Best Comfort Food Restaurants in Westwood
25 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Emporium Thai
Award-winning, family-run Thai with bold southern curries and big portions.
Notable Picks
8.7
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
Emporium Thai is a family-run Thai restaurant with bright curries, southern specialties, and a dining room that fills up with celebratory tables. Awards, long lines, and a deep menu make it a strong choice for birthdays, graduations, and group dinners that still feel casual.
Must-Try Dishes:
Southern curry seafood, Pad Thai or pad see ew, Mango sticky rice
What Makes it Special: Award-winning, family-run Thai with bold southern curries and big portions.
8.5
This longtime Westwood favorite serves a traditional Lasagna alla Bolognese built on house-made pasta and slow-cooked meat sauce. Regulars come for the steady kitchen, warm welcome from the Peloni family, and a dining room that works as well for romantic dates as it does for multi-generational dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna alla Bolognese, Gnocchi ai Quattro Formaggi, Tirami Su
What Makes it Special: Family-run Northern Italian spot renowned for classic lasagna and attentive, longtime staff.
#3
Mr Rice
8.4
Mr Rice is a busy Chinese noodle house in the heart of Westwood Village specializing in Yunnan-style mixian bowls with customizable heat levels. Students and locals line up for big, brothy rice noodles, punchy chili oil, and fast, friendly service that works for both quick solo meals and casual dinners with friends.
Must-Try Dishes:
Double Chili Fatty Beef Mixian, Tomato Fatty Beef Mixian, Signature Mixian with Beef and Veggies
What Makes it Special: Yunnan-style rice noodle bowls with bold chili heat served fast.
8.4
Open since the early 1980s, Shaherzad is one of Westwood’s original Persian restaurants, known for house-baked bread and substantial kebab platters. Diners come for reliably grilled meats, fragrant rice, and an old-school atmosphere that feels more like a neighborhood dining room than a polished modern concept.
Must-Try Dishes:
Soltani (barg and koobideh), Tahdig with khoresh, Grilled salmon kabob
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Persian spot baking bread and grilling generous kebab platters.
8.4
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Birthday & Celebration Central
A Westwood institution since the early 1980s, Shamshiri Grill serves generous platters of Persian kebabs, stews, and fresh breads in a space that turns from casual by day to softly romantic at night. It’s a neighborhood standby for multi-generational celebrations and big-group dinners.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh and barg kebab combo, Lamb shank with baghali polo, Tahchin with chicken
What Makes it Special: Long-running Persian spot known for heaping kebab platters and fresh bread.
8.4
Bollywood Bites is a full-service Indian restaurant in the heart of Westwood Village where celebrity chef Sanjay Patel sends out crowd-pleasing North Indian standards, Indo-Chinese plates, and buffet-style spreads. It’s the neighborhood’s go-to sit-down option for chicken tikka masala, naan straight from the tandoor, and shrimp masala backed by strong delivery and catering business.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Garlic Naan, Shrimp Masala
What Makes it Special: Celebrity-chef-driven North Indian classics, buffets, and halal-friendly options.
8.3
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Quick Bites Champions
A long-running Westwood Boulevard diner, Headlines folds a surprisingly deep burrito lineup into its all-day breakfast and Mexican sections. From basic egg-and-bacon wraps to oversized fajita and Cali burritos, it’s where you go when you want big, filling burritos with classic diner comfort on the side.
Must-Try Dishes:
Breakfast Burrito, Fajita Burrito, Cali Burrito
What Makes it Special: Classic diner turning out an unusually broad lineup of breakfast and Mexican-style burritos all day.
8.3
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Open since 1980 on Gayley, Lamonica's channels New York slice-joint energy with foldable pies, Sicilian squares, and garlic knots that have fed generations of Bruins late into the evening. It's the classic grab-a-slice spot before or after campus events.
Must-Try Dishes:
Classic cheese slice, Sicilian pepperoni square, Garlic knots with marinara
What Makes it Special: Decades-old New York slice shop where UCLA generations still line up.
8.3
Pomodoro Trattoria is a cozy neighborhood room where the Lasagna Classica anchors a menu of pastas, risotti, and veal plates. It’s a go-to for locals seeking hearty, saucy comfort food and a glass of wine without leaving the Westwood Boulevard strip.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lasagna Classica, Gnocchi al Pesto, Polpette Della Casa
What Makes it Special: Casual trattoria known for generously portioned lasagna baked with béchamel and slow-cooked ragu.
