Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Downtown? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

TENSHO

4.8

4.8 (72)

$50 and over

Shabu-shabu

Little Tokyo

About the restaurant

Even if seats are full, we may still have availability. Also, special requests or inquiries would be welcome. Please do not hesitate to reach us by phone (213-617-1016).

5.3.2022 Tue
NEW OPEN in Little Tokyo
[TENSHO]

Right in the heart of Little Tokyo, “Kagaya” has established itself a top tier shabu shabu restaurant. Now, the torches have been handed to a new head chef and owner, the next generation to carry the torches of tradition and exquisite flavor, with the new name of TENSHO.

Trained in traditional Japanese cookery, this 23 year veteran chef is on his way to introducing a new wave of Japanese delicacies to the States. As close as you can get to Japan itself, this chef brings his revisioned menu, with patron favorites, and extensive sake list. The desert and a la carte menu is designed by their French trained chef.

The wagyu beef is of A5 rank. The seafood, carefully selected to be of highest quality. Food that is not only delicious but also good for the health.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on May 24, 2025

Fresh and tasty ingredients with attentive service

Discover more

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU (JAPAN, 8oz)

Experience

USDA Prime Beef (Rib, 8oz)

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU & Seafood

PROPAGANDA

5.0

5 (83)

$30 and under

Italian

Arts District

About the restaurant

Propaganda is an Italian wine bar serving the authentic Pizza Romana, Charcuterie, fine Cheeses, fresh Salads and amazing Italian Style tapas like our signature warm Focaccia Sandwiches, paired with a selection of over 100 wines by the bottles, by the glass and Tasting Flights and last and least our signature Negronis & Spritz Cocktails
Aperitivo Happy Hour everyday 3pm to 6pm

Top review

BRAD

Dined on Jun 8, 2025

Nice location. Attractive interior. Staff helped us with wine selection and it was a great choice. Food was tasty and well priced. Our group had a great experience.

Genwa Korean BBQ DTLA

5.0

5 (36)

$31 to $50

Korean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Enjoy a delicious meal with friends or family at Genwa Korean BBQ DTLA located at the heart of downtown Los Angeles. It boasts an contemporary decor and a casual atmosphere, offering high-quality meats and other authentic Korean dishes. Genwa dtla is renowned for its extensive variety of "banchan" Korean side dishes, setting it apart from other Korean BBQ establishments. Notably, Genwa features state-of-the-art smokeless grills, ensuring you won't smell like you've been to a campfire. Guests can choose from seafood, beef, pork and veggies to cook at their table on a smokeless grill. Genwa also has appetizers, desserts and dumplings, as well as noodle, vegetarian and rice dishes. It even provides entrées that are cooked in the kitchen. Earning top spot on LA Weekly's 10 Best Korean BBQ Restaurants in Los Angeles in 2012, Genwa continues to impress. It offers a full bar serving numerous drinks and cocktails. The restaurant accepts reservations and offers take-out services to guests.

Top review

Joyce

Dined on May 12, 2025

My kids and I wanted to try Genwa on a random Saturday night. We had a great meal. The circle of banchan dishes were delicious and the cuts of beef that we ordered were all very high quality. Our server was top notch. Very attentive, relaxed and friendly when he was at our table and responsive. We enjoyed our dining experience at Genwa and plan to return soon. You get what you pay for which is quality food and excellent service.

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Los Angeles, CA | Downtown LA

4.9

4.9 (160)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Little Tokyo

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Eric

Dined on Apr 21, 2025

The food was delicious I had been on a 24 hour fast before hand and definitely ate my money worth. My wife is Japanese and she enjoyed it too. Our servers were attentive. We did eat early on a Monday. But I have zero complaints

Discover more

Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

Kato

4.9

4.9 (352)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Kato serves seasonally-focused tasting menus influenced by Taiwan and Asian American nostalgia.

Dining Room Tasting Menu │ $325
The dining room tasting menu focuses on seasonality and innovation.

Bar Tasting Menu │ $185
The bar tasting menu is a slightly abbreviated collection of classic Kato dishes.

An 18% fair wage and operational fee has been added to your bill. It goes to provide elevated, comprehensive benefits, as well as consistent, livable wages for all staff. Though many of our guests choose to leave gratuity for exemplary service, it is neither necessary nor expected, though it is greatly appreciated. This gratuity will be shared by all hourly staff.

Top review

DheilanVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Exceptional food in a surprisingly casual environment.

Discover more

Experience

Dining Room Tasting Menu

Experience

Bar Tasting Menu

Experience

Bar Cocktails & Snacks

71Above

4.8

4.8 (6058)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Offering elevated modern American cuisine by Chef Javier Lopez, 71Above boasts breathtaking ocean views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with spectacular views of Los Angeles and the surrounding mountain ranges. 71Above is a Michelin level experience featuring the finest ingredients, world-class wine list and craft cocktails. The Restaurant and Skylounge have a Smart Casual dress code. Jackets are not required however, no hats, athletic wear, shorts or flip-flops are allowed. Reservations are held for 15 minutes.

71Above features a 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for dinner only. We kindly ask all dining room guests to participate in the coursed menu. Please be aware, any seating requests are noted, but not guaranteed. WINDOW TABLES ARE NOT GUARANTEED. 18% service charge is added to all checks.

Valet is available at 633 W. 5th Street or Self parking is available under the building at 633 W. Hope Place. $18 for 3 hours.

Top review

Richard

Dined 7 days ago

A classy restaurant reaching towards the sky. Great food that are elegantly presented with an interesting combination of flavors to each dish. I would recommend this restaurant to anybody looking for a romantic dinner (consider yourself lucky if you manage to book a table by the window before sunset.) or just to unwind and relax at the bar.

Discover more

4.8

4.8 (5114)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Downtown

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Zipeng

Dined 5 days ago

Sadly our table took 30 minutes later than the reservation but the food was great

Discover more

Popular dish

Oyster Mushroom Kebab

Popular dish

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma

Popular dish

Grilled Prawns

Bestia

4.8

4.8 (8464)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

A multi-regional Italian restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

Top review

BernadetteVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Our group appreciated the gracious and amazing service. The food...well, it goes without saying was outstanding. Thank you for a great group dining experience 🩷

Cabra - LA

4.8

4.8 (1312)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Cabra Los Angeles is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant by Chef Stephanie Izard and Boka Restaurant Group, located on the top floor of The Hoxton, Downtown LA. Open for Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on the weekends, the lively dining experience is anchored by shareable plates bold in flavor and bright in taste, with sweeping views of Los Angeles.

Top review

TitoVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, great ambiance, great service, great music!

Discover more

Popular dish

Wood-Fired Skirt Steak

Popular dish

Chicken Thigh Skewers

Popular dish

Crispy Pork Shank

Majordōmo

4.8

4.8 (59)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Majordōmo, from Dave Chang and Momofuku, serves California cuisine inspired by the different food cultures present in Los Angeles and the bounty of Southern California products. In a sleek, industrial setting with a sun-soaked patio and full bar, Majordōmo offers various ways to dine for groups of all sizes. Executive Chef Tim Mangun highlights California’s bounty through knockout large format dishes like whole plate short rib and smoked bo ssäm to a constantly changing roster of bings & dips.

Top review

JEFFREY

Dined 7 days ago

A great dinner experience! Kimchi was amazing! Would definitely come back for the ribs!

Explore Diners' Choice best of Downtown

Explore more Diners' Choice lists