Best Hidden Gems Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Howlin' Ray's
LA’s benchmark for Nashville hot chicken with real spice nuance.
Notable Picks
8.8
Nashville hot chicken that’s still the neighborhood’s loudest lunch line for a reason—crackly crust, juicy meat, and heat levels that actually taste like something. The tiny counter setup moves fast and the staff keeps the energy high even at peak chaos.
Must-Try Dishes:
Hot Chicken Sando (Medium or Hot), Chicken & Waffles, Banana Pudding
What makes it special: LA’s benchmark for Nashville hot chicken with real spice nuance.
#2
Yang Chow
8.4
A Chinatown institution known for big, bright flavors and tables that turn fast but stay friendly. The patio and open storefront make it ideal for a lively al-fresco meal centered on their signature shrimp and classic wok dishes.
Must-Try Dishes:
Slippery Shrimp, Yang Chow Fried Rice, Sizzling Rice Soup
What makes it special: Legendary Slippery Shrimp backed by massive, long-running local love.
8.2
Handmade Sanuki-style udon with chewy, dense noodles that justify the wait. The menu leans comforting—creamy uni, mentai butter, and seasonal hot pot—served in a cozy, clattery room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni Cream Udon, Mentai Squid Butter Udon, Seafood Tomato Cream Udon
What makes it special: From-scratch udon texture you can’t fake.
A New Orleans deli-market hybrid that turns out po’ boys and gumbo with real depth, tucked just off Chinatown’s main drag. It’s equal parts lunch counter and specialty shop, perfect for a quick, satisfying bite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beignets, Shrimp po’boy (brunch-friendly), Crawfish mac and cheese
What makes it special: NOLA breakfast classics with major local follow-through.
#5
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
7.8
Chinatown’s longtime cake shop known for airy sponge and lightly sweet whipped cream. It’s a dessert stop more than a sit-down meal, but the strawberry cake is a local tradition worth planning around.
Must-Try Dishes:
Strawberry Whipped Cream Cake, Bear Claws, Egg Tarts
What makes it special: Nearly nine decades of Chinatown cake-making anchored by the original strawberry cream cake.
#7
Bar Asobu
7.7
A newer Little Tokyo izakaya with a tight menu of charcoal-leaning small plates and a thoughtful sake lineup. The room is lively but compact, making it a solid pre-show or late dinner move.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Karaage, Beef Curry, Yellowtail Carpaccio
What makes it special: Modern izakaya energy with strong drinks and snackable plates.