
Bestia
A trendy Italian haven in the Arts District, celebrated for its inventive seasonal fare, handmade pastas, and lively, industrial-chic ambiance.

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Bestia

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A trendy Italian haven in the Arts District, celebrated for its inventive seasonal fare, handmade pastas, and lively, industrial-chic ambiance.
"Consistently one of the best dining experiences in LA, delivering an impressive meal from start to finish."
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential! Secure your spot on OpenTable at least a month in advance, especially for weekends.
Don't Miss Signatures
Must-try dishes include the Roasted Marrow Bone and Wagyu Tartare for an unforgettable experience.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Handmade Pasta Perfection
Experience the artistry of handmade pastas like Chestnut & Mushroom Agnolotti and rich Squid Ink Spaghetti. Pure culinary bliss!

Signature Marrow Bone
A show-stopping Roasted Marrow Bone served with spinach gnocchi, a rich and decadent dish that's a must-try.

Chic Industrial Ambiance
Dine in a stylish, industrial-chic setting with an open kitchen, creating a vibrant and energetic atmosphere.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential! Secure your spot on OpenTable at least a month in advance, especially for weekends.
Don't Miss Signatures
Must-try dishes include the Roasted Marrow Bone and Wagyu Tartare for an unforgettable experience.
Parking Advice
Consider valet parking or look for public parking nearby, as the area can get busy.
Pasta Over Pizza
While pizzas are good, focus on Bestia's signature pastas for the ultimate culinary delight.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead
Reservations are essential! Secure your spot on OpenTable at least a month in advance, especially for weekends.
Don't Miss Signatures
Must-try dishes include the Roasted Marrow Bone and Wagyu Tartare for an unforgettable experience.
Parking Advice
Consider valet parking or look for public parking nearby, as the area can get busy.
Pasta Over Pizza
While pizzas are good, focus on Bestia's signature pastas for the ultimate culinary delight.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Bestia is consistently praised for its exceptional handmade pastas, creative Italian dishes, and vibrant, industrial-chic atmosphere. Diners rave about signature items like the Roasted Marrow Bone and Wagyu Tartare, and often mention the excellent service. However, some guests note that portions can be small for the price and the restaurant can be quite loud.
"Taste :4.6/5
Environment: 4.2/5
Service:4.7/5
Bestia is truly one of the finest Italian restaurants in Los Angeles! If you're planning to visit, securing a reservation on OpenTable at least a month in advance is highly recommended, especially if you're aiming for a weekend spot—those seats are like gold. There’s valet parking available, but you might also find some public parking nearby if you're lucky.
The place is madse for carb lover’s dream! Everything is made with fresh, high-quality ingredients and prepared simply yet masterfully. Here are a couple of standout dishes you absolutely must try:
Roasted Marrow Bone
This dish is a masterpiece. The spinach pasta has a perfectly chewy texture with a hint of charred flavor, and the roasted bone marrow adds a rich, buttery depth without being overwhelming. It’s no surprise this is one of Bestia’s signature appetizers.
Wagyu Tartare
The wagyu is incredibly fresh and paired with yolk jam, creating a creamy, flavorful combination. Spread it over the grilled bread, and you’ve got a bite of perfection.
Oh, and don’t forget to try their pizzas! They make everything from scratch, and you can taste the love and effort in every bite.
Bestia is definitely worth the hype—just be ready to plan ahead for this unforgettable dining experience!"
Paprika Meow
"Bestia’s still got it. At 9pm on a Saturday, the space was buzzing in that good way—warm lighting, open kitchen, and a crowd that’s clearly excited to eat.
Every dish hit. Our server suggested we add the Caesar salad and another pasta, so we went for the chestnut & mushroom agnolotti—and both ended up being highlights. The squid ink spaghetti had lobster that was tender and flavorful—a texture different from others I’ve had.
