North Hollywood is a vibrant community in the San Fernando Valley that is known for its arts district and its laid back atmosphere.
One thing North Hollywood doesn’t get a lot of attention for, though, is its restaurant scene… but if you do find yourself looking, here’s our pick of the 15 best restaurants that North Hollywood has to offer.
Eat is one of my favorite breakfast spots in all of Los Angeles. It’s a small diner that serves up all your favorite breakfast and lunch classic and done so in a way that shows you that they really care about making really good food.
My go to order is the breakfast burrito or the healthy scramble and of course I always opt for their zucchini shreds, which is like a healthier version of hash browns. Add some of the chunky garlic sauce to it and you will be in for a treat!
One of my favorite things to do as an introvert is to come here on an early weekday morning, before there is any semblance of a crowd and order some food and enjoy a cup of coffee and reflect on the beauty of life.
If you come on the weekends, during peak breakfast and brunch hours, expect a long line.
11108 Magnolia Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
Vicious Dogs
Most locals will tell you that Pinks is the most overrated hot dog in Los Angeles and I have to agree. I don’t like waiting an hour long line for a hot dog that is more spectacle than flavor.
Vicious dogs is far superior in taste and accessibility. Of the many times that I have come here, I have never been disappointed.
They have a huge selection of hot dogs here, including vegan hot dogs, this is LA after all.
You can’t go wrong with the chili dog, a bacon wrapped dog or my personal favorite, the Big Surf dog, which is a bacon wrapped beef dog layered with grilled onions and peppers and topped with pieces of fried shrimp.
Skip the line at Pinks and mosey over to Vicious.
5231 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
Idle Hour
Idle Hour is the coolest looking bar in the Valley and may be all of Los Angeles. It’s a giant wooden barrel!
Its history dates back to the 1940’s when it was first commissioned by film technician Michael D. Connolly to serve as a taproom and designed to catch the attention of passing motorists.
After several incarnations and many decaying decades later, Idle Hour has found a firm footing in the 21st century as a bar that serve incredible tasty food and libations.
They have classic bar food like pork sliders, hamburgers, fish and chips and chicken tenders and it’s all incredibly tasty and well done.
And while the food is great, the drinks are even better. Craft cocktails, craft beer and liquors galore!
Oh and the back patio is cool as hell too! There is a giant structure of a bulldog smoking a pipe in the back.
4824 Vineland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 91601
Krua Thai Restaurant
There is actually two Thai towns in Los Angeles. The one in Hollywood that gets all the attention and the little known one in North Hollywood that goes unnoticed and is underappreciated.
Among the many restaurants that line the streets of Thai town in North Hollywood, Krua Thai has my heart and adoration. I’ve been to all the other ones and they are all great in their own respects, but I always gravitate back to Krua Thai.
The food here is authentic as can be and could hold its own on the streets of Bangkok or Chiang Mai. The flavors and spices aren’t muted to fit the sensibilities of western palates. It’s the type of food that Thai people cook for other Thai people.
I have a few go to dishes. The first is the general noodle soup, which is consists of egg noodles in a flavorful broth with shrimp, bbq pork, ground pork and roasted duck. Its the type of noodle soup that you keep ladling into your mouth until everything is gone, including the broth.
The Cha Po is rice dish that is served with roasted pork, bbq pork and roasted duck and they work harmoniously together.
I’ve tried many dishes here and yet to be disappointed in anything. The food here feels like it was cooked by a Thai grandmother who wants to plump up and spoil her grandchildren.
13130 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, CA 91605
Salsa and Beer
Deep in the heart of North Hollywood, you will find a Mexican restaurant that has the trifecta that every foodies searches for; good, cheap, and large portions.
The carnitas are a standout here. It is super tender and deeply rich in flavor.
Get the fajitas, even if you are not a fajita person. It’s some of the best I have ever tasted.
Make sure you get the green avocado salsa, it is good enough to drink on its own and does wonder when slathered on your plate.
