The best restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles

What is it? An exquisite, two-Michelin-star kaiseki dinner ($400 per head) that feels like more of a transportive experience than a meal. 

Why we love it: The space is intimate, the ceramics are handcrafted and imported from Japan, service is respectful and diligent, and chef-owner Brandon Go’s precision and technique come by way of training in Japan for years. There is something almost criminally understated here; Hayato’s delicate flavors (and the restaurant’s devilishly difficult reservation process) could lead Angelenos to overlook some of the most beautiful cooking happening in the city. I hope they don’t. They’d be missing out on steamed abalone with an unctuous liver sauce; an owan course of delicate crab meatball soup; and the spectacular donabe finale, where one can fill a bowl with freshly cooked seafood and rice over and over. Go has truly built something beautiful with Hayato.

Time Out tip: Dinner reservations are usually released at the top of each month and sell out almost immediately for the entire month. Set an alarm to get a table. It’s worth it.

Address: 1320 E 7th St #126, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Wed–Sun, 6:30pm seating

What is it? An Arts District tasting menu that brings a distinctive Taiwanese edge to Michelin-starred fine dining.

Why we love it: After relocating to ROW DTLA in 2021, chef Jon Yao, front-of-house managing partner Nikki Reginaldo, sommelier Ryan Bailey and bar director Austin Hennelly have crafted a world-class dining (and drinking) destination that rivals L.A.’s more established fine dining institutions. Yao’s ever-evolving seasonal tasting menu ($325) has come into its own, reflecting the native Angeleno’s Taiwanese heritage and San Gabriel Valley upbringing. Hennelly’s non-alcoholic beverage pairing ($120) is among the best of its kind in L.A., with drinks that capture the complex tasting notes of spirits and wine with none of the actual bite. (To be frank: I tried all the other booze-free pairings in town; aside from Somni, they’re sorely lacking.) For skeptical first-timers or longtime fans, there’s the bar-only tasting menu ($185) incorporating some of Kato’s greatest hits, including the city’s best milk bread. The high-touch service here never feels too stuffy, and Bailey’s 70-plus page wine list will satisfy even the biggest wine snobs.

Time Out tip: Unless you love caviar and jamon ibérico, you can skip the supplemental youtiao. While delicious, it’s far from the most interesting thing on the menu. Save the space for the trio of Asian desserts or even another cocktail—non-alcoholic or otherwise, the drinks upstage some of the city’s bars.

Address: 777 S Alameda St Building 1, Suite 114, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–10:30pm

What is it? A Mexican fine dining restaurant in the Arts District from world-renowned chef Enrique Olvera (of Mexico City’s Pujol and NYC’s Cosme) with unforgettable tortillas and a more casual daytime taqueria named Ditroit.

Why we love it: Though Damian’s menu prices place the eatery squarely in fine dining territory, the painstakingly sourced, well-crafted seafood, meat and vegetable dishes and housemade cocktails—non-alcoholic ones included—have made it one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city. The understated yet stylish ambience serves as the perfect backdrop for any special occasion evening. Though the menu changes seasonally, signature dishes like the duck carnitas and newer pollito al pastor are always a surefire bet. For a slight discount, look to the newer weekday happy hour (all night on Mondays and 5:30 to 6:30pm on Thursdays) at the bar and communal table, which includes a handful of regular menu items.

Time Out tip: If your budget allows, it’s better to order one apiece of the smaller plates, particularly any of the tostadas, since these are more difficult to share.

Address: 2132 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Mon, Thu 5–9pm; Fri 5–9:30pm; Sat 5–9:30pm; Sun 5–9pm

What is it? A polished Japanese-inflected bistro in the Arts District by hospitality veterans Charles Namba and Courtney Kaplan (Tsubaki, OTOTO).

Why we love it: It’s an undeniable fact of dining out in 2025: Most ambitious new L.A. restaurants are expensive, but not all of them are worth the high cost of entry. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve walked out of somewhere new after spending over $300 for two, only to wish I’d spent that money at a more tried-and-true upscale spot. Which is why it’s such a joy to visit—and, if your budget allows, revisit—Camélia, a polished Japanese-inflected bistro in the Arts District. The kitchen churns out a seasonal, globally inspired menu rooted in the fundamentals of French cooking. From a slightly sweet Japanese-style bolognese to donabe-steamed clams, each well-crafted dish strikes the perfect balance between comfort food and haute cuisine. Paired with Courtney Kaplan’s excellent sake list and cocktails by Death & Co alum Kevin Nguyen, Camélia isn’t just one of the city’s best restaurants; it’s one of the most exciting places to dine in the country right now.

