The Solo Traveler's Guide to Los Angeles: Food & Drink
Solo travelers heading to Los Angeles are in for a treat. The city boasts some of the world’s best art, music, theatre, nightlife and cuisine. And there’s plenty of scope for meeting fun-loving folks along the way. Whatever your vacation of choice, we have the itinerary for you. Scroll down for the lowdown on the city’s juiciest spots.
What better place to kick off your solo F&B tour than Spire 73 – California’s highest outdoor rooftop bar. Survey the city from your Downtown L.A. perch, then order a "Supermoon" (vodka, lime, fresh berries, mint) and soak up the sun. Next up: Hollywood. Head to Library Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt where master mixologist, Matthew Biancaniello will be in residence serving his omakase cocktail menu on select dates this summer - check his Instagram feed for upcoming sessions. Then hop in a rideshare for a quick trip to Formosa Café - a favorite of movie legends like Humphrey Bogart, Clark Gable, and Ava Gardner that reopened in June 2019 after a multi-million dollar renovation.
Oenophiles should not leave L.A. without first visiting Vinovore – the city’s first purveyor of wine made exclusively by women. And craft beer enthusiasts could do worse than join an LA Beer Hop bus tour – there are beer-fueled excursions to Downtown L.A., Burbank, South Bay and Long Beach.
And so to the food. For a high-end experience that the LA Times’ Jonathan Gold called “mandatory” try Vespertine in Culver City. Chef Jordan Kahn’s experimental tasting menu (including scallops with almond and wild fennel fronds) is served in a space that blurs the lines between dining room and art installation. Or if you prefer a more casual vibe, try the pizza classes at Baldoria in Little Tokyo. Chef Duke Gervais leads the intimate tutorials, which include a pizza and a glass of beer or wine – all for $30. Get a taste of L.A.’s peerless produce at Smorgasburg LA – one of the largest open-air food markets in America. (Think vegan tacos and gluten-free Brazilian cupcakes).
Cap off your day with an "Ecto Cooler" (tequila, vermouth, cucumber syrup, sage, lime) at Break Room 86 in Koreatown. This '80s-themed Karaoke bar is the perfect spot to meet the Prince, Madonna, or Tina Turner of your dreams.
Solo curveball: Snag tickets to a themed feast at the surreal and hedonistic Disco Dining Club. Multi-course meals include paired wines, as well as quirky details like poetry readings, mime artists, and live video projections.
