THE BEST OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY
I'm a long-time San Fernando Valley resident. Compared to Los Angeles city proper, the Valley offers good schools, more real estate for the money, and endless options for good food -- and best of all -- plenty of parking compared to other areas of Los Angeles. It's no surprise that many celebrities and notable people call the San Fernando Valley their home.
The Best Restaurants in the San Fernando Valley
ARGENTINE
Mercado Buenos Aires - Steak and eggs, empanadas, Argentine-style pizza, any recommended beef dishes
BAKERY
Breadologie - Croissants (Viennoiserie)
Joan's on Third - Morning bun, grilled cheese sandwich
Lodge Bread - Sourdough artisan bread
BARBECUE
Boneyard Bistro - Barbecue, craft beer on draft and bottle list
This place is so underrated. They have excellent barbecue and some the best craft beer selection in Los Angeles.
Handy Market - Baby back ribs and beef ribs on Saturday mornings
BREAKFAST
The Hungry Fox - chicken and waffles
The best chicken and waffles in Los Angeles.
Carrillo's Tortilleria - Mexican breakfast
Get the tamales with mole and the pozole.
AJ's Tex-Mex & Barbecue - Brisket breakfast tacos
The best breakfast tacos I've tasted outside Texas.
Athenian Grill - Breakfast burrito
One of the best breakfast burritos in Los Angeles. You won't be disappointed.
La Tapachulteca - El Salvadorean breakfast
Get the #4 or #5 with handmade tortillas and an ensalada agua fresca. Thank me later.
BRITISH
Robin Hood Pub - Fish and chips and bangers
Probably the best British fish and chips in LA. Head next door and get the frozen bangers to cook at home.
CHILEAN
Chilenazo - Chilean tamal
CHINESE
Sam Woo - Cantonese-style barbecue
This chain serves dependable Chinese to a Chinese audience. You'll find items you find at Chinese-American restaurants. I get the barbecue plate or the crispy deep-fried squid.
A&W Seafood - dim sum
Dim sum is served every morning. I'm a regular here for their shu mai and shrimp flat rice noodles. Tip: Call ahead and put your name on the list.
Mandarin Deli - Juicy steamed dumplings, scallion pancakes, beef noodles soup (handmade)
Dishes that you might find in the San Gabriel Valley without the drive. They also have a location in the SGV.
CARIBBEAN
Johnny Pacific - Empanadas
The best empanadas you will taste in your life from a fine dining chef inspired by the food stands during his time working in the Caribbean.
Cha Cha Chicken - Coconut chicken
COLOMBIAN
Sazón Colombia - breakfast, cheese bread
CUBAN
La Taverna Cubana - Cubano sandwich
The best cubano I've tasted in Los Angeles.
Versailles - Shredded pork, oxtail, tongue
My family usually sticks to the shredded pork plate, oxtail, and the tongue.
DINER
Horseless Carriage - Prime rib dinners including pie, lobster omelet, clam chowder
I've had many satisfying meals here. They're known for their prime rib deal for under $20 which includes pie. Probably the best value in Los Angeles. The best clam chowder I've tasted in Los Angeles.
FILIPINO
Lilan's Bread & Sweets - Ukoy, hard-to-find regional Filipino dishes, empanadas
This is probably my favorite Filipino restaurant in the Valley tucked inside a car wash.
Lechon de Manila - Cebuchon, housemade longanisa, and liempo
If you're a pork lover, this is a destination restaurant
Goto at Silog - Goto (porridge)
Jollibee - Fried chicken with white rice and gravy, peach mango pie
Some of the best fried chicken you will ever taste and peach mango pie (which is my dad's recipe -- not kidding)
Barrio Fiesta - Crispy pata and kare-kare
They are known for these two dishes. Don't sleep on ordering these.
Manila Sunset - Bibingka, puto bumbong, grilled squid
Oi Asian Fusion - Adobo and pork belly bowls
Hopia Like It - Hopia mongo and halo-halo
Tatang - A modern take on Filipino cuisine
FRENCH
Petit Trois Le Valley - Croque madame or monsieur
Go for the buzzy scene and cocktails rather than out of the ordinary food. This is French bistro fare, so if you've been to France, this place will take you back. Chef Ludo is known for his omelet which you can try to make at home. Not a fan of their pastry or bread.
Cafe Bizou - Short rib plate
Old Valley stand by for French food at reasonable prices.
GREEK
Firehouse Restaurant - Chicken gyros
This is their most popular dish.
The Great Greek - Amazing pita bread and saganaki (flaming cheese dish)
Festive and loud Greek restaurant. If you want a lively atmosphere at dinner, this is it. Opa!
GUATAMALAN
Restaurante Amalias - Garnachas, plato Amalias
HOT DOGS
Fab Hot Dogs - You can't go wrong with the ripper or any of their hot dogs and their tater tots
Dog Haus - Hot dogs in Hawaiian bread
Vicious Dogs - Sweet and spicy dog
ICE CREAM
McConnell's - Farm-to-table ice cream
Salt & Straw - Unusual, gourmet flavors from this spot from Portland. Look for the local chef series.
Wanderlust Creamery - Ice cream flavors inspired by flavors of the world. Don't miss the Filipino flavors.
