Photo courtesy of Lucia

How to Spend a Perfect 72 Hours Eating Your Way Through L.A.

By Kelly Dobkin, an L.A.-based writer and editor. She has contributed to Bon Appétit, Michelin, and the Los Angeles Times, and is a former editor at Thrillist, Zagat, and Eater. She’s also a culinary school grad and recovering waitress.

Updated: May 19, 2026

Clocking in at just over 500 square miles, a city as sprawling and diverse as Los Angeles can hardly be summed up in just one visit. It’s a mecca for food lovers — where you’ll find everything from regional Mexican fare to killer Korean BBQ to Thai delicacies to some of the best sushi you’ll ever eat (and that’s just scratching the surface). But it’s also a cultural destination, home to countless museums, historic theaters, and legendary comedy and sports venues.

Not to mention (duh), it’s gorgeous here; with 75 miles of sunny coastline, year-round perfect weather, rolling hills and mountains, and so much more. While you can’t do it all in one shot, if you happen to find yourself here over a long weekend (say 3-4 days), we’ve put together some of the best meals to help you make the most of your short time in the City of Angels.

Any Angeleno you plan to visit will immediately ask you what neighborhood you’re staying in, and for good reason. Rush-hour traffic (and, well, traffic in general) can make a few miles feel like a few years worth of commuting. So, strategically, we’ve put together a guide that moves from west to east, keeping you close to LAX for the first 24 hours and allowing for a weekday beach day — less traffic, just trust us. (And we didn’t even include that most hallowed L.A. tradition: an immediate post-arrival stop at the In-N-Out Burger that’s adjacent to LAX grounds.)

When the weekend kicks into full gear, you’ll head east to take in tacos, downtown skylines, scenic hikes, and maybe even a cocktail or two. And if you need even more inspo, our Resy Hit List always has more of what’s essential around town.

Here’s everywhere you need to eat, drink, and see in 72 hours in Los Angeles.

Resy Presents
An Appetite for Adventure

Friday Dinner to Saturday Lunch

Photo courtesy of Lucia

Lucia Fairfax

Gorgeous Design in Fairfax

Lucia’s jaw-dropping Fairfax space — complete with sea-shell shaped banquettes and high vaulted ceilings — will wow any first-time visitor (or local) upon walking in. But the fun doesn’t stop there — once you sit down, you’ll be treated to a playful ode to Afro Carribbean cuisine from chef Ophus Hethington. Tuck into comforting takes on classics like the conch fritter, a wagyu beef patty, or a creative Guyanese lobster chow mein. Pair it all with signature cocktails, like their lychee margarita, or wines from Black-owned labels like Mary J. Blige’s Sun Goddess.

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Lucky Tiki West Hollywood

Drinks at The Lizard King’s Lair

A tiki speakeasy above a hot dog stand? Take our word for it, it’s actually so much fun. Located above the reincarnated icon Tail o’ the Pup in West Hollywood, Lucky Tiki was formerly Jim Morrison’s recording studio but the vibe these days is full Polynesian, complete with a grass-skirt-lined bar, carved wooden bar stools, a beaded doorway, and heavy tiki theme-appropriate decor throughout. If you can snag a table (they do take walk-ins if you can’t book a table in advance), make sure you can find the buzzer located inside a pickle barrel just before the stairs. Once inside, order up show-stopping drinks like The Ghost of Jim Morrison, which is made with rum and a blackberry shrub, served with flaming rosemary; or an Elvis in Hawaii, a take on the King’s favorite sandwich but in drink form.

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All Time Los Feliz

Quintessential Los Feliz

Lining up outside All Time is practically a rite of passage if you’re staying in the Los Feliz area (or anywhere near it) on a Saturday morning. No, they don’t take Resys in the a.m., but the short queue will be well worth the wait once your snag a seat at this primarily al fresco destination that’s known for its cool-kid vibes, low-key celebrity spottings, and signature dishes like their Good Ass salad, crispy rice bowl with salmon, or housemade chilaquiles to fend off even the most wicked of hangovers. Pair it with an iced coffee made with local roaster Tectonic and you’ll be back in fighting shape in no time.

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Boyle Heights Taco Crawl Boyle Heighs

The seafood tacos and tostadas at Mariscos Jaliscos are among L.A.’s iconic dishes.
Photo by Kelly Dobkin

University of Tacos

No trip to L.A. would be complete without sampling some of the finest tacos the city has to offer — and there are hundreds to choose from. The best place to do so is Boyle Heights’ Taco Row located along Olympic Blvd. which is lined with both street carts and shops serving up regional Mexican specialities. Start off at the legendary Mariscos Jalisco for their famous taco de camaron served in a crispy tortilla with avocado and tangy tomato salsa. Next, don’t miss the queso tacos at Tacos Y Birria La Unica. Handmade tortillas are dipped in beef fat and then seared on the plancha, filled with cheese, beef birria, chopped cilantro and onions, and meant to dip in warm beef birria consomme for a perfect savory bite. If you’ve got any room left, stop by Burritos La Palma for a taste of their famous Zacatecan burritos (go for the chicken tinga or chicharron). When you’re done, grab some flour tortillas for the road from their house brand Tortillas Mejorado or some premade frozen burritos to take home with you as a souvenir.