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    Cow Belly Modern Dining

    4.8 (91 reviews)
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    Grilled Branzino was
    Jaime R.

    I really wanted to love this new addition to the Highland Park (HP) and give the kitchen high marks, but the experience was a bit of a mixed bag. While the food landed at a 3-star level for us, the above-and-beyond customer service is what earns this spot a 4-star overall rating. We needed a spot in Highland Park that could comfortably seat 14 family members for my daughter's birthday. We decided to try this new location on Branch & York--Oh, a far better name for a Restraunt--the former home of Villa Sombrero and Pocha LA. Historically, restaurants in this specific space haven't been good at all, so we were hopeful for a change. The ambiance is shabby chic, featuring velvet chairs and chandeliers. Plus, a huge bonus for HP: parking is easy to find right alongside the restaurant. Sadly the food was "mid." With a large group, we ordered almost everything on the menu. It feels like a "Jack of all trades, master of none" situation--think Cheesecake Factory style, where their menu jumped from Crispy Rice Spicy Tuna to Penne Pasta. It lacks a clear "soul" or story. While the prices are affordable, the flavors were lacking and nothing truly stood out. The real star of the evening was the service. Despite calling ahead, they didn't have our reservation for 14 in the books when we arrived. However, the staff didn't skip a beat. They greeted us kindly and immediately set up tables in the large back room. The service remained excellent all night--our waitress was incredibly friendly and the staff was refreshingly diverse. The highlight was the personal touch: the Chef and his wife came out at the end of the night, greeted us and gave all the ladies in our group blue roses (it was the weekend after Valentine's Day). They even helped us by cutting and serving the Porto's Bakery Tres Leches birthday cake. A few notes for the kitchen/management: - The Pace: Food came out quickly, but timing was off. Some guests were finished with their meals before others were even served. - The Drinks: They don't have a liquor license yet and were actually sold out of Mexican Coke. Adding some creative mocktails would be a huge plus! - The Flavor: The dishes need more seasoning and "oomph" to compete in the tough culinary scene of Highland Park. We are happy Cow Belly is in Highland PArk and they are a welcome addition to the 'hood. However, we probably wouldn't return unless we specifically needed a large venue for the family--or until they "find their thang," edit the menu down, and find their soul in the kitchen.

    Cow Belly Burger
    Jan B.

    This place is an absolute gem! Newly opened (last month or so) with amazing service and just spot- on food. If you live in the area (I was 10 minutes away in Pasadena) - absolutely get in here. They are still waiting on the full liquor license but have a small wine and beer option and it worked just fine. We sat outside and it was so charming. Food: We shared the zucchini strips and they did not disappoint. Sliced perfectly lengthwise not in coins, and dusted with a seasoned flour) I'm guessing here) and not a drop of oil to the touch to make them limp and soggy. What a great start to this meal. Shared the pear and arugula salad. Generous portion with a light dressing. Full of flavor and so fresh. I had the burger with a basket of shoestring fries. The best fries in my opinion as they are crispy and hot and can immediately be enjoyed without burning your mouth! My friend enjoyed her Mushroom Paccheri Rigati . It was perfectly cooked pasta - al dente and a lovely Parmesan sauce. Ended with the tiramisu- which was surprisingly delicious! As a New Jersey resident married into an Italian family - it is easy to find fault in someone else's tiramisu, however this one was impressive! I also enjoyed a beautifully served cappuccino and cannot wait to return to this top notch spot. The owner/ chef came out to greet us and thank us for dining. Our waitress was attentive but not intrusive. Hey Los Angeles Yelpers - get in here. Check it out. Enjoy an incredible dinner and fantastic service.

    Raymond G.

    4/29/26 Cow Belly Highland Park, CA... Came here with some good friends. Ordered the Cow Belly Burger & Fries. This Burger was so delicious! I also loved the fries too! As soon as I got here, I fell in love with this place! It was so very clean here! Brian is a wonderful employee. I totally recommend you eat here as soon as possible as I really loved this perfectly made Cow Belly Burger, so much flavor in every bite! Also love it here as they have 4 different areas simply decorated. Two main eating areas and a small bar set up inside and the 4th area is a nice partially covered outdoor setting. There is limited parking lot in back. Enter to the right side of the place and the exit is on the opposite side. Come enjoy!!!

