Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

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

TENSHO

4.9

4.9 (69)

$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

EmmaVIP

Dined on Oct 30, 2024

Tensho is the best always! Best food and people! :)

Discover more

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU (JAPAN, 8oz)

Experience

USDA Prime Beef (Rib, 8oz)

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU & Seafood

Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ - Los Angeles, CA | Downtown LA

4.8

4.8 (145)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Little Tokyo

About the restaurant

Founded in Tokyo in 1996, Gyu-Kaku has become the world’s #1 Japanese BBQ brand! Thanks to our devoted fans we have reached over 700 locations worldwide. Each day, hundreds of thousands of people gather around the table-top smokeless grill, a centerpiece of our dining concept, enjoying selections of premium meats, just off the grill, and other freshly prepared foods from our kitchens, inspiring laughter, conversation, and a magical dining experience.

Our authentic yakiniku (grilled barbeque) dining experience crowns you the chef. Share a variety of delicious appetizers and premium cooked meats over a flaming grill, paired with Japanese sake, frosty cold beers, or other alcoholic and non-alcoholic options of your choice. We're the perfect spot to enjoy time with friends and family, organize an office party, or to spend quality time with your significant other!

Before you go, don't forget to taste our best-seller Harami Skirt Steak or Prime Kalbi Short Rib among other must-try dishes!

Top review

Keren

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

Amazing food and nice waiters. Loved the seating a lot!

Discover more

Experience

Prix-Fixe BBQ Courses for Everyone: Starting at...

PROPAGANDA

4.8

4.8 (72)

$30 and under

Italian

Arts District

About the restaurant

Propaganda focuses on organic, biodynamic, Italian natural wines, aperitivi cocktails, Italian style Tapas and the authentic Pizza (Pinsa) Romana.
Aperitivo Happy Hour everyday till 6pm and till 5pm on Sunday

Top review

Evelyn

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Had a great time with my friends. We enjoyed the food and wine. Great customer service. Can’t wait to go back.

Bar Amá

4.7

4.7 (453)

$30 and under

Tex-Mex

Downtown

About the restaurant

Bar Amá is a Tex-Mex restaurant located in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Our outdoor patio is available only on Friday & Saturday evenings (weather permitting). If you have any questions, please e-mail us at info@bar-ama.com or visit bar-ama.com.

"Fideo and borracho beans with cilantro and pork belly simmering on the stove, the spicy warmth of menudo every Christmas and New Year’s, egg salad with a fried egg between a butter toasted bolillo, and puffy tacos stuffed with lengua carnitas and crushed avocado and doused with pequin chile vinegar salsa. These are just some of the dishes that have inspired me – the food that I was nurtured with by the women who raised me. Bar Amá is my interpretation of their Tex-Mex." – Chef Josef Centeno

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 2 days ago

As always, the food was interesting and delicious.

HATCH

4.7

4.7 (642)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

HATCH is an izakaya bar & grill featuring yakitori, a fresh raw bar, and trendy California flavors for a unique and creative signature flare. We celebrate craft cocktails, draft beers and sake highlighting Japanese specialties – specifically Japanese whiskies.

We are lively and casual, with a fun dining experience that families, couples and friends can enjoy. Diners can expect a colorful journey of yummy tapas-style portions to share in an energetic and contemporary setting, where great food meets good times.

Validation available for THE BLOC Parking Garage. Reservations are held for 20 minutes.

Top review

Stephanie

Dined 4 days ago

We had a large party. Service was timely and the food was AMAZING. Highly recommend.

Discover more

Experience

Quick Lunch - Bento Bowls!

Rappahannock Oyster Bar @ ROW DTLA

4.7

4.7 (580)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Downtown

About the restaurant

Exposed wood and concrete interiors of ROW DTLA’s historic produce terminal is the ideal setting for Rappahannock Oyster Bar’s first West Coast location. Nestled in LA’s Warehouse District, just blocks from the Arts District and Little Tokyo, ROW DTLA offers a West Coast spin on our East Coast heritage. With an emphasis on sustainability, locally sourced, ethically fished, and responsibly farmed ingredients, the menu draws inspiration from the people of L.A. and the bounty of fresh produce, fish, and meat sourced in Southern California.

Top review

TaelerVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

My friend and I came here to catch up over dinner. We were running late and for some reason the app would not allow me to change the time of the reservation. When we arrived 30 mins after our scheduled time we were still seated promptly and treated very well. She got the lobster roll (cold) and I got the lobster tacos with truffle fries. Both were pretty tasty.

USC University Club

4.6

4.6 (104)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The University Club Restaurant is an elegant space to host work meetings or enjoy a gracious setting with friends. Our menu changes seasonally and reflects the best of local produce.

Reservations are recommended. Our dress code is Business Casual.

For reservations, call (213) 740-2030

Top review

Peggy

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

The salads are always good with great ingredients like Delicata squash, quinoa, and Blackened Salmon. The staff are very friendly and attentive to everything. Very Enjoyable place to catch up with out of town friends on the SC campus

Taberu

4.6

4.6 (77)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Arts District

About the restaurant

TABERU - TOKYO SHOKUTSU - EAT TO LIVE & LIVE TO EAT
Tokyo's top restaurateurs w/ a combined total of over 200 restaurants throughout Japan, team up to bring artisan dishes, tastes and flavors from the streets of Tokyo... and bring to you TABERU!
The name TABERU comes from the japanese terminology 三大欲求・"Sandaiyokkyu" the "three major desires" which are said to be indispensable and key for our lives, and the main one being 食欲・"shokuyoku" which means to eat.
Our chefs are direct from Tokyo and have created a menu never seen in LA before! Our signature dish being YASAI MAKI which are fresh veggies wrapped in pork, beef and vegan options as well!
Come join us for a great atmosphere, food & drinks, vibes and a completely new dining experience!
Experience the "Real Deal" Tokyo comfort food without the jetlag!
We are located on the Traction side next to Kreation and offer patio dining and valet parking as well.

Top review

Tim

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Every time I come here it’s an amazing experience. The food is delicious, but I love the staff. They really make it a special place. I can’t wait to come back!

Moonlark's Dinette

4.2

4.2 (10)

$30 and under

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Where the laid-back atmosphere of your beloved childhood diner meets West Coast quality, product and preparation. Moonlark’s Dinette delivers a thoroughly unfussy, enticing exploration of Americana on a plate. Our menu marries locally sourced, approachable comfort food with Chris Pandel’s signature style of “come as you are” hospitality.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 3 days ago

Terrific holiday meal with a great server. Love dining at the Moonlark.

Hearts and Flame

4.1

4.1 (264)

$31 to $50

Italian

Little Tokyo

About the restaurant

Hearts & Flame.
Coastal Italian dishes in a modern industrial space in the heart of the DTLA Arts District.

From fresh made pastas, to sea-to-table dishes, utilizing the freshest seafood from the California coast, our kitchen is at the heart of everything we do. In the middle of our dining room, the flames are ignited from our grill, where steaks, are cooked over an open flame, creating a memorable experience for you and your guests.

Top review

Paula

Dined 1 day ago

The food was good and price was good. I guess the reason I put 4 instead of 5 is because they did not acknowledge my sister's birthday even though when I made reservation I had stated it was for an occasion and it was for a birthday. When I let the waiter know my disappointment in no acknowledgement, she just smiled and didn't really care so now it was twice that it was not acknowledged. Sad but whatever moving o to other restaurants that make guests feel good.

Discover more

Popular dish

Pappardelle ai Gallinacci

Popular dish

Funghi e Pappardelle

Explore Diners' Choice best of Downtown

Explore more Diners' Choice lists