These Celebs Know How to Wow With Ambiance and Flavor
Whether lighting up the screen or blowing up our earbuds, Hollywood is known for its top-tier talent. But these days, more and more celebs are venturing into the culinary world, making a name for themselves behind the scenes—and on our plates. Some lay low as silent partners, promoting their pals and championing their chefs, while others prefer building out a branded business to connect with their contemporaries. From reality show dreams-turned-real-life restaurants to beachside bars and cool coffee shops, consider this your cheat sheet to the best celebrity-owned restaurants in Southern California that may bring you face to face with your favorites.
Flecha
He may be known for his deep ties to Boston, but in Huntington Beach, Mark Wahlberg is still the new kid on the block. With the June 8 grand opening of Flecha, his new Mexican-American cantina concept at Bella Terra, Marky Mark is putting his own spin on Southwestern flavors and elevated eats. No stranger to the dining scene—who could forget “Wahlburgers,” the family-fun reality show that launched a dozens of burger joints—the actor and former teen idol has manifested 10,000 square feet of sleek space and a mouthwatering Mexi-Cal menu in Orange County, with a second outpost set to open its doors in Las Vegas this summer.
Location: Huntington Beach
Tagine
Ken’s job may be Beach, but Ryan Gosling can add restaurateur to his ever-expanding resume with Tagine. Co-owned with Chef Ben Benameur, this Beverly Hills neighborhood nook brings melt-in-your-mouth Moroccan meals to Robertson Boulevard. Legend has it that Gosling inquired about the catering while tasting the kind of dishes he “would eat every day for the rest of [his] life.” After meeting Chef Ben, who fashions his recipes around his mother’s culinary creations filled with flavors from the markets of Morocco, the superstar and the cuisinier created Tagine—named for the traditional North African slow-simmered meat and vegetable stews that steal the show at this must-try, celebrity-owned restaurant.
Location: Beverly Hills
Rock & Brews
If you prefer your dishes with a side of rock and roll, locate your local Rock & Brews—Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley’s answer to the Hard Rock Cafe. The KISS musicians are the minds (and faces) behind this national chain that spans the coasts, with a smattering of locations in between—including casinos and large scale event centers. Headed out of town? You can even grab some good eats on the go at LAX Terminals 1 or 5 while awaiting takeoff. Kick back with a brewski and enjoy a menu of American classics like burgers, salads and sandwiches while admiring the nostalgic photos and paraphernalia that immortalized a moment of time in musical history.
Locations: Across Southern California
TomTom
It’s no secret that there’s a special corner of West Hollywood that belongs to Lisa Vanderpump and her merry crew of small-screen characters. Loyal fans of Bravo’s long-running reality series, “Vanderpump Rules,” are all-too familiar with SUR—the swanky lounge that started it all—and still mourn PUMP, the now-shuttered beloved alfresco nightspot. TomTom, on the other hand, is still going strong. The breezy bistro is a mainstay on the downtown WeHo strip, known as much for its namesake duo, Toms Schwartz and Sandoval, as it is for its sleek decor, signature florals, tea lighting and classic American lounge fare. Slip into a turquoise banquette for a bite or belly up to the bar, where it’s not uncommon to catch sight of your favorite on-screen friends and foes shaking up your next cocktail.
Location: West Hollywood
Holy Water
If you’ve ever dreamed of kicking back and clinking a glass with Woody Harrelson, now might be your chance. Stop into Holy Water, a cool, contemporary WeHo cocktail bar with a twist. Spoiler alert: there’s an adjoining cannabis consumption lounge! Helmed in part by the “Cheers” co-star (although you probably won’t catch the real Woody behind the bar, unlike his 1980s TV counterpart), you can peruse an extensive selection of consciously-sourced beer, wine and spirits while munching on light bar bites, such as pickled veggies and hummus. Or, for something a little more substantial, feel free to order take-out from one of the neighboring restaurants to enjoy on-site with your beverage of choice.
Location: West Hollywood
Nobu Malibu
You’ve surely had the pleasure of hobnobbing at Nobu Malibu at one time or another, but did you know that the sushi staple is co-owned by the OG of OGs, Robert De Niro? The sleek beachside retreat and celeb hotspot slices up the city’s most sought-after sushi in a serene setting with peaceful views of the Pacific. But in fact, that wood-planked patio may never have existed were it not for America’s favorite Goodfella. It’s been described in Nobu Matsuhisa’s own memoir how De Niro spent years courting the culinary rockstar, in the hopes of persuading him to create the sushi empire we know and love today. So if you happen to catch a glimpse of that signature squint while snacking on some sashimi, you’ll know where to send your thanks.
