It's been 6 days since I tried the burger and I am still thinking about that burger.... This place continues to be the real deal. As someone who's usually cooking at home, picking up a CSA and overjoyed by new vegetables, loves hosting dinner parties, this is the one place I will come out for. My personal menu: -chicken liver mousse -burger -fries (omg the herbs on them and sauce to dip) -the olive martini -smoked tomato cocktail Also Bavik when they have it. Ps I havent tried everything but I will. read more

Vandell - Smoked tomato cocktail and fries - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

When your dear friend tells you she snagged a reservation at the hottest bar in L.A. you say, "Yes!" Vandell has been open for about 5 months and has already been voted best US Cocktail Bar and ranks no 68 on the Best Bars in North America list. Why you ask? Because the "market fresh" cocktails pair unique flavor combinations and are perfectly balanced. The mid-century California design is aesthetically pleasing and the atmosphere in the bar area is lively. We were seated at the bar in the back area, which is more intimate with dim lighting and cozy booths. It also happened to be the section where acclaimed mixologist, Shawn Lickliter was working. I was honored to have him make me a cocktail. Shawn is so friendly and polite and watching him work his magic is inspiring. When said friend is also a bartender, you go with her drink recommendations as well. She suggested the Vandell Martini (Gin, Dry Vermouth, Blano Vermouth, Tarragon Vinegar). It was served ice cold in an elegant martini glass and presented on a silver tray with a sidecar on ice. The first sip was divine! I'm not sure what the olive was stuffed with but it was delish! We shared the Eggplant Hummus and French Fries. The skinny fries were hot & crispy and the dijonnaise dipping sauce was addicting. The Eggplant Hummus was served with country sourdough and thinly sliced beets to spread it on. The presentation was pretty and it was very tasty. We ended this perfect evening with another round of drinks. This time my friend suggested the Blood Orange (Mezcal, Cognac, Blood Orange, Cacao, Cassia, Orange Wine, Citrus) and she had the Green Pepper (Tequila, Green Chartreuse, Chilli, Bell Pepper, Citrus). I tried a sip of hers and the flavor profiles of both cocktails were delightful and they were perfect - just like the martinis. Despite being packed the staff worked together like a well-oiled machine. I highly recommend! *Metered street, residential parking, or valet parking lot. + read more

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Came here because the wife saw them on Instagram. We were lucky enough to find parking in the neighborhood about 2 blocks away. There isn't much parking available in this part of town tbh. You're better off grabbing a Lyft/Uber. Walked up and stood in line for about 35 minutes. Just a tip, if you want to be seated at a table, you have to inside and put your name down. Otherwise, the line is just for the bar area. But once in the bar, any seat that opens up there is first come, first serve. Once we got inside, it was so loud with people talking and the music volume being high, it was hard to carry on a conversation without having to repeat yourself. Luckily, after another 30 minutes, we were seated in the back area. That was a little quieter and we ordered the steak frittes & hamachi crudo. The hamachi was in a cream sauce and cut thicker than I would have liked. I was able to taste the fishiness of it and it kind of turned me off a little. The sauce was good, but the fish could have been of better quality. The steak came out and it was a little bland, but the chimichurri sauce helped carry the weight for sure. Don't get me wrong, the meat was tender, but it was on the lean side. The fries came out hot and crispy and they were of the skinny variety. Think McDonalds. That also came with a brown butter mustard dipping sauce. I thought the dish as a whole was excellent. I thought the drinks were pretty good and reasonably priced. I was thinking it would have cost around $19-$21, but they were $16-$17. So not too bad. When we left, around 9pm, there was 1 person standing in line. So I would eat down the street and then walk up to here for drinks afterwards when the line isn't as outrageous. I'm glad I had a chance to try out this place, but I wouldn't make it a go to spot. I think I prefer The Guest House down the street as it's much more quiet there and not as hyped up by Instagram as Vandell's. read more

Super warm ambiance with moody lighting. Interesting cocktails that feel like opening a blind box. Had the banana and it tasted like the banana of alcohol. The fries were really delicious too. Cool late night spot for sitting around w friends. These jelloshots and the waiters were the best read more

