Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best ambience 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 favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Manuela

4.8

4.8 (225)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in the Arts District of Los Angeles, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California.

Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Local beers are on tap, while the carefully selected wine list is designed to pair with the smoke and acid at the heart of Manuela’s menu.

Designed by Los Angeles native Matt Winter and named for Manuela Wirth, the restaurant is illuminated and animated by specially commissioned works from artists Paul McCarthy, Mark Bradford and Raymond Pettibon.

Top review

JPVIP

Dined on Dec 25, 2024

By far my favorite restaurant in Los Angeles and it didn’t disappoint once again! My visiting mother from Florida thoroughly enjoyed it and the food, service, and ambience could not have been any better, especially for a Christmas Eve dinner. Great value for the quality!

Deme

4.6

4.6 (23)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Downtown

About the restaurant

Deme, short for Demeter, (the Greek Goddess of the Harvest) is a new Eastern Mediterranean and Aegean Sea-inspired poolside eatery at Hotel Figueroa, with nods to the sea-faring communities along the Eastern Mediterranean Coast, Turkey, and Israel, led by Executive Chef Blake Shailes. Think: housemade Mediterranean dips served with freshly made pita bread using a combination of ancient Kamut flour and Tehachapi Farms Red Fife Flour, Crispy Lobster Kataifi, Turkish Manti (Turkish Lamb Dumplings), Lahmacun (Turkish Pizza // Spiced Wagyu Flatbread), a Greek-inspired Glazed Octopus & Grilled Grape Skewers, and large-format platters designed for shareable feasts including Slow Cooked Lamb Neck Shawarma, Half Heritage Chicken Mansaf and desserts including housemade Baklava, and housemade Soft Serve paired with a refreshing and playful cocktail program developed by Bar Director, Milosz Cieslak. Open for dinner nightly from 5pm - close.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 7 days ago

My Wife is Vegetarian and there are several options for her on the menu that taste great, and I really enjoy also. The servers are very friendly and attentive and the open-air dining is a nice touch.

Cara Cara

4.7

4.7 (1492)

$31 to $50

Californian

Downtown

About the restaurant

From the golden daylight to the twinkling evening, all are welcome to experience the fresh bounty of Cara Cara. Chef Suzanne Goin’s seasonal menu showcases California’s best produce with her festive and irresistible rooftop fare. The expansive outdoor space features an elevated dining area with endless skyline views surrounded by a lushly landscaped lower lounge. Slip into one of the many cozy seating arrangements or sit by the fire pit and enjoy an innovative cocktail, wine, or beer paired by award-winning sommelier Caroline Styne.

Top review

Sergio

Dined 3 days ago

Came for lunch, ambience was very quiet just a handful of tables taken. Sever was very helpful and answer all our questions about the food. The food was delicious, my favorite dishes were; the shrimp tacos and the lobster rolls. I like that they are small sharable plates that way you can try different plates from the menu. The drinks were really good, good selection of tequila. Definitely planning to come back again maybe for dinner next time.

Discover more

Popular dish

Cara Cara Cobb

Popular dish

Piri Piri Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

71Above

4.7

4.7 (5916)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Offering elevated modern American cuisine by Chef Javier Lopez, 71Above boasts breathtaking ocean views from Malibu to Laguna Hills, along with spectacular views of Los Angeles and the surrounding mountain ranges. 71Above is a Michelin level experience featuring the finest ingredients, world-class wine list and craft cocktails. The Restaurant and Skylounge have a Smart Casual dress code. Jackets are not required however, no hats, athletic wear, shorts or flip-flops are allowed. Reservations are held for 15 minutes.

71Above features a 3 course Prix-Fixe menu for dinner only. We kindly ask all dining room guests to participate in the coursed menu. Please be aware, any seating requests are noted, but not guaranteed. WINDOW TABLES ARE NOT GUARANTEED. 18% service charge is added to all checks.

Valet is available at 633 W. 5th Street or Self parking is available under the building at 633 W. Hope Place. $18 for 3 hours.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined 3 days ago

I was taken to 71Above for my birthday in July. It is truly a dining experience from the moment you check-in on the first floor. The restaurant offers a three-course meal. Each course is a unique experience. Service is impeccable. Thank you, Carl, for servicing us as we celebrated our 30th anniversary.

