$ = Spare change.

$$ = Stop by the ATM.

$$$ = Whip out the plastic.

$$$$ = Expense it.

 


The Abbey (692 Robertson Blvd.; 310-289-8410), a perfect place to gather for coffee, sandwiches, salads and fresh pastries. Full bar. $


Ambrosia Café and Juice Bar (9107 Sunset Blvd.; 310-247-1112) is very popular with the lunch bunch for its custom-blended smoothies, sandwiches and salads. $$


Asia De Cuba (8440 Sunset Blvd.; 323-848-6000) contends for our chi-chi award, but its calamari salad — fried calamari, mixed greens, hearts of palm, bananas and peanut sauce dressing — are to die for. $$$


Astro Burger (7475 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-874-8041), popular for its fries, shakes and ’50s feel, and best of all, its veggie and turkey burgers stack up well against the beefy originals. $


Barney’s Beanery (8447 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-2287) has a roadhouse feel that takes you back to the days when the Doors and Van Halen roamed the Strip. Its bodacious selection of beers and world-famous chili is second to none. $$


Basix Cafe (8333 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-2460) is best for breakfast, but the grilled pizzas and chicken are can’t-miss picks for lunch or dinner. Even better is the strategically placed patio, so you can see and, most importantly, be seen. $$


Benito’s (7912 Beverly Blvd.; 323-938-7427), open 24 hours and always jumpin’, serves the quickest burrito in town. We call it heaven sent after a night of clubbing. $


Benvenuto Caffé (8512 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-659-8635), an exceptionally quaint little place tucked away from the boulevard, is famous for bottomless bowls of fresh homemade pastas and wood-fired pizzas. $$


Bossa Nova (685 N. Robertson Blvd.; 310-657-5070) uses only the freshest ingredients for Brazilian favorites like plantains, grilled lamb, coxina and a variety of authentic salads and soups. $$


Bouchon (7661 Melrose Ave.; 323-852-9400) serves delectable French bistro cuisine like whitefish dumplings and lobster sauce, or rillette de lapin (bunny paté) with croutons. $$


Bourbon Street Shrimp (8454 Melrose Ave.; 323-653-2640) always is busting with ambiance. Grab a seat on the porch and enjoy authentic, spicy Cajun cookin’ and a couple of cold ones. $$


Bristol Farms (7880 Sunset Blvd.; 323-874-6301), the place to go if fresh herbs, flower bouquets and a tempting pinot noir are on your list. Then pick up a fresh salad or sandwich at the deli. $$


Café Med (8615 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-0445) serves a Southern Italian/Mediterranean hybrid of pizzas, salads and pastas, and is a wonderful place to watch the “in” crowd passing by on the plaza. $$$


Cajun Bistro (8301 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-6388) is a good choice for a quick lunch on the enclosed patio or inside the dining room. Order half a “beer can” chicken or the house specialty: of course, jambalaya. $$


Carl’s Jr. (1111 La Brea Ave.; 323-851-3199) invites you to stop in around 2 a.m. after a night of clubbing, grab a seat by the window, enjoy a delicious burger, and take in the local color. $


The Cash Cow Cafe (8301 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-822-0671) is high on our list of favorites because of its reasonable prices and helpful, happy servers. Grab a juicy turkey burger or angel-hair pasta with fresh tomato and basil. And remember — cash only. $$


Chef Ming’s (8100 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-3383) offers traditional mom-and-pop Chinese fare that is always fresh and piping hot. $


Chin Chin (8618 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-1818) stands at the gateway to Sunset Plaza Drive, serving posh California/Chinese cuisine. There’s also a take-out section in back, so you can pick up dinner in your sweats without committing fashion suicide. $$


Clafoutis (8630 Sunset Blvd.; 310-659-5233) translated means baked custard with cherries and crème Anglaise. For us, however, it means fine French cuisine like filet mignon in red wine sauce and “duck of the day.” $$$


