There’s no worse feeling than the disappointment I experience when I go to a restaurant and the food is not what I expected. Food critics have been replaced by transplants on TikTok and I fall for them every time. Restaurants are catching up, too, curating experiences that look good on social media. Sadly, sometimes in real life, they don’t live up to the hype.
Certain restaurants gain popularity through viral trends and become must-visit destinations for food enthusiasts. Influencers, foodies, and everyone in between clamor to capture a viral cheese pull or decadent dessert on social media. When I cave and visit these internet-famous establishments, I already know the menu by heart.
My anticipation builds as I arrive at the restaurant, fueled by the expectations set by countless TikTok videos and online reviews. The ambiance may live up to the hype, with aesthetically pleasing interiors and a trendy vibe that aligns with current social media aesthetics. However, the true test lies in the taste of the food.
From soggy salads to flavorless featured dishes, there’s so much that can go wrong. I’ve seen The Bear — I know it’s difficult to craft a culinary experience worth visiting. But these days, it's not uncommon for social media-famous restaurants to prioritize the visual appeal of their creations over flavor. The reality may be far from the perfectly presented and mouth-watering images that circulated on TikTok. Perhaps the flavors are underwhelming, the portions are smaller than expected, or the overall experience doesn't match the online reputation.
Like fast fashion, these establishments spend all their money on marketing. They invest in the interiors, they hire influencers to post their gifted dinners and drum up hype, and they focus on the sizzle. But at their core, the food is underwhelming and expensive.
In truth, TikTok restaurant reviews are why I left New York. All of a sudden, all the transplants were lining up outside of Balthazaar and Boucherie — no real New Yorker would — or else blowing up the few cool spots until they became oversaturated with tourists. But at least most of that food was good.
In Los Angeles, I’ve been tricked by TikTok recs more often than I care to admit. And all I get for my troubles are some bland American dishes and overpriced tacos. Some food spots have become so ubiquitous they’re LA staples that don’t live up to the hype. Some are new restaurant fads that blow through town like a tornado and then disappear in a cloud of Santal 33. In their brief moments of relevance, they garner crowds and outrageous wait times just for sub-par service and forgettable food.
If you’re visiting the city of angels, here are some of the most overrated restaurants in LA that I went to so you don’t have to:
Fast Eats
Urth Cafe
This LA eatery shot to fame after it was featured in countless early episodes of The Kardashians. But that was a decade ago. At this point, you have no shot at catching a Jenner or Kardashian still eating here. So why does anyone still go?
Zinque Cafe
This restaurant has taken Urth Cafe’s crown for many LA natives. But like its counterpart, the bland salads and boring dishes are not worth any of the hype. It’s only good for coffee and coworking — not actually spending your hard-earned dollars on a meal you won’t remember.
Erewhon Hot Bar
Hear me out: not everything at Erewhon is worth the hype. The Hailey Bieber smoothie: surprisingly, yes. The hot bar food: no. While I’ve dabbled in the hot bar at Erewhon in my day, it’s usually a desperate plea to fill my stomach after a long day. It’s not worth traveling for. Maybe the crispy rice sandwich. But nothing else.
The So-Called Classics
Pump Restaurant
Known for its association with reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump, Pump has drawn attention for its glamorous setting. But you go here to spot a Vanderpump, not to enjoy your meal.
Catch LA
Catch LA is a global chain that is known for celebrity sightings and raucous nightlife on a stylish rooftop. For anyone who has lived in a city with a Catch, you know it as a birthday spot for the most obnoxious people in your Junior year of high school. But, as flashy as the ice cream smash might be, it’s essentially the Cheesecake Factory.
Bottega Louie
Someplace named Bottega Louie is obviously the epitome of logomania for food. All style, no substance.
New, Overrated Spots
Donna’s:
The East Side food scene is taking off and most places are genuinely super cool. So I was super excited for Donna’s, a hearty red sauce Italian joint that has a 3-hour wait on a good day. And yes, the food is good, but it’s not worth the time or the prices.
Gyoza Bar
With all the incredible Asian cuisine in LA, don’t overpay for a subpar experience. The limited menu is entirely disappointing and the decor is more overwhelming than cool. For a high-end, vibey experience head to Santo.
Saltie Girl
If you’re confused by the seafood joint in West Hollywood, so are we. It’s a millennial pink nightmare full of influencers that will make you think you’ve traveled back to 2014. The desserts are spectacular but the menu is a little all over the place and overall underwhelming. Skip it for the Malibu or Venice seafood spots.
