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El SEGUNDO, CA -- JULY 16, 2026: 15 Best LA Birthday Cakes, photographed in the Los Angeles Times Kitchen in El Segundo, CA on Wednesday, July 16, 2026. (Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)

The greatest birthday cake in L.A.? This is the one you came up with

A recipe for the ultimate birthday cake is a crowd-sourced showstopper. Plus, decorating tips from a pastry chef expert, a recipe for tomato leaf Swiss meringue buttercream, how to cut cake like a pro, and where to order great cakes — find them at 15 of L.A.’s best bakeries.

David Hirsch of Hirsch Vineyards

Visionary wine grower who transformed Sonoma coast dies at 81

The Woodland Hills restaurant dethroning Porto’s famous potato balls

The Princess Cake from Copenhagen Pastry

Tell us: What are your best birthday cake memories?

El SEGUNDO, CA -- JULY 15, 2026: The Ultimate Birthday Cake by Carolynn Carreno photographed in the Los Angeles Times Kitchen in El Segundo, CA on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)

We asked, you answered: Meet L.A.’s new favorite birthday cake

El SEGUNDO, CA -- JULY 15, 2026: The Ultimate Birthday Cake by Carolynn Carreno photographed in the Los Angeles Times Kitchen in El Segundo, CA on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)

The Ultimate Birthday Cake

Pastry chef Rose Wilde puts fresh flowers on a cake with tomato leaf buttercream.

L.A.’s on the cutting edge of cake. Here are 9 decorating tips from a buttercream queen

Top view of tomato leaf Swiss meringue buttercream by Rose Wild in a hotel catering pan on a table in her backyard.

Tomato Leaf Swiss Meringue Buttercream

How to peel a carrot

How to peel a carrot
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Collaged food photos: crab, sandwich, tacos from the 101 List

Food

For Subscribers

Here are all 101 of the best restaurants in L.A.

After months of searching, eating and writing, critic Bill Addison and columnist Jenn Harris share their guide to exceptional dining in the city.

Our 7 favorite places to grab a drink in Los Angeles

Hall of Fame restaurants: These timeless classics define L.A. dining

Latest Videos

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Plan your perfect L.A. day with the new “save” feature

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How to decorate the L.A. Times ultimate birthday cake

How to decorate the L.A. Times ultimate birthday cake

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Sky's Gourmet Tacos on the grill

Sky’s Gourmet Tacos to close Pico Boulevard location after 34 years of service

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Are you afraid to cook a steak? Start with a grilled cheese

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Rib Eye Tacos clean vertical

Rib Eye Cachetada Tacos

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Cody's Compost Crisp

Cody’s Compost Crisp

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From fruit salad to spritz

From fruit salad to spritz

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When it comes to fruit salad, ditch the rules

When it comes to fruit salad, ditch the rules

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‘Love Island’ fame turns a Mar Vista cafe into a neighborhood hot spot

‘Love Island’ fame turns a Mar Vista cafe into a neighborhood hot spot

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No cherry pitter? No problem

No cherry pitter? No problem

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101 Best Tacos

Collage of 6 taco images
For Subscribers

These are the 101 best tacos in Los Angeles

A taco from Barbacoa Ramirez
For Subscribers

Restaurant critic Bill Addison’s list of best tacos in L.A.

Los Angeles, CA - July 14: A plate of tacos is displayed from at the Industrial Downtown Night Market on Sunday, July 14, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

How L.A. reached peak taco

Scenes and tacos at Evil Cooks, photographed for the 101 Best Tacos 2024 on Friday, July 12th, 2024 in Los Angeles, CA. (Andrea D'Agosto / For The Times)
For Subscribers

The 18 best places to get vegetarian and vegan tacos in Los Angeles

Illustration of the ABC's of tacos

A taco glossary: Words you need to know to order tacos like a pro

Illustrated portraits of 8 faces surrounded by taco ingredients

Celebrities, chefs and athletes share their favorite tacos in L.A.

Behind the scenes of the Food team devouring tons of tacos.

We ate hundreds of tacos to find the 101 best. Here’s how the whole process went

Our California Guides

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For Subscribers

25 of the best restaurants and bars for your Palm Springs road trip

Take a break from sunbathing and vintage shopping to check out the best restaurants in Palm Springs and as far afield as Cathedral City and Yucca Valley, including a secret speakeasy, a Balkan-inspired beer hall and a classic steakhouse.

For Subscribers

Our L.A. food critic’s highly specific guide to San Francisco dining

Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, Calif. with chef Eric Bost, July 13, 2024. Clockwiise from foreground: Gnudi, Porc, Melon and Croque Madame. (Amy Carson / For The Times)
For Subscribers

23 of the best restaurants and bars for your San Diego weekend getaway

Image of a restaurant dining room with people eating various foods
For Subscribers

19 must-try diners and restaurants for your next California road trip

RIVERSIDE, CA - NOVEMBER 10, 2023: The Fox Theater was built in 1929, and is a Spanish Colonial Revival style building in the heart of downtown Riverside on November 10, 2023 in Riverside, California. It underwent a major renovation in 2010.(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
For Subscribers

SoCal’s most overlooked weekend escape is a place you’ve probably driven past

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Restaurant Reviews

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Log in or register for a free account to save L.A. Times recommendations for restaurants, hikes, entertainment and more — all in one place.
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Our Food Guides

Collage of hot dog, tacos, and pasta with 'August' sticker

20 new and notable places to eat and drink in L.A. this month

El SEGUNDO, CA -- JULY 16, 2026: 15 Best LA Birthday Cakes, photographed in the Los Angeles Times Kitchen in El Segundo, CA on Wednesday, July 16, 2026. (Catherine Dzilenski / For The Times)
For Subscribers

15 of L.A.’s best birthday cakes

A hot dog with "Los Angeles" written in ketchup and mustard at Walt's Bar on a red bar top.
For Subscribers

20 hot dogs to devour in L.A. before the summer ends

STUDIO CITY, CA - June 26: The Yala latte, made with cardamom-spiced cream top, at Yala on Thursday, June 26, 2025 in Studio City, CA. (Shelby Moore / For The Times)
For Subscribers

10 unique cream top lattes and cold brews that you’ll only find in L.A.

