50 Best Dog Friendly Restaurants Lake Balboa

“Been coming for years. Always love it. But the matcha really went downhill in the last couple years. It’s chalky and powdery and taste awful. It used to be perfect. They changed something and we have to pick other places to go if we’re wanting a good matcha. Coffee also changed in that time period. Not as bad tho just a little less good quality. But bc their food is on point and the atmosphere is amazing ppl probably just accept it. I wish they’d go back to the old matchas at least“

“Since Or Bar opened in the old Gold Coast space, it has become my favorite local place. Good drinks, great people. I love all of the staff here!“

“Amazing and thoughtful service from Pierre!
I'm particular about my sushi, especially salmon. But I can say Azai is the best sushi I've had in California so far. The salmon sashimi is juicy and the salmon roll melts in mouth, just like my favorite sushi place in NY. I'm excited to come back!“

“Delicious authentic Roman cuisine …“

“**A sweet slice of heaven in Santa Monica!** Junior Cookies is an absolute *gem*. I came in for the cookies (which are AMAZING – warm, gooey, and perfectly crisp on the edges), but I stayed for the whole vibe. Their ice cream is ultra creamy with rich, dreamy flavors that pair perfectly with the cookies—highly recommend making your own cookie cream with ice cream with cookies! I was also pleasantly surprised by how good their coffee is. It’s bold, smooth, and just what I needed to balance out the sugar rush. Honestly, it’s rare to find a cookie shop where the coffee actually stands out, but Junior Cookies gets it right. Best coffee, best cookies, best matcha, and best ice cream in la! The place is super cute inside, with a cozy neighborhood feel and friendly staff who seem genuinely happy to be there. You can tell everything is made with love. The cookies and recipes are unique. 5 star bakery in LA. If you're in Santa Monica, **don’t miss this spot**. Whether you’re craving dessert, a caffeine fix, or just want to treat yourself, Junior Cookies delivers!“

“My absolute new favorite restaurant! We were visiting family in LA from Chicago and they took us here, I ended up going three times in my one week visit. Cheese stuffed zaatar and the sojouk kachopuri were my favorite and the garlic chicken wrap was my husbands. Honestly everything we had was delicious and the kids kept asking for the pepperoni pizza and mini pizzas.“

“I just ordered for the first time today and I must say your food is fantastic! Generous portion with pickles and delicious soft boiled eggs, pickles, puréed fresh tomatoes and a small amount of hot sauce that isn’t too hot. Just right. Went to your place near corner of Van Nuys and Burbank. HIGHLY RECCOMENDED“

“Amazing experience! The food was absolutely delicious and the steak was perfect! Noah was exceptional, attentive, friendly and provided amazing service from beginning to end. He truly made our dining experience even more enjoyable. We will definitely be back!“

“Bacari Sherman Oaks was the most incredible dining experience I have had in a very long time. It was more than just great food. The staff at Sherman Oaks created a complete experience with ambiance, fantastic service, and creative dishes to choose from.

The ambiance is energetic yet relaxed, and the Mediterranean-inspired small plates are incredibly creative and fun to share. Every dish we tried was outstanding. Our server, I believe her name was Mallery, was absolutely fantastic. Her warmth, enthusiasm, and attention to detail elevated an already amazing meal into something truly special.

Congratulations to the Bacari team for building something so unique. Bacari delivers an experience well beyond great food. I will enthusiastically recommend Bacari to everyone I know who visits Los Angeles, and I'll definitely be back when I'm in town.

Wishing the entire Bacari family continued success!“

“I just had lunch with my two daughters, ages 12 and 15. It was our first time here.

We ordered three plates: two 3-birria taco combo plates and one order of vampire tacos with chorizo. We tried all the sauces that came with them, along with a 24-ounce horchata.

My girls and I are usually pretty loud. We talk. We’re animated. We gush over the food.

But when we ate these tacos, we ate in silence because the food was that good. To speak would have taken us out of the moment. So we said nothing. We just sat there, lost in our own thoughts, luxuriating in tender meats, spicy red sauce, and complex flavors.

This is how you get tweens to enjoy family time: really good tacos.

And guess who told me about this place? The 12-year-old. Apparently, it’s trending. I recommend it too.“

“Excellent food and service. Thank you!“

“Just really tasty vegetarian entrees. Samoas are a hit and the naan is so delicious and soft and warm. Today they gave me a hot chai tea. Very thoughtful. Cold and raining ☔️ and it was hot and delicious 🫖“

“I have been going to Porto's since the 1980's..the one in Glendale. How elated I was with having them being in Northridge where I live. The food is terrific and the lines go fast due to a tremendous quick system they have. The catering for parties has never let us down and people you have invited that never have experienced Portos are thrilled. The cakes are delicious. What I do miss is not having the individual cake slices for purchase so you can experience the taste. They only have the neapolitan, Parisian, and carrot for slices. I've seen the menu change over time and do miss some of the items.“

“It is the best açaí in OC.😉💪🏿💪🏾💪🏻“

“10/10 restaurant, absolutely recommend. Had the Asian summer rolls, Inari rolls, Love rolls, and Pad Thai w/tofu. The Thai coffee was so good. All was delicious and cooked perfectly. Service was fantastic, big shoutout to Dear, server! Lovely atmosphere.“

“Solid brunch menu (I had the oysters and the Eggs Benedict with a Brut Rose Champagne and the trifle for dessert). My server Corbin was very friendly and attentive. The outdoor space is cool, trendy, and hip, but not over-the-top. The music pulses, but it’s not a distraction to conversation. I’ve been looking for good places since moving to LA almost 6 months ago. This was one of the few times I wasn’t disappointed.“

“Malama polo restaurant is best�Highly recommend for all.“

“I had an incredible meal here recently. The ramen was absolutely fantastic and hit the spot perfectly.

