Intelligentsia: The original hipster coffee spot - and it’s still just as good. We prefer the Abbot Kinney location. (Last time we were there we saw Toby McGuire - so keep your eyes peeled for celebs!) (@intelligentsiacoffee)
Alli’s pick: Cappuccino
Bobby’s pick: Single origin pour over
Dinosaur Coffee: Laid-back with cool, modern vibes, this Silverlake coffee shop is a LA favorite. We’ve yet to have a coffee there we didn’t love! (@dinosaur_coffee)
Alfred: Hands down the most “instagrammable” coffee shop in LA - but beyond that, their coffee is good. They have several locations, but our favorite is on Melrose Place. (@alfred)
Alli’s pick: Vanilla Latte
Bobby’s pick: Cappuccino or Drip coffee
Civil: We recently discovered this gem of a coffee shop, and it’s quickly become a regular on our LA rotation. Solid coffee, great branding, and awesome breakfasts too! (@civilcoffee)
Go Get Em Tiger: Great coffee, great people, fun environment. They have multiple locations throughout LA and we love them all. If you’re in the mood for a treat, their Strawberry Crisp is otherworldly! (@ggetla)
Breakfast
Republique: This iconic and Modern French restaurant serves culinary magic no matter the time of day. Order all the baked goods and treat yourself to a cocktail while you’re at it. (Hey, it’s 5 o’clock somewhere?!) (@republiquela)
Eggslut: With a name like that, you better believe it’s eggs like you’ve never had them before! Some of the best breakfast sandwiches we’ve ever had. (@eggslut)
Alli’s pick: Fairfax
Bobby’s pick: Bacon, Egg and Cheese
Sqirl: This hip cafe with its “global inspired fare” is about as LA as you can get. And we love it. Expect a wait - even if you go early. (@sqirlla)
Alli’s pick: Shaqpeas
Bobby’s pick: Sorrel Pesto Rice (with Bacon, Kale and Avocado)
Aroma Coffee & Tea: This is the breakfast spot of our dreams. From their extensive menus, to their hearty portions, cozy interior (and exterior!), and plethora of baked goods… We’ve yet to top this spot! (@aromacoffeeandtea)
Alli’s pick: Breakfast Bagel BLT+A (with everything bagel)
Bobby’s pick: Carnitas Benedict
Lunch/Dinner
Jon and Vinny’s: The perfect infusion of modern diner meets authentic Italian eatery. They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and we’d honestly stay for all three. And finish it all up with their amazing soft serve. (@jonandvinnydelivery)
Alli’s pick: Margherita (Simple, and brilliant!)
Bobby’s pick: Roman Gladiator (Bacon, Italian sausage, smoked ham, pepperoni)
Gjusta: Everything is mouth-watering here. Their baked goods, burgers, minimalist interior.. It’s a must-stop when you’re in Venice. Get the cheeseburger. (@gjustabakery)
Gjelina: Sister restaurant to Gjusta, it’s every bit as dreamy and delicious. While the menu is extensive, we typically stick to their pizza. One bite and you’ll know why. ;) (@gjelinarestaurant)
Alli’s pick: Pomodoro Pizza (Add burrata!)
Bobby’s pick: Grilled Chicken Sausage Plate
Rice Bar: There’s nothing fancy about this little Filipino eatery in Downtown LA, and that’s exactly what makes it awesome. Oh, and the food is INSANE. Get the Longanisa Bowl. (@ricebarla)
Bavel: If you love Middle Eastern food, then you’ll simply adore Bavel. From the spreads to the pita, to the Braised Beeler Pork Belly Tangine… good luck not ordering EVERYTHING on the menu! (@baveldtla)
Apotheke LA: This place didn’t win “Most Stylish Bar” in LA for nothing! It’s breathtaking - and their drinks are too! They open at 3pm on Sunday, so we suggest going in the afternoon and having a drink on their patio. (@apothekela)
Alli’s pick: Dizzy Intellect
Bobby’s pick: Path of the Righteous
Perch: Our infatuation with rooftop bars may have started here. Fancy cocktails, stunning downtown views… what more could you want?! (@perchlosangeles)
Broken Shaker: Located atop the Freehand Hotel, this casual and funky rooftop bar is perfect for warm, LA nights. If you’re a fan of Mezcal, get the “Agave Gracias”. (@brokenshaker)
Ace Hotel: We’ve found that Ace Hotels can be hit or miss, but we love the one in LA. Simple, cozy rooms, great location, and a great rooftop bar. (Can you tell we love those?) (@acedtla)
Kimpton Everly Hotel: We’re fans of everything Kimpton does - and this hotel is no exception. Located in the heart of Hollywood, it’s hip and modern and walking distance to all the sights. Plus, they have a great rooftop pool. (LA has lots of rooftops, ok?!) (@everlyhollywood)
The Line Los Angeles: Located in Koreatown, The Line is a unique and creative oasis - with stylish rooms and a bustling hotel lobby. Their restaurant, The Openaire, is one of our favorites too! (@thelinehotel)
The Getty: No matter how many times we explore The Getty, we see something new. The grounds are stunning, the exhibits are first class, and the city views are phenomenal. And the best part is, admission is FREE! (But you do have to pay for parking) (@gettymuseum)
Griffith Observatory: We loved this place way before Lala Land. ;) We suggest getting their early to avoid the crowds, or go later in the day to catch the sunset. (@griffithobservatory)
Santa Monica Pier: Everybody has to see the Santa Monica Pier, if for nothing else than some people watching and a ride on the iconic ferris wheel! And at that point you might as well get some cotton candy and play a few games. Hey, sometimes it’s fun to be touristy! (@santamonicapier)
LA is an incredibly dog-friendly city. Here’s a few things to do with your pup!
Golden Road Brewery: One of our favorite breweries - and dogs are welcome! (@goldenroadbrew)
Hike Runyon Canyon: It can be hard to find spots to hike that dogs are allowed, thankfully Runyon Canyon is totally puppy friendly!
Lunch at Ashland Hill - where they have a dog menu, complete with pup-friendly ice cream! (@ahslandhillsm)
A few things to avoid while you’re in LA
Traffic. Just kidding, you can’t avoid it. It’s very real and very bad. Try to avoid driving during peak times. If you don’t know when that it, ask a local or don’t drive.
We’d recommend skipping Hollywood Boulevard (Walk of Fame, Wax Museum, etc.). If you’ve never been to LA, we get it. You might have to do it. But be cautious, it’s touristy!
Know your surroundings. Regardless of if you’re walking, driving, or taking the metro, there are some bad areas that you can end up in pretty quickly (like any big city). As Bobby’s dad always says, “Keep your head on a swivel”.
