Budget
The Corner Place
Good Korean BBQ at a really great price around $20 is enough to stuff two people. The decor isn't as fancy as more expensive places, but it has charm. The menu is family style, so one order is enough to feed two people. Like most Korean BBQ places, servers bring the meat out for you to cook at your table but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tip! With your meal comes a variety of traditional Korean side dishes and a plate of julienned scallions to enjoy with your freshly grilled meat. For finicky eaters or those new to Korean food, the bulgoki marinated beef is always a good choice. On warmer days, or whenever you want a lighter meal, try their cold noodle soup white somen noodles in a cold soup of clear, mild kimchi with your meal instead of rice.
Toast
Serves traditional American breakfast all day for a reasonable price. Also great lunch food! Popular with famous people.
Vegan Glory
Offers a variety of soy meat-substitutes & tofu choices in the entrees. Also veggie burgers, salads, soups, and noodles. Recommend the papaya salad, spring rolls, spicy eggplant, and yummy carrot cake. The lunch specials are good bargains soup, salad, spring roll, brown rice, and choice of entree. Friendly service in a casual, clean setting. Open daily 11am-10pm. Parking available in the lot and on the street.
La Brea Bakery Cafe
Excellent bread, sandwiches, cookies, pastries and coffee.
Midrange
Canter's Deli
Awesome Jewish deli on Fairfax, a few blocks north of 3rd. This place has been around for over 70 years and you'll know why if you stop by. It's 24 hours too.
Cobras & Matadors
Great for Spanish tapas over a glass of Spanish wine, which you must buy from the wine shop next door since C&M don't have a license to sell it at this location, only to serve it. Another branch in Los Feliz.
El Coyote Cafe
Known for its margaritas, fun atmosphere, and cute/tacky decor, this Mexican restaurant opened in 1931 at First and La Brea, and in 1951 moved to its present location on Beverly Blvd. It is the restaurant where Sharon Tate and her friends ate their last meal before being murdered by the Charles Manson family in 1969.
Nick's Coffee Shop
Located in the same location since 1946, this classic diner has a six-page menu with several hundred items for all tastes. American diner fare is combined with Mexican specialties for a mind-numbing variety of meal options, and portions are generous. Prices are reasonable, service is amazingly fast and friendly, and the decor is guaranteed to have you waxing nostalgic.
Swingers Diner
Overly trendy and very popular for an update on diner-style food. Great for breakfast at anytime of the day... and salads, sandwiches, a large menu. Prepare to be assaulted by hipness.
BCD Tofu House
The menu includes various types of soon tofu stews at around $8 and combination meals including other traditional Korean entrées Korean BBQ, bibimbap, etc. along with a small bowl of soon tofu stew at around $11-$14. Each order comes with a bowl of rice and the standard array of traditional Korean side dishes. Service and atmosphere are always great. The décor at the location on Wilshire is particularly nice. For those new to eating soon tofu, particularly at BCD Tofu House, there is a certain order to follow in eating your meal such as cracking the optional raw egg into the stew while it's still boiling. Don't be afraid to wave your server down and ask questions. Many Korean restaurants have implemented bells at each table in case you have a particularly hard time getting the attention of any servers. Several locations including the 2 in Koreatown are open 24 hours.
El Cholo
One of the original LA Mexican restaurants is wildly popular, especially for their green corn tamales, when they're in season.
Guelaguetza
For the best mole this side of Oaxaca, go to Guelaguetza in Koreatown. The interior is charming, often with a Mexican band is playing. But the star is the mole -- three types are on offer. Try them all, and from then forward when you are stuck eating an everyday lunch, you will dream of Guelaguetza.
Top end
Animal
Somewhat of an anomaly in an increasingly vegetarian Los Angeles, Animal does what it does extremely well. Jon and Vinny Two Dudes Catering, Iron Chefs have finally opened their first restaurant, and their hard work and determination most certainly shows up in the super tasty and creative cuisine. Pescatarians will do just fine with the daily fish, but vegetarians beware, there's not much here for you.
AOC
Fantastic food in every way, in an elegant atmosphere. Great cheeses, great wines, great desserts. The dishes look reasonably priced at a glance, but they arrive in tapa-style proportions, and quickly add up, making it a great place to splurge.
Campanile
It's been around for years, and its Italian menu just keeps getting better.