Situated among Hollywood, East Hollywood, Windsor Square, Koreatown, and Hancock Park is a tiny, little-known neighborhood called Larchmont (used interchangeably with Larchmont Village). Although Larchmont isn’t as luxurious as Hancock Park or Windsor Square, it also isn’t as urban as Hollywood and Koreatown. Home to affluent and longtime Angelenos, Larchmont was traditionally seen as a quiet and adorable neighborhood with small-town vibes. However, many people don’t realize exactly how much the half-square-mile neighborhood has changed throughout the years, especially its dining options. 

New additions to Larchmont Village have transformed the community, ushering in a new wave of upscale and health-conscious eateries with a focus on all things artisanal, organic, and fresh. Below are four essential places that have redefined the smallest neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Go Get Em Tiger

Courtesy of G & B Coffee

A few weeks after opening the award-winning G&B at Grand Central Market in DTLA, owners Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski started Go Get Em Tiger on Larchmont Boulevard. Like its sister shop, GGET quickly became a neighborhood gem due to its world-class coffee, highly regarded barista service, and breakfast and lunch options made from fresh market ingredients. The naturally lit and fast-paced cafe is designed with an open-counter floor plan, which makes ordering your coffee similar to ordering drinks at a bar.

Favorites include the almond macadamia latte, the soft scrambled eggs on a biscuit, and the Business & Pleasure, which served as two espresso shots — one, the “business,” a straight espresso shot, and the “pleasure,” a creamy almond macadamia milk cappuccino — with sparkling oolong tea on the side. 

Café Gratitude

Courtesy of Cafe Gratitude

With freshly made juice shots and must-try dishes like beer-battered young coconut and mole “abuelita” enchiladas, it’s no wonder why vegetarians go nuts for Café Gratitude. 

Overseen by world-renowned vegan chef Dreux Ellis, the cafe selects organic and plant-based ingredients for its gourmet dishes. The popular neighborhood restaurant proudly supports health and sustainability in their restaurant environment and community, using ingredients from local farmers, sustainable agriculture, and environmentally friendly products. Be sure to catch their happy hour, which runs daily from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., serving handcrafted cocktails.

Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese

Courtesy of Larchmont Village BID

This quaint, family-owned shop provides patrons with all their picnicking needs, like freshly baked baguettes and ciabatta. True to their name, Larchmont Village Wine, Spirits & Cheese offers fine wines from around the world, artisanal specialty foods, and freshly made sandwiches at its deli counter. The seemingly modest store is regarded as one of LA’s premiere wine retailers and was even awarded Vanity Fair’s “Favorite Sandwiches Across the Country” title back in 2009.

Since this shop is wildly popular with locals, be sure to order your handmade sandwich beforehand or stop by earlier during the weekends. They’re usually sold out of their signature fresh homemade tuna salad sandwich by noon. If you’re a cheese lover, you’re welcome to sample each variety before purchasing.

Salt & Straw

Courtesy of Salt & Straw

This specialty ice cream shop offers inventive flavors with farm-sourced ingredients from black olive brittle and goat cheese to seasonal flavors such as salted caramel Thanksgiving turkey. Salt & Straw originally began in Portland, and its Larchmont location was its first shop outside of the city. Owner Kim Malek and head ice cream maker Tyler Malek work with local artisans, farmers, chefs, and producers to create their flavors. The shop’s design boasts a red and white pinstriped banner above a carved wooden storefront, with brightly colored paper and plaster ceiling tiles inside. Patrons can sample as many flavors as they want and chat with the knowledgeable staff before purchasing their dessert.