Max & Simone's Guide to LA

Simone:This natural wine bar is walking distance to our house and one of the main reasons we love our neighborhood. It's pricey but vibey, and a great place to sip a glass of wine with a book while people-watching.

Simone:This taproom and bottle shop has the best selection and prices in town. Come here if you want to taste test some local brews, or bring a few back to your Air Bnb.

Simone:This cocktail bar is hidden away on the second floor of the main strip in our neighborhood, and it has a lush back patio where we love to sip margaritas.

Simone:This is our favorite brewery in LA. Pro tip: if there's no seating, get your beers to-go and enjoy them in the expansive park across the street.

Simone:This minimal bar specializes in Japanese whiskey, and has the best of the best. It's in Little Tokyo, which is an area definitely worth checking out -- it feels like you're in a different country!

Simone:THE BEST TACOS IN LA! We've done the taco tour and can confidently say these are the BEST. They're no frills, but high quality ingredients. The owners drive to Mexico every week for the special flour in their tortillas!

Simone:We order takeout from Dune at least twice per month. Their Mediterranean "hummus plates" come with hefty servings of salads, hummus, olives, pickles, your choice of meat (get the fried chicken!) and the BEST flatbread. The Dune in Atwater Village is also in a cute area where you can walk around, shop, and get an ice cream or juice after your meal.

Simone:This tiny shop makes sandwiches that are not just lunches -- they're mind-blowing experiences. And the best part is each sandwich is named after an NPR host! Simone always gets the Ira Glass with turkey. Make sure you order ahead online as there is usually a 1-hour wait. While you wait for your sandwich, walk along the LA River Trail nearby, a hidden gem.

Simone:Simone's favorite place to eat is at Kismet and Kismet Rotisserie (2 spots right next to each other, the first more formal and the second a casual to-go option). They serve modern Middle Eastern food with an emphasis on vegetables that are in season. The crispy Persian rice will change your life.

Simone:This popular shop specializes in Japanese sandwiches on ultra-soft milk bread. Max loves the tonkatsu (fried pork) sandwich, and they have vegetarian (egg salad) and vegan (fried eggplant) options as well. Enjoy your sandwich in nearby Elysian Park. They also have the best chocolate croissant in LA on weekends only.

Simone:A huge market hall with tons of food options including Mexican, Italian, fried chicken, seafood, ramen, Thai... you will definitely find something delicious to eat here. It's also walking distance to The Broad museum.

Simone:THIS IS THE BEST COFFEE IN THE U.S. Yeah, we said it. Seriously, this compares to the coffee we had in Tokyo and Paris, and is better than any other coffee we've had in the U.S. Meticulously crafted and full of flavor. You have to try it.

Simone:Maury's makes perfect Montreal-style bagels that aren't giant and doughy like New York-style bagels. They're crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside, and especially delicious with their house-made cream cheese and smoked salmon.

Simone:Your best bet for a cute, sit-down brunch spot. Every table gets their own greenhouse, so it feels like brunching in The Secret Garden. Be prepared to wait in line for a table on the weekends.

Simone:This cafe is the reason we moved to Echo Park. Everything is delicious, healthy, and local. We recommend the breakfast bowl. Only open for breakfast and lunch. Seating is limited, so you can take your meal to-go and enjoy it at nearby Echo Park Lake.