By 
This post was originally written in 2018. Some of these places are in my other restaurant guides.
For those who have never been to LA, the South Bay is located in the southwest corner of Los Angeles County. Stretching all the way down from LAX International Airport to Palos Verdes, the South Bay is comprised of beach cities like Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach.
The South Bay may not have a buzzing nightlife like West Hollywood, but it sure has some of the most underrated restaurants in LA. Despite being mostly inhabited by rich Caucasians, the South Bay boasts a thriving culinary scene. Due to the proximity to the beach, the restaurants are so casual that you can walk in in flip flops and no one will do a double take.
Another thing that caught my attention is that almost everyone there is a huge sports enthusiast. Walk into any restaurant in the South Bay or Long Beach and you are bound to see a giant flat screen TV playing the sports channel. However, it’s not just the surf culture, endless miles of beaches with piers, and overcrowded pricey beachfront restaurants that the South Bay is known for. There’s so much more to it. Are you ready to discover some of the best restaurants in the South Bay? Keep on reading!
If you plan on spending a day in the upscale city of Manhattan Beach, which can accurately be described as Beverly Hills on the beach, continue your exploration at the Redondo Beach Pier, followed by a spectacular sunset in Palos Verdes. This is just one example of the many itineraries you can follow, but don’t limit yourself to one beach town because each one of them has its own flair.
Thank you very much to my friend Paula, a South Bay local, for helping me out with this list!
Updated November 2021:
VCHOS
1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
I was casually driving on a Saturday through Torrance when I saw a food truck with the name VCHOS parked in a lot. There was outdoor seating and the place was bustling with people. It wasn’t until a month or so later that I finally decided to stop by. You can find VCHOS in different locations around LA. Most Saturdays, from 1-9 PM, they can be found at the Smog City Brewery parking lot in Torrance. Check out the calendar on their website to confirm.
There are many pupusa places in LA, but what makes VCHOS stand out is that their pupusas are gluten-free, made with high-quality ingredients, and their menu caters to people with dietary restrictions. Most of their menu is gluten-free including their gourmet tacos.
I ordered the revuelta and the chicken spinach cheese pupusas. The latter was by far my favorite and I highly recommend getting one if you go there. The way all the ingredients meshed together was very unique. The chicken was so good and tender and the melted cheese surely did not disappoint. I tried so hard not to burn my tongue while I devoured these in my car. The flatbread was soft, airy and warm! There was one person in the truck hand making them, while the other person was taking all the orders. Since pupusas are made by hand, you might have a little bit of wait time ahead of you. I waited almost 20 minutes for mine, but boy, was it worth it! The best thing of it all? My order for the 2 pupusas was only $8, which, for a food truck, is kind of rare in LA — and they were so filling!
The revuelta, made of pork, beans and cheese, was good, but my experience eating that one paled in comparison to the chicken, spinach and cheese. They give you a complimentary pickled slaw salad on the side, but it was too spicy for my taste.
Instagram –@vchostruck
Piccini
4642 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
This Italian restaurant looks very promising and is opening in November. I can’t wait to go there and share my review! Check out the website.
Breakfast and brunch
Krust
1300 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Two words: avocado toast!! This coffee shop is a hidden treasure in the South Bay. The leaf wallpaper adds a very quaint and cozy touch to the space. Although I haven’t tried these yet, all the pastries there are made in-house.
Coffee Cartel
1820 S Catalina Ave #102, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Not at the top of my list when it comes to coffee, but I felt like it was worth a mention. I remember when I first walked in, I felt like I was transported to the 90 ’s teen movie I Want You To Want Me. The decoration consists of dated furniture, vintage wall art and the most random things, like a suit of armor. A lot of students and writers with laptops go there in search of a quiet, yet inspiring workspace. In addition, there’s a large unit filled with old books, and a small stage used for poetry nights and live music on certain days of the week.
