Although I grew up in Southern California, I never spent much time exploring Los Angeles. I lived about an hour away and it was a bit of a schlep to get out there. Not to mention, I was terrified of driving in LA traffic as a teenager.
Now, as a full-grown adult, I’m still a little afraid of driving in LA traffic, but live much closer! Moving back to LA after living in New York City for a decade has truly made LA feel like a whole new adventure. I have the opportunity to see the city through fresh eyes and explore each neighborhood as if I were a tourist.
I thought I’d document my LA Neighborhood series as a way to help others explore the vast, beautiful, and diverse city, as well! There are so many great neighborhoods and incredible places to eat. I hope you can find some inspiration from my exploration and start going on adventures of your own!
Silverlake
If you’re familiar with New York City, the best way to describe Silverlake is by comparing it to Williamsburg in Brooklyn. It’s a cute, super hip and trendy part of Los Angeles that is known for its modern cafes, boutique shops, and eclectic mix of art and culture. It attracts a diverse crown and provides a laid-back, yet bustling atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Parking
I always start my Silverlake journey on the southernmost part of the border. Not only am I a big fan of walking from one end of Sunset blvd to the other, I find there to be a decent amount of parking available (most of the time).
If you go earlier in the morning, there’s typically street parking available without looking too closely. I always route myself to Bodega Park or Pijja Palace and drive around that area until I find a spot to park. When I’ve gone a little later in the day, it’s taken a bit longer to find parking, but something always tends to pop up, so be patient! It is LA, after all.
Breakfast
After you’ve found a spot to park, you’ve definitely earned yourself some breakfast. I always opt for Bodega Park. A super hip Korean-owned cafe that infuses the owner’s LA & Korean roots with their experience of New York. Basically, it’s me in a coffee shop.
Despite its popularity, the service is quick and there’s usually a revolving door of people, making it fairly manageable to grab a table.
Menu
Regarding the menu, they have a great selection of fun, Korean-inspired coffees and fusion foods. My favorite drink is the Misugaru Sesame Latte. Its rich and nutty flavor reminds me of drinks my mom and grandmother would make me as a kid. Misugaru is a roasted grain that is very popular in Korea for its comforting flavor profile. Definitely make sure to give it a try when you stop by!
In terms of food, I have yet to try something I don’t like. Their best-known item is probably their Bodega Chopped Cheese which is pretty similar to one you can find in a NYC bodega. The cheese makes it creamy and delicious and they do not skimp on the ingredients. It’s definitely something I recommend sharing as it can be a little heavy for one.
I also highly recommend the Aji Chicken Breakfast Burrito. This one is a sleeper. I was completely taken off guard by how delicious it was. First of all, the burrito is packed, and not just with ingredients. The chicken is super juicy and well-seasoned making the burrito super flavorful. What’s more to love?
If you’re not a breakfast person, I would recommend their sandwiches. We’ve tried the Roma and Mantua and thoroughly enjoyed them both.
Other breakfast options
Other notable mentions for breakfast are Cafe Tropical, which serves Cuban-American cuisine. Pop in for a coffee and pastries or order yourself a chilaquiles burrito! If you’re craving an American-style breakfast, continue your walk down Sunset Boulevard and eat at Millie’s Cafe. The lines usually quite long so get there early or enjoy a drink as you wait!
Things To Do
After a hearty breakfast, start your walk down Sunset Boulevard! There are so many cute boutiques and clothing stores along the way. You could spend all day popping in and out of the cute little shops. Here are a few of my favorite!
Candid Home
A super cute home store. It has the best, eclectic pieces for your home. Also a really great place to get gifts! I alwaus spend forever in this store pouring over all the cute little knick knacks. Also, the people who work there are super chill and don’t mind when people linger.
Baggu
Who doesn’t like a Baggu? It’s one thing to browse all the different shapes and patterns online and another to see them all in person. It’s hard not to get obsessive and want one of everything in the store. It’s super fun to browse all the different options and obsess over what you would do with each bag. I’m a sucker for things that hold other things!
