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Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on November 1, 2023.
Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on November 1, 2023.
Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

15 Solid Restaurants Near Crypto.com Arena for Concerts, Lakers, and Clippers Games

Eats and drinks nearby the Convention Center, L.A. Live, and Crypto.com Arena for sporting events and concerts

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Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers drives to the basket during the game against the LA Clippers on November 1, 2023.
| Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images

As Lakers and Clippers games, LA Kings hockey games, and performances at Microsoft Theater return for a fresh new season, L.A. Live and the Convention Center will become major entertainment and meeting hubs in Downtown Los Angeles. Though mostly touristy for this reason, there are some solid restaurants to try, both right at L.A. Live and within walking distance. Here now, where to eat near Crypto.com Arena, L.A. Live, and the Convention Center in Downtown.

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This stunning wagyu steakhouse and omakase restaurant from Shin Thompson is the idea place to feel like a baller before heading to Crypto.com Arena. Open right at 5 p.m., a quick dinner here could be a tableside-seared wagyu tomahawk shareable for the whole table, or a more intimate and thoughtful tasting menu with grilled meats and inventive Japanese-inspired plates. Open until 11 p.m. in case you’re feeling hungry after the event.

For an extravagant wagyu beef feast in an incredible Downtown LA dining room: Niku X.
Wagyu omakase at Niku X.
Matthew Kang

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

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Chain Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao has a salad bar and an endless parade of Brazilian meats like chicken wrapped with bacon, garlic beef, and picanha grilled on long sword-like skewers. Always a great option when there’s a bunch of people with different palates and preferences, especially with the opening at 5 p.m. for happy hour.

Fogo de Chao, Downtown LA
Fogo de Chao, Downtown LA
Fogo de Chao

The Original Pantry Cafe

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One of LA’s oldest restaurants, this all-day restaurant has classic diner fare like ham and eggs, steaks, pancakes, and sandwiches. In the past, it was open 24/7 but now hours are only to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and until 5 p.m. on weekends, which means you’ll have to plan ahead to eat here before any evening events or opt for a morning brunch for daytime weekend games.

The Original Pantry Cafe in Downtown, Los Angeles
The Original Pantry Cafe.
Matthew Kang

Joyce Soul and Sea

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Open for lunch and also 5 p.m. dinner, this stylish new Southern restaurant from chef Samuel Monsour (previously of Preux & Proper, a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot) serves seafood and comforting food inspired by the chef’s upbringing in North Carolina. Expect amazing cornbread, fresh oysters, and rib-sticking shareable plates like Nashvilloe hot fried catfish, grilled prawns, and a smoked tomahawk pork chop to feast before sporting events or concerts.

Red tile, yellow walls, and steel kitchen touches inside a new restaurant in Los Angeles named Joyce.
Bar and lounge area of Joyce Soul and Sea in Downtown LA.
Wonho Frank Lee

Sparrow Italia Los Angeles

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Tucked inside the historic Hotel Figueroa, this elegant, reliable Italian restaurant serves unpretentious but polished Italian American food that exceeds expectations for being a hotel restaurant near such a touristy area. Though there’s a bit too much truffle oil on the menu, classic preparations of rigatoni bolognese, veal osso buco, and grilled branzino are solid options to have for a pre- or post-dinner around Crypto.com.

Blue fin tartare at the new Sparrow in Downtown LA’s Hotel Figueroa in a bowl with crackers.
Tuna tartare at Sparrow Italia.
Sparrow

Sendero

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Located on the 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles in the heart of downtown, Sendero is a four-in-one dining concept that celebrates the cuisines along the Pan American Highway: from LA through Mexico, Columbia, Peru, and Argentina. There are views of downtown, and several dining options: the seafood-driven Corteza, Argentinian steakhouse Leña, and the Agave Library. At the Agave Library, chef Kevin Luzande creates a tasting menu centered around a selection of rare and premium agave-based spirits. Corteza opens at 5 p.m. at the lounge, making it the more ideal pre-event dinner spot.

A Downtown LA skyline view at Leña restaurant in Downtown.
Main dining room of Leña at Sendero in Downtown LA.
Wonho Frank Lee

Katsuya

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This stylish Japanese restaurant branched out from Brentwood and expanded to busy locations like L.A. Live and the Americana at Brand. The menu is approachable and wide, with everything from sushi and miso black cod to noodles. Think of it a bit like a less difficult-to-get-into version of Nobu, and located right now to some of LA’s best sports or music events.

