Dining like the stars in Beverly Hills, from Hollywood actors to Real Housewives

Times

20-05-2025

Sauntering down Rodeo Drive during my trip to Beverly Hills, sunglasses in hand, I remind myself to act cool. It's far from these perfectly palm-lined streets that I was reared, and in my pre-visit anxiety I added to my wardrobe in the hopes of fitting in a little more with my surroundings. Certainly, it is the place to be rich and famous.
It is known the world over for serious celebrity spotting, seriously high-fashion boutiques and even more seriously beautiful people. On a previous visit I'd never truly delved below the surface. In fact, I spent only about an hour marching up and down Rodeo Drive, repeatedly quoting Pretty Woman, before hopping into an Uber and heading to Venice Beach.
As it turns out, there is far more to this stunning, albeit tiny, incorporated city nestled within Los Angeles County and it's more accessible to the typical traveller than you might think — meaning that I didn't really need to invest in new shoes. While a little on the pricey side, there's an experience for everyone within the area, particularly when it comes to eating and drinking.
There's so much to do in the affluent and historic LA suburb that a mere stop-off simply will not do it justice. Some of its hotels you may be familiar with, such as the magnificent Beverly Wilshire, where Julia Roberts's character stayed in that film, and the Beverly Hilton, which hosts the Golden Globes every year.
Of course, the Beverly Hills Hotel, with its signature pink and green colour scheme, is legendary. Whether you decide to stay there or simply visit to take it all in, it's not to be missed. Upon crossing its red-carpeted entrance, I feel transported back to the Golden Age of Hollywood. A favourite of the likes of Marilyn Monroe, the Rat Pack, Marlene Dietrich and Charlie Chaplin, it's just retro enough to still be cool with classic touches that keep it iconic. While the poolside Cabana Café and old-school diner-style Fountain Coffee Room are great for a quick bite, the Polo Lounge is really where you want to be.
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It's somehow both discreet and lavish at the same time, with its striped ceilings, dark wood furnishings and sumptuous booths. Open all day, it's best to book in advance as you might find yourself competing for a table with the likes of the Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria and the producer extraordinaire Judd Apatow, both of whom I spy during my visit. Be warned, though, while you might do some celebrity spotting here, it's not a place for paparazzi-style photos or autograph-hunting; all you can do is surreptitiously bask in their presence.
My meal of choice, breakfast, highlights options aplenty — I recommend the lemon, blueberry-ricotta pancakes — but don't skip a frothy cappuccino, which comes emblazoned with the hotel's logo on the foam. If you're on the hunt for a nightcap, it's just as wonderful in the evening, complete with a lively pianist, buzzy atmosphere and drinks to remember, including Star on Sunset spicy mango margarita that's worth a second round.
I'm staying at L'Ermitage, almost hidden on Burton Way, which offers a sense of peace as soon as I enter the hotel and I'm glad to rest my head in this oasis throughout my stay. It's fitted in neutral stone shades, with the enormous suites as standard (prices start from €506 per night), providing guests with more than enough room and a feather-soft bed. Costa Covo Osteria, the property's Mediterranean-influenced restaurant, is another contender for best spicy margarita in Beverly Hills. Its breakfast menu, too, is well curated. Visiting twice during my stay, I find the breakfast burrito the ultimate winner, but the juice selection is also tasty; try the Little West Clover Juice (€10.65) for that healthy LA vibe.
Of course, Rodeo Drive, the famous shopping street, is lined with the world's top designers, including Prada and Valentino, but there are many ways to eat your way up and down the road. It's a curious mix of high and low — the Gucci boutique has its own Michelin-starred restaurant, but you'll find the quintessential American chain restaurant the Cheesecake Factory across the road, and bang in the middle of it all is the Hideaway, a Mexican steak house.
