East Hollywood Vibes
Welcome to Gold-Diggers! We hope you brought your appetite. Our ten room hotel doesn’t have a restaurant, but we are thrilled that our neighborhood and surrounding neighborhoods frankly burst with amazing places to eat, drink, and fika.
Gold-Diggers is located in one of the most culturally and culinarily diverse areas of Los Angeles, one of the most culturally and culinarily diverse cities in the world. We’re adjacent to Little Armenia, Thai Town, Koreatown, Historic Filipinotown and, of course, East Hollywood–home to many Central Americans and Mexicans, the heart of the Oaxacan community. We’ve listed some of these international standouts here, along with several places maybe best described as contemporary coastal or “California” cuisine…Since, after all, we’re also adjacent to Larchmont Village, Melrose Hill, Hollywood proper and its flashy sibling, West Hollywood, just down Santa Monica Blvd.
Eating your way through our list is a concise introduction to the many different kinds of people who live in L.A., a delicious way to experience the melting pot that is southern California. We’ve listed spots by proximity, from closest–just a few hundred yards across Wilton–to furthest, exactly three miles away. We recommend every place on this list. Enjoy!
NEIGHBORHOODGUIDE
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BBQ+Rice EaHo (L/T)
Located just across the street, BBQ+Rice specializes in rice bowls that are authentic to Korean cuisine, contemporary and full of flavor. This is our go to spot for walkable takeout.
Distance 500ft
5515 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
MAP
bbqrice.com
Tlayuda L.A. Restaurant (L/T)
Women-owned & operated, homestyle Oaxacan cuisine. Open daily from 11am-8pm.
Daves Hot Chicken (L/T)
Dave’s Hot Chicken is a local hot chicken spot for hot & spicy chicken, plus fried chicken sliders, seasoned fries, and mac n’ cheese.
Café Telegrama (C)
This coffee shop is closest to us and slangs delicious coffee and tea. Open every day from 8am. The owners are also the brains behind Ètra
Ètra (D)
Falafel Arax (L/T)
Down-home strip mall find for brilliantly crispy falafel, shawarma, kebab & sandwiches. The service is friendly, and the hummus is addictive. Cash only.
Kuya Lord (L/T)
Chef Lord Maynard Llera is the 2024 Best Chef: California, James Beard Award finalist. His delicious and inconspicuous restaurant specializes in fast, casual, mouthwatering Filipino food. Order a slice of Kuya Lord’s epic Calamansi pie and praise the Lord.
Le Coup (L/T)
Le Coupe is the home for chili honey fried chicken. Everything is made in house and sourced from local farmers.
Sasoun Bakery (B/L/T)
Sasoun is for you early birds looking for your pastry fill. This Armenian bakery has delicious sweet and savory options. Don’t snooze on this place as it sells out early!
Spicy BBQ (L/D)
Spicy BBQ is a family-run East Hollywood Thai restaurant and home to the best Thai food on Santa Monica Blvd.
Ggiata Delicatessen (L/T)
This East Coast inspired Italian deli is your local sandwich hotspot, also offering a gluten-free bread option. If you are planning on a hike or need a picnic, this is one of our go to spots!
Marouch Restaurant (L/D/T)
Marouch has been on many “Best Of” lists including, Jonathan Gold’s 101 Best Restaurants. Traditional Lebanese Armenian and Middle Eastern cuisine right here in Little Armenia: think fluffy pita and amazing mezze.
Amphai Northern Thai Food (L/D)
One of LA’s essential Thai eateries. Their fragrant sai oua (pork sausage) is one of the best in the city.
Jitlada Restaurant (L/D)
You like it spicy? Welcome. Jitlada is a lively Southern Thai eatery where seafood is the star. The prized menu item here is the Jazz Burger, made only when the chef/owner Jazz feels like making it.
Maison Matho (C/B/T)
Maison Matho is a French walk-up window in Melrose Hill, embracing less is more with their simple, well-executed sandwiches. Evan Kleiman, host of KCRW’s “Good Food,” is one of MM’s many superfans.
SUGARFISH by sushi nozawa (L/T)
The most popular menu item at Sugarfish is the “Trust Me,” which is all you need to know. The fish is excellent, the rice is perfect, and you will always leave happy. Outstanding sushi delivery, too.
Antico Nuovo (D)
Antico Nuovo draws inspiration from the Italian countryside, keeping tradition and the ancient techniques of Italian cooking alive with traditional pastas, wood-fired meats, and a stellar wine list. A stylish splurge.
Found Oyster (D)
Lively but intimate seafood bar where everything is divine. Oysters! Chowder! Moule Frites! Wine!! They have it all. No reservations, so arrive early or be prepared to wait; this is a popular local favorite.
