LA Chefs Share Must-Try Dishes for the Hispanic Festive Month Celebration

Los Angeles offers various Latin American restaurants, from classic Mexican eateries serving regional specialties like Oaxacan cuisine to trendy spots featuring fresh takes on traditional dishes. Beyond Mexican food, the city offers flavors from other Hispanic cultures, including Spanish, Peruvian, and South American influences.

During the Spanish-speaking Festive Month, which runs from September 15 to October 15, we highlight several outstanding dishes in Los Angeles that showcase the chefs' culinary skills and represent their backgrounds.

Llapingachos

Photo Credit: facebook.com/MinisterioTurismoEcuador

Cafe Fresco
Address: 6254 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Ecuadorian cuisine in LA is not just a trend but a true discovery for those tired of the usual tacos. At Cafe Fresco, the signature dish is llapingachos - potato patties with melted cheese inside, served with an egg. It sounds simple, but the magic lies in that very simplicity: a crispy crust, tender center, and perfect balance of flavors.

On Sundays, they host an Ecuadorian Brunch, where llapingachos are paired with encebollado - a fish soup with pickled onions and plantains that Ecuadorians traditionally eat as a hangover cure. Even if you didn’t overindulge the night before, it’s worth trying: a tangy, savory broth with fresh fish and soft plantains.

Shrimp Ceviche & Garlic Butter Pasta

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Lalo’s Mariscos and Pastas

Address: 4820 W Century Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90304

Shrimp ceviche and Italian pasta on the same menu might seem illogical - until you try it. Lalo's brings together Latin seafood traditions with Italian flavors, and it works better than you’d expect. Their shrimp ceviche is a classic with lime, cilantro, and red onion, where the shrimp are marinated to just the right touch of firmness.

Then there’s the garlic-butter pasta (served on Tuesdays as part of their Pasta & Wine specials) - a whole different story: a generous portion of seafood in a creamy sauce with plenty of garlic. The combination of these two dishes paints a full picture of how cuisines don’t have to compete but can complement each other beautifully.

Peruvian Roasted Chicken

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Pollo a la Brasa

Address: 764 S Western Ave, Los Angeles

There’s no Instagram-ready interior or trendy website here - just lines out the door and the smell of smoke from the grill. Pollo a la Brasa specializes in one dish: Peruvian rotisserie chicken, marinated in their own spice blend and roasted over an open flame. The result is skin with a slight smokiness from the charcoal and juicy meat that you tear apart with your hands.

Michelin included them in its recommended spots not for the atmosphere but for the flavor. The chicken comes with green ají sauce and fries, but the real highlight is that first bite when you understand why people are willing to wait.

Carnitas & Zesty Ceviche

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Los Compadres

Address: 1144 Pine Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90813

A family-run Mexican restaurant where the portions are so large they’re enough for two meals. The carnitas are prepared old-school style: pork slow-cooked for hours until it’s tender inside and lightly caramelized on the outside. They’re served with warm tortillas, fresh cilantro, and lime - so you can build your tacos just the way you like.

Their ceviche, on the other hand, offers a contrast: bright, tangy, with plenty of lime and serrano peppers. The fish is marinated quickly, so it retains its firmness, while the sauce turns out refreshing. If you can’t decide between meat and seafood, you don’t have to here - get both.

Aguachile, Tostada

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Holbox
Address: 3655 S Grand Ave #C9, Los Angeles, CA (Mercado la Paloma)

For two years in a row, Michelin has awarded Holbox a star, and it’s no coincidence. The restaurant operates inside Mercado la Paloma, but the level of the food makes you feel as if you’re dining in an upscale spot overlooking the ocean. The signature dish is aguachile negro, where raw shrimp are marinated in a black chili sauce. Spicy, but not tear-inducing - just enough to let every layer of flavor come through.

There’s also an 8-course tasting menu, showcasing all the variations of ceviche, tostadas, and sashimi with a Mexican twist. If you want to understand how seafood can be reimagined, this is the place to go. And yes, make a reservation in advance - there aren’t many seats.

Birria de Chivo

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Birrieria Nochistlán

Address: 3200 East 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90063

Goat birria isn’t something you eat every day - and that’s exactly why it’s worth trying. At Birrieria Nochistlán, the recipe comes from the state of Zacatecas: the meat is braised in a blend of chilies and spices until it’s so tender it falls apart at the touch of a fork. The thick consomé is served separately - perfect for dipping tortillas or sipping like a broth.

The dish comes with homemade corn tortillas and fiery salsas that you can adjust to your taste.

Fish Grilled Tacos

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Ka'Teen

Address: 6516 Selma Ave, Los Angeles

Ka'Teen offers focused street food from chef Wes Avila, who brings his fine-dining background to simple dishes. The main emphasis here is on purity of execution. The signature grilled fish tacos are a perfect example: fresh fish quickly cooked over an open flame, resulting in juicy flesh with a delicate, charred skin. The sauce is there to enhance the flavor, not overpower it. This is a place where you don’t need to choose from endless toppings; it’s enough to trust in the quality of the ingredients and the chef’s skill.

Pupusas Revueltas

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La Pupusa Urban Eatery

Address: 1051 W Washington Blvd G, Los Angeles, CA 90015

In Los Angeles, you can’t talk about Latin American street food without mentioning Salvadoran pupusas. La Pupusa Urban Eatery is known for elevating this classic dish, serving it in a modern yet authentic way.

Their signature Pupusas Revueltas (a mix of cheese, beans, and pork chicharrón) are made from high-quality corn masa and stuffed by hand. They’re served with the traditional sides - curtido (pickled cabbage) and tomato sauce. This isn’t just a snack, but a dish that represents the heart of Salvadoran cuisine in LA.