The best kosher restaurants in Los Angeles

It’s not hard to find falafel in Los Angeles—it’s not even hard to find kosher falafel in Los Angeles—but man, is it hard to find great falafel in Los Angeles. Enter Ta-eem Grill. Named after the Hebrew word for “tasty,” this bonafide kosher WeHo restaurant serves up authentic Israeli cuisine and some damn tasty falafel. The falafel pita is true to its roots with hummus and tahini, plus your choice of Israeli salad, various sauces and pickled vegetables, all stuffed in an oh-so-fluffy pocket of pita. We suggest washing it down with a grapefruit Prigat, one of Israel’s many delicious, sugary juice drinks.

• Certification: RCC

Known for its delicious pretzel challah bread, this family favorite and neighborhood staple serves authentic Tunisian and Moroccan food with some American dishes thrown into the mix. Start with the B'stilla, a chicken and almond pastry topped with powdered sugar. For the main course, popular dishes include schnitzel on a pretzel and pulled beef brisket—both come with soup and coleslaw or hand-cut fries. We love the couscous and the Shwar-guez, a ground beef and merguez-spiced sausage grilled on a shwarma pit. For dessert, pair Tunisian mint tea with a sweet harissa cake, an almond cake served with Tunisian ice cream, or a chocolate pretzel challah bread pudding.

• Certification: RCC

For kosher steak, look no further than the one-and-only Shiloh's. It is so much more than a steakhouse, with plenty of pasta, risotto and salad offerings, but the mouthwatering meat dishes are what you will be writing home about. Start with the tarte flambée, their version of a pepperoni pizza that will end all pepperoni pizzas. All steaks comes with their five steak sauces—a perfect pairing for their delicious French fries. The restaurant is definitely pricey, but so worth saving up for a meal there.

• Certification: Kehilla

Open late, this West LA eatery is always bustling with hungry diners from yeshiva boys and meat lovers to families and young couples. Situated in the heart of kosher-food land along Pico Blvd, Jeff's serves a wide variety of specialty sausages of lamb, cow, chicken and turkey. Go South African style with boerewors topped with BBQ sauce and grilled onions on a hotdog bun or get a taste of Italy with the Beef Italian, a spicy sausage on an onion roll topped with deli mustard, sautéed onions and peppers. There’s also an extensive selection of hamburgers and deli sandwiches. A couple of the best options include the crispy chicken wrap with coleslaw, and the Western burger loaded with 1/3-lb. beef patty, crispy onion rings and their popular, house-made Western sauce.

• Certification: Kehilla

Visit Pat's on a weekday during lunchtime and you’ll feel as if you’ve just walked into a Beverly Hills country club. Frank Sinatra and soft piano music play in the background as retirees discuss politics and tote their darling grandchildren. The restaurant serves up global fare, from spaghetti bolognese and grilled hamburger to Chinese chicken salad and meatballs. We like the chicken Caesar salad with croutons, pine nuts and so-good-you-won't-believe-it’s-not-dairy dressing. And once your waiter carts over the display-tray desserts, you won't be able to resist treats such as the "cheese" cake with raspberry glaze.

• Certification: Kehilla

One of L.A.'s premiere names in kosher dining (and catering), La Gondola has been a staple of the kosher community for more than two decades. They've been known to FedEx their signature BBQ beef ribs across the country and have flown out to Dubai to cook for royalty. Located on the same Wilshire block as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences building, celebrities of all sorts have been known to dine here, with photos hanging along the walls to prove it. And the roster of dishes is just as impressive. The signature BBQ beef ribs—the two-day process includes brining, marinating and slow-braising—are a must and, as the menu says, "speak for themselves." Those in the mood for chicken, can order the pollo marsala with wild mushroom sauce, while chocolate lovers should save room for the chocolate molten cake, spiced with cinnamon and topped with raspberry and mango sauce, parve whipped cream and strawberries.

• Certification: Kehilla

Kosher. Thai. Food. Going kosher means missing out on certain international foods, and kosher Thai isn't easy to find. But BHT makes this Southeast Asian cuisine kosher-friendly again. Want to impress your date? Take them to this cozy, mellow restaurant where the loudest things are the flavors. Start with the tom kah coconut soup with chicken or tofu and segue into chicken or beef pad thai with tamarind sauce, eggs and bean sprouts, or babe curry with tender beef, red curry tamarind sauce, carrots and steamed rice.

• Certification: RCC

Finding a spot that is both kosher and vegan can be a difficult feat, but, thankfully, there is Real Food Daily. You don't even have to be vegan nor keep kosher to appreciate all their tasty dishes. Treat yourself to their weekend brunch and order the French toast platter that comes with tempeh bacon and hash browns or fresh fruit. Although health-focused, RFD never compromises taste, making any item a great choice.

• Certification: U.S Kosher Supervision—Rabbi Dr. Yehudah Bukspan

Delice is a double threat: It's a bakery full of delicious French desserts, as well as a casual restaurant with enticing dairy options. Try the French toast with whipped cream and strawberries for something sweet and the spinach or salmon eggs benedict with poached eggs or a toasted croissant and Hollandaise sauce for something savory. Then, there are the crepes—they come in all forms including Nutella, bananas foster (bananas, butter, almonds, powdered sugar) and Normande with cinnamon apple, caramel sauce and Chantilly cream. There's seating outside (and shade under umbrellas), where you can sit back and people-watch along Pico Boulevard. If you're ever in a bind and need a parve or dairy dessert, Delice is the way to go.

• Certification: Kehilla

An excellent date night spot, this Chinese restaurant offers stellar service and standby favorites without all the grease. Order the Kung Pao chicken with peanuts, onions and dried red chili peppers for some kick, while Mongolian beef is a non-spicy alternative, with scallions and onions. The waiters are attentive, and the food here is your best option for kosher Chinese in L.A.

• Certification: Kehilla