Los Angeles And Its Surroundings

Opened in 1967, this popular institution deals every day with a long line of customers, attracted by its fresh produce. The concept of the place is summed up by this phrase: "The reason we don't serve breakfast is that we're out to catch lunch". Clam chowder, grilled seafood, crab salad... The menu offers a fine selection of fish and shellfish served as sandwiches or by the plate. Order inside and sit out on one of the terraces overlooking the ocean.

Although Café Gratitude is the second to open its doors in Los Angeles - in 2012 - its values come to us from the San Francisco Bay Area. The company's promise: vegan, environmentally-friendly and tasty dishes. And they've kept their promise, with a menu as healthy as it is delicious, featuring bowls, salads, sandwiches, smoothies and juices. We like this address for its pretty patio and its location, a 10-minute walk from Venice Beach, but the chain is also established in the small Larchmont district.

Providence is renowned for being the best seafood restaurant in the United States. Without exaggeration, the plates here resemble masterpieces. The food is as beautiful to contemplate as it is delicious to savor: each dish is of rare finesse, executed with unparalleled skill. As the tasting menu changes frequently, it's difficult to recommend a particular dish; what's certain is that you'll come away from your evening amazed, with your taste buds full of fish. A great address.

Looking for a good breakfast or an American-style brunch? Look no further: Millie's Cafe is a reference in the field. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the place, ask to sit at the counter, opposite the kitchen, where the chefs are busy. Otherwise, the small adjacent dining room and the sidewalk terrace could not be nicer. However, you will have to wait in line, especially on weekends, starting at 10 am. A little tip: if you come alone, you'll have to go in front of everyone else.

Right at the beginning of the Santa Monica Pier, where the crowds thicken, stands this family-run address, which has been in business for 40 years. As with many Californian establishments, The Albright is a fast-casual affair, with fast-food-style ordering and payment at the counter, and plates similar to those of a traditional restaurant. Here, the food is tasty, the oysters fresh. On the menu: a wide variety of seafood and raw, fried or grilled fish, as well as burgers, rolls, pokés and ceviches - to name but a few.

At Fisherman's Outlet, the food is served on paper plates and concrete picnic tables... But don't let that put you off: this market and its seafood café serve better food than the chic restaurants. We recommend the delicious charcoal-cooked fish, or the lobster, one of the best dishes on the menu. Made up of workers and families who've been coming here for three generations, the clientele contrasts with the new "bobo" Downtown, giving rise to an atmosphere that's well worth discovering.

In the heart of the Arts District, Manuela offers inventive, refined and authentic cuisine. The emphasis is on seasonal produce: the chef only buys from producers and farmers in Southern California. On the menu: fine cuts of meat, fish and seafood, as well as a vast selection of vegetables and seeds. And every weekend, locals flock to the restaurant for its elegant brunch, where shrimp with bacon and fresh mushrooms sit alongside classics such as eggs Benedict.

Overlooking the waterfront, Duke's is an ideal stopover after a stroll along Malibu's beaches or uptown. Enjoy crispy coconut shrimp, roasted lobster, filet mignon or vegan mushroom and spinach ravioli.The fish is freshly caught according to traditional Hawaiian practices.It's particularly pleasant to sit at the end of the restaurant, on the terrace, to watch the waves break on the rocks; an even more magical experience when the sun goes down.

Built in 1949, this Burbank institution is the oldest Bob's Big Boy still in operation. Designated a "Point of Historic Interest" by the State of California, this address has appeared in several films, including Heat (1995) and Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997). In the latter, the site's characteristic statue is even transformed into a rocket. The interior is reminiscent of a traditional diner: you sit on leather benches and eat hamburgers, each more hearty and tasty than the last.

Founded in 2006 in Irvine, Orange County, Veggie Grill is a true vegetarian institution in the United States. With nearly 33 locations across the country, it is the largest 100% plant-based restaurant in the country. Particularly in Los Angeles, this healthy way of eating is a big hit. And with good reason: the dishes are well executed, from Asian-style salads to hearty sandwiches, burgers and bowls. The choice is as vast as it is inspiring, and all at affordable prices.

