Belle's Delicatessen & Bar
Bagel shop · Highland Park ·
Bagel sandwiches, deli classics, cocktails, and more
Bagel sandwiches, deli classics, cocktails, and more
"There are evergreen latkes worth seeking out, in any season, across Los Angeles. One of the best of them is the ultra crispy, peppery scallion latkes at Belle’s Delicatessen, the bagel bar and deli in Highland Park. Yes, the bagels at Belle’s may be the headliner, but its latkes are quietly some of the best in the Southland: Flying saucer-like rounds come to the table piping hot with lacy edges and soft potato filling, sized to eclipse the palm of a human hand. An accompanying lemon wedge can be used to brighten the potato pancakes’ exterior, which are maximally seasoned — each bite unlocks another level of flavor intensity; the classic sour cream and applesauce combination feature as balancing sides. Interwoven scallion threads make it all the more pleasurable.— Nicole Fellah, Eater editorial manager" - Matthew Kang
"An all-day fixture on foot-traffic-heavy York Boulevard since August 2024, it slings gravlax bagels in the morning before shifting to chicken schnitzel and pickle martinis come sundown. After more than a decade as a pop-up, it feels like a rare new restaurant that’s been there forever thanks to an upgraded-greatest-hits Jewish diner menu, retro-cool décor, and a spacious back patio with a crackling fire; a rotating menu of bar snack specials and a notably inventive cocktail program ensure repeat visits feel fresh, even for regulars. Matzo ball soup is a must-order regardless of the time of day—livened with fresh dill and parsley yet otherwise classic, with plump, salty matzo dumplings bobbing in a savory chicken broth that’s better than a therapy session. The Reuben stands up to Los Angeles’s historic pastrami institutions, loaded with tender meat, sauerkraut, and melted Swiss, appropriately messy but built on rye that maintains its structural integrity. During the day, the open-faced gravlax bagel compels with silky smoked salmon, pickled onions, scallion cream cheese, a heap of dill, and a surprise zap of acidity and sweetness from preserved lemon; if you’re hungover, the BECA—bacon, egg, cheese, and scallion–avocado mash—might genuinely be the best cure in Los Angeles. After dark the cocktail menu becomes its own draw: the pickle martini (Uncle Val’s botanical gin, Manzanilla sherry, sour pickle brine) has achieved cult status; for something lighter, the cleverly named Cel-Ray Chaiball (with Dr. Brown’s Cel-Ray soda, Ford’s gin, and celery bitters) is an only-at-Belle’s creation, and playful specials include the Tekiah Negroni with Amaro Angeleno and the Mezcal Tov with mezcal, manzanilla sherry, celery shrub, and lime, plus a full martini menu and other classics. Best for long life chats over pickletinis and scallion latkes on a “cold” 59-degree Los Angeles night or a cheeky martini at the bar (solo or with a might-be-a-date), it also restores my will to live with hair of the dog and a bowl of matzo ball soup after karaoke. Insider tip: the back patio is one of the best private-party spots in Northeast LA, with ample seating and an ambiance-enhancing fireplace where guests can gather for cocktails and shared plates of elephant fries smothered in pastrami and sherry-caramelized onions." - Hilary Pollack
"As soon as the first drop of November rain hits Los Angeles, my need for crispy, salty latkes goes through the roof, so my go-to is this Highland Park spot where the bagel sensation has settled into a retro-style permanent home with an easygoing modern delicatessen menu. Always start with the scallion latkes (order at least three), then move on to a tuna melt or hot pastrami sandwich." - Eater Staff
"Our list of reasons for loving HP's favorite bagel shop just grew longer. Now called Belle’s Delicatessen, this former takeout window went through a retro glow-up and emerged as a full-service Jewish deli with hot pastrami on double-baked rye, sour pickle plates, and scallion latkes. The paint has barely had a chance to dry, but the dining room exudes old-timey charm with leather booths and tchotchkes aplenty. And like all proper delis, Belle’s is an all-day affair. Make a morning stop for a bagel sandwich with pastrami-spiced lox, or grab a stool at the bar for an after-hours pickle martini or “Gin & Tonukkah.”" - brant cox, sylvio martins, andrew ryce, cathy park
"It took the owners of Belle’s Bagels four years to transform their takeout-only operation into a full-fledged Jewish deli, and the wait was worth it. The all-day neighborhood spot — decked out in cozy booths and whimsical photographs — is worth visiting for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Bagel and hot sandwiches headline the daytime menu, while crisply fried mushroom or chicken schnitzel appeals to the evening crowd, along with cocktails to fit every taste." - Mona Holmes