The 99 Most Iconic Dishes in Los Angeles

You might think you’ve tried them all. You haven’t.
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If you’re a true foodie, you will know many of these. The Godmother from Bay Cities. The Chopped Salad from La Scala. The Prime Rib from Lawry’s. Beautifully perennial classics that are quintessentially Los Angeles. We can all agree on this.

BUT!

The internal fighting about what made it to the final 100 was heated and brutal. Creating a list like this was a constant battlefield, because we had to dig deep and figure out what “iconic” really means. Is it just something all of us like and keep coming back to? Does it have to be truly delicious? Can we include chains, or are we selling our souls? In any case, whether you’ve lived in Los Angeles for years, or you just arrived with a suitcase and a dream, these dishes, truly, should all be enjoyed at least once in your life. In no particular order…

1. French Dip Sandwich, Philippe’s

Chinatown

2. Mediterranean Gem Salad, Sycamore Kitchen

Fairfax

A photo posted by Akiko Fujita (@akikofujita) on

3. Pho, Golden Deli

Alhambra (temporarily closed until Feb 4)

4. Chicken Noodle Soup, Greenblatt’s Deli

West Hollywood

https://www.instagram.com/p/BEH_MsiuUsT/

5. Ice Cream Sandwich, Diddy Riese

Westwood

6. Green Tea Matcha Latte, Urth Caffe

Multiple Locations

https://www.instagram.com/p/B1e1r5GjXHE/

8. Edible Espresso Cup, Alfred Coffee

Multiple Locations

A photo posted by Alfred Coffee (@alfred) on

9. Macaron from Bottega Louie

Downtown L.A.

10. Seasonal Strawberry Donut, The Donut Man

Glendora

11. Animal Style Fries, In-N-Out

Multiple Locations

 

A photo posted by carol chow (@studiolittlec) on

12. Classic Chili Cheese Dog, Pink’s

West Hollywood

A photo posted by Ralph Yu (@wewillrapyu) on

13. Sweet Potato Tacos, Guerilla Tacos

Food Truck, check site for locations

A photo posted by Lucky Peach (@luckypeach) on

14. The Office Burger, Father’s Office

Santa Monica & Culver City

A photo posted by Edward Park (@edparkvp) on

15. Shrimp Tacos, Mariscos Jalisco

Boyle Heights

16. Short Rib Tacos, Kogi

Food Truck, check site for locations

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqdcyoVhJ3H/

17. The Hollenbeck Burrito, El Tepeyac Cafe

East LA

 

18. The Rattlesnake and Rabbit Bratwurst, Wurstküche

Venice & DTLA

https://www.instagram.com/p/BfwUOW1l-WA/

19. The Original #19, Langer’s Deli

MacArthur Park

20. The Fairfax, Eggslut

Grand Central Market (DTLA), Venice & Glendale

A photo posted by eggslut (@eggslut) on

21. Red Velvet Froyo, Yogurt Stop

West Hollywood

22. Bacon Wrapped Street Dog, Streets of L.A.

Various Locations

A photo posted by Sarah (@awayfromthebox) on

23. Mexican Hot Chocolate, Cacao Mexicatessen

Eagle Rock

A photo posted by Jackie (@jackie_attackie) on

24. Chirashi Lunch Special, Sushi Gen

Little Tokyo/DTLA

25. Sweet Potato Fries (with peach ketchup), Plan Check

Multiple Locations

26. Rice Krispy Treat Cookies, Stella Barra

Santa Monica & Hollywood

A photo posted by Chef Jeff Mahin (@jmahin) on

27. Pastrami Sandwich, Canter’s Deli

Fairfax

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrvlQFlBq_z/

28. Twist Cone, CVT Soft Serve

Food Truck, Check their twitter for location

29. Chocolate Lava Cake, Chart House

Marina Del Rey & Redondo Beach

A photo posted by Lindsey (@lindsrucks) on

30. The #9 (aka Obama Special), Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles

Hollywood, Pasadena, Inglewood, & Anaheim

31. Banana Cream Pie, The Apple Pan

Santa Monica

32. Matzo Ball Soup from Canter’s Deli

West Hollywood

A photo posted by Brittany (@workitberk) on

33. White Pizza with Ricotta and Pesto, Vito’s

West Hollywood

34. The LA Woman Pizza, Jon & Vinny’s

Fairfax

35. The Flaming Margarita, El Compadre

Hollywood

A photo posted by Indira Smith (@indysmith07) on

36. Carne Tacos, La Estrella

Highland Park

A photo posted by Jessica Karina (@chesskaa) on

 

37. Fennel Sausage Pizza, Pizzeria Mozza

Hancock Park

A photo posted by Cristina Z (@cristina.eats) on

38. The Ten-Pound Pancakes, The Pantry

Downtown

A photo posted by Mariela (@wikkedanghel) on

39. Plain Cake Donut, Bob’s Coffee & Donuts

Beverly Grove

40. Spicy Godmother, Bay Cities

Santa Monica

 

