Lingua Franca

4.4 ( 148 reviews )
Checking... 3:00 AM - 10:00 PM See Hours
$50–100
2990 Allesandro St, Los Angeles, CA 90039, United States
+1 323-522-3725

Lingua Franca is a charming Californian restaurant nestled along the LA River, at 2990 Allesandro St, Los Angeles. This hidden gem has quickly garnered a reputation for its vibrant atmosphere and mouthwatering offerings. Many patrons rave about the famed burger, celebrated for its perfectly cooked patty and flavorful charred onions, paired with irresistible matchstick fries that seem to vanish within moments.

Reviewers emphasize the cozy ambiance, ideal for pre-show gatherings or casual happy hours. The accommodating staff enhances the experience, ensuring diners enjoy their meals without a hitch. Although some dishes, like the pork belly, may fall short on portion size, the overall culinary execution leaves food lovers eager to return.

In addition to the food, Lingua Franca's cocktail selection garners applause, drawing guests seeking refreshing beverages after exploring the scenic surroundings. Regulars like Soledad Martirio appreciate not only the delectable dishes but also the personal touch from attentive staff members. With each visit, you can feel Lingua Franca’s passionate commitment to delivering a flavorful and memorable dining experience.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • From the business
    • Identifies as Latino-owned
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • Has no-contact delivery
    • Offers delivery
    • On-site services available
    • Offers takeaway
    • Serves dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Has fast service
    • Has great beer selection
    • Serves great cocktails
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great wine list
    • Good for watching sport
  • Popular for
    • Popular for lunch
    • Popular for dinner
    • Good for solo dining
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Serves comfort food
    • Serves food
    • Serves happy-hour drinks
    • Serves happy-hour food
    • Serves small plates
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Serves dinner
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts credit cards
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • Has changing table(s)
    • High chairs available
    • Has kids' menu
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For Lingua Franca

Melissa stern
Jun 28,2025
Stopped by Lingua Franca before a show at the Elysian and wow—what a perfect pre-show bite. My friend and I split the burger and fries and... yum yum yum yum. Everything was cooked to perfection and packed with flavor. Cozy vibes, great food, and the ideal spot to fuel up before a night of laughs. Can’t wait to come back!
T G
Jun 27,2025
Saturday afternoon happy hour! This was time well spent. Loved the vibe of the venue and the staff was so accommodating. We were a party of three and they only had two seaters but later asked if we’d like to move to a bigger table. Their burger made a best burger list in LA so we had to try it and it definitely delivered. It was perfect. The matchstick fries were only a 5 addition to the burger so don’t skimp on it! My friend got the pork belly thinking it would be a decent portion especially given the size of the burger and fries but it was quite the opposite. While the pork belly tasted good, the serving size was disappointing for the price. They don’t have a parking lot or valet so you’ll have to get lucky with finding a spot on the street. The entrance to the restaurant is off the bike/walk path along the LA river.
Randi L Rubin
Jun 19,2025
Such a hidden gem with a gorgeous view of the river. The Monday Night happy hour is totally worth it. Got the burger (the charred onions were everything). The animal style matchstick fries were not enough- devoured them in minutes. The cocktails were yummy too. The service was great too.
Ryan N
Apr 29,2025
Stopped by this place to grab a cocktail after rollerblading by the river on a weekday afternoon. They said they were experimenting with being open for lunch and I hope they decide to continue it. It has a great patio and the employee serving us was super nice. I would definitely return here and would like to try it at night.
soledad martirio
Apr 18,2025
I really love the flavor not only of the food but of the staff. Jared was amazing and made my day with his excellent recomendations. Say yes to: the burger, the lavander olives, crudites and fries, along with a mini negroni, and a donut s'il te plait! I’ll come back for sure!
Pedro Rezende
Apr 16,2025
A nice restaurant hidden in Frog Town. Great place to go with friends. Very tasty food. I recommend the mussels.
Cecilia Herrera
Apr 4,2025
Amazing food and ambiance. We did family style ordering (sharing all plates), it was great to get a taste of a couple of things. Staff is really nice, food was delicious. We walked in and even though it was busy, we were seated and served pretty fast. 10/10, would recommend for a date night or just hanging out with friends. Pictured: - Grilled little gems Caesar - The Lingua Franca burger - Braised short rib - Donut with cream cheese (forgot the real name)
Ehsan Ghazizadeh
Mar 29,2025
The meat was surprisingly nice! Delicious burger! But didn't like the fries that much Hope they change their fries style

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