From swanky rooftop showstoppers to laid-back neighborhood favorites, the best restaurants in Downtown LA wow with stunning settings and top-notch food for every occasion.
Feast on Middle Eastern fare from an acclaimed wife-and-husband duo at a lush Arts District escape. Dig into globally inspired small plates at the LA outpost of a Top Chef’s flagship restaurant. Sip Mexican-forward cocktails on a plant-decked terrace at a trendy hotel rooftop.
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Read on for a guide to the top 10 restaurants in Downtown LA.
For a Middle Eastern feast at one of the best restaurants in Downtown LA: Bavel (Downtown)
One of LA’s most beautiful restaurants, Bavel is a lush escape in the heart of the Arts District. The bright, cavernous space is outfitted with tons of greenery and a showcase for Middle Eastern fare from Ori and Genevieve Menashe of Bestia. Start with blistered housemade pitas paired with spreads like a duck ‘nduja-topped hummus before moving on to signature dishes like slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma—you won’t be disappointed.
For sophisticated American fare with a view at the highest restaurant in Los Angeles: 71Above (Downtown)
The highest restaurant west of the Missipppi, 71Above screams special occasion for its sweeping LA views and elegant American menu with global accents. Impress friends and out-of-towners with a table by dramatic, floor-to-ceiling windows in the sleek dining room with an open kitchen. Then settle in for a three-course menu filled with luxe touches like Japanese wagyu and caviar service. Come at happy hour to enjoy refined bar bites like chicken liver mousse along with drink specials.
For innovative, globally inspired small plates from a Top Chef star: Girl & the Goat L.A. (Downtown)
Head to Girl & the Goat L.A for the global-leaning small plates from James Beard Award-winning chef Stephanie Izard. Feast on shareable dishes from Izard’s flagship Chicago restaurant with a California twist—think sticky glazed pork shank with blueberry tomato salad and goat curry with radish and pickled vegetables. A pitch-perfect wine list and rustic-chic, leafy dining room make this Midwest import an instant LA classic.
For modern American fare in a stunning setting: Redbird (Downtown)
Located in a former cathedral, Redbird is one of the best restaurants in Downtown LA for its stunning space and elegant New American cuisine with California influences. The modern-meets-classic design, complete with an open-air ceiling and bright magenta furniture, is a setting worthy of any date night or special occasion. Acclaimed chef Neal Fraser’s dishes like a Creekstone Farms porterhouse for two and scallops with corn and ramp gremolata are equally showstopping.
For elegant French-inspired drinks and small plates at a rooftop garden oasis: Perch LA (Downtown)
Perch LA is where you go for seriously cool vibes paired with panoramic downtown views. Located on the 15th floor of the Pershing Square Building, the lively, bistro-style patio is decked with inviting firepits and plush, antique-style furniture—ideal for large groups and lively celebrations. Linger over crowd-pleasing French-leaning fare like baked brie and steak frites along with a top-notch selection of rare cognacs while listening to live jazz music as the sun sets over DTLA.
For modern California-meets-Italian fare at a pioneering restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles: Bestia (Downtown)
When it opened in 2012, Ori and Genevieve Menashe’s acclaimed California Italian restaurant ushered in a new era of dining in the Arts District. Located in a former warehouse, the industrial-chic space is the perfect backdrop for the duo’s famed wood-fired pizzas and now-iconic dishes like a slow-roasted lamb neck. Add in clever cocktails—including a chef’s old fashioned with smoked bone marrow-washed bourbon—and you have all the makings of a festive night out.
For family-inspired soul food at one of the best restaurants in Downtown LA: Fixins Soul Kitchen (Downtown)
Get classic soul food at owner and former NBA All-Star Kevin Johnson’s Sacramento import, Fixins Soul Kitchen. Expect family-inspired recipes like a roux-smothered pork chop, shrimp and grits, and all the “fixins”—black-eyed peas, collard greens, and candied jams. Enjoy them in the retro, sports-bar-like dining room or the laid-back outdoor patio, perfect for sipping playful drinks like a vodka-based “adult Kool-Aid.”
For choose-your-own-adventure global tapas in a lively setting: Le Grand (Downtown)
It’s always a party at Le Grand, known for its freewheeling, all-you-can-eat small plates. Choose your own culinary adventure from the globally accented menu, with MVPs like coconut curry mussels, tuna poke, and classic chicken parmesan. Resident DJs, community tables, and unlimited drink packages add to the festive atmosphere and make this a solid pick for group hangouts. Don’t miss the popular brunch experience, complete with faithfuls like avocado toast and eggs benedict.
For crowd-pleasing California cuisine with a view at one of the best restaurants in Downtown LA: Cara Cara (Downtown)
Located on the top floor of the trendy Proper Hotel, all-day rooftop cafe Cara Cara is a local favorite for its killer skyline views and chef Suzanne Goin’s made-for-sharing, California-inspired fare. Low-slung sofas clustered around fire pits and potted plants give you and your crew plenty of room to spread out as you feast on group-friendly bites like focaccia, tacos, and lobster rolls. If you’re drinking, try one of the standout cocktails like a mezcal-forward negroni riff.
For Southern fare with a modern twist in an inviting space in Downtown LA: Joyce (Downtown)
Led by Sammy Monsour, an alum of MICHELIN Bib Gourmand-recognized Preux & Proper, Joyce is a hotspot for its Southern-inspired, seafood-forward menu. Start with one of the raw bar platters piled high with oysters, lobster, and caviar. Then dig into mains like a 40-hour short rib with yam puree and black truffle and a Nashville hot catfish in the sunny dining room with mid century arches, curved light-blue booths, and a mirrored bar.
From Middle Eastern feasts in lush dining rooms to French-inspired small plates with panoramic views, the best restaurants in Downtown LA span a range of cuisines in stunning settings. Whether you’re looking for a group-friendly, all-you-can-eat global tapas destination, a celebratory Italy-meets-California destination, or a showstopping New American date night spot, these are the top must-book restaurants in Downtown LA.
