The Best Restaurants in Downtown LA

Occupying the former Faith & Flower space, Baar Baar’s photogenic play on upscale Indian cuisine is tailored to LA diners. Beneath lofty ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, every meal here is a journey through artfully executed dishes that ooze imagination and invention. A memorable, luxurious choice for a date or pre-show dinner that’s a conversation piece in itself.

Named a Michelin Bib Gourmand, Badmaash is a cool, contemporary Indian-fusion restaurant located a little off the beaten path that’s worth seeking out. With the motto “eat like you’re Indian,” this family-run standout serves faves like double-fried spice-battered chicken, uniquely masala-fied takes on poutine (the owners hail from India and Canada) and Badmaash Broccolini in a lively, bi-level space.

Any round-up of Downtown LA eateries must include Bestia, which put the Arts District on the culinary map upon opening in 2012 and remains one of the city’s upscale must-dines and toughest reservations. Husband-and-wife team Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis helm this Italian bastion that's housed in an industrial warehouse space with exposed brick/beams and meat hook chandeliers, serving bold yet balanced interpretations of timeless classics.

Boasting stunning views from its 24th-floor perch at The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, Corteza at Sendero emphasizes coastal cuisine from Mexico, Central and South America. Complemented by well-presented cocktails, chef Kevin Luzande's pan-Latin menu includes delectable ceviches from Peru and Ecuador; Aged Snapper Zarandeado (Nayarit, Mexico) and the Seven Seas Cataplana, a rich Central American seafood stew. With its decidedly special-occasion setting, Corteza can be a destination in itself or cap a night out at Crypto.com Arena or L.A. LIVE.

Based on family recipes from owner Sara Clark, Sarita's Pupuseria is a long-running Grand Central Market staple that serves handmade pupusas bursting with a choice of dozens of fillings, including vegetarian options ranging from mushrooms to spinach to jalapeños. Further Salvadorean classics at Sarita’s include fried plantains, yuca con chicharron, stews and more. La La Land fans can spot Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone stopping by Sarita's in a montage.

Opened at GCM in 2021 by the folks behind Baroo, Shiku serves well-known Korean comfort dishes like grilled Maekjuk Chicken and Kimchi-Braised Pork Belly alongside imaginative snacks and rice boxes. A mom & pop shop that draws upon its owners’ childhood memories, this is homestyle Korean cooking done (and priced) right.

Catering to busy Downtown LA daytime diners, Guzzu Bento-ya is an updated take on the traditional Japanese bento box. There’s a stacking-doll feel to the meals, with each box divided into two smaller ones and revealing unexpected layers of flavor and texture. Try the Jidori Chicken Karaage or Shio Koji Marinated Norwegian Mackerel and banish “boxed = boring” once and for all!

Tucked inside a Fashion District food court, Holy Basil is an unassuming kiosk that defies appearances by dishing out some of the best Thai street food in LA. While the menu reads like generic fare (green curry, pad see ew, pad thai etc.), each dish is a bold yet nuanced take on such staples - herbaceous, pungent and, frankly, raising the bar for the city's Thai eateries with each revealing bite.

Two years ago, Michelin-starred Kato moved from a West LA strip mall to grander, hipper surroundings at ROW DTLA. The sublime, seasonal Taiwanese tasting menu remains, as does chef Jon Yao’s passion for seafood and his mom’s home cooking. An indulgence well worth the spend, Kato is further set apart by its warm personalized service and an acclaimed bar program helmed by Austin Hennelly.

Tucked inside the Hauser & Wirth art complex, Manuela offers an indoor/outdoor dining experience focused on Southern-inspired seasonal fare. Despite its cultured, cosmopolitan Arts District locale, this airy space has an approachable vibe and a welcome emphasis on ingredients – from venison and duck to okra and snap peas – sourced from local family farms.

Located in the Pershing Square Building 15 floors below sister restaurant Perch, Mrs. Fish specializes in Japanese plates, sushi and whisky - all served in a colorful contemporary setting. Enjoy exemplary modern Japanese cuisine, including skewers and hot/cold small plates, surrounded by remarkable artwork and an amazing overhead aquarium.

Situated in LA’s tallest building, the Wilshire Grand Center, NIKU X elevates Japanese cuisine with a singular take on classic yakiniku (grilled meat). With an open kitchen and robot servers, NIKU X makes an impression even before you’re seated, then lives up to it with Japanese A5 Wagyu painstakingly prepared under the eye of Michelin-starred chef Shin Thompson.

Celebrating its centennial in 2024, The Original Pantry Café has been dishing up generous portions of classic diner fare for longer than (almost) anyone can remember. Pre-pandemic, this Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument was open 24/7 and a beloved staple of late-night diners. But since its return, The Pantry has shifted to a daytime operation, open at 7am Wednesday-Sunday. No reservations, expect a line during the morning rush.

Perhaps no restaurant better conveys contemporary LA cuisine like Josef Centeno’s Italian- and Japanese-inspired Orsa & Winston. Featuring a $125 five-course tasting menu ($135 for vegetarian) that changes daily, Centeno conjures culinary finesse that's almost incongruous to O&W's small, understated dining room. With a focus on top-quality seafood and vegetables, Orsa & Winston should be the first stop for out-of-town foodies.

A gorgeous, airy contemporary restaurant located next to The Broad museum, Otium is treasured by culture vultures and business types alike. Merging indoor and outdoor spaces, Otium puts quality and service before formality and genre, with an eclectic, ever-changing New American menu that offers both something for everyone and a reflection of the latest Angeleno dining desires.

Serving Downtown LA since 1908 and at its current Alameda Street location since 1951, Philippe the Original is all about the French Dip sandwich, which it claims to have invented more than a century ago. At Philippe’s, this does not imply a single sandwich but rather multiple permutations of meats, cheeses and flavorful, perfectly paired sides. The menu also boasts breakfasts, soups, salads, chilis and more.

The follow-up to Pine & Crane’s popular Silver Lake location, this casual Taiwanese restaurant retains the core menu of the original, plus DTLA-specific breakfast dishes and a full bar in a much larger indoor/outdoor space. Located in South Park, this is the spot for casual small plates, traditional cold appetizers, dumplings, noodles and rice dishes; all created with the pride and passion for which P&C is known.

Located at ROW DTLA, Pizzeria Bianco is the Los Angeles incarnation of the celebrated Phoenix pizzeria. Legendary pizzaiolo Chris Bianco built his LA menu around six signature wood-fired pies - exquisitely charred, thin-crust masterpieces that are well worth the lengthy wait. There are also small plates, salads and sides, but this joint is a mecca for pizza purists.

Rossoblu offers handmade pastas, market-fresh produce, and an extensive in-house butchery and salumi program. Book a table beneath a breathtaking mural in the industrial-chic dining room or the outdoor mezzanine and garden, and enjoy dishes inspired by Northern Italy’s Emilia-Romagna Region, including remarkable pasta creations and rustic wood-fired meats and fishes.

The M.O. of this Fashion District gem is simple yet singularly satiating: tacos inspired by San Luis Río Colorado, Sonora – a region of northern Mexico known for spectacular carne asada. Sonoratown’s small, expertly executed menu of smoky grilled meats in pillowy tortillas has earned loyal regulars, critical acclaim, a feature in Netflix's Taco Chronicles and a second location in Mid-City.