The best restaurants in the San Fernando Valley (and Glendale)

Oodles of butter, fluffy omelettes and a heart-stopping burger covered in bordelaise make Ludo Lefebvre’s Parisian-style bistro in Sherman Oaks one of the best places to eat in the San Fernando Valley. The menu’s iconic French dishes—steak frites, mussels marinières and a wonderful daytime-only croque monsieur—display the kind of technical precision the hallowed cuisine requires, with an excellent wine list to match. Don’t skip out on the Big Mec, undebatably one of the city’s best burgers, and leave room for one of Petit Trois’s excellent seasonal desserts.

For the last 25 years, this Canoga Park sushi bar (and former seafood market) has served the San Fernando Valley a brief but extraordinarily delicious L.A.-style omakase that goes full throttle with truffle oil, garlic chips and other unconventional fusion-style garnishes atop high-quality raw fish. Depending on the day, a meal here will usually set you back around $200 before tax and tip—and like most Valley omakases, it’s up to you to tell chef-owner Tsuyoshi Kawano when to stop. These days, the restaurant is a two-man show, which means reserving a table can be difficult—the pair only take reservations over the phone. There’s essentially no chance for walk-ins, so if nobody answers, I wouldn’t suggest trying your luck.

Three decades in, Tetsuya Nakao’s strip mall sushi bar in Studio City—and its wonderfully nontraditional omakase—has stood the test of time and become veritable L.A. sushi royalty. In a similar style as Nobu (and the chain’s original restaurant, Matsuhisa), Asanebo offers a selection of fusion-style seafood dishes, as well as traditional nigiri—but the right order here always leans towards the former. Where else can you find a deep-fried tempura “seafood stick” served in a martini glass, a flaming conch filled with bubbling hot broth and pieces of tender A5 Wagyu and juicy red onion in sweet soy? Plenty of other cheaper places around town might riff on the legacy of Matsuhisa’s signature yellowtail jalapeño sashimi, but none of them execute new-school sushi as well as this gloriously no-frills L.A. classic.

Fame has changed this second-generation Thai restaurant in Sherman Oaks, where James Beard award-winning chef Justin Pichetrungsi holds court over Anajak’s infamously busy Thai Taco Tuesdays (where, on a good day, you’ll wait only a hour to be seated—unless you’re a celebrity, of course), plus an à la carte dinner service full of seasonality and nuanced flavor. Lately, it’s become easier to snag seats at Pichetrungsi’s regular omakase nights, which happen at the end of each month. We found the food here generally delicious and refined, from the must-order hat yai fried chicken to the enormous river prawns with nam jim sauce. The customer service and consistency of the kitchen has also improved in recent months. Would we show up at 4pm for it, though, or resort to booking a table through Dorsia for a $95 per head minimum? Probably not, but if you do manage to get a table, you’ll have an excellent meal.

Countless no-frills strip mall joints make up the San Fernando Valley’s sprawling sushi scene, each with their own devoted local following, but Taku Shimuchi’s Sushi Spot is a countywide standout thanks to its high-quality fish selection and reasonably priced omakase sets. Each carefully made piece of warm rice nigiri at this Tarzana restaurant comes simply, and elegantly, seasoned—no truffle shavings, black caviar or gold flakes here. For the more budget-conscious, the $60 chef’s set course includes a sashimi course, a dozen or so pieces of sushi and a handroll. What I recommend, however, is the market priced omakase, which starts at around $100. Delivered to each patron three to four pieces at a time, it’s one of the best L.A.-style omakases. Just be sure to tell your chef when to stop—otherwise they’ll keep the sushi coming.

It’s no wonder this San Fernando Valley gem—both their Northridge and Westlake Village locations—is always packed to the gills. Their pastrami is not only the best in the Valley, it’s among the best anywhere in Los Angeles. Choose between the standard pastrami, which is available on its own, and the cult favorite black pastrami Reuben, which seems to be what everyone orders here. Slices of the brined, smoked and steamed meat with extra seasoned edges are piled between a layer each of Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, Russian dressing and two slices of grilled rye bread. Request extra lean or even fatty meat if that’s what you prefer in your pastrami, but one thing we love about Brent’s pastrami is that it’s flavorful and juicy without any of the residual grease.

​​This family-run Sherman Oaks institution has served families, groups, the after-work crowd and date-night couples since 1956. The dimly lit space spans a main front bar and two separate dining rooms. Spread out on red leather banquettes and dig into solid Tex-Mex favorites such as sizzling fajitas, queso fundido and Mexican pizza. The vast menu also boasts lobster enchiladas to enchilada and tamale combination plates, and even a burger. For drinks, there’s an extensive margarita selection of the spiked house specialty from blood orange-blended to toasted coconut-rimmed—and while we wouldn’t say Casa Vega serves the best Mexican food in the Valley, it’s certainly the most iconic.

