Patio Panache: Circa’s Go-Tos for Alfresco Dining  

We all love LA’s storied rooftop restaurants and bars, but if you’re looking for something a little more down to earth, it’s time to discover the city’s bustling patio scene. Enjoy chef-driven menus and elegant craft cocktails at Redbird and Manuela. Or choose from an array of curated beers at Far Bar. If you’re feeling more adventurous, explore authentic Persian cuisine under the open sky. From lush garden oases to secret tucked away courtyards and lively casual spaces, you can soak up the outdoor vibe day or night. Here are some of our favorites, many not far from Circa.

Everson Royce Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Everson Royce Bar 1936 E 7th St. Los Angeles CA 90021 

Voted “Best Patio in L.A.” by The Infatuation, Everson Royce Bar (E.R.B.) is a polished cocktail spot located in the DTLA Arts District. The extensive menu offers everything from their signature burgers to potato taquitos, nachos, and salads, along with vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free selections. Quench your thirst with erb cocktails, beer, wine by the glass or bottle, and non-alcoholic beverages. The patio can be reserved for large and small parties.

Far Bar patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Far Bar 347 1st St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Situated in the historic Far East Building in the heart of Little Tokyo, Far Bar offers something for everyone looking for a good time, with the aim to bring you the best in craft beers, spirits and food. On top of the large selection of bottled craft beers from Japan (the largest in Southern California!), they offer 34 different craft beers on tap. The whiskey and bourbon selection is one of the best in Los Angeles, along with tequila, rum, and sake. A good drink isn’t complete without a great bite to go with it! From sushi to signature burgers and their famous wasabi fries, Far bar offers a delicious menu designed to pair perfectly with a good drink.

Redbird patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Redbird 114 E 2nd St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Set inside the former Vibiana cathedral, one of downtown LA’s most striking architectural landmarks, Redbird feels iconic and familiar, where exceptional food and great drinks arrive without pretense. Led by Chef Neal Fraser’s distinctive Angeleno point of view, the chef-driven restaurant and award-winning cocktail lounge were designed for real life in LA, where shared plates, great drinks, and conversations don’t need rushing. The Main Dining Room offers open-air dining beneath a retractable roof, with views of the bell tower. On cooler evenings, heaters and a wood-burning fireplace create a comfortable, inviting atmosphere, making the space ideal for both intimate dinners and lively group dining. 

Benny Boy Brewing patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Benny Boy Brewing 1821 Daly St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

Benny Boy Brewing is a community‑driven, independent craft brewery & cider house with a huge outdoor beer garden, great people, wacky events, and drinks poured straight from the tank. An Urban Backyard, Benny’s is where you come to unwind, connect, feel at home, party, and discover something special: a vibrant space for immersive events, cultural celebrations, live music, watch parties, and multi-day festivals. Getting hungry? There are rotating food trucks daily. 

Damian patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Damian 2132 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Located in Los Angeles’ Arts District, Damian features contemporary cuisine rooted in Mexican culture. Inspired by Pacific Rim culinary traditions, they celebrate seasonal California produce. Damian’s beverage program focuses on artisanal spirits and reflects its cuisine, allowing the high-quality ingredients to shine. Their greenery-filled patio is the perfect setting for gracious outdoor dining, socializing, and making memories with family and friends.

Manuela DTLA patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Manuela 907 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA, 90013

Nestled in the Hauser & Wirth building in DTLA, Manuela unites chef, farmer and artist to create an authentic and original dining experience. Under the direction of Executive Chef Kris Tominaga, the menu celebrates seasonal ingredients sourced from the best farms and producers in Southern California. Serving a wide range of vegetables, grains, fish, and game, Manuela also features an exemplary bar program, which serves classic cocktails using house-made bitters and tonics. Manuela offers extensive outdoor seating surrounded by verdant plant life. Don’t forget to check out the garden area, where you’ll see some of the seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs they grow in-house, not to mention a brood of chickens that provide fresh eggs. 

Berenjak patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Berenjak 1010 S Santa Fe Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90021

A Persian garden in the downtown LA Arts District, Berenjak takes its inspiration from the gardens of Pasargadae, the ancient capital city of Cyrus the Great, celebrated as the origin of the Persian garden style. The menu at Berenjak is made up of favoriite Persian dishes, honing in on the must-haves from one of the oldest and richest cuisines in the world. Crafted around the culinary heritage of founder Kian Samyani’s family recipes, passed down from generation to generation, the menu aims to showcase the best of Persian cuisine through a modern lens. Michelin Guide has awarded Berenjak a Bib Gourmand for “excellent cooking at a reasonable price.”