Collage of photos: burger, taquitos, roast chicken

The best places to eat and drink this month, according to our Food writers

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 09: Bandeja paisa, traditional Colombian dish consisting of three meats - carne asada (grilled beef), chorizo (sausage) and chicharron (fried pork belly) - accompanied by rice, beans, maduro (plantain), a fried egg and an arepa at La Fonda Antioquena on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

7 L.A. spots for bandeja paisa, Colombia’s classic lunch platter

A hand pulls a square slice of meatball-and-jalapeño-topped tavern style pizza at Rance's Chicago Pizza in Long Beach

9 great places to try Midwest-style tavern pizza in L.A.

Roast Pork

Michelin-starred goose under $50? 10 must-try Hong Kong restaurants

English breakfast

Our guide to London’s global dining gems. 15 of the best pubs, food halls and bake shops

Carrot pastry

Michelin ignores it, but Lima should be on every food lover’s wish list. 9 reasons why

Cocktails on table

17 new and old favorites from a seasoned Mexico City expert

Paris, France - June 15, 2025: The Times' Jenn Harris sits with a martini at Les Deux Magots

For Paris lovers, 33 favorite restaurants, bakeries, cafes, bistros and bars

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Food Videos

Watch José Andrés ‘Chef That!’ Olive-Oil Fried Eggs and Potatoes

Chef José Andrés makes olive-oil fried eggs and potatoes with jamón, morcilla and chorizo.

Watch Anissa Helou ‘Chef That!’ Bulgur Risotto

Chef/baker Roxana Jullapat prepares her chocolate morning muffins in The Kitchen.

Book to Cook! Chocolate Morning Muffins with Roxana Jullapat

Watch Ligia Rossi ‘Chef That!’ Alfajores Cookie

Chef That! ‘Yum Mama’ Instant Noodle Salad With Lime And Fish Sauce Caramel

L.A. Dreams of Sushi

This South Bay sushi shop has been serving the same six items for decades — and wants to keep it that way

Illustration of tuna surrounded by other fishes

Should we be eating bluefin tuna?

Illustration of Pacific bluefin tuna

Wild or farmed? Pacific or Atlantic? Here’s what to know about bluefin tuna

Tell your friends: ‘I know a dancer who makes the best vegan sushi in L.A.’

SHERMAN OAKS, CA - APRIL 7, 2023 - Portrait of Liwei Liao, the founder of The Joint Tea/Seafood market, posing behind display counter, with a Dry aging Chamber on the right, April 7, 2023, Sherman Oaks, CA. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Dry-aged sushi? One of L.A.’s best fishmongers says ‘fresh is boring’

Yuko Shimizu / For The Times

The secret history of L.A.’s sushi revolution

TORRANCE, CA - APRIL 18: Seiwa Premium Nigiri from chef Shin Nagata at Seiwa Market on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 in Torrance, CA. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)

Supermarket sushi you’ll actually want to eat

Illustration of playful hand rolls and ingredients
For Subscribers

Grab quick, affordable sushi at 11 of the best hand roll bars in L.A.

SAN GABRIEL, CA - APRIL 12, 2023 - The best California Roll at Yama Seafood, San Gabriel, CA, on Thursday, April 12, 2023. (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The ultimate California roll lives on at this SGV fish market. (Fights at the sushi case prove it.)

Sushi ingredients For DIY Hand Roll Party with Jeni Afuso

The key to making easy sushi at home? Throw a hand roll party

Morihiro resturant in Atwater Village, California.
For Subscribers

21 places in L.A. to find the best sushi, omakase, chirashi and more

Customers eating at Hanamaru Ginza, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant in Japan.
For Subscribers

What makes L.A.’s sushi scene so great? I found answers in Tokyo

Gizzard shad / kohada nigiri, photographed at Morihiro in Los Angeles

How Los Angeles became the epicenter of sushi in America

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Cooking

Chocolate frosting for a recipe from Carolynn Carreño photographed July 30, 2026.

No-Fail Chocolate Frosting

This smooth, creamy, chocolate frosting is easy to make, with none of the potential pitfalls of fussy European buttercreams.

Two hands pull apart the halves of a gooey grilled cheese with dill havarti on rye over a wood cutting board

Grilled cheese with dill havarti on rye

EL SEGUNDO, CA - MAY 13, 2026: Ribeye cachetada taco at the Los Angeles Times kitchen in El Segundo on Wednesday, May 13, 2026. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)

Rib eye cachetada tacos from ‘Vitamina T’

A hand plates a large scoop of fruit compost crisp into a stoneware bowl where cream floats at the bottom

Turn leftover fruit into the perfect summer dessert

LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 17: The Pasta alla Gricia at The Los Angeles Times Kitchen on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Los Angeles, CA. Also called "white Amatriciana," pasta alla gricia is a simple pasta with guanciale, red onion, and fresh Italian parsley. (Kayla Bartkowski / Los Angeles Times)

Easy go-to pasta? This classic Amatriciana sibling

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