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In the summer of 2024, we decided to create a collection of our favorite places in Los Angeles.

The Gopher Guide seeks to highlight local DTLA businesses that contribute positively to our community.

Map Artwork by Sierra Ka'iulani

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The 2025

Gopher Guide

To Downtown Los Angeles

Best Mexican Food

Sonoratown

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208 East 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Sonoratown pays homage to Teo's hometown in Sonora, Mexico, and their beloved Downtown Los Angeles. Inspired by the flavors of San Luis Río Colorado, the restaurant specializes in mesquite-grilled carne asada tacos and handmade flour tortillas, bringing a taste of Northern Mexico to the revitalized Downtown community.

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Best Asian Fusion

Uncle John's

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421 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Uncle John’s is a Chinese-American diner with a menu ranging from egg rolls & spicy pork chops to omelets & burgers. The longstanding cafe is the best kind of Downtown haunt: unpretentious environs, a straightforward and value-oriented menu, and lots of locals in the seats.

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Best Afternoon Beer

La Cita

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336 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

La Cita Bar sticks out thanks to its bright yellow and red sign with two Mexican flags painted right above the entrance. The venue attracts a multigenerational crowd who come to dance to everything from hip-hop to reggaeton to rock en español. Grab a beer and boogie.

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Best Coffee

Bohemia Coffee House

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109 West 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

Located in the Historic Core of Downtown LA, Bohemian Coffee House serves up handcrafted chai, top-notch espresso, vegan smoothies, and light bites for brekkie or lunch. Chill vibes and a creative atmosphere, it's the spot for a cozy hangout or some productive work time.

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Best Yakitori

HATCH

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700 West 7th Street ste g600, Los Angeles, CA 90017, USA

HATCH is a modern Japanese grill that celebrates yakitori, creative plates and curated drinks. Traditional Japanese cooking is fused with bold Californian flavors to deliver new takes on classic dishes.

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Best Rooftop Bar

Broken Shaker

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416 West 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

An oasis in the heart of Downtown LA, Broken Shaker, located on our rooftop pool deck, offers an eclectic menu of handcrafted cocktails and small bites. Broken Shaker serves up delicious cocktails, infused with homemade elixirs and exotic ingredients, bringing the flavors of the beach to the center of the city. Grab a drink and a view.

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Best Mediterranean

Z-Falafel

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725 South Hill Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

At Z-Falafel, immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors of Mediterranean cuisine with our deliciously seasoned chickpea snacks and hearty meat wraps for an ideal lunch.

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Best Burger in DTLA

BurgerShop

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724 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

BurgerShop was founded by chefs Victor Lopez and Robert Montes to offer burger lovers a better, more flavorful burger alternative usually only found in gourmet restaurants but at a fraction of the price. We believe that flavor trumps looks, never sacrificing quality over cost, sustainability and a commitment to great service. At BurgerShop, our goal is to bring gourmet "fast-food" dining to you.

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Best Slice Pizza

Braazo's Pizza

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100 1/2 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Braazo’s Pizza has been serving hungry customers all over Los Angeles since 2015. A family owned business, we pride ourselves on our high quality and friendly service. LA has been so good to us and we are proud to see that our reviews speak for themselves.

A Must See!!

Grand Central Market

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317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013, USA

When the doors first opened in October 1917, the "Wonder Market," as it was then called, was billed as "the largest and finest public market on the Pacific Coast." It filled the entire ground floor of the Beaux-Arts-style Homer Laughlin Building, the region's first steel-reinforced, fireproof structure. At the time, Los Angeles was the country's tenth-most-populous city—and downtown was the epicenter of a flourishing metropolis.

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Best Pub / Sports Bar

Beelman's

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600 South Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Beelman's believes that quality food and drink can bring eaters of all kinds together. Created to give Downtown LA a community where meat eaters and non-meat eaters alike can enjoy everything a proper pub has to offer, with a few special twists. We want YOU to come experience what plant-based pub food really means.

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For The People

DTLA RA

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Downtown, Los Angeles, CA, USA

At DTLA RA, our mission is to create a connected, caring, civically engaged urban community that inspires new and existing residents to make DTLA their long-term home. We’re united in the belief that DTLA can be the best place in LA to work, live, and play. We love our neighbors and want our community to grow so more Angelenos can enjoy the benefits of an affordable, walkable, connected, thriving neighborhood, for all.

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Best Live Music

Seven Grand

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515 W 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Seven Grand offers unique cocktails, 900+ whiskeys, live music, pool tables, private event spaces, and the renowned Whiskey Society, a membership program with exclusive tastings, education, and insights from top distillers and industry experts.

Best Original French Dip

Cole's French Dip

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118 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Cole's is a historic LA landmark, celebrated for its timeless charm and legacy as a gathering spot for poets, mobsters, and the working class. Guests are drawn by the history and hospitality, staying for the iconic Old Fashioned and the Original French Dip.

Best Breakfast Burrito

Wake & Late

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105 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Wake & Late is a chef-inspired, fine-casual breakfast restaurant featuring build-your-own breakfast burritos made from scratch. We believe restaurants are meant to serve a greater purpose in peoples' lives. Our goal is to always make our guests feel better than before they came.

image credits: Time Out LA

Best Weekend Party

Las Perlas DTLA

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107 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014, USA

Las Perlas DTLA is a vibrant, Mexican-inspired bar celebrating the rich world of agave spirits. From tequila and mezcal to sotol and bacanora, our selection offers something for everyone. Enjoy live music Monday-Thursday or dance the night away to high-energy reggaeton on weekends. Whether you're an agave aficionado or just beginning your journey, Las Perlas is the perfect place to sip, savor, and celebrate.

Best Hideaway Bar

Bar CDMX

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515 West 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Bar CDMX, tucked beneath Downtown LA’s historic Brock & Co. building, channels the vibrant spirit of Ciudad de México. Featuring seasonally crafted cocktails with rum and agave, a fusion of Mexican and Caribbean flavors, and a setting that blends old-world charm with neon-lit arcade vibes.

Best Mojito

Caña Rum Bar

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714 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States

Caña Rum Bar is your tropical escape in the heart of DTLA, offering an unmatched selection of rums and fine cigars from around the world. Whether you're sipping a handcrafted cocktail inside or enjoying the open patio, good vibes are always on the menu. Weeknights bring laid-back happy hours and live Caribbean beats, while weekends turn up the energy with top DJs. Step into Caña—where every sip feels like paradise.

Best Guide to DTLA 😉

Golden Gopher

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417 W 8th St, Los Angeles, California 90014, USA

Golden Gopher, located in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, is a classic neighborhood bar blending vintage charm with modern sensibilities. Established in 1905 and revitalized for today’s urban crowd, it offers a curated selection of craft cocktails, beers, and spirits, alongside its signature to-go package liquor window—a nod to its historic roots. With an inviting atmosphere, pool tables, and a commitment to unpretentious hospitality, Golden Gopher remains a staple for locals and visitors alike.

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