From sun-soaked rooftops and cult brunch spots to glossy boutique stays, this is your ultimate hit list in the City of Angels.
Los Angeles moves in cycles – shaped by the constant churn of its creative industries and the ever-dynamic lifestyle scene. This summer's calendar proves the point, with football fever descending from June and a live music lineup as dazzling as the stars that call the city home. Music legends in appearance include Diana Ross at the Hollywood Bowl in July and Ed Sheeran landing at SoFi Stadium with his Loop tour. Football will take over the city, with city-wide activations, watch parties and a shared momentum that pulls every neighbourhood into the rhythm of the tournament kicking off this June. Here's where to make the most of LA's electric moment.
Where to eat
Felix Trattoria
(Image: Alan Gastelum)
Celebrity chef Evan Funke has turned Felix Trattoria in Venice into something of a pasta pilgrimage site. Watch the crew work the sfoglino station through the kitchen's glass partition – Funke's hand-rolled pici and perfectly executed cacio e pepe have earned him a devoted following among LA's notoriously fickle dining scene. The dining room teems with industry types and Venice locals alike, creating the kind of buzz that makes LA dining special. Book ahead, especially for weekend dinner slots. Walk-ins are always welcome for bar dining too.
Manuela
Manuela sits within the Hauser & Wirth gallery complex in the Arts District of downtown LA, where you're just as likely to overhear art collectors discussing acquisitions as you are to spot local chefs on their nights off. The fabulous Southern-leaning menu changes seasonally, but the cream biscuits served with aged country ham and whipped butter remain a constant – and for good reason. The restaurant feels like dining inside a greenhouse: it's flooded with natural light and surrounded by fragrant planting, and offset by walls hung with specially commissioned artworks.
Kismet
Los Feliz's Kismet has quietly become a template for modern Middle Eastern cooking in LA. Chefs Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson take a vegetable-forward approach that is both innovative and deeply rooted in tradition, offering dishes that are fresh, bright and boldly spiced. Weekend brunch draws lines that often wrap around the block; at dinner, the cult-favourite jewelled crispy rice, a tahdig-style dish topped with pumpkin seeds, currants and egg yolk, steals the show. A thoughtful list of natural wines rounds out the experience.
Where to drink
The Polo Lounge
The Polo Lounge at The Beverly Hills Hotel trades heavily on its old Hollywood mystique, but the cocktails actually deliver. Yes, this haunt is nothing new, but there's something undeniably satisfying about ordering a martini where Elizabeth Taylor once held court. Ask for bartender recommendations – they know what they're doing and often craft off-menu cocktails that surpass the printed offerings.
The Normandie Club
(Image: Nicolas-Osuna)
The Normandie Club nails that sweet spot between neighbourhood bar and destination cocktail lounge, where the drinks are serious without being precious, and the space feels intimate enough for actual conversation. Its riff on an old fashioned – buoyed by coconut-washed bourbon and spiced almond demerara – has become something of a signature, while the K-Town location puts you in prime position to soak up the session with a late-night feast at Dang Sung Sa, a Korean barbecue spot that nails ambiance with a steamy open kitchen and traditional wooden booth seats.
Great White
While it's the vision of two Aussie entrepreneurs, Great White captures LA's laid-back drinking culture. Now spread across four locations – Brentwood, Larchmont, Venice, and West Hollywood – this all-day café pairs breezy coastal interiors with a wine list that leans into natural and low-intervention, alongside a cocktail menu that heroes margaritas and martinis. Add a casual menu of Cali-Med plates: think spicy tuna tostada and spicy crispy chicken sandwiches, and you've got the perfect spot for seamless transitions between sun-drenched lunches and golden-hour drinks.
Where to stay
Gjelina Hotel
Gjelina Hotel (also known as Vitorrja) marks the sensational Gjelina Group's first foray into hospitality. Just one block from the Venice Beach boardwalk, the 26-room property transforms a restored 1910s boarding house with vintage furniture, natural materials and the group's signature lived-in, artistic style. There's no on-site restaurant, but the original Gjelina Cali-style deli is just a short walk away. Guests receive daily breakfast credits to use at the Gjusta Bakery (order the banana cream pie). It's a quiet, beautifully designed escape that puts you close to all of Venice's chaos and character – perfect for travellers who want something stylish without the fuss.
Silver Lake Pool & Inn
Silver Lake Pool & Inn sits in a converted 1980s motel in one of LA's most walkable – and grooviest – neighbourhoods. The 54-room boutique hotel nails California cool with oak floors, terrazzo tiles, rattan furniture and custom art. The pool deck up top is tucked away behind enough greenery to feel genuinely private – a perfect retreat from the streetside hipster-fest. Downstairs there's Marco Polo, an all-day Italian spot, or you can easily wander to Silver Lake staples such as Erewhon, Café Stella, The Black Cat and Intelligentsia.
The Proper Hotel Santa Monica
The Proper Hotel Santa Monica delivers luxury without the cloying formality that can plague high-end stays. The rooftop pool – the only one on LA's Westside – offers true panoramic ocean views. Interior designer Kelly Wearstler blends sculptural furniture, rich textures and earthy tones to feel both glamorous and grounded. Service strikes just the right note: polished but laid-back. Located just off Wilshire Boulevard, the hotel puts you within walking distance of the beach and pier, while steering clear of Santa Monica's hectic touristy pockets.
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