Between the River and the 5: 10 Essential Eats from Glendale to Frogtown

There are certain neighborhoods in LA that get all the hype, and others that just quietly feed the city. This list is about the latter. Stretching from Burbank’s Georgian dumpling houses to the breezy outdoor patios of Frogtown, with Glendale and Atwater Village holding the map’s center like a well-made sandwich, this pocket of LA is where you go when you’re hungry and tired of hearing about the same five places in Silver Lake.

What ties these 10 spots together isn’t just proximity (though you could realistically hit all of them in one wildly ambitious afternoon), it’s intention. They’re the kinds of places where the chefs are obsessing over the balance of herbs in a flatbread, the salt content of an Armenian kebab, or the tension between structure and softness in a laminated pastry. They also represent one of LA’s most diverse and quietly dominant food zones, Armenian, Thai, Japanese, Georgian, Mexican, and Middle Eastern cuisines all exist within a 10-minute radius, and every one of them is showing off.

Whether you’re chasing a perfect puff pastry or finally answering the question “What even is khinkali?”, this is your guide.

1. Mini Kabob (Glendale)

Tiny in space, massive in flavor. This family-run Armenian spot serves what might be the juiciest chicken thigh skewer in Los Angeles. There are only a few seats and you’ll likely eat it out of a to-go box in your car. You will not care. Get the combo plate, douse everything in the house garlic sauce, and try not to cry when you realize it’s over.

2. Raffi's Place (Glendale)

Raffi’s is the big brother of Glendale’s kebab scene: grand, always busy, and relentlessly consistent. The patio feels like a wedding reception you weren't invited to, but everyone wants you there anyway. Their koobideh is iconic, but don’t sleep on the eggplant borani or the sabzi plate. Come with a crew, leave full and emotionally well.

3. Zhengyalov Hatz (Glendale)

This place is a love letter to one dish: Armenian herb-stuffed flatbread. It’s green, it's earthy, and it tastes like someone distilled springtime into a snack. They only do a few things here, but they do them with monk-like dedication. Grab a hot one fresh off the griddle and take it for a walk around Adams Square.

4. Holy Basil (Glendale)

Holy Basil’s Glendale location is slightly more low-key than the DTLA flagship, but the food’s still a firebomb. Crisp pork belly over rice, pad kra pao that actually brings the heat, and rotating specials that make your usual Thai order feel like an apology. Bonus: it’s housed in a slick little food court, so it also scratches that Bangkok-night-market itch.

5. Glendale Tap (Glendale)

Craft beer heaven without the pretension. Think pool table, old leather couches, a rotating tap list that always surprises, and a vintage neon glow that makes everyone look great. But what truly sets Glendale Tap apart is its ever-evolving roster of food pop-ups. From the fiery delights of Hotville Chicken, brought by Nashville hot chicken royalty Kim Prince, to the inventive flavors of Culinary Madness 101 and Baserriko Peppers, the patio transforms into a culinary stage for emerging chefs and beloved food trucks. Whether you're sipping a saison or debating the merits of West Coast IPAs, there's always a new dish to discover alongside your pint. It's where beer aficionados and food enthusiasts find common ground, one delicious bite and (almost definitely) sip at a time.

6. Proof Bakery (Atwater Village)

It’s hard to talk about pastry in LA without saying the word "Proof." Their croissants defy logic: buttery, crisp, and impossibly layered. The jam and brie is perfect. The chocolate one is criminal. Their quiche is slept on and absolutely shouldn’t be. Come early or risk standing in line behind a silent row of stylish Atwater locals.

7. Morihiro (Atwater Village)

One of LA’s most meditative sushi experiences. Morihiro crafts every detail, from the rice (milled in-house!) to the handmade ceramics. It’s pricey, yes, but this is a place for reverence, not rush. The kind of spot where you find yourself whispering even though no one asked you to. Eat here to remember that sushi can be a quiet form of poetry.

8. Dune (Atwater Village)

Falafel you’d write home about. The pita is fluffy and warm, the hummus silky, and the pickles snap just right. Whether you’re going chicken, lamb, or vegan, everything tastes like someone really gave a damn. Grab a sidewalk table and pretend you live nearby, because honestly, after this lunch, you might start looking on Zillow.

9. Salazar (Frogtown)

This place looks like it was made for golden hour. Outdoor-only dining, grilled meat aromas wafting across picnic tables, and micheladas big enough to take a nap in. The carne asada is a must, but the vibe is just as crucial. You come here to take a break from the city without ever leaving it.

10. Khinkali House (Burbank)

Georgian food doesn’t get nearly enough love in LA, which is wild considering khinkali exist. These massive soup-filled dumplings are spicy, savory, and somehow delicate all at once. Add cheesy khachapuri, grilled meats, and a cold beer, and suddenly you’re having the best night you didn’t plan.

These ten spots don’t just represent what’s great about eating in LA right now—they represent what’s lasting. Neighborhood gems that understand flavor, history, and the power of feeding people well. Next time someone asks where to eat in LA, skip the algorithm. Send them here instead.