Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Highland Park (90042)
9 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.9
Chef Victor Villa’s Highland Park flagship turns handmade blue-corn tortillas into overloaded tacos layered with grilled meats, melted cheese, and bright salsas that regulars line up for. Recognized with a MICHELIN Bib Gourmand, it blends street-taco roots with destination-level execution while still feeling very neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blue corn carne asada taco, Queso taco with asada or al pastor, Papa con chorizo taco
What makes it special: Hand-pressed blue corn tortillas with MICHELIN-recognized toppings.
#2
Hippo
8.8
Tucked behind a former post office, Hippo is chef Matt Molina’s Cal-Italian dining room with handmade pastas and wood-grilled mains in a tall, buzzing space. It sits at the intersection of neighborhood hangout and destination date-night, with a menu that changes often but leans heavily on seasonal produce and technique.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hippo house rolls with honey butter and sea salt, Tagliolini with duck ragù, Ricotta tortelloni in lemon butter
What makes it special: James Beard–decorated chef-driven Cal-Italian with standout pastas in a lofty room.
#3
Joy
8.6
From chef-owner Vivian Ku, Joy channels Taiwanese comfort food into a compact corner space with constant foot traffic. Noodle bowls, rice plates, and flaky pancakes travel well but are even better eaten at the counter with a cold beer or tea.
Must-Try Dishes:
Thousand-layer pancake with egg and cheddar, Dan dan noodles, Minced pork on rice with soy-braised egg
What makes it special: Taiwanese street-food classics executed with sharp flavors and careful sourcing.
8.4
El Huarache Azteca has been serving Mexico City-style antojitos on York for decades, with griddles full of masa and bubbling cazuelas of stews. Locals lean on it for hearty breakfasts and late-morning plates that feel straight out of a mercado fonda.
Must-Try Dishes:
Super Huarache with red and green salsa, Chilaquiles rojos con carne, Burrito mojado
What makes it special: Beloved huarache specialist with big portions and everyday prices.
8.3
Mariscos El Faro is a longtime daytime seafood truck parked by the park, known for Sinaloa-style ceviches and aguachile with a serious chile kick. Plastic stools, shade trees, and loud corridos make it feel like a coastal street stand dropped into Highland Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red aguachile tostada, Empanadas de camaron with cheese, Mariscoco stuffed coconut with mixed ceviche
What makes it special: Family-run mariscos truck serving bright, chile-forward seafood beside the park.
8.3
Bagel + Slice is a compact counter spot balancing New York–style bagels, square pizza slices, and a strong sustainability ethos. Regenerative grain, organic toppings, and vegan options make it unusually ingredient-focused for such a casual operation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Sicilian slice, Classic bagel with house schmear, Egg-and-cheese breakfast bagel or pizette
What makes it special: Serious bagels and pizza made with regenerative grains and thoughtful sourcing.
8.3
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Trendy Table Hotspots
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Born from a lauded pop-up and anchored on York since 2020, Goldburger serves double smash burgers with lacy edges, soft buns, and carefully tuned sauces. Lines can stretch late into the evening as locals and burger tourists chase one of LA’s most talked-about patties.
Must-Try Dishes:
Goldburger, LA Special, California Classic
What makes it special: A best-in-city contender where dialed-in smash patties, long-running pop-up cred, and constant lines make even a late-night burger feel like an event.
8.2
Opened in 2016, Gloria’s Cuisine LA channels Southern Mexican flavors and California produce into a bright all-day café. Plates like plantain-heavy breakfasts, chilaquiles, and salads make it a daytime anchor just off Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chipotle or mole chilaquiles with eggs, Fried plantains breakfast plate, Esquite salad with roasted corn and quinoa
What makes it special: Southern Mexico–inspired brunch and lunch in a small, warmly run café.
8.0
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Family-owned since 1969, Penny’s Burgers is a corner standby for charbroiled burgers, breakfast burritos, and old-school plates that cross between diner and fast food. It’s the kind of place where portions are generous, prices stay modest, and the menu quietly covers both American and Mexican comfort staples.
Must-Try Dishes:
Charbroiled cheeseburger with fries, Breakfast burrito with eggs, bacon, and hash browns, Carne asada fries or plate with rice and beans
What makes it special: A 1960s-era neighborhood counter slinging burgers, burritos, and plates all day.