15 Classic, Old-School Restaurants to Bask in LA History
We may be a young city, but our classic restaurants run the gamut from white-tablecloth steakhouses to checkered Italian-American stalwarts to LA’s first Ethiopian restaurant, and more.
It should come as no surprise that we are big fans of dining out. While delivery will always have a sweet spot in our hearts, there is just a certain je ne sais quoi that can only be obtained by getting food “For here.” It means getting reasonably dressed up, catching up with friends over memorable plates and one too many drinks, and appreciating the warm hospitality as we take a break from our home kitchens.
These experiences hit especially hard in long-established eateries that serve up history along with our favorite foods. Such restaurants are beloved for their incomparable atmospheres, the charm of their dining rooms, and their attentive staff as much as the quality of their food. Less than 300 years old, Los Angeles is still a young city, and our classic restaurants represent some of the best venues for reveling in the past. From old Hollywood haunts to Valley gems and historic spots in South LA, here are the best classic restaurants in the city:
Downtown
Disclaimer: This entry is not taking sides in the Cole’s vs Phillipe’s beef over who lays claim to creating the French Dip. What we’re here to talk about is the fact that this landmark opened in 1908 and is the city’s oldest operating restaurant. Today, it’s a 21+ spot with interiors that retain its vintage charm. Ordering a French Dip is an obvious choice here, which you can get with braised pork, beef, or pastrami. They also have a nostalgic grilled cheese and tomato soup if you want to experience Cole’s history but not be tied to meat. Stop by during their Happy Hour weekdays from 4-8 pm and enjoy a classic cocktail like an Old Fashioned or Martini for $9.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
West Hollywood
This West Hollywood spot has been around since 1938, and seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, and Elvis Presley. More than 80 years later, the attached red trolley car has been lovingly restored so you can enjoy a cozy meal in the iconic 1904 train car that’s the oldest surviving red train car in existence. Recent renovations also pay homage to the history of Chinese Americans in early Hollywood with the addition of the Yee Mee Loo bar area, with photos, lobby cards, and headshots borrowed from Oscar-nominated filmmaker Oscar Dong. Step inside and let yourself be enveloped by the cafe’s vintage interiors, red decor, and moody lighting. More than a pretty face, the place is serving up Chinese-American style food like sweet and tangy orange chicken and delicious cocktails. It makes for a fun date night or sipping Mai Tais solo.
How to book: via OpenTable.
Hollywood
Musso & Frank’s is a one-of-a-kind experience drenched in history and even predates the iconic Hollywood sign. Renowned as Hollywood’s oldest restaurant and a once-favorite of screen legends like Charlie Chaplin, Greta Garbo, and Marilyn Monroe, everyone who enters this storied building can expect the same high level of service from waiters outfitted in red tuxedo jackets, amidst a dining room with white tablecloths and a long bar that’s perfect for babysitting a classic cocktail while eavesdropping on calls between Hollywood execs. You can’t go wrong with the daily featured entree or go with Chaplin’s favorite Musso meal of Roast Lamb Kidneys.
How to book: Reservations can be made via their website.
Los Feliz
Featured in classic Hollywood films like Swingers, That Thing You Do, and Anchorman (we can only assume this is where Ron Burgundy shows off his jazz flute prowess), this LA staple has been around since 1954. The Dresden invites you to choose your own adventures of sorts: step into the gorgeous, old-school Hollywood glam dining room for a white-tablecloth dinner experience or opt for the alluring cocktail lounge with a casual and lively feel. If you’re going for the food, you’ll find their menu filled with classics like prime rib and rack of lamb. If you go to the lounge, try to visit on Wednesday or Thursday when they have live music.
How to book: via Opentable.
Sherman Oaks
LA’s old-school Mexican-American restaurant collection is vast, but this gem in the Valley is an all-time great. Opened in the late 1950s, the interiors haven’t changed much, although framed photos of their famous clientele now decorate the walls. Burgundy tablecloths match tufted leather booths, with string lights and hanging chandeliers providing a dim romantic atmosphere, and also making it easy to lose track of time. The classic decor can be seen as a backdrop for a scene in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. In February 2022, the James Beard Foundation honored Casa Vega with the America's Classics Award, which recognizes locally owned restaurants that have a timeless appeal. Toast Casa Vega’s win by taking advantage of one of the Valley’s favorite happy hour deals (with $8 margaritas, $5 beers, and 20% off specialty cocktails from 2:30–6 pm Monday–Friday) from the vantage point of one of their plush booths.
How to book: via Resy. Walk-ins accepted.
Eagle Rock
If you’re searching for a place with dinner regulars, look no further than Colombo’s. This Eagle Rock establishment has been open since 1954 serving up classic Italian-American red sauce favorites and steaks the size of your face. Between the neighborhood vibes, soul fulfilling food, and the friendly staff, you’re going to want to make frequent visits here and claim a booth next to a portrait of Frank Sinatra.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
West Hollywood
If you’re looking for a taste of old-school Hollywood, look no further than the iconic Dan Tana’s, which has been welcoming celebs and civilians alike since the 1960s. Ironically, LA’s legendary restaurant is the antithesis of the new LA stereotype. Minimalism? Dan Tana’s doesn’t know her. From food to decor it’s all about living life to the max. The dishes are cheesy, saucey, carby Italian-American fare. The interiors are dark with red vinyl booths, red and white checkered tablecloths, and Chianti bottles hanging from the ceilings. Embrace the mid-century dining experience and order a tableside Caesar Salad and the Chicken Parmesan. A bottle of Chianti for the table is a must.
