SavarinWhere to eat · Los Angeles
Else Is Great In Downtown LA
Downtown Los Angeles is home to some of the most vibrant and critically acclaimed dining rooms in Southern California.
1
Sonoratown
Widely celebrated by critics and Netflix's *Taco Chronicles* as the gold standard for Sonoran-style Mexican food in Los Angeles, this counter-service spot built a massive following on its legendary thin flour tortillas made with lard. Order the Costilla taco with mesquite-grilled steak chopped fine and folded with salsa and guacamole, or grab a rich beef chivichanga. It is a casual, brightly painted room with a constant lunch rush, running around $ — about $15 to $20 a head, which is an absolute steal for this quality of tortilla and wood-grilled beef.
2
Marugame Monzo
This Little Tokyo favorite is renowned for its freshly kneaded and hand-pulled Sanuki udon made right behind a glass-walled exhibition kitchen. The move is the rich Miso Carbonara udon or the Cream Mentai udon with pollock roe, paired with a side of crisp tempura. Expect an energetic, communal vibe with a sidewalk wait during peak hours, pricing at $$ — about $25 to $35 a head, a great value for fresh artisan noodles.
3
Rossoblu
Chef Steve Samson’s Michelin-recognized restaurant is an homage to Bologna set in the historic City Market South complex. Do not skip the Olimpia's tagliatelle with slow-simmered beef and pork ragù, or the wood-grilled pork chops paired with house-cured salumi. The soaring industrial space opens onto a romantic courtyard piazza, landing at $$$ — about $65 to $85 a head, a fair price for benchmark Emilia-Romagna pastas and whole-animal butchery.
4
Bestia
An iconic Arts District trailblazer from Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis that helped put DTLA fine-casual dining on the national map. Signature standouts include the roasted marrow bone tossed tableside over spinach gnocchetti and the spicy nduja pizza with Calabrian chili. It is a loud, high-energy warehouse dining room best booked weeks ahead, running $$$$ — about $95 to $120 a head, completely worth the splurge for the sheer depth of cooking.
5
Bavel
The sister restaurant to Bestia, this lush, hanging-plant-draped dining room showcases the rich, wood-fired flavors of the Levant and Middle East. The must-orders are the airy, blistered pita with duck 'nduja hummus, the flaky malawach flatbread, and the slow-roasted lamb neck shawarma. Reservations go quickly for this stylish crowd favorite, averaging $$$$ — about $90 to $115 a head, well worth the price for the generous shared feast format.
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