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    Malena

    4.3 (19 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 2 weeks ago

    Malena Photos

    MALENA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Malena

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    Tacos de Barbacoa
    Niecy S.

    Afro-Mexican food and it was amazing. The service was great. You seat yourself and all the tables has a QR code to pull the menu for all the restaurants in the location. Malena has been on my list for a couple months and finally tried it. This place was worth the hype. The prices were great and I've already been back twice. The vibe is this place was awesome. They had a great playlist and it was a mixture of families and friends just vibing. I definitely will be trying to enchiladas when I return but please visit. Oh and the staff were amazing!!

    Rudy M.

    This spot puts out some good food. While I only had two options open to me, it was a great experience to enjoy inside Maydan Market. The beef flautas were crunchy and carried a punch from the salsa chile de arbor. Mine had a lot of cotija cheese as you'll see from the photos but they were really good. I can't wait to go back and try other items on their regular menu.

    Esquite
    Andrea Y.

    Malena inside Maydan Market is definitely worth checking out if you're craving delicious birria without breaking the bank. I ordered the 3-piece quesabirria tacos with consommé, and at just $12, it was an incredible value for the quality and portion size. The tacos were packed with flavorful, tender beef, the tortillas were perfectly crisp with plenty of melted cheese, and the rich, savory consommé took every bite to the next level. We also tried their street corn / esquite bowl and it was delicious. The staff were also friendly and the ambiance was fun, there are TV screens everywhere where you can enjoy watching sports as well. Everything tasted fresh, satisfying, and made to order. Between the great food, generous portions, and unbeatable price, Malena is an easy five-star spot that I'll gladly come back to whenever I'm in the area.

    QR codes (these are at every seat)
    Brianna R.

    Overall, great flavors, but I will say I expected more from the tamal given the reputation of Tamales Elena. Fine, but nothing special at $8 a piece. With that being said, the barbacoa tacos are amazing! Tender meat with a great flavor, wrapped up in a really good corn tortilla. Great price, too, at just ~$12. The consomé was very flavorful. I tried the chilate (cocoa/rice based drink) for the first time and enjoyed this as well. Located inside Maydan Market (food hall), the service is more akin to ordering at a ghost kitchen. Even though we sat at the bar top, we ordered through the QR code (it's the only way to order), so staff doesn't engage with you until they drop your food off. The market itself is very beautiful, with ample seating and sunlight. You can sit anywhere and order from any of the restaurants, but we wanted to sit at the bar top to check out the food prep.

    Chicken Enchiladas
    Eleanor B.

    New experience at a Food Hall. Once I figured out the system I enjoyed the environment. The food was excellent. I plan to go again.

    Hands down some of the best food, especially the fish tacos!!

    Hands down some of the best food! The fish tacos are my favorite. Service and ambiance is great.

    Green chicken tamal. EXCELLENT!
    Tim B.

    We came here to sample some of the restaurants within the marketplace, and the tamales caught our eye. We decided on the green chicken tamal with high hopes and it didn't disappoint. In a world where we've all had hundreds and maybe even thousands of different tamales, this one stood out because of the amazing, let me repeat, amazing nixtamal corn used for their masa. The chicken and green sauce inside was flavored, perfectly, not too salty and definitely not under salted. But for me, it was the MASA that brought it all home. It had such a delicious flavor. You could tell that a lot of love was put into this tamal. The woman who served us at our seat was very kind, and the overall atmosphere of the place was very relaxing and enjoyable.

    I came here with the purpose to support and try out a new place. I'm not from around here, so was taken aback on how gentrified the space appeared to be. I felt out of place. Food was alright. Service was not the best. I got a dairy-free horchata from the oaxaqueño restaurant inside for myself as the drinks from Malena did not appeal to me, and drink was mid. Plus service not the best either. I was looking forward to this outing with my mom, and I'm sitting here feeling disappointed. Food is alight. I'm more disappointed with service and ambience. Thank you

    Quesotacos with consume .. Mexican Coca Cola

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    12 days ago

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    1 month ago

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    Heidie I.

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    8 months ago

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    26 days ago

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    9 months ago

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    3 months ago

    No vegan options, which was very disappointing, otherwise this is a wonderful place. I recommend it for meat eaters

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    9 months ago

    Barbacoa tacos and pozole is fire!! Good price and good portions. Got to speak with owner. Awesome! Shows love for all military.

