Best Restaurants for Spicy Food in Historic South-Central

Price

$$
$$$
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Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Beach CitiesDowntownEast LAHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando Valley

Neighbourhoods

Arts DistrictAtwater VillageBeverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsCentral Los AngelesCentury City

Top Rated

CharmingFancyGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunch

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Award-winning

MICHELIN

Accessibility

Gender-neutral washroomWheelchair access

240 restaurants available nearby

1. Perch LA

4.6

Exceptional(11926)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• French / American • Downtown

Booked 161 times today

Check-in is at the 15th Floor Host Stand*Outdoor seating is not guaranteed. *Large Party Tables 7 to 12 Guests are Inside Only Tables*All walk-ins after 10:45pm must be 21+ with valid ID.*Table reservations are limited to 90 minutes for parties of 2*Our dress code is Upscale Casual preferred.Proper attire is required. Presentable shirts, jeans or shorts are acceptable.The restaurant charges a 20% auto-gratuity on all food and beverage items for parties and groups of 7 or larger. The full amount of the gratuity is distributed to employees in the chain of service to the guests.

2. Cento Pasta Bar

4.7

Exceptional(943)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Mediterranean • Mid-City

Booked 63 times today

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

A photo of Katsuya - L.A. Live restaurant

3. Katsuya - L.A. Live

4.5

Awesome(2820)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 78 times today

Katsuya is the Los Angeles Times Readers’ Choice "Best Sushi Restaurant" in Southern California and one of OpenTable's "50 Hottest Restaurants in the U.S." Featuring the dynamic pairing of Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi and design impresario Philippe Starck, Katsuya by Starck is truly a feast for the senses. With specialty cocktails, unique rolls and spectacular sushi and sashimi platters, Chef Uechi skillfully translates Japanese flavors to the American palate. Signature dishes include Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna, Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño and Miso-Marinated Black Cod. With superb talent and exacting precision, Katsuya by Starck is changing the face of Japanese cuisine.

4. Bavel

4.8

Exceptional(5058)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Middle Eastern • Downtown

Booked 157 times today

A Middle Eastern restaurant in the Arts District of downtown Los Angeles.

5. Antico Nuovo

4.8

Exceptional(931)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Hollywood

Booked 64 times today

Antico Nuovo is a restaurant nestled in "East Larchmont Village" that draws inspiration from the Italian countryside. The menu features Chef Chad Colby's ode to Italian ancient tradition and technique with hand-made pasta, wood-fired meats, vegetables, and fish. Curated and tailored to the menu, the wine program offers a deep dive into varietals from Italy and beyond.

6. Mrs. Fish

4.6

Exceptional(1714)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Japanese • Downtown

Booked 42 times today

A truly unique dining and cocktail experience nestled below the main level of the historic Pershing Square Building, in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles. Mrs. Fish is a subterranean Japanese restaurant lounge providing the perfect gathering place for after-work libations, pre-theater bites or full dining experiences. *Walk-ins after 10:45pm must be 21+ with ID*Valet Parking is offered Tuesday – Saturday for $13.00 Cash, $14 Credit Card. *Our Dress Code is Upscale Casual preferred. Presentable shirts, jeans, or shorts are acceptable.*We advise guests to arrive at the time of reservation to Check-in for table. We have a 15 minute grace period if guests are running late. The restaurant charges a 20% auto-gratuity on all food and beverage items for parties and groups of 6 or larger. The full amount of the gratuity is distributed to employees in the chain of service to the guests.

7. Openaire

4.4

Awesome(2356)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Koreatown

Booked 32 times today

Native Angeleno, surfer and two-Michelin star chef Josiah Citrin brings a culinary vision built around California’s bounty from land and sea to Openaire. The menu and ingredients reflect the seasons and the interplay of cultural influences that define LA, serving in a lush greenhouse and tented garden oasis on the 2nd floor terrace at the LINE hotel, in the heart of K-Town.For inquiries of 10+ guests, please email us at: Openaire@TheLineHotel.com.

A photo of Mastro's Ocean Club - Downtown Los Angeles restaurant

8. Mastro's Ocean Club - Downtown Los Angeles

4.4

Awesome(793)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Steakhouse • Downtown

Booked 88 times today

Mastro’s collection of sophisticated, classic Steakhouses and Ocean Club seafood locations are recognized for their combination of world-class service, highly acclaimed cuisine, and live entertainment in an elegant yet energetic atmosphere. A truly unparalleled dining experience.

A photo of Fixins Soul Kitchen restaurant

9. Fixins Soul Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(4489)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Soul food • Downtown

Booked 104 times today

*We encourage all guests to plan ahead for parking to ensure your reservation time is met.*We have a 15-minute grace period. If you will be arriving later than the grace period, please message us on OpenTable or your reservation will be cancelled. *All dining experiences are limited to 90 minutes to accommodate all reservations.*We accept reservations for up to 8 guests. *All parties of 9+ can visit www.fixinssoulkitchencatering.com to fill out an inquiry form for large parties. We will be in touch between 24 to 48 hours with further details.*Each reservation is treated separately. We cannot guarantee nearby seating for separate reservations.*We ask that your full party be present in order to be seated.*An automatic 20% service charge is included for all parties of 6+ w/ the option to split checks up to 3 times, max.

10. Cara Cara

4.7

Exceptional(1528)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 39 times today

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.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

JR
JeannieR
Los Angeles •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Food and service were both excellent! Can’t wait to go back! Quesadillas were next level delicious.
More info
EncantoPrice: Expensive• Mexican• Los Feliz
•
4.7
C
Cory
Los Angeles •7 reviews
5.0
Dined 2 days ago
Great service, great food, great drinks, great music, and a great staff. I always have a great time here⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
More info
Proabition DTLAPrice: Moderate• American• Little Tokyo
•
3.8
V
Vanessa
New York City •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Mar 4, 2025
My favorite Korean bbq in all of US! A must whenever I’m in town from NYC.
More info
Daedo SikdangPrice: Very Expensive• Steak• Koreatown
•
4.7
R
Rudes
New York City •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 26, 2024
Wendy was absolutely amazing! Will come back just for her
More info
TsuriPrice: Moderate• Sushi• West Hollywood
•
5
B
Betty
Phoenix / Arizona •1 review
5.0
Dined on Dec 19, 2024
The reservations were down but they welcomed us in. It wasn’t busy plenty of space. Our waitress was awesome and the other servers as well. As they came by to serve very helpful with our questions. We will be back. I was really hoping that Danny Trejo would have been there. But it’s okay we’ll be back awesome food awesome service thanks again.
More info
Trejo's CantinaPrice: Moderate• Contemporary Mexican• Hollywood
•
4.3

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