You’ve never dined in a living legend until you’ve slipped into one of the worn leather booths at Musso & Frank Grill. Opened in 1919, this century-old establishment is the oldest restaurant in Hollywood—and it still pulses with the whispers of star-studded lunches, martini-fueled creative meetings, and the clinking of typewriter keys as writers shaped American literature.
Key Highlights: Hollywood’s Historic Table
Opening its doors in September 1919 as Frank’s Café, the spot evolved into Musso & Frank Grill when co-founders Frank Toulet and Joseph Musso enlisted French chef Jean Rue to craft a menu that remains virtually unchanged after more than a century. The restaurant moved next door in 1927, where it remains to this day, keeping its red-jacketed servers, dark wood paneling, and signature fixtures intact.
The “Back Room,” introduced in 1934, provided an exclusive enclave for Hollywood’s elite and legendary writers like Fitzgerald, Faulkner, and Chandler—many of whom held court right at its bar. Though that room closed, its furnishings live on in the New Room, preserving a piece of literary history.
Musso’s cuisine is defined by classics: they were the first in the U.S. to serve fettuccine Alfredo, a recipe brought back by Pickford and Fairbanks. Other menu stalwarts include lamb kidneys, filet mignon grilled over a decades-seasoned mesquite flame, Grenadine of Beef, Welsh rarebit, and a revered cocktail list anchored by a famously perfect martini.
In 2019, the restaurant celebrated its 100th anniversary and became the first eatery to earn a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—a testament to its enduring place in both L.A.’s culinary and cultural landscapes.
Atmosphere & Décor
Walking into Musso & Frank feels like stepping onto a classic film set. The mahogany bar, vintage wallpaper, and booths embroidered with decades of stories exude a quiet grandeur. The lingering scent of old Hollywood—cardboard smoky, yet elegant—drifts through the aisles. It’s dark, deliberate, and full of echoes; a place where legends once sat in obscure corners, scribbling scripts or sealing contracts over cocktails.
Other Considerations
Is it worth the price?
Yes. While not inexpensive, every dish and drink here is part of an irreplaceable legacy—offering more than a meal, but a memory.
Do I need a reservation?
Absolutely. Locals dominate the seating, especially on weekends and special nights—plan weeks ahead if you’re aiming for a particular booth (Charlie Chaplin’s favorite is still a hot ticket).
What are the signature picks?
Steak lovers rave about the filet mignon and ribeyes, especially when paired with spicy rigatoni or creamed spinach. And the martini—glacial, never shaken—is said to rival any in America.
Is it family-friendly in vibe?
Definitely. The atmosphere is warm and respectful; there’s a quiet reverence here that visitors of all ages tend to appreciate—just don’t expect legroom for over-active toddlers.
Why it still matters?
Because Musso & Frank isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a living archive. The wood, the booths, the cocktails, the layout—they’re all imbued with the echoes of Hemingway’s drafts, Bogie’s smoke, and the screenplay negotiations that shaped Hollywood.
Musso & Frank Grill
📍 6667 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, Los Angeles, CA 90028
Website:https://mussoandfrank.com
