The Top List of Stargazing Restaurants - Los Angeles, CA
This helpful list below will guide you through well-known restaurants that offer outstanding cuisine as well as a chance to gaze at the stars. by Tina Courtney
Food is the great equalizer – even hot-now celebrities have to eat. And they often do so in public places. So if you’re craving a delicious meal couched with a few celebrity sightings, these are your restaurants. From the beaches to the famous hills, the following gems aren’t only serving up fantastic fare; they’re taking care of some of Hollywood’s finest. So go feast your eyes and your taste buds on everything these LA locales have to offer.
THE PALM 9001 Santa Monica Blvd., W. Hollywood, CA 90069 310-550-8811 Hours: (Mon-Fr) 11.30am-10.30pm, (Sat) 5pm-10.30pm, (Sun) 5pm-9.30pm. There’s more than one Palm to choose from in LA, but of its stars you’re seeking, you want the West Hollywood haven. The steaks are fab, the lobster is to die for, and the celebs come in droves. The walls are loaded with autographed pictures, and if you’re lucky, you’ll see them in the flesh. Famous folks like Rob Reiner and Jaime Lee Curtis have been known to have a bite here. Be warned, however – the price tags match the ambiance. Be prepared for a great meal, but not one most would call a bargain.
Average cost for dinner: $30-$50
Holiday schedule: New Year Day/Eve - open (dinner only), Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Day/Eve - closed, Easter - closed.
SPAGO BEVERLY HILLS 176 N. Canon Dr., Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-385-0880 Hours: (Mon-Fr) 11.30am-2.15pm, (Sat) 12pm-2.15pm. Dinners (Mon-Sun) 5.30pm till 11pm. Last seating is at 9.30pm. Wolfgang Puck put Hollywood eating on the map. Spago is an LA institution, for celebrities, power lunching, tourists, and hardcore foodies alike. Regardless of the season, the air is spilling with spring at Spago. But score your reservations well in advance, because although Spago may be older than most Hollywood careers, choice spots are still very hard to come by. The eclectic California cuisine wows palettes across the board, and if the price doesn’t scare you away, experience the tasting menu. Between Puck’s delicate mastery and the eyeful of huge celebrities, the experience is unforgettable.
Average cost for dinner: $40+
Holiday schedule: New Year's Day - closed, New Year's Eve - open, Thanksgiving - closed, Christmas Day - closed, Christmas Eve - open, Easter - open.
SWINGERS Beverly Motor Laurel Hotel 8020 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048 323-653-5858 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 6.30am-4am, (Tues) 6.30am-2am. For cheap eats in a hip retro scene, choose Swingers café. Nestled in the bottom of the Beverly Motor Laurel Hotel, this haunt is an unlikely star magnet, but they are as common here as the rest of us. This is the place to grab a late night snack or a late morning breakfast, and to hang with a cooler-than-cool crowd. The latest it youngsters and tried and true celebs scarf down fabulous shakes, salads, vegetarian delights, and omelets every day. It’s noisy, it’s usually crowded, but the food is cheap and the vibe can’t be beat.
Average cost for dinner: $15-$20
Holiday schedule: New Years Day/Eve - open, Thanksgiving - open, Christmas Day - usually closed, Christmas Eve - open, Easter - open.
OFF VINE 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, CA 90028 323-962-1900 Hours: Lunch (Mon-Fr) 11.30am-2.30pm. Dinners (Mon-Fr) 5.30-10.30pm, (Sat) 5.30-11.30pm, and (Sun) 4pm-10pm. Brunch (Sat & Sun) 9.30am-2.30pm. Off Vine may very well be the most charming restaurant in all of Los Angeles. Tucked into the trees of a street just off Vine Street (makes sense, doesn’t it?), patrons are ushered into a gorgeous Craftsman home-turned-café. The ambiance is so stunning it’s hard to even notice the stars. Yet the central location – near many of Hollywood’s busies studios – brings executives and screen stars day and night. Sit in the outdoor terrace, nibble a lovely salad, and eye TV and movie stars galore. Whatever you do, save room for dessert. Off Vine is famous for their incredible chocolate creation. Ask for one in advance, for they make ‘em to order. If it’s good enough for Madonna. . .you guessed it, it’s good enough for *anyone*.
Average cost for dinner: $20-$25
Holiday schedule: New Years Day - closed, Eve - open, Thanksgiving - open, Christmas Day - closed, Christmas Eve - open, Easter - open.
