Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated 05 October 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Downtown? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

TENSHO

4.9

4.9 (107)

$50 and over

Shabu-shabu

Little Tokyo

About the restaurant

Even if seats are full, we may still have availability. Also, special requests or inquiries would be welcome. Please do not hesitate to reach us by phone (213-617-1016).

5.3.2022 Tue
NEW OPEN in Little Tokyo
[TENSHO]

Right in the heart of Little Tokyo, “Kagaya” has established itself a top tier shabu shabu restaurant. Now, the torches have been handed to a new head chef and owner, the next generation to carry the torches of tradition and exquisite flavor, with the new name of TENSHO.

Trained in traditional Japanese cookery, this 23 year veteran chef is on his way to introducing a new wave of Japanese delicacies to the States. As close as you can get to Japan itself, this chef brings his revisioned menu, with patron favorites, and extensive sake list. The desert and a la carte menu is designed by their French trained chef.

The wagyu beef is of A5 rank. The seafood, carefully selected to be of highest quality. Food that is not only delicious but also good for the health.

Top review

JamesGold

Dined on 28 Sept 2026

The best restaurant in LA hands down. Don’t miss your chance to go!!

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Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU (JAPAN, 8oz)

Experience

USDA Prime Beef (Rib, 8oz)

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU & Seafood

Damian

4.8

4.8 (106)

$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

whitneyGold

Dined on 17 Sept 2026

Delicious food, amazing ambience and attention to detail server.

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Experience

Happy Hour

le dräQ

4.7

4.7 (529)

$30 and under

International

Downtown

About the restaurant

le dräQ by Bäco Mecrat & Bar Amá combines the favorites of bäco and ama and adds the seasonal flavors of takoria by Chef Josef Centeno.

Top review

Lillian

Dined 3 days ago

One of my fave restaurants in town. Great drinks, great food, they keep a good standing menu but there's always new seasonal stuff to try so things stay fresh and interesting. A good place for a date, or to hang out with a friend visiting from out of town, or just for a good evening out with people who love great food.

Kato

4.7

4.7 (538)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Kato serves seasonally-focused tasting menus influenced by Taiwan and Asian American nostalgia.

Main Dining Room Tasting Menu │ $325
The dining room tasting menu focuses on seasonality and innovation.

Bar Tasting Menu │ $185
The bar tasting menu is an abbreviated version of the main dining room tasting menu. Guests must be 21 years or older to join us at the bar.

An 18% fair wage and operational fee has been added to your bill. It goes to provide elevated, comprehensive benefits, as well as consistent, livable wages for all staff. Though many of our guests choose to leave gratuity for exemplary service, it is neither necessary nor expected, though it is greatly appreciated. This gratuity will be shared by all hourly staff.

Top review

HarryGold

Dined 2 days ago

Exceptional food with mind blowing flavors. Enjoyed every single bite. Thank you so much to the team at Kato for making our visit memorable and kudos to the incredible mastery.

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Experience

Dining Room Tasting Menu

Malbec - Arts District

4.7

4.7 (118)

$30 and under

Argentinean

Arts District

About the restaurant

Experience the finest Argentinean cuisine in an atmosphere of refined elegance, where exceptional meats, fresh seafood, and South American wines come together to create unforgettable moments.

Top review

Olga

Dined on 26 Sept 2026

Beautiful place Great food Excellent service Validated parking

LYNX

4.7

4.7 (35)

$50 and over

Californian

Arts District

About the restaurant

A product bar. And pizza.

thelynxla.com
@thelynxlosangeles

Top review

AlejandraGold

Dined 3 days ago

Lynx Pizza has officially become my absolute favorite new spot! The service here is always 100% flawless—attentive, friendly, and fast. The pizza is completely incredible, but you absolutely cannot leave without trying the mushroom pie. It is out of this world. Pair that with their amazing drinks, and you have the perfect night out. Can't recommend this place enough!

HATCH

4.6

4.6 (721)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

HATCH is a Japanese tapas & izakaya-style bar serving creative bites and vibes built for sharing. Think Japanese roots, global flair, and a medley of flavors — from charcoal-kissed skewers to indulgent bone marrow and vibrant small plates.

Our bar keeps things lively with handcrafted cocktails, curated sake, and hard-to-find Japanese whiskies.

Come for the food and drinks, stay for the fun, and don’t forget to share!

Top review

Sara

Dined 3 days ago

Wonderful food and service, such a lovely and calm place to eat in Downtown LA. It's very peaceful eating outside. Inside is quite loud, but didn't impact us since we got a table outside. Great drinks, interesting menu, and very nice people working there!

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Experience

Lunch Specials: Bento Rice Bowl & Lunch Set

Firstborn

4.6

4.6 (116)

$50 and over

Chinese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Firstborn is a contemporary Chinese American restaurant in Los Angeles’ Chinatown from Chef and Owner Anthony Wang. His affordable, four-course prix fixe ($68) gives guests a choice of dishes in each course, with optional supplements that change with the season. Wang’s cooking reflects the Chinese food he grew up eating, classical French training and California produce. Dishes like the Fried Boneless Leg of Chicken
with morita chili crisp jus, soy pickles and Dry-Aged Liberty Duck Breast with
salted plum, roast beet, chamomile represent Wang's cultural heritage and life experiences. Firstborn also offers an award-winning cocktail program led by Bar Director Kenzo Han, a carefully curated wine list and a separate bar menu, including a 3-course, $40 option. The warm, intimate dining room works just as well for a date night as it does for a relaxed dinner in the neighborhood. A large upstairs private dining room is ideal for parties and events.

Top review

Ayo

Dined on 20 Sept 2026

I highly recommend Firstborn, I booked this for my partner’s birthday as we were in LA after completing Route 66 Chicago to LA. The establish was great, the food excellent and the vibe was great!! Anyone visiting LA should check this out!!!! Just BRILLIANT!!👌🏿👍🏿

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Experience

Standard Prix Fixe Menu

Abernethy's

4.5

4.5 (1307)

$31 to $50

Central African

Downtown

About the restaurant

Chef in Residence: Andy Allo
Cameroonian Cuisine

Located in Downtown Los Angeles on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, Abernethy’s is a destination restaurant offering a unique, ever-changing dining experience from LA, for LA. Featuring up-and-coming chefs and new menus for special limited engagements, Abernethy’s highlights the diverse flavors and people that make up Los Angeles. Abernethy’s is the story of the LA, related and plated by the Chefs who tell it best.

Open 2.5 Hours before shows at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Ahmanson Theater and Mark Taper Forum

Top review

Susan

Dined on 9 Sept 2026

What a lovely evening on the Music Center plaza! Great food, great service! Two of us had the branzino and one the cod and everyone loved their food!! So HAPPY to see Chef Andy back in business!💥✨

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Popular dish

spaghetti alla carbonara

Popular dish

tagliatelle bolognese

Blind Butcher - LA

4.5

4.5 (13)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Welcome to Blind Butcher Los Angeles, where modern American cuisine meets the bold flavors of Anatolia. Led by Chef Coskun Abik, we serve premium steaks, fresh seafood, handcrafted cocktails, and an exceptional wine selection in a warm, vibrant atmosphere.
Our signature Butcher Board is designed for sharing and has become a guest favorite, alongside Prime steaks and seasonal chef-driven specialties. Whether it's date night, a celebration, or dinner with friends, every visit is crafted to be memorable

Top review

Lord Joseph

Dined 6 days ago

Perfection everything was absolutely amazing. Can’t wait to host an event there

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