Downtown LA: where to eat, sleep, shop and hang out in central Los Angeles, from new dining destination Level 8 and Brown Sheep food truck, to old faves Dover Street Market and the Grammy Museum
Visitors to Los Angeles tend to skip Downtown LA, for obvious reasons. While the neighbourhood is home to some remarkable attractions, it takes a back seat to more popular destinations such as the coastal areas of Santa Monica and Venice Beach, the famously affluent Beverly Hills, and painfully hip West Hollywood.
Unlike those districts, downtown LA is gritty and urban, with high-rise office buildings and warehouses lining its busy streets. It is also one of the few walkable areas in car-centric Los Angeles.
While some parts of the neighbourhood can be quite rundown and could do with some sprucing up, there are still some considerable pockets of cool – everything from independent fashion boutiques and art galleries to happening bars and hard-to-book restaurants.
In recent years, Downtown LA, also known as DTLA, has undergone significant change, with huge residential and commercial developments springing up in previously neglected and crime-ridden areas, notably near the Crypto.com Arena, where NBA games and other large-scale sporting events take place.
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Downtown LA’s hottest dining destinations
The most recent exciting addition to the DTLA’s dining and drinking scene is Level 8, a space featuring eight different dining concepts masterminded by two of Los Angeles’ best known nightlife impresarios: Mark and Jonnie Houston, also known as the Houston Brothers. The twins are behind some of the city’s most celebrated hang-outs, and for their latest venture teamed up with New York-based developer Lightstone.
Dubbed as “a Disney World for grown-ups”, Level 8 has quickly become a destination for both locals and tourists. Its eateries are more than just restaurants; think of them as immersive theatrical spaces where you can enjoy a meal or drink while taking in a burlesque show or a luchador wrestling match.
Joshua Gil’s Maison Kasai is a teppanyaki restaurant combining the traditional Japanese genre of grilling with French influences. Each meal is cooked in front of you as an interactive performance – naturally ideal for your social media feed. Carnivores are also in for a treat at Qué Bárbaro by Ray Garcia, which celebrates South American wood-fire cooking.
This being LA, a food truck has to be part of the mix. Located on the outdoor terrace, The Brown Sheep offers “authentically inauthentic” Mexican tacos and is ideal for a postgame late-night snack. You can then end the night with a cocktail at the cheeky Sinners y Santos: the nightclub is meant to evoke an ancient cathedral, with Gothic and slightly naughty undertones.
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Where to stay in Downtown LA
From big chain hotels like The Ritz-Carlton and the JW Marriott to hipster hang-outs like British import The Hoxton, DTLA offers all kinds of accommodation. The most recent opening is the AC Hotel by Marriott Downtown Los Angeles, which makes for an ideal base if you plan to watch a basketball game at the Crypto.com Arena.
Located on Figueroa Street, opposite both the stadium and the Los Angeles Convention Center complex, the hotel caters to a cool crowd of design-minded business and leisure travellers. Part of the Spanish-founded AC Hotels chain, the Los Angeles property features elegant interiors in a natural colour palette, designed by Canada-based firm Yabu Pushelberg and inspired by the minimal yet cosy vibe of an artist’s loft. With its floor-to-ceiling windows, the hotel offers incredible views of the entire city – all the way to the iconic Hollywood sign on a clear day – from both the rooms and the buzzy La Lo La Rooftop bar.
Also in the same building is the more affordable Moxy Downtown Los Angeles, which caters to younger and less demanding travellers but still features top-notch design and a fun atmosphere.
The top attractions in DTLA
If you’re a music fan, the Grammy Museum, located a short walk from Crypto.com Arena, is well worth a visit – but check what’s on before you head out, as the themed exhibitions can be a bit hit or miss.
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Downtown LA: a shopper’s paradise?
Home to affordable chains such as Uniqlo and big department stores like Macy’s, Downtown LA proper is not an exciting shopping destination, but the nearby Row DTLA features plenty of cooler options, from a lovely open-air produce market to stores like Bodega, a streetwear and sneaker shop.
A visit to DTLA wouldn’t be complete without checking out the nearby Arts District, only a short drive away. Besides its many art galleries, the area is home to the west coast branch of Dover Street Market, the fashion emporium with a cult following first established in London by Comme des Garçons visionary founder Rei Kawakubo and her partner Adrian Joffe.
- Venice Beach, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills may top your bucket list, but downtown Los Angeles is emerging as a foodie haven thanks to new openings like Joshua Gil’s Maison Kasai and Qué Bárbaro by Ray Garcia
- Row DTLA is a must for any self-respecting fashionista, The Broad boasts one of the West Coast’s best art collections, and the Grammy Museum is an essential stop for music heads