10 Crazy Fun Unique Restaurants and Bars in Los Angeles

I firmly believe that dinner should come with a side of drama—and maybe a fog machine. If you’re heading to LA and looking for unique restaurants that serve up more than just food, you’re in the right place. I’m talking about bars inside whiskey barrels, burgers named after horror movie icons, and desserts that double as performance art.

Since my daughter moved to LA a couple of years ago I’ve spent way too much time (and money) chasing the weirdest, wildest, and most fun restaurants and bars across Los Angeles—and I regret nothing. Whether you’re a local looking to shake up your boring old usualspots or a visitor hoping to eat your way through the city with flair, these are my top picks for places that are as entertaining as they are delicious.

Barton G.: The Wildest Food Presentation in LA

_{861 N. La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA}

If you are looking for a very unique splurge, this is your place! The decor is elegant, but the food presentation is next level wacky! This is where you can order Lobster Pot Tarts (served in a toaster), a Caesar Salad accompanied by a bust of Julius Caesar, and a dessert called “Marie Antoinette” (a 3-foot-tall mound of cotton candy on top of a mannequin head)!

It’s a splurge for sure—entrees start at around $42 and go all the way up to $339 for a 45oz Wagyu ribeye—but if you’re celebrating something big or just want dinner to become a core memory, this spot absolutely delivers.

Beetle House LA : Dine Inside Tim Burton’s Brain

_{7080 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA}

If Tim Burton opened a restaurant inside Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, this would be it. From the moment I walked in, it felt like I’d stepped into a live-action Halloween movie. The decor is gothic and theatrical, and the entertainment? Fab! The night we went, Alice in Wonderland and the Mad Hatter sang, danced, and wandered between tables like they’d lost their way through a wormhole. Oh, and Chucky showed up. A little person in full costume snuck up behind me, and I’m not ashamed to say I shrieked. (You can watch the moment my soul left my body in the video below.)

The food is solid and totally on theme, with dishes like Killer Coq au Vin and the Edward Scissorhands Burger. It’s more about the vibes than Michelin Star food, but you’re definitely getting dinner and a show.

Heads up: you’ll need a reservation for dinner (secured with a credit card), but the bar is first-come, first-served. If you like your meals served with a side of madness, Beetle House is the place to be.

Check this video out to see how Chucky amost gave me aheart attack! 😀

Idle Hour: Drink Inside a Giant Whiskey Barrel

_{4824 Vineland Ave, Los Angeles, CA}

This barrel-shaped restaurant and bar has been around since 1941. It was part of a phase when people were whizzing by in cars (instead of walking), so establishments started creating eye-catching, memorable buildings to catch their attention. Who’s attention wouldn’t be caught by a giant whiskey barrel you could hang out inside?

The vibe inside is cozy and vintage, but step out back and you’ll find a covered patio with a surprise: a replica of the Bulldog Cafe (another architectural oddity from LA’s past). It now houses one epic round table that’s just begging for a birthday brunch or late-night gossip session.

This is a really fun place to visit! It has a neighborhood hangout vibe, as well as the cool retro atmosphere. They serve pub food, along with two full bars. The Idle Hour also has a Sunday brunch featuring :

THE ELVIS $14
Crispy Bacon Strips on Toasted Sourdough with Bananas,
Reese’s Peanut Butter Sauce & Powdered Sugar

Canters Deli – Pretend to be Don Draper

_{419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA}

Canter’s Deli has been around since 1931 and featured in shows like Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage, and Mad Men. It’s also been frequented by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, The Doors, Barak Obama, Ryan Gosling, and Mick Jagger! Canter’s has articles and photos about its rich history posted, so be sure to take a look.

Inside, it’s part old-school deli, part bakery, part full-service restaurant, and—surprise—part cocktail lounge. Yes, there’s a bar in the back called the Kibitz Room where you might catch a live band or a low-key celebrity sipping something strong.

Open 24/7 for takeout (bless them), Canter’s is the kind of place where you can show up in sweatpants at 2 a.m. and still get a killer slice of cheesecake. It’s cool without trying, iconic without the attitude, and genuinely delicious.

If you want a taste of classic LA—with a pickle on the side—this is your spot.

The Edmon – Jay Gatsby eat your heart out

_{5168 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles, CA}

The Edmon is a charming Art Deco bar and restaurant next door to the Hollywood Historic Hotel. They serve many small plates like garlic French fries and chorizo sliders, as well as some burgers and main course items like short ribs and steak. The interior design was the thing I most loved about the Edmon! That gorgeous bar and the cool lighting features!

