These 10 Oldest Restaurants in L.A. Are Full of Flavor and Fascinating Stories

Los Angeles may be known for trendy food spots that come and go, but some restaurants have stood the test of time for nearly a century. These historic eateries have fed movie stars, survived economic downturns, and maintained loyal customers across generations. From classic diners to upscale steakhouses, each restaurant offers not just delicious food but also a taste of L.A.’s rich history.

1. Musso & Frank Grill

Hollywood’s oldest restaurant opened its doors in 1919, making it a true landmark on the Boulevard. The red leather booths have seated literary giants like F. Scott Fitzgerald and Ernest Hemingway, who would discuss scripts while sipping martinis at the famous bar.

The menu has barely changed in a century, with classics like Welsh rarebit and flannel cakes still prepared exactly as they were generations ago. The waiters, many who’ve worked there for decades, still wear the same distinctive red jackets.

Charlie Chaplin had his regular booth, and the restaurant has appeared in countless films and TV shows including “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”

2. Cole’s French Dip

Operating since 1908 in downtown’s historic Pacific Electric Building, Cole’s claims to be the originator of the French dip sandwich. The story goes that owner Henry Cole created it for a customer with sensitive gums who couldn’t eat crusty bread.

The underground speakeasy vibe remains with its vintage bar, penny tile floor, and historic photos lining the walls. During Prohibition, a secret door in the wall led to a hidden drinking spot.

Today, the heated rivalry with Philippe’s (another claimant to the French dip invention) continues, with locals passionately defending their preferred version of this iconic L.A. sandwich.

3. Canter’s Deli

Since 1931, this 24-hour Jewish deli has been feeding hungry Angelenos everything from massive pastrami sandwiches to matzo ball soup. The Kibbitz Room, the attached cocktail lounge, became a hangout for rock musicians in the ’60s and beyond.

The distinctive orange booths and Googie-style architecture make it instantly recognizable. The bakery case still tempts with the same black and white cookies and challah bread that have satisfied late-night cravings for generations.

Famous patrons have included everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Nicolas Cage, and the walls are covered with signed celebrity photos spanning decades of Hollywood history.

4. Tam O’Shanter

Founded in 1922 by Lawrence Frank and Walter Van de Kamp (who later created Lawry’s The Prime Rib), this Scottish-themed restaurant remains L.A.’s oldest restaurant operated by the same family in the same location. Walt Disney was such a regular that he had his own table – #31 – and reportedly sketched early concepts for Snow White here.

The storybook architecture and cozy interior with its roaring fireplace make it feel like stepping into a highland inn. Their prime rib has been the signature dish for a century.

During Prohibition, they cleverly disguised their bar as a flower shop with a secret entrance.

5. El Coyote

Serving Mexican food since 1931, El Coyote’s neon sign and festive interior have made it a Los Angeles institution. The margaritas are legendarily strong, and the cheese enchiladas remain virtually unchanged from the original recipe.

The restaurant gained unfortunate notoriety as the last place Sharon Tate and friends dined before the Manson family murders in 1969. Despite this dark connection, El Coyote has maintained its cheerful atmosphere with Christmas lights hanging year-round and colorful décor everywhere.

Original owner Blanche March was known to greet customers wearing elaborate gowns, establishing the restaurant’s flamboyant personality that continues today.

6. Lawry’s The Prime Rib

Opening on La Cienega’s Restaurant Row in 1938, Lawry’s revolutionized dining with its signature tableside carving of prime rib from gleaming silver carts. The restaurant invented the spinning salad bowl presentation, where servers dramatically toss their famous salad while spinning a bowl on ice.

The original Lawry’s seasoned salt was created here and later became a grocery store staple. Their distinctive burgundy uniforms and English-inspired decor have remained largely unchanged since opening day.

The restaurant established the Beef Bowl tradition, hosting Rose Bowl teams annually since 1957, and remains one of L.A.’s most celebrated special occasion dining spots.

7. Du-par’s

Famous for having “the best hotcakes in the world” according to many Angelenos, Du-par’s has been flipping pancakes at the Original Farmers Market since 1938. The secret recipe calls for clarified butter on the griddle and melted butter between each cake when served.

Open 24 hours, it became a favorite late-night spot for musicians after gigs on the Sunset Strip. The classic coffee shop interior with its counter seating and cozy booths hasn’t changed much in decades.

Their pies are still made from scratch daily, with the seasonal fresh fruit pies drawing long lines during holidays when they sell thousands.

8. Mel’s Drive-In

While not the oldest on this list, Mel’s Drive-In has become an essential piece of L.A.’s restaurant history since arriving from San Francisco in 1947. The classic California car culture restaurant gained worldwide fame when it was featured in George Lucas’s “American Graffiti.”

The vintage jukeboxes at each table still work, playing hits from the ’50s and ’60s. Servers wear traditional diner uniforms, completing the nostalgic atmosphere that attracts both tourists and locals.

Their menu maintains authentic diner classics like thick milkshakes served in metal mixing cups and burgers that haven’t changed in decades.

9. Nick’s Cafe

This tiny railroad-style diner near Chinatown has been serving ham and eggs since 1948. The distinctive ham-shaped neon sign has guided hungry patrons to their famous breakfast for generations.

The horseshoe-shaped counter dominates the small space, with no traditional tables available – everyone sits at the counter watching their food being prepared. Railroad workers were the original clientele, as the restaurant sits near the tracks.

Nick’s has survived multiple threats of demolition for development projects, becoming a symbol of preservation for historic L.A. eateries. Their ham is still carved from the bone, just as it was on opening day.

10. Swingers Diner

Opening in 1993 during L.A.’s swing revival scene, Swingers quickly became a fixture of ’90s Hollywood culture. The retro-modern diner was featured in the movie “Swingers” and became a late-night hangout for young actors and musicians.

The distinctive mint-green booths and atomic-age design elements create a perfect blend of nostalgia and hip urban style. Their menu offers both classic diner fare and health-conscious California options like tofu scrambles.

Celebrity sightings were so common in the ’90s that tables of young actors would be having script readings over coffee at 3 AM. The restaurant maintains its cool factor decades later.