Café Wild
3505 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Café Wild opened its doors less than a year ago by Phil, a Brit who hails all the way from Birmingham, and Erin, a native Californian. The baby blue facade against the bright blue sky mixed with the ocean breeze instantly made Cafe Wild a winner on my list. The owner is a huge fan of the Beach Boys and there are surfboards and vintage beach photos hanging on the wall. Café Wild serves up a wide range of food options, perfect for every palate and mood! If it’s your first time, I can’t stress enough to try the English breakfast. I loved to eat English breakfast every morning when I was visiting London, and it also brings back memories of when I used to spend summer school trips in Ireland. To round up your British eating experience, they also serve English tea. Also, the jams are homemade and all-natural, perfect to pair with their scrumptious croissants. Everything there is cooked to perfection. I love how they have cleverly decorated the restaurant, mixing some British elements with the ever-present beachy vibes of the South Bay.
Cafe Wild deserves 5/5 rating: delicious food, aesthetic on point, lovely staff, and it’s merely a few feet away from the beach! What’s not to like?
Créme De La Crepe (multiple locations)
1708 1/2 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Creme De La Crepe is a Fench-owned restaurant highly favored by the locals. This place, like Coffee Cartel, is located smack dab in the middle of the Riviera Village, a very popular stretch of shops and restaurants on Catalina Avenue. The staff is all French and the food here is magnifique and gorgeously presented! If you want to get an authentic French eating experience, Creme De La Crepe is the place to go. The decoration with the brick wall, the French written sign at the entrance and the décor bring a unique and elegant dash of style that will transport you to a cafe in Paris.
What to order: any of the pastas, energy sandwich or the healthy breakfast
Brazilian
Brazilian Plate House
4509 Torrance Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
There are a handful of Brazilian restaurants scattered throughout different neighborhoods in LA, but the South Bay is home to the biggest Brazilian community in California. If you do some research on the top Brazilian restaurants in the South Bay, you’ll see tons of articles written about Panela’s, a very popular Brazilian South Bay staple. My friend told me to skip it and go to Brazilian Plate House instead. I can’t believe how many times I’ve driven by this green Swiss chalet-style building on my way to Del Amo mall. Every single food item there is a feast for your mouth!! So so good! Indeed, the Brazilian Plate House establishment is more casual, smaller and cheaper than Panela’s.
Note: Funnily enough, I met another girl named Paula, who is also from Brazil and who also lives in Redondo Beach. 😂 She said that in her opinion, Panela’s was the best Brazilian restaurant! I guess I’ll have to try it out!
There’s ample parking space and it’s outdoor seating only.
Jus’ Poke
501 N Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
If you’ve never had traditional Hawaiian poke, this place will change the way you eat poke forever!
Jus’ Poke was founded by native Hawaiians and is one of the few joints in LA where they serve authentic Hawaiian-style poke. Everything is super fresh. Also, just like in Hawaii, you can buy the poke by the pound and the fish is perfectly marinated. The tuna and pickles will make your taste buds sing in happiness. Did I mention how much seaweed salad they serve on the side? Jus’ Poke is the closest you’ll get to Hawaii! Because the place is not that big, I advise you to avoid peak lunch hours and go there early in the morning.
I have been coming here for over a year and it never disappoints!
American
The Rockefeller (Multiple locations)
1209 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Do you want to know where you can get the best burger in the South Bay for $0.99 every Tuesday? The Rockefeller!! My friend celebrated her birthday here almost two years ago, which coincidentally fell on a Tuesday. To get this $0.99 deal, you have to order an alcoholic beverage, which I remember she ordered for me since I don’t drink. Looking back at that day, I still remember how unbelievably good the burger was. The bun, which has an R stamped on it, was super soft and the patty was so juicy it almost melted in your mouth. It was also my first time ever driving down the I-405 to the South Bay on a rainy and cloudy March night. I was so new to LA! Time is a crazy thing, isn’t it? But I digress. The Rockefeller is surely worth the trek. The burger is undeniably the star of the place but the lobster mac also deserves a 5/5 star review!
