Eclectic Eateries in Los Angeles

Do you love Indian food? Ever think about going vegan? Want to try some Mediterranean cuisine one night — then dine on fancy Italian dishes the next?  

Los Angeles has you covered for all of these options. As one of the most eclectic cities in the United States, LA boasts a number of unique eateries that can challenge your tastebuds and please your palate in ways you never suspected. Ready to broaden your horizons? We’ve selected six of the most unique and eclectic restaurants, bistros, and eateries in Los Angeles.

Do you love trying new things? GiftYa electronic e-gift cards provide a perfect way to sample different shops, restaurants, and attractions. Plus, you can always buy multiple e-gift cards and take a friend or group on your outings for extra fun. You never know what local attractions and delights you might find when you visit the GiftYa database, so be sure to peruse its listings and see what new experiences await you in your own neighborhood!

Bistro Jolie

Excellent food and service at Jolie Bistro & Bar

Awesome grilled King Salmon. Image courtesy of Yelp.

2922 N. Beverly Glen Cir | Beverly Crest/ bistrojolie.com

Bistro Jolie serves southern French-inspired cuisine with a unique California sensibility, providing diners with the ambiance, service, cuisine, and style you’d expect from these two iconic places. If you’re looking to dine in class, you’ll find it in the Riviera-inspired dining room, heated and covered patio, or at the chef’s counter where you can watch the kitchen team create their latest masterpiece.

Or, if you’re seeking something a bit more casual, check out Bistro Jolie’s full-service bar, located beneath a foliage framed skylight. Whatever your preference, you’re sure to find the ambience you desire.

In terms of food, you’ll find plenty of delicious options. Start with a refreshing crab salad or little gem salad. If you prefer soup, the Nantes carrot soup and French onion are proven favorites. And who wouldn’t want to sample a dish of ratatouille and experience this traditional Provencal vegetable stew for themselves?

For the main course, try the whole roasted Rosie’s organic chicken, croque monsieur, or 8oz Angus Fillet. And be sure to save room for their seasonal pastries and gateau basque cake! To drink, there’s a wide selection of wines you can order by the bottle, as well as specialty cocktails (the martini menu has to be seen to be believed), beers, and non-alcoholic beverages.

“Food was excellent – my friends enjoyed their various salads and my steak was perfectly cooked and tender. Lovely staff all around. The patio was buzzing and comfortable.” — Yelp Review

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Kapoor’s Akbar Indian Restaurant

Find amazing Indian cuisine in Chinatown at Kapoor’s Akbar

Cheese nan from Kapoor’s Akbar Indian Restaurant. Image courtesy of Yelp.

701 W. Cesar E. Chavez Ave. Ste 107 | Chinatown/ kapoorsakbar.com

Located close to Chinatown, Kapoor’s Akbar has been offering diners its own unique Indian cuisine since 2018. You’ll be able to order lamb sliders, pork vindaloo, and the always popular Chicken Tikka Masala, Bhindi Masala, Coco Lamb, and Cheese nan just to name a few standards. Plus, Chef Avinash is always ready to make some personal changes to the menu and entice you with a few more culinary delights.

Combining traditional recipes with updated non-traditional techniques and ingredients, Kapoor’s Akbar’s dishes are freshly prepared and suitable for omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Bonus: Kapoor’s Akbar is just a short ride from downtown’s Music Center, making it easy for you to create a fun night full of museums, attractions, and great food.

“Kapoor’s Akbar is a stylish restaurant near Chinatown. We had a fabulous experience there! From Roti appetizers to tender flaky naan, to delicious entrees of Blue Crab Curry and Masala Beef, the food was delicious.” — Yelp Review

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Café Gratitude

Delicious vegan cuisine at Café Gratitude

Amazing vegetarian and vegan dishes at Café Gratitude. Image courtesy of Yelp.

639 N. Larchmont Blvd. | Larchmont/ cafegratitude.com

Vegans and vegetarians love Café Gratitude, an eatery where high quality and nutritious ingredients are turned into flavorful dishes that fill you with gratitude. The Larchmont location will start you off with the new Broccoli Romanesco, filled with tomato confit, arugula, preserved lemons, pickled golden raisins, and lemon tahini sauce. You can order delicious salads from the all day menu, including the smoked tofu plate and kale & sea vegetable.