Danny Boy's brings a chef-driven New York slice joint to the former 800 Degrees space just off Westwood Boulevard, with long-fermented dough, classic pies, and a playful interior full of neon and pizza iconography. It draws slice hunters, campus regulars, and downtown fans of the original location looking for crisp, foldable rounds and hefty Sicilian squares.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni Pie, Regular Cheese Pie, Sicilian Pepperoni Square Slice
What Makes it Special: Modern slice shop from chef Daniel Holzman focused on long-fermented New York–style pies.
8.2
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
A heavyweight Sichuan operation that leans hard into proper ma la technique—rattan pepper boiled fish, tea smoked duck, and toothpick lamb all land with the numbing-spicy intensity the cuisine demands. The West LA outpost trades the cramped SGV format for a designer dining room (Jialun Xiong, featured in Wallpaper* and Dezeen), making it the more comfortable way to eat through a menu that earned Jonathan Gold's repeated endorsement and has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for five-plus consecutive years. Expect communal energy, tight table spacing, and dishes built for sharing—not a quiet date night, but a serious Sichuan meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tea-Smoked Pork Ribs, Mapo Tofu, Chongqing Spicy Chicken
What Makes it Special: Tea-smoked ribs bring Sichuan perfume and crunch to the rib game.
#12
Qin West Noodle
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Comfort Food Classics
Qin West Noodle brings regional Chinese noodle traditions to the South Westwood corridor with made-to-order bowls and a compact, counter-service room. Diners come for chewy hand-crafted noodles, spicy broths, and a menu that leans into specialties rarely found elsewhere on the Westside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Liuzhou Rice Noodle Soup, Liang Pi Cold Noodles, Braised Beef Noodle Soup
What Makes it Special: Regionally focused noodle shop showcasing brothy and cold Chinese noodle styles.
8.1
Delphi Greek has anchored Westwood Boulevard for years with classic Hellenic cooking and a flexible space often booked for private parties, fundraisers, and community events. Platters of souvlaki, gyros, and meze translate naturally to family-style menus, while the bar and semi-private areas can be configured for anything from student banquets to milestone birthdays.
Must-Try Dishes:
Delphi Greek Salad, Gyro plate with tzatziki and pita, Lamb chops with roasted potatoes
What Makes it Special: A long-running Greek restaurant that leans into family-style platters and configurable private event menus.
8.1
Just up from the village core, House of Meatballs lets you pair a rich baked beef lasagna with its namesake meatballs and customizable sauces. The space is casual but lively, drawing both students and neighborhood families for comforting plates and easy group orders.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beef Lasagna, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Build-Your-Own Meatball Bowl
What Makes it Special: Casual meatball-focused spot where baked lasagna and mix-and-match sauces feel tailor-made for comfort cravings.
8.1
Mary and Robb's Westwood Cafe is a classic neighborhood diner known for all-day breakfast, stacked burgers, and a warm, white-tablecloth setting that feels more polished than its casual menu suggests. Regulars use the back and side areas for small private breakfasts, casual business meetups, and low-key celebrations that don’t need a sceney backdrop.
Must-Try Dishes:
Combo pancakes with bacon and eggs, Breakfast burrito, House burger with fries
What Makes it Special: A decades-loved Westwood diner where semi-private corners and back tables host everything from family breakfasts to attorney meetings.
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Family Friendly Favorites
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Westwood Thai Cafe is a long-running neighborhood spot just south of UCLA that pairs classic stir-fries, curries, and rice plates with student-friendly combo pricing. The dining room is straightforward and comfortable, but the appeal is generous portions, reliable flavors, and value meals that keep locals coming back.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad see ew with beef, Green curry with eggplant and basil, BBQ chicken with rice
What Makes it Special: Since the early ’90s it’s delivered reliable, affordable Thai to Westwood.
#17
Mandi House
8.1
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Comfort Food Classics
Hidden Gems Heaven
Business Lunch Power Players
House of Mandi brings shareable Yemeni rice platters and long tables to Gayley, making it a standout for cross-cultural lunches with room to spread out. It works especially well for internal team meetups or student-plus-professor lunches where generous portions and communal platters help keep the conversation moving.
