After a long day, nothing beats a delightful meal with the right ambiance and the right style. If you haven’t ventured out to Silver Lake, well, what are you waiting for. It’s a foodie’s paradise! Although it’s famous for indie music, art installations, and thehipster population, there are tons of hidden gem restaurants waiting to be discovered in this quaint neighborhood on Sunset blvd too. And when the weather is good, the outdoor dining experiences are unforgettable. Keep scrolling to find out the Silver Lake restaurants you’ll find us at.
Bacari Silverlake
Location: 3626 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Nestled just off Sunset Blvd, Bacari Silverlake feels like a forest oasis in the city, offering Venetian tapas, fine wines, and craft beers every night of the week. After this Silver Lake restaurant was renovated in 2021, every seat in the house is surrounded by trees and gardens. Referred to as ‘The Treehouse’, their main dining room features layers of tables wrapped around an expansive southern live oak. Also, Edison bulb string lights create the coziest environment for brunch, happy hour, or dinner. One of our favorite things about Bacari is that it can be dressed up or down, depending on your vibe. If you need a chill night with friends, sip craft IPA’s around a fire pit with 2-3 of your best friends and enjoy an asian pear pizza. Or if you’re planning a romantic evening, order pan-seared sea bass and Central Coast albariñ0 in their speakeasy-like lounge.
Pro-Tip: For only $32/a person, they hve a 90-minute open bar with unlimited wine, beer, and sangria. Super sweet deal if you ask us.
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Ceviche Project
Location: 2524 1/2 Hyperion Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90027
The best Ceviche in Silver Lake is the definition of a hidden gem. Just a mile off Sunset, Ceviche Project is wedged between a lymphatic draining clinic and ‘K-9 Tubs’ (pet groomer). With its building painted barney-purple, you’d never expect to find upscale dining here. But once you step inside, you will see that the dining experience is another story. The layout of this restaurant feels like the Ceviche it serves: compact, crisp, clean, and bursting with flavor. Expectedly, the Silver Lake restaurant delivers on bright tastes within a refreshed, intimate environment. We loved their mayan octopus and shrimp tostada, but we dreamt of their fresh oysters for days. Their standalone dish has to be the scallop shooter (with uni for an extra $3). It’s creamy, delicious, and adorned with tangerine and pomegranate, giving a touch of tang. Not to mention, they garnish and present their beautifully decorated courses with precision and elegance. So, it’s safe to say that the unassuming Ceviche Project is one of LA’s most hidden gems.
Pro-Tip: This isn’t the place for a big group (only 28 seats!), but it’s ideal for a date or catch-up with a close friend.
The Black Cat
Location: 3909 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Soak up civil rights history (over a drink or two!) at The Black Cat in Silver Lake. This moody restaurant slash gastropub offers upscale bar bites and ornate cocktails in a venue that was home to the first LGBTQ civil rights demonstration in February of 1967. The Black Cat continues to serve marginalized communities with pride. They are now honored as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. Its alluring history compliments their mid-century dining room. A long black bar echos sleekness throughout the restaurant, advertising their ambitious cocktail program to patrons and pedestrians alike. For a comprehensive dining experience, grab a table in the lounge. One of their attentive servers will recommend plates like the chicken liver toast and will probably offer one of their boozy ‘mules’, made with ultra-zesty lime and a pop of ginger.
Pro-Tip:If you snag a late-night reservation, put your order in early! The kitchen closes at midnight.
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Azizam
Location: 2943 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Azizam (meaning “my dear” in farsi) is the neighborhood Persian Silver Lake restaurant that you’d be willing to walk through rain, shine, or snow for. Granted, we don’t get much rain or snow around here. But one thing we see even less than cold weather in Los Angeles, is authentic Iranian cooking…especially on the east side. Azizam serves familiar Persian fare like maast o mousir (yogurt dip), with homemade flatbread in a fast-casual, industrial environment. Their adorable pastel-colored chairs and lush plants warm up this cool and understated space. Plus, their friendly service makes the restaurant feel even more sunny than it could.
Pro-Tip: If you don’t have time to take a seat, Azizam tastes great as a to-go order.
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La Pharmacie Du Vin
Location: 3926 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029
Disguised as a glamorous, European wine bar, this beloved french Silver Lake restaurant offers the light bites and the right sips for a delightful afternoon with friends. But also, the romance of their rose garden, fine wines, and french design overwhelms La Pharmacie Du Vin with date night potential. Resembling a Marseille villa, this restaurant is blooming with rose bushes, feeling like a hidden escape to France. Although the menu is limited to salads, sandwiches, and charcuterie, you will be flooded with hearty-enough portions to take home with. In fact, they serve one of our favorite niçoises in LA. The classic salad pairs beautifully with a worldly sauvignon blanc or light bodied Gamay. And if you need to spruce up on wine knowledge, this elegant restaurant offers wine tasting classes as one-time events or month-long packages. These classes are perfect for experiencing food and wine with new people.
Pro-Tip: In the mood for a cocktail? Check out Bar Stella, next door. They share owners and it’s Reneé Rapp’s favorite bar in LA.
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For more to eat and drink around Los Angeles, check out the best wine bars in Los Angeles.
