Looking for a new restaurant that no one has heard of and want it to be your own little secret hidden gem in LA? We’ve got some amazing spots for you. Here’s the thing – we all know that Los Angeles has some of the best food in the world but sometimes we want something unique, secretive, and want it to feel like its our own personal find. Keep reading to find out about the restaurants we found to be the hidden gems of Los Angeles. Locals love these places and you’ll love recommending them to everyone you know. Check out 10 of our favorite hidden gems of LA ( and make a reservation now!).
Pomodoro Trattoria-Pizzeria
Location: 1393 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA, 90024
Pomodoro is an authentic Italian place and a Westwood neighborhood favorite! This hidden gem of Los Angeles has some of the best pasta dishes in the city including Farfalle Alla Vodka, Bolognese Shrimp Scampi, Gnoochi with mushrooms, and more. Make sure you leave room for dessert because their Panna Cotta is to die for. Their dishes are simple, yet delicious! Their wine list consists of delicious Italian and Californian wines that will pair perfectly with your dish. This is the perfect place if you’re looking for a good homestyle Italian meal. You can make reservations by calling ahead. They are open Monday-Saturday from 4:00pm-9:00pm.
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Thai Angel Bar & Food
Location: 149 N Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Thai Angel, is a family owned, best hole-in-the-wall restaurant on Western. They offer a diverse menu with a varied array of flavors and textures. Each dish is a burst of authenticity and love. The ambiance for dinner is very relaxed and low-key, and the staff is very friendly. Make sure to enjoy their full bar that has a dim dive bar feel. Their menu is filled with traditional Thai dishes including Pad Thai, Pad Kee Mow (drunken noodles), Fried Wontons, and more! Seriously, this is the best Thai place in town and a hidden gem of LA. Once the kitchen closes, Thai Angel transforms into a very fun club scene with DJs, dancing, and partying. No RSVPs needed and no cover fees– only good vibes. This is the perfect place to have dinner and/or a girls night out. They are open 7 days a week from 5:00pm-12:00am.
Yaldaz Corner
Location: Angeles National Forest, California
Have you been to this secret, hidden gem restaurant in LA? This one is a little out there, so bare with us. Yaldaz Corner is in the backyard of a house in Topanga Canyon where they serve Persian cuisine homestyle. You’re promised to get a stunning view of LA from where you’ll be seated and your meals will be served in really beautiful dinnerware (it almost feels like a dreamy tea party!). You’ll be served homemade authentic Persian food (they also have vegan options too). If you wanna try something new and looking for something truly unique, this is perfect place. Dining here is by reservations only.
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Forage
Location: 2764 Rowena Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90039
Forage in Silver Lake is such a cute restaurant. When you arrive, you might feel like your at someone’s apartment or house, so make sure to follow the signs up to the top of the stairs to the cutest little patio. Inside, it feels like you just walked into someone’s kitchen. Talk about a hidden gem of LA. There’s a huge menu ranging from creamy mac and cheese to a fresh salmon bowl to a flavorful Korean fried chicken bowl, and more. Also, there’s a hot bar set up, similar to the ones at Erewhon or Whole Foods (but wayyy more affordable) that is a must try! They’re open from 9am-9pm Tuesday-Saturday and 9am-3pm on Sundays.
Pace
Location: 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046
You definitely have to check out this Italian restaurant, Pace. This restaurant is super cute and cozy. It literally feels like you’re in a little storybook. Each table has crayons on it, so you and your party can entertain yourselves while your served soft doughy bread with spicy olive oil. The menu is absolutely divine including their infamous salmon, yummy pizza, and delicious pasta dishes. You can sit outside in their gorgeous garden patio or inside at their romantic low lit tables. Be sure to make a reservation. They are open from Sunday-Thursday from 5:30pm-10:00pm and Friday-Saturday from 5:30pm-11:00pm.
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The Little Door
Location: 8164 W 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA 90048
The Little Door, in West Hollywood, might be the most romantic restaurant and a true hidden gem of Los Angeles. The Little Door feels like a romantic scene straight from a Disney movie. The tables are candlelit with fairy lights surrounding all around you. Everything on the menu is so savory and complex. The menu is filled with delicious Mediterranean foods that will make you fall in love with every bite, including the Filet Mignon, Toast with Fried Oyster, and Bone Marrow with Truffle. This restaurant is one of the most unique tasting experiences in LA. The ambiance, food, and service will blow your expectations out of the water. They are open Monday-Thursday from 6:00pm-10:00pm, Friday-Saturday from 5:00pm-11:00pm, and Sunday from 5:00pm-10:00pm.
