Best Solo Dining Restaurants in Highland Park
13 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.
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.
#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.
#4
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.
#5
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.
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.
#7
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.
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
HOLDAAK’s Highland Park outpost is a counter-service Korean fried chicken specialist where crisp double-fried wings and spicy sandwiches lead the menu. With combo boxes that hover around ten dollars, it’s one of the best value plays in the area for serious wing cravings.
Must-Try Dishes:
20 PCS Wings (Spicy or Caramel Soy), Spicy Holdaak Chicken Sandwich, Five-Piece Spicy Chicken Tender Box with Fries
What Makes it Special: Double-fried Korean wings and combos deliver big crunch and flavor for surprisingly low prices.
8.1
Highly Likely’s Highland Park outpost is an all-day American cafe where excellent coffee meets cheffy comfort plates and all-day breakfast. Laptop-toting regulars and neighborhood families share the airy, plant-filled space over black sesame waffles, breakfast burritos, and seasonal mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Black sesame waffle, The Levantine sando, Breakfast burrito
What Makes it Special: Design-forward cafe energy with a menu that treats brunch and dinner with equal care.
#10
Penny's Burgers
8
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.
#11
Viva Taco Azteca
8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Operating out of a red truck tucked between a 7-Eleven and a car wash, Viva Taco Azteca stays open until midnight or 1am with a menu built for night-shift cravings. Since at least 2016 it’s been serving lengua, al pastor, and hefty two-meat quesadillas to a steady stream of late-night regulars along Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Two-meat quesadilla (asada and pollo), Carnitas mulita
What Makes it Special: True late-night truck with house-made tortillas, big portions, and steady 12am–1am service.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Parked on York Boulevard, this longtime taco truck turns out late-night al pastor, carne asada burritos, and griddled quesadillas that draw a steady line until close. It’s classic, cash-friendly Highland Park street food with reliably fast output.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada burrito, Quesadilla with al pastor
What Makes it Special: Classic York Boulevard taco truck slinging al pastor deep into night.
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.