Harold and Belle's Reviews

Good food, nice menu, usually eat their Po' Boys sandwich.

I was fortunate enough to live near this restaurant for 30+ years, and have several occasions to dine here. The best waitress I have ever had still works for this establishment - she must have been here for over 20 years by now. Everyone employed here is helpful and friendly - no attitudes are allowed. And, the food is consistently delicious - so MUCH food, you can count on at least one more meal at home. I have traveled extensively, and have never experienced such good flavor - and it is unique. You cannot find food prepared like this anywhere else. The scampi sauce ALONE is to die for! Thank you Harold & Belle's and thank you Ms. Janet B. for some memorable meals and experiences throughout the years.

I had heard this place had fell off.. wasn't the case for me... catfish was very good, red beans was great, jambalaya was pretty good, crab cakes (yummy), mac & cheese a little dry but not bad and of course the bread is always good... can't wait to go back!!

I went to Harold and Belles for the second time and I loved it again. I ordered the red snapper dinner and it was great. My friends both ordered Crab scampi, one over pasta and the other over rice. I cannot wait to get back to have the crab scampi myself. It was delicious. It has very large chunks of crab and is very tasty. This isn't something for every day because it is a little pricey but is well worth it for the every now and then dinner spot. I have been telling everyone I know about it and i cant wait to go again. Oh, they have champagne splits for just under $5 and it will make two champagne drinks ( with grenadine, chambord or pineapple juice) which is a really good deal.

The food is delicious and the live music was as good as any jazz concert. I ordered the catfish and it was so plentiful that I had leftovers for two days and it was still delicious. Reservations are recommended. Called at 1pm for a 6pm reservation and couldn't get in until 8:30. Be prepared to wait even with reservations. Valet too as street parking can be non existent. Save room for dessert!

I went right when they opened. I had the catfish which was excellent. It was seasoned well and had was fried just right. The jambalaya was also great. The gumbo was good, nothing compares to New Orleans gumbo but this will do. The staff was very friendly as well.

Good Southern food. HUGE portions.

Had crap cakes- delicious, gumbo- wonderful, shrimp with spinach and red beans and rice - great. Greeter was very nice, server was sweet, restaurant was very nice but timing of food was off. Our appetizer came with our meal. If I could give the restaurant a 4-1/2 Star I would. But not perfect. Definitely worth going.

Came here with the family. We shared the charbroiled oysters, fried catfish bites, shrimp po boy, fried chicken with jambalaya, and the etouffee. We finished with an order of the beignets. Everything was delicious. We enjoyed it all. Service was great too.

We started off at the bar and had the friendliest bartender ever. On weekends she stated the bar is packed with a live band playing. We sat in the dining area to order our dinner since the bar area was getting a bit loud. I ordered the The Peacemaker Shrimp & Oyster Po boy with beans on the side. My friend ordered the Salmon, beans, mac & cheese, plus a Catfish ball appetizer. The food was really good, seasoned, and flavorful albeit a bit pricey. The mac & cheese was okay so I wouldn't order that off the menu. The waitstaff was excellent and she was always checking on us.

This restaurant has great food and service. We were promptly seated when we arrived. The food came out fast and was very good. My wife had the salmon Creole and I had the seafood platter. The food portions are large. If you are looking for good New Orleans style seafood this place will not disappoint.

When ever I come home to L.A., I make sure to stop by Harold and Belles, they are the best Cajun restuarant in the L.A. area. The portions are big, the food is good and the service is top notch. The bread will make you sin! I also love Harold and Belles, because I meant a very special man in my life there. Ms. Jakki'

Everything I have had on the menu is totally delish! Especially their wings. It does get crowded and the wait is long, so call ahead and make reservations.

I started off disappointed because I was told I could order a bowl of clam chowder as my side. I was then brought a cup and was informed that what qualified as a side. The food was good, and the waitress was very nice. I think the restaurant used to be better.

The best southern food I have had in a long time. You can't choose a better place. Fish is excellent just the way mom made it.

