Larchmont for Food Lovers: 10 Must-Try Dishes You Can Only Get Here

Larchmont might be one of the smallest, most walkable stretches in Los Angeles—but it punches way above its weight when it comes to food.

This isn’t just a list of “good restaurants.” This is a dish-level bucket list: specific plates, bowls, and bites that are worth crossing town for, and that feel very Larchmont—neighborhood-y, a little stylish, and very craveable.

By the time you’re done reading, you’ll have 10 must-try dishes to build your own Larchmont food crawl.

1. Prosciutto & Mozzarella Baguette (#5)

Larchmont Wine & Cheese

At Larchmont Wine & Cheese (and on Instagram at @larchmontwineandcheese), the move is the legendary #5 prosciutto and mozzarella on a baguette: thinly sliced prosciutto, soft mozzarella, and just enough oil, vinegar, and veggies to keep it juicy without falling apart in your hands. It’s simple, salty, and absolutely addictive.

Grab your sandwich, a bottle of wine for later, and eat it on the curb or a nearby bench like a true local.

Best for: Lunch, cheap eats, sitting outside.

2. Buttered Cheese Toastie

The Cafe at Cookbook

The Cafe at Cookbook is peak “Larchmont chic”: farmers’ market produce, tinned fish, biodynamic wine, and a sunny patio.

At Cookbook on Larchmont (see more on Instagram at @cookbookmarket), the dish that sums it up is the buttered cheese toastie with caramelized leeks. It’s basically a grown-up grilled cheese—rich, gooey, and layered with sweet, slow-cooked leeks on excellent bread. Pair it with their seasonal soup and you’ve got a very LA version of comfort food.

Best for: See-and-be-seen lunches, light but indulgent mid-day meals.

3. Bigolotto Nero (Squid Ink Pasta)

Osteria Mamma

At Osteria Mamma (Instagram: @osteriamamma), their standout dish is the bigolotto nero, a squid ink pasta tossed with shrimp and Calabrian chili. It’s briny, a little spicy, and feels special without being fussy. If you’re stuck on Melrose in traffic or working at a nearby studio, this is the bowl of pasta you want waiting for you.

Best for: Casual dinners, studio-adjacent lunch meetings, comfort pasta nights.

4. Steak & Classic Sides

Kali

Kali used to be known for avant-garde tasting menus, but these days it leans into a nostalgic, almost ’90s steakhouse vibe—and that’s where it shines.

At Kali (Instagram: @kalirestaurant) on Melrose, come for a proper steak dinner: a big, beautifully cooked cut of meat with traditional sides (think potatoes, greens, and sauces your uptight aunt would approve of). It’s the kind of place where you actually want to dress up a little and linger over a second glass of wine.

Best for: Dinner with parents, corporate cards, “we’re celebrating something” nights.

5. Ceviche Mixto

Mario’s Peruvian & Seafood

Mario’s is a tiny strip mall spot on Melrose that locals treat like a second home.

At Mario’s Peruvian & Seafood, the must-order is the ceviche mixto: a heaping plate of white fish, shrimp, and squid lightly cured in citrus, served with potatoes, corn, and red onion. It’s bright, tangy, and big enough to share. If you’re smart, you’ll also tack on the chicharrón de calamares—crispy fried calamari with tartar sauce and a killer ají salsa.

Mario’s doesn’t have a big web presence, but you can find all the basics (hours, address, photos) on their Yelp page.

Best for: Big groups, casual dinners, coworkers escaping the office.

6. Pesto & Garlic Slice

Village Pizzeria

Village Pizzeria is exactly what you want from a NY-style slice shop: a little grungy, full of memorabilia, and always smelling like hot cheese and oregano.

At Village Pizzeria (Instagram: @villagepizzeriala), the power move is the pesto slice with garlic and romano cheese—greasy in the best way, dripping a little oil, and perfect folded in half as you walk down Larchmont. Their classic pepperoni is also a reliable backup if you’re a purist.

Best for: Cheap eats, solo lunches, late-afternoon hunger emergencies.

7. Ramen & Matcha Kakigori

Tonchin

Tonchin is one of the newer arrivals that’s changing Larchmont’s dinner game.

At Tonchin LA (Instagram: @tonchinla), start with one of their signature ramen bowls—rich broth, springy noodles, and toppings that feel carefully thought out rather than overdone. Then, if you’ve got room, go for one of their attention-grabbing desserts like the matcha kakigori or the caramelized banana on shortbread.

Best for: Date nights, fun dinners with friends, “we want a scene but not Hollywood chaos.”

8. Pastries & Fresh Bread

Clark Street Larchmont

There are a lot of baked good options in Larchmont, but Clark Street is the one people set alarms for.

At Clark Street Larchmont (Instagram: @clarkstreetbread), your must-try order is a laminated pastry (like a croissant or kouign-amann) and a loaf of freshly baked bread if you get there early enough. For lunch, their sandwiches are quietly some of the best in the neighborhood—simple, well-built, and anchored by excellent bread.

Best for: Breakfast, pastry runs, grab-and-go lunches.

9. Latte & Market-Driven Salad

The Cafe at Cookbook

Yes, Cookbook is on this list twice—and it deserves it.

If you’re not in a toastie mood, build a lighter “Larchmont lunch” at Cookbook with a latte and one of their market-driven salads. Expect lots of seasonal produce, good olive oil, and that “I just ate something healthy but satisfying” feeling. Scroll @cookbookmarket if you want to preview what’s in season before you go.

Best for: Light lunches, laptop sessions, mid-day reset.

10. Prosciutto Baguette Picnic

Larchmont Wine & Cheese (Again)

Larchmont Wine & Cheese also pulls double duty.

Beyond the #5, the real move is to treat it like your personal picnic HQ: grab any of their seven sandwiches, a bottle of wine, and maybe some cheese or olives from Larchmont Wine & Cheese, then head to a nearby park or just camp out on the boulevard. Their Instagram, @larchmontwineandcheese, is basically a highlight reel of perfect baguettes.

It’s low-key, affordable, and feels very “this is why people love this neighborhood.”

Best for: DIY date nights, casual hangs, pre-movie eats.

How to Turn This into a Larchmont Food Crawl

• Morning:
• Pastries and coffee at Clark Street Larchmont (#8)
• Midday:
• Sandwich at Larchmont Wine & Cheese (#1/10) or buttered cheese toastie at The Cafe at Cookbook (#2)
• Afternoon snack:
• Ceviche or fried calamari at Mario’s (via Yelp) (#5)
• Or a quick pesto slice at Village Pizzeria (#6)
• Evening:
• Ramen and dessert at Tonchin LA (#7)
• Or bigolotto nero at Osteria Mamma (#3)
• Special occasion:
• Save Kali (#4) for a proper steakhouse-style night

Mix and match based on your mood, budget, and how many friends you bring along.

Before You Go: A Few Practical Tips

• Best Times:
• Mornings for Clark Street and Cookbook before the bread sells out.
• Weekdays for Larchmont Wine & Cheese if you want to avoid the longest sandwich lines.
• Evenings for Tonchin, Osteria Mamma, and Kali when the neighborhood lights up.

Vibe: This is one of the rare LA neighborhoods where you can park once, walk everywhere, and eat really well all day.