THE BUFFALO CLUB 1520 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica, CA 90404 310-450-8600 The Buffalo Club is the stuff Hollywood dreams are made of. Most of us imagine a nondescript, velvet-roped locale, where the moment you step inside you feel instantly transported, as the epitome of a Hollywood restaurant. This LA mainstay is just that sort of getaway. There’s no sign, no obnoxiousness neon, just people in the know and snobbish but super efficient service. And the food? Upscale, but not fussy. And really, really good. Created by “Miami Vice” TV author Tony Yerkovich, The Buffalo Club is a see and be scene establishment that keeps itself well hidden. No easy feat in a town this flashy, but if you give this place a whirl, you’ll know why in an instant.
Average cost for dinner: $35-$40
Holiday schedule: check availability
THE IVY 113 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles CA 90048 866-258-5547 Hours: (Mon-Wed) 1pm-11pm (Thu) 6pm – 11:30pm (Fri-Sat) 6pm – 12am (Sun) 6pm-10pm The moment you spy the white picket fence, you get the feeling something special is lurking behind it. The Ivy must have some magic behind its walls, because when it comes to seeing stars, this place tops every insider’s list. From Paris Hilton and her pals to Adrian Brody, famous people all flock to The Ivy. So what’s all the fuss about? The location is key, the ambiance elegant, and the desserts. . .you know they’re outstanding if Hollywood’s toothpick-thin elite justify the indulgence. The fudgy pecan brownie and tart lemon pie are absolute treasures.
Average cost for dinner: $25-$40
Holiday schedule: check availability
Koi 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-659-9449 Hours: (Mon-Thu) 11.30am-10.30pm (Fri) 11:30am – 11:30pm (Sat) 11am – 11:30pm (Sun) 11am-10:30pm Drive up La Cienega Boulevard north of Melrose any night of the week, and you’ll spy the parade of gorgeous cars in front of Koi, waiting for the very busy valet. This place is scorching hot, from cuisine to design and yes, major star watching. If you can make it past the doorman (reservations are a must, and so is acceptable attire), you’ll be awestruck by the inside of the restaurant. It’s the epitome of Japanese sleek, with koi ponds (what else?) and beautiful, elegant touches. Between the famous faces and the older gentleman with stunningly gorgeous and equally young companions, there is no shortage of eye candy here. The big bonus is the food. Super fresh sushi, crab rolls to die for, and wonderful cooked dishes too. Koi is a destination for the Hollywood elite, and for those who just like to watch.
Average cost for dinner: $40-$60
Holiday schedule: check availability
Cut 9500 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212 877-745-2349 Hours: (Mon-Sat) 5.30pm-10pm First, Wolfgang Puck gave Los Angeles Spago; a gift that keeps on giving. Years later, he managed to trump himself. Cut is a treasure from top to bottom – everything about this incredible restaurant is wow-worthy. It’s housed in the magnificent Beverly Wilshire hotel (made famous by “Pretty Woman”), and lavishly designed. The steak here is the best in the city, and although some cuts will set you back over $100, it’s all worth the cost. Celebrities are often more prevalent than regular folk, from Shaq to the pretty woman herself. Make sure to have a nightcap at Puck’s adjoining libation house, Sibebar, located just next door. It’s the kind of place you’ll never want to leave. Good thing there’s a nice hotel nearby!
Average cost for dinner: $40-$60
Holiday schedule: check availability
The Griddle Cafe 7916 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90046 323-874-0377 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 7am-4pm (Sat-Sun) 8am-4pm If you’re ready for the best stack of pancakes you’ve ever had in your life, The Griddle Café is ready for you. These puppies are the most massive, heavenly flapjacks ever created, and the list of available flavors and toppings is almost as impressive. You know they must be amazing if celebs and regular folks alike will linger on the storefront sidewalk for an hour or more, just to get a table. This place is a mecca for hip rock stars and wannabe’s, and for good reason. The coffee is fantastic and strong as an ox, the potato bricks delish, and those pancakes. . .you just have to try ‘em.
Average cost for a meal: $10-$20
Holiday schedule: check availability
Dan Tana’s 9071 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-275-9444 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 5pm-1:30am When it comes to ambiance, it doesn’t get more old school than this. Dan Tana’s is a West Hollywood institution, famous for overly expensive but very tasty Italian food, rat pack vibes, and celebrities galore. This place is crawling with on and off screen power executives, but the host treats every patron like a star. Portions are generous, the wine list reliable, and it’s also a perfect stop for a nightcap. Dan Tana’s serves dinner much later than most spots in the area, so take a seat at the bar, order up a late snack, and enjoy the show.
The Top List of Stargazing Restaurants - Los Angeles, CA