Best Authentic Restaurants in Historic South-Central

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSteakhouseSeafoodFrenchIndian

Regions

Beach CitiesDowntownEast LAHollywoodPasadenaSan Fernando Valley

Neighborhoods

Arts DistrictBeverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.Beverly HillsCentral Los AngelesCentury CityCulver 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 restroomWheelchair access

195 restaurants available nearby

1. Le Petit Paris

4.3

Awesome(2939)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• French • Downtown

Booked 24 times today

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.

2. Kato

4.8

Exceptional(344)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Contemporary Asian • Downtown

Booked 8 times today

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 │ $185The 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.

A photo of The Factory Kitchen - Los Angeles restaurant

3. The Factory Kitchen - Los Angeles

4.6

Exceptional(3673)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 40 times today

Defining a culinary journey through the Italian Peninsula and hosted in the loading docks of the Factory Place Arts Complex in The Arts District in Los Angeles, The Factory Kitchen is a typical Italian Trattoria with simple and approachable fare.

4. Settecento DTLA

4.5

Awesome(72)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 61 times today

Welcome to Settecento, where every dish is a journey through Italy’s rich culinary heritage. Crafted with authenticity and love, our menu showcases traditional recipes refined through the ages and made with premium ingredients, including GMO-free flour imported from Italy. From scratch-made pastas and wood-fired pizzas to vibrant cocktails, each creation reflects the diversity and abundance of Italy’s regions.Experience the rich flavors of Northern Italy’s truffle pastas, the fresh seafood of the South, and the authentic charm of hand-stretched, flame-kissed pizzas. At the bar, indulge in Italian-inspired cocktails like the Venetian Spritz and Tuscany Negroni.Our Italian-speaking staff embody Italy’s legendary hospitality, offering personalized recommendations to ensure a memorable dining experience. Settecento is more than a restaurant—it’s an invitation to savor the spirit of Italy in every bite, sip, and moment. Benvenuti a Settecento, where tradition and innovation unite!

5. Asterid

4.1

Excellent(332)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 11 times today

Inspired by Chef Garcia’s Angeleno experience, asterid lives to discover and celebrate Los Angeles’ mosaic of diverse cultures and culinary richness through vibrant, ingredient-driven menus in a warm, lively atmosphere. Authentically from and for Los Angeles, asterid features Chef Garcia’s California-inspired menu and bar program that celebrates the spirit of L.A.***Please note that our phone line is currently experiencing issues. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and continued support while we remedy the issue. To contact us, please submit a contact form on our website, found at https://www.asteridla.com/contact/ We look forward to serving you!

6. Manuela

4.8

Exceptional(240)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Californian • Downtown

Booked 34 times today

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.

7. LA Cha Cha Chá

4.4

Awesome(1364)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mexican • Arts District

Booked 15 times today

LA Cha Cha Chá is the sister restaurant to Mexico City's Terraza Cha Cha Chá. A place where we celebrate our barrio culture with delicious Mexican food, cocktails, wine, and a wide selection of mezcal and tequila.HAPPY HOUR SERVICE: Our happy hour is counter-service style. Please order at the bar and seat yourselves. The kitchen closes at 3:30 p.m., but cocktails will flow until 4:00 p.m.CONTACT INFORMATION: We currently do not have an active phone line. For any inquiries or assistance, please feel free to reach out to us through OpenTable or via email at reservations@chachacha.la.CANCELLATION POLICY: You have until 5 hours before your reservation to cancel, otherwise, your group will be charged a fee of $35 per person. All reservations have a 15 minute grace period, after this time, your booking will be moved to the top of our waiting list. - We do not take requests for specific tables- Reservations are weather permitted

A photo of Fixins Soul Kitchen restaurant

8. Fixins Soul Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(4482)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Soul food • Downtown

Booked 143 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.

9. Drago Centro

4.8

Exceptional(3730)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Italian • Downtown

Booked 31 times today

Chef Celestino Drago has created a menu representative of the cultural diversity of Italy. The concept of “Contemporary Italian Cuisine”, emphasizes local dishes, fresh, high quality ingredients and old flavors that have defined Italian cuisine for centuries and which are revisited to create a truly eclectic menu. The extensive menu is a la carte and offers daily specials featuring many unique items. DRAGO Centro offers a diverse and extensive selection of premium wines from Italy and around the world. DRAGO Centro’s unique interior is designed by acclaimed Los Angeles based designer Stanley Felderman, who is internationally renowned for creating modern buildings, interiors and product with a playful twist.

10. Eigikutei

4.6

Exceptional(107)

$$$$Price: Very Expensive

• Japanese • Little Tokyo

Booked 5 times today

Eigikutei is a Japanese cuisine, sushi, and Shabu Shabu Kaiseki restaurant in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. We have a bar and offer high-end Japanese sake. Eigikutei serves Japanese Kaiseki cuisine courses. Each Kaiseki course expresses the traditional Japanese culture and simple but deep tastes that Japan has grown from time immemorial. We hope all of our guests can enjoy our Kaiseki cuisine with Japanese cultural experiences.**If you wish to select multiple courses, simply choose 'Standard' to reserve seats. We will take your orders at your table. Please do not select menu experiences.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
DavidVIP
Chicago / Illinois •1 review
5.0
Dined today
Simply put, one of the best fine dining experiences we’ve had in a long time. The service was flawless and the dishes were sublime; each one seemingly better than the one before. The wine list is exceptional and not to be missed. Some very pricey bottles but also some great values, especially some of the aged selections. A beautiful space with staff that clearly cares about making the evening a fun and memorable experience. We can’t wait to return!
More info
KatoPrice: Very Expensive• Contemporary Asian• Downtown
•
4.8
C
carlos
Los Angeles •5 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Fantastic place Excellent food Good Ambiance Excellent Service
More info
Settecento DTLAPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.5
MM
MMMMMVIP
Los Angeles •11 reviews
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Pleasant gateway in downtown LA. Food was pretty good too.
More info
Le Petit ParisPrice: Moderate• French• Downtown
•
4.3
OT
OpenTable Diner
Los Angeles •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Overall it was a very good experience, we had reservations and were promptly seated. The ambiance of the restaurant was a highlight although the seating was quite cramped with tables right next to each other. The food was top-notch and flavorful, definitely do no skip out on the deserts!
More info
The Factory Kitchen - Los AngelesPrice: Expensive• Italian• Downtown
•
4.6
H
HowardVIP
Los Angeles •6 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 21, 2025
First time. Loved it. Will definitely be returning.
More info
AsteridPrice: Very Expensive• Californian• Downtown
•
4.1

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