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Bestia
Master Critic Reviews (20 Lists)
Bestia
9.1
A defining Arts District destination for house-cured charcuterie, blistered pizzas, and deeply flavored pastas from chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. The menu is bold and technique-forward, and the industrial dining room hums late into the night. Reservations are tough for a reason: the kitchen stays reliably excellent at scale.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone marrow gnochetti with spinach and brown butter, Saffron tagliatelle with crab, uni, and chiles, Spicy lamb sausage pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.4
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: A benchmark Arts District Italian kitchen with a top-tier salumi and pasta program.
Who should go: Food-forward diners chasing a big night out
When to visit: Weeknights for slightly easier bookings
What to order: Bone marrow gnochetti, saffron tagliatelle, lamb sausage pizza
Insider tip: Snag bar seats near opening for walk-in chances.
Bestia
9.1
A landmark Arts District warehouse restaurant where Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis pair wood-fired pizzas with housemade pastas and smart charcuterie. The pizzas lean Roman-meets-California— blistered crusts, high-impact toppings—within a loud, high-energy room that still feels purposeful.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy soppressata wood-fired pizza, Housemade cavatelli/gnocchetti, Roasted marrow bone with herbs
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: An LA icon since 2012 blending serious pizza craft with Italian-leaning small plates.
Who should go: Food-focused groups and special-occasion diners.
When to visit: Dinner midweek for easier reservations.
What to order: Soppressata pizza, a pasta, a dessert from Gergis.
Insider tip: Sit at the bar for walk-in odds and full menu access.
Bestia
8.9
A benchmark Arts District Italian spot where wood-fired pizzas and housemade pastas meet a high-energy, candle-flirted warehouse room. The kitchen leans bold and rustic—charcuterie, smoke, and disciplined technique—making it a reliable special-occasion table. Expect a lively soundtrack and a date-night crowd that keeps the vibe buzzy without feeling chaotic.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone marrow with herbs and salsa verde, Spicy rigatoni, Burrata pizza
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A defining LA Italian destination with relentless execution at massive scale.
Who should go: Couples celebrating something big.
When to visit: Weeknights for calmer intimacy; weekends for electric energy.
What to order: Bone marrow, spicy rigatoni, burrata pizza.
Insider tip: Book late (9:30+) for easier reservations and a softer room.
Bestia
8.8
A defining Arts District destination from Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, pairing wood-fired pizzas and nose-to-tail Italian-leaning cooking with a booming, warehouse-chic room. The menu rewards sharing—charcuterie, bright crudos, and pastas that hit with smoky, slow-cooked depth.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with herbs and toast, Crispy spaghetti, Grilled whole branzino
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: High-volume Arts District institution that still cooks with edge.
Who should go: Groups celebrating something and craving shareable Italian-Californian.
When to visit: Weeknights to dodge the loudest weekend crush.
What to order: Bone marrow, a seasonal pasta, one of the wood-fired pizzas.
Insider tip: Late reservations are easier and the kitchen stays strong.
Bestia
8.9
Vibes:
Birthday & Celebration Central
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A high-energy warehouse Italian spot that helped define Arts District dining, with wood-fired pizzas, housemade pastas, and charcuterie. The room is loud, stylish, and built for groups toasting over shareable plates. One of DTLA’s most reliable special-occasion tables backed by massive long-term acclaim.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti, Housemade pastas (seasonal selection), Wood-fired pizza (burrata or margherita)
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: An Arts District institution for wood-fired Italian feasts in a scene-y room.
Who should go: Big groups celebrating milestones.
When to visit: Prime-time weekend dinner with a reservation.
What to order: Bone marrow, two pastas, one pizza.
Insider tip: Order dessert even if full—the budino is the quiet closer.
Bestia
8.9
A defining Arts District warehouse restaurant where bold, wood-fired Italian cooking meets an electric industrial patio vibe. Pastas and charcuterie land with precision, and the outdoor terrace is the best option for a slightly calmer-but-still-buzzy night. It’s a loud, high-energy place that rewards planning and appetite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone marrow with herb salad and toast, Squid ink chitarra with lobster, Wood-fired pizza with housemade sausage
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A landmark Arts District kitchen defining modern LA Italian with terrace seating.
Who should go: Food-first diners celebrating or hosting out-of-towners.
When to visit: Weeknights early for terrace seats and easier reservations.
What to order: Bone marrow; squid ink pasta; any seasonal wood-fired pizza.
Insider tip: Ask for the terrace if you want less noise without losing the atmosphere.
Bestia
9.0
A decade-plus Arts District anchor where house-cured charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and pastas land with big, smoky, umami punch. The industrial room crackles nightly, and the covered outdoor terrace turns long waits into a social scene—dogs welcome outside.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti, Squid ink spaghetti, Sage & mortadella pizza
Scores:
Value: 7.4
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: LA’s loud, influential Italian hub with a terrace built for lingering.
Who should go: Food-first groups, date nights, serious pasta fans.
When to visit: Early weekday dinner for less chaos, patio if bringing a dog.
What to order: Bone marrow, a seasonal pasta, one pizza to share.
