Diners' Choice: Californian restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Californian cuisine in Downtown? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Caldo Verde

4.7

4.7 (479)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

The grand tradition of downtown dining finds a modern, casual elegance at Caldo Verde. Here, the James Beard Award-winning team of chefs Suzanne Goin and Restaurateur Caroline Styne blend local flavors and boutique wines with the old California influences. The stately setting offers a richly-designed entrance, lobby bar, main room, and private dining. Outdoor seating opens onto the bustle of Broadway, while historic windows bathe the architectural space in natural light. L.A.-based artistry runs throughout, from Morgan Peck ceramics and lighting, to a monolithic Judson Studios stained glasswork.

Top review

Ben

Dined on Aug 18, 2024

Highly recommend the excellent Caldo Verde dish (seafood stew) and would advise to skip the wagyu steak - surprisingly has a lot of gristles.

Manuela

4.8

4.8 (189)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in the Arts District of Los Angeles, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California.

Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Local beers are on tap, while the carefully selected wine list is designed to pair with the smoke and acid at the heart of Manuela’s menu.

Designed by Los Angeles native Matt Winter and named for Manuela Wirth, the restaurant is illuminated and animated by specially commissioned works from artists Paul McCarthy, Mark Bradford and Raymond Pettibon.

Top review

Hughvip

Dined on Sep 6, 2024

Loved this place! Excellent cocktails and service. Food was on point and filled up 3 hungry college boys in an exciting atmosphere! Our server gave great suggestions on menu questions. Highly recommend Manuela.

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Experience

SO GOOD wood working- cutting board workshop

Cara Cara

4.6

4.6 (1410)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

From the golden daylight to the twinkling evening, all are welcome to experience the fresh bounty of Cara Cara. Chef Suzanne Goin’s seasonal menu showcases California’s best produce with her festive and irresistible rooftop fare. The expansive outdoor space features an elevated dining area with endless skyline views surrounded by a lushly landscaped lower lounge. Slip into one of the many cozy seating arrangements or sit by the fire pit and enjoy an innovative cocktail, wine, or beer paired by award-winning sommelier Caroline Styne.

Top review

Genevieve

Dined 3 days ago

Cara Cara was great! Delicious food, excellent service and beautiful views. We arrived early for our reservation so we decided to enjoy some drinks at Dahlia (lounge downstairs) prior to dinner and that was fabulous too! We will definitely be back!

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Popular dish

Cara Cara Cobb

Popular dish

Piri Piri Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Grand Cafe @ Omni Los Angeles

4.5

4.5 (680)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Positioned in the heart of downtown Los Angeles next to the Museum of Contemporary Art, Grand Café features a California inspired cuisine that focuses on seasonal, local ingredients with an array of choices. This authentic downtown LA restaurant is a popular lunch spot for businesses surrounding the California Plaza, as well as visitors attending the Walt Disney Concert Hall, Ahmanson Theater, Dorothy Chandler, MOCA or The Broad Museum. Grand Café has a comfortable bistro setting and is open daily, serving breakfast and lunch.

Top review

Joe

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

This is our place to brunch prior to museum or theater visits. Its a quick walk to the Disney Hall, Music Center Theaters, and the MOMA and Broad. There is live jazz on Sundays, a huge buffet brunch or a menu option. We opted for the menu, having avocado toast and an impossible burger. The service has ALWAYS been stellar. The back area dining room is bright and has the BEST waitstaff. The avocado toast comes with fresh watermelon radish, cherry tomatoes, lots of avocado, and poached eggs (if you like). There is also a splash of lemon oil, which makes this dish so tasty. The impossible burger is cooked perfectly and is served with delicious fries. As I mentioned, this is our go to place prior to theater or a museum visit.

Asterid

4.2

4.2 (283)

$50 and over

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Inspired by Chef Garcia’s Angeleno experience, asterid lives to discover and celebrate Los Angeles’ mosaic of diverse cultures and culinary richness through vibrant, ingredient-driven menus in a warm, lively atmosphere. Authentically from and for Los Angeles, asterid features Chef Garcia’s California-inspired menu and bar program that celebrates the spirit of L.A.

