Though she moved to L.A. only a few years ago, Philly transplant Lizzy McAlpine quickly found her neighborhood spots. Here’s where you might find the indie-folk artist when she’s not on tour for her new album, Older.
Less“I love doughnuts, so I’ve had a lot of them, and these are the best doughnuts I’ve ever had in my life. [Holey Grail] started in Hawaii, and their doughnuts are made out of taro, which is so sick. They’re made to order, so they’re warm and amazing. They’re tiny, too—they can fit in the palm of your hand. I usually get the classic one—the Original Sin. It’s just maple glaze over their regular doughnut, and it’s incredible. They always have fun flavors too.”
“I love books, and this is one of my favorite bookstores I’ve found in L.A. so far. It’s just so cute and cozy-feeling in there. I used to live around the corner, so I would walk there all the time. When I walk in, I usually just go straight to the horror section. I pretty much have read every book in that section, so I look to see what’s new.”
“I’m from Philly, so water ice—Rita’s!—is my thing. I was craving it one day, and my ex-boyfriend is from Hawaii, so he introduced me to Hawaiian shave ice. This place is across the street from HomeState in Los Feliz, but I didn’t even know it was there because it’s hidden by a huge tree. Their shave ice is so good. I usually do the kids size because the regular is huge. I get mochi on top, and it’s the perfect thing for a hot day. And there’s never a line because it’s hidden by this tree!”
“I’m obsessed with HomeState! The Pasadena location is where we usually go to hang out as a group, because their patio is so nice and chill. I go all the time; their tacos and quesadillas are amazing. Recently I’ve been getting the loaded queso with sour cream, pico, guac, brisket—I ate a whole thing by myself the other day. I get everything on the menu. I always get a Cooldown: It’s Topo Chico and lemon and lime juice; you can’t go wrong.”
“This Japanese confectionary store in Little Tokyo sells mostly mochi. It’s incredible. It was started in 1903! The mochi is so fresh; it’s the perfect dessert. You can tell I have a sweet tooth! It’s usually really busy on the weekends because it’s an iconic spot. They also have packaged mochi; the chocolate mochi in the little package is life-changing. On weekends, if you go early, sometimes they have this red bean paste mochi with strawberry on top.”
“I love this place. It’s a theater, but they also have a clothing store up top, and their clothes are insane—they’re so cool. Every time I walk in, I never feel like I can pull off anything, but I just like to look at them because they’re so sick. I had my short-film screening here for my last album, and for Older I did my documentary screening here for family and friends. They have a back patio area where they do pop-ups. It’s such a cool space.”
“This place is a hand-roll bar—there’s no tables. It’s really tiny, and you have to get on the waitlist, but it’s so worth it. The hand rolls are amazing; they make them in front of you. It’s such a cool experience to sit at the bar and they put the rolls down as they’re ready. The soft-shell crab hand roll is insane. It’s so good. You can’t go wrong here.”
“Every time I go here, it just really hits. The atmosphere is so cute—it’s this little diner inside. I usually go for lunch. I get either the curry chicken salad sandwich or the brisket sandwich.”
“I found this place through my bandmates; they go here all the time, and I’ve started coming along. It’s the only building on this busy road, and the place is super tiny. It’s so not L.A., but I love it so much. They have board games, and we just sit at a table, and it’s a great vibe. Sometimes they have food, like pizza. It’s so low-key.”
“Sleeper is a really cool thrift store. It’s hidden—you can’t really tell it’s there. They always have really great stuff: a good shoe selection and also good jackets. I bought a blue, Japanese work coat–type jacket there when I went the first time.”