Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Los Angeles, CA

Paul Mark Morris If you’re looking for a standout Mexican dining experience in the heart of Hollywood, you can’t go wrong with La Nena Cantina on Sunset Boulevard. The atmosphere hits just the right balance between lively and approachable — the space sits in the Columbia Square complex (6115 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90028) so you’re right in the mix of the entertainment district while still feeling like you’ve found a place worth lingering in. The décor leans modern with a warm, natural-material touch: terracotta tiles, soft lighting, natural fiber accents and an artful mural set the tone for food and drinks that match the vibe. What really makes La Nena Cantina special is the way they take classic Mexican flavors seriously but present them in a modern, elevated way. Their handmade tortillas show up everywhere and you’ll find richly crafted dishes like a mole poblano made with 40+ ingredients and slowly simmered from scratch, or a mole negro from Oaxaca with a smoky depth — these are flavors you don’t often find in a high-style cantina. Tacos dominate the menu in the best way: think slow-cooked pork belly, ceviche selections, a Baja fish taco on blue-corn handmade tortilla with chipotle mayo, crisp cabbage and fresh pico de gallo. There are vegan options too, executed with real care rather than just check-boxes. The bar is no after-thought either. Full of mezcal and tequila choices, with cocktails like the “Adelita” featuring pineapple, cucumber and fresh lime that pair beautifully with the spicy or rich plates. Whether you’re going in for an early-evening drink, weekend brunch or full dinner, it works. For starters the tableside guacamole made fresh is a smart move, and sharing the five-taco tasting is a fun way to explore. The service and energy reflect the neighbourhood well — polished but relaxed, with a patina of Hollywood glamour that doesn’t feel stuffy. In short if you’re in Los Angeles and want a spot that brings both authenticity and design, La Nena Cantina checks the boxes.

Jessica Koch I don’t usually go to Mexican restaurants, but I decided to give Xecora a try—and I’m so glad I did! The food was absolutely delicious and full of authentic flavor. I really enjoyed watching the Dodgers game while I ate; it made the atmosphere even better. My server, Zaida, was incredible—attentive, kind, and made sure everything was perfect. And Valeria, the bartender, made some of the most delicious drinks I’ve had in a long time! Both of them made the experience truly special. I genuinely enjoyed my visit and will definitely be coming back. This is officially my new favorite spot!

Austin Kinser EDIT: Eric made it right and explained the situation, and knowing what I know now, we will be coming back as we really do love the overall esthetic and vibe, and every staff member I’ve met so far including Eric, was really friendly and helpful with menu questions and suggestions. Eric was on top of everything with our concerns like a pro and made it right with us, that’s all we can ask for. My partner and I showed up and it wasn’t busy at all, about 4:50ish pm, just a few tables that had already been served and was fairly quiet outside and inside when we arrived. We put in our order on the same bill and expected to get our food at the same time, however my partner got his food about 15 minutes before me. He got the drunken noodles with chicken and I got the yellow curry with chicken. It was supposed to be a date, but it ended up being kind of a waste of money as we didn’t even get to eat together. I had to flag over someone and tell them that they may as well wrap mine up, as my partner had already eaten all his food. Kinda ruined the day and date for me and will probably just toss the to-go food they wrapped in the garbage or give to a homeless. Just moved to the area from Santa Barbara and this was my second time there, but I probably won’t be back. What’s upsetting is I was just here for the first time a few days ago and thought it was a pretty neat spot, and my partner and I don’t ever get to do that much together very often as we are both very busy, and I had told him how I wanted to bring him here to get food, but I will be eating by myself this evening now. Bummer. Oh, by the way, here’s your bill for $80. Also, notice the flood of positive reviews that came in after my negative review… are they trying to flood my comment out??? Hmmm

Darryl Ford Have never been disappointed when visiting HomeState. I like that they have a wide variety of tacos available so I can change up my order depending what I may be hungry for. This includes the special or limited edition tacos that are often added to the rotation. Am particularly a fan of the brisket and when really hungry will tackle some migas for breakfast. Coffee is good too. And the small side patio is such a comfortable space to sit and enjoy your food (and love that it is not immediately adjacent to the sidewalk).

