Dining and Shopping in Los Angeles
Updated on March 25, 2017
The holiday shopping season has begun in earnest, and retail centers across Los Angeles are bustling with activity. To help shoppers take a break or refuel, there are numerous restaurants conveniently located inside and nearby L.A.’s top shopping destinations. From world-famous Chinese dumplings to the flagship restaurant of a legendary chef, here are some of the best restaurants to get you through your gift buying list.
B.S. Taqueria
The 7th Street corridor attracts Downtown L.A. shoppers with retail destinations like FIGat7th - featuring the TASTE Food Hall and anchors like Target, H&M and Zara - and The Bloc, a spectacular open-air urban center that includes a completely updated flagship-level Macy’s; the all-new Sheraton Los Angeles Downtown Hotel; and The Square, an outdoor "living room" and community gathering place.
The 7th Street Restaurant Row that’s located between Figueroa and Olive offers Downtown L.A. visitors, workers and locals a wide range of options, including Bottega Louie, SUGARFISH, Little Sister and Chef Ray Garcia's B.S. Taqueria. Opened in April 2015, the casual space boasts a colorful, whimsical design by All the Bells & Whistles. Start with an order of the addictive lemon-pepper chicken chicharrones - chicken skins, chicken oysters, lemon and shishito. A la carte tacos include chorizo and papas, carnitas, shrimp, and a veggie option with mushrooms and garlic. Heartier appetites can opt for specials like the carne asada with chorizo-fingerling potato hash, pico de gallo and tortillas. Be sure to save room for the tres leches cake, with brown sugar meringue and macadamia nut.
514 W. 7th Street Los Angeles, CA 90014//} ?>
Pokinometry - Hollywood & Highland
Named for the famed intersection in the heart of Tinseltown, Hollywood & Highland features dozens of shops and restaurants, and landmark attractions like TCL Chinese Theatre, Madame Tussaud’s Hollywood and the Dolby Theatre, home of the Oscars.
Located on Level 3 of Hollywood & Highland, Pokinometry allows you to customize your bowl with seven base choices, eight types of fish, and more than 15 toppings. Start with a base - white or brown rice, salad, chips or wrap. First layer options include crab meat, avocado, sliced cucumber or sliced onion. Next, choose an item from "the good stuff," such as spicy tuna, yellowtail, albacore, shrimp or octopus. The original "Nometry Sauce" comes in several levels, from mild to "dynamite." Toppings include masago, green onion, ginger, wasabi, sesame seeds and seaweed.
6801 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, CA 90028//} ?>
Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill - The Grove
The Grove is one of LA’s most popular major shopping centers, an urban wonderland complete with trolleys, whimsical water fountains, cobblestone pathways, and top brands and clothing labels. Shoppers can take a break at the adjacent Original Farmers Market, an LA landmark filled with classic food stalls and newer spots like Short Order. The Grove likewise offers a variety of dining options, including Gordon Ramsay’s The Fat Cow, and Umami The Grove, the flagship location of the expanding chain of burger eateries.
Opened in July 2015, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill is the first California location of Bruce and Eric Bromberg's high end restaurant concept. Taking over the former Fat Cow space, Blue Ribbon Sushi includes a teak and ivory dining room, hidden bar room at the back, and outdoor seating by The Grove's ever-popular fountain. Partner Toshi Ueki’s exceptional fish is showcased in dozens of sushi and sashimi selections (divided by Pacific and Atlantic Oceans), classic and special rolls. Guests can go all in with Toshi's Choice (omakase) or Special Platters like The Grove Platter (lobster sashimi, wagyu, uni, otoro) and the opulent Blue Ribbon Special for 2-4 guests. The family style Japanese fare includes signature dishes like the famous togarashi spiced fried chicken with wasabi honey; oxtail fried rice with daikon, shiitake and bone marrow; and steamed lobster with miso butter. To pair with the cuisine, choose from an extensive menu of sake, shochu, Japanese beers and wines by the glass.
189 The Grove Drive Los Angeles, CA 90036//} ?>
Au Fudge
Situated between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills, the Beverly Center is one of Southern California’s premier fashion destinations, with more than 100 specialty boutiques and luxury retailers. Anchored by Bloomingdale’s and Macy’s, the Beverly Center has embarked on a $500 million renovation that's scheduled for completion in 2018. Highlights include a continuous ribbon of new skylights, a shimmering new exterior, and THE STREET, a multi-concept gourmet food hall by Michelin-starred Chef Michael Mina. The Beverly Center and its tenants will be open during construction.
