When I say the Eastside, I mean a very specific corner of it - east of the LA River: Highland Park, Eagle Rock, Glassell Park, Mount Washington, Cypress Park, & select parts of the San Gabriel Valley.
Me & Sunny at The Huntington. This is Eastside through my eyes. A guide to the places that quietly shape daily life in my corner of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own small sanctuaries—places where people return again and again. Coffee counters, old restaurants, garden patios, parks, film theaters, yoga studios. The places that hold a community together.
This is my guide to the east side. I mean my Eastside. This is by no means an exhaustive guide; just a gathering of the places I frequent on a regular basis, the places that make LA feel like a home to me. Below are some of the ones that shape my corner of Northeast Los Angeles.
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Collage Coffee sign on York Blvd. Where most mornings begin. Small counters, good drinks, and the familiar rhythm of neighborhood regulars.
COFFEE & TEA
Starting where most mornings begin: coffee and tea. My routine is essentially Kumquat, all the time, but that’s largely a matter of geography. There are plenty of other worthy stops around the neighborhood, though some of the best end up in the Third Places category, because they’re meant to be lingered in.
HIGHLAND PARK
Kumquat: One of the most respected coffee programs in LA. Meticulous drinks, rotating specials, serious tea & coffee culture, and the center of what’s becoming the growing Quat network across the Eastside. Fondry in Highland Park, Loquat in Silver Lake and Cypress Park, and QUAT in Atwater Village are all part of the same growing ecosystem.
Collage: The chiller alternative to Kumquat on York. Friendly baristas, dog treats, and a hidden secret garden down the alley near the old Elsa’s sign. One of the Eastside’s quiet coffee sanctuaries.
Comet Over Delphi by Caleb Rouse. The spaces meant for lingering: where work, conversation, and community blur together.
THIRD PLACES
A small collection of spaces designed for lingering—places that function as an out-of-home office as much as a gathering point. These are the kinds of third places where community forms: sanctuaries for creative work, informal meetings, and the simple pleasure of being around others.
HIGHLAND PARK
Comet Over Delphi: One of the most thoughtfully designed spaces in the neighborhood. Created by architect Constanzia Delort-Laval with custom millwork by KayCee Tarricone, it feels less like a café and more like a community living room. Stay tuned for our feature on this special spot, coming soon.
Meadow at York Manor: A co-working space inside a converted church. Calm, beautiful, and designed for people who want to work around others without the chaos of a café. I’ve seen this 1913 official historic landmark go through many iterations over the years and this is by far the best one. Meadow also has a multi-story sister location across from Lodge Room on Fig that was featured as Maia’s office in Season 1 of I Love LA.
Highly Likely: A garden café that functions as a true neighborhood gathering space with families, laptops, meetings, and brunch all coexisting.
Kitchen Mouse: A longtime vegan mainstay with a loyal following. Their bakery down the street has one of the best carrot cakes around.
Cindy’s classic signage and the kind of diner that anchors a neighborhood.
BREAKFAST & LUNCH
Breakfast and lunch on the Eastside are less about formality and more about rhythm. These are the spots that anchor the middle of the day. These are my favorite places to meet a friend, grab something quick between errands, or sit for a while with coffee and sunlight. Casual, reliable, and deeply woven into neighborhood life.
EAGLE ROCK
Cindy’s: A true time capsule. Cindy’s feels suspended somewhere between the 1970s and today with vinyl booths, regulars who’ve been coming for decades, and the comforting feeling that not everything in Los Angeles needs to be reinvented. A neighborhood sanctuary for breakfast.
HIGHLAND PARK
Belle’s Bagels:A neighborhood institution. Belle’s started as a tiny takeout window and slowly grew into one of the Eastside’s most beloved breakfast spots. The space it occupies used to house a French restaurant, but today it’s something more communal with weekend lines, families gathering, and a feeling of neighborhood pride. Word on the street is they’re working on opening a second location in the nearby beloved town of Sierra Madre.
Delia’s:Old-school Highland Park in the best possible way. Cash-only, no frills, and some of the best burritos in Northeast LA. Delia herself is often there, and the place feels less like a restaurant than a neighborhood fixture.
Ggiata:The perfect takeaway lunch stop. Their Caesar wrap has become a quiet staple for many locals. Simple, satisfying, and ideal for eating in a nearby park.
Villa’s Tacos: I would be remiss to not mention Villa’s. Back in the pandemic, they started as a street stand outside of Berry Bowl on York and the line would quite literally go down the entire block to Snake Park. Watching their evolution (featured in the Bad Bunny Benito Bowl show!!) and business grow is such a joy. And obviously, the Villa’s Trio is incredible.
