Best Romantic Restaurants in Downtown LA (90012)
6 hand-picked restaurants, AI-analyzed and critic-validated
Notable Picks
#1
Baroo
8.9
A fermentation-driven modern Korean tasting menu from chefs Kwang Uh and Mina Park, served in an intimate Arts District room. The meal is layered and precise, with bold umami built from house-made jang and seasonal produce. Expect a slow, chef-led night that feels both experimental and rooted in tradition.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saeng (seasonal opening courses), Kimchi fried rice with house ferments, Bingsu-inspired dessert with grains and fruit
What makes it special: A chef’s-counter tasting menu centered on deep Korean fermentation technique.
#2
San Laurel
8.8
José Andrés’ rooftop dining room at Conrad LA pairs Spanish technique with California seasonality, landing in a polished, view-heavy setting across from Disney Hall. The cooking leans modern Iberian—precise seafood, bright sauces, and shareable plates—while the service keeps the evening smooth and celebratory.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella Valenciana (seasonal proteins), Gambas al Ajillo, Basque-style Cheesecake
What makes it special: A Michelin-recognized José Andrés Spanish-Californian rooftop experience.
8.7
Chef Ki Kim’s ten-seat counter delivers a tightly choreographed New Korean tasting menu that plays with nostalgia and high technique. Dishes balance richness with bright, herbaceous notes, and the pace feels personal without being stiff. It’s one of the most distinctive Korean meals in Downtown right now.
Must-Try Dishes:
Seasonal 12-course tasting menu, Omija berry snow dessert, Fermented seafood jang pairings
What makes it special: A tiny, chef-driven counter pushing modern Korean flavors with finesse.
#4
Majordomo
8.6
Vibes:
Group Dining Gatherings
Trendy Table Hotspots
Girls Night Out Approved
Instagram Worthy Wonders
David Chang’s warehouse-sized Chinatown restaurant blends Korean flavors with playful American and Asian riffs, built for sharing. The cooking leans smoky, savory, and big-format, with a lively open-kitchen energy. Massive review volume and long-running popularity back up its reputation as a Downtown destination.
Must-Try Dishes:
Bo ssäm-style pork shoulder, Bing bread with pickled butter, Spicy kimchi fusilli with pork jowl
What makes it special: Korean-leaning share plates in a high-energy, warehouse setting.
#5
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.
#6
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.