the parking lot at the Griffith Observatory. Right at the beginning of the main trail, there's a bench on the left that offers a great view of the HOLLYWOOD sign. It's a great place to take a photo!
Neighborhoods not to be missed: Los Angeles is a huge and sprawling city. Don't be surprised if it can easily take you an hour to drive from one hotspot to the next. It's like having lunch in Rotterdam every day from Amsterdam! It's more convenient to focus on one or two neighborhoods that are close to each other each day. Chances are you'll want to visit the famous Beverly Hills. Definitely do it if it's your first time in LA, and then grab a cupcake at Sprinkles in the cupcake ATM! But if you ask me, LA is so much more than Beverly Hills and Hollywood, and the best up-and-coming neighborhoods are the Art District in Downtown Los Angeles and Silverlake.
TIP: WIN A TRIP to LA or ONE OF THE OTHER 73 DREAM DESTINATIONS
I hope the tips in this blog have inspired you to go to Los Angeles and try them out for yourself. Not planning a trip yet? I have good news! Coca-Cola This summer, Coca-Cola is giving away dream vacations every week, to destinations from Los Angeles to Hong Kong and from Bali to Ibiza! Get a can or bottle of Coca-Cola with the special label featuring dream destinations. Under the label, cap, and tab of your Coca-Cola, you'll find a promotional code that you can enter on the promotion page. www.cocacola.nl/summerIs LA or another destination still on your bucket list? This is your chance!
Have fun with these Los Angeles tips!
WITH LOVE,
ANNE
In collaboration with Coca-Cola
Los Angeles Tips
To do
Read more?