The scallop crudo was delicate and bright—one of those small bites that makes you slow down and actually taste the ingredients. The duck liver was smooth and deep in flavor, and the smoked mozzarella pizza came out hot and melty. The grilled branzino had crisp skin and a juicy inside—simple and cooked perfectly.
Classic LA spot that delivers an impressive meal all the way through. Next time, I’m coming early enough for the pistachio tiramisu."
Natalie Tran
"Absolutely obsessed with Bestia. The flavors, the sauces, the creativity…everything was on another level. Every dish felt perfectly balanced and memorable. We had the endive salad, bone marrow, grilled octopus, fig leaf ricotta tortellini, and the black ink spaghetti. Each one was a standout in its own way. The pastas in particular were phenomenal, with rich sauces that made you want to savor every bite.
The ambiance is lively and stylish without feeling pretentious, and service was attentive and friendly. Truly one of the best dining experiences in LA and I’d come back again and again."
Alexis M.
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It's highly recommended to book at least a month in advance, especially for weekend reservations, as they are very popular.
Yes, valet parking is available. Public parking options can also be found nearby.
Signature dishes like the Roasted Marrow Bone, Wagyu Tartare, and various handmade pastas are highly recommended.
It's very difficult due to high demand. Reservations are strongly advised. Some guests have found success by arriving early for opening.
Yes, many celebrate birthdays and other occasions here, enjoying the lively atmosphere and delicious food.
The restaurant has a trendy, industrial-chic vibe with an open kitchen, creating an energetic and buzzing atmosphere.
Some diners find the portions to be on the smaller side, particularly for the price, while others feel they are just right.
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Downtown Though Middle Eastern juggernaut Bavel has gotten more of the spotlight over the last year, it was their first-born Bestia that turned spouse-chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis into the stuff LA culinary legends are made of, and pushed the envelope for Arts District dining. Seven years on, this modern Italian masterpiece still puts out some of the city’s finest handmade pastas, including its renowned ricotta-dumpling cavatelli paired with an Umbrian Norcina sauce of shaved black truffles and nubs of housemade sausage. The spaghetti rustichella is currently sharing a bowl with tomato, Maine lobster meat, and Calabrian chiles, in case you’re looking for something a little luxe.
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Bestia is the kind of legendary Arts District spot where snagging a table requires a small prayer to the Reservation Gods, but the struggle will be worth it when their cavatelli alla norcina, or any of their other handmade pasta dishes, hit your table. The creamy, ricotta-filled pasta tubes in this dish are mixed with garlicky pork sausage, then topped with a luxurious serving of shaved black truffles. You’ll cycle through feelings of love, passion, and joy while eating this $45 pasta dish, which is more than we can say about eating most other pasta dishes in town.
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Over a decade later, Ori Menashe's original restaurant in the Arts District still sets the standard for modern Italian dining in Los Angeles. Perfectly crafted cocktails, a condensed selection of lesser-known wines and not-too-fussy plates of pasta, pizza and other items still wow in Bestia's industrial-chic setting. The house-cured salumi is a reason alone to visit, but the open kitchen nails preparations from light (house salad and crudo are a balance in flavors) to soul-satisfying (everything that comes out of the wood-burning oven and the outstanding pastas).
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Husband-and-wife team Genevieve Gergis and Ori Menashe are behind Bestia, an Italian haven that consistently ranks high on local “best of” lists. The decor follows the name—which translates to “beast” in Italian—with its wall of weapons and meat-hook chandeliers. There’s no wrong choice on this menu, but the roasted marrow bone and alla ‘nduja pizza are favorites for first-timers.
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The scene: Currently one of the most talked about restaurants in LA, Bestia serves up incredible Italian cuisine with a modern, imaginative twist. Dishes piled high with house made spaghetti strands tangled together and doused with sea urchin tomato sauce mingle with plate-size puffy pizza bases liberally spread with ricotta and topped with house-cured salumi at this wide open restaurant where exposed brickwork and an unfinished ceiling create a chic urban aesthetic. The husband and wife chef team work together to create a constantly refreshed menu which pushes adventurous eaters out of their comfort zones, all the while managing an energetic, buzzing serving team eager to please and deliver.
