Best Restaurants, Bars, and Things to Do in Chinatown
Chinatown is one of the more layered neighborhoods in Los Angeles, sitting just north of Downtown with a mix of longstanding institutions, casual neighborhood spots, and a few genuinely good reasons to linger. Whether you are eating, drinking, or just walking around, here is what is worth your time.
Philippe The Original at 1001 N Alameda St has been drawing crowds to its communal sawdust-floor dining room since 1908. It claims to have invented the French dip sandwich, and with over twelve thousand reviews at 4.6 stars, the argument is hard to dismiss. Prices are low and the sandwiches are the reason to go.
Won Kok Restaurant on Alpine St serves pan-fried noodles and traditional Chinese dishes from morning into late night, making it one of the more reliable all-hours options in the neighborhood. Over three thousand reviews back it up as a solid, consistent anchor on that block.
Eastside Market Italian Deli, also on Alpine St, has been turning out hot beef, pastrami, and Italian subs since 1929. The menu has not needed much reinvention, the prices are reasonable, and the 4.7-star rating across two thousand reviews says everything else.
Nick's Cafe at 1300 N Spring St has been a Downtown institution since 1948. The diner menu is classic and no-nonsense, it serves breakfast and lunch, and it has a patio if you want to sit outside. Both takeout and delivery are available.
Pho 87 on North Broadway is a cash-only, no-frills Vietnamese spot where the pho and spring rolls keep regulars coming back. Prices are low and the room is straightforward, which is exactly what the crowd there is looking for.
CBS Seafood at 700 N Spring St runs rolling dim sum carts and Cantonese seafood at budget-friendly prices in a casual setting. Expect a wait on weekends, but a large to-go menu makes it easy to grab something and head out. Reservations are accepted if you want to plan ahead.
Homegirl Café at 130 Bruno St is the cafe side of the Homeboy Industries operation, serving baked goods, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. It has a patio, takes reservations, and is one of the better-reviewed spots in the neighborhood at 4.7 stars.
For drinks, Melody Lounge on N Hill St is a red-lit neighborhood bar with Chinese lanterns and a menu of craft beers and cocktails. It is the kind of unassuming place that is easier to settle into than it looks from the outside.
General Lee's on Gin Ling Way leans into tropical decor and creative cocktails, with DJs and live music on the right nights. It sits in a historic part of the neighborhood and is one of the more distinctive places to drink in Chinatown. Lollicup, also on N Hill, keeps things simple with Taiwanese bubble tea and snacks like fried popcorn chicken at low prices, good for a quick takeout order or delivery.
Old Chinatown Central Plaza at 943 N Broadway is the pedestrian heart of the neighborhood, lined with shops and restaurants in a traditional Chinese-style design. It is a natural anchor for walking around. Just north, Los Angeles State Historic Park offers 32 acres of open green space with Downtown views, long walkways, and grounds that host concerts and large outdoor events. El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument at 125 Paseo de La Plaza covers the oldest part of the city, with historic buildings, Olvera Street, and regular cultural programming worth an hour or two if you want to understand where LA actually started.