Where to Eat in Leimert Park, From A Resident
Why did I write this post? When I search Leimert Park food - I see big names like Yelp/Eater LA - but it misses heart. I walk these streets everyday and go to the plaza several times a week. There’s so more to Leimert than an outsider perspective.
Background: I am grateful to call Leimert Park (pronounce Luh-MERT) home for 5+ years now. Leimert is known for its central hub: Leimert Park Village, where one can find hyper local accessories, clothing and street food vendors. You can’t talk about Leimert without mentioning it’s historically African-American past and residents. Previously home to world-famous jazz musicians, it’s history is rich and deep! My brush with the local music scene: I sat next to Macy Gray at a nearby jazz restaurant and I will never ev-ah forget!!
Leimert Park just feels more genuine and owned by the people. Come visit and say hello and get to know the community :)).
In the plaza, there’s an entrepreneurial vibe - where everyone is doing something (launching a clothing line, modeling, starting a bakery, starting a coffee shop, making it as a professional musician). I continue to be inspired and humbled by the ultra-talented, tight knit community I call home.
Now that the intros are over, let’s jump to my favorite Leimert Park restaurants. I’m partial to vegetarian/vegan options but you will not miss out by visiting these local faves (popular with meat-eaters too!!)
1. Hot and Cool Cafe
Hot and Cool Cafe, interior with table and chairs (pull up a seat!)
The Food: Homecooked vegan food (you can’t even tell), coffee, smoothies and limited grab and go options
The Vibe: Eclectic, Approachable. Huge, high-ceiling, brightly colored warehouse-like space that they have meticulously curated with local vendors, artists, and welcoming table/chairs. Pre-covid times, they have a stage and had performances/mic nights. Can get echo-y but worth it.
Why Go: The vibe, quality food /coffee, and supporting local businesses always win (say hi to the owner Tony). It’s not bougie; it’s approachable. Hot and Cool led the charge in meal delivery organizing / food donations to locals in need during tough-covid times. They’ve also allowed local organizations/community meetings to occur in their upstairs space (when it was just an empty room) . This is all to say - SUPPORT LOCAL. When I think of a local business that gives back, Hot and Cool is the first that comes to mind.
Hot and Cool Cafe 4331 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
2. Ackee Bamboo Jamaican
Ackee Bamboo Jamaican food (the main is non-pictured !!);
we got the bigger sized portion
The Food: Caribbean food! I recommend any of the Plates, especially the Seafood (I love the Escovitch Red Snapper).
The Vibe: Pre-covid times they had 4-6 small tables/chairs in the front and you could order and eat. It’s just a standard restaurant front. Now dealing with covid, people tend to order to go.
Tip: Make sure you leave plenty of time between ordering and picking up the food. I recommend 60-90 minutes ahead of the time you need it, esp during busy times (i.e. lunch or early dinner). And don’t be in a rush! I’ve ordered many a-times and been dealing w/ hangry pains, so I don’t recommend eating here if you’re in a rush (and it’s a peak time). I mean this in the nicest way possible so that you are as happy as possible w/ your experience. They are mom and pop so go in knowing that :)
Why Go: If you like seafood, Jamaican food, eating spices that you cannot find anywhere - GO HERE! The larger sized plates are great for splitting between my partner and I - and we often have left overs the next day. No matter how many times I eat here, I never get bored. Food is consistently good :). Sometimes they have patties (they’re like Jamaican empandas), and I always check if any are available and threw a few. YUM.
Ackee Bamboo Jamaican on 4305 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
3. Delicious Southern Cuisine
The Food: Southern standards. Mains include Chicken, Fish, Ribs, Gumbo. Do not skip the sides - mac and cheese, corn bread, beans, collards, okra, etc. Desert: peach cobbler!!
The Vibe: Not really a place to have a date. Pre-covid you could grab a table to gobble the food down; now we’re in a new world - I recommend taking your food to-go. They tend to be fast (10-15 min, depends what you order)
Why Go: Take it from a North Carolinian, this is legit! They do not spare any expense. The grease is all-up-in-there enhancing the flavor, texture of every item. If it weren’t for my poor heart, I’d eat here every damn day. That’s right. They’re wonderful for an outdoor bbq (they do catering yes, folks order today). I always get their mac and cheese and inhale it (no regrets).
Delicious Southern Cuisine 4371 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
4. Harun Coffee
The Food: Not a restaurant but a COFFEE SHOP! Sometimes they have some baked goods to grab for those sweet tooth lovers (meeeee!).
The Vibe: This is a compound! They have another shop/room area (yes buy the merch is tends to be unique, worldly, street-focused and/or local), and they often set up tables/chairs outside (sometimes w/ umbrellas) and you can sit and chill. They are also OPEN EARLY Mon - Fri , closed on Sundays). If you are an early bird (I’m guity!), the village tends to be quiet except for Harun so I encourage you to swing by and enjoy the quiet mornings sipping caffeine.
Harun Coffee 4336 Degnan Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
5. Swift Cafe
The Food: Fresh, veggie-forward dishes that taste just as good as they look
The Vibe: Modern, hip, aesthetically pleasing cafe, with small tables/chairs, and even a window-seat booth! I’ve seen them set up a small outdoor table as well.