Cobalt Cantina (616 N. Robertson Blvd.; 310-659-8691) offers patrons a vibrant space, and its colorful cocktails complement the sweet-potato tamales and Mexican pizzas. $$


Cynthia’s (8370 W. Third St.; 323-658-7851) truly delights on an avenue of attitude, serving contemporary American comfort food like fried chicken and dumplings and meat-loaf dinner. Just remodeled; now with full bar. $$


Cyrano (8840 Beverly Blvd.; 310-271-4193) serves one of the best filets in town by day and a schmoozing scenester’s dreamland by night. $$$


Dan Tana’s (9071 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-275-9444), a celebrity watcher’s paradise, is the home of L.A.’s, best steak, and the house’s traditional Italian fare is outstanding as well. $$$$


Diaghilev (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; 310-854-1111) has been described as “the best ethnic restaurant in all of California,” with palate-pleasing Russian/French specialties like salmon filet wrapped in sturgeon mousse and flaky filo. $$$$


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Duke’s (8909 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-3100) boasts a menu that’s a potpourri of Chinese vegetables, omelets and meat-loaf dinners. Relax and enjoy — nothing’s over $10. $


Du-par’s (8571 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-659-7009) announces that the best pancakes and breakfast in the world have landed in West Hollywood. $


Eat-A-Pita (465 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-651-0188) is famous for its lightly crunchy falafel, tender shwarma, gyros and a relaxed, shaded-patio setting. $


Eat Well (8252 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-1383) asks that you bring a hearty appetite and order homemade chicken fried chicken, pot roast or one of its huge salads. $


Fatburger (7450 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-436-0862) cooks up one of those real sloppy sorts, a wheat bun stacked high with ground turkey and stuff that drips down your arms and gets all over your face. $


The Flowering Tree (8253 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-4332) has a big following among the health conscious, serving fresh juices, frozen yogurt, homemade soups, veggie burgers and sugar-free baked goods. $$


French Quarter (7985 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-0898) provides inside seating and a trickling water fountain, where you can enjoy freshly baked goods and daily quiches. $$


Fried Bananas (8288 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-650-1202) offers specials like tender roast pork, or chicken on the bone with black beans and rice salad. $$


Gardens of Taxco (1113 N. Harper Ave.; 323-654-1746) is home of not only the oral menu but also Ramon, the colorful waiter, and both are reasons enough to hit this spot and enjoy one of 14 home-style specials, prepared and served as if you were “a guest at a home in Mexico City.” $$


Gelson’s (8330 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-5580) markets and delis have a dedicated following because of impeccable service. The people here excel at what they do, and it’s kept them number one for over 35 years. $$


Genghis Cohen (740 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-653-0640) hosts singers and live music every night, and cooks up some of the best eclectic Chinese vittles in town. Specials include garlic catfish, candied shrimp and “scallops on fire.” $$


Gigi Brasserie (8555 Beverly Blvd.; 310-278-5444) is the Hotel Sofitel’s on-premises brasserie and is open to the public. Try a flaky croissant, an oven-fresh baguette, a dainty salad or soup. $$


Greenblatt’s (8017 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-0606) is legendary for its deli sandwiches and wine shop, but it’s also noted for late-night star-spotting. We once saw Iggy Pop and David Bowie gnawing on chicken legs here. You should be so lucky. $$


Greenwich Village Café (8937 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-278-2003) is definitely a people watcher’s place, with friendly service, delicious pizzas, caesars, and the tastiest wagon-wheel pasta salad in town. $


Hamburger Hamlet Bar & Grill (9201 Sunset Blvd.; 310-278-4924) has been lionized for its originals like the bleu-cheese burger and standards like the half-pound burger with the works.$$


House of Blues (8430 Sunset Blvd.; 323-848-5100) the home of some of L.A.’s hottest acts, not to mention some of the most savory ä Southern-inspired chow west of the Mississippi. Don’t miss the Gospel Brunch every Sunday. $$


