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Bestia

Italian Restaurant$$$$

Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles

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Bestia

9.3^/10

1,150

ratings

Ranked #1 for Italian restaurants in Los Angeles
The Italian food at Bestia is a can't miss
"Fantastic pasta, delicious calamari, and perfect bone marrow."(38 Tips)
"The staff is amazing, best restaurant in LA."(8 Tips)
"must try: cavatelli alla norcina & chicken liver pâté crostini !!"(9 Tips)
"The veal tartare and the quail are a must have."(6 Tips)

233 Tips and reviews

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bone marrow
good for dates
trendy
cavatelli alla norcina
tartare
desserts
restaurants
good for groups
burrata cheese
bar
oxtail
healthy food
tarts
salads
pork
rustic
ice cream
crowded
beef
good for special occasions
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EaterAugust 31, 2017
The real draw here are the perfect, soul-warming pastas. The spaghetti rustichella with dungeness crab and cavatelli alla norcina with housemade pork sausage and black truffle are the slam dunks. Read more
EaterMay 9, 2016
Think seasonal, meat-driven rustic Italian in an industrial space in the heart of the Arts District. It's one of the most constantly booked restaurants despite having a nearly hidden location. Read more
EaterSeptember 5, 2017
The spaghetti rustichella with dungeness crab and cavatelli alla norcina with housemade pork sausage and black truffle are the blockbuster hits. Read more
Doug de WetJuly 6, 2015
Been here 25+ times
The Company Man cocktail is a winning way to start a meal. Its flavor resides somewhere between a Martini and a Martinez with a touch of sweetness on the front and a dry, slightly bitter finish.
Tiffany HoMarch 2, 2018
Everything we ordered was delicious. Each dish seemed familiar and at the same time there was something different to make it special. Great service, and relaxed dining experience.
Winnie KhooSeptember 26, 2015
Fave: Chicken Liver Crostino, Fig Salad, Roasted Bone Marrow, Cavatelli alla Norcina, Quadretti alla Carota, Fresh Peppermint Stracciatella Ice Cream, Creme Fraiche Panna Cotta; Skip: Pizze
PureWowJanuary 24, 2017
Their strawberries and cream is a classic dessert made all cheffy with this delish collage of fresh berries, strawberry buttermilk ice cream, clotted cream and walnut macaron. Read more
ブルーノJune 18, 2017
My biggest fear right after I was lucky enough to get a reservation: to be eating in an overrated place. Thank God I was wrong! Bestia is seriously one of the best places to go for dinner in LA
Lizzy SaxeJanuary 7, 2016
Really loved this meal. Fantastic pasta, delicious calamari, and perfect bone marrow. But it's definitely a meat place. The branzino we had was tasty, but mealy in texture.
goopJuly 30, 2014
With a traditional Italian menu in structure - from the antipasti to the pizzas, pastas, secondi, contorni and dolci - they make the cheese, mustard and more in-house, matching quality to taste. Read more
EaterJuly 10, 2013
There's heavy emphasis on house-cured meats, pizzas, and pastas, with unexpected and inspired flavors. The beverage program here, from cocktails to wine, is a hit, too. [Eater 38 Member]
OliverDecember 16, 2015
Everything good. Ive had the chance to try every damn item on the menu thanks to friends. Do this. Get the manager. Pick a bottle of wine. And ask to pair your meal around the wine. Cant go wrong.
IrmaZandl ZandlSlantNovember 15, 2014
Fantastic. My friend insisted we try the bone marrow which is not normally my thing. Delish! Also recommend the octopus salad and the grilled meatballs. Pizza was disappointing.
Meghan Pinckard-GandhiDecember 11, 2014
Oh wow. Amazing food! A little rich to the palette so watch your tummy. Easy to go overboard. Trendy setting, bit loud. But you can get dressed up and have a great time out with whomever; spouse, etc
ReserveFebruary 10, 2016
The Spaghetti Rustichella is made with lobster, sea urchin, garlic, Calabrian chilies, squid ink bottarga and breadcrumbs elevate this spaghetti to VIP (Very Important Pasta) status. Read more
Doug de WetAugust 25, 2015
Been here 25+ times
Continually advancing their in-house charcuterie, becoming more and more scrumptious each visit, the chef's selection salumi platter is fabulous to share.
Antony OMay 7, 2016
My date took me here, seated outside. Food was tasty, not sure it deserves all the hype. Overall decent spot. Park on the street. Valet is crazy expensive. Pictured is the pork belly and bone marrow.
Doug de WetNovember 29, 2015
Been here 25+ times
Amazing agnolotti: Agnolotti alla Vaccinara, made with cacao pasta, are melt in your mouth, tender, sweet, savory, comforting tummy smiles on a plate.
Claire KayApril 9, 2015
Bestia is a great place!! Some ofthe best food you can get in LA for a justified price. It's definitely not somewhere you can decide to go eat at on a whim. Make a reservation a few weeks in advance.
ℳ𝒶𝓎♍August 14, 2015
Modern Italian food at its best! It's the perfect example of a quasi-essential LA resto.Bestia is trendy, hip and lively. Loved how they have an open kitchen, you get to see how all the magic happens!
Johnnie SkywalkingMay 9, 2015
Hard to book but can walk in and wait by drinking at terrace. Everything taste great but follow the reco. Bone marrow is great with spinach pasta under that.
ReserveFebruary 10, 2016
The Sonora Whole Wheat Apple Cider Donuts alone are enough to make us squeal. But the addition of maple sour cream ice cream AND whipped cream really makes us scream. Read more
Adrian PhillipsNovember 8, 2014
Been here 5+ times
Veal Tartare crostini, tomato salad, calamari and octopus salad, chicken gizzards are must haves. Start with a White Negroni and then hit the wines. The staff is amazing, best restaurant in LA.
RonJune 4, 2017
Fantastic Italian food, excellent service, swell bar program! Get the charcuterie for in-house cured meats, smoked chicken liver pate, bone marrow, pizzas, pastas - everything was good!
tt tuFebruary 28, 2017
Of course, I had to. It's so trendy but it really lives up to the hype. Great people, great service - love the pastas, and oh, the Smoked Branzino. So innovative. Loved. IT
Johnnie SkywalkingSeptember 6, 2015
Branzino is my must choice these days. With vegetable on top, this is the perfect dish to appreciate great foods both from ocean and land.
Lucille FisherJuly 10, 2023
Modern Italian. If you’re into trendy hyped up places, it’s the place to go. Food is excellent, very good service. Expensive. Very LA.
Annie LeeJuly 31, 2016
Hard to make reservation for this place, if it's only 2 of you, go in after dinner crowd and sneak in the bar counter, you can have your dinner there! Must order roasted bone marrow, mussels and clams
Dara-Ann BaumanSeptember 3, 2013
You have to drive through the ghetto to get here but it's worth at least one trip. Get a seat at the pizza bar for a unique dining experience - it's super hot but the head chef gives you free treats😉
Tommy LMarch 30, 2014
Get the cocktails. Get the bone marrow. Get the grilled octopus. Get the coffee and donuts. Get the cavatelli alla norcina. Forget the pork chops.
EvanAugust 29, 2013
Husband and wife team Executive Chef Ori Menashe and Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis are responsible for the amazing food here. You can't go wrong, but order charcuterie and the chocolate budino tart.
jennifer hanMarch 23, 2013
belly so happy! the pizza 'nduja and saffron tagliatelle are so good. their pizzas could possibly be my new favorite, even over gjelina. then order the zeppole to really make your belly sing with joy.
goopJuly 30, 2014
The scope of the menu is ambitious and innovative, as Ori hates to waste meat, meaning you'll find the occasional beef and lamb heart or chicken gizzard dotting the offerings. Read more
PureWowJanuary 13, 2017
The Jerusalem Artichoke is pureed goodness that’s more filling than many clear soups—and thanks to fermented chiles, oregano and fried capers, more flavorful. Read more
Derek FlanzraichDecember 27, 2017
Bone marrow is the real deal. Unexpected hits were the Casarecce pasta and Pink Lady Apple Crostata dessert!
Connie ChiuSeptember 17, 2017
Gorgeous interior but a little crowded and hectic, hard to hear. My favs are bone marrow (that pasta is so good), the chicken gizzards, and the oxtail ravioli.
Kate MatsumotoDecember 29, 2016
Lobster crostini, uni pasta, and the pork tomahawk were 💯 Cooked to perfection, juicy, and flavorful. Staff was attentive and atmosphere was super lively, trendy, and fun.
Emily WilsonFebruary 2, 2016
A great place for a special occasion, like a birthday. It's a fun spot and the food is delicious. Start with an old fashioned and some charcuterie.
goopJuly 30, 2014
You should really go for the pizza: Ori gives his dough a good 24-hours to rise and fall before it heads into the wood-burning oven, and you can tell. Read more
Keshav LewisMarch 14, 2020
Great fun at counter seating watching chefs make squid ink and gem salads, and various delicious things. Loved the gnocchi and grilled endive.
JTSeptember 8, 2016
Fantastic, lives up to expectations. The bone marrow is awesome - ask for the bone luge afterward. I loved the ox tail dish and tomato salad as well
Ben K.July 9, 2015
Easily one of the best restaurants in LA. Order pretty much anything but don't miss the uni pasta.
Melissa Richardson Banks aka Downtown MuseDecember 28, 2012
Tartufo black truffle pizza and Cavatelli alla Norcina pasta (ricotta dumplings, more black truffles!) are THE best! Start with chicken liver crostino. For dessert? Try the chocolate tart!
Sherrie GulmahamadJuly 10, 2013
Right now, a little scene-y and buzz-y but worth it. Get a few small plates and split a pasta or pizza and save room for dessert. Try an Austria red wine too!
Thomas ColtonJuly 11, 2015
It's almost impossible for a placed like this to live up to the hype, but every dish was executed to perfection. The food is beyond reproach. The only issue is that too many people want to come!
goopJuly 30, 2014
A trip here requires Uber, as this place draws huge crowds—the bar is a fun place to wait, and the cocktails are delicious. Read more
Ali OopNovember 24, 2015
Been here 10+ times
So good! Pastas were amazing, so were the cocktails. Honestly, everything was just great! Get something from all sections of the menu if you can.
Serious EatsMay 29, 2014
Rustic Italian flavors inside a hip downtown warehouse; spring for the cavatelli al norcini, and don't overlook the pizzas. 4 stars.
AmberJuly 8, 2017
Since its opening in 2012, Bestia's sort of become the definitive LA restaurant. It's no surprise it's one of the few tough reservations in the city.
Heba-I-amSeptember 6, 2017
I went when I wasn't hungry but I got the lobster crostino and it was delicious! They've awesome cocktails. Cute and Friendly bartenders too 😌

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