A Taste of the World Cup

Algeria’s 1982 World Cup Finals debut was a stunning defeat of West Germany, and they’ve been a team to watch ever since. Algerian-owned Maghreb Apron is a Friday/Saturday pop-up inside West LA International Market, focused on authentic and evocative Maghrebi couscous and rice dishes.

With restaurants in Downtown LA, Hollywood and Studio City, LALA’s Argentine Grill celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026 and actually hosted Argentina’s national team at its Studio City location last year after a match against Costa Rica at LA Memorial Coliseum.

You’ll also be able to feel the fervor of Argentina’s impassioned fans at Buenos Aires Grill in Northridge, where framed soccer shirts festoon the walls; and at Mercado Buenos Aires, an Argentine restaurant/bakery/market in Van Nuys and Granada Hills.

With locations in the Arts District and Pasadena, Malbec Argentinean Cuisine serves up steak and chorizo from their woodfired grill, along with fresh seafood dishes, homemade pastas and empanadas and a variety of South American wines. 

Cheers on Australia’s “Socceroos” while eating like an Aussie at Glassell Park’s Little Ripper. A true local mom-&-pop, this Australian/Latina-owned gem recently expanded its dining room and its menus of authentic Down Under dishes and wines (breakfast, Happy Hour, and dinner).

Down in Hermosa Beach (and coming soon to Manhattan Beach), Gum Tree Café occupies a charming 1911 craftsman bungalow alongside boutique jewelry, décor, and gifts. Drop in for iconic Aussie faves like lamington sponge cake rolled in chocolate or Tim Tam cookies.

Enjoy authentic dishes common to Austria and Germany – including wiener schnitzel, beef goulash, and käsekrainer (cheese-stuffed sausage) - at Wirtshaus restaurant and biergarten in the Fairfax District, where all World Cup matches during business hours will be screened.

Granada Hills brunch fave Belgium Waffle Haus serves handcrafted Liege waffles and fine specialty coffee in a cozy Euro atmosphere. Their passion for authenticity centers upon a 17-hour fermentation process for waffles then baked to perfection in classic cast iron waffle machines.

It's also worth driving out to Claremont to watch Belgium’s games at The Back Abbey, a destination for Belgian beers and Belgium-inspired menu items with multiple TVs.

LA’s sole Bosnian restaurant, Aroma Café is a Cheviot Hills treasure run by the Slipac family, who fled the 1990s Bosnian War. Its menu and delicatessen embrace traditions from across Southeastern Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina’s national dish, ćevapi (skinless grilled beef sausages). 

The stretch of Venice Boulevard straddling Culver City and Palms is LA’s de facto “Braziltown,” where raucous, headline-making World Cup parties erupted last time the U.S. hosted, in 1994, when Brazil won the fourth of their five titles to date. Brazil fans gather for games on the patio of the Brazilian Mall and at the area’s OG Brazilian eatery, Café Brasil. Opened in 1991, this classic is likely LA’s best-known Brazilian eatery. Serving healthy takes on exotic dishes with large sides of vibes, Café Brasil transports diners from an innocuous stretch of Washington Boulevard to a cosmopolitan Rio patio.

Another place to support the storied Seleção Canarinho is M Grill steakhouse where twin TVs flank an impressive bar.

The small Atlantic archipelago nation of Cabo Verde is celebrating its historic debut appearance in the FIFA World Cup. While LA’s sole Cabo Verdean eatery, Cape Green, was short lived, you can sample adjacent West African fare at Melrose Avenue’s vibrant WEAF Restaurant.

While a few other LA eateries serve poutine – a singularly Canadian dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy – the specialist is Poutine Brothers, a food truck and delivery service offering eight varieties plus loaded fries and sides.

With soccer on TV and portions large enough to last the full 90 minutes, Van Nuys’ cozy Macondo Kitchen is a mom-and-pop Colombian escape serving empanadas, pandebonos, buñuelos, arepas, morcilla, filete de pescado en salsa, and more, plus cute Colombian souvenirs.

Also, check out Koreatown’s hip Escala K-town Colombian/Korean gastropub.
 

While there is no specifically Ivorian eatery in Los Angeles, Côte d’Ivoire’s cuisine has much in common with its West African neighbors. Try Veronica’s Kitchen in Inglewood for a menu of Nigerian dishes that often share spices, cooking methods, and ingredients with Ivorian food.

