Eating out may be a common lifestyle in
Los Angeles, but there are still many ways to do it wisely. Don't forget that LA remains one of the most expensive cities in the world, not to mention a popular foodie hotspot on top of that. Its extensive culinary scene may seduce you to dine out as much as you can, but it's not always gonna be smooth sailing from here. You'll have to contend with its extremely high prices, crowded restaurants, the confusing tipping culture, and more. Avoid committing a faux pas by following these tips for eating out in Los Angeles.
Learn About The Restaurant Beforehand
Appearances can be deceiving, and that applies to restaurants as it does to practically everything else. What may seem like a humble diner that will probably be cheap may turn out to be an expensive,
Michelin-starred restaurant in LA that merely has a humble look to it. Likewise, what may appear to be a sophisticated eatery may simply be a veneer for low-quality cuisine dressed in a shiny bow. You never know what restaurants may truly be like, so to avoid any unpleasant surprises, you'd do well to do some research beforehand. The internet is already at your fingertips, after all.
Don't Forget to Reserve a Table
This should go without saying, but many people seem to still need reminding. You'll have an easier time
eating out in Los Angeles if you've already secured a table. Something as simple as reserving a table in your favorite restaurant will ensure you'll have a good meal ahead. And even if you spontaneously decide to eat out right then and there, there's no harm in still calling the place beforehand to see if there are any free tables available. If not, you can simply look for another place to eat that has space for you.
Cover Yourself Up
Don't forget that some restaurants in Los Angeles have a dress code. Some require full-on sophistication—suits for men and cocktail or evening gowns for women. While others only require you to cover up your chest, arms, legs, and the like. So when you decide to eat out, going for a more modest outfit will give you more opportunities to eat at different places. You don't just want to eat at humble diners or fast-food chains simply because your outfit is too revealing, right? Men ought to wear at least a collared shirt and a nice pair of slacks, while women can go for either a dress or a skirt that goes below the knee.
Indulge Different Cuisines
Visiting or even
moving to Los Angeles allows you to taste the whole world and back! To say that LA's culinary scene is diverse is an understatement! The city boasts a myriad of cuisines from practically all of the world's continents. Check out its Asian enclaves like Chinatown, Koreatown, Little Tokyo, or Historic Filipinotown, and indulge in their flavorful Eastern menus. Or head to the more upscale Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, or the Sunset Strip to get a taste of their haute European and Middle Eastern cuisines. Even places like Venice Beach, West Hollywood, and the like boast countless Latin American hotspots, too!
Try LA's Street Food
Have
LA's high living costs hit you so hard that you can barely afford eating out in the city? Fret not, for Los Angeles still has its fair share of cheap eats that are just—if not even more tantalizing. From the famous taco trucks right around the corner to LA's own brand of dollar pizza slices, dining out in Tinseltown doesn't have to empty your wallet. More often than not, these more affordable options tend to offer the city's foreign cuisines at their most authentic! What's not to love?
Avoid Where Celebrities Eat
One of the most exciting parts of eating out in Los Angeles is the rare chance of spotting an A-list celebrity in the same vicinity as you. Imagine going out for dinner and bumping into Jennifer Aniston, Tom Hanks, Taylor Swift, Cardi B, Zendaya, and the like! Sounds awesome, doesn't it? Well, reality is oftentimes different. Notwithstanding what those famous people are truly like in person, the places they dine in tend to either be extremely expensive or packed with paparazzi and their flashing cameras. You wouldn't want all that hassle with your dinner, would you?
Eat Dinner Early in Certain Areas
Let's go back to some of the previously mentioned
LA neighborhoods best known for their amazing culinary scenes. As famous as Chinatown and Koreatown are as bona fide foodie havens in the city, the cold, hard truth is that they're not exactly the safest parts of LA. Some would even go so far as to say they're worth avoiding at night, especially their darker areas. Hence, if you choose to have dinner in these districts, you might want to have your meal a little earlier. Unless you're accompanied by a local who knows these areas like the back of their hand, you're better off having dinner earlier and leaving before dark!
Get a Ride to Eat Out
Don't underestimate how hard it is to find parking in LA. Not only will you often have to look hard to find the right spot, but they usually cost money, too. So simply avoid all that hassle by getting a ride instead of driving to the restaurant yourself. Fortunately, various transportation apps like Uber and Lyft operate in LA, and are even the most popular ways to get around. It's easy enough to book a ride to get to the place and back. It may cost you a bit more to use them, but it saves you all the hassle of finding a parking spot in LA!
Eating out in Los Angeles doesn’t have to be the hardest thing in the world. It’s not that easy to do, sure, but there are many ways to make it less hectic than it already is. And you’re sure to have a better time dining in LA if you follow them.
