If you’re headed to Downtown L.A. to attend a conference, going to the Staples Center or visiting the Grammy Museum, don’t worry, there are plenty of dining options making it one of the most exciting neighborhoods in California. With so many possibilities, we decided to compose a list of the best restaurants you need to try at least once. Whether you’re looking for a steak, classic Italian, modern Mexican or even Southern comfort food, these restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles will hit the spot!
Broken Spanish
Broken Spanish brings sophisticated Mexican dishes inspired by award-winning Chef Ray Garcia’s upbringing. Drawing inspiration and flavors from a diverse Latin community, Broken Spanish offers a unique modern Mexican fare experience that balances traditional cooking with upscale dining. Pair your Michelin-starred meal with on-tap tequila drinks for a fun night out!
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse is the ultimate steak destination for food and wine lovers seeking a stylish, lively and memorable dining experience. Here, you will find a passion for the coupling of steak and wine, reflected in an exceptional menu of hand-cut steaks, an award-winning wine program and seasonal menu selections. This high-end steakhouse includes timeless dishes like lobster tail, seared pork belly and Chilean sea bass.
Fogo de Chao
Experience the centuries-old Brazilian grilling tradition of churrasco, perfectly paired with seasonal salads, irresistibly fresh vegetables, imported meats and cheeses, artisan breads and more at Fogo de Chao. This full-service Brazilian steakhouse is known for its roving waiters who serve barbecued meats from large skewers directly onto diners’ plates. Indulge in the churrasco experience with Wagyu rib eye, dry-aged tomahawk, pan-seared salmon, and a seafood tower.
Harold & Belles
Harold & Belles brings a bit of New Orleans to Downtown Los Angeles! In 1969, Harold Legaux Sr. and his wife Mary Belle opened their Southern-inspired restaurant with a small menu that consisted of po-boy sandwiches, red beans and rice, and filé gumbo. Today, the restaurant is owned and operated by third-generation husband and wife team Ryan and Jessica Legaux, who introduced several new items to the menu including his version of shrimp scampi, shrimp creole, crawfish etouffee and clam chowder.
H & H Brazilian Steak House
H & H Brazilian Steakhouse was started by Henrique Huyer to bring authentic, traditional Brazilian Barbecue from Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to Southern California. This steakhouse is committed to working with the best suppliers, ensuring it always serves organic, grass-fed meat and produce. It offers an “all you can eat” special that includes all grilled meats plus a salad bar.
Karl Strauss Brewery Restaurant
Two college buddies Chris Cramer and Matt Rattner started Karl Strauss Brewing Company in Downtown San Diego, California, in 1989 kicking off the city’s craft beer industry. These days, the company continues to pioneer the independent brewing scene by crafting innovative beers across a wide range of styles, and in 2019, they brewed more than 140 different beers. Brands like Aurora Hoppyalis IPA, Queen of Tarts Dark Sour, and Boat Shoes Hazy IPA have helped launch the brewery into a new era; while beers such as Red Trolley Ale—one of the most award-winning beers in the world—stand as a testament to its rich brewing legacy. This Brewery is more than just beer. Its bar food menu is one of the most highly recommended in Downtown Los Angeles. Dine during happy hour for a delicious food and beer discount.
King Taco
King Taco began its operation from a converted ice cream truck. The Mexican fast-food favorite has since expanded to 22 popular locations throughout Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties. It serves a wide variety of authentic Mexican foods including soft tacos, burritos, tamales, nachos, and authentic Mexican drinks such as horchata, jamaica, and tamarindo. It has been recognized by prominent food critics, being placed within the top 100 of Hispanic Business in LA.
Le Grand
Le Grand is where coastal California-inspired cuisine is celebrated and created into mouth-watering goodness. Le Grand focuses on maintaining the innate flavor of every ingredient with minimal processing. Chefs bring flavor and flare through the simplicity of key ingredients that convey an unmatched uniqueness that awakens your taste buds with supreme cuts of meat, fresh seafood and locally sourced seasonal produce.
Sunday Brunch is back with great specials! Enjoy $19 bottomless mimosas and $1 oysters while listening to live music.
Maria’s Italian Kitchen
Maria’s Italian Kitchen provides authentic Italian comfort food through recipes that have been passed down for generations. Inspired by her parents and life in a large Italian family, Owner Madelyn Alfano blends the finest ingredients, traditions, and new ideas with the best aspects of family life to create a truly unique dining experience at Maria’s Italian Kitchen. This family-friendly restaurant has the classics you crave (pizza, lasagna, ravioli) and can make any pasta gluten-free!
