New to Westwood and overwhelmed by all of the food options? Looking for some new places to check out to kick off the school year? Well, you’re in luck! As someone who is now in their third year of college here at UCLA, I feel as though I’ve developed a good list of restaurants that I enjoy and have brought others to enjoy as well. While I have yet to go to every single restaurant in Westwood, I like to think I have a solid rotation going.
*None of these restaurants are ranked in a particular order.
1. Gushi
Address: 978 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
This restaurant has been my comfort place since my first year here at UCLA. Right on the corner of Gayley and Weyburn, this spot provides perfect people-watching opportunities. As someone who loves to people-watch, I always get to witness some of the most fascinating things here, as the seating is outdoors underneath a metal canopy.
Outside of the location itself, this restaurant was one of the very first restaurants I went to when I first came to UCLA. It holds a sentimental place in my heart, and even if I have other restaurants that I find myself preferring more now, Gushi is my go-to place whenever feel down and just need to sit and eat a simple but good meal.
Gushi has an extensive menu that ranges from Korean BBQ plates to simple ramen, so there is something on the menu for everyone. The seating is small because the restaurant is outdoors and on the corner of Gayley, but it is still comfortable and enjoyable to sit and enjoy your meal. They offer both takeout or dine-in options when you order. I always order takeout no matter what, but if the option is there, I’ll end up sitting down and eating my meal. I always have leftovers, which helps a lot as a busy college student.
My favorite from their menu is their ramen; it’s perfect on a chilly day. It has a slight spice to it, and you have the option of adding beef, chicken, or egg to your ramen as you desire. I’ve brought almost everyone who has walked into my life to this restaurant, and they all found themselves enjoying the food there. If you let them know you’re a UCLA student and show your Bruin ID, they’ll provide a 10% student discount!
2. Bollywood Bites
Address: 1051 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Located right on Gayley Ave, across from Whole Foods, you’ll find Bollywood Bites. It’s become one of my top restaurants in Westwood, so much so that they know me by name when I come in to pick up my to-go order. Whoops!
Bollywood Bites is a restaurant that I discovered during my second year here at UCLA after craving chicken tikka masala. While I can’t verify how authentic the food is based on my own background, I will say that I thoroughly enjoyed all the food I had the opportunity to try. The first time I ever went to this restaurant was with my high school best friend, who had assumed that I had already been there before until I told her it was also my first time at the restaurant. Since then, I’ve brought my roommates there, and they’ve enjoyed it as well.
Although I always get their chicken tikka masala, garlic naan, basmati rice, and mango lassi, the other items on the menu are just as good. They offer a variety of dishes, and the inside of their restaurant is nice and cozy.
The restaurant features a wall displaying photos of celebrities who have visited since it opened. There is a small section dedicated to Michael Jackson, as the head chef and owner used to work closely with the singer. I highly recommend checking it out for the good food and to see which celebrities you can spot on the wall!
3. Noodle ST.
Address: 10936 Weyburn Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
I was actually introduced to this restaurant by a friend when Noodle St. was going through its soft opening around this time last year. Since then, I’ve always brought people here. I even brought my mom to this restaurant, and whenever she’s in town visiting me, she asks if we can go have lunch or dinner there.
This Chinese restaurant has some of the best noodles in Westwood, in my opinion. The portion sizes are massive, enough that two or maybe three people can comfortably share one bowl together. While they do have a smaller menu compared to some of the other restaurants that have already been mentioned, everything is hard-hitting. Their noodles are creamy, and their soup is so full of flavor that it’s hard for me to choose a favorite since everything is just so good.
However, if I had to choose, I’d say their noodles with minced beef sauce and their calamari, when they’re serving it (this is also not on their permanent menu but if you ask, your waiter can let you know if they’re serving it that day or not). On top of their amazing food, the customer service is spectacular. Every worker there is very attentive and will be quick to refill your water before you even notice that it’s running low. It’s an amazing spot for dinner, and I will not stop bringing more people here.
4. Boondock Coffee Roasters
Address: 1087 Broxton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
As of October 15, this location is temporarily closed for drink service. However, I still wanted to highlight it because, by the time you’re reading this, they might have resumed serving drinks. If you’re looking for more of a cafe where you can get a drink and study, Boondock is the place for you!
I discovered this spot quite randomly during my second year of college when I was in the process of apartment hunting, and it was the best random place I’ve walked into yet. This Filipino-inspired coffee shop is a place that reminded me heavily of home, as I’m half Filipino. Whenever I get the chance to find a Filipino location, I always have to send it to my mom.
Their menu is a small, but they have lots of tasty drink options, ranging from coffee to matcha in different flavors and customizations. They also sell their own roasted beans and other knickknacks that come straight from the Philippines if you want to brew some drinks of your own at home.
Despite not serving any drinks at the moment, their doors are still open to the community to serve as a study space, so while you might not be able to grab a drink, I highly recommend still checking them out and finding a new study spot. Their ceiling-to-floor windows provide lots of natural sunlight and a perfect view of Broxton Ave. There’s plenty of comfortable seating, making it a nice place to chill with friends or grind out some work.
5. Just Boba Tea House
Address: 952 Gayley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Last but not least, Just Boba Tea House. You might have walked past this or seen it, as it’s located right next to In-N-Out, but this location is more than just boba (wink). In addition, they have an array of different snacks, like popcorn chicken, curly fries, and Taiwanese sausages. While, of course, you might be going here for a late-night run for boba with your friends or club, take a look at their menu just a little bit more, and you’ll notice that they have more than just drinks.
This location is always my holy grail during midterm season, when I want a sweet treat and something savory as well. I always get their Thai tea boba with 25% sweetness alongside their popcorn chicken, occasionally adding curly fries, too. This smaller drink location is easy to miss when it’s on such a busy street, but I highly recommend stopping by when you can!
Although I have so many more food and drink recommendations in Westwood (and even outside of Westwood itself), I’ll let you take the chance to find some places yourself that you might end up falling in love with. There is so much good food in Westwood; I highly recommend just walking into any restaurant and trying it out. You never know — it might be your next holy grail!