Casual Weeknight Dinner
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Mom, Please
Mom, Please is an excellent Ukrainian cafe on the border of Playa Vista and MDR. It's also a very cozy brunch spot.
Pizzana Marina Del Rey
Pizzana is a solid LA chain for upscale pizza and its Marina Del Rey location is one of the best options in the neighborhood for a low-key Italian dinner.
Cobi’s
Cobi’s is a fun Santa Monica dinner spot for natural wine and Southeast Asian curries. Weekend brunch on the patio is also good to know about.
Sal's Place
Sal's Place is a bistro in West Hollywood that feels less like a restaurant and more a dinner party at a friend's house.
Dtown Pizzeria
Dtown Pizzeria in West Hollywood is the neighborhood's best option for Detroit-style pizza.
Lan Noodle
This Lanzhou-style noodle spot in Weho makes a delicious beef noodle soup. It's also a great take-out option.
Lazzat Grill
Lazzat Grill is an Uzbek food vendor in Hollywood that operates out of a converted blue school bus. Their pilaf is excellent (and huge).
Mae Malai Thai House of Noodles
Mae Malai is a barebones Thai Town spot that makes incredible boat noodles.
Prima Donna
Prima Donna is a Sicilian spot in Culver City with respectable pizza, but nothing you need to rearrange your schedule for.
La Paella
La Paella is a Spanish restaurant in Beverly Grove that feels like an old tavern. Focus your attetion on the excellent tapas.
Kismet
Kismet, the Mediterranean-Middle Eastern restaurant in Los Feliz, is the kind of casual, breezy restaurant you can use for any occasion.
MidEast Tacos
Silver Lake's MidEast Tacos is an unassuming takeout counter with excellent Mexican-Armenian fusion dishes.
Oste
Oste is a Roman-leaning Italian spot in Beverly Grove that’s great for any occasion, especially a spontaneous dinner.
Pizzeria Sei
Pizzeria Sei in Pico-Robertson serves Neapolitan-inspired pizzas that are fluffy and blistered to perfection.
King’s Burgers / Got Sushi?
As a general rule, sushi joints attached to fast food burger chain should probably be avoided. Unless that place is Got Sushi? in Northridge.
Alice B.
Located on the ground floor of an LGBTQ+ apartment community, Alice B. offers some of the best people-watching in Palm Springs.
Heng Heng Chicken Rice
Heng Heng is casual diner in Thai Town is known for its Thai-style Hainan chicken rice, which is some of LA’s best.
Holy Basil Atwater Village
Holy Basil is a great Thai spot that's currently soft open in Atwater Village.
Chica's Tacos
Chicas Tacos in a counter-service taquería inside All Season Brewery in Mid-Wilshire. It's just fine, but hits different when you're a few beers deep.