De La Nonna patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

De La Nonna 710 E 4th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90013

De La Nonna, meaning from the grandmother, represents the idea of Italian soul food that your Nonna would approve of. After a year of successfully popping up at various locations throughout Los Angeles, the Nonna team brought their dream to life with a brick and mortar space in the Arts District, complete with a hidden garden that hosts the best pizza party in the city. The menu at De La Nonna consists of Italian classics and coastal favorites with unforgettable flavors. Executive Chef and Owner, Patrick Costa, draws inspiration from his grandmother, who’d only cook using fresh, home grown herbs and local market produce.

Bestia patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bestia 2121 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

In 2012, Chef Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis found themselves in a vacant warehouse, down a dimly lit alleyway at the edge of downtown Los Angeles. The exposed brick, steel beams, and well-worked concrete spoke to who they were as people and the food they wanted to cook. The converted warehouse soon opened its garage door and with it, a menu that reflected Menashe’s interpretations of Italian classics with an emphasis on powerful, yet balanced flavors and wood-fired cooking, while Gergis’ desserts brought a final course of equally reimagined heavy hitters. In the lush courtyard, music dims to a hum and trees ripe with figs frame your view. The intensity of the open kitchen and the passion of the Bestia team remains timelessly palpable. 

Bavel patio dining near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bavel 500 Mateo St #102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The follow-up to DTLA’s always-packed Bestia, Bavel is a Middle Eastern restaurant from Chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. With family roots in Israel, Morocco, Turkey, and Egypt, the couple have always wanted to open a restaurant that showcases the cuisines of their family lineages, bringing together the flavors and dishes they grew up with. Middle Eastern restaurants are often imagined to have design aesthetics that tend to be very dark, heavily patterned, and somewhat cliché. The design for Bavel set out to challenge those conventions with a light and leafy ambiance and a lovely outdoor patio.

Photo Credits:

Photo #1: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #2  Everson Royce Bar

Photo #3: Far Bar

Photo #4: Redbird

Photo #5: Benny Boy Brewing

Photo #6: Damian

Photo #7: Manuela

Photo #8: Berenjak

Photo #9: De La Nonna

Photo #10: Bestia

Photo #11: Bavel


That’s Amore: Circa Savors the Flavors of Italy in DTLA 

Did you know that downtown Los Angeles was once the epicenter of a thriving Little Italy? LA’s earliest Italian enclave, dating back to the 19th century, was located near the Los Angeles Plaza, at what is now El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument. A great place to learn more about this fascinating history is the Italian American Museum of Los Angeles, located in the historic Italian Hall. Today, Italian restaurants like Bestia, Rossoblu, and Maccheroni Republic are making culinary history with inventive menus, fresh ingredients hand-crafted pasta, and curated wine lists. Here are some of our favorites, many not far from Circa.

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Italian American Museum of Los Angeles 644 N Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Italian American Museum of Los Angeles (IAMLA) explores the Italian American experience in the context of the nation’s multicultural mosaic. The 6,000 square-foot museum, located in downtown Los Angeles, features an award-winning permanent exhibition, as well as temporary exhibitions, cultural-educational programming, and curricula for educators. The IAMLA is housed in the Italian Hall, which was constructed in 1908 as a community center. The Italian Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is among the oldest remaining structures from the city’s historic Little Italy. 

Florence by the Water Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Florence by the Water Hotel Figueroa 939 S Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Florence by the Water, a chic waterside Italian restaurant, recently opened at the Hotel Figueroa, coinciding with the hotel’s 100th anniversary. Inspired by the timeless elegance of Tuscany, Florence by the Water is a celebration of high-quality, traditional Italian dining tailored for modern tastes. The menu is centered on iconic Tuscan dishes, including the legendary Fiorentina steak, handmade pastas, and a curated selection of seasonal delights. Every dish is crafted with respect for fresh, locally sourced ingredients, emphasizing the same love and care that defines true Italian cuisine.

Bestia Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Bestia 2121 E 7th Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Owned and operated by husband and wife Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, Arts District darling Bestia features a thoughtfully sourced and seasonal menu, well-crafted cocktails, and an extraordinary wine program offering an unparalleled dining experience in Los Angeles. Choose from a generous selection of authentic Italian stalwarts such as antipasti, pizzas, pasta, secondi (fish, lamb, steak), finished off with dolci (mascarpone rice pudding, crème fraîche panna cotta, and bar au chocolat (bittersweet chocolate budino tart). Buon appetito! 

