The Best Wine Bars (and Restaurants With Real Wine Programs) on the Eastside

A Los Feliz local’s guide to where I actually drink wine.

Living on the Eastside — especially in Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Echo Park, or Atwater Village — means you’re surrounded by some of the most interesting, intimate, thoughtfully curated wine spots in Los Angeles. These are the places with personality, community, and just the right amount of Eastside edge.

As someone who lives in Los Feliz, spends a lot of time exploring the neighborhood, and helps people understand the lifestyle behind Los Feliz real estate, these are the places I personally go for a glass of wine, a great meal, and a night out that still feels local.

LOS FELIZ

1. Covell

Covell is a Los Feliz institution and one of the best wine bars in the city. No menu — just a conversation with the team, who will pour you something perfect. It’s warm, lived-in, and exactly what a neighborhood wine bar should feel like.

Why I love it:
• Excellent pours every time
• Grown-up, relaxed atmosphere
• A classic Los Feliz night

2. Wife and the Somm

This small, charming wine bar and shop in the Village is intimate, friendly, and rooted in the walkable Los Feliz lifestyle. They lean natural but keep things grounded and approachable.

Why I love it:
• Thoughtful, natural-leaning wines
• Small, cozy space
• Feels like a real neighborhood living room

3. Cara Bar (Cara Hotel, Los Feliz)

Elegant, calm, and architectural — Cara Bar is one of the most beautiful wine experiences in Los Feliz. With its serene courtyard, curated wine list, and design-forward interiors, it’s perfect for slower evenings.

Why I love it:
• Soft, beautiful atmosphere
• Elevated, curated wine program
• A hidden gem in the heart of Los Feliz

SILVER LAKE / EAST HOLLYWOOD

4. Little Ripper

This daytime café turns into a low-key natural-wine spot in the evenings. It’s tiny, friendly, and very Silver Lake — perfect for a casual glass before dinner.

Why I love it:
• Under-the-radar, intimate, local
• Fresh, interesting natural wines
• Ideal for the walkable Silver Lake lifestyle

5. Justine’s Wine Bar

A stylish, soft, moody wine bar with a curated list and beautiful atmosphere. Cozy inside, glowy at night — and exactly the kind of place Eastside locals tuck into.

Why I love it:
• Gorgeous interior
• Wonderful for date nights
• Feels like a neighborhood secret

6. Voodoo Vin

Bold, confident natural wine. A respected program with small plates that rotate and always impress. This is one of the Eastside’s most beloved wine-forward destinations.

Why I love it:
• One of LA’s best natural wine lists
• Creative, vibrant energy
• A treat for adventurous wine drinkers

7. Doto

Minimal, elegant, beautifully designed. Their wine list pairs perfectly with a sophisticated, seasonal menu. It feels polished but still deeply neighborhood-driven.

Why I love it:
• Thoughtful, refined wine pairings
• Calm, design-forward setting - open for breakfast, great for a little work lunch, and even has happy hour!
• Ideal for a more elevated night out

8. Tabula Rasa

Lively, warm, indie energy — Tabula Rasa has become an East Hollywood staple. They host events, bring in great wines, and keep things approachable and fun.

Why I love it:
• Great by-the-glass options
• Community feel
• Always a good vibe

9. Botanica

Botanica’s food is extraordinary, but their wine program is equally impressive — bright, Mediterranean-leaning, and curated with intention.

Why I love it:
• Food and wine pair beautifully
• Light, airy atmosphere
• Perfect for long dinners or celebrations

10. Melody Wine Bar

Indoor-outdoor, fun, casual, always interesting. Melody hosts pop-ups, pours natural wines, and keeps the energy relaxed.

Why I love it:
• Great community atmosphere
• Interesting wine lineup
• Perfect for weeknights with friends

11. Spina

One of my favorite restaurants in all of LA. is in Atwater Village - Spina is intimate, cozy, romantic, and has a beautifully curated Italian-leaning wine list that pairs perfectly with their handmade pasta. It feels like slipping into a warm European corner without leaving the Eastside.

Why I love it:
• Exceptional fresh pasta
• Elegant, personal, intimate
• A true Silver Lake / East Hollywood gem

12. Pizzana (Sunset)

Pizzana isn’t just about pizza — their wine program is excellent, and their Inkind perks + monthly free pizza offer make it a smart neighborhood go-to. Consistent, delicious, and perfect for pairing a glass of wine with great food.

