How to Explore LA: Eastside Edition (Echo Park, Silverlake, Los Feliz)

March 02, 2018 3 Comments

Devin here! I've lived on the Eastside for the last 7 years, so you know I know what's up!

Here's your guide to local hotspots for the Eastside of Los Angeles...aka the best side ;) We're talking about Echo Park, Silverlake, and Los Feliz of course!

Restaurants

VEGAN

• Green Leaves - cheap vegan thai food in Los Feliz
• Cruzer Pizza - vegan pizza spot in Los Feliz. I recommend the Vegan BBQ Chicken Pizza or Vegan Buffalo Chicken Pizza. It's also a super small place, so get it to go.
• Flore Vegan - sit down or grab something to go at this cute restaurant that's right up in the mix at Sunset Junction in Silverlake.  
• Sage Vegan Bistro - the priciest of the bunch but oh so delicious. Located in Echo Park.  
• Elf Cafe - mediterranean-style vegetarian dishes in Echo Park. 

NON-VEGAN

• Ostrich Farm - locally sourced goodness in Echo Park. Perfect date night spot!
• Honey Hi - breakfast and lunch spot that has delicious bowls. Located in Echo Park.
• La Pergoletta - freshly made pasta at this lil spot in Los Feliz. Major neighborhood secret. Get the gnocchi. Trust.
• Mh Zh - new Mediterranean spot in Silverlake that alwaysss has a crowd waiting outside.
• Botanica Restaurant & Market - Food magazine turned all-day café with a seasonal menu inspired by California cuisine. Located in Silverlake.
• Cliff's Edge - cutest outdoor patio! Located in Silverlake.
• Homestate - best. breakfast. tacos. ever. Located in Los Feliz.

photo via Honey Hi

Wellness Spots

• Golden Folk Wellness - cute lil spot in Los Feliz with lots of wellness offerings like acupuncture, reiki, and soundbaths.
• The Now Massage Boutique - recharge your energy and spirit through the healing benefits of massage therapy!
• Universal Family Wellness Clinic - love this local acupuncture spot. Amazing people and always left feeling soo soo good!
• Y7 - Yoga + Big Beats. New yoga spot in Silverlake. 
• The Raven Spa - Traditional Thai Massage, Bodywork, and Healing Center in Silverlake.

photo via Y7

Music/Entertainment Venues

The Eastside is known for having the best indie music venues in LA. All of these are worth checking out!

• Echo & Echoplex
• The Satellite
• Bootleg Theater

Mac Demarco at the Echo. Photo via The Echo.

Coffee Shops

Another thing the Eastside is known for... coffee shops. Seriously the concentration of coffee shops in the area is insane, but here are the best and most unique ones to check out! 

• Caffe Vita - located in Los Feliz 
• Dinosaur Coffee - located in Los Feliz
• Go Get Em Tiger - located in Los Feliz
• Cafecito Organico - located in Silverlake
• Lamill Coffee - located in Silverlake
• Woodcat Coffee Bar - located in Echo Park

photo via Cafecito Organico

Outdoor Activities

• Griffith Park - tons of trails that all lead up to the top of Mt. Hollywood!
• Silverlake Reservoir - a lil gem located in Silverlake. There is a designated area where you can run around in the grass, play, and picnic. There is also a walking path that goes around the whole reservoir. 
• Echo Park Lake - take out a paddleboat or walk around the lake to take it all in. Great views of DTLA. 
• Barnsdall Park - bring a picnic and take in amazing views of Hollywood and Griffith Observatory. Located in Los Feliz.

Echo Park Lake

Fun Facts!

• Echo Park - "At the beginning of the 20th century, Edendale (now Echo Park) was the epicenter for most major movie studios on the West Coast. Echo Park was the backdrop for many silent films including the Keystone Kops and the site of Charlie Chaplin’s first movie."
• Silverlake - "Silver Lake got its name from Silver Lake Reservoir, which was named after Herman Silver, the Los Angeles Water Board commissioner who was instrumental in the establishment of the reservoir. It was originally named “Ivanhoe” by Hugo Reid, who said that the rolling hills reminded him of those in his hometown in Scotland." - Jenny Durling
• Los Feliz - "The  coup de grace of the park is the Griffith Observatory with its spectacular views of the surrounding area and the cosmos above. Visitors can look through historic and operational telescopes each evening. Once a month, the Observatory hosts a “star party” put on by various astronomy societies." - Ruby Home

Griffith Observatory

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