Opened in March 2016, Jessica Biel's Au Fudge is perhaps the ultimate family-friendly restaurant. Located in West Hollywood just minutes from the Beverly Center, Au Fudge is perfect for coffee and pastries to fuel up for shopping, or a great place to unwind afterwards with a Happy Hour cocktail or glass of bubbly. Whether it's lunch, dinner or weekend brunch, the menus are seasonally driven with an emphasis on organic and a focus on sustainability. The decadent dessert selections include a fudge flight and build-your-own-sundae. The on-site Creative Space is available to children of dine-in guests, featuring daily activities, games, crafts, music, and more under the supervision of the Au Fudge Au Pairs. The Creative Space is full of surprises, from a spiral staircase that leads up to a birdhouse to a secret classroom behind a "magic" bookshelf.
9010 Melrose Ave West Hollywood, CA 90069//} ?>
Spago Beverly Hills
Beverly Hills is synonymous with luxury, epitomized by the world-famous collection of boutiques, restaurants and galleries of Rodeo Drive. High-end dining destinations in Beverly Hills include Georgie at the Montage Hotel and Thomas Keller's Bouchon. Located on Canon Drive, Spago Beverly Hills is the flagship restaurant of legendary chef Wolfgang Puck's culinary empire. Spago has continued to evolve in the 30-plus years since its original location opened on the Sunset Strip - in 2012, Puck reopened Spago after a multi-million dollar renovation and debuted an all-new seasonal menu.
The Bar at Spago features a wallet-friendly specialty menu that's perfect for shoppers unwinding after shopping or strolling along Rodeo Drive. Globally-inspired bar bites include Spago's legendary smoked salmon pizza, Chinese potsticker dumplings, Malaysian style chicken wings, and lamb merguez "hot dog" with sun-dried tomato roll and goat cheese. For a luxurious sipper, try the Tiffany Twisted - rosé Champagne, Aperol, St-Germain and lemon juice.
176 N. Canon Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210//} ?>
Obicà Mozzarella Bar, Pizza e Cucina - Westfield Century City
Conveniently located minutes from Beverly Hills and Westwood, Westfield Century City offers an upscale shopping and entertainment experience in a stylish outdoor complex. Current brands on property included Bloomingdale’s, Tiffany & Co., Rolex, Tesla, Calypso St. Barth, Zara, Apple and Microsoft. Westfield Century City is undergoing an $800-million transformation that will feature a three-level Nordstrom Los Angeles flagship store, a completely remodeled three-level Bloomingdale’s, a brand-new two-level Macy’s, as well as the world-renowned Eataly. Scheduled for completion in 2017, the remodel will add an additional 422,000 square feet of retail space.
Dining options currently include Breadbar's artisanal breads and pastries, and upscale restaurants Meizhou Dongpo and Gulfstream. Located on Level 2 along with Ajisen Ramen and the upcoming Shake Shack, Obicà Mozzarella Bar Pizza e Cucina showcases Mozzarella di Bufala, flown in every week directly from the cheesemakers in Italy, and other quality artisanal products and recipes from Italy, served with organic local fresh produce. Select from an extensive menu of Italian classics, or stop by the signature Mozzarella Bar for the Grand Tasting Platter for Two, featuring a Mozzarella sampler, Sicilian eggplant casserole, Selezione di Salumi (three salumi of your choice), pestos and fresh baked focaccina.
Gyu-Kaku - Westfield Topanga & The Village
The only shopping center in the U.S. with a Neiman Marcus and flagship Nordstrom alongside Target, Westfield Topanga is a San Fernando Valley shopping paradise, with a luxury lineup that includes Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Salvatore Ferragamo, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Burberry, Jimmy Choo and David Yurman. In September 2015, the property welcomed called The Village at Westfield Topanga, a new open-air shopping destination featuring local fashion and lifestyle brands, al fresco patio dining, a full-service gym, spa and yoga studio, all under a canopy of native trees and vegetation.
