After spending five weeks at UCLA for a summer discovery program, I can easily say that the area around campus has some awesome places to eat. While the food on campus might not be the best, the food options in Westwood totally make up for that. Almost every night, my friends and I would go get dinner and dessert here.
Westwood is walking distance from the UCLA campus, and with the diverse types of food, there is no doubt you will find something that will satisfy your hunger. These are a few places I recommend trying during your visit to UCLA.
1. TLT Food
Photo courtesy of @tltfood on Instagram
What started as “The Lime Truck” is now a delicious restaurant that serves a mix of Mexican, Asian and American food. This is a relatively fast meal, which is great if you are on the go or have to make it back to campus in time for a tour.
2. 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizza
Photo courtesy of @onisan_0202 on Instagram
This pizza place is like no other. First you choose your crust, then the base of the pizza, cheese, and toppings. You can customize your pizza, so whether you are plain and simple or like to eat funky combinations of food, you will always be satisfied when you leave here.
3. Fat Sal’s Deli
Photo courtesy of @fatsalsdeli on Instagram
These sandwiches can range from traditional to very creative. You can get almost anything you want on a wrap or hero bread. It is almost impossible to not find anything you like on the menu. One of the craziest sandwiches you must indulge in would be the Fat Jerry (cheesesteak, mozzarella sticks, chicken fingers, bacon, fried eggs, fries, mayo, ketchup, salt & pepper). Plus, they are available on Postmates. You really cannot go wrong when ordering from here.
4. Tomodachi Sushi
Photo courtesy of @tomodachisushi on Instagram
This place will remind you of your local sushi restaurant from your hometown. You can get any traditional roll, and there are many alternatives if you are not a sushi lover. Whether you come here with your family or friends, it is guaranteed that everyone will be pleased with their food.
5. Mon Amour Cafe
Photo courtesy of @kimberleee___ on Instagram
This small cafe is great if you want a mid-day snack or dessert at night. You can fill your crepe with almost anything you desire, especially Nutella. There are also various fruits you can add to your crepe. If you’re in the mood to try something new, you can get a dinner crepe – these can be filled with turkey, salmon, chicken, or steak.
6. Diddy Riese
Photo courtesy of @diddyriese on Instagram
The line goes down the street every night for a reason. The cookies and ice cream are delicious, but what makes this even better is that the cookie sandwiches are only $2. Budget-friendly ice cream venues are always my best friend. This is a great place to stop for a treat after a long day of touring UCLA.
7. Enzo’s Pizzeria
Photo courtesy of @deemurthy on Instagram
This pizzeria is great if you want to grab a fast meal while exploring LA. If you are feeling tired or just lazy, you can also have Enzo’s delivered to you. If you are with a large group, you can go big and order the 23″ pizza. I can almost guarantee nobody will walk away from that meal feeling hungry.
Spending my summer at UCLA’s College Program was a great way to explore the other side of the country and everything LA has to offer. I’d come back to Westwood in the blink of an eye.