10 Crazy Fun Unique Restaurants 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 lobster served in a toaster, 3-foot-tall cotton candy wigs, and burgers named after horror movie icons.

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 usual spots 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.

✨ Looking for quirky bars too?
You’ll find fire-breathing cocktails, secret entrances, and geeky themed lounges in this separate post about unique bars in Los Angeles.

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! 😀

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! 😀

Ka'teen – A Yucatán-Inspired Jungle Oasis in LA

_{6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles}

Ka’teen is a feast for the senses, and not just because of the food. Chef Wes Avila brings the ancient flavors of the Yucatán Peninsula to life in a space that feels like you’ve wandered into a tropical dream. Think rainforest ferns, towering palms, wicker everything, and a rattan tunnel entrance scented with burning sage. (Don’t worry, the scent fades by the time you're sipping your mezcal.)

We went for brunch, and while the menu leans adventurous, they’ve got your less culinarily daring friends covered with options like pancakes and bacon.

Want to see it in its full nighttime glory? Check out their website for pics of the fire pits, moody lighting, and that mezcal bar I mentioned. I bet it’s even more magical after dark. Either way, Ka’teen is a fun, atmospheric spot that feels worlds away from the concrete jungle of Hollywood right outside.

Tao – Dine Beneath a 16-Foot Goddess

_{6421 Selma Ave, Los Angeles}

I've got to fangirl a little over this one! Tao is one of the most impressive, cool, unique restaurants I've been to (even though I found out later that its a chain through several cities)! The sheer scale and vibe don’t quite show up in photos, so trust me when I say it’s a whole experience.

You enter through a dark, mysterious hallway before stepping into a massive, tiered dining space anchored by a glowing, 16-foot Quan Yin statue. It’s part nightclub, part Asian temple, part dinner-theater fantasy.

My favorite spot? The round booths on the mid-level tiers, lit by cool fringed lamps. I felt like Jeannie in her bottle, if Jeannie were into cocktails and dumplings.

Be sure to check out the copper bowl sinks in the bathroom, and don't be surprised when you see someone of the opposite sex staring back at you between the mirror at the sink! I thought it was solid wall between the sink mirrors till I caught sight of a guy washing his hands diagonally in front of me! I love a optical illusion surprise!

The food was solid! We ordered the chicken gyoza and the vegetable olive fried rice, both were flavorful and beautifully plated, and were perfect complements to our cocktails. Note that they have a $1 Dumplings Happy Hour Monday Through Thursday from 5pm-7pm! A steal for such a luxe spot.

Located just off Hollywood Boulevard, Tao puts you close to the action but feels like its own dramatic universe. If you’re looking for unique restaurants and bars in LA that are as photogenic as they are flavorful, this one’s a must.

Whether you're into cotton candy wigs, haunted mansion vibes, or tacos in a tropical jungle, LA knows how to turn dinner into a full-on experience. These spots are weird, wild, and just the right amount of wonderful.

Have you been to one of these restaurants? Got a favorite I should try next time I'm in town? Let me know in the comments—I’m always on the hunt for my next delicious adventure.

And if you're thirsty for more…
Don’t miss my companion post on the coolest and most unique bars in Los Angeles. Fire-breathing cocktails and secret doors await. 🍸

🛏️ Cool Places to Stay in LA

Need a hotel that’s charming, safe, and close to the action?
👉 Check out my favorite places to stay in Los Angeles – from boutique gems to retro hideaways, all personally vetted by yours truly.

🎬 What Else Is There to Do in LA?

From solo-friendly art museums to quirky neighborhoods and classic sights, there's no shortage of adventure.
👉 Here’s my go-to list of fun things to do alone in Los Angeles. Yes, it's totally okay to people-watch with a latte and call it an activity.

🧠 Going to Silicon Valley?

It’s not all tech bros and Teslas, I found some seriously fun and funky places to eat.
👉 Check out the coolest unique restaurants in Silicon Valley if you're heading north.

Map of mentioned places

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