Founded in Japan in 1996, Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ opened its first U.S. location in West L.A. in 2001, and has since expanded to more than three dozen locations across the country and Canada. Meaning "Horn of the Bull" in Japanese, Gyu-Kaku provides an authentic Japanese yakiniku (barbeque) dining experience. Guests cook premium meats over a flaming charcoal grill while sipping on Japanese sake, shochu and cold beers by the mug or pitcher. Gyu-Kaku offers a wide range of meats, including the bestsellers harami (skirt steak) in miso marinade and Certified Angus kalbi (short rib) in tare soy marinade. Other signature items include garlic shrimp, bistro hanger steak, spicy tuna volcano, garlic noodles and sukiyaki bibimbap.
Now through Jan. 5, 2017, Gyu-Kaku is offering a Premium All You Can Eat Menu, featuring 35 items for $30 per person, or 52 items for $40, plus all-day Happy Hour for Japanese sake, shochu and wine by the bottle.
6600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Suite 1010B Canoga Park, CA 91303//} ?>
Santa Monica Place is conveniently located next to the Downtown Santa Monica Station of the Metro Expo Line, two blocks from the beach and the historic Santa Monica Pier. This modern shopping and dining destination offers a contemporary mix of upscale retail and dining that includes Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Nike, Louis Vuitton, dozens of specialty stores, and the outdoor Dining Deck.
Located inside Nordstrom on Level 2, Blue Stove offers globally inspired cuisine set against a dramatically designed exhibition kitchen and a wine bar with extensive selections by the glass or bottle. Shareable small plates are listed by Earth, Land and Sea. Start with a hearty roma tomato basil soup, sweet potato frites, roasted cauliflower, or warm halloumi with butter lettuce and hazelnuts. Multicultural Land dishes include Moroccan spiced lentils with lamb and naan bread, Korean short rib skewers with charred pineapple kimchi, cilantro lime chicken tacos, and lettuce cups with Szechuan glazed chicken. Dive into Sea items like pan roasted wild salmon with grilled squash and corn purée; seared halibut with artichokes and sweet peppers; and Pacific shrimp tempura with pickled cucumber and Korean chili sauce.
Scopa Italian Roots
Dubbed the “coolest block in America” by GQ Magazine, Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice offers an eclectic mix of modern and vintage shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Dining options include the ever-popular Gjelina; Salt Air, the seafood-centric beach bistro; and gourmet vegan cuisine at Plant Food + Wine.
Venice welcomed a newcomer in November 2013, when Chef Antonia Lofaso opened Scopa Italian Roots at the southern end of Abbot Kinney. The expansive, double-height space is warmed up with dark tones, exposed brick, wood-slat benches and communal tables. The menu features Lofaso’s take on traditional Italian dishes from her upbringing, starting with cold and hot antipasti like Italian cold cuts, cheese board, and the Meatball Hero, topped with burrata, basil and arugula. Pasta dishes include rigatoni with vodka sauce and pasta alla chitarra (noodles cut on a stringed instrument that resembles a guitar) with Pecorino and black pepper. Mains include a 24-oz T-bone, whole branzino and a veal chop Milanese.
2905 Washington Blvd Venice, CA 90292//} ?>
Din Tai Fung - The Americana at Brand
Situated on 15.5 acres in Glendale, The Americana at Brand features a vibrant blend of shopping, dining and entertainment in a beautiful park-like setting. After Rick Caruso, developer of The Americana at Brand, first tasted the famed dumplings of Din Tai Fung, he was determined to bring a location to the Glendale shopping mecca. His vision was realized in October 2013, when the global chain opened a Din Tai Fung next to Nordstrom.
The sleek, 160-seat space is accented with elegant granite and teak, and features a showcase dumpling making station where you can watch skilled dumpling makers craft the iconic xiao long bao at a rapid clip. Order as you would at Din Tai Fung locations around the world, by checking off items like the juicy pork dumplings, shrimp shao mai, and pork chops over fried rice. When it opened, the Glendale location boasted two exclusives: a full bar with Asian-inspired cocktails, and luxurious black truffle dumplings. Long waits are the norm at the two Din Tai Fung locations in nearby Arcadia, but in Glendale you can opt to receive a text five minutes before your table is ready - perfect for shopping while you wait.
171 Caruso Ave Glendale, CA 91210//} ?>