The 20 best things to eat (and drink) in L.A. this summer

Chef-driven, fully vegan and newly featured in the New York Times and our best ice creams list, Zen Ong’s coconut-based ice cream might be the trendiest frozen treat of the summer. Each of the tiny West Hollywood takeaway window’s rotating flavors are made with gourmet ingredients, including Valrhona chocolate, arava melon and even ripe summer mango. Unlike other plant-based ice creams, Awan’s scoops completely disguise the taste of coconut for an ultra-smooth, creamy base—the perfect blank canvas for Ong’s Indonesian-inspired flavors, seasonal produce and everything else in between.

The Godmother is a quintessential Westside dish—meaning a takeout stop at this Santa Monica deli is perfect before a long beach day (since Bay Cities closes at 6pm). Piled high with salami, mortadella, prosciutto, coppa, ham, provolone cheese, mild or spicy peppers and served on freshly baked, housemade bread, it’s a sandwich that draws lines almost every hour of the day. If you’d like to save time, order from Bay Cities’ website and pick up your fully stacked sandwich instead. You’ll find similar delivery-friendly versions ($13.50) at Uncle Paulie’s (Mid-City, Downtown, Studio City) and East Hollywood’s Ggiata ($16)—though these more centrally located, pricier options lack Bay Cities’ legacy and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

This brand-new Silver Lake pizza parlor offers South Asian-inspired takes on red sauce Italian classics, and the malai rigatoni has already become its most popular pasta dish to date. Though we personally prefer the tandoori spaghetti ($17), the rigatoni captures the hearts of most diners thanks to the tubular pasta shape generously covered in a spice-laden cream sauce that tastes like the “spicy” fusilli at Jon & Vinny’s—with the absolute flavor level turned up to 11.

Though tinned fish might get all the glory, new-school crudo is this year’s unsung seafood craze, and much of the trend can be traced back locally to this breezy no-frills eatery on Santa Monica’s Main Street. Pops of acid, spice and color brighten the typically humdrum Italian raw dish for the most unforgettable non-sushi seafood meal you’ll have in L.A. Elsewhere around town, you’ll also find a standout kampachi crudo ($16) at Cobi’s, located a few blocks down from Crudo e Nudo, and the hamachi tiradito ($21) at Downtown’s Cabra—a similar Peruvian raw fish showered in avocado, tomato and a pleasant smattering of chili crunch.

This bright pink hot dog stand at the corner of Melrose and La Brea might be the city’s most iconic frankfurter—other than the Dodger Dog, of course. The history, the simple chili dog and the wonderfully casual open-air digs make Pink’s the ideal Central L.A. pit stop for a timeless summertime snack. Make sure to peruse their paper menu full of specials named after celebrities from over the years, including Emeril Lagasse, Giada de Laurentiis and the late, great Betty White (apparently, she preferred no toppings whatsoever).

Saffy's is the newest restaurant from the folks behind Bavel and Bestia. Open as of June 1, the (relatively) casual eatery is already perpetually packed with stylish Angelenos hoping to sample Ori and Genevieve Menashe’s Middle Eastern shish kebabs and small plates. Served right on the skewer, each juicy cut of meat slides right off with the aid of a fluffy ledge of laffa—and you can’t go wrong with any of them. Elsewhere on the menu, there’s also a playful bright red cherry limeade ($16)—a dreamy adult ice cream float that’ll leave you feeling like it’s the last day of school.

Note: Yangban will be closed from June 28 to July 7—beginning July 8, the restaurant will switch to dinner-only service.

Katianna and John Hong’s gourmet deli in the Arts District offers numerous delights, but the most summery among them is their ultra-creamy soft serve, made with water buffalo milk from NorCal’s Double 8 Dairy—a fattier, sweeter alternative to cow’s milk. Korean-ish toppings ($1 each) like doenjang-infused caramel, puffed rice and chocolate injeolmi add texture and flavor to the sweet dessert—a great end to a larger meal or a refreshing treat for area locals and weekend visitors. For more straightforward Asian soft serve, head to Honeymee (Koreatown, Sawtelle, Little Tokyo, Gardena, Cerritos) to enjoy swirls of milky ice cream topped with high-quality honey ($5.25) or brown sugar boba ($5.75). 

