Best Romantic Restaurants in Downtown LA (90013)
7 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: March 2026
Our Top Pick
Camphor
Michelin-recognized French cooking with a subtle Thai-leaning spice lens.
Essential Picks
#1
Camphor
9.1
A modern French dining room in the Arts District led by Chef Max Boonthanakit, blending classic technique with subtle Southeast Asian accents. The cooking is precise and layered—rich sauces, careful char, and bright aromatics—without losing bistro warmth. Reservations are competitive for a reason: it consistently delivers special-occasion caliber meals in a relaxed, warehouse-chic space.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak au poivre with frites, Rigatoni stuffed with artichoke and Comté, Seasonal crudo with citrus and herbs
What Makes it Special: Michelin-recognized French cooking with a subtle Thai-leaning spice lens.
9.1
Josef Centeno’s tasting-counter destination blends Italian structure with Japanese precision, delivering a paced, quietly inventive menu. The room is intimate and minimalist, letting the multi-course progression do the talking. Its current one-star Michelin status marks it as the ZIP’s true special-occasion Italian-leaning anchor.
Must-Try Dishes:
Uni Pasta / Sea Urchin Course, Seasonal Pasta Flight, Sake-Paired Dessert Course
What Makes it Special: A Michelin-starred Italian-Japanese tasting menu led by Josef Centeno.
#3
715 Sushi
9.0
A Michelin-starred Arts District omakase room where chef Seigo Tamura’s Osaka-trained sensibility shows in knife work and restrained seasoning. The progression is thoughtful, mixing pristine nigiri with a few composed bites that highlight seasonality. It’s intimate and serious without feeling stiff.
Must-Try Dishes:
Nigiri omakase progression, Otoro with house soy, Seasonal uni course
What Makes it Special: Michelin-level omakase with Osaka-rooted precision.
Notable Picks
#4
Manuela
8.7
Inside Hauser & Wirth, Manuela pairs farm-driven Southern-leaning American cooking with an airy, plant-filled gallery setting. Seasonal produce and live-fire touches keep the menu bright and textured, while brunch remains a neighborhood ritual. It’s an Arts District staple that balances craft with comfort.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cream biscuits, Wood-grilled vegetables, Rotating market-driven mains
What Makes it Special: Farm-to-table American cooking in a gallery-garden setting.
#5
Perch LA
8.6
A French-inspired rooftop bistro that pairs skyline drama with approachable brasserie staples. The kitchen leans classic—steak frites, mussels, roast chicken—executed reliably at high volume, while the real draw is the terrace energy and panoramic DTLA views. Come for golden-hour cocktails and stay for a lively, view-forward dinner.
Must-Try Dishes:
Steak frites, Moules frites, Duck confit
What Makes it Special: Rooftop French bistro dining with one of DTLA’s best views.
#6
Bavel
8.0
Wood-fired Middle Eastern cooking from the team behind Bestia, built around shareable plates like slow-roasted lamb neck and house-made flatbreads that reward group ordering. The converted warehouse space runs loud—request patio if conversation matters—but the cooking technique on proteins justifies the Arts District pilgrimage for date nights willing to lean in.
Must-Try Dishes:
Oyster Mushroom, Baba Ghanoush, Grilled Prawns
What Makes it Special: Middle Eastern cuisine from the Bestia team, with wood-fired cooking and house-made flatbreads in a converted Arts District warehouse
Worthy Picks
7.8
A compact Arts District vineria with natural wines and Italian-snack pacing, ideal for grazing rather than a heavy sit-down feast. Pinsa and small plates are cleanly executed, and the staff leans knowledgeable without being precious. Best framed as a wine-first Italian hangout within the ZIP.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pinsa Romana, Speck Truffle Toast, Charcuterie & Formaggi
What Makes it Special: Natural-wine bar pairing Italian small plates with airy Arts District energy.