Kali (D)
Despite earning a Michelin star, chef Kevin Meehan and his neighborhood spot Kali serve up inventive California cuisine without pretension. Save room for dessert! Kali’s housemade meringue gelato with sugar cured egg yolk is dreamy.
Obet & Del's Coffee (C)
This dog friendly cafe has delicious coffee, a friendly staff and a colorful atmosphere. Their tea is brewed with as much love as coffee.
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Saffy's (B/L/D/C)
East Hollywood’s glamorous kebab house Saffy’s is the latest restaurant from the Bestia and Bavel husband+wife/chef+pastry chef team. Reservations are encouraged, but snagging bar seats to watch their innovative cocktail menu leap to life is an experience in itself.
Sapp Coffee Shop (L/D/T)
…at this local eatery, famous for its spinach-tinted jade noodles topped with a medley of barbecue pork, roast duck, and crab meat. It is small and unassuming, with food that never disappoints.
Friends & Family (B/L/C/T)
Delicious baked goods made with heirloom grains, and breakfast + lunch offerings like short ribs hash and olive oil fried eggs make this Roxana Jullapat spot a Gold-Diggers’ fave.
Frolic Room (Bar)
This place is not food, instead it is a historic watering hole, opening in the 1930’s as a speakeasy during the grips of prohibition. Almost 100, the Frolic Room is one of LA’s oldest dive bars.
Providence LA (D)
One of LA’s best fine dining restaurants for your splurge worthy special occasion. Chef Michael Cimarusti has set the standard for seafood focused tasting menus in the most imaginative and subtle way.
Clark Street Diner (B/L/D)
The widely admired Clark Street Bakery took over an iconic diner but kept all of the charm. Enjoy elevated breakfast classics and signature Swedish cardamom buns in the vintage booths and wraparound bar.
Sincerely Syria (L/D)
Sincerely Syria in Sherman Oaks joined this year’s LA Times’ prestigious list of Top 101 Best Restaurants in Los Angeles because their shawarma is that good. SS’s newer second location on Hollywood and Vine gives you an excuse to stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Great White (B/L/D/T)
Originally from Australia, easy breezy Great White is perfectly at home in southern California. The nearby Larchmont Village location boasts bright, fresh, seafood driven California coastal cuisine, with playlists that will have you setting down your turmeric latte to Shazam.
Gwen (D)
Curtis Stone’s elegant, Michelin starred restaurant in Hollywood is also a European-style butcher shop, paradise for lovers of cured and dry aged meats. Seasonal vegetable sides take inspiration from the famous Hollywood Farmers’ Market across the street.
Superba Food + Bread (B/L/D/T)
California Dreamin’ at one of the most beautiful outdoor dining patios in Hollywood. Housemade donuts and breads at breakfast transition to delicious sandwiches, salads and heartier items into afternoon and evening.
Courage Bagels (B/T)
Courage was started by a young couple as Covid pop up, and has since grown to be the most famous bagel shop in LA. Expect a line at their Virgil Village walk up window Thursdays-Mondays for these Montreal style bagels with California-grown toppings.
KinKan LA (D)
KinKan started by selling pick-up Bento boxes during the pandemic, selling out every time. The huge community support allowed Thai chef Nan Yimcharoen to open this wonderful brick and mortar with a menu featuring her deep love for crafting sushi.
Luv2eat Thai Bistro (L/D)
From the outside this gem looks like another strip mall Thai restaurant in the city, their menu sets them apart showcasing two chef’s family recipes.
Budonoki (D)
Japanese Izakaya featuring strong drinks, tremendous food and banging playlists. Extra fun with a small group—try everything on the menu!
Kismet & Kismet Rotisserie (D/T)
Female-helmed Kismet is the Los Feliz dinner hotspot for modern Mediterranean style cooking (the jeweled crispy rice is not to be missed), with fabulous wine. The restaurant itself is both intimate and bustling; reservations recommended. During the day, Kismet Rotisserie a couple doors down serves up flawless roast chicken, salads and sides to go.
Mozza Plex (D/T)
MozzaPlex is Nancy’s Silverton’s combination of three amazing restaurants: Osteria Mozza, some of the best Italian in the city; Pizzeria Mozza, specializing in wood fired pizza, and Chi Spacca, a rustic Italian steakhouse. From food to wine, this trio is divine.
Distance 2.0 miles
6602 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Petit Trois (D)
This intimate space is what happens when you add four star perfection to the most delicious French bistro cuisine. If you sit at the bar, you may see Michelin awarded French chef Ludo Lefebvre’s magic in the open kitchen. Open every day for late night dining, as well as prix-fixe lunch.
