Best Family Friendly Restaurants in LA Arts District (90021)
9 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Essential Picks
#1
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
What makes it special: A benchmark Arts District Italian kitchen with a top-tier salumi and pasta program.
Notable Picks
#2
Damian
8.8
A Michelin-recognized Arts District dining room from chef Enrique Olvera that leans modern without losing the thread of Mexican tradition. The kitchen excels at precise seafood and live-fire proteins, with polished service and an urban, greenhouse-like space that feels special for nights out. Reservations can be tough, but the payoff is a tightly executed, destination-level meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Duck carnitas tacos, Rockfish ceviche, Banana leaf flan
What makes it special: Olvera’s refined, California-seasonal take on contemporary Mexican cooking.
8.6
A London-born Iranian kebab house that landed in the Arts District with a candlelit, garden-like dining room and a coal-fired focus. Expect refined mazeh spreads, expertly grilled skewers, and rice-bread pairings that feel both traditional and scene-ready. It’s the neighborhood’s most polished Persian experience right now, best enjoyed family-style.
Must-Try Dishes:
Koobideh Kebab Platter, Kashk-e Bademjan (smoky eggplant dip), Sangak with herb butter & torshi
What makes it special: Coal-grilled Iranian kebabs and luxe mazeh in a Persian-garden setting.
A reliable raw bar inside ROW DTLA serving well-sourced oysters and coastal comfort staples. The shellfish is the clear star, but warm plates like lobster rolls and fish sandwiches round it into a full meal. Industrial food-hall vibes mean energy over intimacy, especially at peak hours.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oysters on the half shell, Maine lobster roll, Hot fish sandwich
What makes it special: A top-tier oyster program with a refined-but-casual DTLA setting.
A sprawling moto-clubhouse-turned-restaurant where the food holds its own against the spectacle. Expect solid modern American comfort—breakfast through dinner—served in a high-energy warehouse setting that stays lively well into the evening.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bike Shed Burger, Steak & Eggs, Breakfast Burrito
What makes it special: A full-scale restaurant embedded inside a genuine moto social club.
8.4
Chris Bianco’s LA outpost brings wood-fired, delicately charred pizzas to a bright ROW DTLA space. The crusts are light yet structured, toppings are restrained and high quality, and the simple salad-and-pasta sides keep things satisfying. It’s a polished, dependable pizza experience that feels both casual and special.
Must-Try Dishes:
Rosa pizza (parmesan, rosemary, red onion, pistachio), Sonny Boy pizza, Panna cotta
What makes it special: A nationally revered pizzaiolo’s wood-fired pies in ROW DTLA.
A lively, punk-leaning slice shop that turns out thin, crisp New York–style pies with fast counter service. It’s a reliable stop for classic pepperoni or creative specials, especially when the neighborhood is buzzing. High volume and years of local love make this a staple for quick Italian comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni slice, The Bronx Bomber (meat-heavy pie), White pie with ricotta and garlic
What makes it special: Fast, legit NY-style slices in the heart of the Arts District.
#8
Yangban
8.0
Korean-American cooking with a market-meets-bistro feel, built around bright banchan, hand rolls, and shareable mains. The room is casual and flexible, making it a strong pick for families who like variety on the table.
Must-Try Dishes:
Spicy pork hand roll, Kimchi-brined fried chicken, Seasonal banchan set
What makes it special: Banchan-forward Korean-American menu that’s built for sharing.
#9
Café 2001
8.0
A stylish all-day Arts District café from chef Giles Clark that treats breakfast like a real menu, not an afterthought. Expect careful technique—think katsu sandwiches and smoked fish plates—matched with excellent coffee in a calm, minimalist room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Smoked trout with hash browns & huckleberries, Pork katsu breakfast sandwich, Egg & relish salad sandwich
What makes it special: Chef-driven breakfast with Japanese-Western finesse.