Morton’s
Renowned for its signature menu and legendary hospitality, Morton’s The Steakhouse sets the standard for fine steakhouse dining. It serves the highest quality foods, featuring USDA prime-aged beef, succulent seafood, decadent desserts and an award-winning wine list. Morton’s welcomes guests for business, pleasure, and special events from its innovative cocktail culture that fuels a bustling bar scene, to the elegant dining rooms.
Panini Kabob Grill
This true Mediterranean kitchen offers an exceptional menu of Middle Eastern favorites all prepared and plated in its signature scratch kitchen. Fresh and local ingredients are delivered daily, and the freshness is evident at first bite, from the selection of hummus and kabobs to the leafy salads and warm pita. You’ll also find a curated beer and wine list.
Philippe, The Original
Philippe, The Original is one of the oldest and best-known restaurants in Southern California, opening its doors in 1908 by Philippe Mathieu, who claimed he created the “French Dipped Sandwich.” Today, the historic deli still serves the original French dipped sandwich with other comfort fare, pastries from the bakery and craft beer enjoyed in a communal sitting area.
Preux & Proper
Preux & Proper Owner Joshua Kopel is an entrepreneur, restaurateur and environmental advocate focused on improving the lives of those working in the hospitality industry. The Preux & Proper kitchen is rooted in the bold flavors and techniques of the South that embodies a collection of reimagined American cuisine and boozy cocktails.
Its scratch kitchen works to conceptualize, craft and refine true grit American food. It prides itself on the Southern ideals of sourcing sustainable ingredients from farmers, ranchers and fishermen working with the same love, care and integrity that they do. Whether you’re grabbing a bite in its barroom or feasting in its formal dining room, its kitchen has something guaranteed to satisfy your soul.
Rossoblu
Chef Steve Samson’s Bolognese-inspired menu pays homage to his childhood spending summers in Bologna, Italy. The menu features handmade pastas, fresh market produce, and an extensive in-house butchery and salumi program. The wine list offers unique Italian and Californian varietals. Rossoblu has been listed as one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles by LA Times, Infatuation, Food and Wine Magazine and Eater LA, and received a Michelin Star in 2019.
Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill
The name Wolfgang Puck is synonymous with the best of restaurant hospitality and the ultimate in culinary arts. Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill brings his take on modernized bar and grill cuisine. Guests can find Puck’s signature comfort food with a variety of inventive dishes drawing inspiration from his renowned fine dining restaurants. The restaurant offers creative salads, wood-oven baked pizzas, handmade pastas, enticing entrees and meats grilled over hard wood.
WP24 by Wolfgang Puck
WP24 offers a modern interpretation of traditional Chinese fare on the 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles while floor-to-ceiling windows provide stunning panoramic views of Downtown Los Angeles and the surrounding city. The dining room offers both an approachable a la carte menu as well as a multi-course tasting prix fixe menu, while the lounge features a more casual experience with plates meant for sharing and an extensive selection of sushi. Wine aficionados appreciate an extensive list of more than 400 labels plus nearly one dozen brands of sake that have been selected to complement the complex flavor profiles of the menu while specialty cocktails with an Asian twist are also available.
Yard House
Yard House at Shoreline Village is where it all started for this popular brand – their very first location with 250 taps. Known for its menu of American favorites, crafted cocktails and an endless fleet of tap handles featuring the best American craft beers and imports, the Yard House menu that reads like a road trip across America and guests can select from an array of items, including grilled burgers, gourmet salads, street tacos, steaks, seafood and house favorites.
Yang Chow Restaurant
The very first Yang Chow opened its doors in 1977, in the heart of Chinatown, Los Angeles. Located beneath the Bing Wong Hotel, it was started by a family of five brothers and named after their hometown. The Yun family comes from generations of cooks and restaurateurs, specializing in Mandarin and Szechuan cuisine. Famously known for its Slippery Shrimp, it has become a local fixture offering a wide variety of Chinese favorites.
Zinc Cafe
Zinc Café was designed to mimic the qualities of San Francisco and Berkeley cafes, creating a comfortable dining area along with indoor seating. The laid-back atmosphere has produced a relaxed vibe to gather with friends while enjoying wonderful food, cocktails and wine with daily breakfast, lunch and dinner specials.