Nestled within an unassuming strip mall, opening Daichan’s glass door is like peeling back the closet door to Narnia. It’s one of those hole-in-the-wall spots you almost want to keep secret, but love too much not to brag about. Inside, you’ll find red walls dripping in Asian antiques and trinkets, dimly lit lanterns, Buddha caricatures, picture frames, Chinese quotes on banners—it’s as if an Asian souvenir shop exploded, but in the most charming way possible. Beyond curry-scented aromas, sizzling tempura and other tantalizing fare, you’ll discover an entire section dedicated to succulent Japanese-style poke. Choose from selections of fresh snapper, tuna, salmon, albacore, yellowtail, toro, scallop and more, mixed with seaweed, green onion, pickled ginger, delicate shoyu sauce and served over a bed of lettuce and white, brown, or Hijiki seaweed rice for $12-$16. Swig down these perfectly portioned one-size bowls with a cold Sapporo for an intimate date night or casual night out with the gang. Be warned: it’s a small space, so expect at least a 20-30 minute wait most nights.

Simply put, Crossroads is a high-end vegan restaurant for omnivores. Plant-based chef-to-the-stars Tal Ronnen has been reinventing meat-free meals with flavorful and imaginative dishes for more than a decade now along Melrose, and that continues at this newer location at the Commons at Calabasas. The fare draws celebrities and other monied locals, as well as a surprisingly older, suit-clad type. The Rockefeller-style baked mushroom “scallops’’ and spicy maple-glazed Brussels sprouts with shiitake bacon are standout plates, as are the faux fried artichoke oysters. For a more substantial dish, try the carbonara, which comes topped with a tomato “egg yolk” that really bursts, or the lasagna, layered with dairy-free cheese from Ronnen’s own retail operation

Burbank’s gem of a patio is hardly a secret. In fact, it’s been one of the San Fernando Valley’s special-occasion go-tos for decades. But the Castaway that native Angelenos might have gone to before prom has a whole new look: Today’s Castaway boasts a revamped food menu and sleeker, more modern décor, while its stellar, sweeping views of the Valley, Downtown and beyond still remain as gorgeous as ever. Steaks, whole roast fish, impressive charcuterie boards and luscious pastas are now the norm, and make for perfect snacky fare, full dinner or bottomless brunch on that spacious patio with one of L.A.’s most romantic views.

All hail Porto’s. One visit to this family-owned Cuban bakery’s Glendale, Northridge or Burbank locations and you’ll be making excuses week after week to come back for fresh-out-of-the-oven cheese rolls, decadent fruit tarts and pies, authentic Cuban sandwiches and flaky-crusted chicken empanadas. Perhaps what they’re best known for, though, are the potato balls: stuffed mashed potatoes filled with ground beef and fried to a beautiful golden brown. If you’re in the market for a birthday cake, Porto’s has exceptional deals on those as well (the tres leches is tops).

With locations in North Hollywood, Sylmar, Van Nuys, Chatsworth and Tujunga, this al pastor specialist is one of the Valley's best street taco options. Pick any of them grilled meats for tacos packed with flavor, but we prefer the al pastor, which comes topped with cilantro, onions and a hearty dollop of avocado salsa. The handmade corn tortillas—which are exactly the perfect thickness—get formed, pressed and seared down the assembly line here and the trompo-shaved al pastor proves its own bit of showmanship, making every visit not only delicious but a feast for the eyes, too.

Running $140 per head, the Whole Note at this sleek little sushi bar in Sherman Oaks is one of L.A.’s best omakase deals. Kiminobu Saito’s more minimalist offering includes miso soup, edamame, goma tofu, sashimi, a palate-cleansing sorbet, 12 pieces of nigiri and a yuzu gelato. Though Sushi Note’s version usually offers less opulent cuts compared to higher-end omakases, dry-aged fish sourced from the Joint and superb wine pairings (it’s co-owned by Augustine’s Dave Gibbs) still translate into a standout sushi meal, especially for wine lovers, or actual lovers—Sushi Note is the rare Valley sushi restaurant with date night ambience that’ll make you want to linger awhile. If you’d rather order the usual spicy tuna crispy rice and a few hand rolls, Saito and his sous chefs also prepare crowd-pleasing appetizers, sashimi, temaki and nigiri à la carte, but you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not trying the Whole (or much lighter Half) Note at least once.

This weekday-only retro burger counter has been serving the Valley since 1965. Nonagenarian Bill Wilcox still grills every burger (on a well-seasoned flattop) to order and their bacon cheeseburger could easily be the pin-up as the ultimate classic burger: A nicely seared patty, mayo, tomato, lettuce, crisp bacon strips and American cheese is sandwiched between griddled buns, served with ridged potato chips on the side. Regulars drop in for lunch at the counter or back patio, and veterans know to add grilled onions to their orders. Just remember to bring some bills—Bill’s spot is cash-only.

Although Northridge’s Baja Subs and Deli might look like another strip mall deli and minimart in the Valley, owners Premil and Koshalie Jayasinghe have served a dual takeout menu of casual Mexican food and some of the best Sri Lankan cuisine in L.A. since 2016. On weekends, Baja Subs serves larger dishes, including a Sri Lankan-style biryani, which comes topped with caramelized onions, hard-boiled egg, cashews and pineapple chutney, and lamprais—a portable banana leaf packet of rice, meat, sambal and curried vegetables, though its exact components change on a weekly basis.