How to book: Call 310-275-9444 for reservations.
Culver City
Anemoia is a term for feeling nostalgic for a time you’ve never known and is the perfect descriptor for what Dear John’s does to you. It leaves you longing for a time when servers wore tuxedos, dressing up to dine was a must, and food didn’t have a mission statement. This is the second iteration of Dear John’s, which originally opened in 1962 by Johnny Harlowe at the insistence of Frank Sinatra. The restaurant became the West Coast spot for the Rat Pack and the like. It closed, then was reopened by acclaimed restaurateurs Hans Röckenwagner, his wife Patty Röckenwagner, and Josiah Citrin (Mélisse, Charcoal Venice) in 2019 to resemble the restaurant’s heyday, with an interior that feels straight out of a movie and a menu full of upscale, classic American fare. Try Frank’s Spaghetti and Clams that we’re sure Sinatra would sign off on. Pair it with a martini, naturally.
How to book: via Resy.
Westchester
Perhaps no other food establishment is as welcoming and familiar as a diner, and no place does the diner experience quite like Pann’s. Open since 1958, Pann’s is an iconic LA eatery known for its retro decor, distinct mid-century modern architecture, and delicious diner classics. It’s the type of place that makes you feel like a regular even if it’s your first time there. Try the house-made onion rings that are prepped one at a time, a process that’s been unchanged since their opening. Pair it with a milkshake and their Dreamburger with premium meats and all the fresh fixins.
How to order: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations not available.
Koreatown
Walking into The Prince is like setting foot in Hollywood history. Originally called The Windsor, the restaurant opened in the 1940s and once served Tinseltown's elite. It can be seen in the classic LA film Chinatown and more contemporary examples like the TV show New Girl. While the name and menu may have changed since its opening, the nostalgic decor, which includes red booths, ostentatious red-and-gold wallpaper, and oil paintings, are holding on strong. Treat yourself to a night at The Prince and order the Tong Dak (Korean fried chicken) as a nod to their updated menu, with a Manhattan as an ode to their past.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Little Ethiopia
If you’ve had Ethiopian food before, you know it’s best enjoyed in a communal setting with loved ones while swapping stories and dishes. What better place to do this than Little Ethiopia’s oldest restaurant, Rosalind. The interior is vibrant and lively, decorated with Ethiopian art, and the walls have thatched roofs above the tables. While there, try to snag a mesob, a traditional Ethiopian table, and order their legendary Doro Wot—a rich, cozy spicy chicken stew, and scoop it up with spongy injera bread.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted or call the restaurant at 323-936-2486 for reservations.
Monterey Park
This Monterey Park favorite is among the last of a dying breed of cart-pushing dim sum spots. Try their superb dishes like Shrimp Dumplings, Char Siu (BBQ pork), and Pot Stickers that come served in metal dishes. On-site dining simply does what takeout cannot, offering a charming cart-to-table dining experience.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Beverly Grove
It feels like everyone in LA has a story of stumbling into Swingers after a late night. When news that the legendary diner was closing, the hearts of longtime Angelenos and fans of late-night dining were crushed. Luckily, the former GM/new owner was able to collect enough funds from regulars, friends, and family to buy the restaurant (hoorah!). With that sort of fan support, you undoubtedly should support them and head to the mid-century style diner that’s outfitted with a bar of spinning plaid leather bar stools. Acquaint yourself with their massive menu that includes lots of vegan and vegetarian options, then go wild with breakfast, lunch, dinner, or dessert plates that are offered from 8am through 2am, seven days a week.
How to book: Walk-ins accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
Echo Park
This French restaurant, operating in Echo Park since the 1960s, is so iconic that when it was under threat of being turned into a mixed-use building, locals fought for it to be added to the city’s list of Historic-Cultural Monuments. The current owners are against this move, which means the building’s future remains unclear and is all the more reason to get to Taix as soon as possible to support this piece of LA history. And, if you’re going to eat French classics like Mussels in White Wine and Steak Frites you should do it in their ornate and absurdly large dining hall.
How to book: via the restaurant’s website.
Atwater Village
It doesn’t make a lot of sense for a restaurant that looks like it belongs in Edinburgh in the early 1900s to be located in Atwater Village, but that’s where Tam O’Shanter is and has been for a century. Inside, the Scottish restaurant looks virtually unchanged since the 1920s, with carpeted floors, stone fireplaces, wood accents, and stained glass. While the interior alone provides a feast for the eyes, this family-owned restaurant also offers memorable Scottish comfort dishes like Scotch Rabbit and Pan-Seared Scottish Salmon. We recommend trying their famous Prime Rib that comes with horseradish, a side of mashed potatoes, and creamed spinach. If you want a stiff drink, they have a wall of big-name and hard-to-find Scotches for you to choose from.
How to book: via the restaurant’s website.