I've read the other reviews...really I do not understand how anyone gave it better than terrible. *sigh* Dear restaurant makeover, Restaurant 911 SOMEBODY HEEEEELLLLLLLLLLP this place! Overall, the people who frequent this place MUST have come here YEARS ago when the food was GOOD and as the food deteriorated over the years their taste buds adjusted to the NASTY changes and they NEVER noticed. The service was bad, the bartender left us with empty drinks (I'd say there are only 6 stools) it's the Sunday after my birthday and we try to call to see IF we need reservations. 1 hour of off and on calling gets me a BUSY signal EVERY TIME! we just decide to go and ask for Table for 6 please. Who knew this would be a 30 minute wait on a Sunday. NO worries..the 3 who are already here will sit at the bar and have an appetizer and drink while we wait 30 minutes for our table. So I'm sitting next to my guy and my sister is on my right. My poor guy hadn't eaten all day and orders wings which taste like the BBQ sauce from a fast food restaurant. The bartender hears my guy say he's starting his 60 day workout challenge on Monday and she inquires where etc. as if my sister and I did not exist as well as the 2 people behind us who wanted a drink. SO time goes on, 2 people from my table of 6 leave, we change our name on the list to 4 and we are seated SHORTLY after. To our SURPRISE! there's a BUNCH of tables EMPTY...lots for 6 people. So you may say ALL those people JUST left. Well since the bar is by the door we KNOW 24 people plus have NOT left. Ohhhh okay got it. You don't have enough staff to support your tables. We asked for some pepper and she passed us 3 times with NOTHING in her hands with each trip. *sigh* that was the longest pepper wait. When she returned she said I had to look EVERYWHERE for pepper. Oh really. hmmm pepper in a restaurant hard to find. Oh yeah that's normal. The man refilling our waters kept stopping and he would stare at my guy it was TOTALLY CREEPY! Our waitress eventually disappeared and we didn't see her the rest of the night. Most places the waiter or waitress would say, hey I'm leaving shift and this person will be now serve you. Since we were in the corner which was empty and only us we had to flag down ANY person we saw walking pass. Now this is supposed to a New Orleans restaurant, since I had a person from New Orleans dining with me and since I've been to the lovely city a FEW times let me tell you this IS NOT THE PLACE TO GO! The Jambalaya it was rice mixed in something like spaghetti sauce. my crab cakes were deep fried which were actually good. HOWEVER, EVERY entrée was served with tomato slices and lettuce. I was UNSURE what to do with it. Do I make a crab cake lettuce wrap? My Sister's Clam Chowder was REALLLLLLY great! yum yum. and the shrimp appetizer was OK. The cake they give for birthday is a bread pudding cake. YUCK!!! Overall SAVE your money on this OVER PRICED WANNA BE New Orleans restaurant. The only thing they can CLAIM as New Orleans is the OLD DECOR. Looks like it's been there since New Orleans was founded.

We went for dinner at Harold and Belle’s based upon the good reviews and ratings for the restaurant. It was a late dinner, almost 9pm. The place has a very attractive interior design. It is a big place, so, it is hard to tell if it was crowded. The staff were great in checking to see if my wife food allergies were compatible with her order. They were careful to check all the ingredients. She ordered the large house salad with grilled shrimp. It was a huge salad with plenty of shrimp. My son ordered the Red Snapper platter. Small filets of red snapper grilled along with some grilled shrimp. There was also rice and beans. I had the fried catfish dinner. It came with a delicious clam chowder and French fries. The small filets of catfish filled the plate. I barely finished half of them. Everything was great. It does remind one of some of New Orleans favorite eats. No one went away hungry. There were lots of doggie bags.

Los Angeles' famous Harold and Belle's reopened yesterday just in time for Fat Tuesday. The remodel is outstanding. The bar is much larger and there are plenty of flat TV's. Located in the Jefferson Park community of Los Angeles (Crenshaw/Baldwin Hills) the place is a community jewel. I had the jambalaya and as usual it was outstanding. For those who have an appetite for genuine creole cooking featuring all the usuals you simply will not be disappointed. Even though the place just reopened, expect a crowd or in another word....BE PATIENT. Once you get served and taste the food you will not be disappointed. One more note, Harold and Belle's is a community restaurant. The neighborhood is going through gentrification and like most urban onclaves you have the good and the bad. Don't let the neighborhood make you afraid or timid. Just use common sense and you will be fine.

We went during Superbowl weekend and it was an awesome meal. It was a couples dinner so we had a slew of everything: fried shrimp, crab cakes, cajun salmon, shrimp & crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, mac & cheese, red beans & rice. Louisiana cooking with a soulfood edge is the best way to explain it. Parking is limited but the food makes up for it. When in LA, visit this location for some down home creole cooking.

Tried this place on a recent day trip to Los Angeles. Had heard about their Cajun food and wanted to try it firsthand. We wanted to try the catfish and the fried chicken. After a long wait we finally got our food. The catfish was great but the fried chicken was cold inside. Obviously, fried chicken isn’t a big seller so they just dropped the chicken in a fryer and took it out before it was heated through. Very disappointing. We asked our waitress about it and she had to get a manager which never came. We asked twice more and he finally came over. He offered to replace the chicken with an order of wings and desert and we waited for them. I was finished with my catfish long before the wings came out. A disappointing event, but they did not charge for the chicken or the wings. The service is very slow. No one gets in any hurry no matter. Will go back when I have plenty of time and hungry for good catfish.

The ambiance and service was wonderful. The food and drinks were delicious. We had a group of sixteen and the service was great. The server made sure we had a great experience as visitors to California. The fish and gumbo was so tasty. Can’t wait to return and order the Jambalaya I tasted off my husband’s bowl.

Los Angeles is one of those places with relaxed rules for society. As long as the food is good - bring it on. Harold & Belle's brings a bit of discipline to this mindset, because food this good can ONLY be the result of hard work, discipline, and a genuine love for doing things right. For over 20 years I've been a happy well-fed diner at H&B's for everything from casual lunches, to big family celebrations. They are an intimate, family style Cajun/Creole restaurant with a vibe much like one has been invited to a fine society home in the heart of New Orleans. The bar is always well attended with regulars, and the staff is superbly friendly; many of them having worked there for generations. The dishes are what you would expect: crawfish, etouffe, gumbo, jumbalaya, shrimp, steaks, and other standard fare with the unique H&B's twist. This is not a place to celebrate your latest fad diet. You go here to EAT. There is the most delicious buttery French bread on the table within seconds of being seated. All the entrees are plated with more food than anyone could hope to eat all at once (unless you're greedy like me); and even the garnish is as lovely as a spring garden, bringing an aesthetic flair to everything edible. The food is not overly spicy or hot, as some may stereotype this cuisine. To the contrary, each dish has layered flavors and textures; and the side dishes - while they don't change much - they are perfectly paired, and likewise flavored to bring a delight in every bite. Do not let the modest location fool you. this is the highest level of dining in this city, bar none!

