I love traveling and discovering new places to eat wherever I may be. In these last two years that I’ve spent at UCLA, I’ve ventured out into the streets of Westwood and come across some of the most delicious food. Here’s a list of the top food spots around UCLA to check out while you’re here:
Side Note: All prices listed include tax unless indicated otherwise.
- Shamshiri Grill
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If you’re looking for some good quality and affordable Persian food, you need to try Shamshiri Grill on Westwood Boulevard! The family-friendly atmosphere makes this place appealing to everyone and gives you a sense of comfort when dining there. I would say the food is amazing, but that would be an understatement. You can’t judge it until you’ve tried some yourself. (Trust me, you’re not ready for the explosion of flavor awaiting you.) I’d recommend starting with the chicken koobideh kabob. This comes with a plate of basmati rice, two large skewers of seasoned ground chicken and some grilled vegetables on the side. It can seem a little daunting for one person to finish, but the entire meal is $16.95 (not including tax and tip of course), so it’s completely worth it. Plus, what you don’t finish can be tomorrow’s lunch.
- Nékter Juice Bar
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I am guilty of not incorporating enough fruits into my diet, which is why I was so excited when I discovered Nékter Juice Bar on Lindbrook Drive. This place offers a variety of smoothies, fusion blends, acai bowls, detox juices and even vegan ice-cream! My go-to order is the Dragonfruit Bowl, which includes a pitaya/banana/pineapple/coconut butter/coconut water blend topped with hempseed granola, raw coconut flakes, fresh strawberry, banana, pineapple and agave nectar. This bowl tastes like heaven on earth and leaves you feeling refreshed and ready to tackle your day and for only $8.60!
- Gushi
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Who doesn’t love Korean BBQ? Well, Westwood has its own KBBQ place right next to Fat Sal’s on Gayley Avenue. This popular little corner is always bustling with customers, primarily UCLA students, and for good reason. It boasts an affordable menu with chicken, beef, pork, squid and tofu options. I always get the $10.90 Gushi Bowl, which is a bowl of white rice topped with bulgogi beef, and then douse it in teriyaki sauce. Although it sounds quite simple, it’s beyond delicious and filling. I almost always have to take leftovers home. This meal is one of my all-time Westwood favorites, however you should definitely check out some of the other choices as well!
- Diddy Riese
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This Broxton Avenue hotspot has practically become a landmark in Westwood. People from all over LA travel to Diddy Riese just to get some of the renowned, local, homemade 50¢ cookies and the $3.00 ice-cream sandwiches. This combination of cheap prices and extremely good quality is rare in LA, which explains the store’s massive attraction and fame. When I drop by, I either get a $2.00 scoop of mint chocolate chip ice-cream or grab a white chocolate and macadamia nut cookie. Although, there’s no going wrong with any choice here.
- BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
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BJ’s entire theme is general, classic American food, but there’s one item on their menu that brings customers back to this Broxton Avenue hangout time and time again: the pizookie. This dessert is usually $7.75 on most days, but dining on Tuesdays brings you this heavenly mixture of cookies and ice cream for only $3.00 (not including tax or tip)! I prefer pretty basic flavors, so I go for the Chocolate Chunk Pizookie, which (you can probably guess from the name) is composed of a fresh-baked chocolate chip cookie topped with rich vanilla bean ice-cream. They have a bunch of additional variations, so there’s definitely something for everyone. They even have gluten free options!
- Sip
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Of course you can’t live in LA without trying some good quality boba. This Weyburn Avenue favorite draws in locals and college students alike who all come to enjoy Sip’s variety of matcha-themed drinks. I’ve only tried the classic Sip Milk Tea for $5.00, which might sound a little pricey, but so worth the incomparable quality (definitely better than Rende’s boba). I also don’t tend to like matcha-flavored food/drinks, but this is an exception because it’s just that good!
- Frida Mexican Cuisine
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Frida’s, located on Lindbrook Drive right next to Denny’s, is one of the best places in Westwood for good quality, authentic Mexican food. Being an avid chicken-lover, I just had to try the Tacos de Pollo. This dish comes with three chicken tacos topped with red onion and cilantro and served with a side of Spanish rice and refried beans, and all for $14.95 (not including tax and tip). I can’t even begin to explain the burst of flavor that’s packed into these mini tortilla shells. Frida’s is truly one of Westwood’s hidden gems that you need to check out ASAP!
Although Westwood has tons of food options to offer, these are definitely at the top of my list!