The best restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles

A decade after opening, the Arts District’s Bestia still turns tables—and typically requires reservations several weeks out. It shouldn’t be surprising, given chef-owner Ori Menashe’s penchant for nailing straightforward yet innovative Italian food, which arrives hot from a wood-burning oven, the kitchen’s centerpiece. Some of Bestia’s menu highlights have become modern icons of L.A.’s dining scene: the spaghetti rustichella—a small pyramid of noodles under dungeness crab, citrus, Calabrian chili, Thai basil and onion seed—is synonymous with this hard-to-land reservation. Plus, god help anyone who tries to get in between us and a forkful of Bestia’s chocolate budino tart.

Tucked behind traditional noren that hang over the door, chef-owner Brandon Go artfully tweezers a multicourse, traditional kaiseki dinner each night of service. The space is intimate, the ceramics are handcrafted and imported from Japan, and Go’s precision and technique have earned his restaurant not one, but two Michelin stars (as of 2021). There is something almost criminally understated here; Hayato’s delicate flavors and Go’s humble nature could lead Angelenos to overlook some of the most beautiful cooking happening in the city. We hope they don’t. They’d be missing out on phenomenal dishes such as steamed abalone with an unctuous liver sauce; an owan course of delicate crab meatball soup; and fresh fruit coated in a salted sake jelly.

Orsa & Winston is the crown jewel of chef Josef Centeno’s L.A. restaurant empire, and for good reason. This Japanese-Italian fine dining den has a hyper-creative, genre-bending Michelin-starred tasting menu. At $125 a pop, it’s certainly not cheap, but Centeno’s emphasis on seasonal, locally sourced produce shines in artfully plated dishes like a honey nut squash braised in sake, Okinawa brown sugar and shiso leaves. A more sustainably raised bluefin toro served with calamansi, apricot and finger limes captures the essence of the cooking going on at Orsa & Winston, where the best seafood and produce combine into an elegant symphony worthy of your next date night or other special occasion.

Brought to you by husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, the same folks behind Bestia, the pan-Mediterranean Bavel is a sheer delight drawing on the couple’s shared cultural heritage. Here, you’ll find some of the city’s best hummus and pita served in an upscale shabby-chic atmosphere alongside a sumptuous large-format lamb neck shawarma and spiced harissa prawns. There’s a profound kind of cozy elegance in the cuisine at Bavel, which winds its way through Israel, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey. At the end of the day, however, the space livens up its already-exciting menu: Though the more intimate patio sets a perfect scene on date night, inside, near the kitchen and under the waterfall of hanging vines, is where you’ll find most of the action is at.

Downtown’s cultural food epicenter might as well be the historic Grand Central Market, which has been serving the neighborhood since 1917. Today, GCM is  a glimpse into the city’s past, as well as a contemporary hotbed for some of the best dining L.A. has to offer. Our favorites: Shiku, a Korean dosirak (lunchbox) spot with an array of unique, must-try banchan; Sari Sari Store, from the team behind République and Bicyclette, which offers vibrantly flavored Filipino rice bowls; buckets of Lucky Bird’s signature light and crispy crusted fried chicken; and the chow mein plate stalwart China Cafe, a GCM veteran for over 60 years. Earlier in the day, stop by G&B Coffee for a latte and The Donut Man for a sweet treat, including the Glendora shop’s famous, seasonal fruit-filled donuts (we love the strawberry).

Since its lockdown era debut, Pujol chef Enrique Olvera's Arts District eatery has quietly become one of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, as well as one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles, period. Damian’s understatedly stylish ambience and unforgettable seafood-centric small plates, grilled meats and playful vegetable mains easily put it in the same league as its always-popular parking lot neighbor, Bestia, but the restaurant defies any simple comparison. When every bite reflects Damian’s commitment to traditional Mexican cooking techniques and ingredient sourcing, there’s no one singularly great dish to order, but you’d be remiss not to order the unforgettable duck al pastor and art-like hibiscus meringue. 