Visit San Pedro and sample the huge yet affordable portions of Croatian-accented fare at Slavko’s Harbor Poultry, a neighborhood hang since 1922 specializing in crispy chicken, famed potato nuggets, and an evocative Croatian platter.

Also, expect community parties at the Croatian American Club in San Pedro, where matches are projected onto a big screen; the Dalmatian-American Club, also in San Pedro; and at St. Anthony’s Croatian Catholic Church in Chinatown.

Formerly a roving pop-up, Caribbean Gourmet now pops up Wed.-Sun. at San Gabriel’s Blossom Market Hall, where Guyanese chef Yonette Alleyne crafts southern Caribbean staples like hearty oxtail, crab soup, baked mac and cheese, and the ubiquitous Curaçao side dish of fried plantain.

There’s no Czech eatery in LA, so instead head to 14 Cannons in Westlake Village to savor chocolatey, full-bodied Czech-style Knave 17 dark lager and crisp, hoppy Czechia-esque Patient Pilsner. World Cup matches will be screened here on an enormous projector and numerous TVs.

Los Angeles lacks a Congolese eatery, but you can order the flavors of the Congo to your door from Pili Pili de Congo Kitchen. Found by Congolese chef Maria Winters, Pili Pili delivers made-to-order pundu, oxtail stew, fried plantains and more, family style (minimum order $240).

In 2023, Los Angeles - Gardena specifically - finally got an authentic, family-owned Ecuadorian artisan bakery and restaurant. Step into DulcisFama Ecuadorian Restaurant & Bakery and succumb to homestyle Ecuadorian delights, culture and warm hospitality.

Liverpool star Mo Salah has only helped raise the profile of traditional African soccer powerhouse Egypt, and there’s nowhere better in LA to sample that country’s cuisine than the unpretentiously authentic, welcoming, family-owned Tut’s Egyptian Cuisine in Culver City.

There are multiple British-themed bars across LA, but few replicate the soccer-centric culture (and related good-natured banter) like Studio City’s long-established Fox and Hounds, with year-round soccer on projector TVs, packed houses for World Cup matches, and Euro beers a-plenty.

You can also witness brilliant banter at numerous Brit-themed pubs, including the Cat & Fiddle, Ye Olde King’s Head, the White Harte Pub, and Lucky Baldwins.

During previous World Cups, the tastefully lived-in La Poubelle bistro in Hollywood’s Franklin Village has altered its hours and added TVs for major France matches. It’s an aptly Gallic spot to enjoy Les Bleus alongside filet mignon, pan-roasted sea bass, mushroom ravioli, and more.

Willkommen und prost to a Silver Lake staple that’s been serving trad German cuisine, Teutonic beers, and brunch for over 60 years. Whether in the Red Lion Tavern’s cozy, wood-paneled interior or on its airy patio, enjoy sausage and pretzel platters, goulash, bratwursts, pickled herring, and more.

When Ghana qualified for the 2026 World Cup with a 1-0 win over the Comoros in October, staff and patrons alike celebrated at Inglewood’s Airport Royal Cuisine, where Ghanian chefs ensure authentic waakye, fufu, fried yam, rice balls in groundnut soup and more.

Celebrate the miracle of Haiti’s World Cup qualification at Valley Glen’s Island Flavors Caribbean Cuisine, where delicious, traditional Haitian dishes include savory pikliz, epis-infused stews, sweet friend plantains for dipping, Creole wings, and griot pork shoulder. 

One of the longest-running restaurants in Westwood’s “Tehrangeles” community, Shamshiri Grill is great for the large groups and family meals, serving exquisitely executed Persian-style kabobs, stews, seafood, vegan dishes and more.

Also worth noting the long-established Raffi’s Place in Glendale and Sadaf, which has locations in Encino, Beverly Hills and Thousand Oaks. 

You need only go as far as Glendale to savor the exotic flavors and textures of Iraqi cuisine at AKKAD. Specialties here include Iraqi kahi (pastry), quzi (stuffed lamb), kebbeh Mosul (8-inch, saucer-like kebbeh), and masgoof (grilled fish), alongside regional shawerma and kebab dishes.

