Los Angeles, a city known for its vibrant culinary scene and health-conscious lifestyle, offers a plethora of options for those seeking nutritious and delicious meals. Downtown Los Angeles, in particular, boasts a diverse array of restaurants committed to serving fresh, high-quality ingredients that cater to various dietary preferences. From plant-based eateries to seafood-focused establishments, this guide explores some of the best healthy restaurants in Downtown LA, highlighting their unique offerings and commitment to well-being.
Diverse Culinary Options for the Health-Conscious
The healthy dining scene in Downtown Los Angeles is incredibly diverse, with options ranging from American to Italian, and even French-Japanese fusion. Restaurants in this area are celebrated for their innovative plant-based dishes, fresh seafood, and lean protein options, ensuring a menu rich in choices that promote well-being without sacrificing flavor. Whether you're looking for a quick lunch, a fancy dinner, or a dog-friendly spot, Downtown LA has something to offer.
Featured Restaurants: A Closer Look
Abernethy’s: Located on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center, Abernethy’s offers a unique dining experience with up-and-coming chefs and limited-engagement menus. It showcases the diverse flavors of Los Angeles.
Cafe Gratitude: With three locations in LA, including Downtown LA, Cafe Gratitude is a well-recognized healthy food spot. The menu consists of 100% organic, plant-based dishes with names that encourage positive thinking. They offer a diverse range of cuisines, including Mexican, Thai, and Asian, ensuring something for every palate. Don't miss their Taco Tuesday Happy Hour menu.
Camelia: This French-Japanese bistro in the Arts District offers a unique culinary experience.
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Dune: With locations in Downtown, Venice, and Atwater Village, Dune is known for its exceptional falafel and hummus. This Mediterranean cafe offers simple, straightforward dishes bursting with fresh, organic flavors. They cater to both meat and non-meat eaters with options like chicken and lamb in their sandwiches and plates.
Fleming's Steakhouse - LA: Offers delicious steaks and seafood, with attentive service. One reviewer noted that their server, Daniel, was outstanding, friendly, professional, and knowledgeable about the menu.
Girl & the Goat L.A.: This Downtown restaurant, a sister location to the Chicago favorite, offers a phenomenal menu with dishes like tomato caprese salad, green beans, oysters, and braised sticky pork shank. The service is attentive, with great suggestions and awesome wine pairings and cocktails.
La Boucherie: Located in the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown, La Boucherie offers an elegant American steak and seafood dining experience with panoramic views of the LA skyline. The menu features reimagined classics made with fresh ingredients and an extensive wine list. Note that there is a smart casual dress code.
Majordōmo: From Dave Chang and Momofuku, Majordōmo serves California cuisine inspired by the diverse food cultures of Los Angeles. With a sleek, industrial setting, sun-soaked patio, and full bar, it offers various dining options for groups of all sizes. Executive Chef James Bailey highlights California’s bounty through large format dishes and a constantly changing roster of bings and dips.
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Mrs. Fish: This subterranean Japanese restaurant lounge in the historic Pershing Square Building offers a unique dining and cocktail experience. The menu includes Japanese small plates, sushi, entrees, and premium steak cuts. Valet parking is available, and the dress code is upscale casual.
Redbird: Carved into the rectory building of Vibiana in Downtown Los Angeles, Redbird offers a dynamic restaurant space with Chef Neal Fraser's Modern American menu. Wine Director Jaime Azrate's wine list is well-rounded, and Bar Director Tobin Shea's cocktail offerings are inventive. Indoor and outdoor seating options are available for brunch, happy hour, and dinner.
True Food Kitchen: With locations in Pasadena, Santa Monica, and El Segundo, True Food Kitchen offers a wide selection of vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and organic options, along with Paleo and Mediterranean diet-friendly choices. Their menu includes permanent and seasonal offerings, and the open kitchen allows you to watch your food being prepared.
Water Grill: Water Grill is all about serving up fresh seafood with proper cooking techniques. Reviews rave about the superb quality of the food, with mentions of the fresh seafood and the variety of menu options. Plus, it's noted that the staff is knowledgeable about accommodating dietary needs, such as dairy-free options.
Neighborhood Gems: Expanding Your Healthy Dining Options
Beyond Downtown LA, several neighborhoods offer exceptional healthy dining experiences:
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Arts District: Home to Camelia, a French-Japanese bistro.
Atwater Village: One of the locations for Dune, known for its falafel and hummus.
Beverly Hills/Mid-Wilshire: Offers a variety of healthy options.
Eagle Rock: Home to Dunsmoor, an American restaurant exploring heritage cooking.
East Hollywood: Fountain Grains & Greens provides a fast vegetable fix with grain bowls and salads made with local produce and meats.
Echo Park: One of the locations for Sage Plant Based Bistro, known for its meatless menu.
Fairfax: Rahel offers all-vegan Ethiopian cuisine.
Highland Park: Kitchen Mouse is a vegetarian cafe with a family-friendly atmosphere.
Koreatown: Borit Gogae offers a massive barley rice feast with fermented sides, and Surawon is known for its tofu dishes made from organic, non-GMO soybeans.
Malibu: Pita ‘Bu offers healthy pescatarian meals off the PCH.
Pasadena: One of the locations for Sage Plant Based Bistro and True Food Kitchen.
Silver Lake: Botanica offers a Levantine-leaning menu with simple meat and produce combos.
Tarzana: Tel Aviv Fish Grill offers a seafood spread inspired by the Mediterranean diet.
Venice: One of the locations for Cafe Gratitude, Dune, Gjelina, and Moon Juice.
West Adams: Highly Likely offers exciting non-fried items, and Mizlala serves Israeli cuisine with flavorful vegetable sides.
West Hollywood: Gracias Madre is a popular vegan restaurant, and Hugo’s has been serving “whole food” meals since the ‘70s.
Key Elements of Healthy Dining in LA
- Fresh, High-Quality Ingredients: Many restaurants prioritize using seasonal, locally sourced, and organic ingredients.
- Diverse Dietary Options: Restaurants cater to various dietary needs, including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, Paleo, and Mediterranean.
- Innovative Plant-Based Dishes: Vegan and vegetarian restaurants offer creative and flavorful dishes that showcase the versatility of plant-based cuisine.
- Fresh Seafood: Seafood restaurants focus on serving fresh, sustainably sourced seafood prepared with proper cooking techniques.
- Health-Conscious Recipes: Restaurants prioritize recipes that promote well-being without sacrificing flavor.
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