Pine & Crane

Pine & Crane is the kind of place that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about Taiwanese food. A casual, counter-service spot in Silver Lake, it delivers seriously fresh, flavour-packed dishes with the kind of quality you’d expect from a high-end restaurant—except at prices that make it a go-to for both quick lunches and long, leisurely dinners.

The menu is stacked with Taiwanese classics, all made with top-quality ingredients. The beef noodle soup is rich and deeply spiced, the dan dan noodles have just the right amount of heat, and the scallion pancakes are golden, flaky perfection. Their selection of wok-fried vegetables, sourced from their family farm, makes even the simplest greens taste incredible. Pair it all with an iced jasmine tea or a bottle of natural wine, and you’re set.

With its bright, minimalist space, lightning-fast service, and consistently excellent food, Pine & Crane is proof that some of LA’s best meals don’t require a reservation.