There’s something magical about cities like Los Angeles, where communities from around the world converge. We have access to a plethora of restaurants representing a wide range of cultures, cuisines, and countries that showcase local ingredients in traditional and revolutionary ways. At these 10 restaurants, you’ll travel the world with your taste buds without stepping foot outside of L.A.
1. China (Manchuria): Bistro Na’s, Temple City
The opulent interior of Chinese restaurant Bistro Na's is meant to complement the menu of royal Manchu cuisine. Photo by Ariel Ip
In an area rich with excellent Chinese restaurants, Bistro Na’s is a unique mainstay. Here, you’ll find Imperial-style Manchurian dishes that, before modern times, had been enjoyed only by royalty. Despite its opulent red-and-gold interior, this Beijing import is approachable. The kitchen executes each dish with precision, whether it’s the chile tofu skin salad or lightly breaded shrimp with the shells still on.
You absolutely must order ahead if want a shot at indulging in Bistro Na’s signature Peking duck, as there are only eight available each night. Photo by Ariel Ip
Order ahead to try the tender Peking duck with its impossibly crispy skin. There are only eight available per night. Eat it dipped in hoisin sauce and salt or layered with the hoisin, cucumber, and scallion in an ultra-thin steamed pancake—all presented by chef Tian Yong.
2. Spain (Costa Brava): Telefèric Barcelona, Brentwood
The dining room of Telefèric was designed with Mediterranean furnishings and accent pieces like ceramic tiles, handmade braided thread lamps, and oak wood tables and chairs. Photo by Abel Rincon
Telefèric Executive Chef Oscar Cabezas brings a Michelin-starred pedigree to the Westside with his experience at Arzak in San Sebastián, Spain, and he’s created an expansive menu inspired by Spain’s Costa Brava region. You’ll find plenty of tapas, including 38-month aged jamón, crab croquetas, crispy artichoke hearts, Spanish meatballs, and garlic shrimp.
For bigger dishes, order from a variety of paellas or a 40-ounce Catalan tomahawk steak. The solid cocktail menu, sangrias, tableside porrón, and hundreds of Spanish wines complement the food menu. Experience all of it within the recesses of a casual-chic, blond oak dining room.
3. Mexico (Oaxaca): Gish Bac, Los Angeles
One of the staple dishes at Oaxacan-inspired Gish Bac is the barbacoa, made with either lamb or goat. The barbacoa roja features goat marinated in chile guajillo and served alongside a cabbage-cilantro salad. Photo courtesy Gish Bac
Gish Bac (which means “place of abundance” in Nahuatl) provides one of the best iterations of Oaxacan food out there. An entire page of its menu is dedicated to barbacoa made of goat and lamb, and the Arlington Heights restaurant also offers solid breakfast options, plus tortas, tlayudas (Mexican pizza), and memelas (thick grilled masa cakes with toppings).
But the kitchen really shines through its moles—negro (black), coloradito (dark red), and amarillo (yellow)—all of which have incredible flavor depth thanks to a mixture of secret ingredients stemming from traditional family recipes.
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4. Thailand: Ayara Thai, Westchester
Don’t miss Ayara Thai’s array of innovative small plates, including the cornmeal-crusted calamari garnished with grated salted duck egg, fried garlic, and laab powder. Photo by @LumiereLosAngeles
L.A. is home to the largest diasporic Thai population in the world. While East Hollywood’s Thai Town is one of the city’s better-known spots for the flavorful fare, Ayara Thai’s unexpected location in LAX-adjacent Westchester makes it the perfect stop for a bite before or after a flight.
The second-generation-run restaurant creates dishes from family recipes with American and Angeleno influences using top-notch ingredients like sustainable chocolate from Kad Kokoa in Thailand and chiles, cilantro, and basil from local Hmong farmers.
Go for the inventive snacks, such as the Thai beef jerky or the cornmeal-crusted crispy calamari topped with grated salt duck egg, fried garlic, and laab spice. And be sure to take home one of the many sauces the restaurant bottles and sells, including Ayara’s creamy house dressing and Thai peanut sauce.
5. Armenia: Mini Kabob, Glendale
The Martirosyan family (son Armen is pictured) makes its own lavash to accompany many of the dishes served at Mini Kabob. Photo by Julia Stotz
This hot spot has an irresistibly concentrated Armenian menu of proteins, rice, salads, and sides for takeout, all served out of a 300-foot-space manned by the Martirosyan family.
