Where to Eat Like a Celebrity This Awards Season

It’s Awards Season in Los Angeles, and unless you’re among the elite few in attendance at the Academy Awards on March 15th or the Actor Awards on March 1st, you might still be hungry for some Tinsel Town feels. Here’s where to eat like a Celebrity this Awards Season that will have you feeling like you won it all. 

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Circa 55 Rooftop (The Beverly Hilton)

There’s nothing more iconic than The Beverly Hilton when it comes to Awards Season. Since 1955, it’s been home to the Golden Globe Awards, which get the city buzzing for accolades beginning in January. 

Currently, CIRCA 55 Rooftop Restaurant + Lounge is highlighting its Iconic Decades Cocktail Menu along with those sweeping Beverly Hills views. The ones to try include The Glitz and The Glam, topped with Moet Chandon and a sprinkle of gold dust, as well as The Baron, made in honor of the hotel’s 70th anniversary. It’s crafted with The Beverly Hilton Reserve limited-edition whiskey. 

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Clutch (Venice)

Miguel has a restaurant??! While many of us know actor Jon Huertas for his role on NBC’s classic drama, This Is Us, turns out he also owns a Cali-Mexican-style roadhouse in Venice, California. Must-have items that are totally “clutch” include Mama’s Famous Baja Fish and the Finally Famous Chorizo Burger. Visit on Taco Tuesday and get a Drink for just $1 with the purchase of 3 Tacos. 

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The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills

The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is serving a special Golden Scone Afternoon Tea, where you can eat like a celebrity every weekend until Sunday, March 29th. The menu features Savory Tea Sandwiches such as the Critics’ Choice Chicken, Golden Scones served with lemon curd and Devonshire cream, and show-stopping sweets like the Cecil B. DeMille Feuille. A Premium Tea selection is at your fingertips, as well as The Hollywood Ending Cake for 4 guests, which can be added for $45.

Make your reservations on OpenTable for Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $84 for adults and $42 for children 12 and under.

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SUR Restaurant & Lounge (West Hollywood)

While it might seem that reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump and her husband Ken Todd (The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; Vanderpump Rules) are still pumping out restaurants, it turns out they have closed several dozen in the last few years, including Pump in West Hollywood, due to a massive rent increase. 

Luckily, the standouts like SUR in West Hollywood and Vanderpump à Paris in Vegas still offer a place for those longing to see some impossibly attractive waitstaff to compare themselves to. Dress to impress at this Sexy, Unique, Restaurant and order a drink that matches the furniture: a Strawberrini made with Vanderpump vodka, fresh strawberry puree, and a sugar rim. 

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The Wine Station (DTLA)

The Wine Station in DTLA will be hosting an Oscars Viewing Party on Sunday, March 15th, that is black-tie optional and overflowing with luxury. Enjoy a Glass of Champagne and 10 grams of Oscietra Caviar for $45 or upgrade to a Champagne Sabering Experience that includes a full Bottle, Truffle Popcorn, and an upgraded Caviar Portion for just $45 more. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

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Nobu (West Hollywood, Malibu)

“There are three ways of doing things around here: the right way, the wrong way, and the way that I do it.” – Casino

There are over 50 Nobu restaurants in the world, but without the persistence of one New Yorker, the story might have begun and ended in Beverly Hills. With a partnership that began in 1994, Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, together with Robert De Niro, created that perfect blend of celebrity and Peruvian-Japanese fusion… and a FOMO NOBU that’s lasted over 30 years.

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The Issa Rae Empire (Various)

Actor and Writer Issa Rae, known for creating and starring in the HBO series Insecure, is also keeping busy in the restaurateur world. Beginning with the popular Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen chain, she’s also got Downtown Dough pizzeria and Jazz-era homage Somerville in South Central Los Angeles.

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Tagine (Beverly Hills)

When he’s not collecting Oscar nominations, actor Ryan Gosling is helping to make dreams happen. After meeting Moroccan Chef Ben through a catering event, the two collaborated to create a restaurant “where the food is made with love,” as passion is at the heart of Tagine. 

Menu favorites include Mom’s recipe Hummus, served with Berber bread, and Lamb Tagine with Couscous. 

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The Trejo Takeover (Various)

From tacos to donuts, actor Danny Trejo began wielding his machete against any fast-casual competition in 2015. Now you can start your day with Trejo’s Coffee & Donuts at 7 a.m. and end your night with a tray of Jackfruit Carnitas Tacos from Trejo’s Tacos.

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Fat Sal’s (Various)

With over 8 locations, a sneaker line, and more down the pipeline, it’s no wonder there was a lawsuit over how much of the pie actor Jerry Ferrara (Entourage) should be calling his. All legal matters aside, the constant creation of new menus by founders Josh Stone and Sal Capek is what keeps the crowd coming to Fat Sal’s.

The sandwiches change often, but my favorite has always been the Fat Joey with Thousand Island dressing, pastrami, and French fries. You can recreate that now by ordering a Tenacious Turkey and Pastrami from their Signature Subsection. Be sure to leave room for a Fat Shake. 

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Beignet Box (Canoga Park)

What once started as a truck has now popped up with brick-and-mortar locations that seem to rotate around Los Angeles. Luckily, there is always at least one open. Beignet Box is a collaboration between Elizabeth Morrisell and singer Christina Milian, specializing in Beignets and great Coffees and Iced Teas.

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Shappy’s Pretzels (Catering Only)

Shappy Pretzel Co. is a pandemic-born project from actor Adam Shapiro (Mank, The Affair). He set out to create the Philadelphia-style pretzels he grew up on to keep himself busy while production was shut down during the pandemic. Next, his wife, Katie Lowes (Scandal), fatefully got them into the hands of Ryan Seacrest when she was cohosting Kelly & Ryan in place of Kelly Rippa. From there, a celebrity following ensued, and since August of 2020, over 100,000 pretzels have been sold. This “Philly born, LA bread” story is almost like its own rom-com.

Must have flavors include the original, Shappy Philly Soft Pretzels; the addictive Lil’ Albees Pretzel Bites; and the OreYo Stuffed Pretzels you never knew you needed but now can’t get enough of. 

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And now to the Stars, we’ve Lost

Robert De Niro’s Ago

A natural transition from building a sushi empire, De Niro is a co-owner of Italian restaurant Ago, along with Chef Agostino Sciandri and the Weinstein Brothers. Not much has changed about this Tuscan spot since it opened in 1997, and the prices teeter on expensive, but hey, the doors are still open on La Cienega, so the celebs must still be coming. 

Update: Ago closed in December 2019 after losing their lease and was going to reopen in the summer of 2020 with a new concept, but the pandemic interrupted that.

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Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge (Closed in 2018)

If you’re looking for a place where both children and celebrities are welcome, then look no further than Jessica Biel’s Au Fudge in West Hollywood. Part restaurant, part indoor play place, and all organic, menus feature hearty salads, burgers, and kid-friendly bites. Oh and the wine list is by the bottle…but hey she’s a mom first and foremost!

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Mel B.’s Serafina Sunset (Closed 2017)

The Madison Avenue staple has found a home on Sunset Blvd thanks to a little scary spice. America’s Got Talent judge and her husband Stephen Belafonte helped bring Serafina‘s light Italian fare in 2016 to a stretch of Sunset always hungry for the sexiest bites.