Insider tip: Ask for the heated outdoor terrace—quieter and pup-friendly.
Bestia
8.7
A warehouse-turned-industrial Italian mainstay that helped define the modern Arts District dining scene. The menu leans into bold pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and offal-friendly plates with a steady hand and a lively dining room. High demand and massive review volume back up the reputation.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti, Squid ink spaghetti, Margherita pizza with house-made mozzarella
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.2
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: Modern Italian in a buzzy converted warehouse, executed at destination level.
Who should go: Food-focused couples and groups who love shareable plates.
When to visit: Weeknights early to dodge the peak rush.
What to order: Bone marrow gnocchetti, squid ink pasta, pizza.
Insider tip: Snag bar seats if you can’t book a table—full menu still rocks.
Bestia
8.8
Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’s Arts District institution pairs wood-fired Italian cooking with a loud, kinetic dining room and a serious bar program. The kitchen excels at charcuterie, pastas, and open-fire mains that keep the menu feeling both rustic and dialed-in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with herbs and sea salt, Squid ink spaghetti, Chestnut & mushroom agnolotti
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.1
Atmosphere: 8.8
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A decade-plus Arts District anchor where fire, pasta, and curing drive the menu.
Who should go: Groups and couples chasing a high-energy Italian night.
When to visit: Early week or first seating to dodge peak noise.
What to order: Bone marrow, a house pasta, wood-fired whole fish.
Insider tip: Order pastas first—they’re the kitchen’s deepest bench.
Bestia
8.8
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Birthday & Celebration Central
This Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis powerhouse keeps the Arts District buzzing with wood-fired Italian cooking, house-cured meats, and pastas that land big flavors without fuss. The room is loud and kinetic, built for groups and celebratory nights, and the kitchen’s long-running popularity is backed by massive multi-platform demand. Come hungry and ready to share.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti, Crispy spaghetti rustichella, Charcuterie board
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A decade-plus Arts District anchor with relentless demand.
Who should go: Groups chasing a high-energy Italian feast.
When to visit: Weekdays at opening to beat the rush.
What to order: Bone marrow, crispy spaghetti, seasonal pizza.
Insider tip: Order 1 pasta per 2 people—then add a pizza.
Bestia
8.9
Industrial-chic Italian-Californian powerhouse that still feels alive a decade in, with a wood-fired core menu and a serious salumi program. Pastas land in that sweet spot between rustic and precise, and the open kitchen energy makes big nights feel like a scene. The covered terrace and buyout options make it one of 90021’s most reliable private-event anchors.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow, Squid ink spaghetti, Housemade charcuterie & salumi board
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Destination-level Italian with a benchmark salumi and pasta program.
Who should go: Food-focused groups celebrating something big.
When to visit: Weeknights for slightly easier tables.
What to order: Bone marrow, squid ink pasta, any seasonal crudo.
Insider tip: Ask about terrace seating for semi-private feel.
Bestia
8.9
Vibes:
Business Lunch Power Players
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Group Dining Gatherings
A warehouse-sized Italian hotspot that helped define the Arts District dining boom, Bestia balances wood-fired pizzas with sharp, seasonal pastas and a big charcuterie program. The open kitchen and constant buzz make it ideal for high-energy client lunches when you want to impress without going formal. The food delivers with the kind of consistency that only a decade-plus institution can maintain.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone marrow & spinach gnocchetti, Squid ink chitarra with clams, Housemade charcuterie board
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A landmark Arts District kitchen marrying Italian craft with LA-seasonal swagger.
Who should go: Clients, creatives, and teams celebrating a win.
When to visit: Weekday lunch for easiest seats and calmer pacing.
What to order: Gnocchetti, squid ink pasta, wood-fired pizza.
Insider tip: Ask for bar seating to speed things up and watch the line cook ballet.
Bestia
8.9
A warehouse-style Italian powerhouse from Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, Bestia balances wood-fired intensity with precise pastas and offal-forward plates. The room stays loud and kinetic until its 11pm close, and the cooking remains the main draw: rustic, smoky, and highly dialed-in across the menu.
Must-Try Dishes:
Crispy Spaghetti Rustichella, Roasted Bone Marrow, Grilled Whole Branzino
Scores:
Value: 7.8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A decade-defining Arts District restaurant marrying wood-fire Italian with LA swagger.
Who should go: Food-obsessed groups and couples who plan dinner as an event.
When to visit: Late dinner slot for full menu and peak energy.
What to order: Bone marrow, crispy spaghetti, any seasonal pasta.
Insider tip: Sit near the bar for easier walk-ins and special bites.
Bestia
8.9
Downtown powerhouse known for wood-fired pizzas (burrata, spicy salumi) alongside housemade pastas. Open nightly until 11 pm, it’s a lively late dinner choice with serious kitchen execution.
Must-Try Dishes:
Burrata Pizza, Spicy Salumi Pizza, Margherita
Scores:
Value: 6.9
Service: 8.7
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9.2
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: High-volume, award-recognized Italian spot with standout wood-fired pizza.
