Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Historic South-Central

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Beach CitiesDowntownEast LAHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando Valley

Neighborhoods

AlhambraArts DistrictAtwater VillageBeverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsCentral Los Angeles

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

245 restaurants available nearby

How are Featured results ranked

1. Perch LA

4.6

Exceptional(11987)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French American • Downtown

Booked 206 times today

Check-in is at the 15th Floor Host Stand*Outdoor seating is not guaranteed. *Large Party Tables 7 to 12 Guests are Inside Only Tables*All walk-ins after 10:45pm must be 21+ with valid ID.*Table reservations are limited to 90 minutes for parties of 2*Our dress code is Upscale Casual preferred.Proper attire is required. Presentable shirts, jeans or shorts are acceptable.The restaurant charges a 20% auto-gratuity on all food and beverage items for parties and groups of 7 or larger. The full amount of the gratuity is distributed to employees in the chain of service to the guests.

2. Cento Pasta Bar

4.8

Exceptional(964)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Mid-City

Booked 20 times today

BREAKING THE MEDITERRANEAN MOLD. CENTO RESTAURANT IS INSPIRED BY THE MEDITERRANEAN AND LOCATED IN LOS ANGELES.

3. Bavel

4.8

Exceptional(5117)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Middle Eastern • Downtown

Booked 50 times today

A Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

A photo of Fixins Soul Kitchen restaurant

4. Fixins Soul Kitchen

4.8

Exceptional(4586)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Soul food • Downtown

Booked 194 times today

*We encourage all guests to plan ahead for parking to ensure your reservation time is met.*We have a 15-minute grace period. If you will be arriving later than the grace period, please message us on OpenTable or your reservation will be cancelled. *All dining experiences are limited to 90 minutes to accommodate all reservations.*We accept reservations for up to 8 guests. *All parties of 9+ can visit www.fixinssoulkitchencatering.com to fill out an inquiry form for large parties. We will be in touch between 24 to 48 hours with further details.*Each reservation is treated separately. We cannot guarantee nearby seating for separate reservations.*We ask that your full party be present in order to be seated.*An automatic 20% service charge is included for all parties of 6+ w/ the option to split checks up to 3 times, max.

A photo of Katsuya - L.A. Live restaurant

5. Katsuya - L.A. Live

4.5

Awesome(2819)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 16 times today

Katsuya is the Los Angeles Times Readers’ Choice "Best Sushi Restaurant" in Southern California and one of OpenTable's "50 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S." Featuring the dynamic pairing of Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and design impresario Philippe Starck, Katsuya by Starck is truly a feast for the senses. With specialty cocktails, unique rolls and spectacular sushi and sashimi platters, Chef Uechi skillfully translates Japanese flavors to the American palate. Signature dishes include Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño and Miso-Marinated Black Cod. With superb talent and exacting precision, Katsuya by Starck is changing the face of Japanese cuisine.

6. Openaire

4.4

Awesome(2379)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Koreatown

Booked 44 times today

Native Angeleno, surfer and two-Michelin star chef Josiah Citrin brings a culinary vision built around California’s bounty from land and sea to Openaire. The menu and ingredients reflect the seasons and the interplay of cultural influences that define LA, serving in a lush greenhouse and tented garden oasis on the 2nd floor terrace at the LINE hotel, in the heart of K-Town.For inquiries of 10+ guests, please email us at: Openaire@TheLineHotel.com.

7. Joyce

4.7

Exceptional(604)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Southern • Downtown

Booked 25 times today

Joyce celebrates the essence of Southern cuisine, spotlighting sustainable seafood and an exceptional raw bar. Located in Los Angeles, in the heart of downtown. Our recipes reflect a heartfelt blend of flavors inspired by the coastal south and soul food classics. The menu features a variety of small and large plates, inviting guests to enjoy in the spirit of a traditional southern table, where friends and family gather around for a shared dining experience.To complement our dishes, we curate a full wine list and zero-landfill cocktail program, blending innovation with a commitment to sustainability. Let Joyce be your home away from home, where every visit delivers warmth, community, and culinary experience to be remembered.

