LA has some incredible restaurants and so I have compiled a list of some of my favs. Whenever friends come into town they always ask me to recommend some places and it's always hard to just recommend one. I once had an intern create a spreadsheet of all of the best happy hour spots in town. This is a slightly less overwhelming list.
breakfast
Without breakfast where would be. It is sometimes the simplicity of it that beckons us from slumber to begin with. The aroma of coffee and bacon is enough to get even the sleepiest of heads out of bed. My first recommendation is my fav la spot for breakfast. It is Sweet Lady Jane on melrose ave in west hollywood. It is known for it's incredible cakes and pies but not as known for the incredible breakfast that they serve. They have a simple menu mostly egg scrambles and french toast but they are 10/10. The salmon and egg scramble is so bomb you'll want to try another. They're fluffy and creamy and everything you'd expect from cake legend Sweet Lady Jane. No.2 on the breakfast tell all is the infamous place known as The Griddle on sunset blvd. This is the premier scene for breakfast and it, like most well done places, has become a tourist goldmine. It is popular but it is delicious, original, and satisfies. They open at 7am so I would recommend getting there early to avoid the long lines that develop after 10am. Or I would advise to call in the order and take it to go because the line can be that long. They have the most delicious and unique items on the menu curated by owner Jodi Hortze who has done so well with this location she has taken her talent to las vegas to open another location. Cash in on the tourists Jodi! No.3 for incredible breakfast is blu jam cafe on melrose ave. This place is amazing and everything on the menu is tasty. I would recommend the mac and cheese egg scramble but literally everything on that menu is sooooooo good you cannot go wrong. Again to the key to a nice breakfast in LA at a popular spot is get there early 9am at the latest to enjoy it without a disneyland sized line.
lunch
Sometimes lunch for los angelenos is really breakfast. We are all watching our waist line like no other city so naturally skipping a meal for more sleep falls into the equation. Lunch is where it's at. My favorite spot for lunch would have to be the Ivy on Robertson blvd or ivy at the shore on ocean ave. My first choice would be the ivy on Robertson. It's like your eating in a botanical garden. The colors are beautiful and the menu is top notch. Sit outside and let the rest take care of itself. Celeb sightings to be expected for those that care. And they have my favorite tea selection in LA. No.2 for lunch is Sqirl. This hip cafe is tucked in the middle of the city in a hip area known as silverlake. The menu features organic and healthy decadence you just want to sink your teeth into. They have some great home made jams that they slather on thick slabs of brioche toast that will have all your IG followers sliding through your dm's. No.3 on the lunch spot ballot is in down-town LA right up in a high rise. You will have to dress up a bit and that's half the fun. The food is good enough-french small plates and great cocktails. But go for the view and the ambience and you can stay downtown and explore the museums afterward.
dinner
Dinner is for the bold and the beautiful and LA has what you're looking for across the board in the name of fine dining. My fav spot for dinner wether it's a date night or just a solo seating is the Little Door on 3rd st. It's a gorgeously hidden paradise of candle light and vines casting shadows. It has been voted most romantic restaurant in LA but really it is so much more than that. It is a must see. Lamb shank and red wine balances my scales here. No.2 on the list is Vibrato Grill on Beverly Glen circle. This spot is flat out entertaining. It's owned by Jazz icon Herp Alpert and is inconspicuously hidden in a shopping center up in the hills of bel air. It is so cool and so private and that's the best way to describe it. One of the cities best kept secrets. Live bands play most nights and the art that fills the space is as colorful as the crowd. This place is a special one for sure and it should experienced with someone special. No.3 is Moonshadows in Malibu on PCH. Malibu has a lot of great restaurants and lounges but moon shadows holds a special place in my heart. I lived near-by for years and although I was on a college budget I still indulged when I could. They have a gorgeous patio that is well heated and the dj spins some chill vibes while you listen to the waves crash and unwind with some amazing cuisine.