Time Out tip: Dining solo? Order the dry-aged burger. Namba is the only chef in L.A. to earn two spots on our guide to the city’s best burgers (the other being the Ode to Mos at OTOTO). Piled high with melted provolone, grilled onions and pickled jalapeños, each order also comes with Camélia’s phenomenal French fries.

Address: 1850 Industrial St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–10:30pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A Michelin-starred, Japanese-meets-Italian restaurant in the Historic Core renowned for its relatively affordable tasting menu ($150). 

Why we love it: This is one of the city’s best restaurants, and thus makes for an excellent special-occasion dinner the next time you find yourself in Downtown L.A. In my experience, the seasonal menu offers the right mix of value and flair. Chef Josef Centeno’s hyper-creative, genre-bending dishes might see spot prawns, scallops and uni in a flower-dotted rice porridge (a $49 supplement, meant to be split among two), or seasonal cucamelons and heirloom tomatoes with kanpachi. There’s L.A. love, global inflection and a deep understanding of balance in these dishes that make every meal enjoyable. Even after factoring in supplements, tax and tip, it’s still one of the less eye-poppingly expensive fine dining experiences around town. The tasting menu changes daily, and the chef is usually generous with additional dishes unlisted on the menu. 

Time Out tip: Make sure to note Orsa & Winston’s cancellation policy. You’ll be charged the full amount of your meal if you don't cancel at least 24 hours beforehand.

Address: 122 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–10pm

What is it? A quartet of trucks (Boyle Heights, Downtown, Pomona, La Cienega) slinging Jalisco-style seafood across the Southland. It’s one of L.A.’s most old-school taco players, and known for its deep-fried shrimp tacos, but Mariscos Jalisco also serves fresh-to-death ceviches, tostadas and oysters on the half shell. 

Why we love it: In essence, everything is good. Their signature tacos dorado de camaron live up to the hype, with flavorful and fresh shrimp folded into a corn tortilla that’s then fried to a golden brown and topped with thick slices of avocado and a vibrant and complex salsa roja. You’ll also want to save room for their legendary tostadas such as the Poseidon, which comes topped with shrimp ceviche, octopus and a fiery red aguachile of shrimp.

Time Out tip: The Boyle Heights and Downtown locations are cash only, so come prepared. Speaking of prepared, if you’re eating then and there you can request the tacos be fully loaded on the truck for you; if they need to travel, assemble the components yourself so the taco shells stay perfectly crunchy until they’re ready to be eaten.

Address: Multiple venues, inc. Boyle Heights, Downtown and Mid-City

Opening hours: Boyle Heights: Daily 9–6pm; Downtown: Wed–Fri 10am–4pm; Mid-City: Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat, Sun 10am–5pm; Pomona: Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun 10am–5pm

What is it? From our humble point of view, the best sushi omakase ($300) experience in L.A. (Accordingly, it’s also one of the most difficult bookings in town.) Hidden in the basement of a Little Tokyo office building and run by longtime L.A. sushi veteran Yoshiyuki Inoue, Kaneyoshi outranks the city’s other high-end sushi bars in luxury, refinement and overall wow factor. 

Why we love it: The exact seafood used in Kaneyoshi’s 20-odd courses will vary on a seasonal basis, but we’ve yet to taste a better preparation of nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch) and ankimo (monkfish liver), both of which remain constants on the menu. When it comes to ultra-premium sushi, which I define as $250 per head and above, I believe Kaneyoshi provides the best bang for your buck—provided you can get a reservation. For less than what you’ll pay at Atwater’s Morihiro or West Hollywood’s Ginza Onodera, you’ll leave this Little Tokyo sushi bar feeling absolutely divine.

Time Out tip: Bring cash for the parking attendant if you plan to park on-site, and try to be on time; the 7pm nightly seating doesn’t begin until all diners are present.