I was especially impressed by the bowl topped with fresh cilantro and a bright lime wedge. The broth had such a deep, rich flavor that kept me coming back for more. Everything was served in beautiful, unique bowls that made the experience feel special.

I cannot wait to come back for another round. It is easily one of my favorite spots on Ventura Boulevard.“

“Love it me gusta mucho la amabilidad y tienen los chilaquiles mas deliciosos que e probado 👌😋😋“

“Danny Boys pizza is top tier. The toppings are fresh, the crust is crispy and the salads are delicious. We split a few slices including the meatball ricotta and the vodka sauce special which was excellent. We also split the chopped italian salad which was super fresh and had a great variety of toppings.

This spot is also great for families. The gent working the counter was so friendly. He put in notes to not.
make my toddlers pizza too hit, have it cut in half and gave us crayons and a coloring book. So good, always a great choice when in Westwood Village!“

“Wonderful place Great drinks and food“

“Ramen done right!

This beautiful cozy ramen spot is just perfect in every way. Their appetizers are great, service and ambience simply the best and the ramen? S tier.

Creamy rich flavorful broth, tender pork cha shu. And noodles are just the right thickness.
Best ramen spot in LA.

Definitely coming back for more. The staff are so kind the service is speedy.“

“The food was amazing amazing service amazing chef‘s amazing cooks. Best in Los Angeles Indian food you will get prices are amazing. The butter chicken was amazing. Definitely would recommend it to whoever is visiting Los Angeles, California. Come get a taste of India“

“excellent service. very rich“

“The best thing I've eaten since arriving in LA.

We stopped by for lunch and everything was absolutely delicious. A special thanks to Ryan for taking great care of us, and to Jackson, the chef, for coming out of the kitchen to greet us personally. It was a small gesture, but it made us feel very welcome.

Highly recommended.“

“This is some amazing Gelato! Small, but mighty type vibes. We were welcomed in with great vibes . This local mom and pop shop has some Gelato shipped in from Italy and it tastes like it. Really enjoyed their hazelnut and pistachio flavors. Def a great try!“

“The food was delicious! We got the medium heat spice, which was perfect for me. My son wants to try the hotter one next time. The place was very busy so that might be why none of the tables were clean and they were out of ice. But we will still be back because the chicken was that good 👍“

“Hidden coffee and pastry gem in the Heart of Beverly Hills. Definitely a great date spot 🤫 Do not miss the chance to visit if you are a tourist 😋 For locals try their Salmon Bagel reminds me of New York 🗽
P.S. also they have luxury and bougie cakes 🤪“

“One of the most consistent bowls of Ramen around prices, haven’t gone up by much. I always recommend the black squid ink (8/10) Ramen with pork belly (much better than the original flavor w/char sui, which i’d rate as 7.3/10), thick noodles, extra egg, 10/10 spice level (lvl 3 spice level is child’s play). Honestly better than most Ramen I’ve had in Japan. The chicken karage is top tier as well—highly recommend. Prices have gone up a few dollars over the years but still cheap place to eat out relative to other places! Can get noodle refill which is amazing.
Line can be long (at every location, for good reason) so I recommend coming after 8:15pm tbh“

“We loved this place; delish food, great location and lovely Parisian vibe!“

“We were 5 ppl ,ordered like 8 dishes all were amazingly great my first time to Gokaku Rama. Was so worth it after all day in universal su Dr ios,3 min drive to Gokaku place ..I did not want to end my meal .this is the best restaurant“

“Really good food but not spectacular. Wonderful ambiance and our server was fantastic. Parking lot underground is very convenient. Prices were not exorbitant. But at the end of the day, I didn't really eat anything that would make me go back“

“Great night for Luke’s 50th Birthday!!“

“It's a really beautiful and bright space and the service was great. They have a pretty healthy and vegetarian menu. I thought the food was simple and prepared well. I think the restaurant itself is so pretty and is the main attraction.“

“Excellent brunch food and drinks, lovely atmosphere. Chilaquiles, shakshouka and pain au chocolat were delicious. Cannot wait to go back to the patio for dinner!“

“Ordered my wife the 36 piece box for the birth of our son. Truly, every piece she has said has just been incredible! AND to ship with such care from Beverly Hills to Columbus, Ohio in the MIDDLE of a July heatwave.... not a single crack in ANY piece. Just true care and quality. This will be a special occasion staple! Shot out to H3 for keeping &sons in our line of sight for so long!“

“Best lobster roll of my life“

“Salmon Ikura dish is amazing! So much flavor!“

“Loved everything about this place!
Staff was excellent and attentive. Food was amazing and very, very creative. The brick barrel vaulted ceiling that runs the length of the restaurant really adds to the ambiance of this place. Out of the seven dishes, only two were not as flavorful as expected. They were good by most other restaurant's standards, but just not great like the others. The other five dishes more than made up for this small blip.Can't wait to go again.

