Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Highland Park
19 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Burritos La Palma
Michelin-recognized Zacatecan mini burritos built on flawless handmade tortillas.
Notable Picks
8.9
Inside La Tropicana Market, Burritos La Palma serves Zacatecas-style mini burritos wrapped in ultra-buttery handmade flour tortillas. The birria de res and bean-and-cheese combinations draw everyone from neighborhood regulars to Michelin-chasing burrito hunters.
Must-Try Dishes:
Birria de Res Burrito, Frijoles y Queso Burrito, Con Todo Burrito (Birria, Beans & Cheese)
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized Zacatecan mini burritos built on flawless handmade tortillas.
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.
#3
Rosty
8.8
Mariscos El Faro is a Sinaloa-style seafood truck that has parked along Figueroa by the park for over a decade, serving red aguachile, ceviche tostadas, and oysters from a shaded curbside setup. Diners linger at nearby tables or take plates to the grass, drawn by bright chiltepín-spiked salsas and generous portions.
Must-Try Dishes:
Red aguachile, Salt-cured sea bass tostada, Mariscoco coconut campechana
What Makes it Special: Parkside mariscos truck specializing in spicy Sinaloa-style ceviches and aguachiles.
Maciel’s reimagines the neighborhood deli with fully plant-based meats and cheeses made in-house, turning classics like the Reuben and Italian sub into LA-worthy sandwiches. The compact Highland Park space stays busy with locals and destination diners who come for bold flavors, thoughtful sourcing, and a menu that feels indulgent while still being veggie-forward.
Must-Try Dishes:
The Italian, The Californian, Reuben
What Makes it Special: A true vegan butcher shop turning deli classics into plant-based standouts.
Family-run street BBQ parked at York and Figueroa turning out deeply smoked ribs, pulled pork, and brisket from a corner setup next to the 99¢ store. Locals come for generously loaded plates, Mexican-leaning flavors, and a casual, line-up-and-chat vibe that feels very Highland Park.
Must-Try Dishes:
Barbeque ribs, Pulled pork sandwich, Smoked brisket
What Makes it Special: Smoked-meat street vendor fusing Mexican flavors with classic American BBQ.
#6
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.
8.5
El Huarache Azteca has been serving Highland Park for more than two decades with Mexico City–style huaraches, chilaquiles, and an impressive menu of everyday Mexican staples. The space is humble and often packed, but the consistently crisp-edged huaraches, hefty burritos, and everyday pricing make it a go-to casual happy-hour-time stop for locals.
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
Scoops
8.5
Scoops’ Highland Park outpost, opened in 2012, is a bare-bones counter that lets Tai Kim’s famously experimental flavors do all the talking. With rotating scoops like Brown Bread and Blueberry Lavender at neighborhood-friendly prices, it’s the kind of spot regulars hit multiple times a week.
Must-Try Dishes:
Brown Bread ice cream, Banana Oreo scoop, Blueberry Lavender scoop
What Makes it Special: Long-running LA ice cream pioneer known for creative, often offbeat flavor combos at everyday prices.
#9
Modu Cafe
8.4
Opened in October 2024, Modu Cafe is a minimalist bakery and coffee bar from pastry chef Jiyoon Jang specializing in Korean-inspired pastries with meticulous design. Items like dark chocolate mochi brownies, milk cream buns, and sweet potato or kabocha tarts draw early crowds and frequent sell-outs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Dark chocolate mochi brownie muffin, Perilla lime tart, Milk cream bun
What Makes it Special: Design-driven Korean-inspired pastries that feel both playful and refined.
#10
Mariscos El Faro
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.
8.2
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.
#12
My Taco
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Hidden Gems Heaven
Opened in 1994 by the Garduño family, My Taco is a counter-service taqueria famous for its lamb barbacoa and hearty Mexico City–style plates. With long hours, fast service, and wallet-friendly pricing, it’s a natural after-work taco and aguas frescas stop before a night out on York.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tacos de barbacoa de borrego, Chicken fajitas plate, Torta My Taco with milanesa and ham
What Makes it Special: Family-run barbacoa specialist with nearly three decades of history.
