Lunch in Los Angeles is far from an afterthought. Whether you’re stealing away from your desk, catching up with a friend, or sealing a deal, the city’s diverse neighborhoods offer an abundance of standout options for a midday break. From chic rooftop restaurants in Beverly Hills to soulful kitchens in the heart of Koreatown, we’ve rounded up the best local lunch spots across LA, West LA, San Fernando Valley, and Conejo Valley. These are the places where the food is as thoughtful as the design, and the atmosphere is just right—no matter the occasion.
Los Angeles Local Lunch Spots
Republique
Location: 624 S La Brea Ave (at W 6th St), Los Angeles, CA 90036
A daytime meal at République feels like a cross between a Parisian café and a bustling LA market. Walter and Margarita Manzke’s renowned restaurant serves a globe-trotting lunch with options like kimchi fried rice and shakshuka that highlight LA’s cultural depth. The pastries—when available—are worth planning your day around, and while you can’t make a reservation, the vibrant scene more than compensates for the wait.
Highly Likely Café
Location: 4310 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
Highly Likely wears its West Adams roots with pride, offering a low-key elegance wrapped in creative, nourishing fare. Chef Kat Turner leans into fresh produce and unfussy presentation, with dishes like the Kyoto bowl and a delicately crisp fish sandwich. Both West Adams and Highland Park locations capture a sense of community, with airy, welcoming spaces that encourage lingering over your local lunch.
HanEuem
Location: 539 S Western Ave (W 6th St), Los Angeles, CA 90020
A sleek newcomer in Koreatown, HanEuem delivers traditional Korean fare through a modern lens. Chef Wonsuk “John” Kang reinvents classics with flair—think golden pan-fried jun or raw soy-marinated shrimp with an elegant edge. Lunch diners get a 15% discount, making this refined culinary escape a rare and welcome weekday indulgence.
Botanica
Location: 1620 Silver Lake Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026
Botanica is what happens when Silver Lake’s breezy aesthetic meets meticulous, produce-driven cooking. The mezze platter and seed-crusted egg plates are as nourishing as they are beautiful, and the shakshuka sings with depth and spice. Don’t skip the cake for breakfast—it’s a slice of passionfruit-laced sunshine that feels right at home on this vibrant stretch of Silver Lake Blvd.
Westside Local Lunch Spots
Sogno Toscano Café & Wine Bar
Location: 1512 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, California 90403
A slice of Florence on Montana Avenue, Sogno Toscano pairs breezy outdoor tables with bold Italian flavors. The sandwiches served on crisp, olive oil-kissed schiacciata, are packed with imported meats and creamy cheeses. It’s easygoing and elegant, a beachside sibling to Italy’s beloved paninotecas with room to relax.
Dante Beverly Hills
Location: 11917 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Atop Wilshire with panoramic views of the hills, Dante brings New York’s aperitivo culture to Beverly Hills with a sunny California twist. Lunch is a parade of Italian staples—wood-fired pizza, fresh salads, and grilled fish—all served with breezy confidence. When the weather cooperates, there’s no better spot to toast the afternoon.
The Grill on the Alley
Location: 9560 Dayton Way (at Wilshire Blvd.), Beverly Hills, CA 90210
This enduring Beverly Hills institution channels old-school glamour with white tablecloths, leather booths, and impeccable service. It’s the kind of place where lunch can quickly turn into a business deal over a perfectly grilled steak or crisp wedge salad. Don’t miss the thick-cut bacon—it’s an unofficial signature that starts the meal on a high note.
Helms Bakery
Location: 3280 Helms Avenue, Culver City, California 90034
After years in the making, Sang Yoon’s Helms Bakery brings a playful, pick-your-path style of dining to Culver City. Start with a smoked pastrami sandwich on fresh-baked bread, or explore the globe via prepared plates with nods to gimbap and beyond. The pastry counter is irresistible, offering everything from savory croissants to glossy pies—a choose-your-own lunch adventure at its finest.
San Fernando Valley Local Lunch Spots
Tel Aviv Grill
Location: 17201 Ventura Boulevard, Encino, California 91316
Tel Aviv Grill delivers bold Israeli flavors in heaping portions meant for sharing—or not. Customize your lunch with grilled shawarma, crispy schnitzel, or spicy merguez, then load it with fresh vegetables and silky hummus. The Encino outpost hums with energy, making it a lively, filling escape from the workday.
Petit Trois
Location: 13705 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423
Petit Trois in Sherman Oaks exudes French bistro charm with a touch of LA indulgence. Chef Ludo Lefebvre’s signature omelette is a thing of legend, but the Big Mec burger—oozing with Bordelaise and melty cheese—might be the best in town. From the polished service to the buttery vichyssoise, this is lunch with a serious sense of occasion.
Pardis
Location: 738 N Glendale Ave, Glendale, CA 91206
Pardis stands out in Glendale’s vibrant Persian food scene for its inviting atmosphere and richly spiced cuisine. Fluffy saffron rice and juicy kebabs arrive alongside blistered flatbreads and fresh herbs for DIY bites. The patio, shaded and expansive, is ideal for long lunches with friends or impromptu celebrations.
Holy Basil Atwater Village
Location: 3170 Glendale Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90039
Holy Basil’s Atwater Village location builds on its Downtown cult following with bold Thai flavors and a buzzy open kitchen. Dishes like wagyu gra pow and crab fried rice pack heat, umami, and just enough indulgence to leave you swooning. It’s a tight squeeze, but worth it—the flavors punch way above the square footage.
Conejo Valley Local Lunch Spots
Selvin’s
Location: 495 N Ventu Park Rd, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320-2707
Located inside the Palm Garden Hotel, Selvin’s is an oasis of calm where California coastal cuisine takes center stage. The menu leans fresh and flavorful, with dishes that feel elevated but never fussy. Whether you’re posted up at the bar or enjoying lunch in the verdant lounge, the experience is one of laid-back luxury.
Zinqué
Location: 2809 Agoura Rd, Westlake Village, CA 91361-3218
Zinqué is equal parts café, wine bar, and community living room. The French-leaning menu moves fluidly from coffee and tartines in the morning to hearty bowls and crisp wines by midday. With live music and creative events woven into the weekly rhythm, it’s easy to spend an afternoon here and call it lunch.
Rumfish y Vino
Location: 34 N Palm St, Ste 300, Ventura, CA 93001
A culinary transplant from Belize, Rumfish y Vino brings coastal Central American flavors to Ventura with flair. The open-air patio is as much a draw as the inventive plates, which blend spice and seafood in satisfying ways. It’s a lunch spot where you can linger—and where you’ll likely want to.
Ox and Ocean
Location: 2101 Mandalay Beach Rd, Oxnard
Tucked inside Zachari Dunes, Ox & Ocean is Oxnard’s upscale answer to surfside dining. The menu is a celebration of local bounty, weaving together fresh produce and pristine seafood in dishes that shine under the California sun. Whether you’re here for a laid-back poolside lunch or a leisurely coastal meal, the vibe is quintessential SoCal.
