Let’s be honest for a second. Living in Los Angeles means our personality is basically 40% traffic complaints, 30% Vitamin D, and 30% trying to secure a 7:00 PM reservation at the newest spot in Santa Monica without having to sell a kidney on the black market. We live in a city where “casual dinner” can easily accidentally mutate into a three-digit receipt because someone (usually me) decided that the artisanal truffle-infused honey was a “necessity” for the cheese board.
Enter inKind.
If you haven’t heard of it yet, imagine if a high-end credit line and a concierge service had a baby, and that baby really liked Wagyu beef. As frequent diners who haunt the tables of Culinary Passages, we aren’t just looking for calories; we’re looking for experiences. But even the most dedicated foodie has to admit that the “experience” of checking a bank statement after a weekend of L.A. dining can feel a bit like watching a horror movie where you’re the first one to go into the basement.
Here is your strategic guide to mastering the inKind app to maximize value at the most premium tables in the City of Angels.
What is inKind, and Why Should You Care especially in Los Angeles?
At its core, inKind is a dining currency app. Instead of just paying as you go, you purchase “Passes” or “House Accounts” for specific restaurant groups or a general pool of funds. The magic happens in the “Bonus.” When you fund an account, the app often kicks in a massive percentage of extra credit. We’re talking “I just got a free round of cocktails for the whole table” levels of bonus credit.
For those of us navigating the Los Angeles culinary landscape, where a single steak can cost more than a monthly Netflix subscription, this is a game-changer. It turns high-end dining into a strategic sport.
Strategy 1: The “Stacking” Protocol
The true professional doesn’t just use inKind; they stack it. Los Angeles is a city built on the hustle, and your dining habits should be no different. The first rule of inKind Fight Club is that you should always check if your premium credit card (like an Amex Gold or Chase Sapphire) has a specific dining multiplier.
According to the financial experts at The Points Guy, maximizing “spend categories” is the foundation of luxury travel and dining. When you use a high-multiplier card to fund your inKind balance, you are effectively earning 4x points on the money you spent, while simultaneously getting the 15-20% bonus credit from inKind. You are essentially getting paid in future vacations to eat pasta right now. That is the kind of math I can get behind.
Strategy 2: Targeting L.A.’s Heavy Hitters
Not every taco stand in the Valley is on inKind (though we can dream), but the roster of premium Los Angeles restaurants is genuinely impressive. We’re talking about places where the lighting is so good you don’t even need an Instagram filter, and the wine list is longer than the script for Oppenheimer.
From the sleek, modern vibes of the Meat-centric icons in Beverly Hills to the coastal elegance of Santa Monica’s finest seafood spots, inKind has carved out a niche with restaurant groups that actually matter. When you’re sitting at a table in a high-rent district, knowing you have a pre-funded balance with a 20% bonus feels like having a cheat code for life.
Strategy 3: The “InKind Pass” vs. Individual Los Angeles Dining House Accounts
There are two ways to play this. You can buy into a specific restaurant you love, or you can go for the inKind Pass. For the uninitiated, the Pass acts like a subscription or a broad-use credit that works across their entire network.
If you’re a “creature of habit” who goes to the same bistro every Tuesday because the bartender knows exactly how much vermouth you don’t want in your martini, buy the House Account. The bonuses are usually higher. However, if you’re like most L.A. diners—constantly chasing the newest opening in the Arts District—the Pass is your best friend. It offers the flexibility to pivot from sushi to sourdough without breaking your budget.
The Social Flex: Paying with the App
There is a specific, quiet joy in finishing a meal at a premium L.A. establishment, opening an app, typing in your table number, and just… walking out. (Okay, tell your server first so they don’t tackle you in the valet line, but you get the point).
The app handles the bill, the tip, and the bonus credits seamlessly. It removes that awkward “card dance” at the end of the night. It makes you look like a tech-savvy regular, even if it’s your first time there. In a city where “looking the part” is half the battle, the inKind interface is the sleekest wingman you’ve ever had.
