Ah, Silver Lake. Or is it Silverlake? The never-ending debate. Technically it’s the former, but we Angelenos like to confuse our visitors by spelling it both ways, and labeling the 101 freeway both north and south AND east and west. And how we insist Rodeo is Ro-DAY-o not ROW-dee-oh. I could go on.
But today we’re highlighting Silver Lake, and Forbes named it #1 on the “hippest hipster neighborhood” list, though it has long been home to many artists and Bohemians. Nestled between Hollywood and Downtown—or more specifically, Los Feliz and Echo Park (the next big thing)—this dynamic community has given Los Angeles some of my favorite restaurants, artisanal shops, and of course, coffee. Read on for my list of a day well spent in Silver Lake.
Where to get caffeinated: LA Mill! (or Intelligentsia, or Alfred, or Broome St. General Store)
Where to have breakfast: Sqirl or just buy the cookbook
Where to buy a gift for a friend or a gift for yourself: Clare V Flagship Store
Where to take an Instagram photo: The Micheltorena Stairs
Where to make your own happy hour: Say Cheese (please note sadly The Cheese Store of Silver Lake is now closed) & Silverlake Wines & Bar Keeper
Where to have a cocktail in a French bistro: Bar Stella
Where to have a dinner that will blow your mind: Alimento (get the Tortellini in Brodo, the Braised Lettuce Bruschetta, and the effervescent wine on tap)
Where to have the best vegan food in Silver Lake: Litte Pine
Where to brag to your friends that you’ve been: Botanica (the food! the cocktails! the ambiance!)
Where to eat the best Thai in Los Angeles: Night + Market Song (I play it safe with the pad see ew gai, but don’t miss the coconut rice)
Where to satisfy your sweet tooth: Lark
Where to have an aperitif and/or nightcap: L&E Oyster Bar Upstairs
Photos by Ashley Burns Photography
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE PLACES IN SILVER LAKE?
Love the color saturation and sunshine in these photos! Makes me happy I live in SoCal, a rarity indeed. I’m always so sad that I live so far from Silver Lake, so envious of peeps like you! Particularly because my favorite Berkeley treat shop, Cinnaholic, just opened there. It makes-to-order vegan cinnamon buns with your choice of myriad scrumptious frostings and toppings, all served hot out of the oven and tasting better than Cinnabon or any others could ever dream of. I’m getting so hungry, wish I could drive over there right now…but it’s 4 p.m. and with that heinous traffic, by the time I got there I’m sure it would be midnight and they’d be closed lol! But thanks for all the other suggestions, because now when I go, it won’t have to be just for Cinnaholic!
Sounds amazing!! Now I’ll have something to try when I return. We’ll have to get together when I’m back and swap stories. x
You will LOVE it I guarantee! One of my all-time fave spots. Have the best time! And yessssss boy do I have a story for you……..