Ilé Bistro

If you work in or near Culver City, this fast-casual Nigerian stall in Citizen Public Market is great for a longer-than-usual lunch meeting or a catch-up with a friend over some smoky, spicy jollof. The chef also runs Ilé, a West African tasting menu experience at a Hollywood loft. But, here, the focus is hefty rice and soup bowls. Bowl fillings like cauliflower and mushrooms are free, but if you want premium add-ons like fresh fish or grilled steak, expect to pay around $25 for your lunch. We especially like the chicken jollof version with fried plantains and a side of suya chili oil, but you don't necessarily need to cross town to eat it.