This friendly vegetarian restaurant offers healthy, inventive cuisine, with an emphasis on flavors and combinations. For example, the famous BLT sandwich - Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato - is revisited in the form of TLT: Tempeh - an Indonesian product made from fermented soybeans - bacon, Lettuce, Tomato. The Kitchen Mouse also features Mexican classics such as chilaquiles - a dish made with tortillas and sauce - and huevos rancheros. An address that lends itself equally well to brunch and lunch.

Head to The Griddle for some of the most gargantuan breakfasts and brunches in Los Angeles. Eggs Benedict, pancakes and waffles; alongside these late-morning staples are more unusual dishes, such as scrambled eggs served with shrimp and pesto. If you're in the mood, be careful not to over-order: portions can easily be shared between two people. Also, note that the places are crowded on weekends: you may have to wait.

Although it's a chain, this organic fast-food concept is well worth the detour. There's no fuss or table service here, just the promise of fresh, local, ecologically-sourced produce. As soon as you enter the restaurant, you select your plate. On the menu: a large salad, a bowl, a sandwich, or a hot dish of meat or fish accompanied by a small salad, then brown rice, vegetables or mashed potatoes. Preparation is done live. For dessert: a homemade cookie - among others.

The setting alone justifies a meal at this beautiful establishment. The main dining room overlooks the ocean, while the waves break at the foot of the Moonshadows. Although the a la carte dinner dishes are more expensive, we recommend coming here in the evening and asking for a table with an ocean view. On the menu: the cuisine of Venetian chef Andrea Bullo, who cleverly blends Californian flavors with more distant tastes from Asia and Italy. Special mention to the grilled swordfish, bursting with flavors.

Vegetarians and vegans alike flock to this hype den of healthy cuisine, which is currently all the rage on the West Coast. With its greenhouse feel and green plants tumbling from the walls and ceiling, this large, pretty café-restaurant serves up a mouth-watering brunch. On the menu: delicious avocado toast, juices, bowls of granola and sandwiches. You'll also find wonderful, tasty salads, stone-baked pizzas, small plates to share and pasta for lunch or dinner.

The façade of Hotel Casa del Mar, extending along the beach of Santa Monica, attracts all the views. The cuisine takes advantage of California, French and Asian influences to prepare excellent seafood dishes. The windows, high from the floor to the ceiling, overlook the sea and offer a magnificent view to the sunset.

With its lifebuoys and marine trinkets hanging on the wall, the decor of this restaurant resembles that of a sea wolf den. Take time to sit at the bar, shucking Santa Barbara shrimp or enjoying lobster rolls with lemon aioli and celery, before being seated at your table. Aside from oysters and other seafood, Son of A Gun serves fine, meticulous preparations that remind us that we're near the ocean. Good value for money.

Tom and Spoon, two people in Venice, decided one day that they wanted to create a place where they could recover with local and organic products, while remaining on the beach. Venice Ale House was born some time later. This cozy restaurant serves healthy and organic cuisine, but also exquisite local and local beers. Ideal to admire the sunset on the beach during an appetizer between friends.

If you like fish and seafood - or culinary experiences that are out of the ordinary - don't miss this market. On the waterfront, facing the harbor, it sells fresh products by weight: customers bring them to the cook, who will prepare them according to their tastes. Grilled, sautéed, a la plancha, with spices, fried... Many options are available. You can also order ceviches and fish tacos before taking a seat at one of the large tables to share.

Established in 1925, Lobster was originally a small restaurant with 60 seats and up to types of fish. In 1989, the small shop leaves out to the great dam of the inhabitants. After a long decade, the Lobster finally reopened in 1999 and became a renowned place with history. The chowder clam is delicious and the seafood is well cooked, but it is true that you come here to admire the sun on the pier of Santa Monica.