The city of Los Angeles is of course home to many big Hollywood studios. But L.A.'s streets, buildings, hotels, and landscapes have also starred in a myriad of movies—including many iconic restaurant scenes. Here are three of the city’s eateries you might recognize from the big screen.
Yamashiro
Sitting 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard, this unique restaurant boasts a Japanese courtyard, landscaped gardens, waterfalls, koi ponds, a 14th-century pagoda, and a big gold Buddha admiring the spectacular view of the city below. Now a modern CalAsian restaurant, the building was originally commissioned by the Bernheimer brothers to house their priceless collection of Asian treasures. Completed in 1914, it was built as a replica of a palace located in the mountains near Kyoto (Yamashiro translates to “Mountain Palace” in Japanese). During the late 1920s it was the base for the 400 Club, an exclusive social club for the Hollywood elite.
Yamashiro’s Asian-inspired interiors have starred in numerous film and TV productions, including Tom Ford's Nocturnal Animals, Memoirs of a Geisha, and Gone in 60 Seconds. The food and cocktails are delicious (don't miss the Malibu sushi rolls). Yamashiro also holds fun events throughout the year, including movie nights and Jazz in the Japanese Courtyard.
Musso & Frank’s
Established in 1919 and known as "Hollywood's oldest restaurant,” Musso & Frank’s has starred in many films, including Quentin Tarantino’s recent Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Inside its dark wood interior, you'll find worn leather booths and waiters clad in red jackets and bow ties. Celebrating its centennial this year, this Old Hollywood fixture is just as famous for its classic martinis as it is for its generations of famous clientele—from Charlie Chaplin and Steve McQueen to Keith Richards, Johnny Depp, and Scarlett Johansson.
Miceli’s
When you step into Miceli’s, you step into an Old Italian wonderland, complete with a portrait of the Mona Lisa cradling pizza in her hands. It’s known as "Hollywood’s Oldest Italian Restaurant" and first pizza house, and its family recipes came straight from Sicily. The interior of the restaurant almost looks like a movie set—you might recognize it from TV hits Dexter and Mob City, and from the date scene in the 2007 movie Knocked Up.
Miceli’s has always been popular with celebrities. During Hollywood’s Golden Era, stars like Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, JFK, and the Beatles all dined here. More recently, famous diners have included Jim Carrey and Julia Roberts. Miceli’s is also known for its singing waiters and waitresses, who serenade diners with a choice of Italian arias and musical show tunes.