Vandell - Jello shots - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Ambiance: A chic gastropub with a moody, dressier vibe that feels refreshing for the Los Feliz scene. It has a relaxed, chill atmosphere while still feeling elevated enough for a night out. The bar is centrally placed, which gives the space lively energy and makes it a great social hub. I do wish the restaurant were slightly bigger, as the wait times when it gets busy may deter some people from stopping in. Drinks: Well-crafted and balanced across the board, whether you prefer savory, sweet, or refreshing cocktails. I ordered the Pineapple cocktail (tequila-based), and it was delicious, smooth, balanced, and slightly on the sweeter side without being overwhelming. Food: The food is consistently well made and reliable maybe not overly artisanal, but definitely a solid choice for a fun night out. Highlights: Chicken Liver Mousse: A more approachable take on the classic. The garlic, red pepper, and added flavors make it friendly for people who don't usually gravitate toward liver mousse, though traditionalists might find it a bit flavor-heavy. Caesar Salad: Elevated and well prepared, featuring mixed greens that give it a fresher, more upscale feel than a standard Caesar. Hamachi Crudo: A standout dish. Fresh, clean, and beautifully prepared with no fishy taste or smell. I would absolutely order this again. Burger: Solid and satisfying. The bun is slightly different from a traditional burger, and the meat was cooked well. Steak Frites: Really good and recommended. Served with chimichurri, fries, and a French mustard sauce. The chef prepares it medium rare, and it was cooked perfectly. Service: The staff was very friendly and did a great job managing the crowd and keeping service running smoothly, even during busy times. Noise Level: It can get pretty loud. While the music adds to the fun vibe, it can sometimes make conversations a little difficult. Parking: Street parking and metered spots available. Overall: Vandell is a stylish and dependable gastropub option in Los Feliz with strong drinks, solid food, and a lively atmosphere. A great choice for a fun, slightly dressier night out with friends or a casual date. read more

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Great food great drinks great vibes !! This place is 10/10 the food is AMAZING you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Their craft drinks are so unique and special to this bar you can't get it anywhere else. Run don't walk !!! read more

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Good vibes and a fun time. One of the new top cocktail bars in LA easily said. Market Fresh Mango - Islay scotch with a refreshing take reminiscent of the Japanese style of mixology. Spirit Forward Vesper Lynd - just get i Light Pear tonic - another solid drink Honestly I'd come back and try every drink. The hype is on point and worth here read more

Vandell - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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New cocktail bar (as of 12/2025) in the Los Feliz area. Despite being new, this space has a classic, familiar feel to it and despite the art on the wall depicting Los Angeles, this bar has an East Coast/ NYC vibe to it (there are two bars/ restaurants it reminds me of, but can't remember the names - it's been over 10 years). The service/ hospitality - from the person letting you in to all the folks I interacted with in the bar area and taking my order - may be the most hospitable people I've had the pleasure interacting with at a cocktail bar. I came in for drinks only because I was meeting up with friends for dinner down the street, so I can't speak to the food they serve here. The cocktail menus are well organized and categorized by spirt or type of cocktail. There's also a pretty amazing selection of whiskey (my eyes tend to scan what's available whenever I go to a bar) from familiar faves to some high end rare bottles. Best part? Not only are the cocktails well crafted, balanced with an elegant presentation, but they feel very reasonably priced! On this trip I was able to try three different cocktails: - The 'Banana' cocktail - The (Matcha) Egg Nog - The Vandell Martini (with the sidecar) All three were very, very delicious. I mean, this place might be my new favorite place to grab cocktails in the Los Angeles area or at the very least a place I will feel compelled to visit each time I'm in the area or if I'm going to a show at the Greek Theatre, etc., etc. Just thoroughly impressed with this place. I'm looking forward to trying items from their food menu as well. read more

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Vandell amazed us with their unique inventive cocktails that you don't see anywhere else. Some to note: wintermelon old fashioned, smoke tomato, and pandan The most popular is the smoked tomato for its savory mezcal taste. Highly recommended bringing a group and trying all of them. What's surprising is their food is just as tasty and high-quality. Anchovie toast and the burger were the top favorites. We were squeezed into an intimate, dimly lit table corner with the peak of a New Year's eve crowd; but our server never failed to check on us and keep the drinks flowing. read more

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Got a few different cocktails to try-- all very unique and pretty good! The banana one was definitely banana... it wasn't bad but I'm not sure I would order it again. The smoked tomato and green pepper cocktails were yummy! Our server helped us decide on what to try and I think they were all great choices. Definitely recommend exploring the menu by ordering different cocktails to taste. read more

