So, You're Headed to LA

A Highly Customizable Itinerary

DINE

Sam Livingston

Feb 28 2025 | 3 min read

A Highly Customizable Itinerary

*The best sandwiches in LA, in my humble opinion*

Whether you’re headed to LA for the week or a long day trip, I thought I’d gather a list of my essential breakfast, lunch and dinner spots, plus other activities to keep yourself entertained while you’re here. There’s such an unimaginable amount of excellent food in this city that narrowing a select few spots down to share is always tricky. Still, I’ll do my very best to highlight the greatest hits and sum up the general vibe of each place for easy decision-making on your end. I hope you love each of these places as much as I do!

If you have time for one breakfast, go to…

Courage Bagels, regardless of where you live, you’ve likely heard whispers of this place, and I promise—it will not disappoint

If you have time for a few, go to…

Sqirl, an iconic California establishment that you definitely cannot miss
Saffy’s Coffee & Tea, a Mediterranean breakfast on a patio
Wake & Late, genuinely great breakfast burritos
Clark Street Bakery, you can’t go wrong here
Fondry, more delightful baked goods

If you have time for one lunch, go to…

Ditroit, a Michelin Star restaurant’s back alley taco window

If you have time for a few (and I sincerely hope you do), go to…

Bub & Grandma’s, a classic deli vibe
Sqirl, mentioned above
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, perhaps my favorite sandwich in the city is the Cheese Store Club: perfectly soft bread, ideal ingredient ratios, and the thinnest ribbons of turkey
Wax Paper, the Larry Mantle is my go-to
Little Fish, fried fish sandwich window in Echo Park
Quarter Sheets, lunch on Sundays only

If you have time for one dinner, go to…

Saffy’s, the lobster skewer is one of my top five dishes in Los Angeles

If you have time for a few, go to…

Antico Nuovo, amazing Italian, coziest ambiance and service
Horses, beautiful space, excellent drinks and desserts
La Dolce Vita, a classic old Hollywood experience (but with well-seasoned food). So fun for celebrations, best staff, amazing drinks
Dunsmoor, the baby albacore is incredible, you can’t go wrong here

On the more casual side…

Quarter Sheets, favorite pizza in the city
Found Oyster, cutest seafood spot, perfect fries
Spina, routinely some of the best pasta I’ve ever had
Heavy Handed, my #1 burger in LA atm
Burger She Wrote, my #2 burger in LA atm
Woon, get the beef noodles and wings
Seco, sweet little wine bar with amazing sushi
Night + Market Song, classic Thai spot, great fried chicken

How you should spend the day:

Visit the Huntington for the gardens, library, and/or museum
Head to a nearby farmer’s market and wander around the neighborhood
Head to Larchmont Village and stumble into the shops and cafés
Spend the afternoon in Silver Lake: head to Broome St. General Store, OK Silver Lake, Counter Space and Gift of Garb, then walk around Sunset Junction
Take a day trip to Laguna: lay out at Thousand Steps Beach, get drinks at Helen’s, then burgers at AhbA
Get a massage at The Now
Check out Grand Central Market
Book a tour of the Hollyhock House, the Neutra VDL House, or any of the other amazing landmark homes in the city