4 Multicultural Dinner Spaces in Los Angeles
Los Angeles has one of the widest selections of dining locations in the United States. Visit these restaurants for a flavourful experience inspired by dishes from around the world.
Alt-text: A small dish of escargot sits on a wooden serving platter next to a partially-filled wine glass.
République
This French restaurant was born out of a deep-set love for the cuisines of several cultures.
Walter Manzke trained in many parts of the world and alongside chefs of all backgrounds, including Spanish chef Ferran Adrià and Monégasque chef Alain Ducasse. Yet, in 2009, Manzke made his name in French cuisine when he took over the kitchen at Church & State.
After partnering up with his wife, Margarita Manzke, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu and the Culinary Institute of America, the two ventured into the Philippines. Here, they continued to innovate fresh takes on French cuisine, inspired by their travels.
The timelessness and richness of the flavours shining through Manzke’s menu permeate into the restaurant’s aesthetics, too. Charlie Chaplin designed the building in 1928 with Roy Seldon’s help, and the structure is truer to its original design than ever before.
When you stop by or make reservations for private dining in the Left Bank Wine Room, Right Bank Mezzanine Room, or another one of their numerous venue options, you’ll experience a delectable selection of meals, appetisers, and refreshments.
For example, their Pacific Gold Reserve Oysters is an excellent little dish to awaken your appetite and start the evening off right. Next, try the Dover Sole a la meuniere or Sonoma Duck a l’a orange, and choose a beverage from the extensive wine list or spirit list to wash it all down.
Alt-text: A waiter pours red wine into a wine glass while a couple holds hands in the background, next to a glass of white wine on the table.
Redbird
Redbird is a beloved location in Los Angeles where tourists and locals can get incomparably tasty foods conceived out of global, multicultural inspiration, all on your doorstep.
Redbird describes their menu as “refined yet approachable,” making it a great option for classy and casual nights out. Chef Neal Fraser and Amy Neal Fraser offer a wide range of ever-changing meal and appetiser options (their selection varies seasonally).
Still, no matter when you come in, you’ll enjoy yummy, light “kickshaws” (the Frasers’ nickname for snacks or appetisers), hearty entrees, fresh cocktails, and all-around imaginative interpretations of classic American cuisine.
Redbird has won numerous awards over the years, including:
- Time Out’s Best Restaurant Bar Program
- Wine Enthusiast’s Top 100 Wine Restaurants in the United States
- Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence
It’s located inside one of Los Angeles’ most highly treasured historic buildings, the former Vibiana rectory. The venue’s historical use as a cathedral is honoured in the space next door, and mementos of its past are infused into several of Redbird’s design elements.
Alt-text: Two servings of sushi rice with uni on top sit next to each other on a grey serving dish with a helping of pickled ginger on the side.
Orsa & Winston
There’s no other way to say it: If you’re in LA, you have to stop by Orsa & Winston. This restaurant is the ultimate blend of Italian and Japanese cuisine — an odd match, to be fair. Yet, this is precisely what makes Orsa & Winston’s food unlike anything you’ve ever had.
If you don’t want to make a spontaneous trip to this quirky yet classy restaurant and book a reservation for indoor or outdoor dining instead, consider adding the following perks to your visit:
- 5-course tasting menu ($125 per person)
- Wine pairing ($80)
Plus, you don’t have to worry about any dietary restrictions or allergies you may have. The chefs are willing to work with you and modify your dish if you contact them before placing your order.
Speaking of ordering ahead, this restaurant provides an extensive online general store for patrons to choose their meals remotely. Consider the cibo e vino, Orsa & Winston’s limited edition dinner series for two to emulate an authentic dining experience in your own home.
The general store also has tasty dishes like Hamachi (Buri) collar, Satsuki rice porridge, and several types of wine, beer, and other refreshments for a comprehensive dinner for pickup or delivery.
Alt-text: A bowl of cooked chickpeas with cilantro and red onion on top, next to raw chickpeas on a granite countertop.
BADMAASH Downtown LA
BADMAASH offers an exciting palate-pleasing mashup of Indian cuisine and Canadian culture. The restaurant is led by close relatives: a father, Pawan Mahendro, and his two sons, Nakul Mahendro and Arjun Mahendro.
Their passion for their Indian heritage and adoration for traditional foods led to the inclusion of beloved Indian street foods like
- gharwalla achaar:Indian pickles, made in-house with traditional Indian spices
- onion bhajjia: Onion fritters fried in spiced chickpea batter and served with tamarind chutney
- machhi amritsari: Punjabi fish-fry, catfish fried in chickpea batter flavored with carom seed, paprika, and dried mango dust
If you’re friending for something a little more substantial, try out some of their entrees like the chicken tikka poutine or Goan pork curry.
Feel free to stop by any time or make a reservation for up to 20+ people to experience authentic Indian eating. This is one of the dining locations that reaffirms Los Angeles’ position as one of the world’s most eclectic cities for experiencing cultures from all corners of the world.
By combining their Canadian background and Indian heritage, the Mahendros have livened up the dinner scene for all the hungry bellies in Los Angeles.
Experience cuisine from all over the world in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is quite possibly the world’s greatest melting pot, featuring dining locations with cuisine from all over the world.
Visit the restaurants above for New American, Indian, Japanese, and so many more cultures’ foods, or choose your own Los Angeles dinner space for a flavourful night you’ll never forget.