Where else can you eat some of L.A.’s freshest seafood with a view of the ocean for under $10? Since 1972, this no-frills seafood shack has kept Malibu locals and visitors alike well-fed with crispy battered-and-fried rectangles of white fish on a bed of thick fries. At $9.95 for a one-piece meal and $14.95 for two pieces, it’s on our year-round best cheap eats list, but fish and chips feel particularly apt when summer’s in the air. For excellent, slightly pricier options closer to the city, there’s a lunch-only version ($23.70) at West L.A.’s John O’ Groats—since the beloved 40-year-old daytime spot closes at 3pm—and Joanne’s Fish and Chips ($26) at Connie and Ted’s in West Hollywood.

Ice-cold buckwheat noodles can be found all over Koreatown, but the freshly made version at Ham Hung offers a no-frills strip mall version designed for diners on the go. The noodles, made almost entirely of potato and sweet potato starch, are thin, chewy and light—the kind of refreshing summer meal that’ll help beat the heat as temperatures citywide rise well into the 90s. For another equally delicious cold noodle dish, old-school Korean barbecue joint the Corner Place offers a refreshing bowl made with wheat-based somyeon ($14.50), but it’s better enjoyed alongside a larger meal of grilled meat and banchan.

You can find good tinned fish all over the city nowadays (one of Bar Moruno’s red-hot specialties), but a good Scotch egg, like the one on offer at this buzzy new Spanish tapas bar, is much, much harder to find. If you’ve yet to experience this restaurant’s party-like atmosphere firsthand, this hefty, chorizo-stuffed creation the size of your fist is a good enough reason on its own to pay a visit. Though expensive, it’s filling enough to serve as a standalone bar snack. For a cheaper, more traditional Scotch egg, you can also find an excellent version of the dish ($13) at Market Tavern inside the Original Farmers Market, albeit in a far more laidback environ.

Buoyant threads of best-in-class udon have made this Little Tokyo specialist our favorite stop any time of the year, but hotter weather calls for Marugame Monzo’s zaru udon, a simple cold noodle dish paired with a mentsuyu dipping sauce. Upgrade to a version ($10) with a soft-boiled egg, daikon radish, tempura flakes, and scallion to add texture and heft to this dish. For those closer to the Westside, the similarly named cafeteria-style Marugame Udon provides a similar dish, the BK Udon ($5.95 for regular size), which can also be augmented with a silky hot spring egg ($1.95). The latter also has locations at the Glendale Galleria and the Bloc in Downtown L.A.

High-quality Vietnamese goi cuon is surprisingly hard to find in Los Angeles, at least outside the San Gabriel Valley. Within city limits, the version at Silver Lake’s Bé Ù is our favorite, thanks to top-notch peanut sauce, vegan-friendly protein options and chef-owner Uyen Le’s excellent lemongrass rub. There’s also a decent version ($9.95) at Mid-City’s Pho Saigon Pearl—just look for the fresh spring rolls in the menu’s starter section. Down the 405, the newly opened Sesame Dinette in Long Beach offers a vegan "shrimp" version ($9) with tiny edible flowers visible through the translucent rice paper skin.

Made fresh daily with agave wine, these boozy fruit slushies made in multiple flavors are delicious, strong as hell and the kind of transportive drink that’ll make you forget you’re still stuck in the middle of Hollywood. You’ll find more old-school iterations at the Valley icon Casa Vega ($13) and El Compadre ($16) in Echo Park, Hollywood and South L.A. but the bright yellow mango version at Todos Santos is our new favorite way to blow off steam after another long, hot week in Los Angeles.