Well what can I say they ruin our visit. I'm from Cali but live out of state, flew in for my friends 50th bday. The manager was so impersonal. Wldnt accommodate us because he he was too busy accomodating his friends and wife friends. Don't worry I won't be back. He argued over how long we waited to be served. We ordered appetizers at 7:30 and I told him at 10:30pm we were still waiting to place a food order. He wanted to argue with us. Needless to say my appetite is done. Then there is this drunk man who keeps bothering us and decided it was ok to put his hands in our fries that we had with the appetizers without out permission. This place is nothing short of a lot of folks who are ghetto in old age. You have no good professional accomodating customer service skills they have lost their touch and out business

I'm from MS so I know good food. I enjoyed the environment and the live band! Will definitely b back!

The food was as good as you can get in NOLA. But be careful in ordering as the servings are huge. My only gripe is with the ambiance and the slow service on the night I was there. But the food is good and that's what I went for.

INCREDIBLE doesn't even come close to describing how amazing the restaurant and staff are at Harold & Belle's. This was our first trip to the restaurant and it will hardly be our last. My husband, our dear friend Betty and I went to H&B's to celebrate his birthday this past weekend. He graduated from Tulane and really wanted authentic creole cuisine. Well, H&B's NAILS IT. This isn't one of your "tourist" creole places. This is authentic, make you want to talk to Jesus, dirty gumbo creole and a ton of other amazing dishes. We ordered a small bowl of gumbo, 1/2 dozen charbroiled oysters and catfish nuggets to start. The gumbo would have been enough (and the large portion is truly a meal in itself). It was heaven in a bowl. Full of shrimp, blue crab, sausage, chicken and ham in a "dirty" dark roux that wants to make you slap your momma at first taste. Get yourself some bread to sop up the roux. The oysters were seasoned perfectly and were delicious. The catfish nuggets were amazing as well. We ended up taking the nuggets and half the gumbo home because there was so much food. For the main course my husband had the Shrimp and Crawfish Etouffee which made him tear up and recall his 5 years in New Orleans. This is AUTHENTIC Etoufee. You won't find this anywhere else in Los Angeles. Believe me, until we found Harold & Belle's, we tried everywhere else. I had the seafood platter with shrimp and catfish and our friend Betty had a large bowl of Gumbo. It was a huge portion for a 95 year old woman. Absolutely a come to Jesus meal. All of us kept exclaiming, "oh my god...oh my god" with every bite. Since it was my husband's birthday, they brought a plate of beignets to the table at the end of the meal. Very good, not Cafe du Monde good, but they'll give you the memories of being in New Orleans none-the-less. The staff here is unbelievable. Dell greeted us at the door, asked our names and still remembered them 2 hours later. The attention we were given (and the place was full) was bar-none! Kevin the manager filled us in on some history of the place and made sure that we were comfortable. Believe me when I say that everyone was treated this way. The restaurant has been in the same family for over 50's. We hope that when we go back we can meet a family member and tell them what an outstanding place they have. We can't wait to go back. And go back we will, again and again and again. The Mac and cheese looked amazing and I'm looking forward to having a Po'boy. Thank you, Dell, Kevin and the rest of the staff. You made our 51 year old birthday boy really happy.

We had a function at our place of employment and Harold and Belle's food truck was there. According to our menu that was furnished, you were to get a combo plate of red beans, jambalaya with shrimp and your choice of chicken, links or catfish. Well what you got was one bowl that contained red beans/a little jambalaya and either cut up links, chicken nuggets (5 only) or catfish nuggets(5). In addition to that, you had to wait in a long line for the nasty girl to take your order that you had already put in when you brought the ticket up front and then did not get your food for over an hour long wait. I was told that some people did not gt there food until 2:05 pm from waiting in line since 11:40 am. And on top of all of that, the food was cold and not tasty. I would not recommend this to anyone. Signed: Disappointed

The meals were very good. The service folk were friendly, knowledgeable and inviting. Nice bar as well.

Our party of six thoroughly enjoyed out meal... as always! Service was great. If you have not visited Harold and Belle's yet, you are missing out!

Went to Harold and Belle's for my birthday with a group of eight. The entertainment of the band was great, the food was very good (even though it took a while to place an order, but they ran out of certain food. For instance, the gumbo, no sign of crab; which is one of the key components of gumbo. Also ran out of clam chowder. The waiter was great though, but wish that it was brought to our attention before ordering instead of us reporting it to the waiter. The waiter replaced the clam chowder with other side dishes and the missing crab, a discount was taken from the bill. But all in all, the food and drinks was excellent. Also need to keep the restrooms clean and stocked with toilet paper.

