When it comes to the LA food scene, we do not — and I repeat, we do NOT — mess around. In between open houses, you’ll find us scouring the city’s culinary landscape to try everything from talk-about newbie dishes to delicious time-honored classics. And while many articles outline LA’s best restaurants, we thought it wise to give a rundown of the best plates. From burgers to pasta to sushi, here are our team members’ top picks throughout the city.
F. RON SMITH
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Cacio e Pepe from Pecorino in Brentwood
BEST TACO 🌮: Machaca Tacos from Cactus Taqueria #4 in Sherman Oaks (no one eats just one)
BEST BURGER 🍔: Santa Fe Burger with sweet potato fries from Barney’s in Brentwood
BEST PIZZA 🍕: The OG Salmon Pizza from Spago in Beverly Hills
BEST STEAK 🥩: Bone-in Ribeye with creamed spinach and onion rings from Baltaire in Brentwood
BEST SALAD 🥗: Grilled Vegetable Salad with lemon vinaigrette from Rosti in Brentwood
BEST PASTA 🍝: Bolognese from La Scala in Brentwood
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Omakase and a bottle of sake from Sasabune in Beverly Hills
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: White Daisy Omelette (but add yolks and hold the cheese) with a side of bacon and olive toast from Lazy Daisy (multiple locations)
Photo Courtesy of Pecorino
DAVID BERG
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: This is NOT a fair question.
BEST TACO 🌮: Another loaded question — old-school hard-shell tacos from Tito’s in Culver City, soft-shell tacos from Tacos 1986 (multiple locations) and tacos with parmesan cheese from Santa Fe Cafe in Calabasas (epic hole in the wall)
BEST BURGER 🍔: Hickory Burger from Apple Pan in Westwood
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Kim’s Black & White from Carmines in Santa Monica
BEST STEAK 🥩: Nebraska Dry-Aged Ribeye from CUT in Beverly Hills
BEST SALAD 🥗: McCarthy Salad from the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills (I add pickles)
BEST PASTA 🍝: Chestnut Agnolotti (seasonal) from Spago in Beverly Hills
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Blondie Roll and Lourd Roll from Hamasaku in West LA
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Latin Heat Burrito from John O’Groats in Rancho Park
The Apple Pan, Photo Courtesy of Eater LA
ROBERT ‘MORTY’ MORTON
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: The $100 Chicken at Wally’s in Santa Monica
BEST TACO 🌮: Tacos Por Favor in Venice
BEST BURGER 🍔: The Win-Dow Burger at American Beauty in Venice
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Petramale Pizza Truck, Fridays at the Beethoven Market in Mar Vista
BEST STEAK 🥩: NY Strip Steak from Mastro’s (multiple locations, I like Malibu best)
BEST SALAD 🥗: Nancy’s Chopped Salad from Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood
BEST PASTA 🍝: Spicy Fusilli from Jon & Vinny’s in Brentwood
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Everything from Wabi on Rose in Venice
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Poached eggs on an English muffin from Lazy Daisy in Santa Monica
SEWIT ESHETU
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Grilled Branzino from Olivetta in West Hollywood
BEST TACO 🌮: Street tacos from the cart on Lincoln and Rose in Venice
BEST BURGER 🍔: Dudley Burger from Dudley Market in Venice
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Any pizza from Pizzeria Mozza in Hollywood
BEST STEAK 🥩: NY Strip Steak from Mastro’s (multiple locations, but I like Beverly Hills)
BEST SALAD 🥗: Raw Brussels Sprouts salad from Scopa in Venice
BEST PASTA 🍝: Aragosta from Via Veneto in Santa Monica
BEST SUSHI 🍣: The whole menu at Nobu in Malibu, hands down
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Eggs Benedict from Bottega Louie in DTLA, it’s to die for
NATHAN STADLER
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Brisket Dip from Greenblatt’s Deli in Hollywood
BEST TACO 🌮: I go burrito from El Burrito Jr. in Redondo Beach
BEST BURGER 🍔: In-N-Out (duh)
BEST PIZZA 🍕: 'Little Nats' pepperoni pizza from Jon & Vinny’s in Brentwood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Any steak from Mastro’s (multiple locations)
BEST SALAD 🥗: Original Chop Salad from La Scala in Santa Monica
BEST PASTA 🍝: Bolognese from Toscana in Brentwood
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Nozawa from Sugarfish (multiple locations)
