Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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 reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

TENSHO

4.9

4.9 (71)

$31 to $50

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

OmarVIP

Dined on 14 Feb 2025

Our favorite date spot in LA. The staff is so friendly and the food is 💯

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Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU (JAPAN, 8oz)

Experience

USDA Prime Beef (Rib, 8oz)

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU & Seafood

Dahlia

4.8

4.8 (26)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Downtown

About the restaurant

Experience an intimate space for afternoon tea at Dahlia, our newest DTLA destination nestled amid the Downtown bustle. Enjoy a selection of botanical teas and garden-fresh treats in a cozy setting. Gather with friends for a delightful afternoon within Dahlia’s immersive interiors, designed by Kelly Wearstler. Drawing inspiration from Mexican modernism and Moroccan aesthetics, the space features a rich palette of pinks, warm ambers, and verdant greens, complemented by textured tilework, vintage furnishings, and a stunning glass installation from LA’s Judson Studios. Indulge in curated experience by our talented team, Caroline Styne and Chef Suzanne Goin, showcasing local and seasonal ingredients.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on 15 Feb 2025

My afternoon tea experience at Dahlia was so wonderful, that I already made three more reservations! Beautiful ambience, delicious food/tea/cocktails, and amazing service from Lluvia (the lovely woman in charge of the tea service). I had the vegan tea and my friend had the regular tea, and we were both super pleased with the yummy offerings and delightful presentation. Can’t wait to go back!

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Experience

Cocktails at Dahlia

Kato

4.8

4.8 (343)

$50 and over

Contemporary Asian

Downtown

About the restaurant

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

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

Bar Tasting Menu │ $185
The bar tasting menu is a slightly abbreviated collection of classic Kato dishes.

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

GregVIP

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

Amazing experience, really special! Thank you for another amazing anniversary dinner! Everyone was friendly and attentive! Food was outstanding!

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Experience

Dining Room Tasting Menu

Experience

Bar Tasting Menu

Experience

Bar Cocktails & Snacks

Majordōmo

4.7

4.7 (32)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Majordōmo, from Dave Chang and Momofuku, serves California cuisine inspired by the different food cultures present in Los Angeles and the bounty of Southern California products. In a sleek, industrial setting with a sun-soaked patio and full bar, Majordōmo offers various ways to dine for groups of all sizes. Executive Chef Tim Mangun highlights California’s bounty through knockout large format dishes like whole plate short rib and smoked bo ssäm to a constantly changing roster of bings & dips.

Top review

ArielleVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Food is always amazing here and I love the ambience. The dirty martini is the perfect savory cocktail. The mushroom crispy rice and pork shoulder are my favorites.

Sushi Enya - Little Tokyo

4.8

4.8 (137)

$50 and over

Sushi

Downtown

About the restaurant

Under new management; we are no longer taking any of regular dinning nor Omakase reservations.

Sushi Enya is a Japanese sushi restaurant that first opened in the heart of Little Tokyo in Downtown, LA. After five years of perseverance and experimentation in Downtown, LA, we opened our second location in beautiful Old Town Pasadena.
Our third location, which opened in 2018, is located in the beach city of Marina Del Rey.

Our owner Chef Kimiyasu Enya trained for over 10 years in Japan to perfect his craft.

It is our goal to ensure that quality remains consistent and every experience is enjoyable for all guests.

Top review

Michael

Dined on 25 Feb 2025

The staff were great. The sushi is good. The prices were very high. I imagine their overhead isn't cheap, so I understand.

Bavel

4.8

4.8 (5057)

$31 to $50

Middle Eastern

Downtown

About the restaurant

A Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

Top review

FrauleinMVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Incredibly delicious and creative dishes!!! Esp love the hummus with duck, fried artichoke, trout and dorade. A little noisy for conversation. Very busy.

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Popular dish

Oyster Mushroom Kebab

Popular dish

Slow Roasted Lamb Neck Shawarma

Popular dish

Grilled Prawns

Cabra - LA

4.8

4.8 (1292)

$31 to $50

Peruvian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Cabra Los Angeles is a Peruvian-inspired restaurant by Chef Stephanie Izard and Boka Restaurant Group, located on the top floor of The Hoxton, Downtown LA. Open for Dinner seven nights a week and Brunch on the weekends, the lively dining experience is anchored by shareable plates bold in flavor and bright in taste, with sweeping views of Los Angeles.

Top review

Dined 4 days ago

The different flavors were great plus the nice views.

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Popular dish

Wood-Fired Skirt Steak & Eggs

Popular dish

Chicken Thigh Skewers

Popular dish

Bass Ceviche

Damian

4.8

4.8 (19)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 4 Mar 2025

Food was creative and divine. GET THE DUCK CARNITAS AND FRIED ARTICHOKES. Service friendly and impeccable. Cool mid century interior. A bit loud on the music.

Drago Centro

4.8

4.8 (3730)

$31 to $50

Italian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Chef Celestino Drago has created a menu representative of the cultural diversity of Italy. The concept of “Contemporary Italian Cuisine”, emphasizes local dishes, fresh, high quality ingredients and old flavors that have defined Italian cuisine for centuries and which are revisited to create a truly eclectic menu. The extensive menu is a la carte and offers daily specials featuring many unique items. DRAGO Centro offers a diverse and extensive selection of premium wines from Italy and around the world.

DRAGO Centro’s unique interior is designed by acclaimed Los Angeles based designer Stanley Felderman, who is internationally renowned for creating modern buildings, interiors and product with a playful twist.

Top review

MsPyb

Dined 1 day ago

Great dining experience, amazing food and great service by our server Daniel and the rest of the staff.

PROPAGANDA

4.9

4.9 (78)

$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

Bobby

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

Always such a great experience here! Can’t wait to come back!

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