Hoy’s Wok (8163 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-9002) can make any lunch or dinner sans oil or salt. For a quick bite, try the spicy chicken wings and hot-and-sour soup. $


Hugo’s (8401 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-3993) caters to the breakfast connoisseur with tofu scrambles, fresh baked goods and breakfast pastas. Yum! $$


Irv’s Burgers (8289 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-650-2456) is the best place to enjoy a B.L.T. for breakfast, or pull up a stool and chow on burgers and pastramis. $


Itana Bahia (8711 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-657-6306) is casual and hip, serving delectable and spicy specials like shrimp and fish stew accented with peppers, herbs and coconut milk. $$


The Ivy (113 N. Robertson Blvd.; 310-274-8303) serves “home cookin’ with an attitude.” We recommend the corn chowder or the pretty chopped salad. $$$


Jacopo’s (8166 Sunset Blvd.; 323-650-8128) moderately priced pizzas are arguably healthier (with fat-free cheese) than the other guys’ across the street. $


Jamba Juice (8591 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-360-7440) smoothies are ideal for those breakfastless mornings and post-lunch afternoon pick-me-ups. $


Jan’s (8424 Beverly Blvd.; 323-651-2866) has a big following among West Hollywood’s senior citizenry, specializing in home-style standards like meat-loaf dinners, iceberg-lettuce salads and tapioca pudding. $


Jerry’s Famous Deli (8701 Beverly Blvd.; 310-289-1811) boasts the hustle-and-bustle feel of a New York deli, and serves potato pancakes, knishes, and sandwiches packed so high it’s a workout getting a bite out of ’em. $$


Jones (7201 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-850-1726) has been endearingly described as “sneering with attitude,” and serves delicious food to stars who come for the TLC. $$


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Joss (9255 Sunset Blvd.; 310-276-1886) will delight the palate with the likes of Chinese long beans in black-bean sauce, or lobster Cantonese. Joss has been dubbed “the best dim sum restaurant in West L.A.” $$$


Kass Bah (9010 Melrose Ave.; 310-274-7664) is heavily frequented by industry types, who network and shmooze over gourmet pizzas, salads, grilled salmon or New York steaks. $$$


Kinaree (1253 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-969-8611) features hand-blown glass lamps and copper-topped tables and bar, which make for an earthy motif that complements its authentic Thai dishes. $$


La Bohème (8400 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-2360) looks like an over-the-top-opera set. Equally elegant daily specials include filet with mushroom mashed potatoes, red wine sauce and herb butter. $$$


La Bottega Marino Deli (8274 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-654-1214) features lunch specials, antipastos, fresh baked goods and imported coffees and cookies. $


La Brasserie (1020 N. San Vicente Blvd.; 310-854-1111, Ext. 376) hosts some of L.A.’s best live jazz, and the chefs here can work the crowd too with nightly specials like grilled balsamic glazed pork chop with creamy Parmesan potatoes. $$$


Le Chardonnay (8284 Melrose Ave.; 323-655-8880) specializes in expertly prepared entrées like roast duck and chicken, fresh fish and pastas. $$$


Le Colonial (8783 Bonner Dr.; 310-289-0660) delights with the flavors of French Vietnamese dishes like spring rolls and Bo Sate. $$$


Le Dome (8720 Sunset Blvd.; 310-659-6919), after 22 years in the same locale, is a certified Tinsel Town institution. Who can guess what celebs you’ll catch munching homemade brioche or swigging back oysters at the dome-shaped bar. $$$$


Le Petit Bistro (631 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-289-9797) has reasonable prices and wonderful pastries, soups du jour, lamb chops and desserts. $$


Lola’s (945 N. Fairfax Ave.; 213-736-5652) serves 50 kinds of martinis, is packed with Hollywood types and serves fine Continental-American chow. A word of advice: Wear black or stand out like a sore thumb. $$


