Forget the clichés. LA isn’t just sunshine, palm trees, and movie stars—it’s a sprawling patchwork of microcultures that reveal themselves as you move through the neighborhoods. Whether it’s a lingering breakfast in West Hollywood, a stroll through the Huntington Gardens in Pasadena, or dining on a shrimp tostada from Mariscos Jalisco taco truck, the real LA reveals itself in layers. Here’s where to stay, eat, and unwind in Los Angeles right now.
Where To Stay
L’Ermitage, Beverly Hills
In a tree-lined pocket of Beverly Hills, L’Ermitage feels more like a private residence than a hotel. Originally conceived as a condominium in 1975, it opened its doors a year later as America’s first all-suite luxury hotel—and quickly became a Hollywood haunt. Rod Stewart wed Alana Hamilton here. Brooke Shields celebrated her 18th birthday in one of its suites. In the ‘80s, you could bathe in Givenchy bath oil. Today, Diptyque bath products fill that role. Times evolve, but L’Ermitage’s commitment to discretion and refinement endures.
A recent design overhaul has refreshed the understated glamour that the hotel is known for and elevated the experiences. A new rooftop pool, lounge, and dining spot provide panoramic vistas of the city, from the Pacific to Downtown LA. Lobby lounge Alcova is styled like the living room of someone impossibly chic. Order a drink from the mobile Negroni cart, and you’ll understand why Hollywood agents tend to linger here. As the story goes, The Godfather, The Graduate, and Good Will Hunting were all penned at the hotel bar. Costa Covo Osteria, the hotel’s Italian Riviera-inspired restaurant, is helmed by Executive Chef Todd Matthews and swaps bland hotel dining for bold glamour—gleaming ceilings, sculpted columns, and pops of rich velvet that feel more like a film star’s private salon than a restaurant.
For those chasing a glow-up, the spa offerings are as elevated as the zip code: Ricari Studios for sculptural bodywork, Joanna Czech for next-level facials, and Alon Shalom for emergency styling that looks effortless.
Where to Drink and Dine
Dinner at Ysabel
There’s a reason Ysabel keeps popping up on everyone’s “must” list. Tucked off Fairfax, it’s moody and glamorous, with tiled courtyards, dramatic lighting, and a playlist that slides from indie to soul to ambient electronica without missing a beat. The crowd skews stylish, the cocktails are clean and bold, and the seasonal menu—from oysters to housemade pasta—hits the right note. Book early for one of the coveted tables under the olive trees.
Written Hand, Hollywood
Inside the Kimpton Hotel Everly, this cocktail bar is a bit of a sleeper hit. Written Hand feels airy and unassuming, making it perfect for a pre-show drink before the Pantages Theatre or a soft launch into your LA night. The bar program leans inventive without being precious—think housemade tinctures, seasonal syrups, and a reverence for balance. Standout cocktails include The Freezer Martini, an updated classic served with vila nova vinho verde and pickles. Try it dirty by adding olives and pickled lemon peel; and the Grappa Negroni, a twist on the Italian classic with the addition of Grappa stirred with toasted dry pasta. It’s the kind of place that values good lighting, thoughtful pours, and a bar team that knows what they’re doing.
A.O.C. Wine Bar, West Hollywood
Chef Suzanne Goin and wine director Caroline Styne created A.O.C. before “small plates” became a thing. The vibe is casual-rustic meets low-key luxe: think wood-fired everything, a courtyard with a fireplace, and a wine list that doesn’t miss. Come for the late lunch that turns into a second glass of wine that turns into dinner.
République, La Brea
Inside a gorgeous 1929 building once owned by Charlie Chaplin, République is a bakery by morning, brasserie by night, and a love letter to LA’s layered culinary identity all day long. The menu riffs on classic French technique but plays with California produce and global flavors. Order the baguette with Rodolphe Le Meunier butter and pan drippings. Trust us. And yes, they’re spinning The Clash, Led Zeppelin, and Foreigner in the background.
Breakfast at Joan’s on Third, West Hollywood
Part café, part market, part West Hollywood institution. Joan’s is the kind of place where locals grab soft scrambled eggs and out-of-towners stock up on truffle popcorn and tins of Ortiz anchovies. It’s also the perfect pit stop before a day at Griffith Park or a drive up the coast. A luxury picnic, sorted.
