4 Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Los Angeles: May 24 (2024)

Every Friday our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here now are four places to check out this weekend in Los Angeles. And if you need some ideas on where to drink, here’s our list of the hottest places to get co*cktails in town.

For a consistent and favorite spot that always hits: Sunday Gravy

Wonho Frank Lee

Everyone has a favorite local restaurant they visit more often than one cares to admit. After falling in love with the food and vibes, a return visit immediately reminds the regular why a place like Sunday Gravy remains a top choice. The sibling owners behind the restaurant, Ghazi and Sol Bashirian, made a solid impression on most in 2019 with their friendly dispositions and charming personal styles.

The room is always bright and comfy while a consistent stream of people comes through for chef Sol’s short rib ragu, chicken parmesan cutlet, and wonderfully cheesy garlic bread. A glass of prosecco goes well with just about everything, and the chef’s taste in music is a perfect modern and soulful touch for the old-school space, which is their father’s former and decades-old Jino’s Pizza. Though it’s tempting to order via third-party delivery, don’t. Sunday Gravy is the place to hang out for a bit while eating a truly delicious meal. 1122 Centinela Avenue, Inglewood, CA, 90302. — Mona Holmes, reporter

For an early look at one of LA’s most exciting restaurants right now: Leopardo

Matthew Kang

Local food cognoscenti are making their rounds to check out Leopardo early on given the adoration for Angler in its stunted four-year existence at the Beverly Center. Its opening chef, Joshua Skenes, comes with plenty of high regard, including earning three Michelin stars and a mid-20s placement on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants. Food writers, chefs, and even Phil Rosenthal were spotted this week for an early taste. Leopardo is Skenes at his most relaxed, his most comfortable, and possibly his most confident. There’s pizza, and it’s fantastic. The crust is feather-light but well-structured, sweet, and crisp enough that you actually want to eat all of it instead of leaving it on the plate after eating the toppings.

The appetizers are pristine, focused, and pure, like a chef who’s been through highs and wants to return to the essentials. Tilefish crudo has the same luscious texture of the kind of lighter, less oily, slightly chewy fish you would get toward the start of an omakase but doused in spicy olive oil. Garden salad with ample herbs comes gorgeously dressed with a simple Meyer lemon vinaigrette. In between, take a swig of the Califobrian co*cktail, which tastes like liquified coconut flesh soaked in rum. The butterflied, grilled fish is juicy, soaked in savory “lord’s water” as if blessed by a Cantonese wok chef. And save room for dessert. Folks will debate which ones to get, but order all three and have fun picking a favorite. Mine was the tiramisu, its crisp broken top hiding the booze-soaked cake beneath. 460 S. La Brea Avenue, Los Angeles, CA, 90036. — Matthew Kang, lead editor

For coffee and pastries with a Cuban twist: Café Tropical

Cathy Chaplin

Café Tropical hardly missed a beat between closing in November 2023 and reopening in March 2024. While the latest iteration under the care of a trio of hospitality pros — Danny Khorunzhiy (Milk Cult), Ed Cornell (formerly Quarter Sheets), and Rene Navarrette — isn’t identical to the original, the additions have been carefully considered. The glass pastry case is still lined with guava pastelitos made with and without cheese, plus there are a handful of new items worth considering. The weekends-only sticky bun pairs well with any of the coffee drinks, while the doughnuts piped with Seville orange cream make for an ideal takeaway for later. 2900 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026. — Cathy Chaplin, senior editor

For a NY-style slice: Apollonia’s Pizza

Rebecca Roland

Contrary to what some believe, Los Angeles has no shortage of great pizza. For a NY-style slice on this side of the country, it’s hard to beat Apollonia’s. The tiny restaurant off Wilshire Boulevard serves thin crust slices and Detroit squares with glistening cheese and golden brown crusts. Order one of Apollonia’s pre-set pies like the Acapulco Gold with ricotta or a classic Margherita, or opt to build your own with the option of different meats, farm-fresh produce, and sauces. The square slices are often rotating and aren’t listed on the menu online, but they are always worth trying. Just be aware that the shop is cash only if ordering in person. 5176 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036. — Rebecca Roland, associate editor