This Woodland Hills restaurant run by Asanebo vet Mark Okuda offers a unique fusion-forward tasting menu and some of the freshest, most buttery and flavorful nigiri available. The pricing certainly reflects this—though we’d skip their $200 omakase featuring foie gras and caviar starting—but Brothers is still well worth the splurge for à la carte sushi, sashimi and the nigiri-only omakase. The toro here is some of the best I’ve ever tasted, but the appetizers and rotating specials, such as dry-aged salmon flown in from New Zealand, are always worth an order, too. Now, a second Santa Monica location offers a near-identical menu to the original—so Westsiders can get their sushi while avoiding the 405.

From a tiny storefront in Woodland Hills, Alexander Phaneuf and Or Amsalam’s once-tiny bakery focused on naturally leavened breads has grown into a best-in-class casual brunch destination in its own right. The same detail-oriented baking process goes into Lodge Bread’s excellent coffee cake and other pastries, as well as toasts and sandwiches; the tea and coffee drinks are top-notch as well. Indulge in their humongous cinnamon rolls slathered with cream cheese icing, or opt for the toast topped with ricotta and jam; for those who prefer savory over sweet, the luscious eggplant hummus with the Jerusalem bagel or a warm piece of pita will more than satisfy. There's also plenty of outside seating at the Woodland Hills location if you'd like to enjoy your meal right away. 

Since first opening in 2015, Howlin' Ray's has spawned dozens of Nashville hot chicken imitators—many of which we've tried, and most of which we've found lacking. The sole exception, which manages to best the original, is North Hollywood's Humble Bird, opened by former Howlin' employees Louis Silva and Brandon Walthrop in 2021. Even at higher spice levels, the bone-in chicken here offers a depth of flavor that manages to cut through the burn (which I haven't found to be the case at Howlin' Ray's). Somehow, Humble Bird reaches heights of fried chicken sandwich excellence we hadn't thought possible with a juicy, perfectly cooked chicken breast and the perfect ratio of slaw, pickles and "comeback" (chili-inflected ketchup and mayo) sauce. If you consider yourself a Nashville hot chicken superfan, give Humble Bird a try. You'll be glad you did.

When a motorbike enthusiast and a Spanish-Dutch chef love each other very much, you get this Woodland Hills Spanish restaurant—in case you were wondering how all of those vintage helmets and Spanish Grand Prix posters wound up alongside an all-day menu of pan con Manchego and tortilla española. But there’s an even bigger draw than the retro biker decor: Spanish fare with an approachable, diner-like twist. Forget a side of bacon with your eggs; instead, you want the griddle-fried serrano ham a la plancha. Craving French toast? Opt for the weekend-only torrija, dusted in cinnamon and sugar. The home-fries–like patatas bravas make the trip worth your while, as does the paella, available Wednesday to Saturday evenings.

With multiple dining rooms, an atrium and a sunken garden, this enormous events-venue-turned-restaurant in Woodland Hills is shaping up to be the San Fernando Valley’s next go-to spot for date nights, big group dinners and other dining occasions, big or small. Casaléna’s ambiguously Mediterranean menu might offer little in the way of surprise, save for the fact it’s extremely well-executed, from the delicious spicy vodka pasta to the airy slices of bread accompanying the whipped eggplant dip. There’s Wagyu meatballs, pizza, pasta, steak and chicken parm: What’s not to love? In truth, however, the tasty food and cocktails are only half the equation here—you’re visiting, of course, for the downright stunning ambience.

The undisputed pho king of the greater San Fernando Valley (with a stray location in the South Bay), this neighborhood Vietnamese restaurant offers the 818's best beef noodle soup and a plethora of other solid menu items, including hard-to-find rice porridge and traditional sweet iced drinks. Transparent slices of onion, strips of beef brisket and glistening cubes of beef tendon mark Pho So 1's delicious, murky broth with notes of charred onion and cloves. The meal is completed by a plate of garnishes that catches the light like an herbaceous still life, if you sit by the window at the right time of day.

This eclectic shop in North Hollywood—also known as Georgi’s Place—serves unique Armenian-influenced subs, salads and wraps. Classic sandwich fillings like egg salad, roast chicken and pastrami are given a twist with Armenian-influenced seasonings, sauces, pickles and peppers. Wholly original sandwiches like a ground turkey patty with basil, or shredded chicken with serrano chiles, are served—like the classics—on a fresh-baked Armenian soft roll. This original menu has become wildly popular, and the relatively tiny seating area is typically jam-packed during lunch hours.

You can order a decent version of these Puebla-style tortas at your neighborhood taco truck, but you’d miss out on the perfectly constructed, absolutely gargantuan creations at this Van Nuys lunch staple. Stuffed with ultra-ripe avocado, queso fresco, salsa, onions and your choice of meat (or tofu), Don Adrian’s sandwiches punch well above their weight class, especially once you throw in the supplemental Oaxacan string cheese. The milanesa lomo de puerco (a thin, crispy flattened piece of pork loin) and beef milanesa are go-to orders if you’re a first timer here, but you can also diversify later on with queso de puerco (pork head cheese), pata de res (beef tendons) and cecina adobada (a salted, dried meat).