What To Do
It starts with a tram ride through the hills above Brentwood, and just gets better. The Getty is one of LA’s most immersive art experiences—and one of its best views. Architect Richard Meier’s travertine-clad buildings house masterworks, but the real secret is the Central Garden by artist Robert Irwin. It’s a living installation you can walk through, sit in, and absorb with a glass of wine in hand. Don’t sleep on the gift shop — a thoughtfully curated mix of art books, design objects, and architectural souvenirs.
Museum Row’s anchor, LACMA is a cultural deep dive spanning millennia. There’s always a buzzy new exhibition, but the classics—Urban Light, the sculpture garden, the Japanese pavilion—are worth returning to. Post-renovation, it’ll be even better. LACMA runs free docent‑led tours most days the museum is open, covering everything from sweeping exhibitions to single standout pieces. You can grab lunch at one of the daily featured food trucks, so there’s always something fresh waiting when you need it. Seating is casual and limited (first‑come, first‑served).
The Original Farmers Market at 3rd & Fairfax
Since 1934, the Original Farmers Market has been the neighborhood’s unofficial town square—a place where locals shop for produce and fresh bread, tourists wander through old-school stalls, and chefs pick up obscure spices between services. But this isn’t your average farmers market. It’s a permanent open-air market with nearly 100 vendors ranging from global food counters to gourmet groceries and specialty shops.
Whether you’re grabbing lunch, shopping for picnic supplies, or people-watching with a cold drink in hand, the market’s charm lies in its unpredictability—and its hits.
Where to Start:
- Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market & Bistro: Part fine grocer, part wine bar, part French café, Monsieur Marcel is where you go when you want to feel like you’re in Provence without leaving Fairfax. Pick up French cheeses, cornichons, and a crusty baguette—or sit down for a glass of Sancerre and a Niçoise salad under the striped awning.
- Ettore Vino e Cucina: A newer addition to the market, Ettore brings an Italian wine bar sensibility to the scene, with a rotating list of natural wines by the glass, Aperol spritzes, and rustic bites like porchetta paninis and ricotta-stuffed squash blossoms. It’s the kind of place where one drink turns into two, and suddenly it’s golden hour.
- Kaylin + Kaylin Pickles: This boutique pickle shop is a sensory experience. The pickles come in unexpected flavors—Jalapeño, Honey Mustard, even Spicy Dill—and you can sample before you commit. Perfect for bringing a little crunch to your LA snack game.
- Nonna’s Empanadas: Come hungry and get more than one. These oversized Argentine-style empanadas are freshly baked and packed with everything from beef chimichurri to mac and cheese. Portable, hearty, and wildly satisfying.
Beyond those standouts, you’ll find everything from hand-pulled noodles and Brazilian grilled meats to gourmet doughnuts, vintage candy, horchata lattes, and every hot sauce imaginable.
Luckyscent / Scent Bar, West Hollywood
One way to capture a travel experience is with scent. Luckyscent, the boutique perfume retailer known for its unparalleled variety of niche fragrances, has a location on Beverly Blvd in West Hollywood so you can find your perfect scent right in the neighborhood (they also have locations in DTLA and New York City). The knowledgeable staff demystifies the fragrance experience, and even if you’re a seasoned collector, you’ll undoubtedly find something new and different at the Scent Bar.
DTLA Deep Dive
Downtown LA is where the city’s contradictions shine: grand and gritty, polished and patinaed. Skip the big arena shows and take yourself on a walking tour. Take note of the incredible architecture as you wander.
A contemporary art museum known for its striking architecture and impressive collection. Explore works by iconic artists like Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. Don’t miss the Infinity Mirrored Room for a truly mesmerizing experience.
- Angel’s Flight
Take a ride on Angel’s Flight, the historic funicular railway transporting Angelenos since 1901 and featured in many films and television shows. This short but scenic trip offers a unique city view and drops you right at Grand Central Market.
Grand Central Market isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to wander, graze, and take in a century of Los Angeles history through your taste buds. Since 1917, this downtown landmark has been a gathering spot for generations of Angelenos—from immigrants and entrepreneurs to artists and office workers. Housed on the ground floor of the historic Homer Laughlin Building, it has evolved from an early 20th-century public market into one of the city’s most dynamic culinary hubs. Hit Bastion Bakery for pastries that are the stuff of legend, Sticky Rice for Thai comfort food, Eggslut for The Slut—a soft-cooked egg nestled in potato purée, coddled in a glass jar, and served with baguette slices, and finish it off with a glass of natural wine or a spritz at Ettore.
Part bookstore, part art installation, this labyrinth of literature is a sensory experience—complete with a vinyl section, tunnel of books, and a sense that time slows down here. Grab something for the plane or your poolside afternoon back at the hotel.