Miso black cod at Katsuya.
Miso black cod at Katsuya.
Matthew Kang

Fixins Soul Kitchen

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Owned by former basketball star and Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and wife Michelle, this soul food spot inside L.A. Live is a reliable place for whopping plates of fried chicken and waffles, oxtails with brown gravy, and peach cobbler in a sleek, modern space that should please the entire family. In a part of town where a lot of chain-type restaurants are in the middle of the road, Fixin’s excels with soulful fare that works great before and after sporting events.

Chicken and waffles from Fixins Soul Kitchen in Downtown LA on a dark plate.
Chicken and waffles from Fixins Soul Kitchen in Downtown LA.
Fixins Soul Kitchen

El Cholo

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LA’s beloved Mexican restaurant El Cholo has had this standalone Downtown restaurant for years, just across from L.A. Live and Crypto.com. Expect heaping plates of chicken fajitas, blue corn tamales, and other combination plates that work great before games or concerts. Also great for chips, guac, and a margarita before heading to the arena.

El Cholo
El Cholo in Downtown LA.
El Cholo

Sonoritas

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West LA taco spot Sonoritas goes into the former Broken Spanish space just a block away from L.A. Live serving steak and other tacos with cocktails to boot. The surf-and-turf burrito filled with grilled shrimp and steak is one of the best things to eat in town, period. Sonoritas closes on the early side so it’s best to have before evening games. Open from lunch through 8:30 p.m.

Tacos from Sonoritas Prime in Los Angeles.
Tacos from Sonoritas.
Matthew Kang/Eater LA

Genwa Korean BBQ

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This chain Korean barbecue restaurant specializes in serving nearly two dozen tiny plates of banchan around the circular tabletop grills, where servers will finish off sliced marinated meats to enjoy with a crew. Open continuously from lunch to dinner (with a 10 p.m. closure), making this a solid pre-game dinner, as long as you don’t mind smelling like delicious grilled Korean meat at the arena.

Genwa
Korean barbecue from Genwea in Downtown LA.
Arjiel Joseph F

The Palm

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While this national steakhouse chain closed its longtime Beverly Hills location recently, the clubby East Coast-feeling Downtown spot continues to roll thanks to its handy location across the street from Crypto.com, making it a great happy hour or pre-game dinner with seafood towers, grilled steaks, and abundant sides starting at 4 p.m., which works great for events starting at 7 p.m. or after at the arena.

Sliced steak on a cutting board at the Palm.
Sliced steak on a cutting board at the Palm.
Landry’s

Mastro's Ocean Club

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Don’t be surprised if some famous folks are dining at Mastro’s before or after events at Crypto.com Arena. With a glamorous dining room, bustling bar area, and big cushy seating, Mastro’s is part steakhouse and part seafood emporium, offering large shellfish towers and well-grilled chops along with all the other steakhouse staples served with an extra bit of pizzazz.

Dining room of Mastro’s Ocean Club in Downtown LA.
The glitzy dining room of Mastro’s Ocean Club in Downtown LA.
Mastro’s Ocean Club

Level 8

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There are multiple places to eat and drink at the Houston Brothers’ Level 8 project just across the street from Crypto.com. Unfortunately the main restaurants of Lucky Mizu (high-end shabu-shabu), Maison Kasai (French-inspired teppanyaki), and Qué Bárbaro (modern Argentine/South American chophouse) open at 6 p.m. nightly, which doesn’t allow much time to have dinner (though it’s certainly possible to finish quickly then walk over). But the Brown Sheep taquería, the bar bites of Mr. Wanderlust, or outdoor cocktails at Golden Hour could work as post-game hangouts.

Wooden booths and tan leather reveal a colorful, green dinnertime dining room at LA’s new Que Barbaro.
The colorful dining room of Qué Bárbaro in Downtown LA’s Level 8.
Michael Kleinberg

Pine and Crane DTLA

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A second outlet of the popular Silver Lake Taiwanese restaurant, Pine & Crane occupies a sunny, breezy space just three blocks away from Crypto.com Arena serving beef rolls, noodle soups, and sauteed vegetables along with chewy rice cakes and boba tea. There’s a reason why Pine & Crane and sister restaurant Joy are perennially packed — they serve fantastic, consistent food at approachable prices.

