Where to Eat in the Fashion District – 9 Most Popular Restaurants

The LA Fashion District’s food scene is on the rise. The district has always been the go-to spot for quintessential Los Angeles street food. Bacon-wrapped hot dogs, esquite, raspados, street tacos and fruit cups can be found on nearly every block.

But what our most dedicated shoppers have always known is that the Fashion District is also an international culinary center, where you can find some of the best Mediterranean, Peruvian, Chinese, Brazilian, Australian, Cajun, Korean, Mexican, and yes, vegan food in downtown. In recent months, we’ve added a few highly renowned chefs to the mix – Juan Pablo de la Torre at Bar Garcia, Steve Samson at Rossoblu & Superfine, and Antonia Lofaso at DAMA.

Here are the 9 most popular food destinations in the Fashion District.

1. Fine Dining at City Market South

The NY Post recently highlighted Los Angeles’ newest “foodie havens.” At the top of the list is the Fashion District’s dining destination – City Market South. As the article notes, “Bon vivants can wander from Sotto chef Steve Samson’s mouth-watering, Bologna-inspired Rossoblu to the trendy Cognoscenti Coffee. The newly opened Superfine Pizza has added a new concept to City Market South with its pizza window serving full pies and pizza by the slice. They have recently been joined by tropical inspired DAMA from Steve Livigni and Pablo Moix (complete with an outdoor terrace on what was once a banana loading dock).”

City Market South, 1057 S San Pedro St.

2. Killer Fried Chicken in the Flower District

It seems like an unlikely situation, but brunch aficionados and anyone who appreciates Southern food know Poppy + Rose does fried chicken and it does it well. So well that Eater LA has once again featured Poppy + Rose on their “best of” lists. Perhaps it’s the super Instagrammable ambiance, the distinct smell of fresh flowers, or the miss-matched coffee mugs, but Poppy + Rose takes brunch at the flower markets to a whole new level. Breakfast is served all day.

Poppy + Rose, 765 S Wall St.

3. A Truly Authentic Food Court

Food in the Fashion District is like fashion in the Fashion District. It’s available in all styles and flavors and comes at all price points. “The most overlooked international food court in DTLA” features Mexican, Chinese, seafood, kabobs, pho and Pakistani and Indian cuisine. It is exceptionally well priced and perhaps one of the only places in downtown where a delicious meal with real ingredients can still be had for under $10 with plenty of places to sit and air conditioning.

BONUS: Stop by on Taco Tuesday for $1 street tacos at Cilantro Lime.

International Food Court, 934 S Los Angeles St.

4. Southern Hospitality Done Right at Preux & Proper

Preux (pru), meaning brave.
Enjoy barroom eats for a casual get together over freshly Baked Mac & Cheese, Turkey Neck Gravy Poutine or a Cauliflower Tostada.

Proper (präpər): meaning conforming to established manners.
Grab your favorite people and enjoy a proper sit down dinner while dreaming of vacationing in the South.

BONUS: Happy Hour Monday to Saturday 4-7 PM and Sunday 4-9 PM

Preux & Proper, 840 S Spring St.

5. Taco of the Year

With fresh flour tortillas made daily it is no wonder Sonoratown has been voted LA’s Favorite Taco of the Year. You can smell the carne asada grilling over mesquite (just like they do in Sonora) before you even enter the restaurant, and the homemade aguas frescas are top-notch. Try anything from a Carne Asada taco to a crowd favorite Chivichanga. You won’t regret this stop. Enjoy! Provecho!

Sonoratown, 208 E 8th St. 

6. Only the Best at Best Girl

A local favorite for its $1 Stumptown coffee, Best Girl has everything you could ever want from breakfast to dessert. The restaurant was done in collaboration with award-winning chef Michael Cimarusti, of the popular West Hollywood seafood restaurant Providence. We must say, the addition of Best Girl to the LA Fashion District has simply been for the best.

Best Girl, 927 S Broadway

7. Incorporating More at Corporation Food Hall

The Corporation Food Hall has something for everyone. You will find South City Fried Chicken, which has been named one of the best fast food spots in LA by Eater, the famous falafel pita from Soom Soom Fresh, Buddha Belly turning out pork belly rice bowls, and so much more. And as if the food wasn’t enough, make sure you stop by and snap a pic with the “I Love LA” mural. What are you waiting for? Grab your friends and head on over!

Corporation Food Hall, 724 S Spring St.

8. From Avocado Toast to Kahuku Style Garlic Butter Shrimp

Broken Mouth, an original Mom & Pop, is serving Asian comfort food at the corner of 9th and Santee streets. You’ll find Hawaii’s meat jun, chicken, tofu and the kahuku style garlic butter shrimp all Hawai’i style served with purple rice and potato-mac salad. A great spot for lunch in the Fashion District!

Broken Mouth, 231 E. 9th St.

9. The Original Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs

It’s not a trip to Santee Alley until you’ve had a bacon-wrapped hot dog from The Alley Dog. 100% beef, wrapped in crispy bacon, topped with pico de gallo and avocado plus all the usual condiments… There’s no dog like The Alley Dog. This has been the spot for street food and snacks since 1982.

The Alley Dog, 317 E. 12th St. & 1001 Maple Ave.

Mentioned in this Post