A Guide To The 7 Essential Eateries Of Silver Lake

Know before you go! Where to wine and dine in this uber-cool east side city.

SAWYER

Photo Credit: Ryan Tanaka

3709 Sunset Blvd.

KETTLE BLACK

Photo Credit: Wonho Frank Lee

The dimly lit ambiance of Kettle Black, a rustic Italian eatery on Sunset, is the perfect setting for a great date night, though overindulging in the awesome fare could be a problem. The Margherita pizza was one of the best we’ve had in L.A. (and we couldn’t resist eating ALL of it). In addition to it’s food, it’s also an awesome option for happy hour. From  5-7, treat yourself to a glass of Frosé for $8; Slice & A Sip, which includes a slice of Margherita pizza with a Peroni or glass of red or white wine for $8; or Pizza&Pop which includes a whole Margherita pizza with a Peroni or glass of red or white wine for $15. Additionally, on Sundays the restaurant has launched a new supper series that includes a three-course Italian dinner for $20 per person. To accompany the dinner, $20 bottles of wine – a Chianti and a Pinot Grigio – are also offered along with a $3 glass of Olympia Lager. Note: the menus change every Sunday.

3705 Sunset Blvd.

ALIMENTO

Photo Credit: Dylan + Jeni

1710 Silver Lake Blvd.

NIGHT+MARKET SONG

Photo Credit: LJ Photo

Even West siders travel to Silver Lake for the Thai culinary stylings of L.A.-born Chef Kris Yenbamroong at his NIght + Market Song. A testament to this should be his back-to-back semifinal nods from the James Beard Foundation in the Rising Star Chef category. There’s always a line out the door for his curries, noodles and hot pot soup. If you can get a table, you’re one lucky son of a gun.

3322 W. Sunset Blvd. 

CLIFF’S EDGE

Photo Credit: Noted Media

Cliff’s Edge is one of the dreamiest restaurants you’ll ever have the pleasure to dine in. You’ll feel like you’ve wandered into a gigantic treehouse thanks to an enclosed, leafy outdoor patio with brightly colored furniture and decor—like a home away from home, but better. The frequently changing menu focuses on fresh, local produce with a simple preparation, making each dish taste better than the next. We urge you to try the calamari Kung Pao—Thai chili, bean sprouts, peanuts, green onion and cilantro… only because we, who absolutely loathe calamari, completely hogged this entire dish. The wine list here wins awards, but if you prefer cocktails, these craft babies will do you right thanks to mixologist Malina Bickford, who makes fresh syrups and infusions daily.

3626 Sunset Blvd.

PINE & CRANE

Photo Credit: Pine Crane

For those craving Taiwanese-Chinese fare, Pine & Crane is your jam. It isn’t fast food per se, but you’ll receive it quickly—and in vast amounts. Whenever possible, the eatery sources seasonal produce from a local Asian vegetable farm owned by family; as a result, vegetable dishes change frequently to showcase rare items. It’s hard not to find many things you like on the menu (or not to over order). We were tempted by a plethora of dishes, which we immediately craved again the next day. Make sure to try the spicy shrimp wontons, made with house chili oil, scallions and cilantro; whatever rare veggie the restaurant is showcasing that day (it will be dang good); Dan Dan noodles made with sesame peanut sauce, chili oil, cucumbers and peanuts; and the exceptional vegetarian mapo tofu with trumpet mushrooms and Sichuan peppercorns.

1521 Griffith Park Blvd.

L&E OYSTER BAR

Photo Credit: Devin Pedde

Brunch, brunch, brunch. That’s all we really need to say here. L&E Oyster Bar is the perfect place to while away a Saturday or Sunday morning, sipping at Champagne and noshing on, as the name implies, oysters from the Pacific and Atlantic. There’s more than just oysters, of course: you’ll find many seafood delicacies here, from crab claws and prawns to smoked mussels and lobster rolls. And—just saying—you may even have a celebrity sighting at this spot that’s beloved by locals and the A-list alike.

1637 Silver Lake Blvd.