The Best Restaurants in San Fernando Valley Will Have You Going Back for Seconds

If one of the LA dining scene’s defining characteristics is incredible food in unexpected places, there may be no better area that represents it more than the San Fernando Valley. From now-trendy Studio City to suburban Chatsworth, the Valley is home to a seemingly limitless amount of hidden gems. You’ll find regional Syrian joints a few blocks away from sushi bars that are considered the best in the country, family-run taquerias across the street from French-Vietnamese fusion, and everything else in between. Here’s where you need to be eating in the Valley.

Sherman Oaks
There isn’t much left to say about the 2022 LA Times Restaurant of the Year that hasn’t been said already. The place has been a Valley staple since the ’80s, but this is Anajak 2.0. This is a place for Thai Taco Tuesday, for fresh uni and tostadas, for skewer-grilled prawns, and yes, still, a place for dank pad Thai. Anajak is a place to embrace the unique beauty of eating in Los Angeles.
How to book: Reservations are available via Resy. 

Woodland Hills
There is no San Fernando Valley without places like Dan’s Super Subs. The beloved family-run sub shop has been a staple of the neighborhood since 1980, and all these years later, they’re still serving sandwiches big enough for at least two people, laden with high-quality meats, crisp veggies, and Chicago-imported dill pickle spears.  Never change, Dan’s.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Studio City
After all these years, “Fuh-Fuh” is still outstanding. Each banh mi option is a treat, and yes, they’re served on toasted ciabatta rather than the traditional baguette, and they’re still delicious. This is fusion, after all. The ribeye pho is, of course, a must, but you’ll go to bed with memories of the oxtail fried rice.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Glendale
First-time restaurateurs Celene and Tara Carara grew their Indonesian driveway sensation into a bona fide hit during the Pandemic, landing write-ups in a slew of publications and even their own stall at Smorgasburg. They’re back where it all began now, running popups out of the driveway every two to three weeks. The signature item? Bungkus, a banana leaf-wrapped package of soulful cooking stuffed with lemongrass rice, buttery coconut chicken, a show-stopping fried chili condiment, and more.
How to book: Keep an eye on social media for dates, locations, and online orders.

Valley Glen
There are no corners cut on the square pizzas Barone’s has been serving since 1945. The thin-crust rectangular pizza remains one of LA’s most-celebrated pizza titans. And let it be known, you did Barone’s wrong if you leave without burger meat on your pizza.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Sherman Oaks
For over 60 years, Casa Vega has stood the test of time as one of the Valley’s most crucial Mexican hangs. This place is as rooted in Valley lore as anywhere else, and just as beloved. The food is solid, but the vibe is absolutely immaculate. Grab a combo plate and don’t even consider taking a bite without a margarita in hand, and enjoy the terrific new patio.
How to book: Reservations are available via Resy. 

Studio City
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Carney’s still dishes out some of the best classic American comfort food in the entire city. The homemade chili is unstoppable, and paired with shredduce, melty cheese, huge beefsteak tomatoes, and their signature beef patties, there aren’t many LA burgers that hit the spot harder.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Chatsworth
For many, Chatsworth is a drive, but there is no better SFV option for a pseudo-trip to The Big Easy. Their kitchen is bursting with Creole flavor, so order a couple of hundred po-boys and Nola favorites like red beans & rice, hush puppies, and candied yams.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Van Nuys
There are no sesame seed buns like those from the temple of Pueblan-style sandwiches, Cemitas Don Adrian. Loaded with queso fresco, avocado, and onions, there are no wrong choices, but don’t forget to secure an extra cecina asada for later.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Glendale
To explain what’s so special about Mini Kabob is to explain what’s so special about eating in Los Angeles. The tiny restaurant probably isn’t much bigger than your apartment, maybe even smaller, but the aroma from the Martirosyan family’s grilled meats is the lifeblood of the entire street. This restaurant is built on hard work, dedication, and so much love. You can taste it in the food, where slowly grilled chicken thighs, crunchy falafel, and decadent New Zealand lamb chops sing with spices influenced by Armenian and Egyptian cooking. And the hummus? It’s the best in LA.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Studio City & Agoura
Despite the fact that Lal Mirch has set up outposts on both ends of the Valley, it would be tough to find a restaurant cooking southern Indian food of the same quality anywhere in between the two locations. This isn’t the place to impress your friends with regional specialties you saw on Instagram. This is a place for the classics. Get some chicken makhni, get some saag paneer, get some aloo gobi, get some samosas -- it’s all comfort food from here on out.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Studio City
You could order something new at Daichan every time you went and never make a wrong move. They’ve been doing fresh fish bowls since way before LA’s poke trend blew up, not to mention their perfect “Japanese soul food” plates. You haven’t had black cod 'til you’ve had it at Daichan.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Studio City
It should come as no surprise that Mantee Cafe’s signature dish is called mantee: tiny meat raviolis topped with fresh garlic yogurt sauce, sumac, and red pepper. You’d be an absolute loon to skip out on ordering them at this spot specializing in Lebanese and Armenian fare, and the same goes for their entire lineup of mezze options, like spicy olives, tangy labneh, and the showstopping hot feta (served sizzling, with tomato and jalapeño).
How to book:Reservations are available via OpenTable. 

