El Segundo's Hidden Gems: Top Local Recommendations
Los Angeles4 everybody
Jiro Style Ramen, right here in Los Angie. At Tsujita Annex in West LA, Jiro-style ramen is a specialty that aligns with the authentic features of this style. Tsujita Annex is known for its rich, flavorful ramen and adheres closely to the traditional Jiro-style with its robust broth, substantial portions of toppings, and emphasis on a hearty, satisfying meal. The restaurant’s approach to Jiro-style ramen aims to capture the essence of the original while catering to the local palate. — Jiro-style ramen is a distinct type of ramen that originates from Ramen Jiro, a famous ramen shop in Tokyo, Japan. It’s characterized by its hearty, rich, and indulgent style. The key features of Jiro-style ramen include a thick, flavorful broth, a heavy dose of garlic, a significant amount of bean sprouts, and a generous portion of fatty pork. The noodles are usually thick and chewy, and the dish is often topped with extra slices of pork and sometimes a raw egg.
Rachael Brandon
Influenced to try Community Goods while in LA and so glad I did. Hopefully we’ll see them back in Miami for another pop-up soon 👀 Hands down one of the best iced matcha lattes - added their vanilla syrup + oat milk. The sliders were so pillowy and much lighter than I expected (thankfully) and the sauces!!! Herb Aioli and a sweet and sour hot sauce. The pistachio toast though, was just the cherry on top! Think Nutella but pistachio no chocolate, fresh nuts and honey on a rustic bread. Chefs kiss ✨ I got there super early on a weekday just after opening to avoid any famed hour long lines and had a lovely #slowmorning on their patio 🍵
Food Baby
Used jetlag to our advantage today to line up before the opening of FONDRY, easily one of the best bakeries in LA, including some of the very best croissants. 👶🏽🥐 👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽👌🏽 They proudly introduce two new offerings: - Brown Butter Financier 🧈 - The Hazelnut 🌰 Enjoy 😋
Secret Los Angeles
Fulfill your cravings at Grand Central Market! Nothing beats soaking up the city vibes like going out to eat, right? While Los Angeles offers dining options for every taste, from Michelin-starred restaurants to food trucks, you don’t need to explore the whole city to find them. At Grand Central Market, you’ll find countless affordable choices, from seafood to tacos. Almost every one of the more than 35 vendors has menu items priced below $15, making it one of the best cheap activities in Los Angeles. Keep in mind that the place can be packed, so it’s best to go early and be patient.
Los Angeles4 everybody
Enchant LA! Sometimes pretty places aren’t equally tasty but I would say this place has both down. I got to dress and have some sweet quality time over good korean flavors (kim chi pasta & bulgogi quesadillas were really good!) 🌸Garden Style Brunch&Bar🌸 ☕Modern Asian Fusion🥂Wine🍸Cocktail Kept things light w a citrus shrimp salad but then indulged in other great menu items. We went for lunch but it’s good for dinner dates tooooo 🤓
Los Angeles4 everybody
The nations largest hawker stall = Smorgasburg LA! I like to come here bc it’s always summer vibes and you get all of LA’s most viral food trucks in one place. Gives a major platform to small businesses and gives me a unique experience every time. I come for food, beverages, local artistry and sun. Bring water and hats for sun protection bc it’s a large parking lot and all the asphalt makes it hot there ☀️ 🧢 🧴 💦
Secret Los Angeles
The Stalking Horse Brewery & Freehouse This venue exudes the quintessential charm of a British-inspired sports bar. With its inviting atmosphere and a wide array of craft beers brewed on-site, it offers a delightful haven for sports enthusiasts. Whether you’re looking to catch the latest game or simply unwind with friends over traditional British fare, such as fish and chips or meat pies, this establishment delivers on both fronts.
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Secret Los Angeles
Leo’s Tacos Truck Late night food truck tacos are practically in their own culinary category in L.A., and Leo’s makes some of the best of the best. What started as a humble taco truck on Brea and Venice Boulevards has turned into a local chain with eleven locations, most of which are open until 2 or 3am on weekends. By far the most popular order is the tacos al pastor, but you’ll find a great selection of Mexican street food including quesadillas, sopes, and tortas. Hours: 6pm-2:30am Friday-Saturday, 6pm-1:30am Sunday-Thursday
Secret Los Angeles
Roscoe’s Hollywood Harlem native Herb Hudson opened this Hollywood staple in 1975, and their tasty soul food has been enjoyed by generations of Angelenos and celebrities including Shaquille O’Neil, Stevie Wonder, and Barack Obama. The menu goes beyond the staple chicken and waffles to include classics like corn bread, mac and cheese, and biscuits and gravy. The Hollywood location is open until 4am on weekend nights, but you’ll find a handful of other Roscoe’s outposts in L.A. that are serving food until midnight.