    The ambiance in Cow Belly is incredible with the most thoughtful decor and BEST VIBES! This food was fantastic here and the service amazing! Chef came to say hi to us and his food was just beyonddd! Thank you guys, we'll be back!!

    Risa Y.

    Hidden gems really do hit different, and this place proves it. Cow Belly is tucked away along a quiet pathway in Highland Park, and finding it honestly feels like discovering a secret. From the moment we walked in, the cozy, modern decor and warm lighting set such a welcoming tone. I brought my mother who's visiting from Japan, along with my two very foodie daughters, and that alone says a lot because pleasing everyone across generations is no easy task. Every single dish impressed all of us. We started with the Asian poke nachos, which were packed with fresh, vibrant flavors, followed by crispy calamari that was perfectly golden and tender. The ahi tuna with crispy rice was rich, buttery, and crunchy in the best way. Then came the star of the night, the braised short ribs. Slow-cooked, melt-in-your-mouth tender, and coated in a deep, savory sauce that lingered in the best possible way. It's the kind of dish you keep thinking about long after you leave. We also loved the linguine with Manila clams, comforting, well balanced, and full of flavor without feeling heavy. To finish, we shared the tiramisu, which was light, creamy, and absolutely irresistible. When a restaurant manages to make everyone at the table happy, from kids to adults to a visiting parent from overseas, you know it's something special. Cow Belly is one of those places you want to keep to yourself, but it's too good not to recommend.

    Bring your own bottle - $15 corkage fee.
    Nikki B.

    Cow Belly took over the former Pocha location and the transformation is stunning! Ornate chandeliers, blue velvet chairs, and floral lined archways contribute to the elegant décor & relaxing ambience. Cow Belly's mission is to redefine comfort food for the modern palate. Menu offerings consist of creative twists such a Grilled Cheese Spheres, Asian Poke Nachos, & the Cow Belly Rainbow Roll, which features crab, honeydew, cantaloupe, salmon, tuna, Hamachi, & eel. There's even a special menu for kids. They are in the process of getting their liquor license but you can bring your own wine for a $15 corkage fee. I came here for lunch with mom & sis. Be sure to enter via the back from the parking lot so you can walk thought the lovely floral walkway. Kimberly, our server, was an absolute doll. Very attentive and friendly. We ordered the Grilled Cheese Spears, Crispy Brussels Sprouts, & Asian Poke Nachos. We were impressed with how flavorful the dishes were. The glaze on the Crispy Brussels was tasty. The Grilled Cheese Spears were yum and the variety of dipping sauces were bomb! The Asian Poke Nachos consisted of crunchy puffy seaweed instead of chips and the drizzled sauces elevated it to the next level. I also dipped the seaweed chips in the sauces for the Grilled Cheese Spears. Everything was so good. Even though we were full we couldn't stop eating. What made our dining experience even more special was when Chef Bryan Saure came out to talk to us. The attentive service, beautiful ambience, & delicious food = 5 stars. *Minority owned small business. *Small parking lot in the back or street parking.

    Natalia C.

    If you're looking for a new spot to try in Highland Park, make sure to add Cow Belly Modern Dining to your list! It's a family-owned restaurant with a chef who brings over 20 years of experience, and you can truly taste it in every bite. I had the shrimp risotto with chorizo and saffron aioli, absolutely fantastic! The Asian poke nachos and peach & pumpkin salad were also full of flavor and perfectly balanced. The service was warm, the atmosphere modern yet cozy, and yes... they have parking! Such a great addition to the neighborhood. Perfect for date nights, catching up with friends, or anyone who loves discovering local gems. Highly recommend!

    delicious pasta!
    Victoria C.