I hadn't been here for some time but based on the positive feedback from others, I went and I was very pleased. The portions are generous, the food is very good and the service was excellent. My mom and I shared one of the platters and it was more than enough for two. We ended with the bread pudding and it was VERY good. This is a neighborhood gem and it has been in the area for some time but it was renovated and the renovations are lovely- It now has a bar as an extra bonus. I highly recommend Harold and Belles for New Orleans style cooking.

My favorite dinner entrée is the fried Dover Sole. The side dishes that I enjoy most often are the Caesar Salad or a cup of the New England Clam Chowder. The bread and the red beans and rice are also very good. I view the service there as somewhat uneven in that I have received excellent service several times, however, the last time that I dined there, I was surprised that the service was less than ideal. The explanation given had something to do with a staff shortage. In spite of that, I recommend this restaurant for some of the best Louisiana Creole-style cuisine in the area; and I do plan to return. They serve such large, generous portions that I never seem to have enough room left for dessert. Although somewhat pricey, the food there is really very good. Valet Parking is also available.

Great creole food. Crawfish Etouffe is amazing.

After an absence of several years, we visited here with our daughter and her British boyfriend. My husband and I each had the Shrimp Suzette (This item is no longer on the menu. They do list the Fish Suzette and for a small up charge they will substitute shrimp.) It was very good. Almost as good as I remembered. The other couple each ordered the Seafood Platter which they raved about. They each selected the catfish (your other choices are red snapper or cod) and we're not disappointed. They said it was awesome!

My brother and I went to this place and expecting great food and we got amazing food and large portions. The service was very good and our server gave us some recommendations. She was very helpful. We were there on a friday night and the bar area had a bunch of people dressed up very sharp looking and there was a jazz band playing. We enjoyed the atmosphere for sure. The food was rib sticking deliciousness! We had a gumbo which was excellent but it wasnt thick at all which is different from what I'm used too. Either way it was tasty!! The shrimp and crawfish étouffée were amazing! It was full of flavor and rich. It was also somewhat creamy and with just enough spice, EXCELLENT and a must try! The shrimp po boy was good but could have been tastier. Good amount of shrimp in it but the sandwich bread was not great. Mac and cheese amazing side and clam chowder was ok. Stick with the gumbo and etuoffee. Definitely try this place

The renovation is nicely done and the food is still very good; however, the service is still slow. The bar area is really nice. Everyone is friendly and they seem to be trying to improve but the service remains spotty. As long as you're not in a hurry, it is well worth going here since you won't find better Creole food anywhere else. There is limited street parking so you will probably have to use valet parking which is reasonably priced. I will return and would recommend this restaurant to a friend.

Love this place, the portions are enough for two. Food is great, drinks are good, and people are friendly.

Had the wonderful opportunity to have a working lunch at H&B's and boy oh boy did my guests chow down. Gumbo, fried chicken, oysters, corn, shrimp all delicious and plentiful. Service was great and it was nice to eat amongst my people in a wonderful establishment owned by "MY PEOPLE". Valet parking is available for $5 or you can park on Jefferson or the side streets if you are lucky. Definitely a Los Angeles treasure.

This place is good. Our server Mya was on point. We did a group dinner for our uncle's birthday (15 of us). They treated our party like an event and served us family style. We had to sign a contract and all for our party size but it was worth it. Would suggest calling ahead for a large group. The sweet tea wasn't so sweet at first, then Mya went back and made it herself and it was just right. The food: -Green salad ⭐⭐⭐⭐ because they were expect you to eat it on a very small plate. -Catfish nuggets ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ seasoned and battered well. -Jambalaya⭐⭐⭐⭐ it was good, first time having peas and corn in my Jambalaya -Fried Chicken ⭐⭐⭐⭐ mostly thighs served. Thighs aren't the best part of the chicken. -Mac and Cheese ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ the main dish was done right. This isn't grandma's Mac and Cheese but it was right. -Fried beans and rice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ -Meat Loaf ⭐⭐⭐⭐ was a little peppery. It's smothered in gravy instead of tomato or bbq sauce and I think they made the gravy a little too spicy. Overall food was good, Mya was great, an middle ages gentleman came out and checked on us. The restaurant is nice, saw a few couples dining here, they have a full bar, $7 valet parking. Would recommend.

This was great!!!! Jameca was a great hostess. She tended to every need and did not hesitate when we needed something. So a big THANK YOU to Jameca!!!!!! The food was amazing, this was a great experience and whenever I am in town I will come back here!!!!

Stopped in before heading to the airport one Sunday morning. We had place to ourselves since apparently the regular clientele were at a jazz festival. Gumbo Glight was excellent, especially the crab/chicken/andouille/okra. Had combo jambalaya & red beans & the allowed me to get the blackened catfish instead of the fried as listed. Good but not outstanding. Nevertheless I highly recommend this place.

Great. Parking, not so much. but the food is Off the CHAIN!

NEVER, NEVER, NEVER will I patronize this business again.....they double charged my credit card and also double charged my friends credit card on Oct 1, 2017.....and did not make appropriate credits. We both had to go through our banks...BEWARE!! The food was good, but not worth double the price.

Didn't know we had such a restaurant in Los Angeles. It's the best New Orleans style food we've had outside of the crescent city itself. Absolutely remarkable. Food quality was outstanding, service was superb. Our table had crab cakes, gumbo, catfish, and Crawfish and Shrimp Étouffée. A gem of a restaurant and the highlight of our evening out in Los Angeles.