Want to indulge a bit? Café Gratitude’s pizzas include a mouthwatering margherita and buffalo cauliflower. And you’ll love their eggplant parmesan, black bean burger, and crunchy quesadilla from their sandwich & wraps menu.

The vegetable, rice, curry, and macrobiotic bowls will keep you coming back for more, and if you’re looking for something sweet and invigorating, order from a wide selection of smoothies, housemade juices, coffees, and tonics. Did we mention you can also order beer and wine here? No wonder people keep returning to this café.

“It’s hard to believe I’ve never dined here before… We ordered the Yo Soy Fuerte, which is a crunchy quesadilla, and the I Am Liberated, which is basil pesto kelp noodles. We substituted fried mushrooms in the quesadilla and we both really enjoyed this.” — Yelp Review

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Manas Indian Cuisine

Namaste and welcome to Manas Indian Cuisine

Veggie Biryani at Manas Indian Cuisine. Image courtesy of Yelp.

2823 S. Vermont Ave. | Adams Normandie/ manasla.com

Manas Indian Cuisine shares the foods of India with you. Come experience the rich variety of meat, vegetable, and desert options at their lunch buffet, served seven days a week from 11:30am to 3:00pm. Or order from their main menu and discover the amazing taste of vegetable samosa, lamb tikka masala, shrimp curry, and freshly baked tandoori roti bread for yourself.

There are also vegetarian entrees like the Tadka Dal (lentils cooked with onion, ginger, garlic, and spices) and flavorful desserts like the Malai Kulfi (creamy Indian ice cream) and Gajjar Ka Halwa (diced carrot pudding in milk). And if you don’t like your dishes too spicy, don’t worry — Manas Indian Cuisine makes sure to adjust the spiciness of their dishes to your request.

“I got the garlic naan, chicken tikka masala, and aloo gobi with a large side of rice. I didn’t know that the dishes came with sides of rice, so I ended up having a lot of extra rice. The tikka had great flavor and the chicken was juicy and tender.” — Yelp Review

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Ta-eem Grill

Dine on some of the best Mediterranean food in Los Angeles

Chicken shawarma at Ta-eem Grill. Image courtesy of Yelp.

7422 Melrose Ave. | Fairfax/ ta-eemgrillinc.com

Ready for some amazing Mediterranean cusiine? Ta-eem Grill promises you can taste the passion in their food. Diners can enjoy the beef kabob lafa, falafel plate, rib-eye steak plate, and shawarma pita (yes, the same marinated and spiced shawarma Tony Stark was so eager to try in “The Avengers”). Entrees can be served on pita, baguettes, laffas, or plates, giving you plenty of options.

Great for casual diners, Ta-eem Grill also provides catering for all occasions. If you’re looking to offer the guests at your next office party, corporate retreat, or birthday celebration some refreshing kosher food, the meals served at Ta-eem Grill will keep everyone full and happy.

“By far and away the best shawarma I’ve had outside of Israel. Literally dream of their stuff. The chicken is so bomb and their sides and pita with the plates are half the reason I order here.” — Yelp Review

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Frankie’s on Melrose

Authentic New York-style Italian cuisine at Frankie’s on Melrose

Delicious spaghetti from Frankie’s on Melrose. Image courtesy of Yelp.

7228 Melrose Ave. | Fairfax/ frankiesonmelrose.com

If ambience is important to you, then Frankie’s on Melrose is prepared to offer you the full Italian dining experience. Having served diners for thirty years at the Melrose location, owner Frank Competelli and his family know how to make you feel like you’re dining at their home and not a restaurant. The décor of the dining room is made to bring the atmosphere of New York into the heart of California.

Then there’s the food. From calamari to pasta to veal parmigiana, you’ll find all your favorite Italian dishes here. Order a fine steak dinner from the 14th Street Meat Market menu, served with your choice of the vegetable of the day or pasta marinara. And yes — you will be able to order a live Maine Lobster, cooked New York style.

Frankie’s also offers a great selection of red and white wines that you can order by the glass or by the bottle. Here, the kitchen is open until midnight, giving you plenty of time to soak up the Little Italy charm and enjoy the family atmosphere.

“What an almost cinematic setting! Just like a scene from any classic movie yogi get the Rat Pack singing when you enter, service staff dressed to the 9’s, and great cocktails and service that matches it with absolute class.” — Yelp Review

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