ATWATER VILLAGE
Dune: A perfect place to sit outside and eat slowly. Their Glendale Boulevard patio has an easy, sunlit energy that makes it ideal for lingering over lunch. The pita is exceptional - pillowy, warm, and built for scooping - and the iced tea is exactly what you want on a warm Eastside afternoon.
SIERRA MADRE
Mary’s Market: Mary’s makes the list because it’s our favorite place to spend a weekend morning. Just twenty minutes from Highland Park, Sierra Madre feels like a small mountain town tucked at the edge of the San Gabriels: charming and quiet, with the kind of main street that could easily be in the Blue Ridge, but dotted with signs that remind you you’re still in Los Angeles County like, “When you have more than you need, build a bigger table not a higher wall.” Tucked deeper into the canyon, away from the little downtown, is Mary’s Market. You can eat breakfast beside the sound of the creek and then wander through the canyon afterward. Order the Dan Bell Remix with the Cowboy Bowl and a waffle.
The original Mary’s Market building, constructed in 1922. The creek once ran wide and open beside it. Image courtesy of Mary’s Market.
Takeout from Joy. Some meals are best eaten at home, on the porch, or in a nearby park. These are the reliable neighborhood go-tos.
BEST FOR TAKEOUT
Takeout has its own category because some places are best enjoyed at home - eaten on the couch, in the yard, or carried to a nearby park. These are the reliable neighborhood spots that make an ordinary meal feel easy.
HIGHLAND PARK
Joy:A neighborhood anchor serving Taiwanese comfort food. Located in the old Elsa’s Bakery space, Joy manages to be both a casual takeout spot and a social hub. Sister restaurant to Pine & Crane in Silverlake and DTLA.
Skaf’s on York:We were longtime fans of the original Skaf’s on Chevy Chase in Glendale and used to make the drive just to eat there, so the York Boulevard location feels like a gift. It’s now an easy walk from home. The chicken shawarma plate is our go-to, with smoky babaganoush and an almost dangerously good garlic sauce. Simple, generous food that always hits exactly right.
Ramen of York: The Northeast LA outpost of the Silverlake Ramen family, and my favorite place in the neighborhood for a bowl. I usually go for the classic with black garlic oil, which has exactly the depth you want on a cooler night. In the summer, the massaman ramen cold noodles are the move—bright, refreshing, and unexpectedly perfect for a hot day.
Rosty’s Peruvian:If you live nearby, this becomes a regular rotation: rotisserie chicken, incredible sauces, and the kind of reliably good food that anchors a weeknight.
Mason’s Dumpling Shop: A reliable stop for both soup dumplings and fried dumplings, equally good whether you eat them there or take them home. The flavors are bold and satisfying, making it an ideal takeaway spot when you want something quick that still feels like a real meal.
Delia’s: Delia’s deserves a second mention here because their bean & cheese burrito is probably our number one most-ordered takeout item.
EAGLE ROCK
Chateau Lemongrass: A perfect low-key night-in meal. Their pho is deeply comforting: warm, fragrant, and exactly what you want when the evening calls for something restorative. The filet mignon pho is a standout, and it travels surprisingly well, arriving home just as hot and soothing as if you were eating it there.
Burger from Yellow Paper Burger. East of the LA River, burgers deserve their own category.
BURGERS
Burgers deserve their own category; there are simply too many good ones east of the LA River. And no, I’m not including For The Win. You’re welcome to email me your objections.
EAGLE ROCK
Yellow Paper Burger:Far and away my favorite burger on the east side. A cult favorite. Their pup patty has made this a sanctuary for my dog as well.
HIGHLAND PARK
The Hermosillo:OK, this is actually my favorite burger on the east side. But mostly because I love this spot wholeheartedly for other reasons. And I can walk there. Keep reading below for my ode to Herm.
Burgerlords:A longtime neighborhood staple with solid vegan options, that proves plant-based comfort food can still feel indulgent. Their tahini vanilla shake is outrageous.
Goldburger:Classic burger spot with a loyal following.
A candlelit table at Barra Santos - one of the Eastside’s best places to settle in for a long dinner.
ELEVATED DINNER
These are the places you go when you want to sit down, stay awhile, and actually experience a meal. Not fussy, but thoughtful. Restaurants that feel a little more intentional than your weeknight takeout. Not including Hermon simply because I haven’t been there yet!! Soon though.
