RECOMMENDED: The best farmers' markets in LA
An LA summer just isn't complete without spending a warm evening at the Yamashiro Farmers Market. If this is the first you're hearing of it, not to worry—it's not exactly as well known as the Santa Monica Farmers Market. Yamashiro, the historic Japanese restaurant in the Hollywood Hills, hosts a small market during the summer months only (usually late May through September) with vendors of all kinds. The produce isn't exactly plentiful but the real draw of the market is the prepared food and the scene: Executive chef Brock Kleweno sets up "Yamashiro Grill" outside and cooks up Japanese-fusion plates for cheap. Past menus have included Mediterranean-Japanese plates and Japanese tacos (like miso black cod tacos with wasabi guacamole and ginger-tomato pico de gallo). Take your plates to the restaurant's famous Pagoda Bar or cruise around to the other vendors: hot sauces, other prepared foods, clothing and jewelry are regularly for sale. For entertainment, there's usually a bluegrass band or small jazz combo and, of course, an epic view of LA from the hills.
Tip: Park in the Mosaic church parking lot (on La Brea and Hollywood Boulevard) and take the free shuttle up to the market. It's much easier than parking at the restaurant itself.