106 places · 16 neighborhoods · updated Oct 2026
What to do in LA, according to Babu
The bars, restaurants, cafés and nights out Babu actually sends his friends to, with exactly what to order at each one. If you only have time for five: Death & Co, 1 Hotel, Comedy Store, Holbox, Amboy.
Babu's Top 5
- Death & CoArts DistrictMy fave cocktail place in LA. Moody speakeasy, great music, strong drinks. Food is great too!★ Top 5Must do$25 InKind#date
- 1 HotelWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: Focaccia bread - trust me!★ Top 5Must doWork-friendly
- Comedy StoreWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaLegendary Sunset Strip comedy club where generations of stand-ups cut their teeth. Multiple rooms, nightly shows and frequent surprise drop-ins.★ Top 5Must do#standup
- HolboxCore DTLANear USC. Michelin Mexican seafood. Ceviche/tostadas are amazing, get the Uni.★ Top 5Must do
- AmboyChinatownBest burger in LA contender★ Top 5Must do
Must gets: what to order
- Sushi GenLittle TokyoMust get: Amazing sushi lunch special M-F, line up around 11amMust do
- BestiaArts DistrictMust get: Bone marrow pasta. Ask about the bone marrow luge!Must do#date
- BavelArts DistrictMust get: Lamb ShankMust do#date
- ManuelaArts DistrictMust get: BiscuitsMust do#date
- DialogWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: Known for breakfast burrito. Regular or brisket are best.Must do
- Boul’angeWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: Demi-baguette with butter (has jam if you want)Must doWork-friendly#coffee#matcha
- 1 HotelWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: Focaccia bread - trust me!★ Top 5Must doWork-friendly
- The Nice GuyWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: El Chapo (tequila or mezcal drink)Must do#date
- Roger RoomWeHo/Fairfax/La BreaMust get: Anything with absintheMust do#date
- GuelaguetzaKoreatownMust get: The moleMust do
- Moo’s Craft BBQLincoln ParkMust get: The burger, or whichever BBQ meat you likeMust do
Best of LA
- Babu's Top 5 places in LA5 places
- Must-do LA experiences26 places
- Best breakfast burritos in LA3 places
- Best burgers in LA5 places
- Best tacos in LA4 places
- Best cocktail bars in LA7 places
- Laptop-friendly cafés and remote work spots in LA13 places
- Best coffee and matcha in LA11 places
- Best happy hours in LA11 places
- Date night spots in LA26 places
- Best vegan restaurants in LA3 places
- Best Italian restaurants in LA6 places
- Best Thai food in LA2 places
- Rooftop bars and views in LA6 places
- Best comedy clubs in LA3 places
- LA restaurants that take InKind (get $25 free)11 places
By neighborhood
- Several LA locations17 places
- Los Feliz3 places
- Little Tokyo3 places
- Echo Park/Silverlake2 places
- Beverly Hills3 places
- Arts District9 places
- WeHo/Fairfax/La Brea31 places
- Koreatown6 places
- Santa Monica2 places
- Venice / Mar Vista5 places
- Core DTLA12 places
- Chinatown6 places
- Highland Park1 places
- Lincoln Park1 places
- Hollywood2 places
- Burbank2 places
- Inglewood1 places
Ready-made routes
Quick answers
What are the best things to do in LA, according to Babu?
Start with Babu's Top 5: Death & Co, 1 Hotel, Comedy Store, Holbox, Amboy. Then work through his must-dos, like Bestia's bone marrow pasta, the Sushi Gen lunch special and happy hour on the Laurel Hardware patio.
What is the best burger in LA?
Babu calls Amboy in Chinatown a contender for the best burger in LA. Also on his list: Fathers Office, Moo's Craft BBQ and The Benjamin.
What is the best breakfast burrito in LA?
Babu says Wake and Late is possibly the best in LA. Dialog (get the regular or brisket) and Cofax are close behind.
What is the best cocktail bar in LA?
Death & Co in the Arts District is Babu's favorite: a moody speakeasy with great music and strong drinks. Roger Room, Mirate and Thunderbolt are also on his list.
Where are the best tacos in LA?
Babu says Sonoratown has the best tacos he's had. For Mexican seafood, Holbox is one of his Top 5.
Where can I work remotely in LA?
Babu works from Urth Cafe, Go Get Em Tiger, Alcove, Boul’ange, Sightglass Coffee, 1 Hotel. See the full list.
What is the best happy hour in LA?
Babu calls the 5–6pm happy hour at Laurel Hardware insanely good for the quality and price. 33 Taps (Mon–Fri 3–7pm) and Sightglass Coffee (daily 3–6pm) are also on his list.
What is the best Thai food in LA?
Babu ranks Jitlada and Luv2Thai in Hollywood in his top three Thai restaurants.
What did I miss?
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Every place on the list
Several LA locations
Homestate, Bacari, Loqui, Little Fish (Echo Park + Melrose Hill), Wally's, Wake and Late, Great White, Badmaash, El Cholo, Wanderlust, Prince Street Pizza, Javiers, Kazunori, Urth Cafe, Go Get Em Tiger, 33 Taps, Erewhon
Los Feliz
Little Tokyo
Echo Park/Silverlake
Beverly Hills
Arts District
Bestia, Bavel, Manuela, De La Nonna, EightyTwo, Death & Co, Wurstkuche, Damian, Boxx Coffee Roasters Co.
WeHo/Fairfax/La Brea
Dialog, Boul’ange, Sightglass Coffee, Coucou, SushiSamba, The Benjamin, Bar Benjamin, Gracias Madre, Crossroads, The Butcher's Daughter, 1 Hotel, Comedy Store, Laugh Factory, Improv, Craigs, Cofax, Laurel Hardware, The Nice Guy, Casa Madera, Meteora, Republique, All Season Brewing, Laurel Supply, Met Him at a Bar, Met Her at a Bar, Darling, Roger Room, Verve Coffee, Barney's Beanery, La Boheme, Heimat Kitchen
Koreatown
Here Fishy Fishy, Dan Sung Sa, Sun Nong Dan, Guelaguetza, Quarters BBQ, Hanu BBQ
Santa Monica
Venice / Mar Vista
Core DTLA
71Above, Spire73, Rossoblu, Dama, Seven Grand, Level 8, Holbox, Pizzeria Bianco, Sonoratown, Grand Central Market, Redbird, Smorgasburg
Chinatown
Amboy, Cafe Triste, Cafe Tondo, Endorffeine, Archives of Us, Howlin Rays