CYPRESS PARK
Barra Santos:Putting this at the top because it is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Los Angeles. A small Portuguese spot that somehow feels both intimate and celebratory. The food is precise without being fussy, and the room carries the quiet energy of a place people return to again and again. Get the head-on shrimp and endive salad. Two of my forever-favorite dishes.
HIGHLAND PARK
Sam’s Place:One of the best date-night spots on the Eastside. Everything leans toward the fire: charred vegetables, grilled proteins, a room that feels warm and alive.
Checker Hall:A historic venue upstairs from the Lodge Room. Good cocktails, share plates, and the feeling of old Los Angeles entertainment culture still alive.
Wildcrust:The pizza reminds me of the original pizzas from Roberta’s in Bushwick - where I lived nearby for six years and was completely obsessed - more so than the actual West Coast outpost of Roberta’s at the Platform in Culver City. A beautifully executed 48-hour fermented sourdough Neapolitan pie and a relaxed space that feels perfect for long dinners with friends.
Ichijiku:Quiet, excellent sushi. Also great for takeout.
GLASSELL PARK
Dunsmoor:Everything is cooked over open fire. The food feels elemental and grounded—perfectly suited to the neighborhood. Go early and sit at the back bar for their burger special.
FROGTOWN
Lingua Franca:A small, thoughtful restaurant that feels almost like a dinner party. The menu changes often and pulls from multiple culinary traditions, but everything feels intentional and quietly precise. The space itself is understated and intimate, making it one of those rare places where the pace naturally slows and the evening unfolds course by course.
Loreto: A beautiful seafood-forward restaurant tucked along the river in Frogtown. The room is airy and refined, but still relaxed in that Eastside way. The menu leans toward coastal Mexican flavors with pristine seafood preparations. It’s the kind of place that feels celebratory without being over-the-top—perfect for a longer dinner when you want to settle in and stay awhile.
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Inside Capri Club. Evenings on the Eastside often end here.
DRINKS
My picks for drinks on the Eastside tend to be more neighborhood-oriented than scene-driven (with the exception of Capri Club which is undoubtedly a scene). These are the places where people settle in for a while while meeting friends after work, lingering over a cocktail, or running into familiar faces. Bars that feel less like destinations and more like extensions of the neighborhood.
HIGHLAND PARK
The Hermosillo: Now here is my true ode to the Herm: Probably the place I frequent most. A true neighborhood hub with great beer and food, and -somewhat to the chagrin of Sam, the owner - one of the most family-friendly patios around. On Fridays after preschool pickup, the space fills with kids while parents catch up over drinks. It’s our local spot to walk to with friends, kids, and dogs, a true neighborhood gathering place.
EAGLE ROCK
Capri Club: Stepping into Capri Club feels a bit like New York nightlife transplanted to the Eastside: less laid-back than most neighborhood spots, but undeniably cool. The cocktails are excellent, and the mocktails are just as thoughtful. The frozen negroni is a standout, and their Penicillin mocktail is unexpectedly luxurious.
Walt’s: A true locals bar. Low-key, welcoming, and very much part of the neighborhood fabric.
GLASSELL PARK
The Grant: Great cocktails and a welcoming bar staff. Martini Mondays have become a small Eastside ritual.
Local products line the shelves at Potluck Local. Neighborhood shops that make daily life feel a little more considered.
GOODS SHOPPING
Goods shopping on the Eastside is less about big retail and more about thoughtful neighborhood stores. These are the places you stop into before a dinner party, while running errands, or when you need something small but meaningful: local products, well-made pantry staples, and objects that make everyday life feel a little more intentional.
HIGHLAND PARK
Rosie Bunny Bean:Our go-to pet store. Owners Michael and Jillian host events like dog Halloween parades and Valentine’s parties. A true community sanctuary.
Sip Snack: The perfect stop when you realize you forgot one ingredient for a dinner party, or have the munchies.
Re_ Grocery:A refill store where you can replenish everything from dish soap to olive oil. Better for the planet and the wallet.
Vinovore:A wine shop focused on women-owned wineries. Also one of the best places to pick up a host gift.
La Tropicana Market: A small neighborhood grocer on Monte Vista that locals rely on for the essentials. In the back, the Burritos La Palma stand turns out some of the best burritos in the city.
Cookbook: I can’t mention goods shopping in HLP without mentioning Cookbook. It is undeniably the best quality produce, meats, breads, flowers, etc. When I am very rich one day I will exclusively shop here.
