Best Restaurants for People Watching in Highland Park

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodFrenchMexicanJapanese

Regions

DowntownHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando ValleyWest Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Mid-Wilshire

Neighbourhoods

Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Central Los AngelesDowntownGlendaleHollywoodLittle Tokyo

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

16 restaurants available nearby

1. Mi Piace

4.4

Awesome(4118)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Pasadena

Booked 55 times today

We are open and happy to serve the community during this time. With over 30 years serving up crave worthy food, craft coktails, extensive wine lists and personalized service, we invite you to come dine on our newly renovated patio, bustling main dining rooms, sleek lounge or order our takeout. In Italian, Mi Piace means - I like it; and the Mi Piace Team will make sure you love it at this award-winning restaurant. Mi Piace is the perfect spot to enjoy an intimate dinner, lively lunch, or festive brunch. We take pride in our product and service provided and look forward to having you as our guest in what we call 'home'.

2. Bacari GDL

4.8

Exceptional(1159)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Glendale

Booked 25 times today

Bacari GDL is a Venetian-inspired small plates restaurant featuring Mediterranean-influenced dishes by Chef Lior Hillel. We are the 3rd restaurant of Kronfli Brothers, a family-owned, growing group of restaurants in the Los Angeles area. Alongside our delicious tapas, we offer a rotating curation of small-production wines and eclectic beers, unique craft cocktails & mocktails, and we are also known for our one-of-a-kind 90-minute open bar special.Our team provides warm hospitality in our comfortable, intimate indoor lounge by the bar or in our spacious, breezy outdoor patio. You will feel like home when dining at Bacari GDL.We welcome but do not require reservations — we love to accommodate walk-ins and large parties, even on busy nights. Bacari GDL is the go-to spot for our neighbors, and we look forward to hosting you soon!

3. Traxx

4.2

Awesome(15)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 1 time today

Traxx Restaurant and Traxx Bar are located inside beautiful, historic Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. We are a semi-fine dining restaurant with a casual attitude and relaxed atmosphere. Our restaurant serves scratch made American Bistro dishes using local a local bakery and local ingredients. We offer seating on our concourse (located in front of the restaurant inside Union Station), the Dining Room, and on our outside Patio in the courtyard. We also serve Traxx Bar, located across the concourse inside Union Station at the main entrance. Traxx Bar hours are M-F 11:30-10pm with kitchen hours until 8pm and Sat & Sun 12-10pm with kitchen hours until 7pm.

A photo of TAO Asian Bistro - Los Angeles restaurant

4. TAO Asian Bistro - Los Angeles

4.7

Exceptional(4257)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Hollywood

Booked 99 times today

TAO Los Angeles is a dynamic two-level space, complete with two private dining rooms, outdoor patio, lounge with large bar. and main dining room anchored by our 16 foot Quan Yin statue.

5. JOEY DTLA

4.6

Exceptional(163)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 91 times today

*Looking to book for 7+ people? Email us at DTLA.reservations@joeyrestaurants.com and someone will get back to you shortly!*JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. Wrapping the corner of 7th and S Flower St with the largest street level patio downtown Los Angeles, JOEY DTLA features a theatre kitchen, a stunning stone bartop and a custom wine wall in the lounge. The dining room showcases a large commissioned art piece by Los Angeles local, America Martin, an interior willow tree that provides an oasis within the city.

6. Hearts and Flame

4.3

Awesome(283)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Tokyo

Booked 11 times today

Hearts & Flame.Coastal Italian dishes in a modern industrial space in the heart of the DTLA Arts District. From fresh made pastas, to sea-to-table dishes, utilizing the freshest seafood from the California coast, our kitchen is at the heart of everything we do. In the middle of our dining room, the flames are ignited from our grill, where steaks, are cooked over an open flame, creating a memorable experience for you and your guests.