#13
Swrlies Froyo
8.1
Launched in 2019 after a trip to a family froyo shop in Jalisco, Swrlies turns a small York Boulevard base into Mexican-style, real-fruit frozen yogurt and ice cream served from eye-catching carts. Their made-to-order mixes and spicy chamoy-forward creations have made them a word-of-mouth favorite for both walk-ups and catered events.
Must-Try Dishes:
La Toxica mango-pineapple froyo, Horchaty real horchata froyo, Mazapan vanilla-banana swirl
What Makes it Special: Women- and Latin-owned froyo-and-ice-cream concept focused on real fruit, chamoy, and fully custom mixes.
#14
The Beast Burger
8.1
This pandemic-era food truck, now parked regularly on York, has built a cult following for its thick, juicy patties and rotating monthly specials. With 4.8–4.9-star ratings and service often running to 10pm on weekends, it’s a true neighborhood late-night burger fix that still feels under the radar.
Must-Try Dishes:
The BEAST Burger, Ultimate Cheeseburger, Piri Piri Wings
What Makes it Special: A family-run burger truck turning out bison and beef burgers with big flavor, friendly hospitality, and weekend hours that stretch into the late evening.
#15
La Cuevita
8.1
La Cuevita is an Old World-inspired Mexican grotto bar known for its deep tequila and mezcal list, long daily happy hours, and free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase. Dark cave-like interiors, a busy back patio, and strong, affordable cocktails make it one of Highland Park’s liveliest after-work and late-night Mexican-leaning happy hour stops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cold Gin Thyme & Again cocktail, Irish Mule happy hour cocktail, Free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase
What Makes it Special: Agave-centric bar with long happy hour and cave-like vibe.
#16
Tacos Ensenada
8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Hidden Gems Heaven
This Figueroa outpost of Tacos Ensenada focuses on Baja-style seafood with fish tacos, shrimp burritos, and ceviche tostadas served in a casual, counter-service setting. It’s an easy, affordable way to get crisp, hot pescado tacos without leaving the neighborhood.
Must-Try Dishes:
Taco de pescado (fish taco), Burrito de camaron (shrimp burrito), Ceviche tostada
What Makes it Special: Baja-style fish tacos and shrimp burritos in a no-frills room.
Worthy Picks
#17
The Homies
7.8
Across from some of York’s busier cafes, The Homies is a compact breakfast spot focused on straightforward comfort—big breakfast burritos, croissant sandwiches, and French toast at friendly prices. With limited seating and short hours, it feels more like a neighborhood clubhouse than a polished restaurant, but regulars swear by its no-fuss, tasty plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Croissantwich Breakfast Sandwich, Breakfast Burrito, French Toast
What Makes it Special: A tiny, laid-back York Boulevard counter turning out satisfying, budget-friendly breakfast plates.
7.8
The Highland Cafe is a neighborhood standby where locals fuel up on strong coffee, hefty breakfast burritos, and classic breakfast sandwiches. Skateboards on the wall, a casual crowd, and dog-friendly sidewalk seating make it a relaxed, slightly scruffy spot for a quick York Boulevard sandwich stop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bacon Egg & Cheese Sandwich, Breakfast Burrito, Cali Burrito with Rojo Fries
What Makes it Special: A laid-back cafe with legitimately craveable breakfast sandwiches and burritos.
#19
Jugos Azteca
7.7
Jugos Azteca is a juice shop–taqueria hybrid offering fresh juices, aguas frescas, breakfast burritos, tortas, and Mexican snacks from morning to night. It’s a casual counter spot where locals mix healthy-ish orders with indulgent chile relleno burritos and esquites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chile relleno breakfast burrito, Torta de milanesa, Esquites cup
What Makes it Special: Colorful juice shop doubling as a Mexican antojitos counter all day.