Lunch there includes the Baja Tablita platter with carnitas and lots of tasty accompaniments, oozy queso fundido dip, guac with housemade tortillas, and cocktails galore — the signature One Night in Tulum is unmissable, served in a ceramic donkey and made with smoky mezcal, passion fruit and citrus. Each booth has a 'push for tequila' button, if you're so inclined. A vibrant, pink-hued cantina-style restaurant, it's quite the hotspot, as is the recently opened Bacari.
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Focused on small plates and cocktails with Mexican and Mediterranean influences, its location was previously occupied by Villa Blanca, the restaurant owned by Lisa Vanderpump, of Bravo TV's Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and Vanderpump Rules fame. It's had a bit of a refurb and is now the ideal place to bring a gang to try as much of the menu as you can squeeze in — it's the exact sort of restaurant that I would love to have near me, with its fun atmosphere and great service. Pan-seared sea bass with charred shishito peppers and corn, pork belly with umami glaze, and pizza with Asian pear, brie and rocket prove to be particular favourites among my companions, so much so that one decides to return the next day to try the 'best cake', which is made with medjool dates and crispy bacon. The best of the bunch, though? The signature Bacarita cocktails (€15), which are made with tequila, watermelon, jalapeño, basil and lime.
You might notice that I'm on a bit of a margarita hunt throughout my trip and, thankfully, Beverly Hills does not disappoint — the memory of those bubblegum pink-hued Bacaritas, with their spicy tajin-coated glasses, will live with me long after I return home. If, like me, you have a particular goal in mind when you visit or have limited time to spend but want to try as much as possible, then a food tour of Rodeo Drive with Brian Rodda, of LA Food Tours, is the way to go. Taking place over three and a half hours and priced at €158 per person, you'll visit notable landmarks along the whole street as well as tasting five dishes and two alcoholic beverages. Best of all, though, are Rodda's wonderful stories and insights — you laugh just as much as you eat, and you'll leave with a serious amount of Beverly Hills insider gossip.
If luxury is something you seek, then this pocket-sized city is somewhere to add to your list — you could easily drop thousands of dollars if you're so inclined — but I've also found that it's a city for those who love food and it can be enjoyed at all price points. If I've learnt one thing, it's that the band Weezer was right because 'Beverly Hills, that's where I want to be'.
Erewhon, Beverly DrivePossibly the bougiest grocery store you will ever encounter, Erewhon is another celeb favourite thanks to its range of health-adjacent foods, such as sea moss gel, giant ranch kale chips, 225g blocks of Kerrygold butter for $7 (€6.20), and an exceptional hot bar. However, it's the smoothie bar that really draws in a crowd. While concoctions like a Kefir Matcha Cloud or a neon blue Coconut Cloud blend feature, it's the TikTok-famous Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie that you might know it for. Priced at $20 for a 20z cup (about €17.50 and 566g on this side of the Atlantic), its dusty pink hue has been Instagrammed the world over and includes ingredients such as organic coconut cream, vanilla collagen and the aforementioned moss. Sounds like a bit of a crock, right? Having tasted it, I can tell you that Bieber truly knows how to make a smoothie and I'd happily pay for it again — it really is that good. While you might have to work your way around a crowd in the store, it's well worth a stop, even if you're just marvelling at the array of items.
The Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, Santa Monica BoulevardFounded in 1967, this famous store is one for the dairy lovers among us. With more than 600 cheeses available to buy, even just the scent on entry is enticing. You'll also find great wine, sauces, snacks and more lining its shelves, as well as a great range of handmade pasta — it's owned by Domenico's Foods, which makes those golden-hued pastas, as well as importing products and selling its goods to chefs and restaurants across the west coast. The café menu is popular with locals and visitors alike, and you'll find the store flooded with pick-up orders around lunchtime. The sandwiches are particularly beloved, especially the La Zucca, which includes crispy courgette, pesto, lemon ricotta and artichoke tapenade. If you've some time to spare, pop in and ask Eric to let you try some of his favourites — a cheesemonger with incredible knowledge, he won't steer you wrong.