Rossoblu Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Rossoblu City Market South 1124 San Julian St. Los Angeles, CA 90015

Winner of numerous awards, Rossoblu is an independently owned restaurant from husband-and-wife team Chef Steve Samson and Dina Samson. The menu draws on Steve’s Bolognese heritage, which was shaped by summers with his grandparents. He has brought his vision to life through locally-sourced ingredients, wood-fired cooking, handmade pastas, and a full in-house butchery and salumi program, rooted in tradition and craft. The wine list highlights family-owned, grower-focused producers who share their commitment to thoughtful sourcing and a sense of place.

Vespaio Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Vespaio 225 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90012

Vespaio, the latest restaurant by Chef Agostino’s Sciandri of the acclaimed Ago Group, is now serving lunch, dinner, Happy Hour, and a Pre Theatre menu. Offering a diverse selection of both seasonal dishes and family staples that infuse classic Italian tastes with notes of Mediterranean influence, Vespaio serves its beautifully plated meals, sommelier-selected wines, and handcrafted specialty cocktails both indoors and on an abundant patio that showcases the highlights of Bunker Hill’s thriving arts scene.

Drago Centro Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Drago Centro City National Plaza 525 Flower St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Drago Centro stands as a premier dining destination for enthusiasts of authentic Italian Sicilian cuisine with an inventive edge, accompanied by impeccable service. Executive Chef Celestino Drago, a culinary visionary, curates a menu that is both delectably approachable and ingeniously innovative, showcasing a signature selection of Italian dishes crafted with finesse and creativity. From house-made pastas that tantalize the taste buds to succulent steaks and elegantly created desserts, Chef Celestino’s culinary creations leave a lasting impression.

Maddalena Restaurant Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Maddalena Restaurant San Antonio Winery 737 Lamar St. Los Angeles, CA 90031

A longtime favorite for locals and visitors alike, Maddalena Restaurant blends traditional Italian recipes with award-winning California wines in one of the city’s most unique winery dining destinations. Named after winery matriarch Maddalena Riboli, the restaurant blends generations-old Italian recipes with California wine culture, creating the city’s original winery dining experience. Enjoy wine-paired menus, live music, group dining, celebrations, and casual gatherings in a warm, old-world setting surrounded by the historic charm of the winery.

Maccheroni Republic Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Maccheroni Republic 332 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

Maccheroni Republic is an authentic Italian osteria in the heart of Los Angeles, renowned for serving the best homemade pasta in the city. Using only organic flour in their in-house Pastificio (pasta factory), Maccheroni Republic crafts fresh artisanal pasta daily, using traditional techniques that celebrate Italy’s rich culinary heritage. The restaurant has a warm, inviting dining room and elegant urban patio that offers a charming ambiance, perfect for enjoying a meal with friends or family.

Settecento DTLA Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Settecento DTLA 700 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90071

Settecento is not just a restaurant—it’s a gateway to Italy’s culinary heritage. The menu is a celebration of traditional recipes refined through the ages, paired with the freshest ingredients that bring each dish to life. The pastas and wood-fired pizzas are made entirely from scratch in-house, crafted with flour imported directly from Italy, free of GMOs. From the rich, earthy flavors of Northern Italy’s truffle and mushroom pastas to the lively seafood linguine of the south, each dish is a love letter to Italy. 

The Factory Kitchen Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

The Factory Kitchen 1300 Factory Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Located in the heart of the DTLA Arts District, The Factory Kitchen is a trattoria in a reclaimed factory space serving traditional Italian fare, including delicate house-made pastas, fresh seafood and focaccinas. The restaurant has been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand from 2019 to the present.

Propaganda Italian restaurant near Circa residences in downtown Los Angeles

Propaganda 950 E 3rd St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

Propaganda is an Italian wine bar serving the authentic Pizza Romana, charcuterie, fine cheeses, fresh salads and amazing Italian-style tapas, such as their signature warm focaccia sandwiches, paired with a selection of over 100 wines by the bottle, by the glass, and tasting flights. Make sure to try their signature Negronis and Spritz cocktails.

Photo credits:

Photo #1: Rossoblu

Photo #2: Italian American Museum of Los Angeles

Photo #3: Florence by the Water / Hotel Figueroa

Photo #4: Bestia

Photo #5: Rossoblu

Photo #6: Vespaio

Photo #7: Drago Centro

Photo #8: Maddalena Restaurant

Photo #9: Maccheroni Republic 

Photo #10: Settecento DTLA

Photo #11: The Factory Kitchen

Photo #12: Propaganda