Location: Malibu
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
Breakfast is looking a little brighter, thanks to Issa Rae and her Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen co-founders, Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan. The “Insecure” star and her partners have built a bustling business in this daytime dining destination, which now serves up everything from breakfast burritos and beignets to acai bowls and toasts with all the toppings in four popular locations. Hop over to the Eagle Rock shop for a pretty pastry, slide into Slauson for a cold brew, shimmy down to Inglewood for a grilled cheese on the go, or grab your laptop and a lavender latte for a work sesh in DTLA.
Locations: Inglewood and Los Angeles
Leona’s Sushi House
Seeking a superior sushi spot in the Valley? Talk to Evan Ross, co-owner of Leona’s Sushi House, which sits pretty in Studio City. Alongside his musical family, Ross (son of the legendary Diana Ross and husband to singer Ashlee Simpson—sister of ‘00s pop star, Jessica Simpson) conceived the Japanese-Peruvian fusion eatery during the pandemic with entrepreneur Frank Leon. After investing in Hollywood nightclubs and launching Beverly Hills hotspot The Hideaway with actor Ryan Phillippe, Ross knows a thing or two about hospitality. At Leona’s, you’ll dine on specialty sushi rolls and sashimi (including an “o-mazing” omakase tasting), enjoy the Robata bar after 5:30 pm, or choose from an array of surf-and-turf chef’s specials while admiring the chic space—designed in part by fellow musician Lenny Kravitz.
Location: Studio City
Crossroads Kitchen
For a Vegan vibe that doesn’t feel too on-the-nose, head over to Crossroads Kitchen, co-owned by Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker and Chef Tal Ronnen. With a delightful dinner menu that’s chock-full of plant-based provisions (including pizzas, pastas, and proteins like eggplant short rib and lasagna bolognese) as well as a dedicated nut-free section, the tat-loving percussionist has surely found a fan of the franchise in wife Kourtney Kardashian, who’s known for her conscious culinary choices. With a bustling location on Melrose in West Hollywood, another in cozy Calabasas and a third in Las Vegas, be sure to pop in for weekend brunch to enjoy sweet and savory selections like stuffed French toast, pancakes or chicken and waffles.
Locations: Calabasas, West Hollywood and Las Vegas
Something About Her
The perfect locale for ladies who lunch, Vanderpump fans have eagerly anticipated the arrival of Something About Her—launched by co-creators and co-stars Katie Maloney and Ariana Madix. With a sandwich shop that was born out of a dream not only to “romanticize lunch” but to celebrate female empowerment, the WeHo queens describe their culinary endeavor as “a sanctuary—a place where every corner exuded inspiration and every bite spoke of possibility.” The specialty sandwiches, all named in honor of a special someone (The Drew, The Cameron, The Reese, etc.) are stacked with mouthwatering meats and artisanal cheeses, garnished with flair like kelp flakes and marinated fennel, and can be washed down with a splash of wine or a spiked seltzer.
Location: West Hollywood
Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts
If you’ve ever eaten a doughnut that made you feel like kicking some a$$, there’s a good chance that it came from Trejo’s Coffee and Donuts. The eponymous brew and sweets shop is owned by bad-boy screen actor Danny Trejo, who’s also quite literally the face of the operation (his face is actually branded on the boxes). The pink property delights pastry lovers with its colorful confections—named with nods to Trejo’s Mexican-American roots, including the Abuelita (drizzled with dark chocolate glaze), the Mangonada (garnished with a slim slice of mango candy) and the Quinceañera (festooned with flakes of Fruity Pebbles). Stop into the shop on Santa Monica Boulevard for your next sugar fix and take home a big breakfast batch in one of their signature pink boxes.
Location: Los Angeles
Cabo Wabo Sand Bar
For an afternoon of blissful beachside bites and brews, head down to Huntington Beach and stop into Cabo Wabo Sand Bar, made possible by “Red Rocker” Sammy Hagar of Van Halen fame. This little postcard-perfect paradise is perfectly positioned right along the shoreline, where you can enjoy the sun and the sand with a frozen drink in hand—spiked with Hagar’s own signature tequila, if you dare. Soak in the salty sea air from this beloved beach bar and sip on slushy cocktails with a tropical twist while enjoying an array of beachy bar bites like pizzas, burgers and barbecue brisket before hitting the sand.
Location: Huntington Beach
Based in Los Angeles, Kandace has spent the past ten years in the fashion and lifestyle space, and recently in entertainment at Sony Pictures Studios. She has a Masters in Journalism from Emerson College and has studied in Paris, Firenze, and Washington DC, beginning her career as a style editor and tastemaker for NBC. She is an internationally award-winning filmmaker, having studied screenwriting for film and television at UCLA, and her work has been celebrated around the world, in cities like London, Nice, New York, and Montréal. Paying homage to her French heritage, she is also the creator of The Chic American--a style and culture editorial destination for Francophiles, dedicated to the art of living an elevated, French-inspired lifestyle.
