Top 10: BYB The Local Tourist Must Bites

The first of many BYB fave lists; a buddy of mine recently asked me to compile this short list of To-Dos.

If you live in Los Angeles, and like to eat, chances are you already know about all the following places.

If you don’t, well, shame on you.

One of my besties from the midwestern burbs came to visit for a short stay. She wanted to try some of my favorite LA eateries – She wanted to taste the hip and trendy. She wanted a good variety. And she wanted to EAT. Any of the following local spots make my must-visit list when showing friends around town.

If you’re searching for  some place hip to take your visiting buds, check out

BYB’s Local Tourist Must Bites.

Top 5 Coffees

Reigning Champs:

Silverlake: Intelligentsia

Abbot Kinney/Venice: Intelligentsia (coffee watching)

Silverlake: LAMill (people watching)

Hollywood: Larchmont Bungalow (best to chat)

Pic-Fair: Paper or Plastic (best to work)

West Hollywood

Westwood: Diddy Reise Ice Cream Sandwiches (Feel more like some cake? Do Sweet Lady Jane’s off Melrose in WeHo)

Beverly Hills: Sprinkles Cupcakes (Want Bigger and Sweeter? Try Crumbs up the street)

Downtown: Philipe’s The Original French Dip (Want a sleeker vibe? Great Alternative: Coles in Downtown)

Little Tokyo: Wurstkuche (Line’s too long? Check out Currywurst in Silverlake

Venice: Gjelina (Can’t get a reservation? Show up, put your name on the list and walk about for a bit, it’s worth the wait)

Culver City: Father Office (Too Trendy ? Too Packed? Great Alternative: Low Key Golden State on Fairfax in Weho – they have Beer Floats!)

Kogi Taco Truck – (Don’t want to chase down the truck or wait in line? Go to Alibi Room in Culver City, their bar/restaurant gets you the same tacos and a hip place to chill for a while)

Fairfax District: Animal (Don’t like meat? Try their new all-fish sister restaurant, Son of a Gun in West Hollywood)

West Hollywood: The Griddle

Hollywood: Mozza (Can’t get a reservation? Great alternative: West Hollywood’s Olio Pizzeria)

Hollywood/Valley/Culver City/Basically anywhere in SoCal: In/Out Burger

Hollywood: Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles (Great alternative: Culver City’s Honey’s Kettle Fried Chicken)

And of course if you don’t agree with something on this list, well.. who asked you!? Only kidding. Please comment if you have an opinion/objection/ or addition to this local-tourist-visit list.