8. Mrs. Fish

4.6

Exceptional(1749)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

A truly unique dining and cocktail experience nestled below the main level of the historic Pershing Square Building, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Mrs. Fish is a subterranean Japanese restaurant lounge providing the perfect gathering place for special occasions, events, or full dining experiences. Our menu spans Japanese small plates, sushi, entrees, and premium steak cuts.*Walk-ins after 10:45pm must be 21+ with ID*Valet Parking is offered Tuesday – Saturday for $14.00 *Our Dress Code is Upscale Casual preferred. Presentable shirts, jeans, or shorts are acceptable.*We advise guests to arrive at the time of reservation to Check-in for table. We have a 15 minute grace period if guests are running late. The restaurant charges a 20% auto-gratuity on all food and beverage items for parties and groups of 6 or larger. The full amount of the gratuity is distributed to employees in the chain of service to the guests.

9. JOEY DTLA

4.8

Exceptional(306)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 73 times today

*Looking to book for 7+ people? Email us at DTLA.reservations@joeyrestaurants.com and someone will get back to you shortly!*JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. Wrapping the corner of 7th and S Flower St with the largest street level patio downtown Los Angeles, JOEY DTLA features a theatre kitchen, a stunning stone bartop and a custom wine wall in the lounge. The dining room showcases a large commissioned art piece by Los Angeles local, America Martin, an interior willow tree that provides an oasis within the city.

A photo of Redbird - Los Angeles restaurant

10. Redbird - Los Angeles

4.7

Exceptional(3156)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 28 times today

Located in downtown Los Angeles, Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic edifices, inside the rectory building of Vibiana – a premier wedding, events and performing arts venue. Chef | Owner Neal Fraser has crafted a beautifully dynamic restaurant space within which to enjoy Chef Fraser's critically acclaimed Modern American menu. Wine Director Jaime Azrate's wine list is well-rounded with great finds from both established and emerging regions throughout the world. Bar Director Tobin Shea's cocktail offerings feature well-balanced, bespoke renditions of the classics, as well as inventive and inspired originals. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available for brunch, happy hour + dinner.The Main Dining Room offers open air dining under our retractable roof with views of the Vibiana bell tower and the upper balconies of the rectory building. The Lounge offers dining tables along the banquette and windows overlooking 2nd St.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

T
Tamara
New Orleans / Louisiana •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Intimate restaurant with absolutely phenomenal food! The waiter staff was superb! Waited on by a gorgeous blonde who had multiple tables but never made us feel forgotten or neglected. Looking forward to returning to this restaurant!!
More info
TsuriPrice: Moderate• Sushi• West Hollywood
•
4.6
S
StephenVIP
Los Angeles •62 reviews
4.0
Dined 5 days ago
Salad was tasty and crisp. Street corn was delicious! The fried whole branzino fresh & flavor full. Swordfish was overcooked and dry. How can you mess up churros, it’s undercooked and doughy here. Flan was delicious.
More info
EncantoPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Los Feliz
•
4.7
E
EdwardVIP
Los Angeles •21 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 27, 2025
Really good meat. Focus on beef. We had someone who didn’t eat beef and had to find other options. Service was excellent. Felt there was lots of attention to our cooking needs. Also, found an amazing bottle of wine from their wine list. We will be coming back.
More info
Daedo SikdangPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Koreatown
•
4.8
J
JosephVIP
Palm Springs / Palm Desert Cities •12 reviews
5.0
Dined on Apr 5, 2025
Great spot. Convenient walk to PANTAGES after. The tacos are big! I rested 3. Could have gotten by with 2. The churros are awesome. Husband had the quesadillas
More info
Trejo's CantinaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Mexican• Hollywood
•
4.3

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