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    6 months ago

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    6 months ago

    No manches Frida! Está bien bueno el pozole! Great food, great service and the workers were super friendly! Definitely would come back!

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    10 months ago

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    Ka'teen

    Ka'teen

    4.1(1.1k reviews)
    5.1 miHollywood
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    came back to Ka'teen to finally try the Dine LA menu, and I'm so glad we did. This easily made my…read moretop 3 Dine LA experiences. The service was impeccable--everyone was attentive, friendly, and made the whole experience feel special. We had to get the Michelada Oysters again because I had been craving them since our last visit. They were just as amazing as I remembered--fresh, perfectly seasoned, and seriously addicting. For Dine LA, I started with the Tostada Campechana, which was like an elevated ceviche with scallops, tuna, yellowtail, avocado, and a citrus sesame sauce. Everything tasted super fresh and the citrus gave it the perfect balance. The Bone Marrow Mole was rich, flavorful, and came with a generous portion and toast. For my main course, I had the skirt steak, which was cooked perfectly--tender, well-seasoned, and delicious with the green sauce. The homemade tortillas were amazing too. We ended with the Dulce de Leche Panna Cotta, and it was the perfect finish--creamy, smooth, not overly sweet, and so good we practically cleaned the plate. Amazing food, great portions, beautiful atmosphere, and excellent service. Ka'teen definitely delivered. I would absolutely come back again.

    What a fun place! Came on a Saturday night and they had a live DJ. We had reservations thankfully…read morebecause this place gets packed. The service was pretty solid but did fall off towards the end. The oxtail was fall off the bone and cooked to perfection. We left no crumbs (with the exception of tres leches - wasn't a fan). Drinks were delicious and strong.

    Photos
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen

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    DAMA - Seafood Tostada

    DAMA

    4.4(1.5k reviews)
    5.2 miDowntown
    $$$

    What a surprise! My friend and I visited for restaurant week…read moreand I'd give it a 9/10! The drive there was a bit iffy due to location but surprisingly the street that the restaurant is on was clean and felt pretty safe! I chose to park on the street but I'd advise to valet ($15) for safety purposes. We walked into a concrete built up newish area that had a brewery and another Michelin rated restaurant across the courtyard. The entire area was inviting! The restaurant felt like we took a dinner vacation to Cabo which was recipe for a relaxing evening! We ordered from the restaurant week menu which for us consisted of Ceviche, Guac w/delicious fresh tortilla fresh chips, whipped beans, snapper, bbq chicken, empanadas and basque cheesecake. All were great!.. we just wanted a larger portion of everything! I'd recommend and will definitely go again! I love restaurant week!

    I made reservation few weeks in advance for Saturday 5:30pm dinner to try out Chef Antonia Lofaso's…read morerestaurant. Upon arriving at the restaurant block, I was so surprised to see it was in a spooky area. I was literally terrified to leave my car parked on the street. They had valet parking for $15 also. The restaurant itself looked super nice, beautiful interior and a huge bar in the middle. Some tables were in outdoor patio area too. The menu had bunch of small and large plates, alongside lots alcoholic and N/A drinks. I ordered the Strawberry Daiquiri Mocktail that almost tested like a smoothie. The fried calamari, corn, empanadas, short rib tostada and chicken taco, all were good dishes but none of them were mind blowing. Prices were mostly fair. The service was really good. Our server did a wonderful job. All the dishes came out in short intervals. Overall a good location to have relaxing dining experience with friends and family.

    Photos
    DAMA - Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway

    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway

    DAMA - Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

    DAMA - Calamari

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    Calamari

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Complimentary Chips and Mole.

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9(3.2k reviews)
    3.1 miHarvard Heights
    $$
    Family-owned & operated

    Amazing food and drinks and there is live music but it is way too loud in there. The place is huge…read moreand gets packed but I think the speakers need to be turned down. Good for big groups but I don't really recommend if you actually want to have conversation. Got the enchiladas campesinas and mango slushy both of my visits there, it's a huge serving so had leftovers for another meal each time.

