Los Angeles is full of great places to eat, but the Downtown Arts District has cultivated an especially notable culinary scene in recent years. No longer an industrial zone, the neighborhood is now home to beautiful communities and incredible food. The following are some of the best restaurants in the area.
Manuela
Located in the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, chef Kris Tominaga combines Southern classics with coastal flair at Manuela. Designed as a place to enjoy a meal that matches the district’s refined artwork, the restaurant opens in the late morning and serves lunch until early afternoon, then reopens for dinner. Tominaga is known for his biscuits and barbecued oysters.
Camphor
Chef Max Boonthanakit began his career as a Nightshade pastry chef, worked for legendary chef Alain Ducasse, then returned to open a restaurant exactly where he got his start. Camphor opened in 2022 in the former pastry shop’s space and quickly earned a Michelin star. Boonthanakit serves flavorful, French-inspired cuisine in a refined setting from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day except Tuesday and Wednesday.
Afuri
Featuring house-made noodles and rich broth, Afuri’s specialty is a daytime bowl of ramen. The restaurant certainly isn’t lacking for options, like donburi bowls and hand rolls, but the ramen options are what draw guests from across the city of Los Angeles. Notably, the restaurant works to find innovative ways of accommodating dietary restrictions, offering vegan and gluten-free options, along with other alternatives. Anyone can enjoy a bowl of ramen at Afuri.
La Cha Cha Chá
La Cha Cha Chá is a Mexican restaurant on the rooftop of the Downtown Arts District, known for its remarkable views to match the food. Chef Paco Moran brings Mexico City to Los Angeles, offering a suite of shareable appetizers, family-style dinners, and tasty desserts. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and focused on dinner, but Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays have a happy hour from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Camélia
Camélia is a unique fusion of French dishes and Japanese ingredients, boasting a truly distinctive flavor in every dish. Perusing the menu, customers will find the usual French cuisine, but then discover Japanese ingredients incorporated into the classic dishes. For instance, the braised beef cheek features a touch of wasabi. To complement the cultural fusion, co-owner Courtney Kaplan has curated a beverage menu of French wine and Japanese sake.
Bestia
Though a decade-old classic Italian restaurant born from a warehouse, it’s still tough to get a reservation at Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’ establishment. Such an achievement alone speaks to the tastes one can expect at Bestia, which is open from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. every day. Menashe brings authentic handmade pasta and blistered-crust pizzas, while Gergis offers an array of delectable desserts.
Girl and the Goat LA
Originally from Chicago, Los Angeles’ Girl and the Goat location is no less enticing. The restaurant is known for providing globally inspired dishes in a beautiful and inviting space. At Girl and the Goat, diners enjoy a family-style experience, with options ranging from chili-Sichuan bass to goat curry. There are also plenty of tempting dessert options, including passion fruit ice cream and miso pineapple cake.
Baroo
Baroo was once an East Hollywood fermentation shop but has since transformed into a Korean tasting-menu restaurant. Chefs Kwang Uh and Mina Park are constantly creating new dishes to keep their menu fresh and exciting, proudly offering a completely vegetarian selection. Furthermore, customers have the option to pair their meal with a carefully curated drink list.
A Dynamic Food Scene
The Downtown Arts District certainly is a place for connoisseurs to keep an eye on. Popular restaurants line the blocks, and new locations open consistently. There’s so much to try in Los Angeles, and this neighborhood is one of the most exciting areas to explore.