For an artful, unexpected riff on Korean cooking, look no further than Yangban. Unlike other places on this list, Yangban Society takes the dyed-in-the-wool definition of the cuisine and shoves it, and that’s exactly why we love the place. Early favorites like the congee pot pie and twice-fried chicken wings are fast becoming classics for devoted fans, and after initially shying away from tasting menus (the couple previously worked in Napa), the restaurant’s Yangban-style spread has offered a gentle, and worthwhile, introduction to new-school Korean American cuisine. Within the bright blue walls of the stylish, industrially inflected dining room, there’s always something new and interesting to try.

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 a dollar slice. 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 Saturday (the shop is closed on Sundays).

For all the warm sushi rice and dragon rolls, L.A. boasts plenty of excellent Edomae-style sushi bar , with no better example than this relative newcomer hidden away in the basement of a Little Tokyo office building. Run by veteran sushi chef Yoshiyuki Inoue, Sushi Kaneyoshi tops out in luxury, refinement and overall wow factor. The exact seafood used in Kaneyoshi’s approximately 20 courses changes seasonally, but diners are likely to dig into a delicate Hokkaido crab chawanmushi, along with one of the city’s best preparations of ankimo (monkfish liver) and nodoguro (blackthroat sea perch). A word of warning: Tock reservations here are tough to snag, but the eventual outcome is well worth the time and effort.

One of L.A.’s most iconic budget-friendly eats might be known for its deep-fried shrimp tacos—TACOS DE CAMARON is painted on its Fashion District and Boyle Heights trucks in giant letters, for good reason—but Mariscos Jalisco also serves market fresh, often fiery ceviches, tostadas and oysters on the half shell. Their signature tacos live up to the hype, with flavorful and fresh shrimp folded into a corn tortilla that is 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 tostadas like the Poseidon, a fiery red aguachile that comes with shrimp ceviche, octopus and shrimp.

The newer, larger second location of Vivian Ku’s beloved Silver Lake eatery has arrived, with one major menu upgrade: breakfast dishes like purple rice fan tuan and daikon rice cakes from Ku’s pandemic pop-up, Today Starts Here. 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. The Downtown outpost’s expansive open-air patio, plentiful seating and relatively central location make this a more convenient daytime option for Angelenos hoping to snag minced pork rice bowls, pan-fried soup dumplings and the slew of other dishes that first made Pine & Crane famous(ly packed).

If you’re itching for a taste of Mexico City, head to this stunning palm- and cacti-lined patio in the Arts District, where chef Paco Moran’s luscious, seafood-oriented share plates and addicting housemade tortillas chips add up to a transportative meal any day of the week. The same precision and seasonality extends to the upscale restaurant’s cocktails and desserts, including a gorgeous, crystal-clear strawberry milk punch and arroz con leche topped with puffed rice and mango passionfruit gel. For an equally transportative experience, post up at the bar all evening and pound spicy margaritas and palomas served in a traditional clay pot or try Cha Cha Chá’s cachaça, rhum and mandarin Jarritos-based painkiller.

Taking place every Sunday outside of the outdoor mall ROW DTLA, Smorgasburg L.A. is a cornucopia of food and retail stalls that happens to serve as an incubator for some of L.A.’s best up-and-coming small food businesses. Veterans include Tacos 1986 (also on this list), which now operates brick-and-mortar locations across the city, and Koreatown’s Love Hour, both of whom still head to Smorgasburg every week. Recent additions like Bridgetown Roti, chef Rashida Holmes’ ultra-popular Caribbean pop-up, and buzzy flautas specialist Los Dorados, have kept the crowds coming at Smorgasburg. You’ll also find much-loved regulars like travel-inspired ice cream hotspot, Wanderlust Creamery, and the açai specializing Amazebowls, who also have a shop in the Arts District.