    Best caesar salad I have eaten, it's perfect!!! excellent service, fresh ingredients, very nice ambiance, good portion for the price and the pasta has a lot of meat compare to other ones I have tried. This is one of my favorite restaurant now and would definitely come back! Parking is easy and location is easy to find. Highly recommend this place!

    Desire N.

    Cow Belly Modern American Dining is a family owned restaurant in Los Angeles Highland Park neighborhood that redefines comfort food with creative, globally inspired dishes in an elegant yet relaxed setting. The ambience is Stylish, contemporary, and cozy, with elegant decor like velvet chairs and chandeliers, suitable for date nights or casual meals. It offers a modern dining experience with options for outdoor seating, takeout, and weekend brunch, featuring a menu with vegan and gluten-free choices and a focus on bold flavors and thoughtful sourcing.

    Gilbert S.

    Epic burger! The wife and I were visiting LA for her birthday and we were so excited to check out this gem while we were staying in nearby Pasadena for the weekend. The staff were super nice, the two owners were very gracious, and the food was beyond delicious.

    Cow Belly Shirt Ribs. I'm not a very good photographer, this does not do it justice.
    Tony S.

    My work had a holiday party at Cow Belly and it was great! The hosts and staff were extremely helpful and nice. The restaurant's layout made it possible to keep our party separate from the rest of the space and not worry about how loud we were. The food was top notch. I got the Cow Belly Short Ribs. They were very tender, lots of flavor, came with flour tortillas and the mash was amazing. I sampled the Poke Nachos and Zucchini chips, both were great. My buddy ordered the Skirt steak and I have to admit I wanted to steal a bite off of his plate but it was gone before I got a chance. Our party requested the chef come out to meet him and he gladly made time in between the rush so we could tell him how great the food was. I don't think they make their own dessert, I only say that because the tiramisu looked professionally made. It was very moist and plated with fresh fruit. I could be wrong but It was be surprising if they also made dessert at that level. I will coming back with my wife soon for a quieter dinner without my friends.

    Poke nachos

    Had a date night yesterday and we enjoyed ourselves so much! The food and service are 10/10. Definitely recommend the Zucchini and Poke Nachos. Both delicious dishes. The chef came out to introduce himself, he was so kind and welcoming. He made the experience very personable. We will be coming back for more! Thank you so much for an amazing meal :)

    Sign
    Stephanie W.

    Recently experienced fine dining at an affordable price at the Cow-Belly restaurant on York Blvd in the Highland area of Los Angeles. The ambiance is amazing! From the comfortable blue suede chairs and crystal chandeliers to the delicious shareables and **must eat entrees, the meal is an exquisite eating experience. Chef Bryan and Head Waiter Jaime provided a warm and welcome greeting. I knew the food would be good because of the positive energy and joy the team emanated. One of the owners stopped by the table to see how we enjoyed the meal. Two thumbs up for the marvelous meal and superb service. Next time you are looking for a fun and fine dining experience, visit Cow-Belly restaurant on York Blvd. and Branch Street in Los Angeles. Parking entrance on the right side of the restaurant. Visit www.cow-belly.com today!

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    Thank you so much for the feedback! We appreciate it a lot.

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    Thank you so much for visiting Cow Belly! We appreciate your feedback.

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    The food was delicious, especially the poke nachos. The staff was amazing. And it's a quaint, unique dining room.

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    Page 1 of 3

    Ask the Community - Cow Belly Modern Dining

    Will you be open for Mothers Day?

    Absolutely! I hope you can dine with us on that day.

    Will you be open Easter?

    Yes!!! We will be open from 11:00am - 9:00pm.

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    Hippo

    Hippo

    4.2
    (948 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    $$$

    This is honestly one of my favorite pasta spots in LA. I really love their pasta selection, and I'm…read morealso a fan of the open kitchen in the back because it makes the whole place feel really lively and cozy. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation though because it gets pretty busy. My personal favorite is the duck ragu if you want something super savory and rich with that deep umami flavor. If you want something lighter and a little sweeter, the butternut squash pasta is sooo good too. Honestly just writing this is making me crave it again. The drinks here are pretty solid as well, and the servers have always been really helpful every time I've gone.

