Where To Eat, Sleep And Play In Los Angeles' Arts District

Forbes

01-04-2025

Los Angeles' Arts District is
If you want to know where the cool kids are hanging out these days, look no further than Los Angeles' Arts District.
This once-gritty pocket of Downtown L.A., has become a "blueprint for adaptive reuse and historic preservation," says Adam Burke, President & CEO, Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board, with many of its former warehouses and industrial spaces now operating as lofts and artists' studios. Combined with a slew of contemporary restaurants serving seasonal fare, specialty organic coffee shops, and avant-garde art galleries, it is no wonder this has become a popular hangout for the Los Angeles fashion set.
The Arts District is one of L.A.'s most walkable neighborhoods.
While there is no denying the severity of the wildfires that tore through Los Angeles in January 2025—at least 29 people lost their lives, while tens of thousands more were displaced—Burke says there are significant consumer misperceptions regarding the extent of the damage.
"While it was devastating for Angelenos in Altadena and the Palisades, recent research by Visit California shows that American travelers believe, on average, that 41% of the region was damaged, whereas the actual figure is less than two percent," emphasizes Burke, adding that the overwhelming majority of area attractions are fully open for business."
Los Angeles Tourism recently launched a 'We Love LA' campaign to celebrate and promote the diverse experiences on offer in the city as it continues its recovery.
"With more than 543,000 Angelenos and over 1,000 local businesses— including hundreds of small and diverse-owned merchants—relying on tourism for their livelihoods, it's never been more important for us to correct those misperceptions, so it doesn't further exacerbate the impacts of the fires on our community," Burke adds.
Dance practice in the streets of Los Angeles' Arts District.
One area that was not directly impacted by the fires, yet continues to suffer due to the reduced number of visitors, is the Arts District.
'The Arts District has emerged as a must-visit LA neighborhood," says Burke, adding: "In the early 1990s, this historic manufacturing hub started attracting young artists who opened galleries, studios and performance venues, breathing new life into the area. It's now home to one of the world's most vibrant and eclectic street art scenes."
Walkable, diverse and brimming with culture, this is a neighborhood in a constant state of evolution, one that is worth checking out whenever you find yourself in Los Angeles.
"There is something new to see or try every time you visit, whether it be world-class art, innovative cuisine, or unique boutique shopping," Burke concludes.
Coal-seared Shima Aji, koshikari rice, collar mayo, pestled chrysanthemum and micro perilla, at Yangban.
Yangban is a genre-defying Korean-American restaurant led by husband-and-wife chef team Katianna and John Hong and set in a post-industrial space in Los Angeles' Arts District. Look no further than the indulgent Yangban sweet-and-spicy wings that are double fried for extra crispiness and finished off with a sweet glaze; or the Yangban cheesecake, made with a coconut biscuit and brown butter crust, topped with a coconut cream and local strawberry jam. Yangban is set to reopen later this year following extensive renovations.
Try Japanese liquor and sake at kodō.
At Kodō, a contemporary Japanese steakhouse experience, tradition meet modern Japanese flair. The menu blends global grill flavors with premium Japanese ingredients, like wagyu steaks, seasonal seafood, and creative dishes crafted with Japanese techniques. There is also a curated selection of signature cocktails showcasing the versatility of Japanese liquor, alongside a selection of craft sake, fine European wines, and premium craft beers on tap.
"Le Burger" at Camphor.
If you have ever wondered what a Michelin-starred burger tastes like, look no further than Camphor. Their 'Le Burger' is a refined, in-house crafted take on a classic, featuring a duck-fat-brushed brioche bun, caramelized onions, and a patty made of Wagyu brisket, chuck, short rib, and duck, topped with creamy molten Gouda cheese and house-made rémoulade. This modern French-inspired bistro received a Michelin star within less than a year of opening, and you'll know why as soon as you sample menu items like the steak tartare, onion tartine, mussels marinière— and Le Burger, of course.
As befits the name, this drinking den, the third opening from an outfit that started out in New York City, is about as sultry and mysterious as it gets. A regular on the various lists that rank North America's and the world's best bars, Death & Co is known for its ever-changing menu of signature drinks full of weird and wonderful ingredients that range in punchiness from 'Light and Playful' to 'Bright and Confident'.
The Good Liver is part concept store-part-design gallery.
The Good Liver is part concept store-part-design gallery, a contemporary spin on a general store that seeks to inspire a better way of living with a unique collection of quality goods from across the globe. This is a space where carefully curated esthetics meet top-notch quality through a thoughtful selection of objects from international brands and makers—from South Korean cosmetics, to Belgian luxury soap, and handmade Japanese knives.
Like a retail twist on a speakeasy, Departamento is a luxury menswear store hidden behind a coffee shop. There's no storefront, no view in from the street—a detail that the assorted celebrities who frequent this spot no doubt appreciate. Inside you will find carefully curated pieces from brands like Loewe, Marni and Jil Sander, alongside lesser known local L.A. brands.
Galerie Lulla in The Arts District.
A meeting of East and West, Galerie Lulla is an art gallery founded by Azusa Yamato and directed by Christina Higa. Focused on showcasing Japanese culture, the gallery curates exhibitions, workshops, and events that promote artistic collaboration both locally and globally. Galerie Lulla also partners with like-minded curators to present experiences that go beyond the traditional gallery, offering immersive and thought-provoking engagements with traditional and contemporary art—all as part of its mission to foster cross-cultural dialog through art.
Exterior view, Hauser & Wirth Downtown Los Angeles
Set a converted former flour mill, the Los Angeles outpost of renowned Swiss-based art gallery Hauser & Wirth presents exhibitions, events and learning activities designed to connect with the local community. With multiple international locations—each one more spectacular than the next—Hauser & Wirth shows art in all its forms from a global array of artists. Current exhibitions in L.A. include David Hammons' acclaimed installation work 'Concerto in Black and Blue', and British artist George Rouy's 'The Bleed, Part II,' an exploration of human mass, multiplicity and movement.
The Arts District earned its name for a reason. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA) was founded in 1984 as the Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA) and reopened in 2017 with a new name and a trendy DTLA address. Free to visit, ICA LA is an independent, non-collecting museum that showcases the work of international and local contemporary artists as it seeks to challenge the traditional hierarchies of race, class, gender, and culture.
The rooftop deck and pool is the place to see and be seen.
If you needed further proof that the neighborhood has shed its rough-and-ready credentials, look no further than the Soho Warehouse. Forming part of the exclusive Soho House global members' club, this stylish club, gym and hotel is set in a suitably stunning converted 1916-vintage warehouse right on Santa Fe Avenue.
The rooftop terrace and pool is the place to see and be seen, while the rooms are spacious and airy, sporting the locally inspired design esthetic for which Soho House has become famous. The latter come with a superb range of amenities, from freshly baked in-room cookies to complimentary laundry. The best part: while this is a members-only space, hotel rooms can also be booked by non-members, thus ensuring access for the duration of your stay.