Even in a city spoiled with Japanese eateries, Downtown LA’s hushed, intimate Hayato is a standout, but you (seriously) might want to make a reservation for summer 2026 now – and be braced for an eye-opening check!

Fusing the cuisines of two World Cup countries, Japan and Brazil, the arrival of the London-based Sushisamba was one of LA’s most anticipated restaurant openings of the year. Its singular medley of sushi, churrasco, and ceviche comes served on a breathtaking multi-level WeHo rooftop.

Bringing Levantine cuisine to Long Beach, Ammatoli also recreates the warm welcome of that region’s hospitality. An indoor/outdoor space with a sophisticated café feel, it serves Jordanian classics including mezze platters, kebab plates and moussaka.

Also, make sure to check out Miya Miya. Billed as “the bridge between Amman & Los Angeles,” Miya Miya is a West LA pop-up (and imminent brick-&-mortar) that attracts long weekend lines for its signature Jordanian-style chicken shawarma developed by charismatic LA-raised, Amman-trained chef Yaz Soudani.

Boasting huge portions of Zacatecas-inspired fare, warm service, and retaining a neighborhood vibe even as it has expanded across four locations in North Hollywood and Lake Balboa/Van Nuys, you’ll never leave Salsa & Beer unsatiated or unimpressed. 

It’ll be hard to find a bar or Mexican eatery that isn’t screening Mexico matches, with other recommended hotspots including Guelaguetza in Koreatown.

Founded by Marcos and Maria Mendoza in the early 2000s, Cuernavacas Grill is a Fashion District staple, now run by the Mendoza's daughters Nayomie and Jackie. Seafood dishes are their specialty, but the restaurant's ample menu includes everything from tacos to chile relleno to a variety of soups. Look out for Cuernavacas Grill at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for FIFA Fan Festival™ on June 11 through June 14. 

Located in the heart of Melrose Avenue, Casablanca Moroccan Kitchen is a cozy yet elegant eatery which not only serves but downright celebrates Moroccan cooking, with very personal service, a large patio, even larger portions, and music and belly dancers on weekends.

The New Zealand-themed Tangaroa seafood restaurant and market in Culver City serves some of the best fish & chips in town, plus salmon, snapper, shrimp, scallops, and raw shellfish, as well as a quintessentially Kiwi NZ lamb burger.

Shoop’s is a Santa Monica café and market that – as well as serving fantastic Euro-influenced sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfasts – stocks a wide range of Dutch, German, and Scandinavian imported foods and the most extensive selection of European candy in LA.

Newly opened, just in time for the World Cup, Lielle is a Nordic Californian neo diner created by acclaimed Swedish chef Marcus Jernmark. His goal is to celebrate the cuisine of Norway and neighboring Nordic countries but using Cali ingredients and fine dining flourishes.

The West Coast’s sole Panamanian restaurant, Mid Wilshire’s refreshingly affordable Caribbean Soul Kitchen serves Panamanian staple sancocho (a hearty, flavorful stew with indigenous, Spanish, and African influences), jerk dishes, oxtail, red snapper, stew jackfruit and more.

While there’s no Paraguayan restaurant in LA, The Empanada Factory specializes in its namesake pastry turnover that’s ubiquitous across the region. In Paraguay, beef empanadas are perhaps most popular, but The Empanada Factory also crafts vegetarian, vegan and shrimp incarnations.

Natas Pastries in Sherman Oaks is an authentic Portuguese café/bakery. Opened in 2005 by Fatima Marques, a native of Portugal, it’s named after its signature pastry, nata (meaning cream). Natas proved such a hit that within 3 years it expanded into a full-service Portuguese restaurant.

A community organization promoting Portuguese traditions, Artesia Divino Espirito Santo, has hosted concerts, soccer teams/tournaments and watch parties. D.E.S.’s bar throws the biggest Portugal watch parties in California.

Qatar hosted the 2022 World Cup and now their national team has progressed through the qualifiers for the first time. For a taste of Qatar’s traditional Arab cuisine, try Hollywood’s casual, 100% halal Dubai Sauce for delectable kabobs, gyros, rice and raved-about sauces.

One of LA’s oldest restaurants, the Tam O’Shanter serves hearty pub fare with dashes of Scottish flair right in hip Atwater Village. Operated since 1922 by the same family at the same location, specialties here include steak, toad in the hole, and pan-seared Scottish salmon.