Sqirl (B/L/T)
This Virgil Village cafe features California-inspired breakfast and lunch fare with housemade jams in a minimalist space. The people watching is unmistakably Eastside and their efficient counter service ordering system makes the lines move quickly. Also check out the fantastic pantry and picnic provisions next door at Sqirl Away.
Distance 2.0 miles
HomeState (L/D/T)
HomeState is a Texas kitchen in L.A., making cult status breakfast tacos, queso and brisket on house-made flour tortillas.
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Musso & Frank Grill (D)
Opened in 1919, this Old Hollywood legend has stood the test of time. The dining here is all about old time classics that still hit the spot, with nightly specials and superlative martinis.
Pine & Crane (L/D/T)
A small yet bold counter service eatery that serves traditional, flavorful Taiwanese cuisine. Don’t miss their refrigerated sides like marinated lotus root and vinegar woodear mushrooms.
Simón (L/D/T)
Our list would be incomplete without at least one food truck. Simon, parked 10 minutes east of Gold-Diggers on Sunset Blvd., is one of the very best. Taco fans flock to Silver Lake for Simon’s “Mariscos Chingones,” fine dining level seafood (ceviche, soft shell crab) and salsas.
MidEast Tacos (L/D/T)
Where do chefs eat on their day off? Here. This fast, affordable, and wildly tasty Silver Lake spot serves
traditional Armenian barbecue with Mexican-L.A. flair: signature falafel tacos, chicken/steak kebab quesadillas, and sumac dusted cottage fries. Wash it all down with an Armenian walnut soda or Mexican Coke.
Here's Looking At You (D)
HLAY has been described as a great place in Koreatown to branch out with “global small plates plus brainy cocktails.” It is hard to describe–but easy to devour–the many unique cocktails and genre-defying dishes
Lui's Cafe (B/L/C)
Liu’s Cafe is a Chinese-American diner, bakery, and cafe, inspired by food travels across Taiwan, Shanghai and Hong Kong.
Night + Market Song (D/T)
This James Beard Nominee has it all: killer wine list, brazen Thai flavors with heat that could melt your tongue, and an upbeat party vibe.
All Day Baby (B/L)
Southern-inflected modern diner in Silver Lake that is always packed, and always delicious. Day drinking heaven.
Maru Coffee (C)
Your minimalist coffee haven on Hillhurst. Locals queue for their ceremonial grade Matcha (delicious iced!), Cream Top espresso, and cold brew.
Olivia Restaurant LA (D)
You can find many of L.A.’s finest culinary gems hiding in plain sight, in humble strip malls. Olivia, with its tiny, remarkable dining room, is one such gem. Even omnivores will delight at this superb vegan and vegetarian place in Koreatown, with warm, attentive service and excellent wine.
All Time (B/L/D)
This perennially crowded spot feels like a backyard barbeque with an amazing wine list, and devotees of every item on their menu.
IKI RAMEN (D)
A versatile ramen shop located in a sleepy Koreatown strip mall, with something for everyone. Outside of the Izakaya, ramen offerings range from the classic shoyu, to Wagyu, as well as a delicate yuzu ramen.
Sung Non Dan (D)
This Korean 24 hour restaurant specializes in a variety of Sul Lung Tang (ox bone soup) and Galbi Jjim (braised beef short ribs).
Borit Gogae (L/D)
Think of this place as a culinary spa day, with DIY bibimbap, nourishing barley rice sets, probiotic packed banchan and gorgeous soups.
Dan Sung Sa (D)
A dimly lit tavern on 6th street with Sharpie tagged walls, never ending soju, lively atmosphere and savory Korean food. Late night, it can get rowdy…Not a bad thing.
Pijja Palace (D)
This noisy and fun stripmall spot will make you question what sports bar–or fusion–food can be. With its cheeky menu of original Indian influenced cuisine and drinks, Pijja Palace is one of the hottest tables in town.
Sabores Oaxaqueños (B/L/D)
Herman Granja brought Oaxaca’s southern Costa Chica region cuisine to Koreatown in 2011. Since then it has become the epicenter of Oaxacan cuisine in the city.
Horses (D)
Horses is exactly three miles away, but can feel like a vortex into another dimension. This sexy, vibe-y hot spot could only be in L.A. Exemplary cocktails, extroverted waitstaff, Caesar salad perfection.
Taylor's Steak House (D)
Taylor’s in K-Town has remained true to its roots and hasn’t changed much in the 50 years it has been open. The menu boasts all the steakhouse classics, mmm.