Address: 111 S San Pedro St, Suite B1, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat, 7pm seating

What is it? A Michelin-starred, Asian-inflected bistro in the Arts District offering a new-school take on fine dining—and a delightful, au courant destination for special occasions or those who don’t bat an eye at dropping $300 on dinner for two.

Why we love it: Within its airy white and blue dining room, Asian American chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George find plenty of creative freedom within the confines of a traditional French bill of fare. A delicate amuse bouche pays homage to the South Asian street snack pani puri, while the gunpowder-spiced anchovies call to mind the tiny, salty fried fish favored in the Philippines and South Korea. No detail goes unnoticed, from the first-rate cocktails to the selfie-ready bathroom. On my most recent visit, I enjoyed the sea bream and uni—which resembles a savory granita—and the creamy mussels topped in matchstick potatoes. Dessert is top-notch as well; the pastry-inclined Boonthanakit showcases beautiful, delicate creations like an icy-sweet kiwi trompe l’oeil and a “citrus and milk” that pairs vanilla mouse with otherworldly semicircles of citrus milk sorbet. 

Time Out tip: Note that the restaurant is typically closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and it only takes online bookings 14 days out. As of late, Camphor has begun hosting Steak Frites nights. Usually held the first week of the month on days it’s otherwise closed, the evenings feature a $65 set meal of salad, steak and unlimited fries, plus special desserts.

Address: 923 E 3rd St, Suite 109, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Mon, Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–10:30pm; Sun 5–10pm

What is it? A Little Tokyo neighborhood favorite since 1980, this L.A. legend draws late-morning crowds for its affordable sashimi lunch special and provides an equally excellent, moderately priced sushi experience at night.

Why we love it: The sashimi lunch deal might get all the glory, but Sushi Gen’s slightly pricier dinner menu is the perfect happy medium between an eye-poppingly expensive omakase and questionably cheap sushi. For those who stop in later in the day, nigiri and gunkan pieces topped with fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin, monkfish liver and oysters await, all in a wonderfully serene, wood paneled old school sushi bar setting.

Time Out tip: Take advantage of the à la carte menu to get out of your comfort zone—the restaurant typically carries less commonly offered cuts like engawa (halibut tail fin), gizzard shad (a type of herring) and geoduck (giant Pacific clam). 

Address: 422 E 2nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Fri 11am–2pm, 5–8:30pm; Sat 4–8:30pm

What is it? After closing in 2018, Kwang Uh’s critical darling has made a triumphant return in the form of an Arts District tasting menu—including one of the best examples of vegan fine dining in Los Angeles. 

Why we love it: Alongside his wife and business partner, Mina Park, Uh now offers a $125 seven-course offering that’s admittedly small in terms of portion size, but big on the fermentation-forward Korean flavors that first captivated L.A. in 2015. Highlights include a Hokkaido scallop topped with minari (water celery) and—for vegans and vegetarians—the sumptuous banchan platter. The wild mountain greens rice, common to both the standard and plant-based menus, adds a bit of a heft at the end of the meal. This is not the in-your-face nature of Yangban or the boldly spicy, sweet flavors of your garden-variety mom-and-pop restaurant in Koreatown. Baroo is something else entirely, and while it might not hit its mark with everyone, the uniqueness of the cuisine is still worthy of your time and money if you know what you’re getting yourself into.

Time Out tip: If you’re a fan of kombucha, order the alcohol-free pairing ($45). Otherwise, I’d steer clear—the nonalcoholic beverages included in the pairing don’t really mimic the taste of alcohol.

Address: 905 E 2nd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5:30–9pm

What is it? A refined, multiregional tour through Italy via the mind of one of L.A.’s best chefs. 

Why we love it: It’s not the only chef-driven Italian restaurant in town, but it’s one of L.A.’s most famous(ly busy) restaurants for a reason. Chef and co-owner Ori Menashe’s menu highlights still manage to delight and impress, no matter how many times we’ve ordered them. Despite the decade and change since Bestia first opened in 2012 (and the fact Menashe and his partner, Genevieve Gergis, have opened two more restaurants), Bestia still requires a reservation on weekend evenings. The seasonal menu rotates slightly, but there’s a couple of heavy hitters I always recommend, including the roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti—one of the dishes that cemented my desire to write about food—and the chestnut and mushroom agnolotti. The latter consists of tiny mascarpone-stuffed pasta pockets topped with fried sage and fennel pollen; a combination these days that’s no longer novel, but still shockingly good. Paired with the industrial-modern digs and the sleek ambience, it’s a place where we’re likely to linger until the staff starts bussing our dessert plates and wine glasses.