Secret Los Angeles
For over fifty years, The Kettle has served classic American diner food to hungry late-night patrons in Manhattan Beach. Look for the unmistakable “Open All Night” sign lit up on Fridays and Saturdays, leading to the most comforting freshly-baked muffins you never knew you needed at 3 o’clock in the morning. Whether you’re downing a tureen of steamy French onion soup or double-dipping your fried zucchini sticks in an offensive amount of buttermilk ranch, you’ll be doing so in great company at The Kettle. Open 24 hours Friday-Saturday, 5pm-12am Sunday-Thursday
citygirlvibes
Nothing like a sweet ending to dinner at Madeo Ristorante 🍰🥧🍨 Alfio and Elvira built the Madeo legacy as a tribute to their family, filled with home-cooked memories and endless celebrations. A piece of their hometown Forte dei Marmi lives on in their hearts and in our menus forever. ❤️🇮🇹
Hellocalifornia
GJUSTA Located just a stone’s throw away from the famed Hammer art museum, Gjusta is one of the best gluten-free bakeries in Los Angeles and is located in the heart of Venice, CA. Gjusta occupies an inconspicuous warehouse, but inside there is a long, narrow hallway with warm, savory pastries and glass cases of captivating sweets, and of course a huge line. The bakery has become locally famous for the high quality of its remarkable gluten-free products. Gjusta locally sources only the best fruit and farm-fresh ingredients to ensure everything they make is as tasty as it is healthy. Their menu consists of delightful sweets such as fruit slices rolled into a sugar-glazed dough for a morning delight, and wonderfully fluffy croissants dusted with pistachio crumbs.
Hellocalifornia
Huckleberry Café and Bakery is without a doubt on the list of best french bakeries in Los Angeles. Zoe Nathan, the head baker, has developed quite a reputation for her pastries, cakes, and quality bread. We recommend trying the beautiful, flaky croissants which come in a wide range of flavors like Prosciutto Gruyère and Valrhona Chocolate. The Huckleberry Cafe and Bakery also offers a variety of other pastries including bread pudding, scones, tarts, donuts, old-fashioned coffee cake, ciabattas, and maple bacon biscuits. The bakery was established in 2009 and recently published a book, "Huckleberry: Stories, Secrets, and Recipes from Our Kitchen," which includes 115 recipes straight from the bakery’s distinguished chefs. Along with the large selection of baked goods offered here, Huckleberry Cafe also offers comfort food such as brisket hash, and egg sandwiches on freshly made country toast. All of this scrumptious food, plus outside patio seating in sunny southern California, make this a perfect place for an outdoor brunch date.
Secret Los Angeles
Grab a sweet or savory slice at Quarter Sheets Quarter Sheets in Echo Park serves up unique savory and sweet slices. Chefs Hannah Ziskin and Aaron Lindell create a menu that feels like an elevated, adult version of a fun kids’ birthday party. Their pizza and cake offerings have earned them “Best Restaurant” rankings from the New York Times and Los Angeles Times in 2023, plus a spot in the California Michelin Guide. Try their creative pizzas with toppings like Funyuns or shrimp cocktail, and don’t miss Ziskin’s gourmet slab cakes. Staff favorites include their Bar Pie and Vodka Pesto. And yes, expect a line when you get there!
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Gluten Free Girls LA
Kitchen Mouse - the small bakery around the corner from the main restaurant has TONS of gluten free sweets, pastries, bagels and to go food (gf lentil shepards pie and gf lasagna etc). They offer vegan options like just egg or regular egg as it’s a vegetarian restaurant. In the past, I have tried the gluten-free bagels (amazing), gluten-free coffee cake and cookies (also amazing). Today I got the French berry pastry -the vanilla custard was AMAZING. The crust was a great texture but was more like a sugar cookie formed as a tart than a butter tart. I would definitely recommend trying it if you like custard and sugar cookies.