Vandell - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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This place deserves all the stars. Let's start off with the bad. Parking. It's Los Feliz it's a crap shoot. Street parking with meters or neighborhood parking is wha you got. Read the street signs! Popularity. This place is so hot right now that it should be called Hansel. I went solo on a whim and waited twenty minutes for a spot at the bar to open, but they serve you cocktails while you're standing which is nice. The good. Cocktails. Wow. They give you a side car on the martinis which I appreciate. Let's not waste anything! It's stronger than you expect. The star drink IMO is the winter melon old fashioned. It's inspired by Asian flavors that meld well with the rye. It's slightly sweet, crisp, and has a nice rye finish. It was so refreshing I had two. The burger. It was cooked so well, but is messy. The bun reminds me of an English muffin, but thicker and more durable. It has a bounce and chew that was countered with crisp bites of pickles. The meat was seasoned perfectly, the cheese gooey but not too overwhelming, and their special sauce was addicting. The vibes of the place are so nice. So much wood. It's romantic AF if you want to take a date here or impress someone. It's also nice and cozy when it rains. Again, it's popular and it felt crowded. Would drink again . read more

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What a fun place. We sat at the bar and enjoyed watching the bartender mix drinks. The drinks are innovative and refreshing. Ordered the green pepper, smoked potato and blood orange. Split a burger and anchovy toast. read more

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This is a quaint little place with bartenders who look happy and actually enjoy the craft of a drink. The vibe gives NY -- bay ridge area lol the drinks were OK. I recommend the gimlet and the red pepper drink. The anchovy toast is to die for-- so much FLAVA, very impressive! This is a cute place to take any date :) read more

Vandell - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Food and drinks are delicious. Had the steak and frittes, Cesar salad, fries, burger, Jell-O shots, smoked tomato, olive martini, and the green pepper cocktail, both desserts (we were celebrating okay!) Everything was absolutely delicious. Service was great. Marcus took great care of us. The upside down cake was served warm and so so good. Fantastic neighborhood spot. read more

Vandell - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time here, and really enjoyed this spot. Craft cocktails were excellent and service was 10/10z

A non-pretentious cocktail bar with excellent drinks, a handful of tasty snacks and mains, an awesome vibe all in a beautiful and warm space. We had the smoked tomato cocktail, the blood orange, and the olive martini, all excellent! The Boston lettuce salad was incredibly fresh and a great portion that 3 people shared. The steak frites were good though I didn't care for the chimichurri sauce, and the burger was my favorite item of the night in addition to the fries which were exceptional! Service was phenomenal throughout the night, no notes! We went on a Saturday night and got there right at 5pm when they opened and there was already a large line formed down Hillhurst but were still seated very shortly after arriving. I couldn't be happier to welcome Vandell to the neighborhood and look forward to coming back soon. read more

Nice but get here early. Gets crowded quickly. Didn't have the food but the drinks and vibe was cool.

What a great addition to the Los Feliz area! My husband and I went on a Friday night and wanted to try this new cocktail place. Vibe: Since it was a Friday night, it took about 40 minutes to get our table after checking in with the front. There was also a line outside if you are interested in sitting in the bar. Since it is a tiny place, the largest group I've seen is around 4 people. The restaurant is also in noisier side, so if you are looking for an intimate conversation without raising your voice, it isn't the place for you. Drinks: Some of the drinks we had were the... Banana (7/10) Mango (5/10) Pandan (8/10) Blood Orange (7/10) Winter Melon Old Fashioned (9/10) Poet Dream (8/10) The star of the show for me was the Winter Melon Old Fashioned. It had a particular taste of maple syrup from the winter melon tea they incorporated in, which was a nice surprise. The mango though, not so much. There was a mix in the cocktail interfering with the different flavors. It had a smoky, slight umami taste to it that didn't combine with the mango taste. Since I am a fan of mango, it was a huge disappointment drinking the cocktail. Service: The service was great! Eric was fantastic, and helped us assist in picking several of our cocktails. While there were slight hiccups throughout our time in Vandell, I can't blame the restaurant since they were only opened for a month. Overall, if you are looking for a new cocktail place in Los Angeles, I recommend going to Vandell! read more

Decor. Food. Drinks. Ambiance. All checks out. Was lucky to get a table in the back room, which had its own little bar/bartender so service was great and staff came by regularly to check on us. Food was really good (got the anchovy toast, steak frites, burger) and ate it before I remembered to take pictures. Drinks were both classic and original and beautiful when they were served. I understand it's likely gotten busier with more people finding out about this place but it lives up to the hype. I would definitely come back again. read more

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I love this place. I'm not a fan of waiting in line for anything but it's not so bad because they stay on top of it and you don't feel like you are left hanging out on the street with no hope of ever getting in. They will bring you in to the bar and give you a spot which is nice because they don't overcrowd the place and the wait for dinner is usually not so bad - at least it was not when we went:) The drinks are great - Ive ordered the Gimlet both times while there and the cordial garnish is so good (I think it is a baby lime? Peach? Not sure but it is good) and the food menu is tight and everything on it has been exceptionally good. We eat out a lot because me and my BF work long hours so I feel like we are a good source for that info:) Anyway, I do like this place A LOT and I don't say that lightly. read more

