When someone mentions luxury living in Los Angeles, which neighborhoods come to mind? Beverly Hills? Bel-Air? Malibu? While these neighborhoods continue to be ranked the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles, Downtown Los Angeles is quickly rising to the top of the list as the new place to buy high-end real estate.
DTLA—The New Destination for Luxe Living
With sources like CNN and the L.A. Times reporting downtown’s rejuvenation for high-end living, the neighborhood is quickly gaining national attention. Our list of the top destinations to visit in DTLA features the very best of what the metropolis has to offer. The neighborhood’s perfect fusion of history and modernity makes it one of the most culturally influential spots in the city.
Dining in DTLA
Fine dining in DTLA is marked by its fusion of tradition and modernity. Its restaurants feature some of the most experimental and unique recipes in the city while utilizing only the very best of ingredients. DTLA is often considered “foodie’s paradise” because of its endless selection of fine dining options.
1. Grand Central Market
Grand Central Market is easily DTLA’s most popular outdoor market. Located on the corner of Hill and Beaudry, the outdoor bazaar features local and international food vendors. In addition to offering cuisine from Latin America, Germany, Japan, China and Italy, the market also sells fresh fruits, vegetables, and meat. It’s most popular restaurant, however, is Eggslut which sells breakfast food in the mornings.
Find out more about Grand Central Market via their website.
2. 71Above
As one of the trendiest restaurants in L.A., 71Above offers patrons a dining experience as unique and remarkable as its prix fixe menu. Located on the 71st floor of its building, the restaurant features Skylounge Dining with breathtaking vistas of the metropolitan skyline. Although the menu serves hearty selections like duck, New York steak, venison, and oysters, vegetarian options are also available.
Find out more about 71Above via their website.
3. WurstkĂĽche
Wurstküche is a popular destination for German food and beer lovers in DTLA. Located in the Arts District, the restaurant sits in the center of DTLA’s cultural scene. Wurstküche is dimly lit and channels a traditional beer hall aesthetic with its “biergarten” communal table and tall beer glasses. The restaurant serves traditional sausages like bratwurst and bockwurst, but they also serve more unusual ones as well. Their gourmet sausages include chicken apple and spices, mango jalapeno, Filipino maharlika, and kielbasa. Their exotic sausages are made with buffalo, duck, rattlesnake or pheasant. Their fries are also noteworthy, as they are freshly made and salted to perfection. The restaurant also offers a wide array of beers to go with your bratwurst.
Find out more about WurstkĂĽche via its website.
4. LA Prime
Located on the 35th floor of the Westin Bonaventre Hotel & Suites, LA Prime is one of the city’s best steakhouses. The restaurant is headed by Chef Andreas Nieto and has won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. LA Prime features only the best ingredients like USDA-certified prime beef and fresh seafood. Traditional favorites to complement their main courses include au gratin potatoes and lobster bisque. The restaurant’s intimate and romantic atmosphere combined with its impeccable service create an unparalleled dining experience.
Find out more about LA Prime via its website.
Explore DTLA
Although downtown is replete with venues to explore, the best area for exploration is Grand Avenue. With venues such as MOCA, The Broad, Walt Disney Concert Hall, and The Colburn School, the street remains the heart of DTLA’s cultural center. To the south, other venues like L.A. Live serve as the entertainment capital of the city.
1. MOCA
The Museum of Contemporary Art in DTLA is a must for art lovers in L.A. The museum’s permanent collection houses some of the most prestigious names in contemporary art such as Warhol, Rothko, Lichtenstein, Flavin, Giacometti and more. The highly-anticipated retrospective from Kerry James Marshall will be on exhibit throughout spring.
Find out more about MOCA via its website.
2. The Broad
Across the street from MOCA is The Broad Museum. The museum opened recently in 2015 and was funded by philanthropists Eli and Edyth Broad. A design of the Diller Scofidio + Renfro studio, the museum’s honeycomb, veil-and-vault design has quickly become an icon of L.A. architecture. The Broad’s permanent collection is impressive, as it consists of Warhol, Haring, Koons, and many other renowned artists. Admission to the museum is free, however the line to gain admission grows quickly due to its popularity.
Find out more about The Broad via its website.
3. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Walt Disney Concert Hall is easily downtown’s architectural masterpiece. Designed by Frank Gehry, the twirling, metallic building is breathtaking. The music hall was designed by Yasuhisa Toyota and is one of most technologically advanced acoustic stages in the world. Sound travels throughout the space so well that seats in the back of the concert space sound just as amazing as seats directly in front of the orchestra. The concert hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale.
Find out more about Walt Disney Concert Hall via its website.
4. L.A. Live
Adjacent to The Staples Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A. Live is the center of DTLA entertainment. The entertainment complex is divided into several sections. Microsoft Theatre hosts a variety of music and cultural events such as the ESPY Awards, The AMAs, MTV Music Awards, and American Idol. The Grammy Museum is perfect for music lovers as it offers four floors of historical and musical artifacts such as the John Lennon songwriter exhibit. L.A. Live also holds a wide variety of on-trend restaurants such as Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Katsuya, Lawry’s, Rock N’ Fish, The Farm of Beverly Hills, Yard House and more.
Find out more about L.A. Live via its website.
What do you think of DTLA?
Neue Focus is always on the lookout for the best places to live in California. If you have any recommendations, feel free to let us know!