Time Out tip: Order your own dessert. Pastry chef and co-owner Genevieve Gergis’s sweets are all memorable, even on repeat visits, and God help anyone who tries to get in between us and a forkful of chocolate budino tart.

Address: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Opening hours: Daily 5–11pm

What is it? A constantly changing European-style food hall in the heart of Downtown L.A. that’s over a century old.

Why we love it: If you factor in the history and sheer number of dining and grocery options, Grand Central Market is greater than the sum of its parts. The neon signs and affordable lunch options draw in tourists and local office workers alike for both old-school and new-school options. Longtime favorites include Bento-ya and China Cafe, but you can also pick up the best doughnuts in Los Angeles from the Donut Man (look out for strawberry season!) and the city’s best pies and cookies from Fat + Flour, among other goodies. I also like the dosirak (Korean lunchbox combos) from Shiku, McConnell’s Ice Cream, lobster rolls from Broad Street Oyster and Nonna’s Empanadas. On warm summer nights, gather a group and assemble a meal of tacos, barbecue and fried chicken on the sidewalk patio, then follow it up with a beer at Golden Road Brewery. Whether it’s your first time at GCM or your 80th, you’ll always find something new to love.

Time Out tip: I’ve found the quality to be inconsistent at the Villa’s Tacos and For the Win outposts at GCM—and thus would rather steer you towards their standalone locations.

Address: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Daily 8am–9pm (individual vendor hours may vary)

What is it? A critically acclaimed Thai-Chinese restaurant serving chef-driven takes on Bangkok street food.

Why we love it: The Santee Passage food court probably isn’t where you’d expect to find some of the most delicious, unapologetically spicy Thai food in Los Angeles, but that’s exactly where you’ll find Downtown’s Holy Basil. Using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, chef Wedchayan “Deau” Arpapornnopparat and partner Tongkamal “Joy” Yuon regularly inspire revelations in Southeast Asian flavor and spice with their version of takeout favorites like pad kee mao and green curry. However, I’m partial to Holy Basil’s more creative dishes, including a rigatoni yellow curry, a yellow shrimp curry made with wild shrimp and housemade curry paste and a fish and rice dish inspired by the chef’s grandmother.

Time Out tip: Head to Holy Basil’s other location in Atwater Village to find a larger, more interesting menu that includes a standout beef tataki. 

Address: 718 S Los Angeles St, Los Angeles, CA 90014

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–3pm, 5–9pm; Sat noon–3:30pm, 5–8:30pm

What is it? The original location of one of the city’s best New York-style slice joints. 

Why we love it: Hidden inside the sunny atrium of a Downtown office building, this daytime-only counter offers New York-style slices, Sicilian-style squares and absolutely phenomenal garlic knots. Run by Daniel Holzman, cofounder of NYC’s Meatball Shop, the no-flop triangles here cater to the lunchtime office workers crowd, but the fresh ingredients and delicious, perfectly textured crust have drawn Angelenos from outside the area searching for L.A.’s best gourmet imitation of an East Coast dollar slice. I’m also partial to the buffalo wings and chocolate chip cookies here. The menu might be familiar, but everything Holzman makes is delicious, particularly for game days or a family-style takeout meal enjoyed at home.

Time Out tip: Though parking in the area might appear daunting, Danny Boy’s actually offers customers ticket validation in the typically pricey underground structure: $5 for the first two hours before 4pm on weekdays and three hours free afterwards, with the latter deal offered all day on the weekends.

Address: 330 S Hope St Suit 205, Los Angeles, CA 90071

Opening hours: Mon, Tue 10:30am–4:30pm; Wed–Fri 10:30am–8:30pm; Sat, Sun 11am–8:30pm

What is it: The newer, larger second location of Vivian Ku’s beloved fast-casual Taiwanese eatery in Silver Lake. 