I can only speak to the preset buffet we had for an event and it was very good! I have been to the south many times and grew up eating creole food. Everyone has their own tastes so I can see someone saying it's not the best they've ever had but who cares? The food here is really good and the service is great! (especially in the bar area). The catfish was perfectly cooked, the chicken crispy and delicious and the red beans and rice tasty. I even liked the potato salad (which I usually don't care for). I personally like spicy food and it was not spicy at all but you can add hot sauce (I added to the fish and chicken). It's not cheap like the food you get in the south but this is an LA restaurant and the prices seemed standard.

Three of us went there for lunch on a Tuesday. They have valet parking service which was nice. However, it took more than 15 minutes for a waiter to come and take our order and another 30 for the food to arrive. The portion looked huge but then we discovered that the size of the portion was due to the 4 pieces of warm buttered bread under the actually ordered item on each plate. Each one of us must have had on the plate at least a whole loaf of french bread cut into pieces. It was a tremendous waste of food as even one piece would be enough for all of us to share. We liked the food but we left a bit disappointed because of the slow service, huge amount of bread and quite limited bar selections. In fact, they ran out of the beer and wine we ordered. They gave us each a complimentary desert to make up for the lack of the specific beer and wine (on their list the way). The clam chowder was very delicious and the fried fish and shrimp were good. But we expected better. One thing is sure, it is not a place to go for a quick lunch break. Our impression is that the place seems to live off the reputation is has gained in previous years. It will be a while before I go back.

Our group of 7 went here for some authentic New Orleans style food. It was Friday night and we did not have reservation. Our wait was not very long. The food was worth the wait. The service was great. Our waitress was very attentive and nice. We will definitely go back when in LA or New orleans.

3.5. gotta give it another round

I love the atmosphere here. This is a great place to meet up with friends, for a date or to dine alone. The food was excellent with generous portions. The drinks were well worth the money also. They even had a live band the day I went. Would definitely recommend and go again.

Love HB"s... traditional! Great cocktails, superb eats! A community staple, authentic NOLA cuisine and hospitality!

Yum!

Po-Boy soft shell crab tasted like a mouth full of old oil. Service was terrible. Orders arrived incorrectly and with an arguement from the waitress! Won't be back and definitely won't be recommending this restaurant to a single person but will warn them off it.

The food is a soulful cuisine. They had a Saturday brunch so I had chicken and waffles, my other family had shrimp and grits ettufee. I took a catfish and shrimp platter as a take out. It was enough for two people. We also had some mimosas. Yummy, yummy. The servers are kind. The overall service on this particular day was very slow. The manager however was very accommodating when it was brought to her attention. It is an urban restaurant. Parking is limited for the valet, mostly street parking.

This is a good restaurant. It has a large Cajun style menu, and good service. It can be pretty busy, so you should make a reservation. It is a little pricey, but still good and fun.

We decided to go just for a quick bite, This turned into a regular spot. The food portions are more than enough. I strongly recommend the catfish platter.

H&B is great grub. The food is reliably delicious. The portions are quite huge, you will need a take home bag. I recommend the gumbo as a starter. There is an up-charge, but well worth it. Coupled with the french bread, it's absolutely delicious. The combo plate is heaven, especially with the filet catfish. The shrimp and oysters is a delightful complement to the fish selection. You will get more french bread to indulge yourself. The clientele is mostly fun-loving folks, but you'll see dudes on the prowl. They are harmless, but chicken hawking is hilarious.

A friend took me to try their food, and I'm glad he did! I ordered their shrimp po boy and mac and cheese. It was really good! The service was great and decor is really nice.

Was looking for something different in LA - If your looking for New Orleans Cuisine this place hits a Home Run on Flavor... Read a lot of reviews, a few complaining about service, in my case the service was very good, mind you we had a late lunch around 3 pm on a weekday. The Food overall is very good, started with the fried oysters - just average at best, should have ordered the Fresh Oysters. Main course was the Gumbo (It looked so good with the picture off the website showing the crab) the flavor was spot on, tons of Sausage & Shrimp, I really didn't find any Ham and the crab wash kind of garnish, no meat at all, tiny... It was funny to me because they gave me a crab cracker, I through for what there's no meat anywhere... So it's a garnish... That was disappointing... All in All it Tasted Very Good. Next time I would order the Shrimp & Crawfish Etouffee My wife had the Meat Loaf Po' Boy, that was very good... Drinks were ok, nothing special. To be Honest I was hoping to be knocked off my feet by this place but came away with the feeling it could have been better. Overall: If your looking for Cajun Food it's the real deal.... Cost: lunch for two, with two drinks and appetizer including tip around $80 (market Price on Oysters - not a good deal at all for the taste and quality)

I had a tiff with my cousin right before coming to Harold and Belle's and was glad that that was my next destination for the evening because I knew as soon as I got there I'd be relieved of the stress and angst she had produced in me, even though she'd also be dining with me..lol After a long quiet drive to the restaurant, valet served us well in the parking lot. Getting inside, a gorgeous hostess greeted us with a smile and lovely demeanor that she displayed throughout the evening whenever I saw her in the place. I read an earlier review about bad service there but through all the years that I've dined there never has the waiters or waitresses been unacceptable in service. Even so, a bad experience with a service person here would quickly be rectified when you start eating. I decided to order something I'd never had there so had them prepare me the crab scampi rather than my regular delicious pork chops with red beans and rice. And then I ordered the red beans and rice too! I love everything about this restaurant beyond the food..atmosphere, history, and the pleasant attitude of the "folks" always there. It didn't hurt that the bar was very populated with so many fine females that night I had difficulty keeping my composure. I will surely continue to go there on my trips to LA.

