20 Best Restaurants in The Valley, Los Angeles

One of L.A.'s finest sushi restaurants, Asanebo is an inviting, no-frills establishment serving top-quality sushi and a wealth of innovative dishes to an A-list clientele. The affable chefs will regale you with memorable specialties such as succulent seared toro (tuna belly), halibut truffle sashimi, or just simple morsels of pristine fish dusted with sea salt.

Just because Bea Bea’s is a no-nonsense kind of place, it doesn’t mean the food isn’t special. This diner serves breakfast food that is about as close to extraordinary as the most important meal of the day can be. The plates are massive, but you're bound to finish your meal.

With antique wood hutches, copper moldings, and a fireplace, this establishment draws a diverse clientele in search of grilled octopus drizzled with a spicy limoncello vinaigrette, soulful spaghetti carbonara, pumpkin-filled mezzelune (half moon–shaped ravioli), and classic osso buco. The wine list is moderately priced and, weather permitting, you can sit on the walled patio that, despite its proximity to L.A. traffic, feels wonderfully escapist.

In a city full of adventurous restaurants touting innovation and all things new and gimmicky, Centanni Trattoria focuses on executing traditional, comforting fare to perfection. From lasagna and ravioli to tiramisu, this authentic dinner spot offers reasonably priced, delicious food.

Hearty home cooking may not be a big part of L.A.'s dining scene, but that doesn't mean you can't have it when you're visiting the city. Tucked in the heart of Burbank, this diner-style spot serves chili everything, from traditional chili bowls to open-faced chili burgers. Of course, this being Los Angeles, ingredients are locally sourced from organic and sustainable farms.

One minute you’re in an old library quickly converted into a lounge, the next you’re in the cabana of a modest country club. Yet Firefly's eclectic design is part of its appeal, and its excellent, if a bit pricey, French-American fare will make you forget all about it.

Its walls may be heavy with framed photographs of film and TV stars, and folks from the biz might regularly grace its tables, but this Studio City diner is every bit as down-to-earth as your next-door neighbor, even after 40-some years. It gets pretty busy, but a plateful of that home cooking is worth the wait; or if you’re in a mad dash, grab a caffeine or fruit smoothie fix from the Neighbarista.

Sit down here to a table piled high with assorted hot and cold mezes, baba ghanoush, garlic fries, falafel, and kebabs piled on a bed of rice. Fresh, satisfying, and with excellent service, this reasonably priced hidden gem in the Valley is worth the trek over the hill.

If you’re in the mood for good old-fashioned fun coupled with hearty Mexican fare and delicious margaritas, then you’ll want to consider Los Amigos, whose legendary fruity margaritas alone are worth the drive. Pair those with something from the Platillos Mexicanos menu on karaoke night, and you’re guaranteed a good time until the wee hours of the night.

If the charming, Italian square--inspired interior doesn’t turn you into a sappy mush, then Miceli’s musical servers serenading you with Italian opera will. Studio City might not be the most romantic place in L.A., but one dinner at this restaurant might make you feel like you're in a Hollywood version of Rome.

Waiting in line at Porto's is as much a part of the experience as is indulging in one of its roasted pork sandwiches or chocolate-dipped croissants. This Cuban bakery and café has been an L.A. staple for more than 50 years, often drawing crowds during lunch. Counter service is quick and efficient, though, so go for one of the tasty sandwiches like the pan con lechon (roasted pork), or try the potato balls (heaven). Just don’t skip dessert.

Nestled in the heart of the NoHo Arts District amid newly minted high-rises, Rodini Park’s “build your own” concept and highly rated homemade pastries make it the place to go for a quick, fresh, and delicious take on Greek cuisine. Between the multiple protein, topping, and sauce offerings, it offers something for all palates.

While there are plenty of great Thai restaurants in Los Angeles, if you're looking for something a little different, Summer Buffalo isn't just about classic Thai fare. Yes, you'll still find favorites like larb, curry, and pad Thai, but you'll also be able to sample chicken wings that come in four different sauces, including traditional grapow. It’s the perfect cozy yet casual little place to stop by for lunch while in Burbank.

At first glance, TeaPop may seem to be doing too many things at once, but this tea-centric café, with its art gallery–slash–industrial modern interior and picturesque patio, is a perfect spot to not only study or take a breather, but also to catch pop-up events like comedy nights and workshops. Don’t let the hipster vibes turn you off—the service is fantastic and the drinks delicious.

Big hotel restaurants are rarely ever good, let alone adventurous with their dishes, but the Front Yard is one of the very few exceptions. It has one of the best patios in the Valley, which like the hotel is furnished in that retro '70s style that makes you feel like you should linger all day. On that note, there is a rosé-all-day special with purchase of an entrée and a super popular brunch menu that includes hot chicken biscuits and shrimp and grits, as well as all the expected eggs and granolas. The menu changes regularly and might include short-rib pot pie and a variety of delicious vegan flatbreads. Order the Valley fried chicken with a sweet and spicy chili sauce and mac n’ cheese to share family-style. 

Los Angeles is not known for barbecue so when a place like the Swingin Door does it right, it’s worth taking note. Take a gander around and you'll see smokers slowly cooking all that meaty goodness, ready to be enjoyed on plastic-covered tables and doused with a variety of different hot sauces (which you can buy to take home). You might just think you'd died and gone to Texas.

It's a lot, from the mouthful of a restaurant name, and the caters-to-everyone extensive menu, to the oversized steampunk-style decor (think: airship mural and nearly 100-foot-high smokestacks), and the characters who interact with diners. But set in Universal CityWalk, it is the perfect amount of "a lot" to meet your fanciful, over-the-top mood after visiting theme parks. There's a bar, multilevel dining rooms, and a retail shop to purchase house-made chocolates. Start with pork belly sliders and nachos and then work your way through the robust burger menu, pastas, salads, pizzas, and more, or just swerve to crepes, sundaes, puddings, and over-the-top milkshakes if sweets are preferred. And don't forget that retail store to hit up on the way out.

While theme-park food is notoriously bad, the Three Broomsticks and Hog’s Head, both at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, are exceptions. Yes, you have to go into the park itself to grab a bite, but if you happen to be here (which, let's be honest, is probably the only reason you're in Universal City), you should wander in and feast on large helpings of traditional British fare and gulp down frozen butterbeer.

For years, the diner at the Beverly Garland Hotel was sadly overlooked. No longer. Led by Executive Chef Warren Schwartz, the menu at Warren's Blackboard is simple, seasonal and approachable. A comfortable dining area that's great for families is on one side of the room, and a bar area with television screens playing classic movies can be found on the other. Start with a buratta and pear salad and a spectacularly savory mushroom and bacon popover. Dinner entrées include grilled salmon with yams, treviso, and tangerines, or seared scallops with carrot risotto, grapefruit, and tarragon.