The Restaurant Guide
Xuntos: Great tapas bar in Santa Monica with traditional bar bites from Asturias, Catalonia, the Basque region and Galicia. Cordero designed XUNTOS, “together” in Gallego, to be warm, fun, not too serious, with plenty to eat. Occupying two storefronts of a 1926 building at 516 Santa Monica Boulevard, the space includes two kitchens, two mezzanines, a dining room & a bar room. XUNTOS serves pintxos & tapas, unrefined: small plates from the farmer’s market around the corner to traditional dishes of Galicia, Asturias, Catalunya & the Basque Country, as they’re eaten in Spain. Natural Wines from these regions are the centerpiece of the ambitious beverage program curated by beverage director Scott Baker, with a full bar featuring cocktails by friend Kim Stodel, gin tonics, chupitos (Galician after-dinner drinks), brandies, vermuts & cold cervezas.
The Restaurant Guide
Donna’s LA: Upgraded Italian American classics in a fun, flower-bombed room in Echo Park. Donna’s is inspired by an east coast, red sauce joint. The menu is made up of those Italian-American classics that you expect, but done really well with California ingredients. Here at Donna’s we’re loud and lively, with warm and familiar service. We’ll remind you what comfort feels like. And you’ll have the best night out (since the last time you were here).
Secret Los Angeles
Take a bite out of the best sandwiches in Los Angeles! Italy’s most famous sandwich shop has been drawing crowds to its Florence location since 1991, and we were lucky enough to gain an outpost of All’Antico Vinaio here in L.A. just last year. These globally-famous creations are made with Tuscan schiacciata bread and stuffed with mouthwatering ingredients like prosciutto, truffle honey, stracchino, spicy eggplant, artichoke cream, pancetta, sun dried tomatoes, and so many more. If you’re on the hunt for the best Italian sandwiches in Los Angeles, we’re not sure you can better than this.
DTLA Insider
🍔 What do you get when Fine dining x Fast Food in a no frills diner style environment in Downtown L.A? Rita's deluxe is one of the hands down best burgers your taste buds will ever experience! “Rita’s deluxe burger..tastes like an animal style double double got jacked doing crossfit and put on bacon and chopped cherry peppers as accessories”. And always fried in beef tallow, always crispy and always delicious 🤤
The Restaurant Guide
Leona’s sushi house LA: Michelin Guide ‘23! Choose between the charming sushi bar, the high-ceiling dining room facing Ventura Boulevard, or center patio lounge to enjoy Japanese Peruvian food with an Italian touch. Influencers and foodies alike are raving about Leona’s. Their Michelin-recognized cuisine and crafted cocktails are a must-try. Take your dining experience to the next level. 🌟🥩🍣
Los Angeles4 everybody
Chinese in West Hollywood! Modernized Dim Sum fa sho 😋 🥟 Ok, I have one traditional place for dim sum and it is in the SGV, it’s meant to family time and Sunday Breakfast. Soooo, West Hollywood + Dim Sum for dinner never went together in my mind. Buutttttt, BAO DIM SUM HOUSE reinvented that. And I am here for it bc it’s actually good. Shiu Mai (we got chicken) was very hefty, Har Gow was shrimp filled with a light wrap, sauces on the table were on point and other items like Spare Ribs were prepared very traditionally. Now, if you live in LA proper, you don’t always have to go to the valley for your dim sum fix 😋 🥟
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DTLA Insider
🔥 Some of the best damn Tacos in L.A! MidEast Tacos is what you get when you cross Middle Eastern x Mexican food. 1. Papas 2. Steak Burrito 3. Falafel Taco 4. Shrimp Taco 5. Chicken Quesadilla They don’t call it ‘The Home of The Falafel Taco’ for no reason 👊🏽
DTLA Insider
🔥 Stumbled upon a little hidden gem of a 🇲🇽 restaurant today and am still 🤯…. Carnes Asadas Pancho Lopez🌶🔥 • Tortas Ahogadas, Carne En Su Jugo + more • Michelin Bib Gourmand • 5 STARS 🌟 on Yelp Come and try our delicious Molcajete and pair with our tasty Michelada 🍹with your choice of beer 🍺. 🍴 Have You??