Was just refused service for "being intoxicated" when I hadn't had a single drink. I am writing this the moment after leaving- the staff was shockingly rude, accusatory, and truly provided an experience that left my jaw dropped. I'd strongly advise against this place, as patrons are clearly hyper monitored. Have frequented this newer establishment many times- will never attend again. Truly shocked. read more

​Vandell just opened and I'm already worried about my wallet. It is the new Los Feliz bar that feels like a classic. Not because it's expensive. It's quite reasonably priced, esp in the area. I walked in with zero expectations. New bar, still finding its legs, right? Nope. These folks came out swinging. First, the space. Warm oak paneling, dark marble bar, leather stools, backlit shelves lined with bottles that make you curious and want to ask questions like you actuallly understand whiskey. In the corner nook, a small vintage portrait of some weathered soul smoking a pipe watches over the room like a patron saint of good drinking and good vibes. ​But something that caught me totally off guard is the deliberate sound engineering. The venue is split into four distinct spaces, and the acoustics are purposefully engineered for each one space. The private room is damped and muted so even soft conversations are clear without having to shout. You feel like you're at a 5 person bar in a hidden alley in Tokyo. Step out to the main bar, and the energy is up but not overly intense. You basically get to choose your own volume level depending on who you brought with you. ​The whole place is a gentle amber glow from candlelight and gorgeous tiered pendant lamps. It feels polished but not too precious. No hints of of pretentiousness. ​Drinks The menu is organized by vibe rather than base spirit. "Light" for easing in, "Market Fresh" for the produce-obsessed, and "Spirit Forward" for the purists. ​My Highlights: * ​The Winter Melon Bourbon: A total surprise. It startswhiskey-forward, but the real magic happens in the finish. There is a long, slow-building winter melon aftertaste that completely sneaks up on you. My advice? Wait 20 to 30 seconds between sips to let that flavor fully bloom. A must-try. I had to get a 2nd one. * The Banana: Bourbon, oloroso sherry, banana, citrus, white miso, puffed rice chai. It sounds like something made to appease the nong drinkers who want to feel sophisticated, it tastes like 30 years of practice distilled into a single glass. Savory, nutty, and slightly sweet. * ​The Olive Martini: This deserves its own mention. They use shio koji, yuzu kosho, smoked olive brine, and anchovy. It arrives the way a martini should: the drink in a delicate stemmed glass, with a sidecar chilling on crushed ice beside it. ​Food This isn't "nuts and olives" bar food. * ​Hamachi Crudo: Served with carrot leche de tigre, pistachios, and garlic chips. Legitimately restaurant-quality. * ​Anchovy Toast: Chili lime boquerones and arugula pesto. The perfect salty bite to have in front of you while working through the spirit-forward section. * ​Fries: Served with Dijonnaise. That is all they need. The bartenders clearly know what they are doing and, more importantly, they care. Even the N/A options are considered, like the Japanese Pickleback (Suntory All-Free with citrus pickle brine) which doesn't feel like a consolation prize. ​This neighborhood doesn't need another bar. But it needed THIS one. read more

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Had a great time at Vandell! :) the line to get in was initially slightly intimidating, but it moved briskly, thanks to our welcoming and communicative host. While waiting in the standing area for a table, staff was very courteous and helped procure drinks and provide guidance on what was available. I ordered the Winter Melon Old Fashioned and the Saratoga. Everything was delicious :) The space is beautiful and well done, but we were thankful for the crowd control because it could easily become difficult to maneuver. Definitely a sit down and chat kind of place for a more intimate date or small group of close friends. Loved it and plan on returning during the week to avoid that line haha :) read more

Vandell - The bar backdrop - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This place was AMAZING! From the time we stepped into Vandell until the time we left we had an amazing service. From the host, bartender, manager, to our server Marcus were very attentive. The drinks are really amazing. You can tell they really put their time and effort into making the drink menu. We tried the Green Pepper,Smoked Potato, Vesper, just to name a few. Our favorite was the Pandon it was soooo good. The food was really good as well, it's served tapas style. We got the hummus, steak, crudo, and Caesar salad and they were all amazing. The crudo was our favorite, tasted very fresh. We came on opening night, even thought it was really busy. We really enjoyed ourselves and can't wait to be back. Thank you to our server Marcus he was very knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients in each drink. Can't wait to be back! read more

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First time here last Saturday. Such a pretty and lively space, it was packed. Wonderful and kind staff, great drinks and very inventive. We even got free citrus jelly shots that they make there, yum. Would go back for sure. read more

Great cocktails. Service is great. I always have great interactions with the guy at the door and the one time I was lucky enough to sit at the bar, I had a super memorable positive experience with one of the bar tenders. Solid spot. Excellent and desperately needed addition to Los Feliz. read more

The food and drinks were excellent. Very cool vibe. Bartenders were very cool and knowledgeable. Highly recommend it.

