July 2, 2025 Your Source for Brentwood News

Brentwood News’ Best Westside Dishes of 2021

By Sam Catanzaro

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner or anytime in-between, the Westside has no shortage of world-class food to satisfy cravings. From a perfect breakfast burrito to melt-in-your-mouth sashimi, here are some best dishes the area has to offer.

Best Breakfast Burrito: Cerveteca

Located on Venice Boulevard in Culver City, Cerveteca’s breakfast burrito is arguably one of LA’s best breakfast burritos. While the $12 price tag isn’t cheap, it’s also not unreasonable for the area and is worth every penny. While I opt for the bacon (as opposed to chorizo), both are excellent when complimented by the crunchy tots, a perfect amount of eggs and black beans, dipped into their spicy creamy sauce. Cervetca – 9418 Venice Blvd, Culver City cervetecaculvercity.com.

Best Coffee: Kyoto Cold Brew – Demitasse

Located on 3rd Street, just north of Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica, Demitasse takes all their coffee seriously. Their Kyoto drip cold brew, however, stands out and is one of the best cold brews out there, made by slowly dripping water through coffee grounds over a number of hours. The result is a strong, sweet and ultra-caffeinated beverage that can be either served over ice or enjoyed chilled and neat. Demitasse – 1149 3rd St, Santa Monica cafedemitasse.com.

Best Bagel: Pop’s Bagels

While no bagel in Los Angeles will satisfy a New Yorker, Pop’s Bagels may come close. While some of the bagel sandwiches are a bit pricey, keep the order simple with just veggies and cream cheese and let the quality of the bagel speak for itself. Pop’s Bagels – 1928 San Vicente Blvd, Brentwood and 9300 Culver Blvd, Culver City, popsbagelsla.com.  

Best Sandwich: Al’s Hot Chicken – The Nash Sandwich

Thick, juicy, crispy, spicy. These adjectives describe Al’s Hot Chicken’s Nash Sandwich accurately. Words, however, don’t do this sandwich justice. That is something only taste buds can do. Al’s Hot Chicken – 10821 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles, alshotchicken.com

Best pizza: Prime Pizza – Cheese Pizza

Prime Pizza’s expansion to the Westside this year was surrounded by anticipation after Dave Portnoy described it as the “number 1 pizza in LA“. Prime Pizza lived up the hype, churning out no-frills, NY-style pies and slices that consistently hit the spot. While the classic cheese is the best, the square pies are also delicious, especially the “Grandma” and “Sicilian” options. Prime Pizza – 12219 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, primepizza.la. 

Best Burger: Tripp Burgers

If you’re looking for a gourmet burger, go to Father’s Office. If you’re looking for a classic burger, go to The Apple Pan. If you’re looking for a smash burger served alongside a kale salad, go to The Window at American Beauty. If you’re looking for a stellar (albeit pricey) smash burger and just that, go to Tripp Burgers, a Palms-area pop-up. Each 2.75oz patty–a fresh-ground blend of USDA Prime Chuck, Top Sirloin and a small amount of bacon–is smashed on the griddle. The taste is nothing fancy, just pure burger goodness. The bacon in the meat blend is undiscernible taste-wise but gives the patty its crisp thanks to grease. The sweet onions add a hint of flavor but act more as a textural component, allowing the burger-ness to stand out. Tripp Burgers – 3458 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles. trippburgers.com.

Best Pasta: La Puglia – San Giuannid

The San Giuannid pasta at La Puglia in Santa Monica is a testament to simplicity. Spaghetti Alla Chitarra tossed with a wood-fired tomato-based sauce containing just capers and oregano topped with Pecorino and bread crumbs. And for those averse to capers, the other pasta dishes are just as good. La Puglia – 1621 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, lapuglia.us

Best Tacos: El Primo Tacos – Al Pastor

All the tacos at El Primo Tacos, a street vendor in Venice, are top-notch but the Al Pastor steals the show. Straight from the rotisserie to the grill and then into a tortilla, these tacos are incredibly juicy and flavorful. Oh, and they also cost $1 each, but remember to bring cash and don’t forget to load up at the salsa station. El Primo Tacos – 845 Lincoln Blvd, Venice, instagram.com/elprimotacosla

Best Noodles: Little Fatty – XO Fatty Noodles

Comfort food comes in all shapes and sizes, including in the form of fatty noodles that are dangerously easy to eat from the aptly-named Little Fatty in Mar Vista. Rolled chow fun, XO sauce, bean sprouts, garlic chives and roasted garlic come together in this dish. The noodles, similar in shape and size to a cheese puff, are texturally somewhere between a bao and soba. Like cheese puffs, bao and soba, these noodles are the epitome of comfort food. Little Fatty, 3809 Grand View Boulevard, Mar Vista. littlefattyla.com. 

Best Happy Hour: The Misfit

With half-off drinks Monday through Saturday from 4-7, the Misfit does not mess around when it comes to cocktails. While all the drinks a crafted to perfection, some standouts include their sidecar and whiskey sour. And don’t forget about the food: the fries and Brussels sprouts are both top-notch. The Misfit – 225 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, themisfitbar.com.