They have good prices and large portions, you can get yourself a massive burrito wit beans and rice for around $12.
The only downside to this restaurant are the wait to get seated. It gets busy and hour long lines are not uncommon during peak dining hours.
11669 Sherman Way North Hollywood, CA 91607
Mofongos
Although Los Angeles is a culinary melting pot with food from every country generously represented, there is a severe lack of Puerto Rican food in the city. Off the top of my head, I can only name you two restaurants in Los Angeles that serves up proper Puerto Rican food.
Mofongos in North Hollywood is one of them and is a excellent place to get acquainted with Caribbean flavors. It’s a place that is exalted by ex-pats for its authenticity and for its ability to conjure up memories of home.
Mofongos, the restaurant takes its name from the traditional Puerto Rican dish that is made with mashed plantains and served with chicken, pork, fish and beef and they craft it wonderfully here. It is absolutely delicious and a must-try when coming here. They have sandwiches, salads and other selections but nothing comes close to the mofongo.
5757 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
Tacos El Venado
The phrase ‘best tacos in LA’ has been thrown around to describe Tacos El Venado and that is a lofty praise, given the fact that LA is one of the most premier cities to get Mexican food in the United States and considering there is a seemingly unlimited amount of restaurants, food stands and taco trucks that vie for such a title in the city. And it’s not just gringos who are claiming this, Mexican folks are vouching for it too:
I’ve traveled all across Mexico and with the explicit intent of trying tacos. And yet again, I find myself driving from Pasadena to North Hollywood week after week just to get some of the tacos here.
Expect a long line, but don’t let it scare you away, it moves quickly and bring cash!
11700 Victory Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91606
The Front Yard
Located inside the Garland Hotel, The Front Yard isn’t your run-of-the-mill lobby restaurant. The restaurant has made a name for itself with it incredible menu and a vibrant atmosphere that has caught the attention of all of Los Angeles.
The patio of the The Front Yard is the main attraction, with its twinkling string lights, cozy fireplace and relaxed seating. It’s the perfect place to grab drinks, get dinner and get to know someone better.
The food here is farm-fresh seasonal dishes that run from breakfast and brunch to lunch and dinner and they have something for everybody; picky eaters, vegans and everyone in between.
4222 Vineland Ave North Hollywood, CA 91602
Hy Mart
Hy Mart is a family owned and operated restaurant that has been around for over 30 years and serving the community some of the most inventive Mediterranean wraps and sandwiches in the Valley.
My go to orders when I come here is the Kobi Dan. A wrap that is stuffed with gyro meat, hummus, tomatoes, red onions, cucumbers, Serrano jalapenos, basil, cayenne powder, black pepper and topped with tahini sauce and Ben’s secret sauce. Every ingredient in this wrap works harmoniously together to form a union of blissful flavors.
There is no wrong order here. Everything is flavorful, filling and reasonably priced.’
4795 Vineland Ave Ste C North Hollywood, CA 91602
Republic of Pie
If you couldn’t already guess by the name, pie is the name of the game at this restaurant/coffee shop.
Located on the row of restaurants in NoHo Arts District, Republic of Pie is the sort of place where you grab a slice of pie and a good cup of coffee and mull over ideas for your next screenplay or novel.
All of their pies are made by hand and in small batches and they are all equally delicious. Sometimes, when I come here, I have a hard time choosing and end up staring at the display case for more time than the person behind me is willing to tolerate. But there’s nothing like their old-fashioned Pecan pie. It is such a treat for the mouth, with its buttery crust and delightfully candied pecans.
If you are not in the mood for sweets they also have savory pies like chicken pie and Australian pie.
Their menu also extends to classic breakfast selections like quiches, french toasts and omelettes.
11118 Magnolia Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91601
Cilantro
You can’t judge a book by its cover and Cilantro embodies that phrase more than any other restaurant. It’s located inside a Cheveron gas station and is crafting some of the best Mexican food in North Hollywood.
While the food here is Mexican, it’s not the street-food type Mexican that is so common in LA, but more like the Baja Fresh style Mexican that is actually delicious, sorry Baja Fresh.