EAGLE ROCK
Milkfarm:A cheese shop that has quietly become a neighborhood institution. Perfect party trays—order ahead and pick up before a gathering.
Inside Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen on York Blvd. Well-made clothing, thoughtful curation, and stores that still feel personal.
CLOTHES SHOPPING
Clothing on the Eastside tends to feel a little more considered than trend-driven. The shops here are smaller, often owner-run, and built around a point of view: places where you can take your time, talk to the person behind the counter, and leave with something that actually feels like it belongs in your wardrobe.
HIGHLAND PARK
Shades of Grey by Micah Cohen:One of the best-designed clothing stores in the neighborhood. Elevated but approachable, with pieces that feel timeless.
Meals:Known for their incredible chef pants and matching sets. Thoughtful construction and colors that make everyday clothing feel intentional.
Avalon Vintage:Beautifully curated vintage. I once found a 1959 suit here handcrafted suit from Hong Kong with the original owner’s name stitched inside.
Soft Humans:A playful vintage shop with great finds.
Milk Teeth: There is no physical store for Milk Teeth, but they are my favorite local children’s clothing brand so it’s worth a mention. It’s local to Highland Park and their sample sales happen at a warehouse on York near Sōgo Roll Bar.
Inside Mischa’s Deeper Than Skin in Eagle Rock. This category is dedicated to places that help reset the nervous system: yin yoga, massages, and facials that make the Eastside feel like its own quiet sanctuary.
SELF-CARE
These are my go-to spots for self-care: places for yin yoga, massage, and facials that help reset the nervous system. This category strays a bit beyond the bounds of my imaginary Eastside map, since a few of my favorites happen to be west of the LA River.
HIGHLAND PARK
Kinship Yoga: A massive warehouse yoga sanctuary with multiple studios. The Yin & Healing Collective class has been a staple for many locals seeking calm and restoration.
Highland Park Yoga:A smaller studio with a garden and a welcoming community feel.
EAGLE ROCK
Deeper Than Skin: Obsessed with Mischa’s facials. I found her a few years ago through ClassPass and have been going ever since. She works out of a private room in the back of an unassuming hair salon, but once you’re inside the space is calm and beautifully kept. The facials are excellent, and her skincare advice is thoughtful and practical. Always deeply relaxing. A 10/10.
GLASSELL PARK
The Surin Day Spa: I started going here on a neighbor’s recommendation and now it’s a regular stop. I usually see Cathy, who gives an excellent massage - perfect for either a 60 or 90 minute reset. A quiet, reliable neighborhood sanctuary for unwinding.
SILVER LAKE
Yolo Foot Spa: A great, affordable neighborhood spot tucked near the Whole Foods on Glendale. I usually see YoYo, who gives an excellent massage. Simple, reliable, and one of the better values in the area.
DTLA
JJ’s Massage: My favorite affordable massage spot downtown. I came here often during my pregnancy with my son; it was a lifesaver. It’s also just a block from my favorite bánh mì shop, My Dung, which makes for a perfect little afternoon pairing.
Inside Bob Baker’s Marionette Theater where the organist is the same one who plays at Dodger Stadium. The Eastside has its own rhythm of things to do: music, film, art, and the occasional puppet show.
ACTIVITIES
These are my favorite activities in my immediate neighborhood and into the SGV. When the Highland Theater reopens after Kristen Stewart’s restoration, it will undoubtedly earn a place on this list.
EAGLE ROCK
Vidiots:A nonprofit video store turned cinema and archive. One of LA’s true film sanctuaries. Despite being a member, I sometimes always find out about the coolest events only after they happen. Someone in the know at Vidiots PLEASE invite me to them before. Highlights of events that I’ve missed and been oh so very sad about are: Nathan Fielder & Jack Black promoting the second season of The Rehearsal, Jacob Elordi just being present in the space, and the Stop Making Sense Screening & Q&A with David Byrne and Kim Gordon.
HIGHLAND PARK
Bob Baker Marionette Theater:Every parent knows this place and now all the cool kids know it too. A Los Angeles institution since the 1960s. Puppet shows for kids, experimental performances for adults, and pure handmade magic. They’ve been hosting incredible invite-only events including an Iron & Wine record release concert & puppet show from Subpop and the Substack Spelling Bee hosted by Cazzie David & featuring Nicole Ritchie, Jacqueline Novak, Karley Sciortino.