Why Go: When I eat here, I can taste the veggies! The chef/owner knows how to highlight the fresh fruits/veggies. I feel like I’m doing myself a favor, and there’s no flavor tradeoffs. It’s definitely the most on-trend place of the above, with a little bit of approachable elevation going on. Their menu is small but what they do, they do well. Do not pass them up, as you’d be missing out on an emerging flavor of Leimert.
Swift Cafe 4279 1/2 Crenshaw Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
6. Azla Ethiopian [now Catering only]
Summer 2022 update: Catering Service only
Azla has formally announced they will only be available for catering and are thus closing their restaurant service. Naturally, a lot has changed including other priorities and interests. Once they re-evaluated what they wanted, becoming a catering service was the clear path forward.
It sounded like it started like a passion project and evolved from there. I, for one, am heartbroken. I was commiserating with a fellow neighbor about the change, and how good the food was (and is!).
While there is a lot of Ethiopian in LA, none was like Azla. I feel like they had their own spin. I will especially miss their special holiday prix fixe menus - full of flavor and unlike any other Ethiopian I had tried.
I plan to support their catering arm when I host events! Already brainstorming the menu ;)
The Food: Ethiopian, veggie forward, but you’d never know it. For meat lovers, they often have a few meat dishes, so don’t hate!
The Vibe: Walk up window, and order and your food is ready ~15 min! Pretty quick. No indoor seating.
Why Go: Owners started in Mercado La Paloma and then expanded into Leimert with their elegant window-walk up. Food is (chef’s kiss)! I subscribe to their newsletter and for many holidays, they offer an advance order prix fix and I get super excited for my Holiday Azla meal! The spices range from spicy, sour, sweet, herbaceous — I just am lacking the right words to describe how it blows my mind. I love their tofu tibs (whenever available). But their food is anything but bland. Worth it whether you’re a meat eater, veg/vegan lover.
Azla Ethiopian 4309 Leimert Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90008 [website]
7. Crustees Eatery
The Food: Pies (dessert pies/sweet and savory) and I’ve seen banana pudding (yesssss)
The Vibe: Nothing memorable about their indoor options. Pre-covid, they did have tables and chairs. Food is already there and ready to walk up order and leave - fast.
Why Go: If you have a sweet tooth, and/or love pies savory and sweet! This is not in the Leimert Park plaza, so you need to jump in the car and travel up the hill. My recco is any of their crumble sweet pies - especially blueberry. I feel like you can really taste the berries. It was very sweet and worth it. Banana pudding serving was generous and I coudn’t finish it in one serving; highly recommend as well. Savory veggie pie was good, but I just love dessert. Have yet to try their gumbo or sheppard’s pie - but they made my mouth water.
Crustees 4442 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043 [Yelp website] [Restaurantij]
There’s more!
Y’all this post is NOT ENOUGH to capture all that Leimert has to offer. So, in an effort to give ya a peek at more — see the below:
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen - Slauson [website] - for coffee, bagels, and cafe food that’s oozing with over-top yumminess (get the food, don’t miss out). Across the street from the aforementioned Crustees.
Hotville Chicken [website] - fried, crunchy chicken and fish with a spicy kick. Once you try it, you are addicted. Located next to the Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Mall.
Post and Beam [website] - Date night? Want to impress? Post and Beam is the place to take out-of-towners when you want elevated southern food in a bar like atmosphere. They have a small patio too (a plus for covid times). No idea if they’re seating as of now. Takeout is just as good y’all. Cornbread with their bougie, flavored, whipped butter - lay it on me.
Earle’s on Crenshaw [website] - hot dogs and chili. With vegan hot dogs and chili options; nothing is spared. Overflowing, oozy, and memorable. An institution. Quick, easy lunch. I love them.
The District by GS [Yelp] - newcomer. Haven’t been but it’s spaceous, high ceilings, concrete floors, big, and welcoming - their whole front can roll up and become open air. Can’t wait to try it and see how they evolve.
Tak’s Coffee Shop [Yelp / Website] - standard American diner but with a Hawaiian/Asian history. Get Asian food and/or American diner food in one go. The inside remains largely unchanged in its vintage diner beauty.
Simply Wholesome [website] - huge menu of sandwiches, burritos, vegan/veg options available (it goes on and on). Huge space where you could previously eat/work (call-ahead now). Small, healthy leaning grocery store attached. Up on a hill; a stone’s throw from Crustees and Hilltop.
Sachi Teriyaki House [website] - Japanese restaurant; never been but OG locals have told me it’s a must. Close to Hilltop, Crustees, Simply Wholesome. I must go soon and will let ya know :))
Dulan’s on Crenshaw [website] - Southern food, great for catering! Don’t skip the sides. As of now, their hours have been on/off so call ahead!
South LA Cafe [website] - more coffee with small bites. Tremendous space; prior to covid, a true gathering place. It even features a faux plant green wall - perfect for selfies. Owners give back to the community, hope to meet them one day.
Kim’s [website] - local Chinese food at it’s finest with a giant menu -and I would say, generous portions. Sure to please your Chinese-take-out addiction.
I write this post as a labor of love. I hope to continue sharing the joys of Leimert and greater LA. So come, spend $$ and support local :), while absorbing all the culture and the awesomeness that makes this place special. There is no place like Leimert :)
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