Lobster rolls might not be native to Los Angeles, but this luxurious New England treat from the city’s best new-school seafood shack is the perfect excuse to take a drive down PCH. Add on caviar or uni ($15 each) for one of the most expensive—but delicious—beachside snacks you’ll ever have. Broad Street also pops up at Smorgasburg every Sunday, if a trip to ROW DTLA is more your thing. For an even fancier version in Los Feliz, head to the equally popular (read: always crowded) Found Oyster for their lobster bisque roll ($29), which comes topped with serrano chiles for a slight kick.

A multi-colored blend of tropical flavors and contrasting textures, this eclectic Filipino dessert is best eaten after a good stir (its name means "mix-mix" in Tagalog). Made with shaved ice, B Sweet’s comes with a dizzying mix of traditional toppings, including cornflakes, leche flan, condensed milk and coconut jellies, plus a generous scoop of bright purple ube ice cream. There’s even a vegan version ($10) made with vegan flan, condensed oat milk and dairy-free ice cream. Feeling fancy, or just live closer to Downtown? Head to Sari Sari Store in the Grand Central Market for an ultra-fruity halo-halo ($8.50) topped with seasonal shaved ice, coconut ice cream and crispy rice puffs.

We may not have a dedicated L.A. fried chicken round up at Time Out, if only because the city’s plethora of best-in-class crispy bird options span well beyond the length of your usual listicle. Our favorite spicier, chef-driven options of the moment are Culver City’s Go Go Bird and Virgil Village’s Daybird, but the milder homestyle versions at Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken in Mid-City and longstanding Dinah’s (Glendale and Westchester) always hit the spot. All four of these purveyors offer takeout-friendly buckets or meal boxes that travel well—making them ideal for summertime picnics.

If you’re a Disney adult, you probably love getting this iconic pineapple soft serve at Trader Sam's every time you’re down in Anaheim. Luckily for everyone else, you can also find this precious frozen dessert at Brian’s Shave Ice in Sherman Oaks, Tarzana and West L.A., as well as at Whipp’d LA, a Hollywood frozen yogurt shop that also offers third-party delivery. Go forth and savor this tropical treat where you can—froyo chain Menchie's purportedly also carries Dole whip, though it’s best to call your closest location in advance to confirm.

Burgers might be available all year, but there’s something about summer that makes us reach for a juicy grilled patty from one of L.A.’s finest purveyors. Newcomer Besties—from the same chef behind Todos Santos and Ronnie’s Kitchen—offers delightful, chef-driven cheeseburgers and craveable fries in Hollywood. A few miles west, fans of 76-year-old Irv’s Burgers will be able to enjoy Sonia Hong’s cult-favorite fast food after a four year closure starting Friday, July 1. For plant-based burgers, the Impossible version ($12–$15) at Monty’s (multiple locations) is hard to beat, but we personally prefer the unique housemade patties ($9–$12) at Burgerlords in Chinatown and Highland Park whenever we’re feeling veganish.

These Japanese convenience store-inspired sandos are no longer the buzzy It Thing, and that’s a good thing in our eyes—since it means the long waits at this critically acclaimed Japanese-French eatery have finally mostly subsided. Perfect for picnics, especially with Echo Park within walking distance, these delicate creations are pricey, but they’re (still) honestly worth every penny as a light gourmet snack. Opt for their iconic egg salad made with kewpie mayo and flecks of scallions, or maybe their katsu—made with eggplant or pork—topped with shredded cabbage and savory-sweet bulldog sauce. 

For those who can’t—or prefer not to—grill at home, L.A.’s growing barbecue scene now offers a plethora of options whenever you’re in the mood for juicy, sauce-laden ribs, briskets and sausage links. Head to this institution on La Brea for smoky Texas-style meats, including the half-rack of pork ribs ($20) perfect with family-style sides of mac and cheese, coleslaw and collard greens ($6.50 apiece). For a new-school option, there’s also Moo’s Craft Barbecue in Lincoln Heights.