Brat & Brau, Hermosa Beach

Though dirndls and lederhosen aren't required at Brat & Bräu, they'll certainly help you fit it. The traditional German beer hall gives the South Bay a touch of old Deutschland, complete with traditional biergarten tables and heavy mugs of brew. The communal dining area is filled with the aroma of traditional bratwurst, handmade sausages, and German potato salad, along with shareable sides like Bavarian pretzels and charcuterie platters.

A German restaurant wouldn't be very traditional without a robust beer selection, which Brat & Bräu delivers in spades. The bar teems with domestic and imported drafts, some of which are brewed according to the rigorous standards of the 1516 German Beer Purity Law. If you're looking for a little more than a pint, opt for a fist-filling stein or the ultimate beer-hall drinking vessel—a handmade glass boot that holds a whopping two liters.