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A decade after opening, it can still take months of planning to score a seat at chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis' industrial Arts District dining den, which should explain why it appears here. The couple has curated a meat-forward from-scratch multi-regional tour through Italy that honors time-tested recipes, techniques, and flavor profiles while simultaneously considering seasonality and modern palettes and pushing themselves to add refinement to rusticity. Mix and match Neapolitan-style pizzas from the Acunto oven, tastebud-tantalizing pasta like fermented sweet potato ravioli or squid ink chitarra with poached lobster and Calabrian chili, and house-cured salumi.
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In an industrial-inflected, warehouse-like space in Downtown L.A.’s Arts District, you’ll find Bestia, a relative newcomer helmed by husband-and-wife duo, Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. While 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), 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. A trip here requires Uber, as this place draws huge crowds—the bar is a fun place to wait, and the cocktails are delicious.
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The restaurant is very loud, decorated with unfinished surfaces, steel, marble and wood and wall coverings in “a pattern of bar-fight weapons” and a staff in T-shirts and bandanas—the kind of hipster hot spot that looks destined to flare out. But after seven years Bestia has become a totem for the kind of Los Angeles cutting-edge style of the second decade of the 21st century, while owners Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis (both born is the area) work diligently to produce menus that change just enough to entice regulars back and to surprise newcomers. The food is Italian and Mediterranean, rife with chilies and Middle Eastern spices.
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Formerly of Angelini Osteria, Executive Chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis are the husband and wife team behind the hit restaurant Bestia. A multi-regional Italian restaurant set in the arts district of Downtown, Bestia has made a name for itself since it opened by offering everything from a special cocktail menu to affordable pastas, pizzas, and desserts. With a literal meaning of "Beast" in Italian, Bestia and Chef Ori are known for adding a personal touch to their food though, including baking their own bread for pizza dough, creating their own fresh pastas and much more.
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If you're looking for something more modern when it comes to menu, vibes, and atmosphere, look no further than Bestia. This industrial yet cozy restaurant is located in the Art's District, and it blends materials like marble, steel, and wood to create a one-of-a-kind space that is complete with meat-hook chandeliers, tulip pendant lights, and distinctive booths that look as though they are floating. The appetizers at Bestia remain pretty classic and simple, featuring dishes like marinated olives, house-made buttermilk ricotta, and beef tartare on a crostini.
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Bestia, which first opened in 2012, is another venture by Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis. This innovative Italian eatery is located within a repurposed warehouse where industrial bones meet wood-fired fare and creative cocktails. Appetizers like the charred octopus, homemade buttermilk ricotta and grilled Caledonian prawns start your meal strong, but when it comes to quenching your thirst, Bestia’s signature Chef’s Old Fashioned features a bourbon washed with smoked bone marrow, giving it a silky mouthfeel and savory undertones.
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Located in a massive Arts District warehouse space adjacent to the L.A. River, Bestia (meaning “beast” in Italian) opened in late 2012 and quickly became one of the hottest tables in town - it's still a tough reservation more than a decade later. Italian food lovers come for the house-made pastas and charcuterie, but also for the Neapolitan-style pizzas that became a pet project of chef Ori Menashe, who refined his dough-making process over a few months - what was once a 24-hour cycle of fermentation evolved into three full days.
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Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis opened Bestia in 2012 down a dark alleyway in the Arts District, and the restaurant has been packed ever since. Bestia is much more than its pasta dishes, but the handmade pastas are definitely worth ordering, as Menashe has honed his pasta skills working at Angelini Osteria. One of the mainstay dishes at Bestia is the cavatelli alla norcina, which is served with pork sausage and black truffles -- but the best way to experience Bestia is with a group so you can order more than one.
