You'll feel like you've stepped into an Art Deco club room at this downtown favorite. Regarded as being the best seafood restaurant in L.A., the menu has been tweaked by Spago Alum chef Michael Cimarusti. The food here keeps getting even better. American seafood specialties include Maine lobsters and Dungeness crabs fresh from the restaurant's tanks. You can also enjoy the raw bar, hard-to-find fresh fish and New England clam chowder.

Since 1918, this place has been serving some of the best French dip sandwiches in the world. That seems logical because it was Philippe, The Original who claims to have invented the juicy concoction over 100 years ago. Besides the tender and succulent meat, the prices haven't changed much since either; a roast beef, pork, turkey, ham or leg of lamb sandwich will satiate your palate and leave your pocket without a dent! Want a cup of coffee? Head here for a steaming cup that will leave you feeling energized for the day.

Downtown L.A. is slowly making its long anticipated comeback and places like this are a big reason why. As its name might suggest, the dishes served here are all drawn from a "firefighter" theme. In fact many of them come from firefighters' own private cookbooks. And, God forbid, if something should burn out of control in the kitchen, help is certainly not far away! Favorite menu items include the meatloaf, sausages (with a very unique spice blend) and roasted chicken.

Meats are the focus of this restaurant in the heart of the city. Locally sourced ingredients and a farm-to-table philosophy dictate the menu at Salt's Cure. Don't miss the charcuterie plate, nor the much raved about weekend brunch with a menu that has a healthy dose of meat and pastries. Chalkboard menus announce the regularly changing specials. This restaurant has a warm and welcoming vibe.

Since 1975, Carney's has satisfied LA's chili fries and burger cravings, delivering a pitch-perfect experience in this genuine, vintage yellow Amtrak train car from the 1920s, done up as a classic diner on the inside. And that is not all! They have a worthy lineup of hot dogs and polish sausages, much touted as some of the best in town, all at the lowest imaginable prices, especially given the joint's docking grounds - the east tip of the Sunset Strip. A private lot behind the car takes away the headache of parking at the Strip while the amiable, smiley service assures you that you have come to the right place. And if you already think the place is cheap and swell, try it during happy hour!

Le Grande Orange Cafe has a friendly ambiance with interactive servers who will make you feel at home. The food on offer is American, most of the dishes are classics that are loved by everyone. The chef adds his culinary expertise to the classic dishes and gives it an urban touch. The portions are hearty and you will not be disappointed with the quality of ingredients used, keeping the taste intact. The restaurant gets busy during lunch times, make sure you call in for reservations.

Grown and expanded from her fathers burger stand, Cynthia Hawkin's is known for having some of the best burgers in town. Simplistic, yet utterly delicious, the American cuisine found here is made with fresh ingredients, never frozen and packed full of flavor. From family packed meals, double patty burgers, hot dogs, and a bevvy of sides, Hawkins House of Burgers has a large menu to please just about anyone. They even offer breakfast from 7a-noon with dishes like pancakes, chicken and waffles, egg plates, burritos and more. Filling, delicious and easy on the wallet, Hawkins House of Burgers is a great choice.

Tom Colicchio's Craft, winner of the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant nationwide in 2002, is quickly gaining notoriety for its simplified gourmet dishes and its unique style of service. Guests are served meals "family style", with a focus on perfecting singular menu items as opposed to combining a large array of ingredients. The end result has been hugely popular, with dishes such as the pan-roasted dayboat scallops and the porterhouse steak. Craft's interior is elegant and stylish, featuring a modern design that exudes a relaxed yet refined atmosphere. The attentive and knowledgeable staff provide impeccable service, ensuring that every guest feels pampered and well taken care of.

This longtime hangout serves up comfort food that will put a smile on your face. The prices won't hurt your wallet, either. Deli-style sandwiches and burgers are the favorite items here. The crowd ranges from old-timers who've been coming here for years, to 16 year-olds out for the first time without mom and dad.

This American restaurant is all about down-home, comfort food, albeit with gourmet ingredients and an upscale flare. Artfully presented and plated, juicy burgers are as appealing to the eyes as they are to the palate. Unlike any other burger or sandwich you've tried, toppings found here include ketchup leather, duck breast ham, kimchi mustard and other oddities that are absolutely delicious. Every ingredient down to the smoked salt on the fries has been carefully thought out and added to create a memorable dish. The interiors of this original location effortlessly mix industrial pieces and parts with vintage architectural office elements to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. The outside patio can be enjoyed year round thanks to the mild California weather.

This place is like stepping back in time to when girls wore poodle skirts and guys wore leather jackets and greased their hair. The two-room establishment offers grilled sandwiches, chili, great hamburgers and the like. The walls are adorned with pictures of actors from the time period and each booth has an old-time jukebox. The shakes are thick and arrive, as they should, with a metal cup with just a bit extra for later. You can't miss a chance to experience the tasty nostalgia of Cafe 50's

26 Beach offers a variety of different cuisines for lunch and dinner as well as an enormous breakfast menu. For starters, 26 Beach serves exceptional Nu'Awlins Chicken Gumbo and Coctel de Ceviche. There is an entire menu page dedicated to "Marvelous Main Course Salads," ranging from an Oriental noodle salad to a garlic shrimp Caesar. For dinner, enjoy a N.Y. Strip Steak or Mary's Rack of lamb. 26 Beach is also known for its huge selection of "giant" hamburgers served on freshly baked buns; wheat or brioche. Sit outside on the patio to bask in the California sun and mingle with the locals.