It’s 12 PM on a Monday. Lunch is approaching, and you – ahem – “forgot” to meal prep the night before. You’re counting down the minutes until you can step outside and see the sunlight again. Daydreaming of the food options in the area, you begin to feel overwhelmed by the possibilities.
Also – was that an earthquake, or was that just the sheer violent force of your stomach rumbling?
You need to make a decision… and you need to make it fast. Before you become one of those hangry people they make fun of in Snickers commercials.
For two years, I worked in Downtown Los Angeles, and without these go-to choices for lunch, there are days where I’d be lost. Overcome with intolerable hanger. A nuisance to all those around me, really.
To anyone else who finds themselves in a similar position, or if you just want to find a great place to eat in Downtown Los Angeles, I’ve got you covered. Check out the list below of my favorite spots to eat in Downtown LA.
Don’t Stop ’till You Slurp Enough…
For those moments when nothing sounds better than a warm bowl of noodles, served with a rich broth that’ll leave your entire body warm.
DTLA Ramen
952 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015
My Usual Order:
Spicy Tonkatsu Ramen
Why Is it Lunch-Worthy?
Piping hot ramen noodles call out to you during a cold Los Angeles day. Decadent broth with fresh noodles and a soft-boiled egg injected with soy sauce will warm up your belly. It’s the perfect spot to pop into when it’s gloomy outside.
Silverlake Ramen
615 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
The Blaze
Why Is it Lunch-Worthy?
If your desire to noodle around continues, stop by Silverlake Ramen’s latest location in DTLA. This is the place to go-to if you’re a fan of creamy broth, and thin cut noodles, with a small amount of heat to hit the back of your tongue.
No Forks Required…
Sometimes, you’d rather eat with your hands.
Pictured: Smokeshack Burger with a side of Crinkle Fries.
Photo by Thomas Habr on Unsplash
Shake Shack
400 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
SmokeShack burger with a side of cheese fries.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
As a Southern Californian girl with a stubborn loyalty towards In n Out, it took me a while to hop on the Shake Shack bandwagon. When I finally did, though? Oh, it was so worth it.
Soon enough, I was going back on a 2-3 times a week basis to get another fix of their burgers and fries served with the most decadent cheese sauce.
Umami Burger
852 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
Truffle Burger… with a side of truffle fries. What can I say? I like truffles.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
When I was craving more of a sit-down dining experience, I would head over to Umami Burger. It’s pretty quiet on weekdays at lunchtime, so you’re likely to be seated at a peaceful table with minimal chatter and noise. I liked coming here when I needed an escape from the office environment.
Plus, it doesn’t hurt that the food is absolutely delicious.
Put On Your Fancy Pants.
Perhaps you want to impress, or you’re looking to celebrate a promotion with a coworker. If so, put on your fancy pants to experience luxury during your lunch in downtown LA.
The Exchange Restaurant
416 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
I Recommend Ordering:
Avocado and Labneh
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
This restaurant is such a gem. Sadly, I’ve only eaten here once, but it was so worth it. Each bite is bursting with flavor. Beautiful natural light surrounds you and your fellow guests. It’s such a peaceful retreat from the bustle of downtown Los Angeles, and each dish packs an explosion of flavor.
Sugarfish
600 W. 7th St #150, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
The Trust Me.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
The thing I love about Sugarfish is that it makes a sushi outing so darn simple. They have three set menus to choose from, each filled with an assortment of sashimi, nigiri and hand rolls. If you’ve been looking to dip your toes into more “traditional” sushi, I like to think of Sugarfish as the best place to start.
Zinqué
939 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
The Mushroom Flatbread.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
When I dined at Zinqué with coworkers, I was so impressed by the beautiful ambience. You can choose to sit outside and enjoy the people watching in downtown Los Angeles, but the inside is beautiful as well. As I recall, they have a great happy hour menu as well.
So, not only is it a great option for lunch in downtown LA, but it’s also great for some post-work drinks.
Okay… I Guess I’ll Be Healthy Today.
These options are perfect for those days you crave vegetables and a well-rounded lunch.
Photo by Aubrey Odom on Unsplash
Sweetgreen
410 W. 8th St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
“Make Your Own” Salad. My favorite is with basil, tomatoes, walnuts, chicken, and the pesto dressing.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
If you’re looking for a healthy lunch in downtown LA, you can’t beat Sweetgreen. You can either choose from their menu, or go fully custom by choosing the “Make Your Own” option. The variety, the freshness of ingredients, and the excellent taste make it one of the best lunch options in downtown Los Angeles.
Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean
724 S. Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90014
My Usual Order:
Chicken Shawarma Plate.
Why Is It Lunch-Worthy?
Soom Soom is my lunch pick whenever I’m craving something that’s easy, quick, customizable and flavorful. Similarly to another “build your bowl” style restaurant such as Sweetgreen or Chipotle, you can customize your own bowl by selecting your protein, toppings, and sauces. It’s inside a food hall, which means that picking up your food to-go is usually easy and quick. (As long as there’s not a huge line!)
Pro tip: arrive about 10 minutes before noon to beat the lunch rush.
I hope this post helps you find a good lunch option in downtown Los Angeles. After all, wouldn’t want you to go hungry.
Need more ideas for exploring Los Angeles? Read more:
- The 9 Best Weekend Trips from Los Angeles
- Easy Hike in LA with Ocean Views
- The 10 Kinds of People You’ll See on the LA Metro