Must-Try Dishes:
Lamb mandi, Chicken mandi, Mixed grill platter
What Makes it Special: Big-format Yemeni rice and meat platters designed for sharing at long tables.
8
On the southern stretch of Westwood Boulevard, Persian Gulf serves a mix of Persian standards, charcoal-grilled meats, and a small set of breakfast options in a casual dining room. It’s less of a pure breakfast specialist than others on this list, but a strong choice when you want morning dishes built around fresh bread, feta, herbs, and tea instead of pancakes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Persian breakfast plate, Herb-and-feta omelette, Hot saffron tea
What Makes it Special: Persian cafe-restaurant where traditional breakfast plates share space with kebabs and stews.
#19
Pinches Tacos
8
Tucked just off the main Westwood drag, Pinches Tacos runs a casual counter-and-patio setup where combo plates of tacos, rice, and beans fuel long study nights. It leans into straightforward fillings and generous portions, making it a go-to for students and staff looking for a sit-down alternative to late-night chains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Shrimp Taco, Al Pastor Taco, Taco Pinche Combination Plate
What Makes it Special: A family-run taqueria with student-friendly combo plates and a relaxed patio.
Worthy Picks
#20
Thai Fresh Cafe
7.9
Thai Fresh Cafe is a small, cozy cafe on Westwood Boulevard that leans into familiar noodle dishes, curries, and soups served in a relaxed, low-frills space. It’s a convenient option for nearby residents and UCLA crowds looking for straightforward Thai favorites with delivery and takeout always in play.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad thai with shrimp, Green curry with chicken, Tom yum soup with shrimp
What Makes it Special: A compact cafe offering all-the-hits Thai dishes with easy delivery.
#21
Fat Sal's Deli
7.9
Fat Sal’s Westwood outpost is a late-night destination for overstuffed, everything-in-the-basket sandwiches that mash fries, mozzarella sticks, and deli meats into one. Quality leans indulgent rather than refined, but the sheer spectacle and generous portions make it a reliable choice for post-game and post-party crowds. It’s as much about the energy on the sidewalk as it is about the sandwich itself.
Must-Try Dishes:
Fat Jerry Sandwich, Fat Texas Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Fries
What Makes it Special: Maximalist sandwiches stuffed with fries and fried snacks that cater to serious late-night cravings.
7.8
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Quick Bites Champions
Comfort Food Classics
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Goldies is a smash-burger-focused spot where seasoned fries and burger-and-fries combos are designed for quick, satisfying meals. It leans delivery- and takeout-friendly but still turns out crisp, well-salted fries that anchor its signature and classic smash burger combos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Signature Smash Burger Combo, Classic Smash Burger Combo, Seasoned Fries
What Makes it Special: Smash burgers and crisp fries built for fast, affordable burger-and-fries combos in central Westwood.
7.7
Vibes:
Comfort Food Classics
Group Dining Gatherings
Family Friendly Favorites
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
First Szechuan Wok is a longtime Westwood Village standby for American-leaning Chinese favorites and family-style dinners. The large menu covers everything from chow mein and kung pao chicken to honey walnut shrimp, making it a reliable option for mixed groups and takeout spreads.
Must-Try Dishes:
Kung Pao Chicken, General Tso’s Chicken, Beef with Broccoli
What Makes it Special: Classic neighborhood Chinese restaurant with a huge menu and big portions.
7.7
Opened in 1979, this corner bakery-café anchors the north side of Westwood Village with a mix of croissants, danishes, and a full breakfast-and-lunch menu. It’s a convenient stop for hearty plates, strong coffee, and a pastry case that runs from classic muffins to layered cakes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Almond croissant, French toast, Quiche Lorraine
What Makes it Special: Decades-old Westwood Village bakery-café with a deep pastry case and full meals.
Inside Bristol Farms’ Westwood market, Uli’s Gelato shares space with gourmet groceries, offering a quieter ice cream stop away from Broxton’s lines. It’s a convenient place to grab creamy Italian-style gelato while running errands or walking back toward campus.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pistachio gelato, Stracciatella gelato, Seasonal fruit sorbetto
What Makes it Special: Gourmet grocery gelato counter ideal for grab-and-go dessert runs.