Must tries:
Quail Deviled Eggs with Ahi Tuna and Dill are amazing!!
Hamachi with sprouted broccoli, tempura, ponzu, shiso aioli, Black Sesame Seeds
Charred Brussels Sprouts with almonds, grapes, and Pecorino Romano
Lamb chops with Aji Amarillo, rosemary, and yogurt. These were the most tender lamb chops I have ever had. And that often overly-lamb flavor was not there.
And do not pass up on the Charred Skirt Steak with yuca, chile de árbol, and aji mojo. Cooked to a perfect medium rare and extremely tender and exploding with flavor. The most expensive item of our dinner at $48 and absolutely worth it.“

“Finally tried Mood for their newly launched dinner service!

I’ve been seeing this place all over Instagram and couldn't wait to visit this trendy LA hotspot.

The Vibe & Space: It’s actually a bit cozier and smaller than it looks on social media, but that made the atmosphere even better! The decor and table settings are incredibly cute, and the staff was exceptionally friendly and welcoming.

The Food: The culinary quality is outstanding. The meat dishes were perfectly cooked, tender, and flavorful. I also loved their menu concept—they feature unique dishes inspired by various cultures, which made choosing what to order so much fun.

Pro-Tip: Since the space is on the smaller side, I highly recommend making a reservation in advance, especially now that their dinner service is getting popular.

It completely lived up to the social media hype. I will definitely be back!“

“Phenomenal service and amazing Gelato in the Italian style from Argentina 🇦🇷. Very friendly and welcoming. Lots of places to sit, work, visit. They've even got a back patio with gorgeous umbrellas. Great wifi and also coffee options. Support local and come enjoy some of the best coffee and dessert in LA“

“If you add protein powder to a bowl, you will be raw dogging it. Thought it would be mixed in… if you let it melt a bit you can mix it in yourself. I was, however, impressed w the amount of fruit they give you. The front worker was sweet. Shaded outdoor seating available. It’s a cute vibe.“

“Great food and wine with a view“

“It's down and dirty, proletariat BBQ at its finest. THAT's the secret weapon. Simplicity of design and meats that are properly seasoned, then smoked to perfection, with sauce that's on-point. I grew up eating BBQ. This place rocks.“

“Must get sushi, but don’t forget the corn tempura and momotaro tomato (seasonal). Awesome sake selection too.“

“Great owner,staff,food,locations! Conscientious of patrons allergies, and very safe for celiac's“

“Best vegan ice cream in LA period. Really unlike anything else not only in LA but the rest of the country.. Super rich decadent and dense Indonesian coconut milk based flavors from heaven. Really a masterclass in culinary innovation. Passionfruit and Blue Yuzu are some of my favorites lately. But you really cant go wrong with any flavor they serve.. 3 locations as of now: Weho, Venice and Larchmont but West Hollywood is the best.“

“Today I stopped by In-N-Out Burger in Sherman Oaks, and it reminded me why this place remains one of California’s most beloved burger chains. Despite the steady line of customers, everything moved quickly and efficiently. The staff was energetic, friendly, and seemed genuinely happy to help.

I ordered my usual meal, found a seat, and within a few minutes I was enjoying a fresh burger made to order. The vegetables tasted crisp, the burger was hot and juicy, and the ingredients felt noticeably fresher than what you’ll find at most fast-food restaurants. The fries came out hot and fresh as well, exactly how they should be.

What I appreciate about In-N-Out is that they don’t try to be something they’re not. The menu is simple, the food is consistent, and they focus on doing a few things exceptionally well. In a world where many restaurants constantly chase trends, there’s something refreshing about a place that sticks to its formula and continues to deliver.

The Sherman Oaks location was clean, well-managed, and busy for a reason. You can tell that people keep coming back because they know exactly what they’re going to get: fresh food, friendly service, and good value.

There are plenty of burger places in Los Angeles, but every now and then a visit to In-N-Out reminds me why it has earned such a loyal following. A simple meal done right is sometimes better than anything complicated.“

“I actually wasn’t planning to come here but i saw this cute patio area of this restaurant and wanted to check out.

Honestly i was so impressed of the friendliness of the staffs and the quality of the food!

My boyfriend and I ordered the Sachi boat, assorted sushi and sashimi and a specialty roll on this cute boat and everything was delicious!

Will definitely come back here. So glad to find a cute date spot to come back to. :)“

“I'm hearing VERY PROMISING reviews about the quality of the waffles here, yes. I'm being told that the waffle quality is near (or surpassing!) the standards required.“