If Caesar salad is on the menu, I order it. I crave the crisp romaine, sharp cheese and swift umami hit. Restaurateur César Cardini and chef Livio Santini first served this iconic salad at Caesar’s in Tijuana in 1924. Al Capone and Prohibition era stars hung out here. Over the years, the building fell on hard times. Javier Plascencia restored Caesar’s to its former glory, complete with black and white photos of bullfighters and flappers, wrought iron chandeliers and an upstairs hotel.

Caesar’s still serves the original recipe tableside. [Watch Mark Wiens video] The dressing calls for anchovy paste, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire, fresh-cracked egg yolk, and lime juice. A server tosses whole romaine leaves in dressing until fully coated, plates with croutons, and finishes with grated Parmesan and cracked black pepper. Whole Foods would no doubt market these choice lettuce leaves as “romaine hearts.” Now people serve Caesar with kale, Brussels sprouts and other vegetables. I typically prefer the original preparation, but with Caesar salad or pretty much any food, remain open to creative flourishes or innovation. For now, find my favorite Los Angeles Caesar salads.

UPDATES SINCE MAY 15, 2025
Additions: Anna Pizza, Betsy, Broken Spanish Comedor, Fiorelli Pizza, Old Gold Tomato Pies
Subtractions: Birdie G’s (TEMPORARILY CLOSED), Jemma Pizzeria (CLOSED), Superfine Playa (CLOSED)

Anna Pizza Caesar Salad – Valley Village ↓

Betsy Caesar Salad – Altadena ↓

BOA Steakhouse Caesar Salad (Tableside) – Manhattan Beach, Santa Monica + West Hollywood ↓

Broken Spanish Comedor Ensalada Cesar – Culver City ↓

Colossus Caesar Salad – Long Beach + San Pedro ↓

Emmy Squared Pizza Caesar Salad – DTLA + Santa Monica ↓

Fiorelli Pizza Caesar Salad – Los Angeles ↓

Hail Mary Pizza Caesar Salad – Atwater Village ↓

Jame Enoteca Spicy Caesar Salad – El Segundo ↓

Kali Steak Caesar Salad – Hollywood ↓

Mona Pasta Bar Caesar Salad (Add Anchovies) – Downtown ↓

Old Gold Tomato Pies Saigon Caesar – Los Feliz ↓

Oste Baby Gem Lettuce Caesar – Mid-City ↓

Pane Bianco Caesar Salad – Arts District ↓

Pizzana Cesare Salad – Brentwood, Marina Del Rey, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake + West Hollywood ↓

Ronan Caesar Salad – Melrose ↓

Ryla White Sesame Caesar Salad – Redondo Beach ↓

Vito Restaurant Caesar Salad – Santa Monica ↓

Wallflour Pizza Spring Caesar (Seasonal) – Eagle Rock ↓

Wildcrust Caesar Salad – Eagle Rock ↓

Wolfsglen Cesar Salad – Westwood ↓