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Los Angeles boasts a culinary scene unlike any other, offering diverse experiences that blend farm-to-table ingredients with innovative concepts. From Downtown LA’s gems to hidden neighborhood spots, each eatery provides a curated ambiance that enhances the dining experience. Neighborhoods like Highland Park exemplify this innovation, with venues ranging from craft beer havens to trendy speakeasies, catering to a variety of tastes and preferences, including the constant demand for vegan and vegetarian options.
For native Angeleno and influencer Pearlito Maslog, LA's dining scene goes beyond mere food—it's about inclusivity and community. Pearlito highlights the symbiotic relationship between neighborhood restaurants and queer businesses, where places like Mirate serve as gathering spots for patrons from nearby LGBTQ+ establishments. This connection fosters a sense of pride and belonging, making dining out in Los Angeles not just about cuisine, but also about celebrating identity and finding solidarity in unexpected places. Read on to learn more about the spots Pearlito recommends that you must experience when dining in LA.
Pearlito & Friends Visit Mirate in Los FelizCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
For visitors traveling to LA for the first time, Pearlito shares how the city’s dining sets it apart from other culinary experiences.
“The first thing you’ll discover about restaurants in Downtown LA or in neighborhoods like Highland Park, Silver Lake and Los Feliz is that every spot is curated to provide an immersive and truly unique experience, while also spotlighting local, farm-to-table ingredients,” Pearlito describes.
Pearlito lists Cara in Los Feliz, an elegant yet conscientious Mediterranean escape located in the boutique Cara Hotel, as one such place that transports you while also reminding you how distinctly LA it truly is.
“When you go to Cara, you’re surrounded by 100-year-old olive trees and billowing white linens that make you feel as if you’re on the cliffs of Mykonos,” Pearlito says. “Having that ambience not only enhances the experience, but the taste of the food as well.”
Pearlito Visits Cara in Los FelizCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
This aspect can be attributed to the innovation that these LA restaurants have fostered when creating their concepts, and Pearlito lists one of the standout neighborhoods whose restaurants exemplify this by not only tailoring the vibe to their culinary vision, but also by turning dining into an unforgettable experience.
“What you’ll find in LA neighborhoods is a food scene that is constantly innovating and experimenting, and a great neighborhood that represents this is Highland Park,” Pearlito shares. “What’s so cool about this neighborhood is that a lot of their restaurants are conceptualizing distinct experiences, like offering house-craft beers and incorporating trendy speakeasies in their brand.”
Pearlito references the craft brews and lively atmosphere of Father’s Office in Downtown LA’s Arts District, and Bar Flores, a speakeasy in Echo Park with a cantina flair. These attributes create a well-rounded experience for those dining in LA’s neighborhoods, but that’s not all these restaurants offer.
“You’ll also find a great balance of food offerings that cater to all types of diners here,” Pearlito adds. “For example, Burgerlords in Highland Park serves the best vegan and vegetarian burgers in LA. They offer a milkshake made with tahini that must be experienced.”
Pearlito Visits Bar Flores in Echo ParkCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
You’d think influencers and tourists would swarm these restaurants, but Pearlito explains that a major benefit to dining in these neighborhoods is how relaxed the atmosphere is because of how many spots are considered hidden gems.
“Another trend in restaurants in Highland Park and other LA neighborhoods is how lowkey and concealed they are,” says Pearlito. “You’ll find spots like Villa’s Tacos in Highland Park that are hidden away in strip malls that have been recognized by the MICHELIN Guide. The experience is special, because you feel like you’re in on a secret, enjoying award-winning food.”
What also makes these experiences so special for Pearlito and other LGBTQ+ Angelenos is how supportive neighborhood restaurants and queer businesses are to each other. Pearlito namedrops a Mexican restaurant in Los Feliz that is always a welcoming place because of its location.
“A great spot that encompasses all of these features is Mirate,” Pearlito teases. “This Mexican oasis is noteworthy for its gigantic tree that hangs over the restaurant and their all-encompassing mezcal offerings, but what really makes this place special is how it’s in the same vicinity as Hi Tops, a gay bar whose patrons always congregate at Mirate to debrief the night and enjoy lots and lots of tacos.”
