Every Friday, our editors compile a trusty list of recommendations to answer the most pressing of questions: “Where should I eat?“ Here 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 cocktails in town.
For strawberry season doughnuts: Donut Man
There are so many incredible doughnuts across Los Angeles that it’s sometimes hard to stand out among the sea of blissful, glazed bites — but Donut Man has set itself apart since 1962. Famous for its monstrously large fresh strawberry doughnuts, this family run doughnut shop still brings the seasonal specialty around every spring and summer (meaning, yes, it’s available at its peak right now). I used to cycle to the original location in Glendora
from my undergraduate dorm in Claremont, where a fresh strawberry doughnut or twisted tiger tail served as the ultimate post–bike ride treat. Since 2020, you can also find a Donut Man stand Downtown at Grand Central Market. Multiple locations. — Kat Thompson, audience editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For summery sandwiches to take to the beach: Cricca’s in Woodland Hills
Longtime Woodland Hills dwellers know that Cricca’s Italian Deli and Subs serves some of the best (and biggest) sandwiches — not just in the San Fernando Valley but in all of Los Angeles. Whether you live in the Valley or have friends over the hill that can do the pickup for you, as I did, make no mistake: This is the beach sandwich of summer. Grab a loaded turkey sub (loaded meaning with provolone cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, mayonnaise, Italian dressing, onions, mustard, and pepperoncini); the Destroyer with Genoa salami, turkey breast, ham, and capicola; and Vito’s vegan, a vegetable smorgasbord that piles roasted peppers, marinated mushrooms, artichoke hearts, pickles, and pepperoncini — all preferably on tiger-striped Dutch crunch bread. Then head down from the Valley to Westward Beach in Malibu, a quieter nook for lazy outdoor lounging in the sand. A favorite bag of chips and something cold and bubbly to drink will complete the beach picnic tableau. 4876 Topanga Canyon Boulevard, Woodland Hills, CA, 91364. — Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager
For Downtown’s most lush patio: Dama in Downtown Los Angeles
I’ve always maintained a soft spot for Dama. Open since 2018 in a former banana distribution warehouse, the restaurant has consistently served a satisfying menu that spans Latin America and the Caribbean. Dama keeps a festive vibe with music that’s never too loud while serving ceviche, lamb chops under an olive salsa verde, kanpachi aguachile, clams and chorizo, arepas, and delicately wrapped ground beef empanadas. I’m always partial to the stunning patio, but with lush hanging plants, bold tropical wallpaper, palm-leaf ceiling fans, and an inviting bar, you can find a setting to suit any mood (HBO’s Insecure shot a pivot scene here, so consider it a Los Angeles small screen landmark, too). 612 E. 11th Street, Los Angeles, CA, 90015 — Mona Holmes, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
For classic bagels and lox-studded cream cheese: Daniel’s Bagels in Palms
While Los Angeles is in somewhat of a new-school bagel renaissance, Daniel’s Bagels gets the classics just right. The Palms shop stakes its reputation on simple, chewy bagels with a plush interior that veritably beg for a smear of scallion cream cheese. There’s no burnt exterior or novelty sandwiches, just bagels like plain, everything, or rosemary available loose or kissed with regular or vegan cream cheese. The works cream cheese, studded with lox, is my favorite on the menu, especially when paired with a seedy, nutty everything bagel. 3400 Overland Avenue, Suite 103, Los Angeles, CA 90034. — Rebecca Roland, deputy editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest
