restaurant reviews of downtown LA
Restaurant Reviews West Coast, USA

Discovering the Best Restaurants in Downtown LA: A Food Lover’s Dream

Welcome to my Downtown LA food adventure! 

I’m so excited to share with you all the delicious spots I found on my trip to Los Angeles. This blog post is the first installment of my food travel series. 

We’re starting right here in LA, but we’ll be exploring other cities across the United States soon, and hopefully, we’ll even venture out to international destinations. 

I found a few must-try restaurants if you’re in Downtown LA restaurants, so let’s dive right in!

Morning Delight: Breakfast Spots

Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market is one of the coolest downtown LA food halls. 

Located at 317 S Broadway, just a short walk from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and The Broad Museum, it’s been a food lover’s paradise since 1917. 

This bustling marketplace is filled with different restaurants and vendors selling everything from fresh produce to international street food.

It’s the perfect spot to start your day with a hearty breakfast. And speaking of breakfast, you have to try Eggslut!

Kickstart Your Day at Eggslut: A Breakfast Staple

sausage, egg, and cheese sandwich from Eggslut in Downtown LA with an orange juice

Eggslut – known for its gourmet egg sandwiches, this spot takes a simple breakfast item and makes it extraordinary. 

I got their Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Sandwich which is an absolute must-try. It came on a nice warm brioche bun, a perfectly cooked egg, and melted cheddar cheese.

But what really made it stand out was the sauce. The honey mustard aioli was fantastic and set this breakfast sandwich apart from the rest!

Pine & Crane

thousand layer pancake
Rice burrito filled with taiwanese ingredients

Another fantastic breakfast spot among downtown LA restaurants is Pine & Crane

This Taiwanese eatery offers fresh, flavorful dishes that are perfect for brunch. They have a breakfast menu and a lunch and dinner that I will have to go back and try. 

I ordered the Fan Tuan, a traditional rice roll packed with savory pork floss and pickled veggies.

This was extremely out of my comfort zone because I wasn’t quite sure what I was eating, but I have to say that I’m happy I took the risk.

Now, the must-have item you need to order is the Thousand Layer Pancake—crispy, flaky, and delicious. Pair it with their homemade chili oil and it’s a match made in heaven!

Mid-Day Snack: Olvera Street

rolling cart with olvera street swritten across front on mexican market street in downtown LA

What is Olvera Street

Olvera Street is a historic district filled with Mexican culture, vibrant stalls, shops, and, of course, amazing food. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant and is a great way to appreciate Latin American culture.

Cielito Lindo 

Cielito Lindo is one of the gems on Olvera Street, famous for its taquitos. 

These crispy rolled tacos are stuffed with shredded beef and topped with a tangy avocado sauce. 

While these taquitos usually get rave reviews, I wasn’t overly impressed.

They were still good taquitos but not worth waiting in a 30-minute line in my opinion. I recommend giving it a try for yourself.

taquitos from Cielito Lindo in avocado saucer

Mr. Churro

If you’re looking for a quick snap stop by Mr. Churro. This stand specializes in churros, the sweet fried-dough pastries we all love. 

Unfortunately, I didn’t try a churro because I was stuffed, but I did get a chance to grab a refreshing strawberry banana smoothie to help me cool down.

Dinner Delights

Bar Ama

Bar Ama in downtown LA. puffed tortilla shrimp taco

For dinner, Bar Ama is a fantastic choice among downtown LA restaurants. This trendy spot gives a modern twist to Tex-Mex cuisine. 

I got the opportunity to visit during Cinco de Mayo when they were serving special dishes and festive cocktails that make for a memorable celebration.

I’m not sure what this dish was called, but it was essentially a puffed tortilla filled with fried shrimp, pickled onion, red cabbage slaw, and a flavorful spicy sauce. 

Habachihana Grill

LA hibachi restaurant with ny steak hibachi

Habachihana Grill is another must-visit when it comes to downtown LA restaurants. Located on 1045 S Hill St, this was my first stop on my Downtown Los Angeles food journey. Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint. This fusion restaurant blends Japanese hibachi with traditional Chinese flavors. 

I ordered their New York Steak Entrée with fried rice, and it was pretty good—perfectly grilled steak with a side of stir-fried veggies and rice. It’s a delightful mix of smoky, grilled flavors and fresh, crisp vegetables.

They also offer different sauce options for you to choose from to go with your meal.

That’s a Wrap

Exploring downtown LA restaurants has been such a treat, and I can’t wait for you to try these spots yourself. 

If you give any of these restaurants a try, let me know. I’m interested to see if you have the same experience.

Share your favorite finds and food adventures with me—let’s keep exploring together!