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Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis opened Bestia in 2012 down a dark alleyway in the Arts District, and the restaurant has been packed ever since. Bestia is much more than its pasta dishes, but the handmade pastas are definitely worth ordering, as Menashe has honed his pasta skills working at Angelini Osteria. One of the mainstay dishes at Bestia is the cavatelli alla norcina, which is served with pork sausage and black truffles — but the best way to experience Bestia is with a group so you can order more than one.
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LA’s wine scene has proven itself to have a style all its own—from Bar Covell’s redefinition of the wine bar to quirky wine lists at restaurants like Bestia and Marvin. There’s more new than any of us can handle, particularly downtown, where the craft cocktail bars—and inimitable bar and wine programs tucked into some of the city’s best restaurants—are not to be missed. From east side to west and everything in between and surrounding, LA literally has something for everyone.
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Since its inception in 2012, this award-winning restaurant has established itself as one of the best in Downtown Los Angeles. Bestia, launched by chefs Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis, has an industrial Italian vibe with dishes like home-made buttermilk ricotta, roasted lamb neck, and squid ink chitarra. Bestia has received three stars from major local articles, and Menashe has been titled the “best new chef” by Food & Wine and the Los Angeles Times on two occasions.
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Cookbook author and arbiter of unproven herbal remedies Gwyneth Paltrow has been spotted at Bestia, and if it’s good enough for Goop, it’s good enough for us. And Bestia’s not resting on its celebrity endorsement: the menu is seriously good. It’s an LA take on Italian with antipasti such as a beef tartare crostino and Coppa di Testa – a pig head terrine with daikon radish and salsa verde.2121 7th Place, Los Angeles
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After 11 years of essentially nonstop business, one could wonder if Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis’ Arts District flagship might be situated over some sort of magnetic energy vortex. Nearby restaurants of equal caliber never seem quite as busy, or close outright from lack of interest. Show up to Bestia on any night and the brick walls of its rehabbed-warehouse dining room will be rattling from the din.
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Best for: Trendy high-end Italian Location: 2121 E 7th Place, Los Angeles, CA 90021 Price: Mains from 20 USD. Since opening in 2012, Bestia has become one of LA’s hottest restaurants. Housed in a downtown warehouse with a distinctive copper bar and exposed brick walls, the award-winning restaurant specialises in freshly made Italian fare, from handmade pasta to house-cured charcuteries.
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Located in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles, Bestia is a popular restaurant that specializes in Italian cuisine. The menu features wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta dishes, and a variety of meat and seafood entrées. Bestia’s concept takes classic contemporary elements and combines them with a more rugged, industrial space which creates a unique juxtaposition.
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At Bestia, Menashe and Gergis work alongside each other to create a true husband and wife team in a contemporary meets industrial Italian restaurant. Fcusing on a from-scratch approach and serving a multi-regional rustic Italian menu, one stand out dessert is their Frozen Strawberry Torte: butter cake, strawberry buttermilk, strawberry sorbet and dulce de leche.
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Serving the original wood-oven baked dishes, Bestia has gained its reputation as an authentic Italian eatery with a seasonal menu. Here you will find the best craft cocktails and a delectable selection of wines to pair with your meal. The menu highlights like spaghetti rustichella and agnolotti alla vaccinara have become iconic highlights to try in the city.
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Bestia in Los Angeles stands out in a city full of dining choices by offering consistently good food that keeps people coming back. Even with limited time in town, many make a point to return because they crave what Bestia has to offer. Its straightforward approach focuses on quality cooking that remains a favorite for locals and visitors alike.
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A post shared by Bestia Restaurant (@bestiadtla) on Jul 24, 2020 at 5:00pm PDT. As I said above, Bestia is famous for their Italian cuisine. In normal circumstances (read: not during COVID), reservations need to be made at least 3 months in advance (sometimes 6+!) and to be honest, even during these times it’s still hard to get reservations!