In business since 1908, Philippe the Original claims to have invented the French dip sandwich. Whether or not you believe them, there’s no denying the eatery has an exemplary sandwich. Savvy customers make their way across the sawdust-covered floor to select a traditional lamb, beef or turkey filling, then ask their server to double-dip the bread in the meaty juice; add some of the sinus-clearing house mustard and you’re golden. A bevy of sides include coleslaw, macaroni and potato salad, hard-boiled eggs and pickles—all to be eaten in the midst of friendly strangers, whom you’ll inevitably wind up talking to, especially during Dodger game season.

Nestled in Downtown’s Little Tokyo neighborhood since 1980, Sushi Gen has turned into a cult favorite for L.A.’s sushi aficionados. The main draw? A modestly priced sashimi lunch special, complete with a rainbow of sashimi, soup, salad and rice. You can reward your taste buds with fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin, monkfish liver, scallops and oysters throughout the day, of course—just mind the rules: no cell phone or laptop usage while dining, your whole party must be present to be seated, and don’t even try to skirt around the host stand (or that giant line out front). At this top-notch spot, be prepared to wait; the lines can get massive.

A modern Indian restaurant marrying Toronto-style swagger and South Asian spice, Badmaash offers a delicious, carefully thought-out menu of Indian classics and more playful dishes, like a chicken tikka poutine and chili cheese naan. Run by the Mahendro brother-and-father trio, this isn’t your average Indian takeout-style fare. Take their double-fried chicken: Dusted with paprika masala, each piece is craggy, crunchy and out-of-this-world good when dipped into their side of serrano-cream sauce. No meal would be complete, however, without one of their poutines, which can be also topped with vegetarian-friendly channa masala. Time Out tip: Order the vegan-friendly oat milk chai, available by the bottle for takeout purchase as well.

This Peruvian-inspired Downtown rooftop eatery comes courtesy of Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard, who also has an equally excellent L.A. outpost of Girl & the Goat in the Arts District. Here, you'llfind Izard’s usual sharp, playful takes on dishes like striped bass ceviche and lomo saltado. From appetizers to dessert, there’s something memorable and delicious for everyone to love at Cabra. For us, the quinoa and tuna salad’s cornucopia of bright flavors and caramel-covered picarones—sweet potato doughnuts topped with puffed rice—stood out above all else. Together with a gorgeous poolside bar, stunning interior design and excellent cocktails, this breezy destination-worthy eatery is an obvious choice for a big night out.

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, we’re also partial to Holy Basil’s small bites, like a vegan-friendly larb made with mushrooms and their dry-aged salmon. Billed as a Thai-style ceviche, this super-spicy raw dish is worth temporarily melting your tastebuds. 

When it comes to puffy tacos so crunchy and a queso dip so silky you crave it for weeks on end, it can only mean one thing: You need a Bar Amá fix, stat. Josef Centeno’s casual ode to Tex-Mex cuisine is a declaration and celebration of the chef’s roots, and it’s a casual, comfy dive into the most satisfying of guacamoles and deeply flavorful salsas. It’s impossible to go wrong with just about anything here (even the vegan queso), and we’ve yet to have a bad meal at Downtown’s little slice of Texas.

Whether you’re a Philippe’s fan or Cole’s believer, the real question is—do you dip? DTLA’s other originator of the French dip (or at least they claim to be), Cole’s sits in the same location as it did in 1908, when it opened its doors as a public house inside the Pacific Electric railway station. Today, thanks to a revamp from Pouring With Heart, the booze is still flowing—both up front in the restaurant, and in back at speakeasy the Varnish. Diners can order hearty, beef-jus–dipped sandwiches in a setting that’s much darker and moodier than Philippe’s, which is just down the road. You just need to ask yourself: Do you want a congenial, Dodgers fan atmosphere at one spot, or the darkened bar where mobsters and Charles Bukowski used to frequent?