Dan Tana Dies at 90: The Restaurateur Who Fed Hollywood’s Soul

Hollywood has lost one of its hidden giants. Dan Tana, the legendary restaurateur behind the West Hollywood hotspot that carried his name, passed away at the age of 90 in Belgrade, Serbia.

For decades, Dan Tana’s wasn’t just a place to eat—it was the beating heart of late-night Los Angeles. The little yellow house on Santa Monica Boulevard was where stars, moguls, and everyday locals could sit side by side, sipping wine and digging into veal parm at 2 a.m. It was cozy, classy, and filled with stories that could only happen in Hollywood.

From Serbia to Stardom’s Doorstep

Dan’s story was straight out of a movie. Born Dobrivoje Tanasijević in 1935 in Lazarevac, Serbia, his first dream wasn’t food—it was soccer. He played professionally for Red Star Belgrade and later across Europe and Canada. But destiny had other plans.

When he came to America, he pivoted from soccer fields to film sets. Dan studied acting, landed small roles in movies like The Enemy Below and TV shows like The Untouchables. But it wasn’t acting that would make him a legend. It was hospitality.

Starting as a dishwasher, then moving up to maître d’, Dan worked his way through the Los Angeles restaurant scene. By 1964, he took over a struggling hamburger joint on Santa Monica Boulevard. Instead of burgers and fries, he envisioned red sauce, pasta, steaks, and a little slice of Europe in West Hollywood. That vision became Dan Tana’s.

A Restaurant That Became Hollywood’s Living Room

The timing was perfect. Hollywood was booming with TV, film, and music legends who wanted late-night dining spots that were intimate, discreet, and welcoming. Dan gave them exactly that.

Inside his restaurant, stars could breathe. No paparazzi flashing cameras. No velvet ropes making people feel excluded. Just warm food, strong drinks, red leather booths, and Dan’s charm floating through the room.

And the guest list? Unreal. Frank Sinatra. Elizabeth Taylor. Jack Nicholson. Johnny Carson. Marlon Brando. Drew Barrymore. The Rolling Stones. The Lakers. Agents, producers, power players—you name it. If you were anybody in Hollywood from the ‘60s on, you pulled up at Dan Tana’s.

The menu even turned into a walk of fame: dishes named after celebs, like the “Veal Cutlet Milanese a la Michael Kane” or “New York Steak a la Tony Danza.” It wasn’t just dinner—it was legacy on a plate.

Dan’s Secret Sauce: Loyalty and Love

What made Dan Tana’s magical wasn’t only the food—it was the atmosphere. Dan knew everybody by name. He made people feel safe, like family. For celebrities who lived in a world of cameras and chaos, this was priceless.

But it wasn’t just the rich and famous. Locals, late-night crews, and dreamers trying to make it in Hollywood found themselves sitting just a booth away from stardom. And that mix—Hollywood royalty with regular folks—was the real sauce that made Dan Tana’s timeless.

After Dan, The Spirit Lived On

Dan sold the restaurant in 2009 to longtime staff member Sonja Perencevic, ensuring the spirit of the place lived on. Even without him at the helm every night, the little yellow house stayed the same—same booths, same vibe, same late-night magic.

Walking into Dan Tana’s today feels like time travel. It’s proof that real legacy isn’t in fame—it’s in consistency, community, and heart.

End of an Era

With Dan’s passing, Los Angeles says goodbye not just to a restaurateur, but to a man who shaped the culture of the city’s nightlife. In a town built on glitz and reinvention, Dan Tana’s stood for tradition, warmth, and belonging.

As the restaurant’s official tribute said, “Our beloved little yellow house will forever feel his presence.” And that’s the truth. Every glass of Chianti, every late-night laugh in those booths, every plate of pasta sliding out of that kitchen will carry a piece of Dan’s soul.

Rest in peace, Dan Tana. You gave Hollywood a place to eat, drink, and just be human. 🍷