Best Sushi: Bluefin Tuna Platter – Soko

Tucked into the lobby of a Santa Monica hotel, Sushi Chef Masa Shimakawa’s Soko offers one of Los Angeles’ best omakase experiences. The centerpiece at Soko is the bluefin tuna platter. With the lean akamai meat, medium fatty chu-toro and extra-fatty-melt-in-your-mouth o-toro alongside a torotaku roll, this dish showcases the versatility of bluefin tuna. Also incredible at Soko is the steamed monkfish liver served with cucumbers and seaweed. Soko – 101 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, fairmont-miramar.com/dine/soko-sushi

Best Date Night Spot: Prix Fixe at Citrin

The sister restaurant to Josiah Citrin’s acclaimed Melisse, Citrin’s menu is full of eclectic dishes that are sure to impress. The $145 tasting menu offers a world-class culinary experience, highlighted by the Crudo of wild Japanese fish, lobster bolognese and Snake River Farms sirloin and short rib plate. Citrin – 1104 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, citrinandmelisse.com

Related Posts

EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles Returns with Star Chefs, Firefighter Tribute, and Wildfire Relief Efforts

June 27, 2025

June 27, 2025

Culinary Festival Features Exclusive Restaurant Collabs, Support for Small Businesses  EEEEEATSCON Los Angeles, the celebrated food festival curated by The...

Brentwood Weekend Specials: $9 Wine & Street Tacos, Blush-Inspired Lattes & Beauty Swag

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Street Tacos and Wine Meets Self-Care in Brentwood and Santa Monica Brentwood Fine Wines will welcome back local culinary favorite...

Cherished Culver City Ice Cream Vendor Abducted in Broad Daylight

June 26, 2025

June 26, 2025

Ambrocio “Enrique” Lozano’s Disappearance Led To Grassroots Action Ambrocio Lozano, also known in the neighborhood as Enrique, was abducted around...

Michelin Stars Shine Bright on LA: Somni West Hollywood and Providence Earn Top Honors

June 25, 2025

June 25, 2025

Two Restaurants in Los Angeles Receive Three Stars as Michelin Guide Celebrates Bold Flavors The MICHELIN Guide California 2025 celebrated...

A.O.C. Brentwood to Close After 16 Years on San Vicente Boulevard

June 22, 2025

June 22, 2025

Chef Goin and Styne Cite Unsustainably High Rent in Decision to Close  A.O.C. Brentwood, the acclaimed Westside outpost from James...

Food Fight on the Venice Boardwalk: Chefs Stand Up for Immigrants with Food

June 20, 2025

June 20, 2025

Turk’s Pizza Party Rallies Top Local Eateries for an Immigrant Rights Fundraiser In a bold display of culinary activism, Turk’s...

Summer Pop-Ups Serve Crullers, Challah Donuts, Croissants, Coffee and Musical Vibes

June 19, 2025

June 19, 2025

Nyletta Nyletta, Challah Dad, Des Croissants Paris Bring Pastry Delights to Culver City A pair of sweet summer pop-ups are...

Pizza Girl Brings Clean, Classic Italian Pizza to West Hollywood’s Sunset Strip

June 18, 2025

June 18, 2025

Founder Caroline D’Amore opens “Pink and Mortar” shop at Hotel Ziggy Pizza Girl is now open at its new brick-and-mortar...

Tyler Malek Celebrates New Ice Cream Cookbook With Sweet Pop-Ups in Los Angeles

June 16, 2025

June 16, 2025

Chef to Appear at Book Soup and Debut Limited-Edition Matcha Sandwich at GGiata Tyler Malek, co-founder and head chef of...

Thatcher’s Wine Host Father’s Day Bordeaux Tasting, No Dad Credentials Required

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Sample Rare Vintages From Premier French Estates This Sunday in Brentwood In honor of Father’s Day, Thatcher’s Wine in Brentwood...

World-Class Chefs and Local Farms Bring Culinary Magic to Santa Monica This June

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

3 Nights, 3 Unforgettable Dinners: Santa Monica’s Michelin + Farm Feast Series A trio of exclusive culinary events is set...

Immigrant Opened Her Doors to Injured Deputies and Demonstrators Offering Water, Aid, and Compassion

June 12, 2025

June 12, 2025

Salvadoran Restaurant Becomes Unexpected Refuge During L.A. Immigration Protest As immigration protests swept through parts of Los Angeles County over...

Mastro’s Malibu Reopens With Ocean Views, Signature Steaks, and Nearly Entire Staff Intact

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Iconic Oceanfront Steakhouse Returns With Its Beloved Butter Cake, Nightly Live Music, and Sunset Glamour After a five-month closure due...

Chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken Serve Up Pride Month Specials That Give Back

June 11, 2025

June 11, 2025

Limited-Time Food, Cocktail Offerings at Socalo and Alice B. Support LGBTQ+ Centers In honor of Pride Month, acclaimed chefs Susan...

Jason Momoa to Perform and Bartend at The Bungalow Santa Monica’s Night Market

June 9, 2025

June 9, 2025

Minecraft Star Returns to the Bungalow With Live Music, and Top L.A… Food Vendors Actor Jason Momoa will make his...