Unlike Redondo Beach or Hermosa Beach, parking in Manhattan Beach is absolute chaos! Either get there early or go late in the day for dinner. The Rockefeller also has a location in Hermosa Beach, but I can’t speak for it. I don’t know if it’s as good as this one.
Fish
BLUE SALT FISH GRILL
23215 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90505
Loooooooved this place. When you step out of the car, you will be taken aback by the grilled fish smell and the ocean air. I genuinely felt like I was back in Hawaii. The place is nicely decorated and meticulously clean. After ordering my fish of choice (Mahi Mahi), seasoning and two sides (couscous and rice), I was expecting the bill to come up to at least $19, like Tender Greens. I was absolutely taken by surprise when the cashier said $12. This unbeatable value in LA deserves to be at the top of everyone’s list! Once you’re seated, they bring you a free ceviche appetizer with chips. It was so fresh and flavorful that I ended up eating most of it!! The mahi mahi was also fresh and high-quality, and the couscous was absolutely delicious. The lemon slice added the perfect kick to the overall flavor of the dish. Going back to the mahi mahi, it was really fresh and perfectly cooked but nothing spectacular in terms of flavor, since mahi mahi is a very simple fish. My friend Paula highly suggested trying the salmon with rosemary potatoes next time.
BluePlate also offers an extensive range of wines, salsas and other kinds of fish! The options for building your plate are limitless.
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New places
The newest modern Mexican restaurant in the South Bay is Esperanza Cocina de Playa, which opened in Manhattan Beach in July 2021. Located just a few blocks away from the beach, Esperanza’s plush and intimate dining atmosphere was modeled after Mexico’s beautiful beach destinations, like Cabo San Lucas and the Yucatán. Food-wise, the menu draws from the Mexican state of Sonora, with a special emphasis on seafood.
Esperanza’s interior was designed by award-winning team, Gulla Jonsdottir Architecture & Design. Can we please take a minute to appreciate the beautiful space?
Pura Vita
320 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
The best vegan pasta I’ve had in LA. It was mind-blowingly good and for the life of me, I could not believe it was vegan. Read my full review here of the West Hollywood location.
Sushi Chitose
402 South Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach, California 90277
The best sushi in the South Bay
“Our expertise is traditional sushi. Our sushi features the freshest and highest quality fish flown in fresh from Japan and all over the world. Thank you to access our website. We feature Omakase “ Chef’s Choice” which allows the sushi chef to create the best possible sushi personalized for you.” – Sushi Chitose.com
Other amazing Japanese restaurants in the South Bay:
Rice (Manhattan Beach)
Japonica
JAPONICA is a Sushi/Ramen/Izakaya Japanese restaurant with locations in Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach where you can enjoy authentic Japanese food in a cool yet casual atmosphere.
If you want a bang for your buck:
Mitsuwa Market (sushi is always sold out. Go there early).
Oki Doki
Rice Sake and Real Food
820 Manhattan Ave STE 105, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
This restaurant was recommended by a friend of a friend. She’s lactose intolerant and can only eat gluten-free food. She swore by this place so of course, I had to add it to the list.
Located in Manhattan Beach, Rice is a gluten-free and vegan-friendly Japanese restaurant. They pride themselves on making everything from scratch by only using high-quality ingredients, including the sauces.
Sloopy’s Cafe
3416 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Brunch
“Sloopy’s has been a Manhattan Beach local favorite for over 40 years. Our goal is to bring you delicious ingredients, sustainable fisheries, all natural meats, and organic coffee. All food is cooked to order with great love and care. Whether you’re chowing down on one of our burgers or munching on one of our unique salads, we pride ourselves on having something for everyone.” – Sloopyscafe.com
Ercoles 101
1101 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Ercoles 101 took me completely by surprise! This dive-bar, located smack dab in the middle of Manhattan Beach Blvd has truly one of the best burgers I have tried since I moved here. A pretty bold statement I know, but it was that good! Since it’s a busy location, I was very skeptical about how good the burger would be. I misjudged a book by its cover. The burger was a solid 10. The quality of the meat, the freshness of the ingredients and the combination of ketchup and mustard was a glorious experience that my taste buds will never forget. The burger had the perfect char and was gloriously juicy and flavorful. I love the fact that they add the condiments for you and then cut the burger in half, making it a lot easier to dive right in! I love ketchup, but I always find it somewhat tedious whenever I have to open the ketchup sauce bag and squeeze it to the best of my abilities in order to achieve that perfect flavorful bridge between the meat and the rest of the toppings. Overall, highly, highly recommended. They don’t serve fries, just a bag of Lays potato chips.
