Throughout my 10+ years in LA’s advertising industry, I was the de facto DTLA guide for my westside colleagues. Everything from restaurant recommendations and where to grab drinks before Lakers games, to the almost weekly “If I have to be at [insert place] by [insert time], when should I leave the office?” I love this little slice of LA that’s been home for a good chunk of my life. I’ve watched it grow, stall, and slowly build back after the pandemic. And throughout it all, I’ve had many incredible meals.
The restaurant landscape in Downtown LA is ever-changing, but there’s never been a shortage of great spots to try — and revisit one too many times (ahem, Sonoratown). Here are my current favorites.
Best Casual Bites in Downtown LA
Obviously, I had to start here. True to name, their Sonora-style tacos — handmade flour tortillas overflowing with flame-grilled meats — are insane. But don’t leave without trying a chivichanga, a caramelo, and a bean and cheese burrito (trust me on this one). While you’re at it, grab a burrito 2.0 to go. You’ll understand why I order Sonoratown every other week… In fact, I order it so often that I rarely take photos. So here’s a really blurry photo of my saucy, cheesy chicken chivichanga.
Everson Royce does sophisticated casual so well, and it’s one of the most versatile spots I know. A quick drink, happy hour, or a full dinner — it works. A group, a date, or solo — it works. Cocktails, beer, or wine — they’ve perfected their beverage menu. No wonder I find myself recommending Everson Royce so often. And it doesn’t hurt that they have one of my favorite cheeseburgers in LA.
Danny Boy’s Famous Original Pizza
Is the name a little cocky? Yes. Does the pizza live up to it? Absolutely. This is probably the best New York-style pizza in Downtown LA. Some of my favorite Friday nights have been spent at home with a pepperoni pie, an Italian combo salad, and a bottle of wine from my own stash.
Everyone needs a good cry now and then. If you’re like me and prefer capsaicin-induced tears, just order anything above Medium+ on the spiciness scale at Howlin’ Ray’s. I prefer the original hot chicken sandwich (can’t get myself to say “sando”), but their wings are great too. And don’t sleep on the sides: collard greens, vinegar slaw, shake fries, extra pickles. This is a meal you want to eat in the privacy of your own home, away from prying eyes, with an endless pile of napkins.
I’d brave the Grand Central Market crowds any day for freshly made pupusas from Sarita’s. I love the revuelta (pork, bean, and cheese) and the loroco con queso (loroco and cheese), hidden under a pile of pickled cabbage and doused with salsa.
Ditroit Taqueria, tucked down an alley behind sister restaurant Damian, is hardly a casual bite. I never thought I’d be recommending $8 tacos served on plastic plates on a patio next to a parking lot, but one bite of their suadero taco and I was sold. You really taste the care Enrique Olvera and team put into the food. Sure, $60 for two people at a “taco stand” might sound insane, but think of it as a little taste of Pujol at a fraction of the price — no passport required.
Best Restaurants in Downtown LA
Maccheroni Republic is a Downtown LA institution at this point. I’ve been coming here since they opened and have spent the better part of a decade tasting through the menu to find my favorites: rigatoni pom’amore when I’m feeling tomato-y, bigoli della nonna when I’m feeling meaty, bianchi & neri when I’m feeling creamy and luscious. You really can’t go wrong with any of their homemade pastas. Added bonus: they’re one of the few places that still serve complimentary bread!
If you love a good Korean bar but feel like dressing up a little, Hojokban in Downtown LA’s Arts District is your spot. The industrial-sexy vibe is the perfect backdrop for food that’s whimsical without sacrificing quality or flavor. The ramyeon fried rice is a must for some substantial carbs, but we couldn’t get enough of the perilla buckwheat noodle and the salmon ssambap with uni and caviar either. And the complimentary Melona ice cream bars? The perfect, refreshing ending to an amazing meal (go for the taro!).
Feel like splurging on an omakase night out? Head to Bar Sawa — an intimate, modern sushi bar serving Edomae sushi paired with carefully crafted cocktails. Unlike many stark sushi bars, Sawa is dim and cozy, with a serious speaker setup that surrounds an equally serious whiskey collection. If you’re lucky, you’ll be taken care of by Chef Anthony himself, who has a knack for making people feel at ease the second they walk in. Each piece of sushi will be among the best you’ve ever tasted, but the real surprise comes at the end: a simple piece of tofu cheesecake with just a hint of soy sauce.
De La Nonna is your night-out chameleon. It can be anything you need it to be: date night, girls’ night, group celebration, solo dinner at the bar. The food is casual but done to perfection; you can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas, salads, appetizers, and bottles of gluggable natural wine. First-timers, allow me to curate: start with the meatballs, smashed + fried potatoes, and market salad before moving on to the pizza round — pepperoni, white, and sausage and peppers.
Bavel has been one of my go-tos for celebratory dinners since it opened in 2018. From appetizers like oyster mushroom kebab and fried quail with cumin chili XO and tomato cucumber raita, to shareable mains like slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma and wagyu beef cheek tagine — I’ve never had a bad bite. One thing: start with one of the spreads, preferably one that comes with blistered pita. The bread at Bavel is just on a whole different level.
The Wolves feels like a local secret. It’s fallen off the food media radar — but as a Downtowner, I don’t mind. I love being able to grab a table without a reservation; it’s usually just crowded enough to feel lively without being annoying. My go-tos, paired with one of their fun cocktails (shoutout to the “Negroni???”): a charcuterie platter that can feed a family, mussels and fries, and the most decadent buttery burger with caramelized onions and comté.
Another great option for a special night out. Camphor is a Michelin-starred French bistro in Downtown LA’s Arts District — with a twist. Menu descriptions are deliberately succinct and leave much to the imagination, so it’s worth browsing photos before you go. For appetizers, I love their onion tartine and beef tartare. And while they’re known for the chicken with agrodolce, my favorite mains are actually the scallop and the dover sole. Finish with a luscious bread pudding balanced by a refreshing marzipan with meyer lemon ice.
The Mimi Edit 
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