Who should go: Date nights, food-focused groups, visiting out-of-towners
When to visit: Late reservations after 9 for shorter waits
What to order: Burrata pizza, spicy salumi pizza, seasonal salad
Insider tip: If reservations are booked, try for bar or counter seating late.
Bestia
9.1
A loud, warehouse-style Italian destination that helped define the Arts District dining scene, built around wood-fired pizzas, house-cured charcuterie, and relentlessly dialed-in pastas. The bar runs deep with amari, cocktails, and Italian-leaning wine, making happy hour at the counter especially rewarding.
Must-Try Dishes:
Roasted bone marrow with housemade bread, Chestnut & mushroom agnolotti, Burrata pizza with seasonal toppings
Scores:
Value: 7.1
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Arts District Italian benchmark with best-in-class pastas and a top-tier bar.
Who should go: Food-focused groups and date nights who love energetic rooms.
When to visit: Early evening happy hour at the bar on weekdays.
What to order: Bone marrow, a seasonal pasta, and one wood-fired pizza.
Insider tip: Snag counter seats for quicker service and the best happy-hour feel.
Bestia
9.0
A loud, industrial-chic Arts District anchor turning out fiercely flavored Italian cooking with a modern LA edge. Even with a bread-and-pasta-forward menu, the kitchen is notably accommodating for gluten-free diners, especially across crudos, veg sides, meats, and off-menu swaps. The energy is high, the bar is serious, and the execution stays sharp night after night.
Must-Try Dishes:
Peruvian scallop crudo, Slow-roasted lamb neck, Housemade charcuterie board
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A defining Arts District restaurant with consistently elite cooking at scale.
Who should go: Food-driven diners celebrating something
When to visit: Weeknights for best pacing
What to order: Crudo, a main meat, and a vegetable side
Insider tip: Tell the server you’re GF early—staff can guide safest picks.
Bestia
8.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Trendy Table Hotspots
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A defining Arts District trattoria where house-cured salumi, wood-fired pizzas, and hand-cut pastas land with confident, rustic precision. The big warehouse room is energetic and loud, but families who come early will find staff accommodating and plenty of shareable plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cacio e Pepe with black truffle, Spicy lamb sausage pizza, Chicken liver pate crostini
Scores:
Value: 7.7
Service: 8.3
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.2
Cultural Relevance: 9
What makes it special: Seasonal Italian cooking with LA edge and flawless char from the ovens.
Who should go: Families with adventurous eaters and older kids.
When to visit: Early dinner for quieter vibes and easier seating.
What to order: Salumi board, a pizza, and one standout pasta.
Insider tip: Walk-ins at opening often get seated faster than you think.
Bestia
8.8
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Instagram Worthy Wonders
A warehouse-sized Arts District flagship where house-cured salumi and wood-fired pizzas share the stage with expertly made pastas. The energy is lively and a bit loud, but families who come early will find a welcoming staff and a menu that rewards sharing. Seasonal California produce keeps the multi-regional Italian cooking feeling fresh after more than a decade of hype.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cavatelli alla Norcina, House-cured salumi board, Spicy soppressata pizza
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.6
Consistency: 8.9
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.6
What makes it special: Housemade charcuterie and pastas in a buzzing industrial space.
Who should go: Families who like to share plates.
When to visit: Early dinner for easier seating with kids.
What to order: Salumi board, cavatelli, any wood-fired pizza.
Insider tip: Ask about off-menu seasonal pastas; they rotate often.
Bestia
9.0
A warehouse-set Arts District landmark where house-cured salumi, wood-fired pizzas, and multi-regional pastas drive a high-energy, special-occasion dinner. The open kitchen and industrial-chic room make it ideal for couples who want a lively night with serious cooking.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cavatelli alla Norcina, Roasted bone marrow with spinach gnocchetti, Margherita pizza
Scores:
Value: 7
Service: 8.8
Consistency: 9.2
Food Quality: 9.3
Atmosphere: 8.4
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: Handmade pastas and in-house charcuterie in a buzzy open-kitchen loft.
Who should go: Couples who like lively, chef-driven Italian.
When to visit: Weeknights at 7–8pm for peak energy.
What to order: Cavatelli alla Norcina, bone marrow, any seasonal pizza.
Insider tip: Grab bar seats early for a faster, more spontaneous date.
Bestia
8.7
A warehouse-chic Arts District staple where the wood-fired hearth turns out deeply savory meats alongside standout pastas. The dry-aged ribeye and bone marrow remain the center of gravity, while the loud, kinetic room keeps the night feeling like an occasion.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bone-in Dry-Aged Prime Ribeye, Roasted Marrow Bone with Spinach Gnocchetti, Wagyu Tartare
Scores:
Value: 7.6
Service: 8.4
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 9
Atmosphere: 8.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.7
What makes it special: A pioneering Arts District hearth kitchen with a destination-level meat program.
Who should go: Couples who want a high-energy, special-occasion steak night
When to visit: Weeknights or late slots for easier reservations
What to order: Dry-aged ribeye, marrow bone, one housemade pasta
Insider tip: Sit near the open kitchen to catch the grill action and faster pacing.