Best Restaurants for People Watching in Downtown

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchMexican

Regions

DowntownHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando ValleyWest Hollywood / Beverly Hills / Mid-WilshireWestside

Neighborhoods

Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsCentral Los AngelesCulver CityDowntownGlendale

Top Rated

CharmingDog-friendlyFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasions

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral restroomWheelchair access

36 restaurants available nearby

1. JOEY DTLA

4.6

Exceptional(163)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Downtown

Booked 112 times today

*Looking to book for 7+ people? Email us at DTLA.reservations@joeyrestaurants.com and someone will get back to you shortly!*JOEY Restaurants marries iconic hospitality with a handcrafted, locally and globally-inspired menu from award-winning chefs, to bring an unparalleled guest experience. Instead of just one chef, JOEY has a whole team of celebrated Executive Chefs bringing you an experience you can't get anywhere else. Wrapping the corner of 7th and S Flower St with the largest street level patio downtown Los Angeles, JOEY DTLA features a theatre kitchen, a stunning stone bartop and a custom wine wall in the lounge. The dining room showcases a large commissioned art piece by Los Angeles local, America Martin, an interior willow tree that provides an oasis within the city.

A photo of Broken Shaker - Los Angeles restaurant

2. Broken Shaker - Los Angeles

4.1

Excellent(456)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 4 times today

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on our rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. A James Beard Award finalist and winner of Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar award, Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city. A 4% health service charge is added to all checks to help cover the cost of health care benefits that we offer to our full-time employees. Additionally, an 18% service charge is automatically included in your purchase. Thank you for supporting our staff. If you would like either of these charges removed, please let your server know and the charge will be removed.

3. Hearts and Flame

4.3

Awesome(283)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Little Tokyo

Booked 9 times today

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.

4. Zinqué - DTLA

4.6

Exceptional(541)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown

Booked 17 times today

zinqué is a beloved neighborhood hotspot & all-day restaurant serving French-inspired dishes, small plates, craft cocktails & a uniquely curated wine selection. Inspired by the zinc countertop bars & cafés of Paris, many of its customers consider it a second home—a place to work, linger & socialize. Open from 7am till late, the space transforms from a European-style bistro & café, serving full breakfast with La Colombe coffee drinks & its famous Le Bowl for lunch, to full service dining at night. (zin-kae)

5. Traxx

4.2

Awesome(15)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Downtown

Booked 2 times today

Traxx Restaurant and Traxx Bar are located inside beautiful, historic Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. We are a semi-fine dining restaurant with a casual attitude and relaxed atmosphere. Our restaurant serves scratch made American Bistro dishes using local a local bakery and local ingredients. We offer seating on our concourse (located in front of the restaurant inside Union Station), the Dining Room, and on our outside Patio in the courtyard. We also serve Traxx Bar, located across the concourse inside Union Station at the main entrance. Traxx Bar hours are M-F 11:30-10pm with kitchen hours until 8pm and Sat & Sun 12-10pm with kitchen hours until 7pm.

A photo of TAO Asian Bistro - Los Angeles restaurant

6. TAO Asian Bistro - Los Angeles

4.7

Exceptional(4257)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Hollywood

Booked 106 times today

TAO Los Angeles is a dynamic two-level space, complete with two private dining rooms, outdoor patio, lounge with large bar. and main dining room anchored by our 16 foot Quan Yin statue.

7. The Tower Bar

4.7

Exceptional(2020)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • West Hollywood

Booked 63 times today

The Terrace at the famous Sunset Tower Hotel debuted a new look in May of 2018, featuring a refreshed outdoor dining experience with updated furnishings and an elegant new bar. The Tower Bar Restaurant has split views of the city from either side of the lobby. It offers a swank lounge, bar and an al fresco dining experience. Custom made banquettes line the windows that showcase an unparalleled view of the Los Angeles skyline. Art deco design influences include walnut with gold inlay trim in a subtle, muted color scheme. The delectable menu features California Bistro with Italian fare. A dress code is enforced, please call for information.We are now open daily for breakfast and lunch. Dinner is offered six nights a week, Monday-Saturday. We are unable to guarantee a seating preference of indoors or outdoors. We recommend a sweater or light coat during the evenings.Shorts, baseball caps, sweats, sandals, tank tops, phone calls, computers and photos are not permitted.

8. Cento Pasta Bar

4.7

Exceptional(940)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Mid-City

Booked 51 times today

BREAKING THE MEDITERRANEAN MOLD. CENTO RESTAURANT IS INSPIRED BY THE MEDITERRANEAN AND LOCATED IN LOS ANGELES.

9. The Little Door

4.7

Exceptional(3054)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary French • West Hollywood

Booked 49 times today

Two simple wooden doors open up to quite a buzz in an otherwise romantic courtyard, where a colorful crowd hangs at the bar and lingers at coveted patio tables. Inside, seats spread throughout the candlelit house-turned-restaurant with intimate furniture. Organic seasonal ingredients, creatively prepared and impeccably presented, characterize our unique menu. If you do not see a reservation time for the time you would like please also check on Tock at exploretock.com/thelittledoorFor reservations on Holidays, please call the restaurant.

A photo of The Terrace at The Maybourne Beverly Hills restaurant

10. The Terrace at The Maybourne Beverly Hills

4.6

Exceptional(1606)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service • Beverly Hills

Booked 17 times today

Vibrant and unforgettable, there's no better place to sit, sip and unwind in Beverly Hills than our bar. You'll find an exceptional wine list and a cocktail menu filled with classic and new creations. It's the perfect destination for all in search of relaxed late-night indulgence.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

A
Amanda
New York City •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Dinner before a show at the Orpheum. From entering the restaurant we felt looked after. Food was great, Cocktails and ambience very nice. Servers were very attentive.
More info
Zinqué - DTLAPrice: Moderate• French• Downtown
•
4.6
T
TiffanyVIP
Cleveland / Akron / Canton •4 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great experience, food and wine. highly recommend!
More info
JOEY DTLAPrice: Expensive• American• Downtown
•
4.6
S
Skylir
Los Angeles •2 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 23, 2025
My dad and I came here for lunch and we pleasantly surprised with how beautiful the restaurant is! The food was so yummy. For lunch the steak sandwich is AMAZING! The meat is so tender and it is very filling. The prosciutto and bruschetta lunch item was also very good but I would say go with the steak sandwich if you want something even more filling. We would definitely come again for the great food, service, and beautiful ambiance.
More info
Hearts and FlamePrice: Expensive• Italian• Little Tokyo
•
4.3
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •3 reviews
5.0
Dined on Jan 16, 2025
It was a lowkey vibe, and discreet for a casual conversation
More info
Broken Shaker - Los AngelesPrice: Moderate• Californian• Downtown
•
4.1
M
Michael
Los Angeles •15 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 18, 2024
Comfortable and casual (with a capital "C" for each). Absolutely loved the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. -- and the choice of jazz as ambience was well chosen.
More info
TraxxPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Downtown
•
4.2

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