They've maintained a tradition of offering delicious Creole cuisine, but some items are not as great as one would hope. For instance, they serve flattened (but not butterflied) shrimp that isn't as fresh as it should be. It makes one wonder, what kind of "shrimp" is served. Also, they serve tartar sauce with the deep, hard fried crab cake. So, not only is it not a complimentary sauce, the deep fried approach steals the savory appeal of an authentic, skillet-prepared crab cake. These, definitely, were not up to par. On the upside, the catfish never disappoints.

It's been a few years since the last time I visited Harold & Belle's restaurant, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that food still tasted as good and as authentic as the first time I ate there. Of course, the prices have gone up and I still think $17.00 for a plate of red beans and rice with smoked sausage is way too high, but I found a way around that. I ordered a small bowl of red beans and rice for about $4.00 with their ever-so-tasty hot sausage and catfish appetizers and was full and satisfied. The service was prompt and courteous, the drinks were not watered down and the ambience was quite nice. All in all, it was a lovely visit. I will go back.

We started out with the Catfish Bites appetizer which was really good. We all ate family style, so we tried many different things. I got the Red Beans and Rice, which was DELICIOUS. I also got the Gumbo, which I thought was just okay. It was good, it just didn't hit my taste buds. The Fried Shrimp were really good also. Lastly someone got the Salmon which I thought was good. Definitely worth the drive-by, but I would just do the Red Beans and Rice which is a BIG serving.

Overall very typical New Orleans style of food to good quality and standard. The potato salad was a bit to mushy. Service was always quick and polite / helpful to our large party. As some did not come by car we need taxi to pick us up. Ladies at the reception not very friendly / assisting in get a taxi. Hence the 'after service' does not get a good rating.

This is a cool spot, nestled in the greater Los Angeles area,...They have valet and live music. I love how awesome customer service is here. Big Smiles 😆😆 The food is phenomenal ..... Thanks for this diamond

I have been a regular customer of Harold and Belle's for the past twenty years. I have always rated the restaurant very high. However, after ordering a seafood platter tonight I noticed that the restaurant has cut the serving of fish and shrimp considerably. Previously, a seafood platter would be enough food for my husband, son and myself. The small portion that was given tonight was barely enough for my husband and I. When I contacted the restaurant I was told that they are now serving red snapper strips. Which means that the four regular size snapper that was previously given in the order is now two pieces cut into fourths. I understand inflation, however I would prefer paying a bit more for the large serving previously offered, rather than paying the same price for an extremely small order. The food remains very tasty, however the value is terrible. Hardly worth the $33.00 price that is charged. I don't plan to patronize the restaurant again.

Went with an associate for a business lunch. The food was awesome, great different flavors, and menu items. Service was perfect. Portions are, as previously stated by others, HUGE. Loved it, and will definitely go back next time in LA!

Authentic and fried yummies.

Celebrated a Milestone birthday. Food was succulent and well seasoned. Cocktails were "straight out of the bayou". Service was delightful. Generous portions. Facility looked updated. A couple of days later, I realized that I didn't have my credit card. I contacted H&B. I was asked questions to establish my identity. My card was mailed to me as promised. No extra charges were incurred. Card was secured by restaurant. Honesty, customer focus coupled with excellent food and drinks.👌👌👌👌👌

My family and I visited this jewel of a place during Mother's Day weekend.. the place was packed.. the live music was entertaining and the food was outstanding! We will definitely make plans to return when in the area again..

We stopped in for dinner and enjoyed absolutely everything we ordered. I had the best red beans and rice I think I've ever had and their Mac 'n cheese has great flavor. The servers are friendly -my only suggestion would be to have someone filling waters and drinks more often but otherwise a great place.

Until there's a Commander's Palace in L.A., this is the best. There are some more widely known restaurants in wealthier suburbs, but they don't match H&B's for food, service or ambience. It's like a two-hour trip from L.A. to LA!

I loved Harold and Belle's. The atmosphere was just like family. We ordered the crab cakes that were delicious, red snapper dinner with corn on the cob and red beans and rice. They bring hot buttered bread as well. To wash it all down we ordered a drink called Second Line. Everything was so delicious. We will definitely be back to enjoy the live music they have on Friday and Saturday nights that starts at 8pm. Parking is valet at $6. #NOLA in LA

We had looked forward to returning to this restaurant after it was remodeled. The food was always excellent but it is definitely not the same! Service is ok but not great… most of the food was underwhelming- creole food taste should pop!! We’re so disappointed and will not travel into LA for this again

Harold and Belle's has been here for a very very long time. It has had renovations in the last few years that has expanded the dining area and experience. The food is still just as good as ever. Red beans and rice, seafood platter, fried oysters, clam chowder and jambalaya was all very good. We sat in the bar area surrounded by TV's with different stations on so that you can catch whatever sport is on at the time. The server/bar tender (because it was slow on Christmas Eve) was very attentive. Multitasking didn't keep him from attending to our needs as well as the needs of the other patrons. The hostess was very friendly and accommodating. Love this place!

