A guide to Miracle Mile

Built in 1929, the building first served as Charlie Chaplin's office, then the birthplace of LA's beloved Campanile and, after Campanile shuttered, La Brea Bakery. Yet while history certainly plays a part—the importance of a quality bakery has been carried forward—République is a refreshing addition to LA's French bistro scene. Some preliminary advice: Should the phrase "Hold the bread, please" cross your mind, hold your tongue instead—the freshly baked breads and pastries, as well as the charcuterie and cheese choices, are phenomenal.

The sleek outdoor Stark Bar resides next to its sister restaurant Ray's at LACMA. Given its 1960s-style aesthetic, Don Draper would feel right at home ordering his signature Old-Fashioned, or, if he felt so inclined, a creative cocktail from the impressive drink menu. To nibble, you'll find a smaller, simpler menu of Ray's Mediterranean-esque food—head next door if you're looking for a full course.

Nancy Silverton is credited with single-handedly introducing Angelenos to the joys of the fresh, flavorsome loaf. In the two-plus decades since her store opened, she's become a household name and her store has grown into an international operation. The bakery's newest home on the corner of La Brea and 6th Street is larger than ever, with plenty of space to munch on turkey avocado sandwiches followed by arguably one of LA's best chocolate chip cookies.

Open since 1936, Tom Bergin's Public House has been gracing us with their exceptional Irish coffee and all around excellence for nearly 80 years, serving as a gathering place for the neighborhood—and for those who have to travel a little farther to get a taste of the homeland. Owner Derek Schreck and beverage director Brandi Boles have revamped the place with modern updates, an elevated menu and a creative cocktail list.

Molly Malone's has been brewing up its own little pint of Dublin in LA since 1969, and showcasing musical talent (and a great beer list) every step of the way. Rock, Irish folk, country—the lineup spans the genre gamut, and with Molly's stellar acoustics, it's one of LA's better pubs for catching a show. True, the menu sometimes reads as less than traditional—ask for O'Brien Fries and you'll get a plate of French—but the Kildare Hot Corned Beef Sandwich is as Irish as they come.

One of the city's best bakeries is an unexpected hit inside LACMA. C+M is Coffee + Milk, which they have along with nostalgic throwbacks like pop tarts and Oreo cookies. You won't find ordinary retro favorites; instead, Intelligentsia is served with Clover milk and must-try handheld pies are buttery and refined. There's also hand-blended milkshakes—adults can request theirs spiked—and one of the best chocolate chip cookies around.

Cookies abound at Milk Jar Cookies, where baking from scratch in small batches is the standard. Favorite standbys (read: the chocolate chip variety) get spiced up alongside seasonal flavors like chocolate-covered banana, birthday cookie or peppermint candy cane. Pair your treat with a glass of milk from Broguiere's Dairy or a cup of joe from Handsome Roasters.

Whether you're a veteran LACMA goer or first-timer, this museum gift shop thoroughly blurs the lines between want and need-right-now. Sure, the prices are a bit steep, but with selections like stationery, posters, books and other trinkets outfitted in prints from the latest exhibition, it's like you're taking a piece of the museum home with you (a tangible souvenir alongside your candid Urban Light lamp posts pic).

Dubbed one of LA's best kept secrets, Liz's Antique Hardware is equal parts fine art gallery and equal parts antique haven. The top level of this unsuspecting gallery space, the Loft at Liz's, is home to contemporary works of both emerging and established artists and artisans, while the first level serves up a treasure trove of furnishings, light fixtures, cabinet knobs and more. Shop contemporary and antique items from a range of styles including Art Deco, Midcentury, Victorian and more.

Housed in a 1920s warehouse, Desiree Kohan's eponymous boutique is chock-full of sought-after labels and emerging designer tags like Helmut Lang, Azzedine Alaia, Sophia Kokosalaki and Juan Carlos Obando. It's no wonder the airy outpost has become a cult favorite among LA's well-heeled. Thumb through on-trend tops, dresses, rompers, jackets—you name it, as well as coveted leather handbags, accessories, jewelry, home goods and more.

This isn't your average beauty supply store. A staple fixture in LA's beauty scene since 1947, this family-run cosmetics shop offers a curated mix of American, European and Japanese skincare and beauty products exclusive to the store. Helmed by neighboring boutique owner Desiree Kohan (of Des Kohan) and her family, Wilshire Beauty stocks top-of-the-line brands including Dermalogica, Yonka, Caudalie, Ojon, the Thymes, Voluspa, Bliss, Bare Escentuals, Stila, the Art of Shaving and the like.

Bordering LA's Miracle Mile, LA Premier Flowers serves up a medley of plush bouquets, custom arrangements and event services for your forthcoming flower-filled affair. Don't be fooled by the small size of this unsuspecting shop. This blooming outpost has dished out stunning arrangements for the most sought-after events in town: the Grammy Awards, the Oscars, the Emmy Awards Governors Ball, celebrity weddings—you name it.

This neighborhood toy haven caters to your inner child with more at-home games, building Legos, dolls and toy cars than you'll know what to do with. A hidden gem in the heart of Miracle Mile, the specialty shop stocks unique and hard-to-find collectibles, as well as staples in the toy chest like rainy day puzzles, stuffed animals, costumes, toy trains and eco-dough.