Why we love it: Compared to the original, Pine & Crane Downtown offers a seriously major menu upgrade: Taiwanese breakfast staples like purple rice fan tuan, daikon rice cakes and chive-and-egg pockets, all served from 8 to 11am. Luscious thousand-layer pancakes stuffed with basil and cheese, plus a smattering of other dishes from Highland Park’s Joy on York, are available as well. My favorite item, by far, is the vegan-friendly breakfast rice porridge set, which comes with your choice of braised pork belly or bean curd and six different toppings for your congee. After 11am, the Downtown outpost offers the same minced pork rice bowls, pan-fried soup dumplings and other traditional dishes that made the first Pine & Crane famous(ly packed). The expansive open-air patio and plentiful seating also make for a great pet- and kid-friendly dining option in the center of Los Angeles.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming for breakfast, order a mug of soy milk. While you can order it plain, you can also amp up the flavor with black sesame or make it a savory snack with a mix of pork floss, youtiao (cruller doughnuts), preserved vegetables, scallions, vinegar and chili oil.

Address: 1120 S Grand Ave Unit 101, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Daily 8am–10pm

What is it? One of L.A.’s oldest restaurants and a go-to for Dodger fans during baseball season. 

Why we love it: It’s called a French dip. Ever heard of it? In business since 1908, Philippe the Original claims to have invented the French dip sandwich. Whether or not you believe them (Cole’s will certainly contest this fact, claiming their own French dip version as the first), there’s no denying the eatery has an exemplary stack. Savvy customers make their way across the sawdust-covered floor to select a lamb, roast beef, pastrami or turkey filling, then ask their server to double-dip the bread in the meaty juice; add some of the sinus-clearing atomic mustard and you’re golden. A bevy of sides includes coleslaw, macaroni and potato salad, hard-boiled eggs and pickles—all to be eaten in the midst of friendly strangers you’ll inevitably wind up talking to.

Time Out tip: I can also recommend the cup of chili.

Address: 1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Opening hours: Daily 6am–10pm

What is it? A 10th-floor Downtown rooftop restaurant courtesy of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard.

Why we love it: While the view from the Hoxton’s rooftop space isn’t as impressive as nearby Cara Cara at the Proper, the memorable food at Cabra more than makes up for it. Like the Girl & the Goat in the Arts District, this is an imported concept that originally opened in Chicago. The Peruvian-inspired small plates translate beautifully here thanks to Izard’s usual sharp, playful takes on classic dishes like striped bass ceviche and lomo saltado. From appetizers to dessert, there’s something memorable and delicious for everyone to love at Cabra, including a pair of vegetarian entrées, including grilled maitake mushrooms with chili crunch persimmon and sungold tomato salad. I particularly liked the quinoa and beet salad’s cornucopia of bright flavors and textures, while caramel-covered picarones—sweet potato doughnuts topped with puffed rice—stood out on the dessert front. 

Time Out tip: Most of the time, you can skip the pricey valet and find metered parking along Broadway or on nearby Main Street.

Address: 1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5–10pm; Fri, Sat 5–11pm; Sun 5–10pm 

What is it? A casual, seasonally inspired ode to Tex-Mex cuisine and the more casual next-door sibling of Orsa & Winston.

Why we love it: When you’re looking for puffy tacos so crunchy, a queso dip so silky you crave it for weeks on end and other comforting, cozy fare, it can only mean one thing: You need a Bar Amá fix, stat. Here, chef Josef Centeno, a San Antonio native, pays homage to his roots with dishes like potato croquetas, green chicken enchiladas and hen of the woods mushroom birria. The queso here is the best I’ve tried in Los Angeles, and while the tacos and hearty entrées may get all the glory, the vegetable dishes here shine just as bright. In truth, it’s impossible to go wrong with just about anything here (even the vegan queso). 

Time Out tip: Stop by early for Super Nacho Hour (Tue–Sat 5–7pm, Sun 4–6pm) which includes its saucy namesake; sweet potato tacos dorados topped with molé; and a squash blossom quesadilla. At the bar, the menu is available all night.

Address: 118 4th St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Opening hours: Tue–Sat 5–10pm, Sun 4–9pm