LA Restaurants That Are (Deliciously) Putting Prunes on the Menu

For years, prunes have been quietly hanging out in your pantry, waiting for their time to shine. Well, these chefs at LA Restaurants have heard the call and they’re proving that this humble dried fruit is more than just a snack for your grandparents. With natural sweetness, rich caramel notes, and a surprisingly bold flavor, California Prunes are stepping into the spotlight in savory dishes across the city.

Whether you’re into juicy burgers, Persian comfort food, or Eastern European small plates, here are three must-try LA restaurants where prunes are getting the culinary respect they deserve.

1. Kat Turner’s Highly Likely – West Adams + Highland Park

Prune Mostarda on Everything—and We’re Here for It

These neighborhood cafés might be known for bright vibes and killer coffee, but Highly Likely is also showing off some serious flavor innovation with one key secret weapon: prune mostarda. It’s tangy, sweet, subtly spicy, and it’s making cameos all over the menu.

• The Turkey Sando – House-roasted turkey meets the deep, jammy hit of prune mostarda in a sandwich that proves Thanksgiving vibes can—and should—happen year-round.
  
• The Burger – Yes, a burger. And trust us, the prune mostarda gives it that umami-sweet lift you didn’t know it needed.
  
• Charcuterie Board – Smooth chicken liver pâté + prune mostarda = the kind of sweet-savory magic that’ll make you rethink everything you thought you knew about prunes.
  

Why it works: Prunes balance rich proteins with their natural sweetness and just a hint of acidity. It is flavor contrast at its finest.

We scored Kat’s recipe for mostarda so you can try it at home>>

2. Cody Ma and Misha Sesar’s Azizam – East Hollywood

Persian Flavors Meet Comfort Food With a Giant Meatball

Azizam is a love letter to Iranian home cooking, reimagined through the lens of local ingredients and bold creativity. This LA Restaurant’s standout dish? A giant meatball that’s practically a meal (and a half) all on its own—and yes, prunes are baked right into the center.

This traditional Persian-style koofteh is spiced with herbs and rice, then slow-cooked until perfectly tender. The prunes tucked inside add an unexpected burst of sweetness that perfectly balances the savory, aromatic meat. It’s comforting, nostalgic, and just adventurous enough to feel new.

Why it works: In Persian cuisine, prunes aren’t an afterthought—they’re part of a long tradition of adding depth and sweetness to savory dishes. Azizam just turns up the volume.

3. Natasza Congdon’s Solidarity LA – Santa Monica

Bacon-Wrapped Prunes That’ll Make You Forget About Dates

Solidarity LA is the kind of place that reminds you why Eastern European cuisine deserves a comeback. Their bacon-wrapped prunes are Exhibit A. Salty, crispy, and stuffed with flavor, this dish hits all the notes of an ideal bar snack or starter: smoky, sweet, and utterly craveable.

Think of them as the cooler cousin to bacon-wrapped dates—richer, deeper, and just a bit more complex. One bite, and you’ll start to understand why prunes are the true MVP of the dried fruit world.

Why it works: Bacon brings the smoke, prunes bring the depth. Together they create the kind of addictive flavor that has you ordering round two. Pro-tip: pair with their excellent Old Fashioned cocktail infused with plum brandy.

Make your own bacon wrapped prunes (AKA Devils on Horseback)>>>

Final Bite:

So, if you’re still thinking prunes are just for digestive health (which, by the way, they are…and that’s science), it’s time to expand your palate. These LA chefs are showing us that prunes aren’t just good for you—they’re just good, period.

Next time you’re out and about, try one of these LA restaurants and taste what happens when a little California sun meets culinary creativity. Your taste buds (and your bones, and your gut) will thank you.

Bonus Tip: Want to try cooking with prunes at home? Start with something simple like a homemade prune mostarda or toss chopped prunes into meatballs for a juicy, flavor-packed upgrade. Check out CaliforniaPrunes.org/recipes for more inspiration.

Article written for Alison Needham (@agirl_defloured) for California Prunes, images and video by James Collier, Paprika Studios.