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: BBQ Chicken Hash from Snug Harbor in Santa Monica 
TREVOR EDMOND
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Dry-Aged Whole Branzino from Etta
BEST TACO 🌮: Baja Fish Taco from Holbox in DTLA
BEST BURGER 🍔: The Win-Dow Burger at American Beauty in Venice
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Diavola Pizza from Pizzana in Brentwood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Westholme Tomahawk Ribeye from Chi Spacca in Hollywood
BEST SALAD 🥗: Mediterranean Seared Ahi Tuna Salad from R&D Kitchen in Santa Monica
BEST PASTA 🍝: Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe from Felix in Venice
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Omakase from Sasabune in Beverly Hills
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Farm-to-Table Quiche from Huckleberry in Santa Monica
BRANDON SMITH
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Tagliolini al Limone from Angelini Osteria in Fairfax
BEST TACO 🌮: Crispy Shrimp Tacos from Marisco Jalisco food truck in West LA
BEST BURGER 🍔: Smash Burger from Love Hour in Hollywood
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Margherita Pizza from Pizzeria Sei in Pico-Robertson
BEST STEAK 🥩: NY Strip Steak from CUT in Beverly Hills
BEST SALAD 🥗: California Chicken Salad from California Chicken Cafe (multiple locations)
BEST PASTA 🍝: Like I said…Tagliolini al Limone from Angelini Osteria in Fairfax
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Salmon Sashimi from Sushi Enya (multiple locations)
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Cinnamon Sugar Griddle Cakes from Breakfast by Salt’s Cure in Santa Monica
Angelini Osteria, Photo Courtesy of the LA Times
RYAN BERGUM
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Grilled Octopus from Taverna Tony in Malibu
BEST TACO 🌮: All tacos from TEC Catering (and you can try them for free at our open houses!)
BEST BURGER 🍔: Double Cheeseburger from Heavy Handed in Santa Monica
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Diavola Pizza from Pizzana in Brentwood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Filet Mignon from Baltaire in Brentwood
BEST SALAD 🥗: Original Chop Salad from La Scala in Santa Monica
BEST PASTA 🍝: Radiatori, Pesto, Pecorino pasta from Jon & Vinny’s in Brentwood
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Albacore Belly sashimi from Izakaya in West Hollywood
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Breakfast Burrito from Coral Tree in Brentwood
Taverna Tony, Photo Courtesy of Grubhub
KRISTA MASELLA
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Tacos de Camarón from Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights
BEST TACO 🌮: Tacos de Camarón from Mariscos Jalisco in Boyle Heights…obviously (pro tip: add pulpo)
BEST BURGER 🍔: Patty Melt from Cassell’s Hamburgers in Korea Town
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Toss up between the Diavola and Truffle pizza from L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Hollywood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Bone-in Ribeye from Birdie G’s in Santa Monica
BEST SALAD 🥗: Grilled Salmon Salad from Baltaire in Brentwood (lunch only, unfortunately)
BEST PASTA 🍝: Anything from The Factory Kitchen in DTLA, but I love the fresh pappardelle
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Omakase from Matsuhisa in Beverly Hills
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Fresh baked bread with cultured butter or the Shakshuka at Lodge Bread's newest location in Pico Robertson
Mariscos Jalisco, Photo Courtesy of Eater LA
PARISA SCHNIDER
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Chocolate Soufflé from the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills
BEST TACO 🌮: Cauliflower Taco from Escuela Taqueria in Fairfax
BEST BURGER 🍔: Cheeseburger from HiHo (multiple locations)
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Corbarina Pizza from Pizzana in Brentwood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Filet Mignon from Mastro’s (multiple locations)
BEST SALAD 🥗: West Hollywood Salad from the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills
BEST PASTA 🍝: Agnolotti from Georgio Baldi in Santa Monica
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Omakase from Sasabune in Beverly Hills
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Buttermilk Pancakes from Soho House
