Downtown L.A. | February 24, 2022
Restaurants & Eateries
Find world-class cuisine and some of LA’s most acclaimed restaurants in the heart of Downtown. From Bestia’s multi-regional Italian fare to Damian’s innovative Mexican cuisine, discover a world of culinary options in an abundance of inspired settings, including cozy indoor dining rooms, lively rooftop bars, inspired architectural landmarks, and more. Whatever you’re craving, you’ll find it right here.
Grand Central Market
https://www.grandcentralmarket.com
Grand Central Market provides Los Angeles with a national caliber eating experience showcasing California’s best ingredients, chefs, and entrepreneurs. Explore the emporium — home to food vendors and florists, and host to game nights, movies, and more since 1917.
317 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 359-6007
Ditroit
https://www.ditroitdtla.com/hours-and-location/
Discover Ditroit, a backdoor taquería that’s a casual counterpart to chef Enrique Olvera’s acclaimed Damian. Serving variations on traditional Mexican street food while celebrating seasonal Californian produce, the crispy fish flautas, suadero tacos, and daily paletas are must-trys.
2117 Violet St
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 559-7257
Verve Coffee
Santa Cruz-based Verve Coffee’s recent expansion to LA is a welcome one. Whether you’re visiting the Arts District location on Spring Street or their West Hollywood outpost, you’ll find reliable internet and plenty of seating in a sleek, urban-feeling space.
833 S. Spring St., Downtown
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 455-5991
Rossoblu
Rossoblu is an ode to the “cucina della nonna,” or grandmother’s cooking of Emilia Romagna (the region of Bologna renowned for its fresh pasta). Led by Chef Steve Samson and Zach Pollack, Rossoblu boasts an industrial design in the heart of City Market South, the Fashion District’s emerging pocket. Their spacious patio is the perfect spot to start an evening, with classic aperitivo cocktails like Negronis and spritzes paired with plates of cured mortadella, lonza, and extra-aged prosciutto di Parma. Other menu must-trys include handmade pastas “al matterello” (tagliatelle Bolognese, tortellini in brodo, and maltagliati), wood-fired pizzas, grilled meats, and the coal-roasted vegetables — a cozy bowl of carrots, turnips, and parsnips cooked with olive oil, salt, and a lot of love.
CITY MARKET SOUTH, 1124 San Julian St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 749-1099
Dama
https://damafashiondistrict.com
Across from Rossoblu find Dama, the latest from the Scopa Italian Roots team. A chic, Latin-inspired venture with a lushly tropical feel, everything is meticulously executed — from the open air vibe to the flavorful fare (try the whipped beans, spicy beef empanadas, and mouth watering roasted corn topped with queso fresco, cotija, and chili-lime salt). The vintage-inspired cocktails are in a category all their own; order a daiquiri or piña colada and drift away.
612 E 11th St. 90015
Los Angeles, CA
(213) 741-0612
Manuela
At Manuela, part of the Arts District’s Hauser and Wirth gallery complex, Chef Wes Whitsell nostalgically recreates the food from his Texas childhood…injected with modern flavor and technique. The restaurant is very much farm-to-table, with garden eggs coming from an on-site chicken house, and all smoking, fermenting, preserving, and pickling done in-house. Be sure to try the stand-out side dishes, featuring twists on Southern staples like okra, Scarlet Runner, and Dragon beans.
907 E. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90071
(323) 849-0480
Redbird
Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic architectural gems — located inside the former Cathedral of Saint Vibiana. The flagship restaurant of Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Knoll Fraser, Redbird spotlights refined yet approachable modern American cuisine, peppered with nods to Los Angeles’ melting pot of multicultural influences.
114 E 2nd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 788-1191
Hayato
Hayato, a shoebox of a restaurant nestled in the corner of the ROW DTLA, is a place you’d be hard pressed to find anywhere other than Los Angeles. During the day, Chef Brandon Go—who cut his teeth at the three Michelin-starred Ishikawa in Tokyo—offers fantastic bento boxes for takeaway. At night, the restaurant transforms into a six-seat kaiseki, with seafood specially ordered for each individual guest and an ever-changing seasonal menu.
1320 E. 7th St. #126
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 395-0607
Bar Ama
Puffy tacos, Frito pie, queso, and other evolved Tex-Mex dishes are mainstays at chef Josef Centeno’s latest operation. Do not miss the perfectly caramelized sweet potatoes, the fried Brussels sprouts, and the guacamole, which just might be the best in the city. The space also offers its fair share of tequila and mezcal drinks, along with homemade fruit mashes and Bäco-Pops.
FARMER AND MERCHANTS BANK BUILDING, 118 4th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 687-8002
Cha Cha Chá
The highly anticipated sister restaurant of Terraza Cha Cha Chá in Mexico City makes its way to Los Angeles’ Arts District. Cha Cha Chá’s rooftop views and lush setting make this spot the ultimate feel-good escape while the menu from Mexico City native and LA-raised Chef Alejandro Guzman brings authenticity with a unique twist. Highlights include the ceviche, steak pa’taquear, and pescado Cha Cha Chá with noteworthy cocktails like the Oaxacan Zombie, made with mezcal, Strawberry Milk Punch, and Patron Blanco.
812 E 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Damian
An homage to Mexican culture prepared with seasonal California ingredients, Damian is the fourth restaurant of acclaimed Chef Enrique Olvera, housed in an airy indoor-outdoor space that’s the perfect destination for a date night or evening celebration. An elevated take on Mexican cuisine, Olvera’s twists on tradition include molten gruyere quesadilla, tamal de elote, pescado a la brasa, and an uni tostado. Don’t skip on the creative cocktails and indulgent desserts.
2132 E. 7th Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 270-0178
Bestia
In a warehouse-like space in the Arts District, you’ll find Bestia — helmed by husband-and-wife duo Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. While the scope of the menu is ambitious and innovative, you should really go for the pizza: Ori gives his dough 24 hours to rise and fall before it heads into the wood-burning oven, and you can tell. While Bestia draws (deservedly) huge crowds, the bar is a fun place to sip a delicious cocktail while you wait.
2121 E. 7th Pl.
Los Angeles, CA 90021
(213) 514-5724
Bavel
From Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis of Bestia fame, Bavel is an homage to the duo’s roots, spanning Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt. Along with traditional hummus, baba ganoush, and assorted flatbreads, find favorites like Wagyu beef tagine and grilled lamb, all meant to be shared.
500 Mateo St. #102
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 232-4966
Shojin
Amazing and deliciously unexpected, Shojin is a 100% vegan Japanese restaurant offering sushi, sashimi, ramen, sake, and wine in a refined, romantic setting in Little Tokyo.
333 S. Alameda St., Suite 310
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 617-0305
Mignon
An oasis for travelers and locals seeking a casually intimate night out, Mignon’s wine and cheese bar offers a selection of rare and boutique wines paired with artisan cheese plates, charcuterie boards, and deliciously seasonal small plates, all crafted by a rotating lineup of chefs.
128 E. 6th St.
Los Angeles, CA 90014
(213) 489-0131
Maccheroni Republic
https://maccheronirepublic.com
A casual and cozy indoor/outdoor spot with a friendly BYOB policy, find delicious homemade pastas at Maccheroni Republic, a casual alternative to more buzzy Bestia or Rossoblu.
332 S. Broadway
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 346-9725
Sugarfish
It’s notorious for a reason — find traditional, delicious, top quality sushi, sashimi, rolls at beloved Sugarfish, all in the signature style of acclaimed Chef Nozawa.
600 W. 7th St #150
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 627-3000