L’Orangerie (903 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-652-9770) has its foie gras and seafood flown in fresh from France, hence, it is one of L.A.’s finest and most exclusive French restaurants. $$$$


Los Tacos (1043 N. La Brea Ave.; 323-850-9346) can be a very strategic stop to pick up lunch, if you’ve got a dirty car. Here you can eat and get your car washed. $ ä


Marix (1108 N. Flores St.; 323-656-8800) is a jumpin’ weekend spot that serves great Tex-Mex fare, and the shady deck and patio make it one warm-weather hot spot not to be missed. $$


Mel’s Drive-In (8585 Sunset Blvd.; 310-854-7200) moved in at this locale when Ben Frank’s closed its doors, but it lives up to the legend, with its burgers, chili fries and malts. $$


Morton’s (8764 Melrose Ave.; 310-276-5205) is rumored to be the place where the deals for Close Encounters of the Third Kind and other cinema blockbusters were finalized. Nabobs still enjoy their power lunches here over martinis and lime chicken. $$$


Norms (470 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 323-655-0167) always serves the best breakfasts in town, and you won’t find a more eclectic group of patrons anywhere. $


North (8029 Sunset Blvd.; 323-654-1313) is one of those places frequented by music-industry folk who carouse over the “Nite Club” — a grilled chicken-breast sandwich with bacon, arugula and spicy aioli sauce. $$


Noura Cafe (8479 Melrose Ave.; 323-651-4581) is reasonable, romantic and fun, a favorite for years in WeHo, with wonderful baba ghanoush and tabbouleh. $$


Odessa Market (7781 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-9999) is owned and run by Russian immigrants who, it seems, pickle anything in sight. Ethnic treasure troves like this are springing up all over WeHo’s eastside. $


The Oki Dog (860 N. Fairfax Ave.; 323-655-4166) serves a pastrami burrito once described as a “foil-wrapped grease bomb the size and weight of a building brick” (per L.A. Weekly food critic Jonathan Gold). Fortunately, some things never change. $


Palm Restaurant (9001 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-550-8811) stands alone with its world-famous reputation for quality menu items like steaks, lobsters and pastas in hefty portions served in a refreshing, informal setting. $$$$


Panda Express (8969 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-273-0977) is the perfect place to pick up a quick rice bowl or some sweet-and-spicy orange chicken. $


Panini (8849 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-4726) serves up single pizza slices with exotic toppings in a jiffy. Pick up some spaghetti, a salad or a quick cup of coffee, too. $


Philly Steak Depot (8871 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-289-8633) has an aroma wafting out of its storefront that can turn any upstanding citizen into a Philly steak fiend. The hoagies are tasty too. $


Rainbow Bar & Grill (9012 Sunset Blvd.; 310-278-4232) is in close proximity to the Whisky and the Viper Room, and has always been a favorite haunt for L.A. rockers. With over 70 items, the menu could please all of ’em. $$


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Real Food Daily (414 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-289-9920) serves strictly organic, gourmet fare. Try a mock reuben (with marinated tempeh). $$


Red Rock (8782 Sunset Blvd.; 310-854-0710) is the double-decker bar and grille, where the black-clad masses rub elbows. It is also the place to find one of L.A.’s premier plates of bangers and mash. $$


The Replay Café (8607 Melrose Ave.; 310-854-5818) is worth going to just to hang out on the old-fashioned wood porch. Order the Replay’s herb-marinated chicken breast, or a Rib Eye. $$


Saddle Ranch Chop House (8371 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-2007) a country-fried rock ’n’ roll Disneyland, with huge portions and — ouch — a mechanical bull. Try a kettle of steamin’ steak chili, or a footlong breakfast platter. $$


Sapori (8945 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-275-9518) has a candle-lit ambience and elegant, fairly priced entrées, like homemade ravioli with chicken and artichoke. $$