Fatto a Mano, The Pasta Shop
610 Torrance Blvd, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
I knew I had to add this place as soon as I found out that the owner, Marco Perella, was Italian. This no-frills pasta shop in the South Bay has been in business since 2019, and the reviews on Yelp pretty much speak for themselves: great quality, fresh ingredients, generous portions and delightful sauces that are made from scratch. Marco’s impressive resumé includes working as the Banquet Manager at the prestigious Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, as well as other upscale hotels around California. He first began working as a pizza maker at the age of 13 in a local pizzeria outside of Milan. Fatto a Mano is an authentic gem! Not only is the pasta handmade, but so are their desserts.
Other Italian places:
La Bella Napoli (hole-in-the-wall pizza joint)
Mexican:
Ensenada’s Surf N Turf Grill (Hermosa). This place is always bustling with people!
Mariscos Guillen (Hawthorne)
Tortilla Cantina (1225 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA 90501)
La Villa Mexican Food (15333 Crenshaw Blvd, Gardena, CA 90249)
Thai:
Thai Dishes (Redondo Beach)
Do not lose your mind trying to pick an Italian restaurant! Here are some of the best options.
Fritto Misto in Hermosa Beach serves up exquisite hearty, gluten-free pastas and other vegetarian specialty dishes. The best!
Opened in 2015 in Redondo Beach, Betollino Kitchen offers delicious handmade pasta dishes in a modern ambiance. Whatever you choose, these two restaurants will satisfy your pasta cravings any time, any day!!
In Kendrick Lamar’s album, DAMN, he mentions Love & Salt, a trendy Italian restaurant in Manhattan Beach that could be classified as the John and Vinny’s of the South Bay. This restaurant specializes in modern Italian cuisine. It’s always really busy and reservations are required. Obviously, as you can expect, I’m already counting down the days to go there!! Note: Kendrick Lamar lives in Manhattan Beach (he’s originally from Compton).
To read the full article, click on the link below.
Update: I drove all the way to Manhattan Beach just to try this dish. AMAZING!!! If you want to order this, it’s called Trottole Salsiccia and it comes with fennel sausage, swiss chard, parmesan and bread crumbs. Just like the picture above, the server scoops the bone marrow out of the bone into the dish, followed by a nice stir to make sure all the ingredients are nicely blended. I give it a solid 5/5. The sauce sealed the deal for me, just phenomenal. Make sure you order a piece of their delicious toasted bread beforehand (otherwise you’ll have to wait 10 more minutes) to dip it into the sauce! Thank you Kendrick Lamar!
Little French Bakery
1820 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
This place opened in 2020!
Little French Bakery is a French-owned business, run Chef Guillaume Sabbadin and his wife Debora Sabbadin, who have been in the food industry for over 20 years. At Little French Bakery, you will find authentic French pastries like patisseries, gourmet sandwiches and crepes. Their motto is: “Our goal is to have everyone who comes to the store have a classic French experience.”
Ice cream:
From my post “The Best Ice Cream Shops In LA – Including Black-Owned Businesses and Vegan Places”
Make sure to try one of these places if you go to the South Bay!
Kansha Creamery
18515 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90248
Founded in 2015 by brother and sister duo, Elaine Yukari Marumoto-Perez and James Tatsuya, Kansha uses organic ingredients from local farmers. At Kansha, kindness and generosity are at the forefront of the business’ core values. A percentage of every ice cream pint and scoop goes to different charities.