    My family was in town for a Dodger game and to enjoy the evening I brought 10 people with me. We…read morewere given tortilla chips with 3 different moles as soon as we sat down. There were many families eating dinner and many larger parties that looked like they were celebrating something special. We were all famished after fighting through LA traffic on a weeknight. I'm pretty sure we ordered at least half the items on the menu. Every dish ordered was fine, edible, not burnt but just ok. While I am by no means a connoisseur of Oaxacan food, I am perplexed at the number of reviews raving about this restaurant. It's fine, there nothing wrong with the food, but I, personally, don't think it's rave worthy. I've been here 2x now. I'll come back to a place especially when it's on a "best of" list and I wasn't impressed. I always think it may have just been a bad day or perhaps I didn't order well. Next time I see this spot on a "best of" list I'm going to find out WHAT dishes I should've ordered.

    Photos
    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Delicious chocolate cake.

    Delicious chocolate cake.

    Guelaguetza Restaurante - Chapulines

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    Chapulines

    El Compadre - Sizzling fajitas

    El Compadre

    3.5(1k reviews)
    6.2 miEcho Park
    $$

    El Compadre is an LA staple, we've been coming here for years. The dim lighting, cozy vibe, and…read morelayout make it feel intimate, even though it's bigger than it looks. The bar sits right in the middle and is truly the star of the show. Service, drinks, and food are consistently great and clearly made with love. The margaritas and micheladas are easily some of the best in LA, hands down. This time I went with the chicken and shrimp fajitas and they did not disappoint. And the guacamole? It tastes like your grandmother made it. Portions are huge, so definitely come hungry. From the parking attendant to the servers, bartenders, and bussers, everyone delivers amazing service, it genuinely feels like family every time. Perfect spot for any occasion, or even just to chill and enjoy some authentic Mexican food.

    Stopped by after a Dodgers game with a friend and her mom (she's the one who recommended it). The…read moreinterior has that classic older hacienda-style kitchen feel, and there was a trio playing traditional songs while we ate. The space is pretty small, so the music ended up being a bit too loud for easy conversation, which was the only downside. Food-wise everything was good. Chips and guac were a good start. I had the chicken enchiladas and my husband got the shrimp enchiladas, both were pretty good. My mango margarita was also nice and came with a fun, unexpected presentation for a simple drink.

    Photos
    El Compadre - Catch a sporting event at the bar

    Catch a sporting event at the bar

    El Compadre - Chicken fajitas

    Chicken fajitas

    El Compadre - Mango Margarita

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    Mango Margarita

    Mirate - bar downstairs

    Mirate

    4.2(1.2k reviews)
    6.1 miLos Feliz
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    I recently celebrated my wife's birthday at Mirate restaurant with 12 guests, and I must say the…read moreexperience was exceptional from beginning to end. We all enjoyed authentic Mexican cuisine, with each dish offering a unique taste and beautifully prepared flavors. The restaurant has a warm, welcoming atmosphere and is clean, comfortable, and beautifully maintained. The food, service, and overall experience were outstanding. Most importantly, my wife was extremely happy with her birthday celebration and very pleased with our choice of Mirate. I highly recommend Mirate to anyone looking for an exceptional Mexican dining experience. We will definitely be coming back!

    My friends and I had all heard great things about Mírate, but I'll admit I had an extra reason for…read morewanting to check it out. I recognized it from Season 1 of Nobody Wants This, and apparently seeing a restaurant on TV is all the encouragement I need to add another dinner reservation to the calendar. Parking in Los Feliz gave us a little pre-dinner challenge. A friend and I eventually went with valet, while another friend circled a few times before finding street parking. Consider this my future self taking notes: next time, Uber. Walking inside was probably my favorite first impression. Mírate unfolds across multiple levels with warm lighting, greenery, tucked-away lounge areas, and that huge tree in the middle of the courtyard. We were seated upstairs near the top of the stairs by the restroom, which gave us a view down into the main space. Admittedly, I spent a little time admiring the tables around the tree and understanding exactly why that area is such a draw. Something to aim for on a future visit. We ordered several dishes to share. Some of the starters were a little smaller than I expected, but there was plenty of flavor packed into them. The ribeye taco was one of my favorites, with Chihuahua cheese, salsa verde, and a little heat from the Yahualica chile. The octopus taco was right up there with it, paired with Chihuahua cheese, frijoles puercos, and pineapple pico that brought in a nice sweet-savory contrast. Both disappeared quickly, which is generally a good sign at our table. The cocktails were another highlight. Everyone ordered something different and there wasn't a disappointed person in the group. Our server checked in throughout the evening without hovering, which gave us plenty of time to eat, talk, and inevitably compare everyone's drink choices. By the end of dinner, I had already figured out my strategy for round two: Uber there, explore a little more of the cocktail menu, and see if we can snag one of those coveted tables near the tree. Even if we don't, I'd happily come back.