Hi Tops in Los FelizCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
Pearlito shares that he experienced this himself one night when he realized all the same people he saw at Hi Tops ended up filling the entire restaurant to create a queer celebration. Seeing this relationship between neighborhood spots is something that fills Pearlito with a lot of pride when he dines out in Los Angeles.
“This synergy between restaurants and gay bars is not only beneficial for their own success, but also for bringing the LGBTQ+ community together in unexpected ways,” Pearlito explains. “It’s a highlight for queer people traveling to enjoy a food scene in the vicinity of so many LGBTQ-friendly places. It’s something that is truly unique for the queer community.”
It’s clear that Los Angeles's culinary scene captivates with its fusion of flavors, immersive atmospheres, and unwavering commitment to diversity and innovation. Pearlito Maslog's insights shed light on the city's unique blend of farm-to-table experiences, hidden gems, and vibrant LGBTQ+ inclusive spaces, showcasing a dining culture that goes beyond mere sustenance. But that’s not all. Prepare to uncover even more of LA's culinary treasures, each offering a tantalizing glimpse into the city's rich tapestry of flavors and cultures, with Pearlito's recommendations for romantic evenings, cultural fusion, and exceptional cocktails.
Pearlito shares some of his favorite spots for a romantic evening in the city:
(L) Pearlito & Friends Visit Angelini Osteria in Fairfax; (R) Deep Fried Zucchini Flower, Caprese (Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata), Polipo (Octopus Salad)Courtesy Pearlito Maslog
If you’re looking to impress your date with an intimate yet unexpected choice, Bacariin Silver Lake perfectly sets the mood for mystery and intrigue with its long, enchanting corridor that leads into a dimly lit dining room furnished with smaller tables perfect for getting close. It reminded me of being in a pub in the U.K., and they serve both American and Middle Eastern-inspired tapas that create a deliciously surprising dating experience.
Also noteworthy:Angelini Osteria in Fairfax is THE place for Italian fare; Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks offers unassuming and understated French authenticity—-their burger is a must-try that represents LA culinary fusion perfectly.
Pearlito shares some of his favorite hidden gems and other culturally diverse, standout experiences:
Eggplant Ensalada and Shrooms Salpicao at Spoon & Pork in Silver LakeCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
One of my favorite spots is this little-known Mexican gem calledLas Perlas in Downtown LA that features an agave bar and fusion drinks that combine different cultures for a food and cocktail experience that satisfies every taste bud. What represents LA and these restaurants are how flavors from Filipino culture and Mexican culture, and every other culture, come together to create something you just can’t find anywhere else.
Also noteworthy:Hinoki & The Bird in Century City delivers a flavor inspired by China’s historical Silk Road expressed through modern California-style cooking; Spoon & Pork in Silver Lake offers seasonal menus serving modern Filipino and other Pan-Pacific & Asian-inspired dishes that will have you reconsidering the difference between East and West cuisine.
Pearlito shares some of his favorite spots to experience LA’s cocktail culture:
Lowboy in Echo ParkCourtesy Pearlito Maslog
When exploring LA’s restaurant scene, being able to try cocktails that are crafted with intention and ingenuity really sets the experience apart. Messhallin Los Feliz has a cocktail menu that is not only inventive—their “Clever Girl” combines ingredients like banana-spiced rum, falernum and bitters for a delicious depth of flavor—but finely tailored to the vision of the restaurant. With cocktails served in jumbo tiki mugs with names inspired by popular movie quotes, Messhall is a one-of-a-kind place.
Also noteworthy:Death & Co, a New York transplant in the heart of Downtown LA’s Arts District, is another speakeasy that features creative cocktails that made them an institution when they first opened; Lowboyin Echo Park is a great option for a relaxed environment where you can eat smashburgers and try out seasonally-inspired drinks without frills.
To start planning your trip to Los Angeles, visit DiscoverLosAngeles.com to learn more.
