Hungry for the best dining experiences that Downtown Los Angeles has to offer? From classic American eateries to exotic international flavors, DTLA's diverse culinary scene caters to all tastes and budgets. Our exclusive guide to the 10 Best Restaurants in DTLA includes menu recommendations, insider tips, and essential details like locations and hours to make your LA dining experience as easy as possible. FYI: Tips & Tricks at the end of article.
Short-Cut Menu 🖱️
Best Restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles
📍 Location: 523 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90017
⌚ Hours: Lunch: 11AM-3PM daily, Dinner: 3PM-10PM daily
💰 Price: $$
Little Sister's DTLA location should be a must-try during your time in Los Angeles for their delicious, multicultural menu that blends ingredients from Southeast Asia with French cooking techniques, as well as Dutch and British influences. These different tastes come together smoothly to create some of their iconic dishes, such as their crispy chicken in a chili ginger sauce, their vietnamese crepe, their multiple different soup and noodle options, and so much more.
🪄 Insider Tip: Little Sister hosts private events as well as catering options.
2. Dahlia
📍 Location: 1100 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
⌚ Hours: Wed, Thurs & Sun: 6PM-10PM, Fri-Sat: 6PM-11PM
💰 Price: $$$
Dahlia is a new cocktail bar and light-eating restaurant located at the Proper Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles with vibey decor and a cozy yet classy atmosphere that will leave you wanting more. They have an incredible drink menu with options of boozy flights and a food menu containing upscale bites such as olives and salt cod fritters to more hefty plates like their wagyu skewers and grilled prawns.
🪄 Insider Tip: Dahlia hosts an afternoon tea on Fridays to Sundays from 12PM to 4PM.
📍 Location: 317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
⌚ Hours: Tues-Sun 11AM-9PM
💰 Price: $
Villa's Tacos original storefront location is in Highland Park, but they recently have also become a vendor at the Grand Central Market in Downtown Los Angeles, where you can still find all of their iconic menu items at the original store. The taco shop features an ordering style similar to that of Chipotle, where you choose your base and what you want to fill your taco with. If you don't know where to start, they have some well-known specialty sampler trios featuring three different and flavorful tacos.
🪄 Insider Tip: Some famous celebrities rave about Villa's Tacos, such as actor Chris Pine.
4. Agua Viva
📍 Location: 100 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Mon-Fri 11AM-close, Sat-Sun 10AM-close
💰 Price: $$$
Located on the 10th floor rooftop of the Conrad Hotel, Agua Viva is a stunning restaurant that boasts a promenade, bar area, and upper and lower dining rooms with mountain views from the beautiful terrace. Aside from the restaurants amazing ambiance, the menu features delectable, upscale options that are a mix of Asian, Latin American, and Spanish cuisine such as the patatas bravas, Japanese Sea Bream, and their own take on the classic avocado toast.
🪄 Insider Tip: Be sure to try their fan-favorite, unique dessert - Chili Mango & Peanut Butter Tart.
5. Que Barbaro
📍 Location: 1254 S. Figueroa St, 8th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90015
⌚ Hours: Wed-Sun 5PM-10PM
💰 Price: $$
If you're looking for some great food and immaculate vibes in Downtown Los Angeles, look no further than Que Barbaro, a steak and seafood live fire grill restaurant that is inspired by South American cuisine. This restaurant is a place where fun meets function, as you can watch acclaimed chef Ray Garcia cook meat, seafood, vegetarian dishes, and more on an open grill.
🪄 Insider Tip: If you're dining with 2 to 3 people, try their "para compartir" menu option for sharable portions of meat freshly cooked over an open flame.
6. BadMaash
📍 Location: 108 W. 2nd St, Los Angeles, 90012
⌚ Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-3PM & 5PM-10PM Sat-Sun 12PM-3PM & 5PM-10PM
💰 Price: $
Downtown Los Angeles restaurants are full of all different cultures, and BadMaash adds to that cultural melting pot with their flavor-packed menu, featuring typical Indian street food, samosas, and kabaabs. As the owners are from both India and Canada, some must-try items include the Chicken Tikka Poutine, Spiced Lamb Burger, and their range of unique Indian beers.
🪄 Insider Tip: There's a BadMaash located in Fairfax if you are craving more after your trip to Downtown LA.