In the 1994 finals, Saeed Al-Owairan’s stunning solo goal against Belgium announced Saudi Arabia’s arrival on the World Cup stage. While there’s no Saudi restaurant locally, Westwood’s Mandi House serves kindred, similarly spiced dishes from neighboring Yemen.

Two Hommés means “two men” in French, the official language of Senegal. One of the two “hommés” is Senegalese-American chef AB, who lends distinct Senegalese accents to an Afro-centric menu honed by years of pop-ups that preceded their brick-and-mortar Inglewood eatery.

Koreatown standout Chosun Galbee serves Korean barbecue amid escapist koi ponds and a garden-like patio. Its extensive menu – sirloin steak, pork, pan-fried fish, chicken, crab, squid, shrimp, prime rib, myriad noodle soups – merits repeat visits, with or without World Cup fever!

Also in Koreatown, Biergarten reimagines Germany’s famed beer gardens through a Korean prism, including a hybrid menu where brats and Old World ales rub shoulders with kimchi and West Coast IPAs. Biergarten shows all major sports on multiple screens, so it's a great find for soccer-loving foodies and craft beer fans alike.

The Springboks are South Africa’s national rugby team, and this Van Nuys sports bar also embraces the cultures of other rugby-loving nations. But there’s often soccer on Springbok’s TVs and its South African fare includes chicken peri-peri, Durban curry and Cape Flats fish & chips.

A flagship restaurant of Chef José Andrés’ collection at Conrad Los Angeles, San Laurel marries forward-thinking Spanish cuisine to the best California ingredients. This sleek eatery is conveniently located at The Grand LA downtown, right opposite Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Also, drop in anytime at Echo Park's Spain Restaurant and you’ll likely find soccer on TV. There’ll never be a better time to watch the 2010 world champs play amongst ardent fans enjoying authentic Spanish paella, tapas and cheap, bountiful house sangria.

Yes, Swedish pizza is a thing! At Glendale’s Viking Pizza & Sandwich, distinctive creations like Swedish Pizza (topped with white sauce and pork) and the more elaborate Viking Pizza (chicken, pork, or grilled beef) are joined by hearty sandwiches, crisp salads, and Armenian flourishes.

Brötli is a pop-up Swiss bakery in a Hollywood residential neighborhood. A product of the pandemic baking craze, its Berliners, sourdough, croissants, cardamom buns, baguettes, butterzopf and more have earned loyal Brötli regulars, typically augmented by curious newbies.

Conveniently located on Sunset Boulevard, Moun of Tunis is a must for Tunisian and Moroccan cuisine. This spot has it all: escapist aura, attentive service, gourmet food and belly dancing! If you’re new to North African eats, a set menu makes selection much simpler.

The Mediterranean menu at Westwood’s Nuka Café boasts evocative Turkish fare like manti dumplings, ali nazik (grilled lamb over eggplant puree), pide flatbreads, and baklava dessert, washed down with Beypazari mineral water and Türkiye’s yogurt-based national drink, ayran.

Also, the Long Beach incarnation of an area chain - DönerG’s - exemplifies the consistent quality of Mediterranean fare. Centered on thin-sliced, marinated rotisserie döner meats, the menu includes the beef and chicken Istanbowl, heaped Turkish street fries, and a famed halal döner kebab.

Mate Conmigo is California’s very first materia. The specialty here is traditional mate (yerba mate-infused beverage) – Uruguay’s national drink and widely enjoyed across the wider region – alongside traditional facturas (pastries), sandwichitos, empanadas and other sweets.

Clark Street Diner occupies the old 101 Coffee Shop location (famously featured in Swingers), retaining much of its quirky throwback interior and a similarly classic American menu – all-day breakfasts, hot/cold sandwiches, dinner plates – now augmented with freshly baked pastries.

Almost any bar in Los Angeles with a TV will be showing the U.S. team’s matches, with especially animated audiences at the likes of The Greyhound Bar & Grill in Highland and at Arts District Brewing Company in Downtown LA.

Born and raised in Uzbekistan, Azim Rahmatov established Zira Uzbek Kitchen to bring the authentic flavors of his homeland to LA. Since 2021, Zira has celebrated not only Central Asian cuisine but also regional traditions and hospitality, all on ultra-hip Melrose Avenue.