How to Spend a 24-Hour Staycation in LA’s Eastside

Few neighborhoods represent the culinary breadth of Los Angeles like those in the vicinity of the Los Angeles River. Whether it’s a coffee shop connected to a viral croissant bakery, a longstanding burrito spot churning out fresh tortillas daily, or a slice of crackly LA-style pizza, the Eastside offers some of the best dining in Los Angeles, all within a few miles.

The boundaries of the Eastside have long been a topic of debate, with the Los Angeles Times defining the area as the collection of neighborhoods east of the Los Angeles River, including East Los Angeles, Boyle Heights, Lincoln Heights, and El Sereno. With the rapid gentrification in these neighborhoods, longtime residents have drawn the boundaries as a way to protect their identity and culture. Colloquially, neighborhoods in the eastern portion of Los Angeles, including Silver Lake, Los Feliz, and Highland Park, are often referred to as the Eastside. This guide covers the neighborhoods east of the LA River, plus the surrounding neighborhoods like Highland Park, Chinatown, Silver Lake, Echo Park, East Hollywood, and Los Feliz for one epic day of dining on the Eastside.

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8 a.m. — Coffee and pastries at Kumquat Coffee

Start the morning with Highland Park coffee experts Kumquat Coffee. Open since 2018, this cafe brews one of the best cups of coffee in town, whether looking for a cold brew, single-origin mocha, or an espresso tonic. In April 2024, the team behind Kumquat opened a croissant bakery down the street called Fondry. Though Fondry is still inviting hours-long lines and early sell-outs, its baked goods can be found at Kumquat and sister shop Loquat in Cypress Park on Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday. 4936 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042.

10 a.m. — Breakfast burrito at La Azteca Tortilleria

A proper day in Los Angeles starts with a breakfast burrito, and La Azteca makes some of the best in town. The East LA tortilla specialist serves burritos filled with asada and eggs, or bacon, potatoes, and beans in the morning. Those in the know order the La Azteca burrito stuffed with a chile relleno — just add some eggs for the ultimate morning meal. 4538 E. Cesar E. Chavez Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90022.

12:30 p.m. — Banh mi at My Dung

Keep lunch simple and affordable with a banh mi from Chinatown’s My Dung. Try the bánh mì đặc biệt served with cold cuts and Vietnamese-style meatloaf, or the bánh mì thịt nướng with grilled pork. Just be aware that My Dung (pronounced me-yoong) is cash only, though each sandwich only costs between $6 and $7. 314 Ord Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Cathy Chaplin

3 p.m. — Afternoon slice at LaSorted’s

After a morning of schlepping down Sunset Boulevard, hunger is sure to strike. Head to LaSorted’s in Silver Lake for thin crust and Sicilian slices, plus hoagies, focaccia sandwiches, and salads. Vegan mozzarella, vegan pepperoni, and a gluten-free crust are also available by request if ordering a whole pie. 2847 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026.

For an afternoon cocktail, swing by happy hour at All Day Baby, which runs from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Bar bites like taquitos and barbacoa rangoons are available to pair with well-made drinks, including a mojito and paloma. A beer and shot combo only goes for $10, same for a glass of wine. 3200 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90026.

Matthew Kang

5 p.m. — Pre-dinner cider and charcuterie at Alma’s

After a busy day running around LA, a pre-dinner drink at a quiet bar with friendly staff is in order. Virgil Village cider specialist Alma’s fits the bill with its dark blue midcentury modern interior and backlit tiny town display. The staff at this charming bar knows everything there is to know about cider, and can make a recommendation off the vaguest of tastes, like “crispy,” “green,” or “reminiscent of a glass bottle of Martinelli’s apple juice.” Beer and co-ferments are also available, along with a rotating menu of waffles and charcuterie. 904 Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

8 p.m. — Dinner at Budonoki

If superlatives were to be given out in Virgil Village, Budonoki would take home the title of Cool Kid on the Block. Step inside the buzzy izakaya to neon signs and wicker lamps giving off a gentle glow in the dim interior. Chef Dan Rabilwongse, who grew up only half a mile away from the restaurant, serves a menu of Thai- and Japanese-inspired dishes like naem (Thai pork sausage), oshizushi (pressed sushi), and Budo-gnocchi, a creamy pasta dish that replaces gnocchi with Korean rice cakes. Try one of the sake or shochu-based cocktails, or go for a whole bottle from the small but curated selection. Leave room for soft serve at the end of the meal, which is served with a tiny plastic shovel. 654 Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004.

For a dinner option that’s a little less of a scene and doesn’t require reservations, try California Grill down the street from Budonoki. The longstanding neighborhood favorite serves pupusas made fresh to order, plus other expertly prepared dishes like chicharron, camarones a la plancha, and chile relleno. 800 Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029.

11 p.m. — Cocktails at Ye Rustic Inn

Ye Rustic Inn

All good days around the Eastside end at Ye Rustic Inn. Somewhere between a sports bar and a dive bar, this dimly lit watering hole is constantly full of locals curled up in red leather booths over plates of some of the best wings in town. The drinks are strong and solidly made, and the menu of bar food staples, including fries, burgers, mozzarella sticks, fried zucchini rounds, and an appetizer plate that combines all the favorites, are worth an order. Here, the jukebox is app-controlled, so there’s no telling what will be playing any night of the week. Rumor has it that the bartenders have a remote in the back to skip any songs that are just not right for the moment. 1831 Hillhurst Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90027.