citygirlvibes
Lovely coffee shop Café Telegrama ☕️ • Amazing coffee • Valet Parking • Indoor/Outdoor Seating • Delicious Pastries and Food • The only cons: no wifi
DTLA Insider
🍳 Breafast is served 🔥 Eggslut Los Angeles is the BEST and the ONLY way to start the day ☀️🍳 STEAK & EGGS 🍳🥩 and much more
Los Angeles4 everybody
ONCLE’S CAFE: SWEET CORN BINGSOO! Oh, don’t sleep on South Bay (Gardena) for korean food! Visit it this weekend and come try our wide assortment of delicious Desserts
DTLA Insider
🍷 A magical little space you must experience known as Bar Mateo in LA 🤍
DTLA Insider
☕️ The newest addition to the Downtown Coffee scene has arrived at the gorgeous Concierge Coffee in the Arts District and this is one you don’t want to miss 🤌🏽
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citygirlvibes
Charming little walk-up cafe in Arden Café Your daily dose of pink, blooms, and brunch happiness! The Arden Cafe opens M-F at 8am and 10am on the weekends. The perfect place for a quick matcha, coffee meet or casual brunch!
Hellocalifornia
Immerse yourself in a symphony of lights and creativity at LACMA's Urban Light exhibit! It's an urban masterpiece like no other 💡✨
Unlocking the Best Local Recommendations in El Segundo
Set against the bustling backdrop of LA, El Segundo is a hidden gem filled with unique experiences. From mouthwatering cuisine to scenic spots that most tourists miss, there's plenty to explore. For the uninitiated, however, it can be challenging to discover these treasures. That's where local insights come into play, giving you an edge to experience El Segundo like a true insider.
Foodie Delights You Can't Miss
El Segundo boasts a wealth of dining experiences that cater to all tastes and preferences. For breakfast aficionados, Blue Butterfly Coffee is a haven with its artisanal coffee brews and delectable pastries. If you're in the mood for something heartier, Tacomiendo offers authentic Mexican street food that has garnered rave local recommendations. Their carne asada tacos are particularly popular among the locals.
When it comes to fine dining, locals often recommend Iron Horse Tavern. Known for its wide range of craft beers and elevated pub fare, this spot is a must-visit. A local secret – if you're dining on a weekend, try to arrive early as this popular spot fills up quickly.
Explore the Scenic Spots
While El Segundo might be smaller than its neighboring LA counterparts, it offers several picturesque spots that promise great memories. El Segundo Beach is a local favorite, more relaxed compared to the busier Santa Monica Pier. Known for its clean shores and less crowded environment, it's perfect for a tranquil escape.
Another hidden gem is the El Segundo Library Park. Ideal for a calming stroll or a small picnic, this park offers lush greenery and a peaceful environment, making it a perfect spot to unwind. Don’t miss the picturesque gazebo where many local events like live music and farmers’ markets often take place.
Discover Unique Local Shops
If you're keen on shopping, El Segundo’s downtown area offers an eclectic mix of boutique stores. For vintage enthusiasts, Havin’ a Thrift is a treasure trove of pre-loved fashion and collectibles. Meanwhile, The Point hosts a blend of high-end retailers and unique local boutiques, making it a one-stop destination for all your shopping needs.
Book lovers and culture geeks should take a detour to Old Town Music Hall. It features a collection of books, music, and vintage instruments that you won't find anywhere else. Ask any local, and they’ll tell you that this place is a true El Segundo institution.
Trending Activities and Events
El Segundo is not short on exciting trends and events. For a contemporary twist, check out the local Rock & Brews for its live music nights. They host an array of local artists and bands, creating a vibrant atmosphere that makes every visit memorable.
Fitness enthusiasts will find plenty to keep them active. One trending spot is Camp Egan, an outdoor fitness boot camp revered for its community vibe and effective workouts. Plus, if you're someone who enjoys unique experiences, talk to the locals about the upcoming seasonal events held at Recreation Park—it’s a venue for everything from movie nights to craft fairs.
Kikihub: A Portal to Real Local Opinions
The key to uncovering these local secrets often lies in connecting with residents. Kikihub is your go-to platform for engaging in local anonymous chats. Whether you’re curious about off-the-menu items or secret spots only residents know about, engaging in conversations on Kikihub allows you to gain unrivaled local insights.
Real opinions matter, and Kikihub thrives on providing unfiltered advice and recommendations from people who know El Segundo inside-out. Whether it's trending topics like the latest pop-up restaurants or insider tips on the best sunset spots, your Kikihub interactions will ensure you're in the know.
