Diners' Choice: Best Ambience restaurants in Downtown

OpenTable

Updated February 05, 2025

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!

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 Feb 15, 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

Damian

4.8

4.8 (16)

$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

DevoraVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Professional and warm service. Staff clearly has pride in what they are doing and serving. And the food is consistently amazing.

71Above

4.7

4.7 (5986)

$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

Troy

Dined 1 day ago

Food and ambiance were 10/10! High recommendation for anyone celebrating a special occasion.

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4.7

4.7 (238)

$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

Cate

Dined on Feb 15, 2025

came here for brunch on a saturday with a reservation. the hostess and server were very nice and skilled. the steak and eggs were really good. biscuits and aguachile were good as well. i LOVE oysters, but i felt like maybe the carrot mignonette overpowered the oyster flavor a bit but that could just be personal preference. great ambiance. good people. good food. and i loved the garden and the chickens. this is a lovely place in a lovely area of LA. i would definitely come back!

Deme

4.5

4.5 (28)

$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

Curt

Dined on Feb 18, 2025

Food and staff were outstanding. Ambiance was sexy and welcoming. Tucked away and located in Hotel Figueroa (also outstanding). Would absolutely recommend and return to.

PROPAGANDA

4.8

4.8 (75)

$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

Terry

Dined 4 days ago

I came for the lovely wine selections. The waiter made excellent suggestions for food. It was a nice evening.

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

LocVIP

Dined on Feb 17, 2025

the only michelin starred Taiwanese restaurant in the nation. you have to try it if you like asian food and especially Taiwanese. it is nothing like any Taiwanese you have tried. also its more seafood forward than beef which we liked as its lower cholesterol. presentation is beautiful and some of the dishes are mind blowing. the crab pooridge is way way better than you think. i can't even remember it all and non alcholoic pairing was great. we had it with some wine vs full on alcoholic pairing. its on par or better than Single Thread non-alcoholic pairing especially if you like asian flavors.

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Experience

Bar Cocktails & Snacks

Experience

Bar Tasting Menu

Experience

Dining Room Tasting Menu

San Laurel

4.7

4.7 (409)

$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

JackieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Third time at San Laurel, and the same excellence: food, service, atmosphere. We dined on appetizers, all creative and delicious: acorn squash, asparagus with romesco, pan con tomate, “mac ‘n cheese”. Two lovely Spanish whites. Johnny is a superb waiter, with his equally fine assistant, Miguel. Many thanks!

Cara Cara

4.7

4.7 (1518)

$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

Haley

Dined 5 days ago

Amazing girls night experience! Great food. Will be back.

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Popular dish

Cara Cara Cobb

Popular dish

Piri Piri Fried Chicken

Popular dish

Roasted Cauliflower Tacos

La Boucherie

4.6

4.6 (1356)

$50 and over

American

Downtown

About the restaurant

The ultimate panoramic dining experience in Los Angeles. La Boucherie is an elegant American steak and seafood restaurant boasting an intimate bar featuring sophisticated mixologists crafting bespoke cocktails. Discreet private dining rooms, a Chef’s Table, and Starlight Booths are all available with floor-to-ceiling panoramic views of the L.A. skyline to accommodate discerning guests.
La Boucherie’s menu features reimagined classics, all created with the finest and freshest ingredients available, many of which are sourced locally. The dining experience is enhanced by a cheese cave, charcuterie atelier, and an extensive, carefully curated Wine Spectator Award-winning wine list featuring over 1,200 hand-selected international and American wines.
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.

Top review

Vito

Dined 3 days ago

Everything about last night’s dinner was absolutely amazing. From the view to the service it was outstanding. Food was spectacular and the atmosphere was great too. Highly recommend

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Popular dish

RIBEYE

Popular dish

CHAR-GRILLED FILET MIGNON (8oz)

Popular dish

8oz FILET MIGNON

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