Cool Restaurants in Downtown (Los Angeles)

Maurice's Snack n' Chat

This celebrity hangout, located in the Mid-City area, is a famous hangout of the celebrated LA Lakers. Grab a seat in either the indoor dining room or the outdoor seating area, and prepare for some people-watching. The menu at Maurice's Snack n' Chat features such dishes as fried chicken, candied yams, and corn pudding. And to end on a sweet note, go for the apple pie or the coconut cake—or both!

Tiara Cafe

This downtown cafe offers contemporary global fare in rooms well-flooded with light. The green floor is offset by pink columns, so expect the unusual. Enjoy hummus, chicken and artichoke heart salad and prosciutto in a comfortable and spacious environment. Don't miss out on the champagne hour from 5pm to 7pm, during the weekdays. There is also an adjoining market, where you can purchase some specialty products to carry home. If you are in a hurry pick up some sandwiches and baked items for the road.

Liberty Grill

Liberty Grill in downtown Los Angeles is a great place to indulge in comfort food. Barbecued ribs and steaks are the main draw, though you will find chicken, grilled salmon, crab cakes, and other meat preparations as well. Fruity cocktails like raspberry mojitos should definitely be tried. Apart from patio seating, there's also a private terrace that seats about 20. Metered parking is available.

Bonaventure Brewing Co.

Bonaventure makes after-work hours so much fun, with a friendly crowd and a great menu. Located inside the Westin Bonaventure Hotel, this bar features live music, happy hours, patio seating and an eclectic menu. Savor turkey sandwiches, steaks, pork chops, sautéed vegetables, pastas, and soups. Ales and wines are also available.

J Restaurant & Lounge

The trendiest and hottest dining destination in L.A. is J Restaurant and Lounge. The ground level has a 10,000 square foot open air patio where you can host parties, private dos and events. The lounge, which is clearly a hotspot for clubbers, has a VIP area with a open-air bar and some foot stomping music! It has state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems, chic furniture and even a cigar bar! The restaurant is an elegant but stylish place to dine with plush chairs and divine Mediterranean cuisine. So, come by here to eat or to dance while you rub shoulders with the who's who of the city!

Pete's Cafe and Bar

Pete's cafe-cum-bar is located in the Old Bank District in Downtown Los Angeles. Styled after the popular bistros in New York, it serves American cuisine in a relaxed setting. Worthy of mention are the beef carpaccio, spinach and sweet apple salad, flat iron steak with bleu cheese fries, and crispy shoestring fries. Have your meal either inside the main dining room, at the bar counter, or outdoors. Enjoy the live music and ask the wait staff for recommendations from the wine list. There is ample parking nearby, so drive here for an enjoyable late night meal.

Angelique Cafe

This little French gem, in the fashion district, will transport you from Downtown Los Angeles to the French countryside, where everything seems a little more manageable. The small restaurant has a menu full of French favorites for reasonable prices. The sandwiches are exceptional, and the espressos are delightful. Try some of their specialties, like foie gras or duck confit served with French fries. So take a refreshing break from the lunch counter and indulge at Angelique Cafe!

Tesoro Trattoria

Situated across the Museum of Contemporary Art(MOCA), this is one restaurant you won't have a problem locating. Tesoro, when translated to Italian, means 'the loved one' and that's exactly the goal of this restaurant—to make you feel at home. The menu, which focuses on seasonal specials, offers dishes such as Fried Artichoke Hearts and Scampi. Of course, a variety of pizzas are available too with a mind-boggling number of toppings. For those planning a private function here, there are four banquet menus to choose from.

Morton's, The Steakhouse

Morton's, The Steakhouse is an upscale eatery that serves some of the best steak dishes in the city. Porterhouse, Double Porterhouse, Double Cut Filet Mignon, New York Strip — it all features on the menu and you can whet your appetite beforehand with the seafood appetizers, such as Lobster Bisque, Bluepoint Oysters on the Half Shell, and Smoked Pacific Salmon. Among the desserts, your best choice would be the sinfully indulgent Chocolate Velvet Cake.

Garden Grill

Located at the New Otani Hotel & Garden, the Garden Grill invites you into its sleek, stylish environs. Feast on Japanese fare, especially the Teppanayaki steak, which seems to be a favorite. The seafood is also worth a mention. The fixed lunch and dinner menus (three daily) may not give you too much of a choice, but with the quality of food and great view, nobody's really complaining.

Smeraldi's Restaurant

Housed in the Millennium Biltmore Hotel, this restaurant serves Californian dishes in a classy Mediterranean setting. While most of the patrons are guests of the establishment, outsiders also make their way here. The menu is delectable with decent portions. Couples can enjoy intimate dinners, and high chairs are available for kids. Parking is available.

Kagaya

At Ka Ga Ya in Little Tokyo, shabu-shabu is the thing. A set meal begins with a bite of sashimi or seared duck breast, and soup. Then comes the main event: your choice of beef or seafood and a platter piled high with cabbage, chrysanthemum leaves, whole scallions, shiitake mushrooms, rice noodles and cubes of tofu to cook yourself in a simmering bowl of broth at the table. All in all, its not just a fun meal for a group or a date, but also an elegant and delicious experience.