La Michoacana in San Fernando - Mexican-style ice cream, mangeonadas, and paletas
INDIAN
India's Sweets & Spices in Canoga Park - Ask for recommendations
The prices are low and always crowded with Indians. Always a good sign if you see where Indians eating Indian food. I'll eat anything. I love their dosas. My Indian friend said the cooking here is the best in Los Angeles other than what she can get at home.
Chennai Tiffins - Dosas
More "gourmet" dosas than what you'll find at India's Sweets & Spices. They also have a location in Artesia (Little India).
ISRAELI
Hummus Bar & Grill - Hummus, fresh flat bread, falafel, shakshuka, "opening the table"
Go with a large group and ask them to "open the table"
Tel Aviv Grill - Chicken schawarma, sabich, falafel, schnitzel
My favorite spot for Israeli cuisine. They currently have 3 locations and is very popular.
ITALIAN
Lido's / Chi Chi's Pizza - Housemade pasta
I like their spaghetti and meatballs. Come for lunch and enjoy all you can eat pasta.
Domingo's - Housemade pasta
I hear the new owners now make their own pasta.
ITALIAN DELI
Cavarettas - Corned beef and meatball sandwiches, lasagna, cannoli
Cricca's - Ask for any sandwich on their crunch bread
The owner started at Cavaretta's and parted ways and opened Cricca's.
Domingo's - Really good sandwiches with great bread
Monte Carlo - Groceries (sardines), lasagna, meatballs, pasta with meat sauce
Best grocery shopping for Italian goods then head to the restaurant for lasagna, meatballs or pasta with meat sauce.
JEWISH DELI
Brent's Deli - Black pastrami reuben
Some say this is the best Jewish deli west of the Mississippi. I come here if I am too lazy to head to Langer's.
JAPANESE
Sushi Spot - Traditional sushi
This is my favorite spot for traditional sushi. Try the chef's choice menu then the omakase for $75.
Sushi Iki - High-end omakase
If you're feeling spendy, order the omakase which starts at $100. Expect foie gras and caviar.
Sola Japanese Izakaya - Japanese bar food
Little Izaka-Ya by Katsu-Ya - Japanese bar food
Jinya Ramen Bar - Fukuoka-style tonkotsu ramen
Ramen Nippon - Tokyo-style ramen (lighter broth)
KOREAN
AYCE Gogi - All you can eat Korean barbecue and craft beer, with a barcade in the back
SHIK DO RAK - Galbi
MUSSE - Bone broth soup
MEXICAN
Leo's Taco Truck - al pastor tacos, champurrado (hot chocolate)
One of best purveyors of al pastor in Los Angeles has a truck in the Valley.
Birrieria Apatzingan - Birria, chavindeca, huchepos
Regional Mexican food from Apatzingan.
Carnitas Loya Fast Food - Carnitas
Mi Ranchito Food Truck - carne asada tacos
The best carne asada tacos I've tasted in California and Mexico.
La Asunción Family Restaurant - Pollo con mole
Regional Mexican food from Oaxaca.
Centro Botanero Mazatlan - Shrimp tacos on tortilla de nopal
Cemitas Poblanas Don Adrian - Cemitas
I'm a regular and usually get the traditional vegetarian or milanesa with papalo.
Rosie's Tamales - tamales (go early they sell out), champurrado (hot chocolate)
Mi Ranchito Veracruz - Veracruz-style tamales, Veracruz-style fish and shrimp tacos, churros
The banana leaf tamales is what they are known for. This is my go-to dish. Their fish tacos are different than Ensenada style, but they are equally delicious and worth trying. I haven't had a dish I didn't like.
Mariscos Camarena Estilo Nayarit Food Truck - Shrimp empanadas, aguachile, campechana, tostadas
My favorite is their shrimp empanadas and the best I've tasted so far in LA.
PERSIAN
Sadaf - Ground chicken kabob
Their specialty is the ground chicken kabob. A Persian said that this was the best Persian resto in the Valley.
PIZZA
Pizza Wagon of Brooklyn - New-York style pizza by the slice
LBK Pizzeria - New-York style pizza by the slice
786 Pizzeria - Neopolitan-style pizzas
Little Caesar's - Detroit-style pizza (yup, I am recommending Little Caesar's deep-dish pizza)
PORTUGUESE
Natas Pastries - Natas (Portuguese egg tart)
SPANISH
Gasolina Cafe - Ask for recommendations. Great for breakfast and lunch.
SYRIAN
Esso Mediterranean Bistro - Falafel
Kobee Factory - Kobee barbecue
THAI
Chai Thung - everything is good!
This is where Thai families eat Thai food in the Valley. My favorite Thai restaurant in Los Angeles.
Sri Siam - crispy rice with Thai sausage
Chefs in the know from all over city make the trek to the Valley to eat Thai food.
Wat Thai - Weekend food festival. Try everything. This is Thai food for Thai people.
This is where all Thai families come to eat Thai food on the weekends.
Bua Siam - Inexpensive lunch menu (bang for your buck)
The lunch menu is unbelievably inexpensive. Other than the lunch menu, I love their fried catfish with apple or papaya salad and sticky rice and dynamite wings. I'm a regular.