At the advise of a co-worker, I took my uncle here for his 87th birthday. The food was absolutely amazing. We had a fried catfish dinner and a fried shrimp dinner. I enjoyed red beans and rice and a garden salad with my meal. The portion sizes are huge. I mentioned we were celebrating a birthday and the waitress bought out some delicious benigns. Everything thing was soooo good. And our waitress was awesome. I can’t wait to visit L.A. again.

Good Soul Food and Seafood

It's a bit pricey but the food is soooo good and the portions are abundant. You have to pay a small fee for valet parking because of the lack of street parking spaces. It's worth the drive to eat there.

Harold and Belle's is located near USC. The directions are easy, it is 3 miles west on Jefferson. (USC's north border is Jefferson). The catfish poboy is my favorite there. Portions are generous, although prices are a little bit on the high side. The neighborhood is very urban, they also have valet parking.

We went to Harold and Belle’s and had an amazing dinner. We were seated immediately and served with smiles. Each request was met. We ordered the gumbo and catfish and split dishes. One request was to have additional bowls to sit the gumbo. We were happily accommodated. I am from Louisiana and particular about gumbo. The gumbo was a perfect dark roux gumbo with plenty of meat. I have had watered down skimpy portions in other places. We had the real deal here. The catfish was perfectly cooked and seasoned. We were served excellent mixed drinks as well. The ticket price was very reasonable. We loved it.

Service was very slow for a Thursday night. Food was good. We ordered a fish platter. A little pricey, nevertheless food was good. Waitress was snacking nest her station Had to keep asking for more napkins and water. She also brought wrong order of salad for one of our friends dining with us. It will ne a lomg while before dining there again.

As we sat trying to think of a good seafood restaurant, many choices came to mind but only one stood out - Harold & Belles. Tucked away, north of the Crenshaw district, is probably the best (that's right - the best) New Orleans restaurant in Los Angeles. A bit pricey but when you see the amounts served, you forget the price. When you taste the food, you forget you're in LA. The soft shell crab ($32) is simply something to die for. The entire menu will have you coming back for more. Most entrees range from $20-$25 with appetizers running a lot cheaper. Valet parking is a highly recommended as well as reservations. They're open for lunch or dinner. For dinner, I suggest you get there early.

It's suppose to be the best soul food joint in LA. It is nicer than most, but over priced for not-so-fantastic food.

Nice place with valet parking. Affordable prices and great cajun food. We had different kind of Po’ Boy sandwiches and they were all delicious!

This is a great place for dinner. We had a party of five for dinner at 5:00 p.m., and we were stuffed and satisfied by 6:30. Between us we had Gumbo, Jambalaya, Catfish, Charbroiled Oysters, Fried Chicken, Shrimp, Clam Chowder, Red Beans and Rice, and a huge House Salad with fresh crunchy vegetables. The food and service was excellent. Our server Alexandria, was wonderful. She was very attentive and efficient. If you are hungry, this is a great place to dine.

I came for valentines day my first time coming and was very disappointed in the food it was horrible I will never eat there again

Harold & Belle's is the place to go if you want some real down home Créole cuisine. This place is being run by the 3rd Generation Legaux Family (Ryan and Jessica). The prices are reasonable. The food is out of this world. And the portions are plenty. There is too much great tasting food on the menu for me to list, so I will just give you the link to their website: http://www.haroldandbellesrestaurant.com/. But if I had to chose, it would be the Gumbo. If you are ever in Los Angeles, please stop by and enjoy some great food and great conversation. You will not be disappointed. 2920 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90018 (323) 735-9023

Amazing warm reception from staff. We we seated immediately and served incredibly handsome portion. I was stuffed and had more to take home. It tasted, felt and smelled like wonderfully home cooked meal!

My favorite thing here is a red snapper po boy with Cole slaw. Tonight I got the seafood gumbo and let me tell you taste like someones grandma is back there in that kitchen. Crab, chicken, Louisiana sausage, in the dark roux over rice yummm. You can't go wrong with anything on the menu really. And its an LA staple been around for years my mom used to go when she was my age.

Whenever I'm in LA, I must eat at Harold and Belle's. Having lived in New Orleans, I often look for any resemblance of the Bayou City's Creole cuisine. I enjoy the fried catfish dinner which comes with your choice of sides but the star on the plate is the very delicately coated and perfectly seasoned fish that isn't heavy but very satisfying. Also, give the Po Boy a try. I personally have mine open faced, half and half (shrimp and oyster) served with a special cocktail sauce with just enough kick. Go during happy hour and take advantage of the drink specials that are two for one. You just can't go wrong. Service is quick and friendly. Parking can be an issue, since there's limited valet space. But there's street parking available close enough to the front door.

Harold and Belle's offers the closest taste of Louisiana cuisine. My family is from Louisiana and I know how gumbo, crawfish etouffee and fried seafood should taste. They did change the crawfish etouffee slightly (don't think I didn't notice) but, it is still good, just not as good as before the change. The clam chowder is flavorful. I haven't been disappointed in anything I've eaten and my only complaint would be the lack of parking.