They are serving up all your favorite Mexican fare including; burritos, tacos, tostadas, tortas, quesadillas and a whole lot more. My personal favorite is the carne asada breakfast burrito, which checks all the boxes in terms of taste, texture and filling.
The surf and turf burrito is another highlight of the menu that strikes a delicate balance between sweet and savory with the seared shrimp and angus steak.
7214 Whitsett Ave North Hollywood, CA 91605
BlaqHaus
If you are looking for some southern food, BlaqHaus is the one of the best spots in Los Angeles. It’s a place where they make Southern classics that shine.
Their dining room, located deep in the heart of North Hollywood is a fantastic place to try fish plates, shrimp baskets, chicken wings, burgers and tons more!
Some highlights of the menu include the catfish basket, which is two catfish fillets perfectly seasoned and fried and served with thick, seasoned potato wedges. It’s the southern version of fish and chips.
The shrimp and grits can’t be missed if you are here for brunch. It’s a melody of flavor that is really a treat for the taste buds.
11671 Victory Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91606
Hayat’s Kitchen
Tucked away in the corner of a strip mall on Burbank Blvd, Hayat’s Kitchen is serving up some of the best Lebanese food in all of Los Angeles.
Hayat’s Kitchen showcases all the things Lebanese food can be. You will find every classic that you’ve come to love including kabobs, galaba, shawarma and musaka.
Their mezzes (small dishes), including the hummus, kufte, chikufte, cheese rolls are awesome ways to acclimate your taste buds to a delicious meal.
The kabobs are the highlight of the menu and whether you are getting chicken or steak, all meats are seasoned and cooked to perfection and is tender as can be.
Leave some room the freshly made baklava with pistachio, a heavenly delight!
Parking can be a hassle in the small and cramped lot, opt for street parking inside and save yourself a headache.
11009 Burbank Blvd Ste 117 North Hollywood, CA 91601
Chiba
Chiba is a reminder that it doesn’t take hundreds of dollars or a prime spot in Beverly Hills to get first-rate sushi.
Chiba offers a extensive menu of fish prepared in every imaginable way: sushi, sashimi, rolls, donburi bowls, nigiri, and more.
You’ll be hard-pressed to find anything on the menu that you’ll dislike. The kitchen menu is the best in North Hollywood, and this is one of the few restaurants where you will find even the most mundane of food items like their chicken teriyaki or pork cutlets to be a cut above the rest.
Our favorite experience is to sit at the bar, order the omakase and let the chef guide you through a medley of incredibly fresh fish and flavors.
7515 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91605
Healthyca Foods
If you couldn’t already tell by the name, Healthyca caters to the health conscious with its California-inspired fare with sandwiches, wraps, salads and juices that are devoid of any processed foods or fillers.
The item that I come back to time and time again is the Californian sandwich, which comes with oven roasted turkey, avocado, tomato, onion and lettuce. It’s a simple recipe that is done very well.
The portions are super filling and the prices are fair. There is very limited seating outside, so your best best is to call ahead of time, pick up your food and find a nice park where you can sit down and enjoy some guilt-free nourishment for your body.
4724 Lankershim Blvd North Hollywood, CA 91602
Rodini Park
When you walk into Rodini Park, it might take you a second to figure out how their system works. The best way to think about it is to think of it like a Greek version of Chipotle. Everything is custom made to fit your taste.
You start off with a base (pita, rice, french fries), next you choose a protein (beef and lamb gyro, chicken shawarma, chicken or beef kabob, or falafel) and then you finish it off with an assortment of sauces and sides. There’s no wrong way to order. Anything you order, however wild and recklessly, will come out delicious. That is the magic of Rodini Park.
Save some room for dessert, their freshly made butterscotch baklava is insanely delicious!
Mariska is a recovering attorney who gave up her professional job to discover new perspectives of life while traveling in a 2009 Ford Transit.
She has been living the van life for 3 years and has not looked back since.
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