Why This Matters for the “Frequent” Los Angeles Diner
As noted in a recent industry report by Eater Los Angeles, the cost of operating a restaurant in Southern California has skyrocketed, leading to higher menu prices across the board. For us, the consumers, this means we have to be smarter.
Using inKind isn’t about being “cheap”—let’s be real, you’re still spending money on $25 crudo. It’s about value optimization. It’s the difference between going out once a month and going out twice a month. It’s the ability to say “yes” to the reserve wine pairing because you know your “Bonus Credit” is covering the difference.
Maximizing the “Hidden” Perks
Beyond the credits, inKind has started rolling out “Experiences.” This is where the app moves from a financial tool to a lifestyle tool. We’re talking about priority seating, off-menu items, or invitations to tasting events. In the competitive L.A. dining scene, where getting a table can sometimes require a blood sacrifice or knowing the owner’s cousin’s dog walker, these perks are worth their weight in gold.
As Food & Wine often highlights in their guides to modern dining trends, the “gamification” of loyalty is the future of the industry. By engaging with the app, you aren’t just a face in a crowded dining room; you are a “Preferred Guest.” And in Hollywood, being preferred is the only way to live.
Tips for the First-Timer
- Check for Sign-up Bonuses: Never just download and buy. Look for referral links or seasonal promos. There is almost always a “Spend $50, Get $50” or similar offer floating around for new users.
- Watch the Expiration: Most inKind credits don’t expire, but always read the fine print on “Promotional” credits. You don’t want your lobster money to vanish into the ether.
- The Tip is Included (In the Calculation): You can use your credit to pay for the tip! This is a massive win. Your bonus credit is literally paying the gratuity for your server. It’s a win-win for everyone involved.
- Use it for Business: If you’re an Angeleno who does “lunch,” using inKind for client meetings is a brilliant move. You get the full receipt for reimbursement, but you’re actually spending less because of the bonus credit. (Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me). Imagine doing your Business meeting at Ocean Prime in Beverly Hills, Fia or Fia Steak in Santa Monica, or even at the Penthouse at the beautifully Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. You must hurry with the Penthouse because they are leaving inKind soon.
The Verdict: Is It Worth It?
If you eat out in Los Angeles more than twice a month at places that don’t have a drive-thru, then yes, absolutely. The rise of inKind reflects a shift in how we approach luxury. It’s no longer just about having the money; it’s about having the strategy.
The culinary scene in L.A. is one of the best in the world. From the soul-satisfying pastas of our Italian enclaves to the precision of our Omakase dens, we are spoiled for choice. Using a tool like inKind allows us to explore that scene more deeply, more frequently, and with a significantly happier bank account.
So, the next time you’re planning a night out—maybe a celebratory dinner in West Hollywood or a breezy lunch by the Santa Monica pier—check the app. Your future self, currently sipping a “free” glass of Champagne, will thank you.
Read More to Fuel Your Los Angeles Food Obsession
- The Fine Dining Decoder: How to Order Like a Pro (And Not Accidentally Buy a $200 Egg)
- 6 Brutally Honest Rules for Los Angeles Dining: How to Eat Like a Local (And Score the Best Tables)
- How to Host a Luxury “Grown-Up” Tapas Night: 7 Secrets to a Perfect 2026 Tablescape
- The Great Quality Collapse We Are All Experiencing Today:
- The Tasting Menu Travel Capsule: How to Dress Like a 5-Star Entrée on a Street Food Budget
About the Author: Ginger Graham
Ginger Graham is a Registered Nurse by day and a dedicated culinary explorer by night. With nearly 15 years of experience in the medical field—ranging from the high-stakes environment of bedside nursing to procedural care—she knows that life is too short for bad coffee or mediocre meals. When she isn’t managing her blog, Culinary Passages, you can find her hunting for the perfect Basque cheesecake, planning her next Disney trip, or trying to convince her Goldendoodle, Barnaby, that he cannot, in fact, have a bite of her Wagyu. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Brad, and their two daughters, where she continues her quest to find the perfect balance between a healthy lifestyle and a 12-course tasting menu.
Email: info@culinarypassages.com. We can send you a referral promo code!