A photo posted by The Infatuation (@infatuation) on

41. Galbi, Soot Bull Jeep

Koreatown

42. Soup Dumplings, Din Tai Fung

Multiple Locations

A photo posted by Andrea Lim (@paeyling) on

43. Tarna Wrap, Zankou

Multiple Locations

44. Vegan Cookie Dough, The Bigg Chill

West LA

45. Guava Cheese Pastry, Porto’s

Burbank, Glendale & Downey

46. Original Chopped Salad, La Scala

Beverly Hills & Brentwood

47. Chicken Shawarma Baguette Sandwich, Falafel Arax

Glendale & Hollywood

48. Trust Me, Sugarfish

Multiple Locations

https://www.instagram.com/p/BixMgnOg5Jv/

49. Charcuterie Board, Bestia

Arts District 

50. Flannel Cakes, Musso & Frank

Hollywood

 

51. Crispy Rice Salad (“Kabbouleh”), Sqirl

East LA

A photo posted by Oriane 26. (@orrriane) on

 

52. Guanciale Pizza, Sotto

Beverly Hills

 

53. The Umami Burger, Umami Burger

Multiple Locations

A photo posted by Umami Burger (@umamiburger) on

54. Slippery Shrimp, Yang Chow

Chinatown, Canoga Park & Pasadena

55. Pastrami Breakfast Burrito, Cofax

Fairfax

A photo posted by Cofax Coffee (@cofaxcoffee) on

56. Fish Taco, Ricky’s Fish Tacos

Food Truck, Check their twitter for locations

57. Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Katsu-Ya

Studio City, Encino, Northridge & Woodland Hills

58. The Ugly Bunch, Providence

Hollywood

59. Butterscotch Budino, Pizzeria Mozza

Hancock Park

60. Table-side Caesar, The Dal Rae

Pico Rivera

61. Chicken Parm, Dan Tana’s

West Hollywood

A photo posted by @coupleoffoodies on

62. Nachos, El Cholo

Multiple Locations

A photo posted by LA NACHO GUY (@lanachoguy) on

63. Fried Eggplant Pizza, Casa Bianca Pizza Pie

Eagle Rock

A photo posted by @decaffionata on

64. Rum Cake, Eagle Rock Italian Bakery

Eagle Rock

65. Tuna Tartare, Chaya

DTLA

66. Artichoke Oysters, Crossroads Kitchen

Beverly Grove

67. Blum’s Coffee Crunch Cake, Valerie Confections

DTLA

A photo posted by Andy Ayson (@andyayson) on

68. Dutch Baby Pancake, Original Pancake House

Multiple Locations

A photo posted by Craig N (@sobaycraig) on

69. Fried Chicken, Pann’s

Inglewood

A post shared by Gilliane (@gilliane_ium) on

70. Lemon Lavender Ice Cream, Atticus Creamery & Pies

West LA

A photo posted by Anna (Wong) Hsu (@annawhsu) on

71. Big Boy Combo, Bob’s Big Boy

Multiple Locations

72. Aunt Angie’s Lasagna, Miceli’s

Hollywood & Universal City

73. Garlic Knot, Milo & Olive

Santa Monica

74. Bacon Chocolate Crunch Bar, Animal

West Hollywood

75. Noorook, Baroo

Hollywood

76. French Omelette, Petit Trois

Hollywood

A photo posted by Petit Trois (@petittroisla) on

78. Porchetta Melt at Gjusta

Venice

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsRH00gMK5/

78. Focaccia di Recco, Chi Spacca

Hancock Park

A photo posted by chi SPACCA (@chispacca) on

79. Lobster Bolognese, Mélisse

Santa Monica

A photo posted by Kat Eats LA (@kateatsla) on

80. Sushi Burrito, Jogasaki

Food Truck, check site for location

81. Prime Rib, Lawry’s

Beverly Hills

82. Dover Sole, South Beverly Grill

Beverly Hills

83. McCarthy Salad, The Polo Lounge

The Beverly Hills Hotel

84. Green Lasagna, Angelini Osteria

Fairfax

85. Osso Buco, Ago

West Hollywood

86. Martini, Musso & Frank Grill

Hollywood

87. Green Corn Tamales, El Cholo

Multiple Locations

https://www.instagram.com/p/BiPuGVVnsyo/

88. Honey Truffle Chicken, Craig’s

West Hollywood

89. Hickoryburger, The Apple Pan

Santa Monica

90. Banana Bread Pudding, Magnolia Bakery

Fairfax

A photo posted by @maryannefood on

91. Burrata/Mozzarella Bar, Osteria Mozza

Hancock Park

https://www.instagram.com/p/BpX9-K0HDsO/

92. Pregnancy Salad, Caioti

Studio City

93. Pepperoni Pizza, Casa Bianca

Eagle Rock

94. Beef Combo, Magal Korean BBQ

Koreatown

95. Baseball Steak, Pacific Dining Car

DTLA & Santa Monica

96. Smoked Salmon Pizza, Spago

Beverly Hills

97. Berry Cake, Sweet Lady Jane

West Hollywood, Encino, & Santa Monica

98. Spicy Miso Ramen, Daikokuya Ramen

Little Tokyo

99. Cheeseburger, Pie N’ Burger

Pasadena

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