Best Outdoor Dining Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Vespaio
8.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Group Dining Gatherings
Business Lunch Power Players
Outdoor Dining Oasis
A polished Grand Avenue staple serving Northern Italian–leaning pastas and mains in a big, comfortable dining room close to The Broad and Disney Hall. Handmade pasta is the draw, and the menu balances familiar family pleasers with seasonal specials, making it easy for mixed-age groups to find a favorite.
Must-Try Dishes:
Wild boar pappardelle, Scallop salad with arugula, Branzino with lemon-caper sauce
What makes it special: High-volume, long-running Grand Ave Italian with reliably excellent handmade pasta.
#2
Redbird
8.4
Vibes:
Date Night Magic
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Business Lunch Power Players
A former rectory turned airy dining room where Californian-leaning American plates meet a serious cocktail program. The kitchen is at its best with market-driven vegetables and wood-grilled mains.
Must-Try Dishes:
Grilled Hamachi Collar, Housemade Pastas, Seasonal Vegetable Plates
What makes it special: New American in a dramatic historic church setting.
#3
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.
#4
Firstborn
8.2
Chef Anthony Wang’s 2025 Chinatown opening riffs on Chinese-American flavors through a French-bistro lens, served in a lively courtyard patio. It’s the neighborhood’s new special-occasion pick when you want something more inventive than traditional spots.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chongqing Fried Chicken, Fermented Tofu “Caesar”, Short Rib for Two
What makes it special: A fresh 2025 courtyard restaurant rethinking Chinese-American fine dining.
#5
Lasita
8.1
Vibes:
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Group Dining Gatherings
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Filipino rotisserie and natural wine in Far East Plaza with a house-party buzz. The chicken is smoky and juicy, and the sides swing bright and funky.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Inasal, Pork Belly Sisig, Calamansi Cream Pie
What makes it special: Rotisserie Filipino cooking paired with a deep natural-wine list.
Worthy Picks
7.8
Old-guard Chinatown comfort with a straightforward menu and a classic sidewalk dining setup. Come for nostalgic Cantonese-American standards and a mellow outdoor meal that feels like a step back in time.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Flavor Chicken, Three-Flavor Sizzling Rice Soup, Shrimp Egg Foo Young
What makes it special: A longtime Chinatown staple for no-frills outdoor Cantonese comfort.