When I went there, they were only selling ice cream pints, not scoops. But the last time I checked their IG, they were back to selling scoops.
Kansha Creamery is located in a Japanese strip mall in Torrance, so it can get pretty busy during peak hours. To check the full menu go to the website. They rotate their wall art to promote different artists’.
This month’s Featured Artist of the Month is @yoshikazu.ysa ! Reach out to the artist directly to purchase prints Gorgeoouusss photos of some beautiful places that remind me of my own wedding- swipe for a throwback to summer 2017
Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream and Yogurt
1882 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Handel’s has been recognized by many publications as the best ice cream in the world. I’ve only been to the Redondo Beach and Pasadena location. If you’ve never been, get ready to walk away with towering scoops of ice cream.
Alice Handel founded Handel’s with her husband in 1945 through a walk-up window at a gas station in Youngstown, Ohio.
Her first batches were made using old fashioned recipes with fresh fruit she picked from her backyard. Since then, Handel’s has expanded into different US states. They have continued the legacy of the original Handel’s by serving ice cream through walk-up windows. The workers definitely don’t skimp on the scoops, so keep that in mind if you dare to order more than one. I prefer mine in a cup rather than a cone.
Their first LA location was in Redondo Beach!
For those who don’t know, Torrance boasts the second largest concentration of Japanese people in the US. A big reason for this is that Toyota’s US headquarters was located in Torrance for many years before they moved in 2017.
Just like Kansha Creamery, Scoop’s Torrance location is in a strip mall with other Japanese businesses. Here you will find Nijiya Market. With three locations in Torrance, Nijiya Market is a staple in the South Bay for the Japanese community. Their sushi sells out really fast!
Fishing With Dynamite
1148 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
*Complimentary
Amazing. They only serve the lobster roll Connecticut-style. The bread to meat ratio was just excellent — look at all that lobster meat! The bread was lightly coated with butter and the lobster was ridiculously fresh and tender. The fries were also 10/10 and the small coleslaw salad was very refreshing. Fishing With Dynamite has been given a few accolades by LA magazines. They were also given a Michelin Plate in 2019 by the prestigious Michelin Guide. The interior of the restaurant, with its nautical theme, is an homage to the East Coast. Owner and Chef David LeFevre was inspired by his summers on the Eastern shore of Virginia. Do not forget to order the key lime pie for dessert!
Lobster & Beer South Bay
13825 Hawthorne Blvd Hawthorne, California 90250 (South Bay)
This review is of their location in Palms.
*Complimentary
Founded by Michael Anthony, Lobster & Beer serves both classic lobster roll styles (Connecticut and Maine), as well as Cali Truffle roll, which is served cold with some veggies and truffle, and Crab roll, which is one of Michael’s favorites.
I ordered the two classic lobster rolls, Maine and Connecticut. Both of them were delicious. I loved the subtle hint of lemon and butter on the toast of the Connecticut-style lobster roll. The lobster meat was really tender and juicy. I was also really impressed by the freshness of the bun. Michael said they get them fresh every day from Rockenwagner Bakery in Culver City! The presentation of the rolls was 10/10.
The Maine-style lobster roll had the perfect amount of mayo and was light yet packed with so much flavor in every bite. I’m a bigger fan of the Connecticut-style in general, but this one was worth trying out.
They top the Connecticut-style lobster roll with mayo, which is also how it’s served at The Highroller Lobster in Maine! I went to the location in Palms.
King Poke
2366 CA-1, Lomita, CA 90717
Hidden gem! Owned by Sushi Chef Kotaro Nishina, King Poke brings to the South Bay customizable Japanese-style poke bowls. All the sauces are made in-house (even their sriracha sauce) and the toppings are fresh, which your taste buds will definitely notice! The prices are very reasonable given the stellar quality of the fish and the generous portions!
