Where to eat near Rodeo Drive

Wolfgang Puck’s class-act steakhouse bookends the Wilshire stretch of Rodeo Drive; it’s probably better to dine here after all of your shopping, so you can food coma comfortably. The chic and airy setting lends a modern vibe, as does the menu: The sashimi is line-caught, the produce is often organic, there’s bone-marrow flan, and diners not only choose the type of steak they’d like to order, but also where it came from, with Nebraksa beef, Japanese pure wagyu and corn-fed Illinois cuts, among others. Even the usual steakhouse-sauce options get an upgrade, with additions such as yuzu-kosho butter and Argentinean chimichurri. This isn’t your grandpa’s steakhouse.

There’s no shortage of good sushi bars in Los Angeles, but if you’re around Rodeo, you’re in luck; Urasawa plates some of the most artful, whimsical and memorable sushi in all of L.A., and flies its fish in fresh daily. Meals can last as long as four hours and run as many as 30 courses—so know that you come here for the experience, and what an experience it is. The pricing is exorbitant (starting around $400 per person, without tax and tip) but is reflected in the courses: gold-topped caviar, goma dofu swimming in house-made tamari, sesame ice cream buried under shaved truffle. Note that Hiroyuki Urasawa’s famous sushi den is reservation-only, and don’t even think about pulling out that camera phone—Urasawa enforses a strict no-photo policy.

A Beverly Hills mainstay since 1974, Mr Chow has been the go-to for Beijing and other Chinese-province cuisine for generations. A-listers, locals and tourists all know that owner Michael Chow brings an extra air of service and elegance, which made the Mr Chow brand legendary around the world—just ask longtime fans Mick Jagger, Yoko Ono and Jack Nicholson, to name a few. This is Chinese fine-dining with tableside service, and it helped revolutionized the way Americans view and eat Chinese food. It’s priced accordingly, so be prepared to splurge on high-ticket dishes such as filet “Ma Mignon,” on the whole Beijing duck and noodles with lobster.

Want to be in the middle of the action? Perched atop the iconic steps of Via Rodeo, 208 Rodeo overlooks the famed cobblestone shopping street by way of a fabulous patio and an adjacent alfresco seating area, which just so happens to sit beneath, oh, a little shop called Tiffany & Co. Inside, the restaurant is refined, a nod to the classic American menu you’ll find here: filet mignon, farmers market burrata, a truffle cheese-topped burger, pastas, gourmet sandwiches and an all-day breakfast menu make this one of the least fussy but highest-trafficked spots near the shopping stretch.

Don’t even pretend you’re not in the mood for some Nate ’n Al. While this option isn’t the classiest of the Rodeo-area restaurants, it’s easily the most classic: With more than 70 years under its belt, this isn’t just a Beverly Hills institution—it’s one of L.A.’s most beloved Jewish delis. Look for the giant, orange cursive lettering and you’ll find a wormhole to decades past, complete with leather booths and a massive deli case that’s packed with black-and-white cookies, potato salad and smoked fish. Breakfast is served all day here, but the move is the matzo-ball soup or the hot corned beef. 

Looking for excellent sushi without dropping $400? Yojisan, a modern Japanese restaurant with Italian touches, should more than suffice. Chef Giacomino Drago is one of Beverly Hills’ most beloved and enduring restaurateurs, and for this concept, he joined forced with chef-partner Yoji Tajima to create a menu of untraditional flavors—truffle honey, albacore tuna and burrata, for instance—not to mention classic sushi and Japanese dishes. Expect lobster tempura, miso black cod tacos, scallop carpaccio and a handful of hyper-fresh daily specials.

Il Fornaio may be a chain, but it’s one of the best chains in the country when it comes fo fine Italian food. The Beverly Hills outpost is all warm wood tones and gleaming white tile, but your attention will most likely fall on the succulent chickens slowly roasting on a spit in no time. It’s impossible to escape the glorious smell of meat, pasta, pizza and garlic—honestly, why would you even want to?—and all of these ingredients pair well with the regional Italian wines on hand. For dinner and a show, dine at the counter overlooking the open kitchen and watch the masters at work.

If this charming patisserie feels like something straight out of Paris, that’s because it is. A checkered floor, bistro seating and delicate, charming décor sets the scene for a croissant and a cappuccino along one of Beverly Hills’ busiest stretches. This world-renowned French bakery and café specializes in all things pastry, but it’s most known for its colorful, delicate macaron cookies, which come à la carte or packed into fanciful limited-edition boxes. At this location, find an asortment of savory fare, too, including light salads and sandwiches, as well as an afternoon tea—plus a brunch that involves bottomless mimosas. (Our tip? Enjoy that after your shopping spree.)

If you’re trying to please a crowd, Ocean Prime should do the trick. As the name would suggest, this sleek spot focuses on seafood, but it has a little something for everyone. There’s a limited selection of sushi, as well as a full raw bar—the seafood towers are a show-stopper—plus roast chicken, seared chops, a range of surf-and-turf options and a slew of classic steakhouse sides. There’s even a separate gluten-free menu, for those who need it. Looking to imbibe? The Captain’s List features rare and large-format wines for your drinking pleasure.

For lighter, brighter bites, make your way to Lisa Vanderpump’s own Villa Blanca, a white-tableclothed Mediterranean spot that somehow screams both “classy” and “casual,” and includes great people-watching. The dishes include hummus, fresh calamari, albacore wraps and a range of gourmet salads that feature the likes of lobster, mango and heriloom tomatoes, and for more substantial fare, there’s roasted chicken, rack of lamb and other hearty meats, not to mention an array of pastas and wood-fired pizzas. Because this is a Vanderpump institution, expect peach bellinis and rosé galore.