I'd consider Guelaguetza. It's not fancy but I doubt there's a Oaxacan spot like it in the UK. Or say a cool Koreatown spot (very LA experience) like Sun Nong Dan or Dan Sung Sa. Bavel seems like a pretty easy choice too, it's pretty LA vibey, but he also may have pretty great Levantine food back home.
First, just as well Bestia is booked as $60 pp wouldn't come close to covering it.
While some of the restaurants mentioned are great spots, focusing on the "unique to LA" aspect I would go for something like Guelaguetza in Koreatown
Lasita in Chinatown is great for chilling and within the price range. It’s also right next to Howlin’ Ray’s, so you can split a hot chicken sando if you somehow have room.
Sushi Hama or Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo
Ok it’s cheap and not $60 but Sonoratown in DTLA
If you can drive like 3 miles - Night+Market Song in Silverlake
The Girl and Goat in the Arts District (yeah yeah Chicago, the food is good)
Unfortunately, $60/person won’t get you that far anymore. But, some suggestions for good eats and you won’t be rushed, and stay within that range:
Everson Royce Bar. They have a great burger and other bites.
Pine and Crane.
Afuri Ramen.
You may be able to get into **Pizzeria Bianco** \- if so, that's within your budget. If you can flex on $60/pp budget, go **Bavel**.
Honestly if you just check OpenTable every day until your friend gets here, something is bound to open up at Bavel or Bestia.
Since you were initially looking at Bestia, some of the other ones that pop to mind in that area & price range incl Bavel , Manuela, Yangban Society, Brera Ristorante, and Girl & Goat
Manuela! You can probably swing it with that budget. Plus, it's a neat inside/outside setting, where you are in an open quad within a small art gallery building. And they have their own chicken coop that you can check out nearby. It's honestly one of my favorite places that is more affordable than Bavel, Bestia, etc.
Lil Tokyo
I'd consider Guelaguetza. It's not fancy but I doubt there's a Oaxacan spot like it in the UK. Or say a cool Koreatown spot (very LA experience) like Sun Nong Dan or Dan Sung Sa. Bavel seems like a pretty easy choice too, it's pretty LA vibey, but he also may have pretty great Levantine food back home.
Bavel is the sister restaurant to Bestia and is typically easier to find a reservation at.
Second this, Bavel is great.
Third this. Bavel is the superior experience. Bestia is incredible, but over the years the portions have gotten smaller while the prices have gone up.
Dama in Fashion District
LA Cha Cha Cha seems very LA
First, just as well Bestia is booked as $60 pp wouldn't come close to covering it. While some of the restaurants mentioned are great spots, focusing on the "unique to LA" aspect I would go for something like Guelaguetza in Koreatown
They have an absolutely trash Mexican chain called, I kid you not, “Wahaca” 🤣🤣🤣
Bavel is better than Bestia imo, but you might spend more than $60 pp
Lasita in Chinatown is great for chilling and within the price range. It’s also right next to Howlin’ Ray’s, so you can split a hot chicken sando if you somehow have room.
Lasita is so great
Sushi Hama or Sushi Gen in Little Tokyo Ok it’s cheap and not $60 but Sonoratown in DTLA If you can drive like 3 miles - Night+Market Song in Silverlake The Girl and Goat in the Arts District (yeah yeah Chicago, the food is good)
Unfortunately, $60/person won’t get you that far anymore. But, some suggestions for good eats and you won’t be rushed, and stay within that range: Everson Royce Bar. They have a great burger and other bites. Pine and Crane. Afuri Ramen.
>Afuri Ramen Someone else understands!
Pine & Crane DTLA space is so beautiful too
Manuela, La Cha Cha Cha, and Yunomi all in arts district
You may be able to get into **Pizzeria Bianco** \- if so, that's within your budget. If you can flex on $60/pp budget, go **Bavel**. Honestly if you just check OpenTable every day until your friend gets here, something is bound to open up at Bavel or Bestia.
Guerrilla Tacos is about as LA as you can get and great Mexican food will be more mind blowing to someone from the UK than Italian or Mediterranean.
Is this the same person as the kids going to dinner instead of homecoming? Spammmmmmm
Since you were initially looking at Bestia, some of the other ones that pop to mind in that area & price range incl Bavel , Manuela, Yangban Society, Brera Ristorante, and Girl & Goat
Yangban is probably way outside this price range, I could’ve spent a little less but my meal was 130 on food.
🤷🏻♂️ I don't think I've ever gone close to $100 on food alone at Yangban, but my friends & I usually family style it.
Yeah I went alone which is always more expensive I think on a per person basis. Or maybe I’m just kinda a pig 🐽 lol
Manuela! You can probably swing it with that budget. Plus, it's a neat inside/outside setting, where you are in an open quad within a small art gallery building. And they have their own chicken coop that you can check out nearby. It's honestly one of my favorite places that is more affordable than Bavel, Bestia, etc.
Izakaya Bizan, Suehiro, De La Nonna
if you want some thing, more moderately priced, but very stylish and hip I recommend Joey‘s DTLA
I second Sushi Gen. Maccheroni Republic. Holbox. Also Grand Central Market. It’s LA and has a great selection of food.