A semi-shaded restaurant patio at daytime, with green and orange seats.
Patio of Pine & Crane Downtown LA.
Matthew Kang

NIKU X

This stunning wagyu steakhouse and omakase restaurant from Shin Thompson is the idea place to feel like a baller before heading to Crypto.com Arena. Open right at 5 p.m., a quick dinner here could be a tableside-seared wagyu tomahawk shareable for the whole table, or a more intimate and thoughtful tasting menu with grilled meats and inventive Japanese-inspired plates. Open until 11 p.m. in case you’re feeling hungry after the event.

For an extravagant wagyu beef feast in an incredible Downtown LA dining room: Niku X.
Wagyu omakase at Niku X.
Matthew Kang

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse

Chain Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chao has a salad bar and an endless parade of Brazilian meats like chicken wrapped with bacon, garlic beef, and picanha grilled on long sword-like skewers. Always a great option when there’s a bunch of people with different palates and preferences, especially with the opening at 5 p.m. for happy hour.

Fogo de Chao, Downtown LA
Fogo de Chao, Downtown LA
Fogo de Chao

The Original Pantry Cafe

One of LA’s oldest restaurants, this all-day restaurant has classic diner fare like ham and eggs, steaks, pancakes, and sandwiches. In the past, it was open 24/7 but now hours are only to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and until 5 p.m. on weekends, which means you’ll have to plan ahead to eat here before any evening events or opt for a morning brunch for daytime weekend games.

The Original Pantry Cafe in Downtown, Los Angeles
The Original Pantry Cafe.
Matthew Kang

Joyce Soul and Sea

Open for lunch and also 5 p.m. dinner, this stylish new Southern restaurant from chef Samuel Monsour (previously of Preux & Proper, a Michelin Bib Gourmand spot) serves seafood and comforting food inspired by the chef’s upbringing in North Carolina. Expect amazing cornbread, fresh oysters, and rib-sticking shareable plates like Nashvilloe hot fried catfish, grilled prawns, and a smoked tomahawk pork chop to feast before sporting events or concerts.

Red tile, yellow walls, and steel kitchen touches inside a new restaurant in Los Angeles named Joyce.
Bar and lounge area of Joyce Soul and Sea in Downtown LA.
Wonho Frank Lee

Sparrow Italia Los Angeles

Tucked inside the historic Hotel Figueroa, this elegant, reliable Italian restaurant serves unpretentious but polished Italian American food that exceeds expectations for being a hotel restaurant near such a touristy area. Though there’s a bit too much truffle oil on the menu, classic preparations of rigatoni bolognese, veal osso buco, and grilled branzino are solid options to have for a pre- or post-dinner around Crypto.com.

Blue fin tartare at the new Sparrow in Downtown LA’s Hotel Figueroa in a bowl with crackers.
Tuna tartare at Sparrow Italia.
Sparrow

Sendero

Located on the 24th floor of The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles in the heart of downtown, Sendero is a four-in-one dining concept that celebrates the cuisines along the Pan American Highway: from LA through Mexico, Columbia, Peru, and Argentina. There are views of downtown, and several dining options: the seafood-driven Corteza, Argentinian steakhouse Leña, and the Agave Library. At the Agave Library, chef Kevin Luzande creates a tasting menu centered around a selection of rare and premium agave-based spirits. Corteza opens at 5 p.m. at the lounge, making it the more ideal pre-event dinner spot.

A Downtown LA skyline view at Leña restaurant in Downtown.
Main dining room of Leña at Sendero in Downtown LA.
Wonho Frank Lee

Katsuya

This stylish Japanese restaurant branched out from Brentwood and expanded to busy locations like L.A. Live and the Americana at Brand. The menu is approachable and wide, with everything from sushi and miso black cod to noodles. Think of it a bit like a less difficult-to-get-into version of Nobu, and located right now to some of LA’s best sports or music events.