Akila
A local sunglass brand that carries the most chic and stylish sunglasses. What I love about this brand in particular is that it has just the right amount of flair. They have a wide variety of seemingly simple sunglasses that have amazing details that make them stand out. Every time I go in, I end up spending over an hour trying to figure out which one I like best. I’ve always had such a good experience, the staff is super nice and helpful.
Kamp
This natural wine store is the definition of cool. Every time I walk into this space, I am immediately drawn to all the different bottles and feel like I have to glance over each and every one before I make my selection. The store also has a great selection of snacks from small brands in the back. I am a complete sucker for a boutique, small business snack. They carry chilled drinks in the fridge and always have knowledgeable staff around! A perfect place to pick-up a bottle of wine to enjoy with a friend!
RETROSUPERFUTURE
Another sunglass store on Sunset Blvd! This store carries a more eclectic stock of sunglasses in comparison to Akila. It’s a fun store to browse and try on all the funky frames!
Wasteland
If you’re into curated vintage clothing, Wasteland is your store. The store has a beautifully curated selection of gently-used clothing that is a great addition to any wardrobe. Even if you’re not in the market for anything new, it’s super fun to browse the store and find inspiration for pieces you may already have!
Yolk
I’m a sucker for any store that sells a wide array of seemingly random cute things. Yolk is one of those stores. A fun little gift shop with everything ranging from baby toys to beautiful glassware, this store is your one stop shop! Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s fun to browse and dream about where you’d place every item in your own home.
Coffee Break
There are a ton of really great places to find coffee to fuel your Silverlake adventure. Whether it’s Intelligentsia or Alfred Coffee, there’s a spot for you to take a seat and enjoy a cup of joe.
If you’re a walker, like me, I would recommend walking a tad bit outside the boundaries of Silverlake and hitting Camel coffee. It’s about a 6 minute walk from the edge of Silverlake, if you stay on Sunset Blvd, and is completely worth the hype. Also, at this point in time, the hype has died down a bit so you should be expecting closer to a 10-15 minute wait rather than over an hour.
It truly was some of the best coffee I have ever had in Los Angeles. And, the inside is super cute as well. I highly recommend getting the Camel Coffee and Camel Matcha. Both are extremely creamy and flavorful. Despite my sensitivity to too much caffeine, I could not help but gulp both drinks down immediately!
Coffee Shops
- Intelligentsia
- La Columbe
- Coffee Memes
- Alfred Coffee
- Muddy Paw Coffee
- Dayglow
- Picnic
- Bodega Park
- Cafe Tropical
Lunch/Dinner
If you’ve made it this far in the day, you’re probably a bit hungry from all the walking! There are so many incredible things to eat in Silverlake but one of my favorites is Pijja Palace. A super popular restaurant that is a self-proclaimed “Indian Sports Bar.”
The food is incredibly flavorful and I would highly recommend bringing a few friends along so you can try more things on the menu. If you’re going to visit, definitely don’t miss out on ordering some of our favorites: Dosa onion rings, Hari Mirch Masala wings, Malai Rigatoni, Green Tikka Masala Pijja, Chutney Pijja, and of course, whichever dessert they have on the menu! You won’t be sorry.
If you’re looking to eat elsewhere, here are a few other spots to check out!
Other lunch/dinner options:
- Pine & Crane – Modern Taiwanese small plates
- Night + Market Song – Thai street food
- Omakase by Osen – delicious omakase style meal if you’re feeing a little fancy!
- Izakaya Osen – traditional Japanese izakaya
- Simon — food truck close to Pine & Crane — Mexican style seafood
- Azizam – delicious Persian bites!
- The Win-dow – a good ol’ classic smashburger
- Silverlake Ramen – for some soupy goodness — ramen!
I hope this guide is helpful in planning your own Silverlake adventure! It doesn’t cover the entirety of this gem of a town, but you’ll be mighty busy popping around Sunset Blvd.