    Oh man where do I begin! What a rad little spot, had no idea this place excited. Found it on our…read moreway to a late night show in La and was such a cool place! The name haha obviously caught my attention first! 10/10 choice! They were a little packed, so we had to sit at the bar but I'm glad we did! Cocktails were delicious and food recommendations by the bartender were fantastic. We started with the shaved Brussels Sprouts and the Bread holy moly what a rad choice. The flavor of the Brussels light, citrusy, and refreshing! The bread, perfect amount of salt onto with the sweetest butter or spread. We chose the sweet corn pasta and the ricotta pasta - both really flavorful and delicious options. Just wish the portions were a little larger. They were however out of the Hangar Steak, that was the one thing I was so bummed about because I wanted to try it! - but next time for sure Desert 10/10 boudin pudding and the carajillos. Let me tell you the carajillo was probably one of the best I've had in a very long time. Well done Hippo. Well done

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    Bar scene
    Bar scene
    Rolls were so good.
    Rolls were so good.
    Conchiglie

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    Conchiglie
    Gloria's Cuisine LA

    Gloria's Cuisine LA

    4.6
    (866 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    While I was visiting LA for the 2026 Blue Note Jazz Festival a friend took me to Gloria's. I had…read morethe chicken enchiladas suiza. Holy crap those were the best suiiza's I have ever had. And it's my go to dish. The service was prompt and friendly. My friend goes there often enough to be recognized by the staff. It is a little on the smaller side but it was decorated nicely and most importantly it was clean.

    My friend suggested Gloria's for brunch on a cloudy NYE morning. Street parking was fairly easy,…read morepossibly due to the holiday and we were seated right away. It is cozy and cute, a good spot for small groups. There are QR code menus on the table so we reviewed the breakfast options and decided to share the breakfast bowl and a churro waffle. plus cafe de olla for each of us. Of course as soon as the waitress walked away, she came back with a beautiful plate of enchiladas for the table next to us and we realized you can order the entire menu all day? This was a bit annoying since it wasn't explained to us, but my friend suggested we share a mole chicken taco to try one other savory hot dish. The breakfast bowl is more like a salad, really nice fresh greens, roasted cauliflower and sweet potato and a lovely poached egg. It could have been a bit more flavorful, maybe some beans to add more protein, but it was good for a break from all the heavy holiday dishes. The mole chicken was right on the edge of being dry, but the mole was tasty and the portion of meat was large. The churro waffle had just a light cinnamon dusting, I was expecting a bit more of a crunch and sweetness. The fruit topping was fresh and yummy and the whipped cream seemed fresh as well. Overall it is a cozy spot and I would go again and try other dishes on the lunch menu.

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    Gloria's Cuisine LA
    Breakfast potatoes
    Breakfast potatoes
    Avocado toast

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    Avocado toast
    Kitchen Mouse Cafe

    Kitchen Mouse Cafe

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    0.6 mi
    $$
    Vegan friendly
    Gluten-free friendly

    I am so happy to find a restaurant that is so mindful in providing delicious food options that are…read moreresponsive to diverse food limitations, and doesn't lack in quality or flavor. My gluten free friends really struggle to eat comfortably and this place is kind of a godsend f My biggest criticism is price point. 3 of us got breakfast and a drink and we racked up a 110 bill without much effort. Still delicious and high quality meal and we will be back!

