Have you ever been to a viral lunch spot that covered all social media platforms, just to find out that it most definitely did not live up to the hype? Unfortunately, I have been there, done that. Luckily for all of us, I have tried a multitude of distinct and diverse restaurants all over LA and have composed a list of a few of the best ones that I believe are worthy to be your new favorite lunch spots.
1.Matsuhisa – Beverly Hills
The blueprint of Nobu, Matsuhisa is located on “Restaurant Row” right off of La Cienega and within Beverly Hills. Created by Chef Nobu Matsuhisa himself, the restaurant boasts a large array of Japanese-Peruvian fusion, offering the signature dishes of black cod with miso, yellowtail jalapeno, and of course the famous crispy rice with spicy tuna. Next time you are in Beverly Hills, I would highly recommend visiting the humbler, hole-in-the-wall older brother of Nobu for a spectacular, toothsome lunch from 11:45 am to 2:15 pm.
- Great White – West Hollywood
Great White is the definition of a picturesque lunch spot. With a beautiful pink exterior and Belgian tiling on the interior, Great White holds a special place in the Instagram stories of LA girls. After partaking in a few purchases at Madhappy and shooting a couple pictures at the Paul Smith Pink Wall just down the street, I would suggest you indulge in a delectable lunch at Great White. Personally, my favorite dishes are the steak frites and the margarita pizza; however a little birdy told me (a few actually) that the tuna tostada and chicken kebab are just as good, if not better. I do have to warn you that, unfortunately, Great White attracts all people from over LA, especially in the summer, so I would warn you to book a reservation ahead of time to save yourself from a huge headache and a long line.
- Dan Modern Chinese – Sawtelle
Okay so I lied, maybe not all viral lunch spots are awful. In my defense, Dan Modern Chinese is an exception, living up the raving views of all people all over LA. Despite the restaurant having a modern, colorless exterior, Dan Modern Chinese has a huge menu with delectable dishes that make up for the plain structure. You should also not forget the generosity of Dan Modern Chinese, as the restaurant offers many promising deals during the holidays. Recently, Dan Modern Chinese has offered every diner who visited during Lunar New Year a red envelope that held up to $100 in credit. What a gift! Touching back on the tasty plates, Dan Modern Chinese has some of the most comforting soup dumplings, crunchiest cucumber salads, and of course, the most exquisite, thick noodles that are made in-house and never fail to disappoint. In my opinion, Dan Modern Chinese is one of the best Chinese restaurants in Los Angeles that will never fail to serve you comforting, consistent Chinese food.
Overall, navigating the lunch spots of LA can be really overwhelming because of how large and vast the LA restaurant market is. It can be super difficult picking a restaurant when there are influencer-praised spots, Michelin rated restaurants, and authentic mom and pop, local businesses. This list that I have created serves as a few of the best lunch spots LA has to offer and will always be here if you need a few classics that you can always come back to.