The Polo Lounge, Photo Courtesy of Dorchester Collection
BOBBY NELLY
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Southern Halibut from Jitlada in Hollywood
BEST TACO 🌮: Spicy Shrimp Tacos from Trejo’s Tacos (multiple locations)
BEST BURGER 🍔: Office Burger from Father’s Office in Culver City
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Funghi Pizza with gluten-free crust from Pizzana in Brentwood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Bone-in Ribeye (end cut) from Mastro’s (multiple locations)
BEST SALAD 🥗: Original Chop Salad from La Scala in Santa Monica
BEST PASTA 🍝: Anything from Felix Trattoria in Venice
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Omakase from Sasabune in Beverly Hills
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Protein Scramble and Almond Energy Pancakes from Hugo’s in West Hollywood
Jitlada, Photo Courtesy of Infatuation
ED HUTCHINSON
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: The World's Best Lobster Burrito from Howdy’s Sonrisa in Malibu
BEST TACO 🌮: Al Pastor Tacos from Tacos Por Favor (multiple locations)
BEST BURGER 🍔: In-N-Out, double double without onions (obviously)
BEST PIZZA 🍕: NY-Style Hawaiian pizza from Lorenzo’s (multiple locations)
BEST STEAK 🥩: Ribeye from Baltaire in Brentwood
BEST SALAD 🥗: Beach Body Salad from Barney’s Gourmet Burgers in Brentwood
BEST PASTA 🍝: Spaghetti Bottarga from Giorgio Baldi in Santa Monica
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Anything from Katsuya (multiple locations)
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Anything from Coral Tree Cafe in Brentwood
Baltaire, Photo Courtesy of Palisades News
KATY YAMBAO
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Khua Kling Phat Lung from Jitlada in Hollywood
BEST TACO 🌮: I actually prefer the burrito from Casablanca in Venice
BEST BURGER 🍔: Uncool Burger from Uncool in West Hollywood
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Margherita Pizza with sausage from Oste in West Hollywood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Anything from Mastro’s (multiple locations, but I like Malibu best)
BEST SALAD 🥗: Pargiyot (chicken) Salad from Mizlala in Hollywood
BEST PASTA 🍝: Spaghetti alla Bolognese from Pace in Laurel Canyon
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Sashimi Tacos, Hamasaku Roll and Lourd Roll from Hamasaku in West LA
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: Scrambled Eggs with Farmhouse Cheddar, add hash browns and a Green Detox Smoothie from Dialog Cafe in West Hollywood
Photo Courtesy of Hamasaku
COURTNEY WELSH
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Reginette della Mamma from Osteria Mamma in Hollywood
BEST TACO 🌮: Chicken Hard Taco extra pico de gallo from Tacos Por Favor in Santa Monica
BEST BURGER 🍔: Barney's Cheddar Cheeseburger with curly fries from Barney's Burgers in Brentwood
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Funghi Pizza from Jones in Hollywood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Steak Frites from Baltaire in Brentwood
BEST SALAD 🥗: Chicken & Noodle Salad from R+D Kitchen in Santa Monica
BEST PASTA 🍝: Reginette della Mamma from Osteria Mamma in Hollywood
BEST SUSHI 🍣: White Lotus Roll from Sushi Roku (multiple locations)
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: DIY omelette with mushrooms, onions and swiss (and a stack of pancakes for the table) from Lazy Daisy in Santa Monica
Photo Courtesy of Osteria Mamma
GARRETT SANDERS
🏆 THE BEST DISH IN LA 🏆: Grilled Shrimp & Parmesan Grits from Malama Pono in Sherman Oaks
BEST TACO 🌮: KBBQ Tacos from Tacos Tu Madre (multiple locations)
BEST BURGER 🍔: The Goldburger from Goldburger in Highland Park
BEST PIZZA 🍕: Life is Truff Pizza from DTown Pizzeria in West Hollywood
BEST STEAK 🥩: Center-Cut Picanha from Matu in Beverly Hills, this place is incredible
BEST SALAD 🥗: Chinese Chicken Salad from Mendocino Farms, it’s a classic
BEST PASTA 🍝: Tagliarini with Shrimp from Margot in Culver City
BEST SUSHI 🍣: Sweet and Spicy Crab Roll at Taisho in Sherman Oaks
BEST BREAKFAST 🍳: ADB Biscuit Sandwich from All Day Baby in Silver Lake
All Day Baby, Photo Courtesy of the LA Times
TOP CONTENDING RESTAURANTS
Sasabune
Jitlada
Mariscos Jalisco
Giorgio Baldi
Mastro's
Pizzana
CUT
Jon & Vinny's
La Scala
Heading out to try one of these dishes? Be sure to tag us in your foodie adventures @smithandberg for the chance to be featured.