A photo of Casa Cordoba - Montrose restaurant

7. Casa Cordoba - Montrose

4.7

Exceptional(528)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Spanish • Montrose

Booked 12 times today

Casa Cordoba was established 2013 to deliver a truly authentic Spanish dining experience. Located in a classic Spanish building in the heart of beautiful Montrose, Casa Cordoba presents a truly immersive experience where Angelenos can step out of the hustle and bustle of their daily lives and experience a Taste of Spain.You can experience Casa in our magical garden, dining room, or wine bar. We offer authentic Spanish cuisine including an extensive tapas menu, specialty paellas, and much more to go along with our hand selected wine list representing various regions of Spain.

A photo of Sogno Toscano - The Grove restaurant

8. Sogno Toscano - The Grove

4.5

Awesome(26)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Central Los Angeles

Booked 4 times today

Sogno Toscano invites you to experience a true Italian escape in the heart of Los Angeles. Located within the prestigious "The Grove", this marks our fourth U.S. location and the first to be realized as a full-service restaurant and cocktail bar. Here, we bring Italy's rich culinary heritage to life in elegant setting, surrounded by the energy and allure of one of LA's most iconic destinations.As a leading importer of premium Italian products across the U.S., every ingredient we serve is carefully sourced and brought directly from Italy, honoring our dedication to authenticity and excellence. Join us for a genuine Italian experience...no passport needed! N.B.: TABLE RESERVATIONS ARE ONLY INTENDED FOR FULL SERVICE. For any questions, feel free to contact us on OpenTable.

9. Zinqué - DTLA

4.6

Exceptional(541)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown

Booked 21 times today

zinqué is a beloved neighborhood hotspot & all-day restaurant serving French-inspired dishes, small plates, craft cocktails & a uniquely curated wine selection. Inspired by the zinc countertop bars & cafés of Paris, many of its customers consider it a second home—a place to work, linger & socialize. Open from 7am till late, the space transforms from a European-style bistro & café, serving full breakfast with La Colombe coffee drinks & its famous Le Bowl for lunch, to full service dining at night. (zin-kae)

A photo of Irie Restaurant & Lounge restaurant

10. Irie Restaurant & Lounge

4.9

Exceptional(118)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • West Hollywood

Booked 13 times today

Located in the heart of West Hollywood, Irie Lounge and Restaurant offers guests the full sensory experience combining cannabis and California comfort food with a southern twist. Irie brings all of the farm/farmer's market to table freshness, but with the tanginess and smoked dishes that southern food is celebrated for. Whether consuming cannabis or not, our black-eyed pea hummus, dandelion Caesar salads, and dry-aged New York strip with charred treviso are dishes guests are celebrating us for.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
TiffanyVIP
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Great experience, food and wine. highly recommend!
More info
JOEY DTLAPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
•
4.6
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great food and great service! The chicken fried rice is my fave
More info
TAO Asian Bistro - Los AngelesPrice: Expensive• Asian• Hollywood
•
4.7
P
Panos
Los Angeles •10 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 28, 2025
A truly wonderful experience, they were very busy so a few items took longer than usual but all in all it was a wonderful dinner wonderful experience good service, an owner that really cares. The most beautiful thing about this restaurant is the very menu the surprising specials backed by, wonderful standards like the awesome Osso Bucco and Papadilio Bolognese. Top Shelf all the way.
More info
Mi PiacePrice: Expensive• Italian• Pasadena
•
4.4
T
TJ
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined on Feb 22, 2025
My experience here was truly wonderful, and I was touched by how attentive and friendly the staff were. It’s clear they genuinely care about their customers. I will absolutely return and will happily recommend this place to friends and family.
More info
Bacari GDLPrice: Expensive• Italian• Glendale
•
4.8
M
Michael
Los Angeles •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 18, 2024
Comfortable and casual (with a capital "C" for each). Absolutely loved the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. -- and the choice of jazz as ambience was well chosen.
More info
TraxxPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.2

Explore OpenTable

Neighbourhood
People watching

Highland Park

South Pasadena
Century City
Torrance / Carson
Pasadena
Alhambra
Playa del Rey
Montebello
West Los Angeles
Hawthorne / Gardena
Burbank
Highland Park
Venice
Redondo Beach
Downtown
Baldwin Hills
Manhattan Beach
Silver Lake
Rancho Palos Verdes / Rolling Hills Estates
North Hollywood
Santa Monica