Discover more

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.

Redbird - Los Angeles

4.7

4.7 (3093)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Downtown

About the restaurant

Located in downtown Los Angeles, Redbird is carved into one of the city’s most historic edifices, inside the rectory building of Vibiana – a premier wedding, events and performing arts venue. Chef | Owner Neal Fraser and Owner | Operator Amy Knoll have crafted a beautifully dynamic restaurant space within which to enjoy Chef Fraser's critically acclaimed Modern American menu. Wine Director Christopher Dugan’s wine list is well-rounded with great finds from both established and emerging regions throughout the world. Bar Director Tobin Shea's cocktail offerings feature well-balanced, bespoke renditions of the classics, as well as inventive and inspired originals. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available for brunch, happy hour + dinner.

The Main Dining Room offers open air dining under our retractable roof with views of the Vibiana bell tower and the upper balconies of the rectory building. The Lounge offers dining tables along the banquette and windows overlooking 2nd St.

Top review

Mayka

Dined on Dec 28, 2024

Redbird is a beautiful location and beautiful restaurant amazing ambience. The food is delicious and abundant and I’m giving five stars to the mimosas.

San Laurel

4.8

4.8 (379)

$50 and over

Spanish

Downtown

About the restaurant

San Laurel is one of the flagship restaurants in Chef José Andrés’ collection at Conrad Los Angeles. Here, he effortlessly combines his signature forward-thinking approach to Spanish cuisine with the gorgeous produce found at Southern California’s year-round farmers’ markets. San Laurel is open daily for breakfast and dinner service.

The restaurant’s interior combines organic, earthy tones and natural wood finishes with richer hues to complement what’s on the plate: the flavors of Spain as seen through a California lens.

Top review

Abby

Dined 6 days ago

Our server was very knowledgeable about the wines and the menu and gave us the time and space to figure out what we wanted without rushing us but was spot on to return to our table to follow up- how many times in most restaurants you ask for more time to decide and the server forgets you? Not so with our server she was very attentive and accommodating and made our experience memorable and special! The food was a great with an interesting take on the classics. Our only quibble was arriving 15 min early and being told we would be seated closer to our reservation time due to large parties leaving but 10 min later we were seated in a largely empty restaurant section, not a deal breaker but why not seated when we arrived?

The Capital Grille - Los Angeles

4.8

4.8 (570)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Downtown

About the restaurant

Make it a day to remember. From birthdays and anniversaries to professional milestones, we aim to make every gathering special at The Capital Grille. Open seven days a week, The Capital Grille is best known for our expertly prepared steaks, which are dry aged in house for 18 to 24 days and then hand-cut by our restaurant's on-premise butcher. The Capital Grille's wine list features more than 350 selections, and its floor-to-ceiling wine kiosk regularly houses 3,500 - 5,000 bottles. Reservations are recommended but not required. For more information, please visit our website. We look forward to delighting you.

Top review

Reagan

Dined 1 day ago

It was great!! The food was delicious and our server was awesome!!

TENSHO

4.9

4.9 (70)

$50 and over

Japanese (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

gavinVIP

Dined on Dec 20, 2024

Great as always. Weekly treats can’t wait to go back

Discover more

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU (JAPAN, 8oz)

Experience

USDA Prime Beef (Rib, 8oz)

Experience

Deluxe A5 WAGYU & Seafood

Le Petit Paris

4.5

4.5 (2915)

$30 and under

French

Downtown

About the restaurant

If you ask the brilliant minds behind Le Petit Paris, Fanny and David Rolland, They will say “We were born in a restaurant, literally”. From Grandpa to father, the restaurant business has been a natural part of their daily life.

They decided 15 years ago to create their first restaurant in Cannes, Le Petit Paris, Parisian brasserie, located in the middle of the international film festival city.

In order to give the opportunity of an unforgettable experience in Cannes to their international clientele, they decided to run a business on the beach with the combination of well being, relaxed and lay down on the beach with a cocktail and enjoying a gastronomic food.

David and Fanny were always striving to be surrounded by great collaborators in order to provide a real “savoir-faire” to their clients. They have been known worldwide now thanks to their hard work and dedication.

Top review

suzanneVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Food was great. Service was great: beautiful space

Discover more

Explore Diners' Choice best of Downtown