Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes 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!

Bavel

4.8

4.8 (5096)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Downtown

About the restaurant

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

Top review

ChiVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent. Well worth the drive to downtown. Our server guided us through the menu and thoroughly enjoyed each dish including the mushroom kabob.

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Popular dish

Oyster Mushroom Kebab

Popular dish

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma

Popular dish

Grilled Prawns

Damian

4.8

4.8 (27)

$30 and under

Mexican

Downtown

About the restaurant

We are a restaurant in Los Angeles' Arts District rooted in Mexican culture while celebrating seasonal Californian produce.

Top review

KimVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food was excellent at Damian. I recommend the Guacamole, Ceviche, Branzino and Carne Asada.

Redbird - Los Angeles

4.7

4.7 (3153)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

PaulVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Jessica and our server Emily were excellent!!! You are lucky to have them both!!

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4.7

4.7 (251)

$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

Agustin

Dined 7 days ago

I took my mom to Manuela for a Mother’s Day dinner, and we had a wonderful experience. The atmosphere was lovely and relaxed, perfect for a special evening. Our server, Angel, was fantastic—attentive, kind, and made us feel truly welcomed. The food was absolutely delicious; every dish was thoughtfully prepared and full of flavor. A memorable night overall. We’ll definitely be coming back!

HATCH

4.6

4.6 (657)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

HATCH is a modern Japanese tapas restaurant that celebrates creative sharing plates and yakitori. Japanese cooking methods with bold international flavors are presented in a fun dining experience.

Our beverage program includes handcrafted cocktails, artisanal sakes and rare Japanese whiskies.

Our mission is to make socializing as delicious as possible.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Mar 13, 2025

Nice Japanese yakitori bar where you can get decent drinks and yakitoris. I really liked squid ink karage and pork belly yakitori. Considering the price, portion is small here. If u want a place with drinks with small foods, i recommend coming here!

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Quick Lunch - Bento Bowls!

Cara Cara

4.6

4.6 (1545)

$30 and under

Unspecified

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. Every dish is crafted with a seed oil-free approach, bringing even greater care and vitality to the rooftop dining experience.

Top review

MartinVIP

Dined on May 11, 2025

Great food, great service, fantastic cocktails, and a amazing view from the rooftop. When in DTLA this should be a destination you choose.

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Popular dish

Cara Cara Cobb

Popular dish

Piri Piri Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

Baar Baar - LA

4.6

4.6 (493)

$30 and under

Indian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Baar Baar, meaning "again and again" in Hindi, invites you to embark on a vibrant culinary journey through the diverse flavors of India. Led by Michelin-starred Chef Sujan Sarkar, this modern Indian restaurant in Downtown Los Angeles elevates traditional dishes with innovative techniques and fresh, seasonal ingredients.

Step into a sleek and stylish space adorned with vibrant murals and plush velvet seating. The dimly lit ambiance sets the stage for an intimate and immersive dining experience.

Baar Baar's menu is a celebration of regional Indian flavors reimagined for the modern palate. Whether shared plates, lighter a la carte options, or main courses, indulge in the beautifully plated, delightful combinations of textures and flavors. Don't miss the signature cocktails, each inspired by iconic Bollywood movies, adding a touch of cinematic magic to your dining experience.

Baar Baar is more than just a restaurant; it's a celebration of Indian culture and culinary artistry.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 3 days ago

Great place to eat with family for a celebration. Food is beautifully presented and enjoyable for everyone in our party. I love how the table was cleaned and new plates offered between appetizer and main and dessert. Some difficulty choosing gluten-free and vegan options for one member of our party.

Settecento DTLA

4.6

4.6 (111)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Settecento, where every dish is a journey through Italy’s rich culinary heritage. Crafted with authenticity and love, our menu showcases traditional recipes refined through the ages and made with premium ingredients, including GMO-free flour imported from Italy. From scratch-made pastas and wood-fired pizzas to vibrant cocktails, each creation reflects the diversity and abundance of Italy’s regions.

Experience the rich flavors of Northern Italy’s truffle pastas, the fresh seafood of the South, and the authentic charm of hand-stretched, flame-kissed pizzas. At the bar, indulge in Italian-inspired cocktails like the Venetian Spritz and Tuscany Negroni.

Our Italian-speaking staff embody Italy’s legendary hospitality, offering personalized recommendations to ensure a memorable dining experience. Settecento is more than a restaurant—it’s an invitation to savor the spirit of Italy in every bite, sip, and moment. Benvenuti a Settecento, where tradition and innovation unite!

Top review

Teena

Dined on May 10, 2025

We decided to celebrate Mother’s Day with the girls and the place is super pretty and the food price fair, the ambiance is cute and they are very accommodating to our event needs we just live it.

Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant

4.5

4.5 (3554)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

The Takami Sushi & Robata restaurant is the only eatery in DTLA that offers rooftop dining 21 floors above the city. We provide a 360-degree city view of Los Angeles and are located within 1 mile of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Bradbury Building, and The Museum of Contemporary Art. Enjoy Takami's exquisite sushi-grade seafood and succulent steak. You can also experience an elevated dining atmosphere with a rooftop bar, crafted cocktails, and three distinct kitchens - Sushi, Robata, and Asian Fusion.

Top review

BiancaVIP

Dined on May 12, 2025

Takami has high quality and fresh ingredients. My experience was amazing, beautiful rooftop restaurant with a downtown view and the sushi was by far the best. My husband and I ordered seaweed salad, assorted nigiri and cocktails. My favorite was the Ikura nigiri. Another great date night, thank you Takami.

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4.4

4.4 (34)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Deme, short for Demeter, (the Greek Goddess of the Harvest) is a new Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea-inspired poolside eatery at Hotel Figueroa, with nods to the sea-faring communities along the Eastern Mediterranean Coast, Turkey, and Israel, led by Executive Chef Blake Shailes. Think: housemade Mediterranean dips served with freshly made pita bread using a combination of ancient Kamut flour and Tehachapi Farms Red Fife Flour, Crispy Lobster Kataifi, Turkish Manti (Turkish Lamb Dumplings), Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza // Spiced Wagyu Flatbread), a Greek-inspired Glazed Octopus & Grilled Grape Skewers, and large-format platters designed for shareable feasts including Slow Cooked Lamb Neck Shawarma, Half Heritage Chicken Mansaf and desserts including housemade Baklava, and housemade Soft Serve paired with a refreshing and playful cocktail program developed by Bar Director, Milosz Cieslak. Open for dinner nightly from 5pm - close.

Top review

Immanuel

Dined on May 10, 2025

I came here cause my friend lives right around the corner. Little did she know this place existed. The vibes were amazing super cool chill. With vibey music and beautiful setting. The food was super tasty and delicious. It was very fresh and full of flavor. I would recommend the fish with the beans and the duck were great. Then the Tri dips with pitta and finally the octopus.

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