Why I love it:
• Excellent wine specials
• Fresh pizza + pasta
• inkind perks + monthly free pizza (!!)
• Easy, fun, neighborhood-friendly

WHY THESE SPOTS MATTER

These places are more than wine bars — they shape the lifestyle of Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and the greater Eastside. They’re part of the community fabric, the nightly rituals, the walkable culture, and the vibe that make people fall in love with these neighborhoods.

And as someone helping clients explore Los Feliz homes, Silver Lake hillside streets, Franklin Hills views, and Eastside neighborhoods, I can say confidently that people choose the Eastside for exactly this:
the intimate, local, creative way of living.

Related Readings:

Choosing a Los Feliz Neighborhood

Hidden Corners of Los Feliz

Exploring Los Feliz Architecture

The Oaks — Neighborhood Guide

Culture / Lifestyle landing page

Hidden Corners of Los Feliz: The Quiet Spots Only Locals Know

Hidden Corners of Los Feliz: The Quiet Spots Only Locals Know

Los Feliz has its lively moments — the cafés, the Village, the walk up to the Observatory — but some of the best parts of living in Los Feliz happen in the quiet corners neighbors know by heart. These tucked-away spots show a different side of the community: calm, scenic, and full of the details that make Los Feliz neighborhoods so loved.

This guide highlights the hidden overlooks, stair streets, and off-the-path walks that locals treasure — and that quietly reveal what it feels like to call this area home.

1. The Little Overlook Above Vermont Canyon

Just above the Vermont Canyon tennis courts, a short dirt spur leads to a small overlook with open views and evening light. It’s close to everything, yet it feels like its own world.

Why locals love it:
• Breezy, peaceful, and uncrowded
• Soft sunset light over the hills
• A quiet moment just steps from the Village

Places like this are part of why Los Feliz hillside homes have such enduring appeal — nature and neighborhood blended together.

2. Franklin Hills Stair Streets

Franklin Hills is full of historic stair streets — Radio Walk, Prospect Walk, Earl Street — each offering a charming mix of architecture, plants, and views from angles you can’t see from the road.

Why locals love them:
• Great everyday movement
• Architectural variety on every step
• Neighborhood views at the top

These stair streets reflect the character of Franklin Hills homes: elevated, charming, tucked into the hills, and uniquely walkable.

3. The Lower Observatory Loop

Away from the main trail, the lower path around the Observatory hill is shaded, gentle, and surprisingly quiet. It’s one of the best ways to enjoy the neighborhood’s connection to Griffith Park.

Why locals love it:
• Less crowded than the main walk
• Gentle incline
• Consistent canyon views

This area is part of what makes Los Feliz one of LA’s most walkable hillside neighborhoods.

4. The Village Triangle Back Walk

Behind the busiest blocks of the Village is a small triangle of residential streets — Finley, Kismet, Hillhurst — that feels calm and tree-lined even as life buzzes one street over.

Why locals love it:
• Architecture-rich residential pocket
• Shade and quiet
• Perfect for a 10–15 minute reset

It’s a great example of the blend of culture and quiet that defines Los Feliz lifestyle living.

5. Hidden Benches in Fern Dell

Fern Dell’s quieter pockets sit just beyond the main entrance. Two small benches along the creek area offer deep shade, water sounds, and a peaceful break from the day.

Why locals love it:
• Cool and shaded
• Nature sounds
• A break from the city without leaving the neighborhood

Hidden spots like this are part of why homes near Griffith Park remain so desirable — easy access to calm, natural spaces.

Why These Spots Matter

These hidden corners reveal some of the most authentic parts of Los Feliz neighborhood life — the stair streets, the overlook views, the shaded paths, the calm pockets in the middle of the city. They’re the places residents visit again and again, the places that make people fall in love with the area, and the places that help explain why Los Feliz real estate remains consistently sought-after.

If you ever want a walking route tailored to your street or a deeper look at your favorite pocket of the neighborhood, I’m always happy to help.

Related Reading:

• Choosing a Los Feliz Neighborhood
• Exploring Los Feliz Architecture
• The Oaks — Neighborhood Guide

4 Design Trends That Will Define 2026 (And What’s Out)

By a Los Feliz real estate agent specializing in design-forward homes.