    Photos
    Mirate - Brunch

    Brunch

    Mirate
    Mirate - Brunch

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    Brunch

    El Tepeyac Cafe - 7/28/24: Okie de Pollo Burrito -- fireeeeeee!!!

    El Tepeyac Cafe

    3.8(2.9k reviews)
    8.5 miBoyle Heights
    $$

    My family has been coming to El Tepeyac Café since before I was even born, and they've never once…read moredisappointed us. This place isn't just a restaurant -- it's culture, it's history, it's meaning, it's family love all wrapped into one. Every time we walk through those doors, it feels like coming home. The food is incredible every single time. From the small big burritos to the huge big burritos, everything hits with the same flavor and comfort we grew up on. The portions are legendary, the taste is unforgettable, and the consistency is something you don't find everywhere anymore. El Tepeyac gives so much to the community. It's one of those places that holds memories for generations -- birthdays, family gatherings, late‑night cravings, comfort meals after long days. It's a spot that brings people together, and you can feel the love in the food and the atmosphere. This café is part of my family's story, part of East LA's story, and part of the community's heart. I love coming here, and I'm grateful for a place that still feels like home after all these years.

    Smiling that the burrito tasted homemade and hearty!…read more El Tepeyac Cafe had a small line but it moved fast. If it is just you, grab the counter. The Hollenbeck de Pollo had a huge filling of guacamole, and chicken!!! Mini $12.99. What a great deal in this economy. The portions were large and the wet burrito just had so much flavor. I loved how everything came together. Ordered the half basket of chips and boy was it worth! Thanks Eric for the recommendation and tips!! Will be back if in the area!! And there was a line when I left! The guy behind the counter was great!

    Photos
    El Tepeyac Cafe
    El Tepeyac Cafe - Chicken enchiladas

    Chicken enchiladas

    El Tepeyac Cafe - Beef tacos Crunchy

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    Beef tacos Crunchy

    Holbox - Smoked kanpachi tostada

    Holbox

    4.7(2.7k reviews)
    3.8 miHistoric South Central
    $$

    I stayed at USC hotel so I decided to give this place a try since I heard about it from YouTube…read more The place is inside a food hall and shares tables with the other restaurants. The line went outside the building, but it moved decently fast. After ordering you get a number and they will deliver the food to your table. I got a variety of their tacos. Each taco had a unique twist to it, and tasted really good. They also had a cool black tortilla which had a nice texture. I especially like the fried fish one as it had a mellow yet delicious flavor. I also got their cheap chips, and that as well worth the price. Definitely give this place a shot. It does match up to the hype.

    Food - All the raw seafood was excellent. Really fresh and the fish pairings complemented each…read moreother well with their flavors. The tuna ceviche stood out to me the most and worth trying. The kanpachi tostada was also great, and the uni with scallop was a nice pairing. Fish tacos were good but not as memorable as the raw dishes. Also tried the smoked kanpachi taco but again not outstanding compared to the raw seafood. Their sauces were also good but spicy! The light brown one had a unique flavor to it and was my favorite but also the spiciest so be aware. Price - On the higher end as expected from a Michelin 1 star, but the quality on the raw dishes justifies it. Wouldn't say every dish is worth the price, but most of them were good. Ambience - This is a food hall setup, you order at the counter, get a number, and they'll bring your food to you. Lines can get long, especially since it seems busy most days now. If the wait isn't worth it, there are other solid-looking vendors in the same food hall to check out. Parking - Small paid lot on site, or street parking nearby. It's also next to a DMV in which you can park after 6pm-ish (would double check the signs)

    Photos
    Holbox - Kitchen view

    Kitchen view

    Holbox - Taco de pulpo

    Taco de pulpo

    Holbox - Shrimp aguachile

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    Shrimp aguachile

    Malena - mexican - Updated September 2026

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