Van Nuys
It’s hard to describe exactly why the Jerez-style cooking at Salsa & Beer outshines so many other similar restaurants, but when you taste that bacon-wrapped shrimp or that molcajete, it makes a lot more sense. Maybe it’s the people or the smell of carnitas, but there’s magic in that kitchen. And that bean dip is from another damn galaxy.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Van Nuys
Incredible Middle Eastern restaurants decorate every corner of the Valley, but your options can be limited when it comes to Syrian food. The well-lauded Kobee Factory had a consistent slot in Jonathan Gold’s 101, so if you don’t want to take our word, take his. That stuffed lamb intestine is one of the best dishes in the city; herbaceous, cinnamonny, and packed with rice & beef.
How to book: Call 818-909-2593.

North Hollywood
If you’re one of those sad saps who think Hy Mart closed forever when it left its spot across the road, we’ve got great news: they’re very much alive on the other side of the street, still crushing it behind the H. Salt. The Foreman’s Special deserves a spot in any best-sandwich-in-LA conversation, so if you like chicken, serranos, jalapeños, and their always-killer “Ben’s” sauce, get over there... now. Again.
How to book: Walk-ins are welcome. 

Encino
It almost feels unfair when more great sushi arrives in the Valley, but, well, we suppose that’s too bad for everybody else. Okumura is low-key, friendly, and, best of all, a return to the type of Valley sushi that made it so special in the first place. This isn’t a bank-breaking omakase that you have to suffer through watching influencers eat for free. This is well-priced, high-quality, and beautifully fresh.
How to book: Call 818 986-9712.

Studio City
Former sitcom writer Jeff Strauss did something special when he opened Jeff’s Table, a deli inspired by Jewish and Chinese cooking, in the back of a Highland Park liquor store. He’s back at it with Oy Bar, featuring even more Yiddish, wonderfully divey ambiance, and plotz-worthy bar food, like Reuben quesadillas and daily crudos.
How to book: Email OyBarManager@gmail.com.

Woodland Hills
Chef Mark Okuda is bringing over 20 years of experience to the West Valley, with fish imported from Japan and a takeout game that’s hard to beat. The $180 sushi platter is a true banger, and served with things like fresh uni, toro, and A5 wagyu. There have been more than a few expats who claim that sushi in the Valley is just as good as Japan. We believe them.
How to book: Reservations are available via Tock. 

Encino
Top Cheftestant Phillip Frankland Lee’s Scratch Bar has always gotten a lot of well-deserved fanfare, but just next door is where the real excitement lives. His omakase sushi experience is an easy contender for best in the city; the fact that you can get out of there for under $200 is just the icing on the cake, er, the wasabi on the nigiri. Pasta|Bar is a similar experience and highly worth it—you’re getting that same omakase-style heat in the form of expertly-crafted Italian food.
How to book: Reservations are available via Tock / Reservations are available via Tock. 

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