Delightful cocktails, tasty food and great service. Everything you want in a great bar. Wish it was easier to get seats at the bar. We waited in line for about 20 minutes on a Saturday night, but obtained a table after a ten minute wait at the standing room bar area. Worked out fine, but who wouldn't rather get dinner and a show watching the masters at work. read more

Great new neighborhood spot. A cozy, unstuffy ambience and the cocktails were excellent (really enjoyed the clarified tomato cocktail). Also appreciated that prices aren't as exorbitant as expected. An awesome and much appreciated addition to the street. read more

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arrived tonight before having any drinks, waited outside for 20 minutes and sat. ordered our drinks just to have management tell my autistic friend that he was too intoxicated and he had to leave. after we tried to explain that we hadn't had a single sip of alcohol yet, we were told to leave immediately. and not politely at all, despite us being calm and collected while asking what was wrong. this is my third time at this place and i was very excited to start coming here regularly. will never be coming back. read more

Great vibes all round. Came in on a Sunday and had phenomenal service. Drinks and food were fantastic. All around good experience! read more

Vandell - The old fashion was perfect. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Vandell is quickly becoming the crown jewel of this neighborhood. Last week, I stopped by with a friend to see what the buzz was all about, and this BEAUTIFUL bar absolutely lived up to the hype -- and then some. AMAZING cocktail selections (the Smoked Tomato will change your life and we also enjoyed the Blood Orange!), excellent food, and a gorgeous, open interior make the whole experience feel effortlessly elevated. Congratulations to the entire team, and especially to Marcus, our attentive server with fabulous suggestions. Can't wait to swing by again soon! read more

10/10 Ambiance & service. I love trying out new bars and will definitely come back with friends! read more

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Oh my gosh the cocktails are fantastic service from Marcus was amazing he was so knowledgeable and kind - this is my go to spot over here -- food was fantastic great addition! Get the banana! read more

Vandell - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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We visited this new place in our neighborhood tonight for its soft opening, and it was surprisingly crowded. The wines were excellent, but the selection was limited. However, the bar food was delicious. read more

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This place is incredible. The drinks, the food, the ambiance--it's the whole package. Their cocktails are on another level thanks to their top tier mixologists who clearly know their craft. Every drink feels thoughtfully made and truly stands out. Everyone is friendly, from the staff to the customers, and you instantly feel welcome the moment you walk in. read more

Vandell - Smoked Tomato - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Wow. This place! Cozy! Love the look. I did not have anchovie toast on my Bingo card but, omg, life changing. Practically spent an afternoon here. And the service, so attentive. Too bad (for you) the holiday eggnog is seasonal. So yummy! read more

Delicious burger and fries! Thank God a restaurant is serving great food until midnight on Hillhurst. So happy! The wine is great and the service here is top notch! Such cool vibes , beautiful space. read more

I don't leave a lot of reviews but felt compelled to leave this one. We were excited to try Vandell. Got, there put our name in for a table and sat at the bar. Ended up ordering food at the bar. Our experience in one word was "rushed". We ordered the caesar to share and two mains. The caesar was great but our main dishes came out like 3 minutes later. We looked at the waiter and were like "we don't know where you can put those plates..." There was truly no room for the plates as we had not come close to finishing the caesar and the counter space was VERY limited. I ended up giving the waitress my plate while finishing a bite of salad and subsequently ate straight out of the caesar bowl in order to accommodate all the dishes. Even then it was tight and uncomfortable. There was clearly little coordination with the kitchen or consideration as to how to time things. Vandell also charged us for a drink that we returned. I flagged it to the waiter and just asked if that was intentional or not since I understand that returning a drink is high maintenance, but hey... They then removed the charge. It's also extremely loud in there. It's fine if you know what you're getting into. But I find restaurants often put aesthetic choices before comfort and this is the case here. Low ceilings, even cork ceilings and zero absorptive material, will not do the ears any favors. Around two hours after we left, we got a text saying our table was ready! Not a big deal obviously, but kinda a perfect cherry on the top for what turned out to be a pretty meh experience. read more

Really fun drink menu, lots of new and inventive drinks. Food menu it was tough to know if we were snacking or doing dinner, but the service was great and the vibes even better read more