    Came here with a friend for a late breakfast/early lunch and decided to deviate from my favorite…read morepancakes! I ordered the breakfast sandwich, which sounded so intriguing and unique. I have to say, I was not disappointed! I ordered it vegan with some tofu scramble and loved how the vegan cheese really melted into it. I also added a mushroom patty, which added an extra savory flavor and really enhanced the dish. It was great to get some extra protein in! My favorite part of the sandwich was the creamy chipotle sauce, which had a little bit of a kick to it! Everything was so well seasoned and really complimented one another. I ordered a mocha latte with oat milk, which was well balanced and just the right amount of sweetness. It gave me the energy I needed to take on the rest of the day! The staff were so friendly and helpful and the space was vibrant, fun and comfy! There was ample seating available inside and outside. Parking was fairly easy in the surrounding neighborhood. Be sure to join their loyalty club for additional discounts! I cannot wait to return soon and next time hope to try some of their enticing baked goods!

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    Kitchen Mouse Cafe
    Kitchen Mouse Cafe
    Kitchen Mouse Cafe

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    Amara Kitchen

    Amara Kitchen

    4.0
    (618 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

    Amara kitchen is one of my favorite gluten friendly places to go. Their bison breakfast burrito is…read moremy go to, but also love grabbing a coffee and sitting outside. The only downside for me is that the customer service is always superficial but if you are from LA that's pretty typical. Other than that i would recommend checking them out!

    I've been to Amara Kitchen multiple times, and I keep coming back because the food is genuinely…read moregood. The quality of the food is what brings me through the door. Unfortunately, the service has been consistently disappointing. Every time I visit, the staff seems uninterested, bothered, or inconvenienced by customers. There's rarely a warm greeting when you walk in, no welcoming energy, and often it feels like you're interrupting someone's day just by asking a question or placing an order. I understand that everyone has difficult days, and working in the restaurant industry isn't easy. But hospitality is a huge part of the dining experience. A simple smile, eye contact, a "hello," or making customers feel welcome goes a long way. The food deserves praise, but the service does not match the quality of what's coming out of the kitchen. Management may want to spend some time retraining and refocusing staff on customer service and hospitality. Customers should feel appreciated, not like they're a burden. I truly want to see this place succeed because Highland Park needs good local businesses, and the food is excellent. But after several visits with the same experience, I felt it was worth sharing honest feedback. Great food brings people in; great service keeps them coming back. I hope management takes this as constructive criticism and works to create a more welcoming experience for everyone who walks through the door.

    Photos
    Amara Kitchen
    Tuna & herb toast (tuna salad w/ pesto, pickled serranos,parsley,gf bread,watermelon radishes, pepitas w/ a side salad & pickled onions)
    Tuna & herb toast (tuna salad w/ pesto, pickled serranos,parsley,gf bread,watermelon radishes, pepitas w/ a side salad & pickled onions)
    Amara Kitchen

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    Belle's Delicatessen & Bar

    Belle's Delicatessen & Bar

    4.2
    (805 reviews)
    1.2 mi
    $$

    I love this place so much! From the start up they were across the street serving only in the…read moremornings to growing their business into this new facility serving all day is amazing and it's no small task either! The quality of food is second to none. Not only are the workers and owners just simply fantastic, their food is too. Our favorites are the MCB (nova lox, tomato, onion, capers & plain cream cheese on an everything bagel) and the Loxsmith (nova lox, crispy salmon skin, radish, pickled fennel, dill & beet cream cheese on an everything bagel). The MCB shines above all the other sandwiches for me and it's our favorite breakfast in the morning. Every bagel has the right amount of chewiness that we all love. My family and I would walk and frequent this place every morning to start the day with their fantastic bagels when we lived in the area. Oh how much we miss the living in Highland Park with the awesome shops and restaurants this city has! They also do platters and we've ordered for pick up for our office meetings too and everyone loves it! You can preorder everything online and set a day and time to pick up.

