A Guide to West Third Street
AKA my backyard the past five years
Sup readers? I’m back in LA after a week on the East Coast. Highlights of the trip included deep sleeps in my childhood bed, a Carvel run (necessary every visit now that the Santa Monica location is closed), BBQs with my family, visits to local farms (Youngs and Kerbers), spotting fireflies and hydrangeas, and a weekend with friends on Fire Island.
I hope everyone has an awesome long weekend — Happy 4th!
In today’s newsletter: the best of West Third Street.
WEST THIRD
Technically speaking, West Third Street starts in Beverly Hills and runs in a straight shot all the way to DTLA. The West Third Street described in today’s newsletter, however, is the stretch between La Cienega and Fairfax, or, as I like to describe it, the section sandwiched between the iconic Beverly Center (and Beverly Connection — I die for a deal at Marshalls, Bloomingdale’s Outlet, and Nordstrom Rack) and The Grove.
These commercial shopping landmarks bookend the often overlooked and, in my opinion, far more interesting blocks of West Third, where some of my favorite small businesses and independent shops line the sidewalks.
Unfortunately, it’s been a difficult few years for West Third Street. Soaring rents, declining foot traffic, and persistent street disorder have left dozens of storefronts vacant. At first glance, it can feel like chain brands and For Lease signs dominate the area.
But, I’m here to tell you there are still plenty of shops and eateries worth seeking out. Hidden gems on West Third worth making a trip for! It’s a great stretch to plan an afternoon around. If you’re interested in taking a ride on the new D line, both the La Cienega/Wilshire and Fairfax/Wilshire stations are only a 15-minute walk from the heart of West Third! You can pair a visit to West Third Street with a stop at the nearby redesigned LACMA! Or to The Original Farmers Market!
Anyway, here’s my guide to West Third Street:
Shop
eggy: my go-to children’s clothing store whenever I need a baby gift. They have the cutest selection and always have a full sale rack in the back.
Noodle Stories: eclectic and funky women’s clothing shop. It feels like a shop you’d find in the Village in NYC. If you need help picturing the vibe, Nancy Silverton shops here.
Bead Boutique: such a fun store to go to with friends to create your own jewelry. They have hundreds of beads, charms, and chains to choose from.
August: multi-designer fine jewelry shop with a large following. A favorite from Madeline Isaacs’ guide on Scout LA (below)!
Douglas Fir: one of my (and my dad’s and husband’s) favorite men’s shops in Los Angeles. I buy their men’s belts for myself and have extra holes punched.
OK: on every list of the best gift and design shops in LA. I particularly like their coffee table book and jewelry selection.
Allan Jeffries Framing: a renowned framing shop in LA. Pricy AF, but they have an unmatched selection and do an incredible job if you have something special you want framed.
The Hidden Rivet: curated vintage clothing.
Les Tien: the luxury leisure ware brand’s first storefront.
Wellness
Heated Room: a go-to heated yoga, sculpt, and mat pilates studio in the area. The space is gorgeous, and the instructors are great. There’s a reformer room in the back for small private sessions.
Head Spas:
Yolu: a relaxing and immersive head spa from one of Japan’s top haircare brands.
Blow Me Away: a salon offering a Japanese head spa experience focused on deep cleansing (scalp cameras included for before and afters).
Lymphatic by Siane: considered one of the best Brazilian lymphatic massages in LA.
Natural Pilates: my favorite reformer pilates class in LA when in need of an ass kicking.
Elev8: infrared sauna studio.
Capsule: I wrote about Capsule in one of my first Substack posts. They’re the best modern pharmacy in LA, and if you aren’t using them to get your drugs delivered, you’re doing something wrong!
Eat & Drink
Neighborhood: Fittingly named, this is the neighborhood coffee spot with plenty of outdoor space to hang out with a friend or bring a laptop.
Jones on Third: she made West Third Street famous, and continues to dominate the block. This is an LA institution, even though I’m a hater (not a fan of their menu). They recently expanded the space so there’s more seating than ever.
Miznon: the West Third location opened earlier this year. I love the rotisserie chicken.
Izakaya: I’m team Sushi Fumi up the block, but this is a solid option if you want somewhere that takes reservations.
Carla Cafe: the Tuna Chop sandwich really is that good.
Sockerbit: for your Swedish candy fix.
Takagi: coffee and soufflé pancakes from Osaka. The lines here are insane.
Sticky Rice: a vibey Thai spot (with Echo Park and DTLA locations) that serves wine and beer.
Regalade: a new French bistro from the same owners as Oste (next door).
Little Door: an upscale (and expensive) Mediterranean restaurant. The interior is gorgeous and feels worlds away from Los Angeles. Perfect date night spot if you’re trying to impress.
El Carmen: the intimate neighborhood Mexican joint with a great bar, fun vibe, and really solid food.
Melanie Wine: my favorite restaurant in the area. A true neighborhood spot with excellent French leaning cuisine, a great wine list, easy last minute reservations (or walk-ins), and they accept inKind if you’re into restaurant rewards like I am :)
Ecco un poco: a small batch Italian gelato shop.
Familiar Favorites
Magnolia Bakery, Drybar, Le Labo, La La Land, Credo Beauty, Warby Parker, Verve, Sweetgreen, Sweetfin, Bacari, Bluestone Lane, Sugared & Bronzed, Bacio di Latte
Here’s a map to save for when you visit!
For other walks and street guides published on Scout LA, check out these letters:
The song stuck in my head this week:
The place I miss the most is Churchill which is now Palihouse (I think?) also Berri’s for a late night pizza and scene