West LA
Establishment
neighborhood
Dan the Man’s Superkids (Closed)
2347 Pontius Ave., West LA
This kids’ gym offers gymnastics classes for a range of age groups—beginning with the Jump Starters class for twelve-month-olds and expanding into more-advanced courses for tweens up to twelve. With current COVID restrictions in place, Dan the Man has gone virtual with a series of instructor-led warm-ups, gymnastics, and movement classes for children, from toddlers to kids ages five and older. Set up a cushioned space, press play, and let them work off their energy in the safety of home.
Childrens’ Book World
10580 W. Pico Blvd., West LA
Boasting 80,000+ children's books, this is a local siren song for any kiddo who likes to read—from board books for the under 2 set, to more involved chapter books for pre-teens.
Tsujita LA
2057 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA
This L.A. outpost of a popular Japanese restaurant is somewhat of a mecca for noodle snobs: Made all the more elusive because Tsujita only serves their artisanal ramens at lunch (come dinner, it’s traditional Japanese fare). Fortunately, they just opened an Annex on the opposite side of Sawtelle, where you can get bowls of Tsukemen-style ramen all day long.
The Apple Pan
10801 W. Pico Blvd., West LA
This Los Angeles classic is still staffed by many of the same people who worked the U-shaped counter when we were kids: It's a stand-by for great reason. The menu is edited, the paper-wrapped burgers are no-frills and excellent, and the pie always comes à la mode.
Hamasaku
11043 Santa Monica Blvd., West LA
Where East meets West. And by that we mean that its central location—right off the 405—makes it an excellent meeting point for friends from opposite sides of town. It’s also where sushi purists and California Roll enthusiasts can dine at the same table. There’s an extensive menu of cooked dishes, along with the whimsically-named rolls like Green Dragon.
Yamakase (Closed)
11678 W. Olympic Blvd., West LA
Once you've made the cut (apply online), you'll receive directions to an unmarked location where the door is not only closed, it's locked. Knock and they'll verify your identity and finally lead you into Chef Yama's 15 seat domain. He's behind the bar using his mad knife skills to immerse you in an omakase/Japanese small dish excursion of Olympic proportions. In around four hours, there are 24 courses to sample—all delicious: Some recognizable, some not, but it's worth being adventurous (Chef Yama famously went down a few years back for serving whale). It's BYOB so bring sake to share between your crew and Chef Yama.
Top Tier Treats
11511 W. Pico Blvd., West LA
Formerly known as Jamaica Cakes, this unassuming little bakery on Pico cranks out some of the most jaw-droppingly elaborate, Food Network-worthy cakes we've ever seen. While not quite as festive as the multi-tiered creations, the cookies, pies, and cupcakes are just as delicious.
Nong La
2055 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA
Considering Nong La’s immense popularity, it’s easy to forget that it’s actually a small, family-run operation. It started with brother-and-sister duo, Elaine and Victor Phuong, and their mom Khanh Phan, who sourced family recipes and adapted them into a perfect menu of Vietnamese banh mi, egg-topped fried rice, and a light, flavorful pho that you can customize to your liking. The new La Brea location is just a smidge fancier than the Sawtelle original but the menu is for the most part identical. Tip: Treat yourself to a glass of the homemade passion fruit iced tea—it’s delicious and just sweet enough to constitute as dessert. A new location just opened on La Brea.
Honeymee Ice Cream
11301 W. Olympic Blvd., West LA
While there’s no dearth of ice cream shops in LA, somehow quality soft-serve is still difficult to get a hold of. Honey Mee not only fills the hole in the market but it does so in a way that’s just a little bit healthier.
Plan Check
1800 Sawtelle Blvd., West LA
COVID-19 Update: Open for pickup.
Plan Check is primarily known for the Plan Check Burger (PCB), which pairs a juicy patty with their signature ketchup leather (it’s like ketchup-flavored fruit leather). With the burger hogging the spotlight, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the restaurant also serves what’s arguably one of the best fried chicken sandwiches in the city. The secret is that they cold smoke and brine the chicken before it’s fried—the perfectly crispy, flavorful result is served with pimento cheese, duck breast ham, and crunchy pickles. There are two other locations, on Fairfax and Downtown.
COVID-19 Disclaimer: We are working hard to keep our listings as up to date as possible (deliveries, outdoor dining, etc.), but given the evolving nature of local COVID-19 restrictions, we recommend double-checking the information in this guide with any business you plan on visiting. Also, please note that we have not vetted any businesses listed within our guides for their compliance with applicable safety regulations.