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Bestia is an Italian restaurant located in Downtown LA. The interior of Bestia is a beautiful mix of modern and industrial elements, paying homage to the sophisticated design of modern-day Italian spaces. Featuring reclaimed materials and a rustic wood floor, the decor draws inspiration from its name. The restaurant also features two patios.
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There are so many reasons to visit this Arts District powerhouse. But along with the beloved bone marrow and pastas, we recommend that every meal here includes a pizza or two. The sourdough crusts are beautifully charred, and standout topping combinations include prosciutto with fermented serrano chiles and fennel pollen.
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Born from the vision of wife-and-husband duo Ori Menashe and Genevieve Gergis in 2012, Bestia features an impressive variety of classic Italian dishes handcrafted from scratch using the finest ingredients. Their pasta, wood-fired pizza, and even their meticulously made-in-house charcuterie are well worth the hype.
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The restaurant is constantly winning awards, picking up national press coverage and they even have their own cook book. Some of the dishes on the menu are technically perfect, but to miss out on the pizza would be a sin. The perfect crust, a rich sauce and just the right amount of cheese on this classical pizza.
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- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (614 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.5/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$$$- Address: 2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021-1755- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like:Highest-rated seafood restaurants in Los Angeles by diners
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If edgy, contemporary Italian dining tops on your dining to-do list, Bestia is your best bet for romantic restaurants in Los Angeles. This modern eatery combines the style a trendy hotspot with a menu filled with fabulous heritage flavors. Meat lovers in particular will find their options wildly appealing.
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Bestia deservedly gets its name from the Italian word for "beast". Embodying an impressive strength in culinary practice, the restaurant paid homage to modern-day Italy and was designed in a contemporary and industrial style. These pizzas have unique toppings that turn a classic dish into a luxurious meal.
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Bestia is a restaurant located in the Arts District of Downtown Los Angeles. The restaurant serves rustic Italian cuisine with creative dishes and an excellent atmosphere. The restaurant has been named one of the best restaurants in Los Angeles by several publications, including Zagat and Yelp.
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Bestia is an Italian restaurant that has made its name by offering creative takes on classic dishes. With the same owners as Bavel, this establishment exudes a level of quality that patrons have come to expect. Don’t miss the dessert menu with items like ricotta fritters or peach cobbler!
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Pastry Chef Genevieve Gergis of Bestia began making this Chocolate Budino Tarte back in 2017. Much like the Butterscotch Budino at Pizzeria Mozza, it quickly garnered nationwide fame. Made with chocolate from Bar au Chocolat in Manhattan Beach, it is as bittersweet as the city itself.
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Offers outdoor seating, pet-friendly, provides vegetarian and vegan options. Bestia is a well-known restaurant in LA, offering a great vibe and delicious food. The location may appear a bit questionable, but the interior is warm and inviting.
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Why You Need To Dine Here: The DTLA restaurant is more than a place to be seen. As the name implies, their pizza and pasta-based menu is an unbeatable beast of modern Italian cuisine. Pro Tip: Finish your meal with the chocolate budino tart.
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Bestia has been a big factor in downtown LA's Arts District emergence as a neighborhood of note. This trendy Italian eatery from a husband and wife team serves up multi-regional food from old country to the delight of L.A.
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Bestia has been the hottest restaurant in LA for what seems like ages now. Once you snag a table and try the spaghetti rustichella with uni, Dungeness crab, Calabrian chili, and Thai basil, you’ll understand why.
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has a great semi-private dining space on the patio adjacent to the dining room that can seat 9-25 guests. And let’s be real, nothing says party time like a healthy serving of Italian food.
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2121 E 7th Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90021Phone: 213-514-5724 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Bestia Restaurant (@bestiadtla)
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How in the world does this place still require booking a reservation three months ahead?. Is it really worth it?
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit