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    DAMA

    4.4 (1.4k reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Order DAMA Takeout or Delivery

    DAMA Photos

    Business Info

    DAMA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Hipster
    Casual
    Trendy

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    Recommended Reviews - DAMA

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    Reviews With Photos - DAMA

    Rowena B.

    I really enjoy coming here. The vibe of the restaurant and surrounding area is so much fun and lively. Food always hits the spot and we pick something different every time. Whipped beans, and lamb are my favorites so far. Service never disappoints, server will recommend and always so friendly. This is the second time I've recommended this place to friends and family and they all agree that it's really good. Will definitely come back soon.

    Crispy Pork Shank
    Tony Y.

    One of the best elevated mexican food I ever had. I can't wait to come back and try the other dishes. My gf and I tried this spot on valentine's day (yeah, i know, little late on the review, but hear me out), it was really romantic i must say. Dimmed lights, patio seating and live music is hard to beat. Our favorite dish was the pork shank, because it was tender and nice to put our own tacos together. My gf really enjoyed the salad, it was fluffed with cheese and it didn't misss. The chorizo and clams was my favorite. Dipping the bread in the juices was sooooo good! Parking can be found on the streets. Might be a little hard, but be prepared to walk.

    Whipped Beans, Crispy Squash Flowers, Empanadas, Fried Chicken Tacos, Lamb Chops, Fluffernutter
    Randi B.

    I brought my husband here for his birthday and it did not disappoint! Valet parking right outside the restaurant is $14 (they take cards) and is super convenient. We arrived early for our reservation which was no problem, they seated us right away. This is such a gorgeous restaurant! We were seated on the patio and the weather was perfect. At one point the heaters turned on, I asked for them to be turned off and they happily obliged. They have a huge bar and a nice menu of craft cocktails and flights. We each had a cocktail, I had a glass of wine, and he had their whiskey flight as well. All the drinks were great. Menu is a lot of small plates and a handful of entrees. We decided to stick to the small plates so we could try many different things. We ordered Whipped Beans, Empanadas, Lamb Chops, Fried Chicken Tacos, and Crispy Squash Flowers. LOVED IT ALL. My favorites though were the whipped beans - the crispy carnitas on top were soooo good, and the fried chicken tacos, which were very spicy but so scrumptious. My husband couldn't handle the heat and I gladly finished his taco. For dessert were ordered the Fluffernutter, which was the only thing we didn't enjoy much. The fried shell was bland, the marshmallow was way too sweet, and I felt it could have had more bananas for substance, and more salt to cut the sweetness. I was prepared to spend about $300 for this meal, and I was pleasantly surprised when the bill came and it was under $200 for everything! I'd love to come back here again with friends so we can try even more of the menu.

    Celery Salad
    Azusa H.

    My SO took me here for Valentine's Day dinner and I would say he did a really good job:)) The parking was a little tricky since there was only street parking but we were still able to find one nearby. This area was in a small plaza with other restaurants and bars. There was plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. We sat outdoors but it wasn't too cold since they had heaters. The vibes were vibing with moody lights and really unique decor. I felt like this place is perfect for everyone since we saw lots of couples, even families and friends. We ordered some appetizers and 1 entree to share. WOW! All the food was amazing. So much flavor in every dish. I highly recommend this place if you enjoy Mexican food!

    Dennis L.

    The food here has always been good. Still good this time around. The empanadas were delicious, and the black squid ink calamari are a hit. The flavors are chef's kiss. The drinks are amazing as well. Strong and doesn't taste watered down. Our server was very nice and checked in with is frequently. I've always liked the vibes of this place, as it has that latin inspired theme. Since it is the world cup they had TVs set up and showed the games. Dama is always a must try. The churros were also good.

    Estele K.

    Food 3.5/5: Aguachile was very yummy (like nigiri), calamari was pretty unique, and lamb chops were amazing and I usually don't like lamb because of the strong smell. Drinks were pretty average, as well as the crispy pork shank and desserts (flan and churros). Nothing stood out and won't be back next time. Service 5/5: attentive server. Ambiance 5/5

    Seafood paella
    Maxine H.

    Had dinner here Sunday night and I don't think we could be more disappointed. Server was nice but service was very slow. Took awhile to get drinks and order. We ordered the calamari, seafood paella, and fried chicken tacos. My daughter liked her tacos but they were pretty basic. The calamari was just ok Only the last few pieces had any real flavor to them. The seafood paella was the more disappointing of all and it was of course the most expensive. Sad amount of seafood. And absolutely no flavor. Like none. Just a pile of cilantro. We were flabbergasted. Would not eat here again. And I feel the reviews have to be dishonest after our experience

    Sangria
    Vanessa C.

    Dama was wonderful. I highly recommend it. It is in the fashion district of LA which you would never know is there. They have a parking lot across the street that you can park at or you can drive to their valet. We chose the lot across the street which was secured with a security guard and very well lit. Once inside the restaurant is beautiful. It's so elegant and very welcoming. The atmosphere is really down to earth. There is a beautiful bar in the middle of the restaurant with tons of tables all around including a small patio for seating. We were a party of eight and I made reservations online. The menu is more like tapas, small plates that are able to be shared. Our server was very helpful in guiding us on how to work the menu. He suggested that we order lots of small plate items to share since there was eight of us, two of each item was best. It was perfect! All items were wonderful. We loved the Aguachiles, bread, arepas, whipped beans, quesadillas and guacamole. We had 3 more plates but by the time the last 3 came out, we were getting stuffed. This is a hidden gem in LA. Our server Zack was amazing and so incredibly helpful.

    Empanadas
    Joseph C.

    Food was generally decent but pretty expensive. Nice ambiance- wasn't crowded when we went but it was early. I could see this getting busier later. Enjoyed the empanadas but not the celery salad (too much cheese). Guacamole was decent but not particularly noteworthy. Pork shank also decent but have had better.

    Thaovi T.

    DAMA was such a great experience from start to finish. The staff was incredibly attentive and genuinely kind, which really elevated the whole night. We were celebrating a birthday and they surprised us with a complimentary glass of prosecco -- such a thoughtful touch and very much appreciated. A The tapas were excellent - flavorful, well-presented, and perfect for sharing. Every dish we tried hit the mark, and the pacing was just right so we could enjoy everything without feeling rushed.

    Beef Cheek Tostada
    Vincent W.

    Michelin guided, top chef, tournament of champions VI, among many accolades, chef Antonias' 'Dama' tastes of Hispanic cuisine straight from a cooking competition. With the romantically regal decor compliments the rustic Latin cuisine. The professional waiter's have a friendly do before asking motto. Impeccable service that matches the cuisine. I'm sure the menu changes often but don't skip eating at Dama. The arepa and chicken tacos were my favorite dishes. Everything was solid. Hint of spice that didn't tarnish the meal. Well seasoned meats and pickled veggies. Nice use of acid with certain meats. However the empanadas had too much of a cumin after taste and the dip was a bit too spicy but not heavy with vinegar balance. Lastly the churros were decent and soft but not sweet as I'd like. I will happily dine here again soon. Restrooms are back of restaurant behind bar. The price is sparse but worth eating fresh organic ingredients. If chef Antonia reads this review, I root for you often in every competition! Your food is delicious!

    Tiffany L.

    I don't even know where to start...just go! Lol! A few of us came here after work on a Tuesday. We were seated right away, and offered drink suggestions. We ordered the Latin lover, and omg it was so delicious and perfectly balanced. Everything we ordered was delicious, especially the shrimp ceviche. My mouth waters just thinking about it! This spot is a hidden gem with great ambiance and friendly staff.

    Ana M.

    This is my second time here and my initial impression was confirmed - the food is fantastic and authentic, all the while unique! The empanadas and paella (vegetarian) were my favorite dishes. I also highly recommend the churros as desert! The staff was super friendly and the vibe can be great for a date, a family outing, or a group get together!

    Bar area

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    8 days ago

    What a cute spot. Great service. Drinks were good. Disappointed they over cooked the lamb chops.

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    Page 1 of 37

    DAMA Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - DAMA

    Is the chicken dish a whole or half chicken?

    Half

    How much is the valet?

    $14.00

    Hi- We have a fish & shellfish allergy. Safe to eat at the restaurant or is the cross contamination risk too high?

    They actually bothered to ask if any of us had any allergies when we were ordering so I would say it's safe. (Please note, I don't have any allergies so I can't say for sure)

    Do you have valet parking?

    Yes

    Is there a kid's menu?

    No, but I suggest looking at the dinner menu online to make sure there are plates they would eat with you. I have a 5yo who doesn't like spicy and she did great. Depends on the kid b/c it may not be the best restaurant for picky or "beige food"… Read more

    Any update on corking fee? Or is it still 35/each for first 2 then 50/each afterwards?

    Any thing vegetarian?

    Yes

    Who can I contact for a party of 10?

    I would call the restaurant to make reservations. We were are party of 7.

    Hi! Do I need a proof of vaccination for outdoor too?

    I believe they do. But they didn't really check. You might just bring it in case..

    Do they take a walk-in?

    I'm not sure. But it might be safer to make reservations

    Are the requiring proof of vaccination?

    Yes.

    Is there valet parking or somewhere safe to park near the restaurant?

    Yes, there's valet for DAMA & the surrounding restaurants/businesses. There's also a good amount of… Read more

    Any vegan options?

    Yes! Menu is online

    Hello, are there gluten free/ vegetarian options? i see a response to this question 3 years ago, but wanted to confirm that it is still current.

    Menu designated such.

    Can I reserve outdoor seating?

    Yes it should be reservation outdoor or indoor

    Would you be able to host a group of 15 people?

    Hi J.C., Thanks for your question.… Read more

    Are reservations required?

    YES vital.

    Are you open for rsvp? I went to your website and reservation option doesn't seem to work

    Hi D5 M, Our team just tried it and it seemed to work - here's the link: https://damafashiondistrict.com/reservations/… Read more

    How is the store operating during Covid? What are some good cocktails?

    During this pandemic, tables are distanced 6ft from each other and sanitized properly, employees are wearing face masks and shields. Gloves are being changed periodically as instructed by CDC.… Read more

    Are small dogs allowed on the outside patio?

    Hi Kai, Thanks for your question! We allow service animals. - Team DAMA

    View All 42 Questions

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    The Lucky Tiki

    4.4
    (52 reviews)
    6.1 mi

    My partner and I recently went on a tiki bar roadtrip from Tacoma down to Palm Springs, and I think…read morethat Lucky Tiki might be my top spot out of the 10 or so locations we visited. Drinks: Really, really good. My absolute favorite was the boat drink with foam on top, but we split several others and I liked everything we tried. Vibe: Unmatched. There are several drinks on the menu with a theatrical presentation that gets the whole bar involved. The space is small, so you'll inevitably have your conversation interrupted by an alluring siren's call or some ceremonial rowers. This is a crucial part of the tiki experience for me. The bartenders all have their different spin and clearly are in it for the love of the game. We had a lot of fun chatting with the staff. Food: I ate 2 orders of soup dumplings and probably could have bodied down 5 more. They were ridiculously good, but prohibitively expensive.

    Adorable speakeasy with a fortune teller as a doorbell…read more Drinks 3/5 Painkiller $18 - This drink comes out with a show as they light a part of it on fire. I didn't fancy the flavor and this is a very popular drink so it stinks up the place every time it gets served to someone. Dark Magic $18 - Objectively not a bad drink but too tart for my partner and I didn't prefer the flavor. Service 5/5 Standard service. Our waitress got us some free shots, very kind. :) Ambiance 4/5 I love the vibes, the darkness, the decor. It's just too stinky and smokey whenever they serve the Painkiller.

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    Sailor at the Bar Entrance
    Sailor at the Bar Entrance
    Hard carved and painted Giant Tiki at Lucky Tiki
    Hard carved and painted Giant Tiki at Lucky Tiki
    Whatever floats your boat was also delicious.

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    Whatever floats your boat was also delicious.
    The Mulberry

    The Mulberry

    4.0
    (120 reviews)
    11.1 mi

    Pretty good meal overall!! The chicken wings had a really crisp exterior and a great crunch, but…read morethey did lean a little dry - but honestly felt like the trade off for getting them that crispy! The sauce helped bring some juiciness back and balanced it out. The bluefin tuna bibimbap was pretty enjoyable. The tuna tasted fresh and the textures worked well together, but the dish could have used a little more seasoning to make the flavors pop. The perilla was a great touch though. It added a slightly minty flavor that complemented the tuna without taking over the dish. The beef short rib was easily the standout. PERFECTLY cooked, incredibly tender, and seasoned just right. The richness of the meat paired so well with the lettuce wraps that it almost feels like they should automatically come with the dish. Service was good and everything came out smoothly. Would come back!

    Cute spot, dark ambience. Makes for a decent date spot, I'd think. Food is elevated korean fusion…read morewhich is worth a try, but I wouldn't come back unless there's an occasion. Made a reservation 1 week out, and only 9:45pm was available for a Saturday for a party of 6. Kind of odd that last call for their regular menu is at that time; luckily a few of us got there before that time to put in orders in time. Drinks: - GF & Plum Soda $8.00: refreshing! would get this again - Flower Sour $17.00: my fave; slightly tart and fragrant - Baesuk White Negroni $17.00: barrel fragrant and like an old fashioned - Plum Martini $17.00: medicinal lol Food: - Aguachile $19.00: mid, imo. in kimchi broth so it has that fermented aftertaste. - Beef Short Ribs $49.00: yuuum. oh so tender but only 6 pieces. worth a try - Pork Spare Ribs $36.00: also super tender, 6 ribs. worth a try - Bluefin Tuna Bibimbap $29.00: a decent amt of tuna, i would get this again - Spicy Braised Black Cod $41.00: not very memorable, nor was it spicy. nice and flaky tho - Chilled Acorn Noodle $22.00: salty and lots of seaweed - Fried Chicken Wings $23.00: not oily and good flavor. crispy but wouldn't get again - Hotteok $16.00: came with a sake like ice cream and it was nice! worth a try Street parking is kinda tough on this side of Sawtelle, esp since it's across the popular sun nong dan

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    The Mulberry
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
    Salad, had too much white lettuce which was very bitter 7/10
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    The Obscure Distillery

    The Obscure Distillery

    4.5
    (213 reviews)
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    $$

    This place offered an amazing overall experience in a dark and relaxing atmosphere, seasoned with…read morestories on the drinks that they offered and backstories on the establishement. This was an amazing value for the price, and you may not ever find anything that offers this impressive of an experience.

    Stepping into the venue felt like crossing a threshold into a world that operated on a different…read morewavelength--and honestly, it was exactly the shift I didn't know I needed. It wasn't your typical corner haunt. There was an intentionality here that turned a simple evening out into a genuine education. The curation of spirits was nothing short of impressive, but what set the experience apart was the conversation. I arrived knowing the difference between a glass and a bottle, but left with a newfound appreciation for the nuances of rum, the craftsmanship behind a smooth whiskey, and the unexpected complexities hidden within a well-made vodka. Each pour came with a story, a history, and a level of expertise that transformed every sip into a lesson. The atmosphere was the perfect anchor for it all--utterly chill and devoid of the frantic, forced energy you find elsewhere. It was the kind of place where the music sits at just the right volume and the lighting invites you to actually linger. It was refreshing to find a spot that treats its craft with such respect while keeping the vibe completely grounded. I walked out feeling a little more cultured and a lot more relaxed. Consider this my official notice: I'll definitely be back.

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    Divine Paradox
    Divine Paradox
    Upon entering
    Upon entering
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    The scenic bar
    The Green Room

    The Green Room

    4.6
    (688 reviews)
    12.0 mi
    $$$

    We really enjoyed our Friday evening here! It's a beautiful bar/restaurant with quite the view of…read morethe surrounding area; the decor is open and upscale and it's great! The service was friendly and pleasant and prompt, and our food and wine were great. Absolutely will recommend and return!

    As a lover of speakeasies and craft cocktails, The Green Room has been on my list for a while. What…read morebetter time to go than on my anniversary! Echoing what everyone else has been saying - the service is SO slow. It was about 45 minutes before we were able to order our second drink and our water glasses were empty. They have so many runners bringing the drinks out but only a few servers and, from the looks of it, one bartender (on a Saturday night - what?!). The server was saying he was trying to find a manager to help out but they were nowhere to be found. Clearly management is fine with these service times since they're still making $$$. The drinks were delicious, and I loved that there were heaters on the patio (though they did get very hot at times). Our server was so kind and brought us a celebratory drink. I do wish there were more explanations with the beverages, especially for the Paid Vacation as most people will not realize you're supposed to bite into the buzz button for the tingly sensation. I would come back, but need some time for my wallet to recover first, haha!

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    Three Wishes Cocktail
    Three Wishes Cocktail
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    Parmesan Proscuitto Croquette
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    Thunderbolt

    Thunderbolt

    4.4
    (266 reviews)
    2.2 mi
    $$

    Matt B. and I are living with my parents these days, and one of the benefits of this arrangement is…read morethat we can leave the house quite easily after the kids go to bed. We decided to get a drink to celebrate Father's Day, only to strike out at the first two bars we tried--I guess a lot of places are closed at 9:30 on a Sunday. This is how we ended up at Thunderbolt, a buzzy bar in Echo Park, just far enough away that we'd never made our way over. I loved it immediately. Thunderbolt has the friendly, comfortable atmosphere of a neighborhood bar and the hip aesthetic and high-level cocktails of a millennial boozer destination. (Not that young people can't or shouldn't hang out here, but it seems especially geared toward people like us, who drank at Walker Inn a decade ago.) We ended up sitting next to a guy who regularly drives up from Palos Verdes. I guess the place gets pretty busy, but it was ideal on a Sunday night. Happening but not crowded, with just enough space at the bar for us to grab two seats together. The bartender was great, super helpful and welcoming. He also made excellent drinks. Thunderbolt is one of those bars with an encyclopedic illustrated book for a menu. Not a long menu, just a detailed one, with a lot of information available about each drink. We got a Liquid Picnic and a Barcelonnette--just one round to close out the weekend. Both were delicious. The Liquid Picnic was a smooth, savory gin martini made with London dry gin, tomato, citron, vermouth, rosemary, and black pepper. I learned from the book that it used clarified tomato water. (There was also further reading about the clarification process.) The Barcelonnette was a mezcal sour with Suze, passionfruit, and lime, the foam made without egg white through some geeky mixologist process. Thunderbolt is not our neighborhood bar, but we plan to go back when we can to check out the rest of the menu. It's a wonderful place, well worth a jaunt on the freeway.

    Was charged three times, totaling hundreds of dollars, and waiting for the pending transactions to…read moredrop (or stay :/) in 3-5 business days is no fun. We can't all be made of money, but this shouldn't have happened.

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    Thunderbolt
    Thunderbolt
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    DAMA - latin - Updated July 2026

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