Best French Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
4 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
8.2
A pre-theater French brasserie at The Music Center that leans into classics with California polish. The kitchen is strongest on comfort-forward mains and bistro staples, while the room’s artful Parisian vibe makes it feel like a night out even before the curtain rises.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak Frites, Duck Confit, French Onion Soup Gratinée
What makes it special: A true French brasserie experience tailored for Music Center nights.
#2
Bakers Bench
8.1
An all-vegan Chinatown viennoiserie specialist quietly redefining what plant-based can do with laminated dough. The croissants are the headliners, but rotating Danishes and Asian-leaning pastry flavors make this a real destination for takeout.
Must-Try Dishes:
Vegan Croissant, Yuzu Poppyseed Scone, Seasonal Fruit Danish
What makes it special: Top-tier vegan croissants that eat like the classic version.
#3
Azay
8.0
A Little Tokyo café where French technique meets Japanese breakfast culture in a small, family-run setting. Come for the bento-style morning tray, stay for the quietly excellent French-leaning lunch plates that keep locals returning.
Must-Try Dishes:
Japanese Breakfast Set, Croque Monsieur, Salmon Tartare
What makes it special: Rare French–Japanese cooking focused on breakfast and lunch.
Worthy Picks
7.9
A French-Asian bakery with a deep bench of pastries and celebration cakes baked fresh throughout the day. It’s less a sit-down café and more a reliable counter stop for flaky viennoiserie, sweets, and coffee in the heart of Little Tokyo.
Must-Try Dishes:
Blueberry Cream Cheese Danish, Matcha Croissant, Strawberry Fresh Cream Cake
What makes it special: French pastry technique filtered through Korean bakery culture.