Top review

Yvievip

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

I loved my meal at Asterid. The spiced short rib was one of the best preparations I've ever had! Simply delicious.

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Experience

All You Can Drink Mimosas

DISTRICT

4.4

4.4 (463)

$30 and under

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

A dining & drinking democracy founded on uncompromising quality and an element of surprise offering seasonal Californian cuisine & cocktails that dazzle the senses and intensify connection.

DISTRICT’S design philosophy mirrors its deliciously unexpected approach to food and drink. The resulting atmosphere is a marvelously curated art meets craft, past meets future vibe that is wholly enticing and utterly original.

Top review

Nann

Dined on Aug 6, 2024

Great spot!! Good food and a great vibe! Will be going back again!

Noe Bar at the Omni Los Angeles

4.7

4.7 (1534)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to NOE, an Angeleno Bistro, a vibrant culinary haven nestled in downtown Los Angeles. Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of diverse flavors, complemented by craft cocktails, Arts District microbrews, and an extensive wine selection. Whether you prefer our outdoor patio with mesmerizing skyline views, the intimate cocktail lounge with live music, or the refined dining room, each space offers a unique experience. Our menu, a fusion of small plates and mains, celebrates the eclectic spirit of Los Angeles, sourced sustainably from local vendors. Join us for Happy Hour, indulge in our rotating drink specials, and on Fridays and Saturdays, savor live piano melodies – the perfect backdrop to a delightful dining affair. Don't miss our summer concert series at the Yard, a collaborative venture with Grand Performances. NOE is where culinary diversity and cultural celebration come together.

Top review

Cynthiavip

Dined on Aug 25, 2024

We love coming to Noe’s at the Omni Hotel, particularly during the summer months where we can sit outside on their patio and listen to the concerts at Grand Performances going on below. The menu is excellent, but as someone who has to be gluten free and dairy free we have been particularly pleased with their willingness to offer us off-menu items such as chicken tacos. The bar does a spectacular job of crafting classic cocktails and the 9 oz pour of wine is a true deal. The bar also has an amazing piano player on certain nights for live entertainment. The staff are attentive and friendly and welcome us each time we come back. This is a true gem in DTLA.

Spire73

4.5

4.5 (2160)

$50 and over

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Enjoy breathtaking sunset views and a sparkling Los Angele from the tallest open-air bar & restaurant in the western hemisphere. We value your business and want to keep you informed as our reservation cancellation policy has changed. In an effort to accommodate all parties and occasions, no-shows or cancellations less than 24 hours will be subject to a charge of $20 per person.

On Friday's and Saturday's we have a food and beverage minimum of $40 per person at the bar and $60 per person for table seating.

Thank you in advance for understanding of our new policy change. We are excited to welcome you to Spire 73, the tallest open-air bar in the western hemisphere!

CHANGE & CANCELLATION POLICIES: TEXT MESSAGE ONLY +1 (323) 369-1381 or email (info@spire73.com)

Top review

Ruben

Dined 4 days ago

I had a really cool time. Music was good Food was good and my Patrick really took care of us.

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The Exchange Restaurant

4.1

4.1 (542)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Freehand LA’s full service restaurant, The Exchange, pays homage to the 12-story vintage blade sign (the largest in LA) under which its entrance proudly sits. The restaurant is led by Chef Narita Santos and her team. The focal point on Southern California's seasonal abundance of local produce, fresh seafood and choice meats beautifully highlights the multi-cultural flavors of urban LA. We accompany our menu by a natural wine selection. Private dining options are available. Please contact us for more details.

Please note that a 4% charge is added to all checks to help cover the cost of health care benefits that we offer for our full-time employees. Thank you for your patronage and support. If you would like this charge removed, please let your server know.

Top review

Blanca

Dined on Aug 3, 2024

Really nice place. Great experience and delicious food!

Broken Shaker - Los Angeles

4.2

4.2 (448)

$30 and under

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on our rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city.

A 4% health service charge is added to all checks to help cover the cost of health care benefits that we offer to our full-time employees. Additionally, an 18% service charge is automatically included in your purchase.
Thank you for supporting our staff. If you would like either of these charges removed, please let your server know and the charge will be removed.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 7 days ago

Nice vibe and great views, however, Minimal menu and bee problem.

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