Design trends don’t materialize out of nowhere. They react to what homeowners crave, what feels comforting, and what finally feels dated. And after a decade of near-identical white kitchens and fast furniture, the pendulum has swung — hard.

Across Los Feliz, Silver Lake, and the Eastside, I’m seeing the same shift over and over again during walkthroughs, buyer tours, and pre-listing consults: 2026 will be the year people choose warmth, texture, history, and craft.

Below are the four trends that will define 2026 — plus the styles buyers are quietly (or loudly) turning away from.

1. Warm, Natural Textures & Materials

The era of clinical minimalism has officially run its course. Homeowners are moving toward materials that feel grounding and tactile: wood, stone, limewash, handmade tile, linen, boucle, and textured plaster.

These surfaces age well, hide wear, and give homes a “lived-in luxury” feel — the kind Los Feliz buyers respond to immediately.

How to bring this into your home:

  • Replace high-gloss paint with a soft matte or limewash finish

  • Add a natural fiber rug (jute, sisal, or wool)

  • Swap chrome hardware for aged brass or bronze

  • Add a wood accent: a warm oak bench, butcher-block island, or walnut console

Why it matters in Los Feliz:

Hillside homes and older Spanish Revivals look best when the materials feel connected to California — grounded, sun-warmed, and natural. Buyers rarely use the word “texture”… but they always feel it.

What’s OUT for 2026:

❌ high-gloss lacquer finishes
❌ smooth white walls with zero texture
❌ bright white marble look-alikes

2. Vintage Pieces and the Rise of “Collected Style”

Fast furniture is on the decline. Vintage is having a moment not because it’s trendy, but because it adds depth and soul instantly.

Los Feliz homeowners are mixing heirloom wood pieces, sculptural mid-century finds, and thrifted accessories into otherwise modern interiors.

Buyers consistently comment on homes that feel “collected” instead of “staged.”

How to bring this into your home:

  • Pick one vintage hero piece (a chair, console, or mirror)

  • Use one-off ceramics or art books instead of mass-market accessories

  • Shop local: Los Feliz Flea, Silverlake Flea, Pasadena Antique Mall

Why it matters in Los Feliz:

Character-rich neighborhoods deserve interiors that match the soul of the architecture. Vintage pieces ground newer renovations and keep them from feeling flat or generic.

What’s OUT for 2026:

❌ matching bedroom sets
❌ furniture purchased as complete “collections”
❌ mass-produced decor with faux patina

3. Handmade, Heritage & Artisan Craft

Craft is back — and it’s not subtle.

Homeowners are investing in small-batch ceramics, handmade tiles, woven light fixtures, artisan wallpaper, carved stone basins, and anything with story + skill.

This aligns with the bigger shift toward sustainability and personal expression. Modern buyers can spot cheap materials instantly — and they respond emotionally to quality.

How to bring this into your home:

  • Replace one fixture with a handmade pendant

  • Add a ceramic table lamp with visible texture

  • Install a backsplash with zellige or clay tiles

  • Swap wall art for a textile or fiber piece

Why it matters in Los Feliz:

Homes here — especially in The Oaks, Franklin Hills, and Los Feliz Village — were built during eras that valued craftsmanship. Incorporating artisan elements gives even a modest bungalow a sense of intentionality.

What’s OUT for 2026:

❌ flimsy, mass-produced lighting
❌ big-box decor “walls of sameness”
❌ fake-industrial furniture

4. The Slow Decline of Glossy White Everything

The all-white trend dominated from 2012 through 2022, held on through 2023, and is finally losing its grip.

What’s replacing it?

  • soft neutrals

  • muted tones

  • earth-driven palettes

  • rooms with depth, shadow, and tonal variation

High-gloss cabinetry and polished white quartz countertops now signal an older renovation.

How to bring this into your home:

  • Introduce taupe, sand, mushroom, or greige

  • Add wood shelving to break up a stark kitchen

  • Replace part of a backsplash with textured tile

  • Blend black + brass metals for balance

Why it matters in Los Feliz:

Buyers consistently respond more strongly to kitchens and baths with warmth and depth. These spaces photograph better and feel more expensive in person.

