My history with Westwood Village dates to high school, when I took classes at UCLA through Summer Discovery before my senior year. UCLA accepted me and I even put down a deposit, but decided to attend Vanderbilt University instead. It soon became inevitable that I’d eventually be an Angeleno, but I’m glad that I lived in another part of the country first to get a different perspective. The city had a gravitational pull, and I spent two more summers in Westwood. I took more UCLA classes and rented rooms in frat houses just off campus while completing internships for Mayor Riordan’s Press Office in Los Angeles City Hall and for Davis Entertainment in Fox Plaza (better known as Nakatomi Plaza in “Die Hard”).
Understanding Westwood history started by seeing black and white photos on the wall at Literati Cafe. This undeveloped land was previously Wolfskill Ranch, which spanned 3,300 acres. Department store magnate Arthur Letts purchased the property in 1919 and it passed on to his son-in law Harold Janss. According to a 1922 Los Angeles Times story, “The rancho ran from the Los Angeles Country Club to the Soldier’s Home at Sawtelle (then a town, not just a street) and south to Pico.” Janss Investment Co. sold prized acreage to UCLA, which apparently started across town on Vermont Avenue.
Westwood Village has been a hub for UCLA students and faculty, for staff and visitors from Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, for workers in Wilshire Boulevard office towers, and for people from L.A. and beyond. I’ve enjoyed dozens of movies and meals in Westwood Village since the mid ’90s. To clarify, Westwood Village spans from Gayley Avenue to the west, Wilshire Boulevard to the south, Hilgard Avenue to the east and Le Conte Avenue to the north.
Westwood Village remains vital for live (and projected) entertainment. Regency still hosts premieres and show blockbusters at their two historic movie palaces: the Bruin Theatre and Fox Westwood Village Theatre. Geffen Playhouse attracts top theater talent to their stages. Westwood recently welcomed UCLA Nimoy Theater just south of Wilshire Boulevard. Hammer Museum has become a double destination for mixed medium art exhibitions and Lulu restaurant.
I used to eat at places like Jerry’s Deli, Falafel King and Stan’s Donuts, which are all gone. Despite losses like those, and typical turnover, Westwood Village now has better eating and drinking options than ever before. Westwood Village Improvement Association recently sponsored my self-guided efforts to explore their destination. Learn about 11 of my favorite food and drink stops in Westwood Village, along with some fun places to soak up culture between meals.
Espresso Profeta has been a specialty coffee mainstay since 2008. Samantha Langford and husband Choncey make delicious signature drinks like the Pumpkin A Go Go and Cardi P latte with organic cardamom and pistachio syrups.
Most signage still reads Northern Cafe Chinese Hot Pot, but Happy Panda Kitchen has a different owner from Northern Cafe’s nearby dumpling house and noodle house. Tabletop hot pots simmer options like punchy sauerkraut lamb or fish maw chicken.
Lotus Creatives partners Dan Tran, June Quan, Anna Wang, and Jeremy Tu showcase matcha at Junbi in Milky and Refreshing drinks and creamy soft serve ice cream. Double down with yuzu dragon fruit matcha and matcha hojicha swirl for a major boost.
KazuNori: The Original Handroll Bar, SUGARFISH’s sister concept, serves reliably flavorful hand rolls at their three-sided bar. KazuNori opts for cut rolls to-go. My Sea Bream To-Go Set combines toro, salmon, NZ sea bream and crab rolls.
Lulu is an unprecedented Chez Panisse spinoff from Berkeley culinary icon Alice Waters and her protégée David Tanis. They combine a mission driven approach to sustainability and regeneration with vibrant market-driven fare.
Bangkok native Kate Petibas brings culinary fireworks to her second Palmsugar outpost, located in an alley behind Nick the Greek. Dishes like drunken noodles with shrimp and fried basil chicken wings make Palmsugar a potent Thai food destination.
Toranj is a stylish restaurant from Farbod and Farinaz Pirshirazi. Vivid Persian comfort food includes grilled barramundi with baghali polo (fava bean and dill rice). “Juicy chicken” pairs well with albaloo polo (sour cherry rice) and warm house-baked flatbread.
It’s not exactly “Stranger Things,” but Jews For Jesus delivers a distinct “coffee, art and community” experience with Upside Down. Since this business is non-profit, pay as you see fit for signature beverages like salted maple cold brew and L’Chaim (dirty chai).
Violet is a bistro and cooking school with a beautiful brick courtyard from Dana Slatkin. Executive chef Brittany Cassidy serves elegant Cal-French food. Standouts include steak au poivre with state of the art frites, Mizou’s salad, and petite pois (peas 3 ways).
Oscar Rembao brought Wildbird to Hollywood before expanding to Westwood Village last year. His fast casual concept deftly roasts “better chicken (aka birds raised right)” and serves with satisfying sides like tortilla soup, sweet potatoes and Brussels sprouts.
Wolfsglen chef Fidel Guzman takes a global view in a historic building. Somehow, Peruvian inspired salmon poke fits with rigatoni shrimp diavola, fluffy za’atar dusted pita and Mediterranean dips. Their unconventional Cesar salad is particularly inspired.
WHAT TO DO BETWEEN MEALS (shoutout to A.J. Liebling)
Geffen Playhouse dates to 1995 and occupies a century old Mason clubhouse with a striking courtyard. They’ve attracted top talent for productions in their two performance spaces: Gil Cates Theater and Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater.
Petroleum magnate Armand Hammer backed the Hammer Museum. This free modern art destination debuted in 1990 and hosted their biennial during my latest visit, titled “Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living.” Ishi Glinsky’s sculpture left a lasting impression on me.
UCLA Nimoy Theater performing arts center recently replaced The Crest Theatre and honors “Star Trek” legend Leonard Nimoy.
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