📍 Location: 555-3 Mateo St, Los Angeles, CA 90013
⌚ Hours: Mon-Tues 5PM-9:30PM, Wed-Sat 5PM-10PM, Sun 10AM-2PM & 5PM-9:30PM
💰 Price: $$
Originating in Chicago, the Girl and The Goat restaurant uses local California produce in their Downtown LA restaurant, which is full of plants and greenery indoors and on their cozy outdoor patio. Their menu features a variety of meat, fish, and veggie options, but what is really worth trying is their goat-inspired food options, such as their famous Goat Liver Mousse appetizer, Goat Curry, and Goat Fashioned Ice Cream. Be sure to check out their Sunday brunch where you can try a menu full of breakfast and lunch options as well as tasty cocktails.
🪄 Insider Tip: The Girl & The Goat sells incredible Sugarcoat cakes in-store to be eaten by the slice, or whole cakes ready to be taken home.
8. Redbird
📍 Location: 114 East Second St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
⌚ Hours: Brunch: Sat-Sun 10AM-2PM, Dinner: Mon-Sat 5PM-10PM, Sun 5PM-9PM
💰 Price: $$$
Redbird LA is one of the best restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles because of their Modern American cuisine and their comfortable, yet upscale, photo-worthy ambiance. Known for being the home of some stunning weddings, the restaurant is known for their exquisite menu full of top-tier dishes such as their Chawanmushi Lobster, Ricotta Cavatelli, and their two person, shareable options of a Bone-In Ribeye and/or Porterhouse steak.
🪄 Insider Tip: Redbird LA has various private dining options if you're looking to host an intimate brunch or dinner.
9. Drago Centro
📍 Location: 525 South Flower St, Los Angeles, CA 90071
⌚ Hours:
Lunch: Mon-Fri 11:30AM-2:30PM
Dinner: Mon-Sat 5PM-10PM
💰 Price: $$
Locals and tourists alike often visit the Sicilian-Italian restaurant Drago Centro not only for their house-made pasta and desserts by their talented chefs, but for it's exceptional service, contemporary design, and welcoming atmosphere. Their extensive menu has stand-out customer favorites such as the I Paccheri pasta, the Il Bue meat dish, and the homemade tiramisu.
🪄 Insider Tip: Occasionally, Drago Centro will have a live pianist performing for guests while they dine.
10. Perch
📍 Location: 448 S. Hill St, Los Angeles CA 90013
⌚ Hours:
Brunch: Sat-Sun 10AM-3:30PM
Dinner: Mon-Fri 4PM-1AM Sat-Sun 5PM-1AM
💰 Price: $$$
Perch Downtown LA is a French rooftop bistro that has some of the best views of Downtown Los Angeles, providing great vibes along with great food and drink. While their French-inspired menu is what draws a lot of guests in, they stay for the amazing decor and stunning views. Perch is located on the 15th and 16th floor of the Pershing Square Building, with both indoor and outdoor dining options that are accompanied by antique and cozy plush furniture, live jazz music, and DJs by night.
🪄 Insider Tip: Their sister restaurant, Mrs. Fish, serves Japanese cuisine and is located in the basement of the same building with REAL aquariums throughout the venue.
Tips & Tricks for Dining in DTLA
1. Make Reservations
One of the most important things to do ahead of your dining experience in Los Angeles is to make reservations, as popular Downtown Los Angeles restaurants can get booked up very fast.
2. Find Parking
Take a look at parking options near the restaurant you´ll be dining. There is always Uber and Lyft as well.
3. Discover Happy Hours
"Happy hour" is very popular in LA, including Downtown Los Angeles, as most people like this special time to relax with some good food and drinks for a great price. Check restaurants website or inquire direclty beforehand to make sure you don't miss them.
4. Enjoy the Walk
DTLA is a great place to walk around and explore the city with the Historic Core, Arts District, and Little Tokyo as our top recommendations.
5. Enjoy the View
Downtown Los Angeles is filled with the tallest, biggest buildings in the entire state of California, so be sure to check out some of the amazing views at the rooftop bars and restaurants in DTLA. Find some options with The Ultimate Guide to Rooftop Bars in LA.
6. Ask for Special Menus
It's worth asking if there is a chef's menu, specials, or secret options to increase your culinary choices.
7. Parlay the Day
Add on to your experience in Downtown Los Angeles by visiting one of the famous nightclubs, concerts, or sporting events. You can also stroll around the Grand Park or make it a cultural trip with a visit to the The Broad.
Did you find an incredible restaurant to taste in DTLA?
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