The Hideaway
Location: 421 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
The Hideaway is a hidden gem and tucked away restaurant on the lower floor of a plaza on Rodeo Drive. The vibe here is a tribute to 1920s Baja California with a bar, cozy indoor dining spaces, and their infamous cabanas out on their patio. This is great place to grab a drink with friends. They have delicious cocktails that come in the cutest cow ceramic cups. They even have tequila buttons at their table, so yes, you can literally ring for more tequila. The menu at the Hideaway is Mexican steakhouse, famous for the wasabi guacamole, delicious ceviche, yummy tacos, and more. You and your party can share the renown Tomahawk Steak which will be prepared right in front of you. This restaurant is more on the expensive side, so if you’re on a budget check out their $28 3-course lunch special. Make sure to reserve a table, they are open from Monday-Friday 11:30am to late night and Saturday-Sunday from 11:00am to late night.
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LA Cha Cha Cha
Location: 812 E 3rd St, Los Angeles, CA, 90013
LA Cha Cha Cha is the best authentic Mexican restaurant located in the heart of the Arts District. The entrance is a little unassuming ( a total hidden gem of Los Angeles) but once you walk up the flight of stairs, you are met with the most beautiful patio. All of the seating is outdoors and the bar area is pretty large. La Cha Cha Cha is a famous restaurant out of Mexico City and the head chef is also from Mexico. Everything on the menu is super yummy including their steak dishes, their seafood dishes, but their Fideo is top-notch. There are also plenty of shareable dishes for you and your party. This place is perfect if you’re looking for a lush night consisting of amazing food, yummy cocktails, and a lively ambiance. After dinner there are so many places nearby to check out including, Salt & Straw, Truly LA, Arts District Brewing Co., and more. They are open from Tuesday-Thursday 5:00pm-10:00pm, Friday from 5:00pm-11:00pm, and Saturday-Sunday from 12:00pm-4:00pm for lunch and 5:00pm-10:00pm for dinner.
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La Poubelle Bistro & Bar
Location: 5907 Franklin Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Tucked right at the bottom of the Hollywood Hills off of Franklin Ave and Bronson St is the cutest little French restaurant, La Poubelle. This place is such a hidden gem, they don’t even have a website, but it does have a very cool late night in Paris neighborhood vibe to it. The candle-lit tables and the black & white silent films playing from the projector transports you to a different time in Hollywood. The walls are decorated with pictures of all your Hollywood faves that have dined there, including one of our personal faves, Britney Spears. Yup, you might dine next to someone famous! The staff is super friendly and there are always locals hanging around creating a sense of community. The menu is French style including Escargots a la Bourguignonne, Frites au Truffle, Moroccan couscous, and more. This is the perfect restaurant for a celebratory dinner whether it be a birthday or anniversary. Be sure try their tasty Espresso Martini. Make a reservation here. They are open from Tuesday-Saturday from 5:30pm-1:30am.
Bacari
Location: Multiple locations
Check out the cutest upscale casual hidden gem of Los Angeles! At first glance, Bacari looks like a hole-in-the-wall, but once you’re inside, you’ll suddenly feel like you’ve been transported to Italy. The patio is intimate and beautiful, and their menu us Italian & Mediterranean. The food is served tapas style so everything is meant to be shared, the drinks are super yummy, and the prices are reasonable. The pesto burrata is a must try, the stuffed mushrooms are to die for, and you can’t miss out on the apple pear and brie pizza! They are have multiple locations throughout LA including Silver Lake, Sherman Oaks, Glendale, DTLA, Playa del Rey, and Beverly Hills. Select a location near you and make a reservation here. They are open from Monday-Friday 5:00pm-11:30pm, Saturday-Sunday for brunch from 10:30am-2:30 and reopens for 4:00pm-1:00am for dinner.
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These hidden gem restaurants will have you rediscovering and falling in love with LA all over again. If you’re looking to do more exploring of LA, check out our list of cutest beach towns in LA.
