1. Cafe Dulce:
Café Dulce is a little gem nestled right in the heart of Little Tokyo, but don’t let its quiet exterior fool you. Café Dulce serves various pastries and treats, like Fruity Pebbles Donuts, mini cream puffs, strawberry jelly donuts, and bacon donuts that will have you salivating at first sight. Café Dulce also offers a wide array of teas and coffee beverages that you just won’t find at your local Starbucks. Favorite drinks include Hong Kong style milk tea, and a crowd favorite, the blueberry match green tea latte. While the idea of blueberries and green tea seems like two teeming flavors, the latte is subtly sweet and can be enjoyed either hot or iced.
2. Pizzanista
A good friend of mine told me about Pizzanista in Downtown L.A. Without a doubt, Pizzanista has some of the best pizza in Los Angeles, either by the slice or whole if you’re feeling gluttonous (or just extra hungry). In addition to the traditional pizzas like cheese, pepperoni, and margherita, Pizzanista also has the ever-popular macaroni pizza (only available on Sundays) as well as various vegan pizzas to choose from.
3. Native Foods Café
While kale and other unidentifiable leafy greens may come into mind when hearing the word “vegan,” be prepared to abandon all previous notions of what you thought veganism entails, because really, it’s just a whole bunch of good food. With various locations in the Los Angeles area like Santa Monica, Culver City, and Westwood, Native Foods serves up delicious and healthy vegan food that will have you continuously pondering the following question: How is this vegan? Recommended dishes from Native Foods include the meatball sub, chili cheese fries, Native nachos, Portobello and sausage burger, and the taco salad. Enjoy with a refreshing lavender lemonade, watermelon agua fresca, and other seasonal beverages. And because eating vegan naturally means that you can eat more, finish with a peanut butter parfait.
4. Bottega Louie
Bottega Louie is probably best known for the ubiquitous Instagram pictures of their almost too pretty to eat macaroons. Bottega Louie however, is more than it’s beautiful exterior and aesthetic appeal. While the food is on the pricy side, a holiday indulgence or post-finals sustenance will inevitably be in order for. Bottega Louie has everything from pizza, pasta, salad, to burgers, mac and cheese, and brunch. Fun drinks and desserts like Italian Soda, coffee and tea, as well as beignets served with raspberry compote, crème brulee, éclairs, and giant macaroons are just some of the many items to choose from.
5. Korean Kitchen Hibachi BBQ
Although it may seem strange that there is a Korean BBQ restaurant in Little Tokyo, do not let the context and location fool you. This Korean BBQ joint has great food like chicken or beef BBQ and a nice and friendly staff.
6. Guisados
Guisados started off as a taco joint in Boyle Heights, and now has locations in West Hollywood and Downtown L.A. Guisados has some of the best tacos in Los Angeles, like chorizo, shrimp, mushroom, and chicken among others. But perhaps the best thing about Guisados is its amazing Horchata that was voted best horchata by LA Mag. The horchata is creamy, and the ample amount of cinnamon added makes for a delicious and refreshing beverage.