Lodge Room:A historic Masonic hall turned music venue hosting everything from late-night concerts to daytime family shows. I’ve seen Drugdealer here more times than I can count, and one of my favorite shows was Connan Mockasin performing in the round. The programming is consistently thoughtful and cool.
GLASSELL PARK
Bub & Grandma’s: Famous for daytime sandwiches, the real sanctuary moment is their BG Nites Sunday and Monday night gatherings. There are two live music sets at 6 & 8 PM and the room fills with families and kids dancing. It often turns into an impromptu neighborhood party. Including it in this section because the live music aspect turns this into our son’s favorite night out.
Glassell Pool:A public pool that feels straight out of a 1990s summer movie. Cheap entry, sunny chairs, and the soundtrack of neighborhood life.
PASADENA
The Huntington: I have to include The Huntington because it’s easily our most visited place. I come at least a couple times a month, and it never gets old. Watching the gardens shift through the seasons is one of my favorite rituals.
My parents and son on the bridge in the Chinese Garden at The Huntington. The Liu Fang Yuan, “Garden of Flowing Fragrance” at The Huntington is one of the largest classical-style Chinese gardens outside of China
Murphy at the peak of Cherry Canyon. Trails like this make Los Angeles feel closer to nature than people expect.
PARKS & WALKS
One of my favorite things about living at the four corners of Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Mount Washington, and Glassell Park is the ability to head out in any direction: down the hill toward York Boulevard and the energy of town, or up into the quieter, more rugged trails that edge the neighborhood. Within a short walk you can move between cafés, campuses, and hillside paths that make the city feel surprisingly close to nature.
I’m not including all of my favorite hikes deeper in the Angeles National Forest here; there are simply too many. A quick shortlist: Gabrielino, Dawn Mine, and Switzer are hard to beat. The trails below are the more urban parks & walks closer to home.
HIGHLAND PARK
La Tierra de la Culebra Park: A cute, tiny little park off of Fig. Before the pandemic, this used to be the home of the Leaving Records shows Listen to Music Outside in the Daylight Under a Tree, and was one of the reasons that I fell head over heels in love with Los Angeles. Now that they have ended their engagement at Elysian, they’ve moved back here. It’s good that they’re home.
EAGLE ROCK
Occidental College:One of the most beautiful campuses in LA. Olive trees, church bells, and open lawns filled with students, dogs, and families teaching children to ride bikes. I did indeed cry when I was rewatching Clueless after moving here, and I realized that Occidental plays Bronson Alcott High School.
Fiji Hill:A rugged hillside trail behind Occidental with sweeping views. Wear good hiking shoes because these trails are steep and slippery.
MOUNT WASHINGTON
Moon Canyon:A quiet trail known for moonrise views and oak woodland.
Sea View Loop:One of the best lookout points on the Eastside, with views of downtown, Griffith Park, the San Gabriels, and even the Pacific on clear days.
Heidelberg Park: The most rugged part of Mt. Washington. This is worth visiting because it’s the last untouched native California Oak Forest left in NELA. Go here to envision what the neighborhood looked like back when it was just the Tongva and Chumash. There is a hidden swing and benches along the trail here. Beware this is a major coyote hangout. Once I saw a pack of six coyotes here.
Cleland Park:A mellow park at the base of Mt. Washington. Perfect for kids on one side and dogs on the other.
EMERALD ISLE / LA CAÑADA
Cherry Canyon: Cherry Canyon is my favorite hike in the area. Think: nearly empty trails, the most stunning multi-million dollar estates, and sweeping 360 views of the San Gabriels, the Verdugo Mountains, the Griffith Observatory, and even the Channel Islands on a clear day. It’s a large park tucked behind Descanso Gardens with several entrances, but one of them is clearly the best. I found it after years of trial and error, and if you try to plug the trailhead directly into a map it often sends you to an inaccessible fire road… So here are the real directions: drive toward the Chevy Chase Country Club, then navigate to the intersection of Sugar Loaf Drive and Hampstead Road. Follow Sugar Loaf all the way to the top. When the road ends, turn right and you’ll arrive at one of the best trailheads in the park that leads you on one of the most ideal two mile loops in all of NELA. I may regret sharing this but I want to be generous!! You’re welcome.
The east side is full of places like these: small, unassuming sanctuaries that quietly anchor daily life. Coffee counters, neighborhood parks, restaurants where the same people return week after week.
This guide is simply a starting point, a snapshot of the places that shape my corner of Los Angeles. I’ll keep adding to it over time as new spaces appear and old ones endure.
Stay tuned for more guides from some of my favorite LA creatives. xx
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