In a recent "36 Hours in LA" article, the New York Times discovered what we already know: Downtown Los Angeles is pulsing with vibrant energy, and new restaurants, entertainment and cultural attractions are making it a hot travel destination.
We have the inside scoop on the LA places suggested by the Times. Check out our take below, and read the full article here.
NY Times: 36 Hours in Downtown LA
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View The NY Times’ Picks in Downtown LA in a larger map
Bacon-wrapped matzo balls. That single dish says much about this scrappy, one of a kind eatery from Ilan Hall, whose Scottish-Jewish background is evident on much of the menu. Expect surprising and surprisingly delicious combinations from the "Top Chef" victor along with a cool, eclectic clientele. - 501 S. Spring St., 213.488.3408
Read more about Hall and other LA-based "Top Chef" contestants.
On art opening nights, which occur on Saturdays every few weeks, throngs of LA art enthusiasts come to check out the latest in a new wave of galleries settling into Chung King Road’s less-than-shiny streetscape.
- 975 Chung King Rd., 213.687.0844
Read our guide to the area.
Catfish, a bottom-feeder that can be a little jarring to those raised without exposure to Southern or Asian cultures, is given the royal treatment at the kitschy Nickel Diner. Perfectly cooked then coated in a just-sweet-enough pecan sauce and perched atop savory corn cakes, it’s heavenly.
- 524 S. Main St., 213-623-8301
Read more about "Gross Foods Gone Good" in LA.
The sights and sounds of Santee Alley are the first signs that this isn’t your typical Los Angeles shopping experience. Vendors hawk their wares in Spanish, Russian, German and more. The languages are nearly as diverse as the goods, which range from socks to hand bags. Santee Alley is one of the most organic and vibrant shopping venues in LA.
- Santee St. and Olympic Blvd.
Read more about LA’s Fashion District..
- 135 N. Grand Ave., 213.972.7211
Read all about the history and highlights of the Hall.
At The Varnish, bar chefs like Marcos Tello are crafting artisan cocktails with fresh-cracked sea salt. An off-the-menu order, the Gordon’s Cup features muddled limes, cucumber and gin with the not-so secret ingredient ground on top.
- 118 E. 6th St., 213.622.9999
Find out who else is getting salty in the city.
This is the granddaddy of the LA Fashion District, where fashion industry leaders come together to bust out $1.5 million a year, 1,200 showrooms and more than 4,500 fashion lines. The heavyweights are California Market Center, Cooper Design Space, Gerry Building and The New Mart
- E. 9th St. and S. Main st.
Discover more great shopping in LA.
This globally inspired Little Tokyo restaurant features a number of breakout dishes, but perhaps the most satisfying is the burger. Chef Josef Centeno’s father was a butcher, and son retained the recipe, which includes sirloin, petit tender and short rib, with a beef suet binder and a little fatback for good measure.
- 241 S. San Pedro St., 213.626.5299
Discover seven more amazing LA burgers.
Opened by CalArts in 2003, the Frank Gehry-designed REDCAT is a striking piece of postmodernist architecture, featuring a 250-seat theater, 3,000-square-foot gallery and hip high-tech lounge. Within the Walt Disney Concert Hall, REDCAT is dedicated to showcasing innovative performances, exhibitions, film screenings and literary events.
- 631 W. Second St., 213.237.2800
Learn more about REDCAT
The Crocker Citizens National Bank building is now home to The Crocker Club, a glamorous nightspot in the heart of Downtown LA. The original bank vault door serves as the velvet rope at this exquisitely restored landmark, and adherence to the strict dress code is your key to pass into the spacious club’s labyrinth of exciting rooms and bars, each with a unique name and atmosphere.
- 453 S. Spring St., 213.239.9099
Read more about The Crocker Club.
Empress Pavilion is a landmark in the heart of Downtown LA’s Chinatown. At lunch, the dim sum ladies roll their steaming carts up to the tables so guests can sample the array of fried and steamed dumplings. At dinner, seafood is king.
- 988 N. Hill St., 213.617.9898
On weekends, this 1927 venue pulsates with Latin tunes to a background of hand-carved, richly-painted walls and a giant Sun Calendar.
- 1038 S. Hill St., 213.746.4674
And if you love Latin beats, check out which clubs host the hottest salsa nights.
How can you honestly visit LA without trying its eponymous drink? Seven Grand’s version of the cocktail — often dubbed as the evolved whiskey sour — consists of whiskey, lemon juice, sweet vermouth, powdered sugar and a raw egg. Plus, you get to enjoy it in Seven Grand’s much-acclaimed interior.
- 515 W. Seventh St., 213.614.0737
Discover more legendary LA cocktails and where to find ’em.
Home to a surprising and breathtaking range of contemporary art, MOCA’s main location is one of LA’s hidden gems, a collection of more than 5,000 works created in the second half of the 20th century. The permanent collection boasts works by giants of art such as David Hockney, Jasper Johns, Roy Lichtenstein, Jackson Pollock, Robert Rauschenberg and Mark Rothko.
- 250 S. Grand Ave., 213.626.6222
Learn more about Downtown’s cultural gems.
At Wolfgang Puck’s WP24, traditional Asian dishes are elevated — in both ingredient quality and 24-story views. The plucky Peking duck for two is beautifully presented at the table before being skillfully carved. Its crisp but tender texture is spot-on.
- 900 W. Olympic Blvd., 213.743.8824
Find more LA restaurants with delicious, shareable eats.
Every first and third Wednesday of the month head downtown for Mucho Wednesdays at La Cita. This spicy fiesta features Latin-pop dance music played by the hottest local DJs.
- 336 S. Hill St., 213.687.7111
Find more great nightlife ideas.
One of Downtown’s newest developments, L.A. LIVE is a 5.6 million-square-foot development offering nightlife, restaurants and live music venues. Right across the from STAPLES Center, check out the GRAMMY Museum, ESPN Zone, NOKIA Theatre, Lucky Strike Lanes and Lounge and the 14-screen Regal Cinemas.
- 900 W Olympic Blvd.