Miso black cod at Katsuya.
Miso black cod at Katsuya.
Matthew Kang

Fixins Soul Kitchen

Owned by former basketball star and Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson and wife Michelle, this soul food spot inside L.A. Live is a reliable place for whopping plates of fried chicken and waffles, oxtails with brown gravy, and peach cobbler in a sleek, modern space that should please the entire family. In a part of town where a lot of chain-type restaurants are in the middle of the road, Fixin’s excels with soulful fare that works great before and after sporting events.

Chicken and waffles from Fixins Soul Kitchen in Downtown LA on a dark plate.
Chicken and waffles from Fixins Soul Kitchen in Downtown LA.
Fixins Soul Kitchen

El Cholo

LA’s beloved Mexican restaurant El Cholo has had this standalone Downtown restaurant for years, just across from L.A. Live and Crypto.com. Expect heaping plates of chicken fajitas, blue corn tamales, and other combination plates that work great before games or concerts. Also great for chips, guac, and a margarita before heading to the arena.

El Cholo
El Cholo in Downtown LA.
El Cholo

Sonoritas

West LA taco spot Sonoritas goes into the former Broken Spanish space just a block away from L.A. Live serving steak and other tacos with cocktails to boot. The surf-and-turf burrito filled with grilled shrimp and steak is one of the best things to eat in town, period. Sonoritas closes on the early side so it’s best to have before evening games. Open from lunch through 8:30 p.m.

Tacos from Sonoritas Prime in Los Angeles.
Tacos from Sonoritas.
Matthew Kang/Eater LA

Genwa Korean BBQ

This chain Korean barbecue restaurant specializes in serving nearly two dozen tiny plates of banchan around the circular tabletop grills, where servers will finish off sliced marinated meats to enjoy with a crew. Open continuously from lunch to dinner (with a 10 p.m. closure), making this a solid pre-game dinner, as long as you don’t mind smelling like delicious grilled Korean meat at the arena.

Genwa
Korean barbecue from Genwea in Downtown LA.
Arjiel Joseph F

The Palm

While this national steakhouse chain closed its longtime Beverly Hills location recently, the clubby East Coast-feeling Downtown spot continues to roll thanks to its handy location across the street from Crypto.com, making it a great happy hour or pre-game dinner with seafood towers, grilled steaks, and abundant sides starting at 4 p.m., which works great for events starting at 7 p.m. or after at the arena.

Sliced steak on a cutting board at the Palm.
Sliced steak on a cutting board at the Palm.
Landry’s

Mastro's Ocean Club

Don’t be surprised if some famous folks are dining at Mastro’s before or after events at Crypto.com Arena. With a glamorous dining room, bustling bar area, and big cushy seating, Mastro’s is part steakhouse and part seafood emporium, offering large shellfish towers and well-grilled chops along with all the other steakhouse staples served with an extra bit of pizzazz.

Dining room of Mastro’s Ocean Club in Downtown LA.
The glitzy dining room of Mastro’s Ocean Club in Downtown LA.
Mastro’s Ocean Club

Level 8

There are multiple places to eat and drink at the Houston Brothers’ Level 8 project just across the street from Crypto.com. Unfortunately the main restaurants of Lucky Mizu (high-end shabu-shabu), Maison Kasai (French-inspired teppanyaki), and Qué Bárbaro (modern Argentine/South American chophouse) open at 6 p.m. nightly, which doesn’t allow much time to have dinner (though it’s certainly possible to finish quickly then walk over). But the Brown Sheep taquería, the bar bites of Mr. Wanderlust, or outdoor cocktails at Golden Hour could work as post-game hangouts.

Wooden booths and tan leather reveal a colorful, green dinnertime dining room at LA’s new Que Barbaro.
The colorful dining room of Qué Bárbaro in Downtown LA’s Level 8.
Michael Kleinberg

Pine and Crane DTLA

A second outlet of the popular Silver Lake Taiwanese restaurant, Pine & Crane occupies a sunny, breezy space just three blocks away from Crypto.com Arena serving beef rolls, noodle soups, and sauteed vegetables along with chewy rice cakes and boba tea. There’s a reason why Pine & Crane and sister restaurant Joy are perennially packed — they serve fantastic, consistent food at approachable prices.

A semi-shaded restaurant patio at daytime, with green and orange seats.
Patio of Pine & Crane Downtown LA.
Matthew Kang

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