01
Best overall pick
Fellow
Westwood Village • Modern Californian Fine-Dining Restaurant • Special-Occasion Standout
A sleek gallery-like dining room serving inventive seasonal tasting menus a short stroll from UCLA.
Fellow feels tailor-made for nights when Westwood needs to dress up a bit, with a minimalist dining room and art on the walls that match the meticulous plates coming out of the kitchen. The tasting menu leans Californian with global flourishes, but never feels fussy, and the wine program is dialed in without being intimidating. It’s the place locals recommend when someone asks where to celebrate nearby without driving to Beverly Hills.
02
Best sushi counter
KazuNori: The Original Hand Roll Bar
Westwood Village • Casual Sushi Hand-Roll Bar • Fast-But-Special Sushi Stop
A focused counter-only spot for made-to-order seaweed-crisp hand rolls that’s ideal before a movie or game.
KazuNori keeps things delightfully simple: you sit at the counter and watch the chefs build warm-rice, cold-fish hand rolls to order, then eat them immediately while the nori is still crackling. Set menus make ordering painless, whether you just want a quick three-roll snack or a fuller lineup. It’s a go-to for students and office workers who want high-quality sushi without committing to a long omakase night.
03
Best healthy go-to
Fresh Corn Grill
Near Ucla Campus • Casual California Grill And Salad Spot • Everyday Lunch And Weeknight Dinner
A bright, order-at-the-counter spot for customizable bowls, salads, and tacos that still feel like a proper meal.
Fresh Corn Grill is one of those rare places that can satisfy a group with wildly different ideas of what “healthy” looks like. You can build big salads and bowls with grilled salmon or tofu, load up on vegetables, or default to comforting pasta and tacos if that’s the mood. Portions are generous, prices are reasonable for the neighborhood, and it’s close enough to campus to work for a quick lunch between classes.
04
Best for Persian comfort food
Taste of Tehran
South Of Wilshire • Cozy Persian Restaurant • Neighborhood Favorite For Hearty Plates
A small, welcoming spot where kebabs, stews, and fluffy rice highlight Westwood’s Persian roots.
Taste of Tehran feels more like a family dining room than a polished restaurant, which is exactly its charm. Plates come piled with juicy kebabs, saffron-scented rice, and grilled tomatoes, and the khoresht stews are deeply comforting on cooler nights. It’s a dependable choice if you want a fuller Persian meal just off the busier stretches of Westwood Boulevard, and staff are happy to talk first-timers through the menu.
05
Best casual Persian bite
Attari Sandwich Shop
Westwood Persian Square • Laid-Back Persian Sandwich And Soup Cafe • Daytime Local Classic
A courtyard cafe known for herb-packed sandwiches and traditional soups, perfect for a relaxed daytime meal.
Tucked into a small courtyard on Westwood Boulevard, Attari Sandwich Shop is where locals go for a quick, satisfying taste of Persian Square. The menu highlights baguette-style sandwiches stuffed with sabzi herbs, crispy cutlets, or beef tongue for the adventurous, alongside soulful soups like ash reshteh. Grab a table outside, linger over tea, and you’ll get a feel for the neighborhood just by listening to the mix of languages at neighboring tables.