Matthew Bessey Great local burger/burrito joint. The loaded fries were fantastic!

Dw Snapshot Thank you to the greeter who help lure me into this amazing restaurant. Where they had the best MOZZARELLA STICKS…the batter on these nice cheesy gooey mozzarella sticks was all I needed for an appetizer! Now the wings. Sweet Chili wings Wasn’t sweet at all A+ -No kick but Spicy to survive without taking a sip to drink. Season welled and fried to perfection. Ummm but the other ones have an advantage over them!

m silano The Brussel sprouts were absolutely fantastic. The chicken was a must have. Mari and Hannah were both excellent with service from beginning to end. Absolutely will be coming back. Amazing setting and chocolate pudding as well

Tayona Powell Our first time in Hollywood and the Hard Rock Cafe was awesome! The food, the atmosphere, the really awesome memorabilia, and our server Chris was top notch! We had a small wait to be seated so we shopped in the gift shop, but once we sat and ordered, our food arrived quickly and deliciously! Attached some, but not all the pics I took.

Michael Sandler Came here for brunch and had a lovely time with friends. Great vibes and bites. Everything was tasty and service was wonderful as well.

M I First time at Gloria’s I really wanted to try the matcha latte. I am very happy I did and love the flavor profile. One of the best matcha lattes I had in a while. Would be back again and recommend to friends and family. Next time I plan to try an entree. Service was kind and quick.

Viktoriya Finkbeiner This was such an amazing experience! We came to celebrate a birthday here and were impressed by the quiet and romantic atmosphere with gorgeous views! Exceptional service, almost too quick! The food though was the best and left us craving more. The rolls are great size and the fish was so fresh, it was melting in your mouth. Highly recommend this place!

Maria godinez We booked the cellar room for our intimate private wedding event and could not have chose a better place! The food and service were top notch and all our family and friends enjoyed it! Would definitely come again! The area and space is absolutely beautiful and fancy!

Sana Sultani Levant Mediterranean Restaurant hands down one of the best spots I’ve ever been to in LA. The food was unreal, the service was beyond amazing, and I’m not exaggerating when I say this place left me speechless. They literally offered food for free just to make sure we had the best experience. That kind of hospitality is rare. I’ve been to Turkey multiple times, and this place gave me that same authentic, fresh, flavorful vibe maybe even better. You can taste the love in every single dish. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted so kindly, seated quickly, and taken care of the entire time. The meats were juicy and perfectly seasoned, the rice was soft and full of flavor, and the sides? Absolutely insane. The hummus was probably the smoothest I’ve ever had. Every plate came out looking like a piece of art — but it wasn’t just for show. It tasted even better than it looked. And let’s talk customer service they genuinely care. Not just fake smiles and basic stuff. They made sure we were full, happy, and even brought us extra dishes just to try. Who does that? That’s love. That’s passion. That’s the kind of energy that makes a place unforgettable. The vibe inside is cozy but still elevated. Clean, calm, and really aesthetic without trying too hard. Whether you’re pulling up with family or on a cute dinner date, this spot hits every time. More people need to know about Levant. I’d give it 10 stars if I could. If you’re in LA and haven’t been here yet, you’re missing out big time. Go. Like now. We literally ate everything and made sure to bring home any food

Alicia Saab Went to Lily’s on a whim and had the best night! My bartender Alexa was so sweet and made me a drink off the menu when I couldn’t decide what to order. The atmosphere was chill and the dim lighting made me feel really relaxed. I would definitely recommend the place 10/10.

Elaheh mahlouji We had a wonderful experience at this restaurant. The staff were professional, welcoming, and attentive from the moment we arrived. The food was absolutely delicious, and we truly enjoyed every moment. Thank you Mr Rasam for such a great experience!