You'd certainly think twice about frequenting this neighborhood for any other reason than to visit Harold and Belle's, but it's definitely worth it. The hearty menu is a little overpriced for some dishes such as the crab scampi, which was a little disappointing for $36 and lacking in the lump crab meat that is much talked about. However, you get large portions and you'll likely have sufficient to take some home. The peach cobbler is delicious, so be sure to save room for that. I won't get into whether or not it's THE best soul food around, since I have little to compare it to. But, it's definitely tasty and the place was packed, so, it's obviously popular.

worst customer service ever..overpriced and not good. the rice and bean were too thick and the glob of rice on top was cold.. rude waitress Courtney was awful and dismissive.. will never visit this place again

I love and watch the Steve Harvey Show everyday. So when Simply the WORD Church, Rev. Dr. B.G. King, Sr. was having the 7th Anniversary in Los Angelos, I was thrilled to get tickets for 6 Ladies of Destiny Members to the Steve Harvey Show. Steve Harvey said on the show one day that if you are in LA, you must eat at Harold and Belle's. Steve was right!!! It was an amazing experience along with being on his show. I cannot wait until I return to LA, I am going to do everything the same except this time I am going to win the One Thousand Dollars on STEVE'S HUNDREDS!!! HEY STEVE-Then I will treat you to dinner at HAROLD AND BELLE'S (Smile) Sincerely, Ernesta Washington-President and Founder of the Ladies of Destiny (Freeport, Texas)

It was our anniversary, my wife presented me with a card and invitation to Harold and Belle's. It was an experience that I will not ever forget, the food was superb and our hostess was great. A perfect evening for the perfect occasion. Beautiful people, excellent food presentation,prompt and attentative staff, you will not be disappointed at all. Take the family or a few friends.

Food was delicious and the portions were large. I have dinner for tonight. Nice atmosphere and great staff.

the best creole food west of new orleans. the file gumbo was thick, rich and meaty. the crawfish ettoufe was as good as we have ever had. the meatloaf was tender, done perfectly and filling. we had the peach cobbler for dessert, flaky and well done. the service was terrific we will definitely be going back again. it's worth the hour plus drive for us.

I decided to have a taste of NOLA for my birthday at a dining establishment that's been around for a very long time. I always think the food is the next best thing to New Orleans! Over the years it's transformed into a chic upscale eatery in the heart of urban Los Angeles. We ordered charbroiled oysters, fish platter (fried fish,shrimp,fries) red beans and rice,and shrimp etouffee. We spent $100 on a party of 4 I think this is a great value.

The non-distinct exterior serves as camouflage for the exquisite cuisine inside! Please try the Cadillac margarita with any dish. I had the fried fish and shrimp. AMAZING!

My review of 'Very Good' is only for the food. I've been here more times than I can count. Unfortunately, I expect the service to be hit or miss. For example one time the Security Guard showed us to our table. I keep going because the food is always really good!! After their renovations, the service seemed to pick up, but then after the newness wore off it fell again. The new bar is the exception, service is good there. My most recent visit, there seemed to be a new manager and service was better. If you want really good food in large portions, this is the place for you. If you're expecting stellar service.......not so much.

this was a gumbo that right away looked wrong, it was brown, full of sausage and beside a small piece of crab had no seafood .... The only thing that we tried that was worth the calories was catfish bits for the rest .... blahhhhh

We went for dinner a couple days after they reopened so the menu was limited but still they had all they're most popular dishes listed. Our waitress, Rachel, was great, we were seated quickly and everything is really clean & open. I had the jumbalaya, which I really liked and my boyfriend had the blue crab gumbo that was also tasty, we had hush puppies for our appetizer h they were great! We were too full for dessert, so next time!

The waitress was very attentive to us, and our food was served quickly. Everyone in our party was pleased with their meal.

Great NOLA style restaurant. Portion sizes are HUGE - you might not complete the entrees on your own. Would probably prefer smaller dishes for cheaper prices.

I saw Harold and Belle's on T.V. on the news on day and just had to try it. The food was okay, but way over rated. For the price, I would rather go to M&M's and have some good soul food for half the price...

This is one of the better resturants in Los Angeles. The catfish melts in your mouth. They have great frog legs and shrimp too. The steak is cooked to perfection and this is not evev a steak house. I love this place. What i like best about it is that they serve you a whole lot of food. You are gaurenteed to get full and have some to take home. The only thing i dont care for that much is the fried chicken but the Gumbo that is served there is delicious. Parking is limited but they do offer valet parking. All and all this is a perfect place to take anyone out for good food and a good time.

Amazing soul food, great atmosphere, crab cakes and Jambalaya are amazing and the portions are big. Great value for money too.

Three of us went for Sunday lunch. Had reservations so we were seated immediately. We shared a large file gumbo which was delicious and catfish nuggets-also very good. Two of us ordered the oyster and shrimp po'boy and the other ordered red beans and rice with hot sausage. We all enjoyed our meal and had some leftovers to take home. The prices are a bit steep but the food is worth the extra bucks. There is valet parking and limited street parking.