Savoy Deli (8687 Melrose Ave., inside the Pacific Design Center; 310-652-5770) sizzles its custom-made sandwiches on the grill, and serves scones with traditional English clotted cream. $


Silver Spoon (8171 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-650-4890) is an old-fashioned diner, adorned with your favorite movie posters, where the cooks serve up some darn tasty corn chowder and chicken-fried steaks. $


Spago (1114 N. Horn St.; 310-652-4025), the city’s celeb-studded, post-Oscar hot spot that made California designer cuisine legendary. Selections range ä from caviar-topped pizzas to sweet-potato ravioli. $$$$


The Standard Hotel (8300 Sunset Blvd.; 323-822-3131) is not your everyday hotel coffee shop. We recommend the miso-glazed Chilean sea bass with roasted asparagus. $$


Surf City Squeeze (8594 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-652-7440), located in West Hollywood’s most popular gym, is open to the public, so you can detoxify and mingle with the cuties over wheat-grass shots and smoothies. $


Sushi on Sunset (8264 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-3242) provides a wonderful, atmospheric view of the city’s lights, and serves delicious sushi. $$


Tacos Tacos (8948 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-657-4832) will give you a great view of the boulevard while munching on tacos served flat on delicate corn tortillas. $


Talesai (9043 Sunset Blvd.; 310-275-9724) has been hailed as “one of the top 40 restaurants in the area.” It creates Thai dishes that are gorgeous and delicious, featuring tiger prawns in garlic sauce and duck salad. $$


Tandoori Nights (8165 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-8626) serves a varied selection of dishes for those vegetarians among us. Indulge yourself with any one of its famous biryanis. $


Tasty Kabob (8424 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-7797) offers all the garlic-infused, vinegary and charbroiled goodies you’d expect with a name like that, served with a smile and at a great price. $


T.N.T. Greek (8828 Sunset Blvd.; 310-652-8051) is a good stop after trekking the Strip. Kick back and enjoy traditional Greek salads with calamata olives and goat cheese, or kabobs of all varieties. $


Trocadero (8280 Sunset Blvd.; 323-656-7161), although not the original, here nostalgia hangs in the air (and on the walls). Dine on potato-wrapped prawns or grilled swordfish. $$$ ä


Urth Caffé (8565 Melrose Ave.; 310-659-0628) invites you to stop in after yoga and unwind with a pot of imported Japanese green tea. $


The Walrus & Carpenter Deli (8687 Melrose Ave., in the Pacific Design Center; 310-659-8798) is where the designers get their healthy midday snacks and where you’ll find made-to-order sandwiches, pre-packed sushi, smoothies, lattes and extrafriendly service. $


Whole Foods (7871 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-848-4200), on the bustling corner of Fairfax and Santa Monica, has an extensive fresh-salad bar and homemade soups and sandwiches that rise above average supermarket fare. $


Wild Oats (8611 Santa Monica Blvd.; 310-854-6927) stocks organic produce, hard-to-find herbs, sweet-smelling soaps, freshly baked breads and the cutest handmade greeting cards around. $


Wolfgang Puck Café (8000 Sunset Blvd.; 323-650-7300). Puck’s other place is more casual than Spago, but it still serves those same designer pizzas that made him famous, such as smoked salmon, portobello mushroom or spicy shrimp. $$


Yabu (521 N. La Cienega Blvd.; 310-854-0400) specializes in soba noodles served in a myriad of combinations like shrimp and vegetable tempura or Japanese yam and poached egg. $$


Yukon Mining Company (7328 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-851-8833) is where eight out of 10 patrons swear it’s the best place for a ham-and-cheese omelet at 3 a.m. $


Zakee Chicken (7853 Santa Monica Blvd.; 323-656-1300) gives East Hollywood’s heralded Zankou Chicken some stiff competition, with its garlicky gyros pita sandwich and huge chunks of chicken salad. $

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