    5/27/2026 4 Stars -…read moreminus 1 Star for lack in parking spaces. First time at Belle's. PEC Got it on a plain bagel. The bagel was fluffy and had a nice chew! Herby mayo, hot sweet peppers had a hint of spice, pastrami was soft and not too salty, egg was fluffy. It was a good bagel sandwich. However, I don't think I'd reorder this. LATKE Crispy and savory. The sourcream and apple sauce together was delicious. Absolutely loved the apple sauce, which had a beautiful texture and sweetness that was addictive. The star was the applesauce! SALT BAGEL, EVERYTHING BAGEL, CACIO E PEPE, EVERYTHING PUMPERNICKEL BAGEL All of the untoasted bagels except the Cacio e Pepe, had a firm outer texture, a bit hard to tear apart with hands. Inside the bagels were dense, yet had a light chewy texture and not dry either. Toasted, they were even better. The outer crust was beautifully crispy and the inside bagel was soft and chewy. The beet cream cheese was delicious with all the bagels! Cacio e Pepe was soft all around, unlike the other bagels. Cacio e Pepe had a light cheese and black pepper crust. It wasn't full of cacio e pepe flavor right off the bat, but still enough to know what you're eating. If you ate only the top bagel, I think you'll get the best of this bagel. Still good all around, even toasted. I think it will be great as a bagel sandwich. Everything Pumpernickle had a good pumpernickle flavor in addition to the everything seasonings. They did not skimp on the seasonings! Every inch of that bagel was covered in seasonings! Favorite Bagels: Salt Bagel, Everything Bagel BEET CREAM CHEESE Delicious! Smooth, creamy, almost buttery! This is whipped cream cheese with roasted beet puree. Light in beet flavor, it had dill in it too. I was hesitant in getting a tub because it was on the pricier side. But it was so good, glad I got it! SEATS / AMBIANCE It had a lovely East Coast diner feel when walking in. But still, the space felt a bit cluttered. There were booths, counter seats and outdoor seats too. It was packed inside on a Wednesday lunch. Got there before noon. CUSTOMER SERVICE Overall good, friendly service. Staff was smiling and that's always a good thing! Went on a Wednesday before noon, but it was nearly packed. PARKING Horrible. Just horrible. Street parking only. There's a few spots directly in front of Belle's, but it's metered parking too and also it was full. It's parking that always makes or breaks your experience when driving to LA. After driving around to find a decent parking spot, I finally found one close to Belle's, but after parking, I realized it was a loading zone. So hurried to get my food to go and just ate in the car. Overall, I enjoyed the bagels here and would love to return for their bagels and lunch offerings.

    Photos
    Inside - bar area
    Inside - bar area
    MCB (nova lox, tomato, onion, capers & plain cream cheese on an everything bagel)
    MCB (nova lox, tomato, onion, capers & plain cream cheese on an everything bagel)
    Thin fries

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    Thin fries
    Zweet Cafe

    Zweet Cafe

    4.7
    (792 reviews)
    2.0 mi
    $$

    Service is kind and fast they hand you the drinks personally…read more Iced Chagaccino is strong flavor very good not grainy 10/10 Iced chai is 8/10 light in the espresso amazing flavor. Yummy chai ! Bagel is pretty good the perfect amount of cream cheese. Music is quiet so it's not overstimulating

    To Zweets Cafe Team,…read more I have been a loyal customer of Zweets Cafe for many years and have always enjoyed coming in for my breakfast and coffee. Unfortunately, I had a very disappointing experience during my visit this morning. There was a miscommunication with my coffee and my daughter's chocolate milk, as both were initially served hot. I politely asked if they could be remade cold, and the staff member kindly agreed. However, when the drinks were returned, it was clear that ice had simply been added to the hot beverages. As a result, both drinks were watered down and unpleasant. By the time I got home, I had to throw my coffee away because it tasted so poor, and my daughter's chocolate milk had the same issue. I was very disappointed, especially after clearly requesting the drinks to be remade cold. It felt like a waste of money and did not reflect the quality of service I have come to expect from Zweets Café. I am sharing this feedback in hopes that it helps improve future service, as I truly value your café and would like to continue being a loyal customer. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

    Photos
    Welcome to Zweet Café. #eaglerock #bnw
    Welcome to Zweet Café. #eaglerock #bnw
    French Toast with Fruit
    French Toast with Fruit
    Back corner seat.

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    Back corner seat.

    Cow Belly Modern Dining - comfortfood - Updated July 2026

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