They also have a large outdoor patio area in the back with twinkle lights and heat lamps. If you’re in a Great Gatsby mood, be sure to check this place out! Also, take a look at their website because they have live music on some nights.

Gracias Madre – A Vegan Paradise That Even Carnivores Love

_{8905 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, CA}

If you feel a need to light a prayer candle while you sip tequila, this is your place! Gracias Madre feels like a Mexican villa, with large olive trees shading the patio, white-washed brick walls, and hardwood floors inside the dining room. They have a stand where you can write down a prayer and light a candle. It’s just like going to church but with margaritas!

This popular restaurant features local, organic, plant-based food. I am not a vegetarian, much less vegan, and honestly, I’m not sure I would have selected this place if I realized it was a vegan restaurant. But I am so happy that I went!

The food was excellent! I got a Burrito En Salsa, and I was shocked that I didn’t even think about the fact that it didn’t have cheese until I was almost done.

Go here for the delicious food, beautiful atmosphere, and to say a prayer! Its also supposed to be a “celebrity hotspot” from what my old pal the internet tells me.

Grand Central Market – For when you can’t agree on what to eat

_{317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA}

Grand Central Market has been downtown LA’s glorious answer to indecision since 1917. It is still going strong, with 40 vendors selling food, drinks, and jewelry. You can pretty much find anything you are craving, from ramen to sushi to pasta to tacos to live sea urchin to pie, and more!

There’s tons of communal seating, so it’s perfect for groups. Everyone can grab what they want, then meet back at a table to compare notes—or silently judge each other’s food choices.

Every weekend, they have a Market Bazaar on their lower level where artisan and other independent merchants sell their wares. Be sure to check their Events calendar to see when live music or other events are going on!

Also, check out the historic Angels Flight Railway right across the street from the Grand Central Market.

Granville Restaurant – Hip, Homegrown Grub in NoHO’s Coolest Corner

_{11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, CA}

Granville Restaurant is a chain with other locations in the LA area. The newest one is in the hip and upcoming arts district of North Hollywood. It is one of the top-rated restaurants in the area (per Yelp), so I checked it out. Their diverse menu features homemade organic food.

The interior decor was so cool! Murals covered the brick walls, a sleek open bar that peeks into the upstairs dining space, and the food was excellent!

Groundwork Coffee – Sip Lattes in a Restored 1890 Train Depot

_{11275 Chandler Blvd., North Hollywood, CA}

Groundwork Coffee is an all-organic brand that focuses on working directly with small farms to ensure fair treatment and the highest quality. It has locations in Portland, Oregon, and the Los Angeles area.

The NoHo location is fun because it is located in the 1890 original Southern Pacific Train Depot, right next to the North Hollywood Metro and Bus stations. The historic building was outfitted with reclaimed wood and repurposed light fixtures to remain authentic to the original period. The former ticket booth window is now a “to-go” pick-up window, and the old train waiting room is the dining area. There’s also a nice outdoor seating area with some larger picnic-type tables.

Oh, and the coffee is delicious too! They take their coffee very seriously here. I was interested to read on their blog post, this article about how to brew coffee. I’ve been noticing how terrible the coffee I make at home tastes, so maybe it’s time to get rid of my Mr. Coffee and start measuring the temperature of my water and using a pour-over carafe! 😀

Scum and Villainy Cantina – Drink with Luke and Captain Kirk

_{6377 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, CA}

This is a one-of-a-kind bar, calling itself “Your friendly neighborhood Geek Bar, serving the best drinks in the star system.” The interior has elements of Star Wars and Star Trek, along with nods to Lord of the Rings and other things I am not enough of a geek to recognize. 😀 There are tabletop arcade games in one section and cave-like booths (like in the Star Wars bar) in another.

The drinks are next-level theatrical. Think smoking, bubbling, glowing concoctions—sometimes topped with Pop Rocks, because nostalgia. When I went, Sirius Black was mixing drinks and Indiana Jones was casually pouring shots. What’s not to like?

By the way, Scum and Villainy Cantina is just one block away from the famous Hollywood & Vine intersection. There are lots of homeless folks in this area, so don’t be surprised by that.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or a lifelong Angeleno, these spots will add serious flavor to your LA nights. Which one are you adding to your list? Let me know in the comments if you visit one!

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In Conclusion

I hope you enjoy checking out some all of these wild places! Please let me know if you have any other spots to recommend!