Cafe Stella

A brick-walled Sunset Junction bistro where the steak frites and low lighting have been quietly seducing Angelenos for two decades.

Cafe Stella runs on dim gold light, a jazz-soft soundtrack, and a kitchen that hasn't strayed from its French bistro roots since it opened. The patio, tucked behind a wall of ivy off Sunset, feels like a private courtyard even on a packed Friday night. Order the steak frites rare, split the escargot, and let the wine list do the rest of the talking.

Best for: Candlelit dinners and long, unhurried conversations