Mini Kabob’s real star is the ground beef lule kebab, which features skewered marinated meat (chicken, pork, and lamb options are offered too) charred over flames and served with a generous array of accompaniments including fire-roasted jalapeños and tomatoes, hummus, rice, lavash, and thin onions dressed in sumac and parsley.
Simple salads, cucumber yogurt, and eggplant caviar are also available. Don’t forget the toum (garlic sauce), which you’ll find yourself dipping everything in. Note that if you haven’t ordered and paid online, you’ll have to pay in cash.
6. India: Roots Indian Bistro, Los Angeles
The menu at Roots Indian Bistro includes a section of interesting “Roots Rarities,” like these vindaloo dumplings stuffed with Kurobuta pork in a paprika curry. Photo courtesy Roots Indian Bistro
As far as Indian food in L.A. goes, the restaurants along Pioneer Boulevard in Artesia deservedly get all the fame. But there’s another worthy spot in the center of Melrose. There, mom-and-pop businesses, kitschy retailers, and smoke shops sit alongside independently owned restaurants.
Roots Indian Bistro serves traditional dishes such as saag and tikka masala, as well as fusion-like sides including a chana chalupa and vindaloo dumplings that still deliver all the right textures and flavors. Accompany the savory fare with a sweet mango lassi or a ginger lemonade.
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7. Korea: Park’s BBQ, Koreatown
The Wagyu combo at Park's BBQ comes with beef that gets grilled at your table and a wide variety of side dishes. Photo courtesy Park's BBQ
It’s hard to imagine a more iconic restaurant in Koreatown than Park’s BBQ. Most of its success comes from sourcing high-quality meats like USDA Prime beef and Tokyo X pork and grilling them over hardwood charcoal. The banchan (side dishes) are plentiful and fresh.
Don’t miss out on the naengmyeon (cold noodles). The chewy tartness is the perfect counterpoint to the grilled meats. Other standouts include the braised black cod and the stone pot rice you can order with veggies, kimchi, beef, or seafood. Park’s BBQ continues to be the place to indulge in top-notch Korean barbecue with hospitable service.
8. The Mediterranean: Momed, Atwater Village
Executive Chef Vartan Abgaryan, who’s helmed kitchens at restaurants including Cliff’s Edge in Silver Lake and Downtown L.A.’s 71 Above, is now cooking up modern Mediterranean fare—like this standout house-made pita—at Momed in Atwater Village. Photo by Sterling Reed
The menu at Momed, a contraction of “modern Mediterranean,” takes inspiration from the entire arc of the Mediterranean, starting from Portugal and ending in Morocco. Executive Chef Vartan Abgaryan has a knack for utilizing the grill and the wood-fired oven at the heart of the kitchen to combine ingredients that create exceptional flavors.
Looking for the perfect accompaniment to Momed’s fresh-out-of-the-oven pita? Order up the avocado hummus topped with an unexpected peanut salsa macha, a traditionally Mexican condiment. Photo by Sterling Reed
To start, try the whipped feta, duck liver terrine, or avocado hummus, all paired with homemade sourdough pita. Move on to can’t-miss entrées, including branzino with fennel, roasted grapes, and garlic toum, and a prime ribeye cap with grilled market vegetables and shishito chimichurri. Check out the interesting wine selection featuring Armenian labels.
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9. Japan: Otafuku, Gardena
The Katsudon pork cutlet bowl is one of many bowls on the menu at Japanese izakaya eatery Otafuku. Photo courtesy Otafuku
Otafuku, which aptly means “much good fortune,” is a long-standing Japanese izakaya in the South Bay. It’s known for yakitori, sashimi, tempura, and house-made noodles, including udon and soba in white, black, and 100% buckwheat varieties. The extensive menu includes homestyle items like cold appetizers and rice dishes.
It’s a popular after-work social spot, so you’re sure to enjoy the local vibe if you show up in the early evening (reservations recommended). Order ahead for limited-menu items, such as the Sakura Wagyu beef tongue grilled tableside over binchotan charcoal.
10. Guatemala: Mi Cocinita Chapina, Westlake
Located near the storied Guatemalan Night Market, Mi Cocina Chapina serves up the classics in a small, casual sit-down environment. Start the day with a traditional Guatemalan plate of eggs, fried plantains, sour cream, and proteins like pork sausage and beans.
Or come for the main event: chiles rellenos, kak’ik (wild turkey stew), and hilachas (shredded beef with potatoes in salsa). One dish you won’t want to skip? The pepián de gallina, a rich pumpkin seed sauce topped over a hen so tender it falls right off the bone.
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