Best Restaurants, Bars, and Things to Do in Arts District
The Arts District has grown into one of the more well-rounded neighborhoods in Los Angeles for spending a day or a night. You can eat well, drink well, and find genuinely fun things to do within a few blocks of each other. Here is what is worth knowing.
Bestia on E 7th Place is the husband-and-wife Italian restaurant that helped put the neighborhood on the map for food, with a seasonal menu and a room that stays loud and lively. It has held up over years and thousands of reviews, which is not nothing. Book a reservation or you are likely out of luck. Chef Stephanie Izard's Girl & The Goat on Mateo Street is a large, high-ceilinged room serving inventive New American food that draws on global and local flavors, and it is one of the most talked-about restaurants in the neighborhood right now. Reservations are a good idea here too.
Fisherman's Outlet on S Central Ave is one of the most consistently well-regarded spots in the area: classic seafood bites served on paper plates from a counter, with a patio and no pretension. No reservations, just solid food at a fair price. Smorgasburg Los Angeles at 777 S Alameda is the weekly open-air food market that draws a rotating lineup of local vendors and a reliably large crowd. It is best for grazing across cuisines rather than committing to one thing. And Jack's Wholesale Candy and Toy on S Central Ave is a storied wholesaler selling American and Mexican candies in bulk alongside nostalgic snack brands and toys. The number of people who know and love this place says enough.
Wurstküche on E 3rd St is a beer hall serving exotic sausage links, including rabbit and snake, alongside fries and imported beers. It handles high volume without losing its character, which is harder than it sounds. Arts District Brewing Company on Traction Avenue is a large, lively brewhouse pouring house-made drafts alongside specialty hot dogs, burgers, and games. It has been one of the busiest spots in the neighborhood for a while.
EightyTwo on E 4th Place pairs retro arcade games and pinball machines with a full craft cocktail bar. It draws a consistently good crowd and is fun whether or not you grew up on those games. XLanes LA on Alameda offers bowling lanes, a sports bar, arcade games, and American food, and it is a reliable pick for a bigger night out with a group. The Rooftop Cinema at 777 S Alameda is one of the most consistently loved spots in the Arts District: open-air movies with a view, and nearly everyone who goes comes away happy.
Zinc Cafe on Mateo St is a compact spot with a menu that leans heavily vegetarian, good for coffee or a light meal when things are not too hectic. Cafe Dulce, tucked inside Japanese Village Plaza, is a counter-serve cafe doing specialty coffee alongside pastries and light bites, and a convenient stop if you are already in the Little Tokyo area. Little Tokyo Market Place on Alameda is worth a dedicated trip, especially for the seafood department, which is large and varied, and it carries everyday staples alongside harder-to-find ingredients.