Westwood may not exactly be a foodie hotspot but if you’ve never tried eating at a local eatery, you might just be missing out. Thanks to its university town character, there are tons of options available.
What’s even better is the fact that there are tons of very affordable and food-to-go options. So if you’re in the area and hankering for something different without hurting your budget, here are some good places you should head to:
1. CAVA
Location: 1073 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
The build-you-own-bowl trend may already be a thing of the past but with CAVA’s offerings, it’s certainly worth reconsidering. Their seemingly endless Mediterranean options make the tired concept seem fresh, especially since this joint offers local ingredients, so they also taste fresh.
The best part? The bowls are huge and the prices are very friendly. They also have seasonal items so you definitely won’t run out of options here.
What to Eat
- Seasonal items
- Spicy Lamb Meatballs
- Falafel
2. Ramayani
Location: 5607, 1777 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Offering authentic Indonesian cuisine for nearly 40 years now, Ramayani is perfect for different kinds of meals. You can go here if you’re already tired of normal fast-casual chains or you want to be adventurous on your next date night. Students can also afford to eat here and get great value for their limited budget.
What to Eat
- Soto Madura
- Dinner Sets
- Nasi Uduk
- Ikan Balado
3. Saffron & Rose
Location: 1387 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Love ice cream? Then you shouldn’t miss this place, Saffron & Rose when you’re in Westwood. This Persian ice cream joint almost always has a line of people waiting to be served, so you can be guaranteed that you’ll get a popular treat here.
What makes their ice cream different is their thick and gooey consistency. They use organic whole milk mixed with salep or ground orchid roots to achieve this. As a result, it can really feel and taste like a whole different dessert from the regular ice cream that you know.
What to Eat
- Faloodeh
- Golo bol bol
4. STK
Location: 930 Hilgard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
As mentioned above, this neighborhood isn’t a fancy food destination so STK tends to stand out in the area. It offers a high-end modern steakhouse experience which can give you a break from all of the casual eateries around.
To cater to the locals, however, this joint is not just about being sleek and posh. They also have social hours when drinks are half off.
What to Eat
- Wagyu
- Alaskan King Crab
- Lobster Ravioli
- Porterhouse Steak
5. TLT
Location: 1116 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
What used to be a widely popular taco truck has now found its permanent home in Westwood. It still offers the same ‘California crisp’, though, so if you’re worried that they’ve abandoned their roots, you can relax. TLT will still serve you the same Mexican-Asian fusion food with a Californian twist.
Their menu definitely expanded, though. Aside from tacos, they now also offer rice bowls, poke bowls and noodle bowls. You can also enjoy some boozing here.
What to Eat
- Orange Chicken Tacos
- Braised Pork Belly Nachos
- Carnitas Fries
6. Fundamental LA
Location: 1303 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Again, because of its proximity to UCLA, the neighborhood is also home to a lot of amazing sandwich shops. However, Fundamental takes things up a notch. You can argue that this should just be expected since it is one of Westwood’s best modern restaurants but the quality of this eatery’s sandwiches is seriously noteworthy.
This makes this spot one of the best places to go for lunch, especially if you want a bite of a more serious sandwich than the to-go kind. It also has a nice wine bar so it can easily take your meal to the next level.
What to Eat
- Power Lunch Special
- Tempura Avocado and Melon Soup
- Fried Chicken Sandwich
- BLT with Tomato Jam
7. 800 Degrees
Location: 10889 Lindbrook Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hankering for some high-quality pizzas? 800 Degrees can take care of you with their Neapolitan-style pizzas made from flour imported directly from Naples.
As they are named after the cooking temperature required to bake traditional pizzas, it’s easy to see that they like their customs around here. However, they also make space for innovation since diners are allowed to customize their pies.
What to Eat
- American Wagyu French Dip
- Doppio Pepperoni Pizza
- Prosciutto & Burrata Pizza
8. In-N-Out Westwood
Location: 922 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
In-N-Outs may be widely available in L.A. but it’s still worth noting that you can get some of their sumptuous offerings in Westwood. This cult-favorite fast food chain definitely deserves a spot on this list because of how awesome their offerings are. The long line on their drive-thru counter on Saturday evenings clearly proves that they’re still among the top picks for some great grub in the area.
What to Eat
- Double-Double
- Animal Fries
- Veggie Grilled Cheese
9. Attari Sandwich Shop
Location: 1388 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
It’s no secret that Westwood is best known for Persian food. So much so that it’s also referred to as ‘Tehrangeles’ by many. This is why it would be wrong not to include one of the most popular places that offer the best of such in the neighborhood.
The Attari Sandwich Shop is a locally famous soup and sandwich shop that will fill you up with good food without making you spend an arm and a leg. Just be ready for long lines.
What to Eat
- Tongue Sandwich
- Osh Soup
10. Hamasaku
Location: 11043 CA-2, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Since L.A. is a sushi-obsessed city, you should already expect sushi joints to be present in every list of top neighborhood restaurants. In the case of Westwood, it would be the Hamasaku.
Located inside a strip mall, this joint offers decent sushi at a very decent price. It might not say much on the outside, but once you step inside, you can see that it’s totally worth a visit. With their non-traditional sushis and expansive sashimi selection, you can certainly get your fix here.
What to Eat
- Omakase menu
- Sashimi
- Seasonal specials
11. Tacos Tu Madre
Location: 1945 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Tacos Tu Madre may be a teeny-tiny joint but it offers a lot of flavor and excitement. It’s best known for its unique taco fillings which sets it apart from its competition.
What to Eat
- Korean Barbeque Taco
- Red Velvet Churros
- All-Day Breakfast Burrito
Also, check out this The Ultimate Guide to Saving Time and Eating Healthily
Photo Courtesy by Ella Olsson