Gabi James
1810 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(My review from 2018)
I was with my dad in Palos Verdes and we really wanted to have dinner at the beautiful Terranea Resort and enjoy the magnificent views of the Palos Verdes cliffs, so I drove for one hour in rush-hour LA traffic. To our dismay, the place was closed for a private event. We walked up the hill and went to two other Asian-influenced restaurants inside the resort, but they were fully booked with large parties of white middle-aged golfers. I was hangry! This is where mindfulness and paying attention to your feelings come into play. Out of nowhere, I had a lightbulb moment and remembered a place I had bookmarked a few months ago called Gabi James in Redondo Beach. I was hesitant to go since often times, most so-called Spanish-inspired restaurants are outrageously expensive and lackluster. It’s hard to find good Spanish ham in the US. It’s also very rare to find a place that makes a proper Spanish tortilla…get the picture?
We drove down the Palos Verdes hill for 15 minutes and we made it. Every time I’m hesitant to believe the saying “everything happens for a reason”, I remember this specific day because we ended up having the most memorable dinner during my dad’s trip. Everything was top-notch and flavorful. My dad absolutely loved the morcilla and asked the waiter about it since it was so good. I’m not a big morcilla fan, but I was surprised when I saw his “this is really good” face as soon as he took the first bite. I had the braised chicken with caramelized onion, yogurt and potatoes. I still remember the tenderness of the chicken and the splendid combination of flavors that just melted in my mouth with the sauce. Just mind-blowingly good. Take it from a couple of Spaniards. The waiters were super attentive and the vibe of the place was completely different from the loud, uninviting restaurants with large groups at Terranea Resort.
Mickey’s Deli
101 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
In 1953 by Michael Angelo “Mickey”, opened his eponymous deli business that also serves as a market and liquor store. This place is an institution in the South Bay for a reason: delectable food and friendly service. It has one of the best deli sandwiches in LA and you will also find traditional Italian offerings like pizza and spaghetti.
At Mickey’s Deli, the seating area is right by the beach to enjoy the ocean view while eating your sandwich.
Lucky 7 Coffee
1112 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
From the beautiful wall decor to the stunning presentation of their drinks, Lucky 7 has become a new favorite in the South Bay area. Some of their speciality drinks include their mermaid latte and iced strawberry mocha. You can also show them your support by shopping their merch, which includes tote bags and shirts!
The Boy and The Bear
Redondo
If you love coffee and you’ve never been to The Boy And The Bear, you’re completely missing out. The employees are coffee connoisseurs who genuinely love and breathe coffee from the inside out. You can tell the undeniable quality and freshness of the coffee because they roast their own beans on-site.
Gardena Bowl Cafe
15707 S Vermont Ave, Gardena, CA 90247
You would be surprised to know that the most famous Hawaiian restaurant in LA is located inside a bowling alley!
Note: Torrance and Gardena have the largest concentration of Hawaiians outside of Hawaii. There are so many Hawaiian restaurants in these neighborhoods, but not all of them serve poke.
Another popular place for Hawaiian food and poke is Aunty Maile’s Hawaiian Restaurant.
For a traditional American breakfast:
Eat at Joe’s (Redondo Beach)
Wendy’s Cafe (El Segundo)
Uncle Bills Pancake House (Manhattan Beach)
For burritos – El Burrito Jr and Phanny’s
Ramen Santouka (Del Amo mall Torrance)
Vegetarian choices:
Happy Veggie (Redondo)
Green Temple (Torrance)
Nick’s Manhattan Beach
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd D, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
With locations in Laguna Beach, Long Beach, San Clemente and Pasadena, this upscale casual restaurant is always a safe bet and a crowd-pleaser. I went to Nick’s on 2nd in Long Beach with my dad many moons ago and we had an overall pretty satisfying meal. All their locations have a very nice ambiance, but because of its high popularity, it’s not a place I would keep at the top of my list. It’s too crowded and the food is good, but nothing to write home about.
Other restaurants:
Al-Noor (Pakistani)
Vietnamese: Pho So 1
Have you been to any of these restaurants?
What do you think?