What’s OUT for 2026:

❌ all-white shaker kitchens
❌ glossy cabinetry
❌ cold LED lighting
❌ white quartz with gray veining

So What Does This Mean for Los Feliz Homeowners?

A home doesn’t need a full renovation to feel current. The trend you’ll see throughout 2026 is quiet luxury — warmth, texture, authenticity, and a sense of personal history.

These shifts help a home live better and sell better.

If you want to update without a remodel:

  • Choose one space (entry, kitchen, or primary bedroom)

  • Layer in warmth + texture

  • Add one vintage anchor piece

  • Introduce handmade elements

  • Reduce white gloss and increase natural materials

Buyers don’t need a perfect home — they respond to homes that feel intentional.

What’s Out for 2026 (The Quick List)

  • all-white interiors

  • furniture “sets”

  • cold modern minimalism

  • shiny surfaces

  • staging that looks generic

  • fast furniture

  • LED “daylight” bulbs

  • faux-industrial decor

Wrap-Up

Los Feliz has always been ahead of the curve when it comes to design. These 2026 trends simply bring homeowners back to what California architecture has always done well: warmth, texture, materials, and intention.

If you’re updating your home — or preparing to sell — design choices matter. They influence how your home photographs, how it feels during a showing, and how buyers emotionally connect to it.

For more local insights, here’s my guide to Los Feliz real estate advice →

🐶 7 Dog-Friendly Spots in Los Feliz (That Locals Actually Use)

My girl, Lennon

7 Dog-Friendly Spots in Los Feliz (That Locals Actually Use)

Los Feliz is one of the most walkable, pet-loving neighborhoods in Los Angeles — but not every “dog-friendly” spot lives up to the hype. If you’re a local, you know your pup deserves more than just a water bowl on the sidewalk. Here’s where Los Feliz dog owners actually go, based on real neighborhood favorites.

1. Griffith Park Trails (Vermont Canyon Entrance)

The Vermont Canyon entrance to Griffith Park offers miles of shady trails perfect for morning walks. Start near the Greek Theatre and loop up to the Observatory for city views, or stick to the flatter fire roads for an easy stroll. Pro tip: Bring extra water — the park fountains aren’t always reliable.
Leash rules: Officially leashed, but wide open spaces make for easy walking.

2. The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Patio (Hillhurst & Franklin)

This corner location is practically an unofficial dog meet-up. Shaded tables, friendly baristas, and a constant stream of pups make it ideal for social dogs.
What locals love: Staff often bring out water bowls without being asked.

3. The Dog Park at Silver Lake Reservoir

Okay, it’s not technically Los Feliz, but the quick drive is worth it. The small and large dog enclosures give pups plenty of space to run leash-free.
When to go: Early mornings before it gets crowded, or late afternoons for cooler temps.

4. Alcove Café Patio

One of the neighborhood’s most popular brunch spots doubles as a dog-friendly hangout. The sprawling patio means your dog isn’t stuck under your chair, and servers are quick with water bowls.
Best time: Weekdays — weekends get packed.

5. Barnsdall Art Park

While not an off-leash spot, Barnsdall’s grassy hills and sweeping views make it a great place for a calm, leashed walk. Sunset picnics here are a neighborhood tradition.
Insider note: Dogs aren’t allowed inside the historic buildings, but you can wander the grounds freely.

6. Bru Coffeebar

This boutique coffee shop on Hoover has a small but very dog-welcoming patio. It’s less crowded than Hillhurst spots and perfect for working remotely with your pup in tow.

7. Tailwaggers Los Feliz

More than just a pet supply store — it’s a hub for dog owners. Whether you need a quick nail trim, new treats, or just a dog biscuit on your walk, this spot delivers.

Moving to Los Feliz With a Dog?

The right home makes all the difference for both you and your pup. If you’re looking for homes in Los Feliz with fenced yards, walkable streets, and easy access to these spots, I can help you find the perfect fit.

Many of my Los Feliz homebuyers prioritize walkability, parks, and pet-friendly streets when choosing a home. As a top Los Feliz realtor focused on lifestyle and design-forward homes, I regularly help clients compare micro-neighborhoods based on the dog-friendly amenities highlighted here.

Click here for Los Feliz real estate advice