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    Descanso Restaurant

    4.1 (363 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 9:00 pm

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    DESCANSO RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Descanso Restaurant

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    Breakfast Burrito
    Luis G.

    Breakfast burritos are a great size and very tasty! There was plenty of everything and not too little of anything inside which I'm very pleased with. Even the meatless were good for those looking for a vegetarian option. I can't say much else since I was able to try them at a special event but I would definitely like to check out the restaurant one day!

    Mimosa
    Crystal L.

    This is a really nice remodel... you would have NO idea this used to be a Marie Callender's - albeit a more stylish one. They've done a fantastic job and I'm eager to visit again. I came for brunch and while it was good, I wasn't blown away - but I ordered wrong so that was my fault. We sat on the patio and it was lovely. Chips and salsa aren't free so if you can't do Mexican without them, plan to pay. Our server was charming and helpful... so much so that I let him lead me to order something I never would have - the carnitas hash. Forgetting for a moment that I don't care for carnitas. But still the eggs and potatoes were good. My friend had the burrito and it was HUGE, but good. We shared the Birria Empanadas appetizer and these were terrific. I definitely want to go back and try their regular menu and their happy hour - this looks to be a great place to meet and grab a drink and a light meal after work. They have the Plancha dining option too, which I'm really eager to try someday. Haven't seen this before!

    Taquitos de Camarón
    Justin J.

    Decided to stop by here on Cinco de Mayo because why wouldn't I? Have to go somewhere and Descanso had plenty of festivities to go along with food and drinks. So made a reservation and headed over for dinner. The restaurant is a good size with seating in the front and back along with around the bar. We started with cocktails, the Pasion y Plata and the Mango Pelar. The Pasion y Plata is basically a passion fruit margarita with real passion fruit puree. Pretty tasty. The Mango Pelar was another tequila based cocktail with orange and mango flavors. Very refreshing. For food, we started with the oysters and the Taquitos de Camarón. The oysters were very small, be warned. I didn't know if they are always this small or it was just this batch or what species of oyster they were, but here we were. They were ok overall, really didn't stand out. The Taquitos de Camarón, on the other hand, were very tasty. They come with marinated Mexican shrimp, blue corn tortillas, mango-habanero aalsa and morita aioli. They weren't very spicy but had good flavor, great amount of shrimp meat and the blue tortillas hit. Definitely would get again. We also got a side Volcano taco to try. It is a surf and turf taco with steak and shrimp, plenty of cheese, habanero pickled red onions, serrano peppers and more, served in a flour tortilla with a blue corn tortilla on the outside. Just a great bite For entrees we did the quesadilla plate and the carne asada. The quesadilla plate comes with two open face quesadillas with different types of cheese. It's actually a fun play on the quesadilla, probably better adding some protein to them, but still tasty. The carne asada was delicious, cooked perfectly, juicy and flavorful. Overall, very nice restaurant with plenty of options for food and drinks and most of the items worked. Would definitely recommend the volcano taco and the Taquitos de Camarón. Skip the oysters.

    They like fire for show
    Alycia W.

    We learned this is not a Mexican fusion of teppanyaki, it's an elevated plancha experience. Do not go expecting a Benihana's type dinner and show. What you will get instead is a delicious meal cooked by someone like Dante who will occasionally treat you to a huge flame display for fun. The chefs working the plancha are friendly and are chosen because they 1) can cook like the best of the best, and 2) they can do it while conversing with guests. I had a wonderful conversation on Maillard reactions, seasonings, how the grill works, and how to cook a carne asada vs a rib eye. Feel like we happily got a cooking lesson from a cordon bleu chef, and he was so game to answer questions. The carne asada was incredibly delicious, but know it takes longer than some other meet. He's able to do it all on the plancha. The plating was beautiful on top of roasted potatoes with an onion pepper mix that wasn't fajitas vegetables (no, really). We also had a delicious Peruvian fried rice and home made blue corn tortillas that were amazing and cooked on the plancha. Best thing though wasn't even the food from the plancha, which was excellent. I might have had the best tropical ceviche I will ever have. Going back to regular ceviche will be hard.

    Margarita, flute, hands-down must try
    Monique B.

    The food here is amazing. The service is five star and the ambience is perfect for any gathering. I will definitely be back.

    Steak
    Martin V.

    Came here on a Sunday. Strangely you have to decide where you want to sit ahead of time as they offer completely different menus for sitting at the table vs the grill. Half of us wanted food from the grill but you cannot order off the regular menu there. We were seated at a table. It is very nice inside. High ceilings and decorated nicely. We ordered a fish, 2 quesabirria tacos, posole and a steak. Food arrived. Portionings were very small for the price. Okay. Maybe it's good food.... Where's my fish, oh it's like a Tamale. First bites hmmmm. Probably one of the worst fish I've had just about anywhere. Seemed undercooked as well. Posole from a can perhaps? Any whole in the wall has better posole. Birria tacos as $15 each is insane and the tortillas were tough. The steak, also extremely tough. $5 chips and salsa was a fail with there bad salsa. The best thing this place has going for it is the place itself. The food is just not good.

    Elote Asado
    Maritza B.

    Food was fresh and flavorful. I got the $22 lunch special. The ambiance was beautiful and elegant. They have spaces for large parties. The server had good energy, but she was busy during the lunch rush. We ordered a spicy salsa for our meal and we had to ask twice. It's extra for the good stuff, but the tapatio is free. We didn't get charged. They have Loteria brunch on Sundays. Coming back for that!

    Margaret P.

    This review is long overdue. I had the chance to try their plancha experience for brunch. The portion was huge. The person cooking for us was so sweet. I ordered the nachos, and those alone were HUGE and could've been enough for my meal, however I didn't know how big it was. I ordered the rib eye for my main meal on the plancha. It was delicious and I definitely had leftovers to take home. This restaurant is ginormous. It's a nice restaurant to enjoy for anyone exploring either the tar pits, Academy museum, or even LACMA.

    Sarah B.

    Visiting the museums, this place is the perfect amount of upscale and laid back. Have the salmon salad - it's fantastic as it looks! (I added sliced Serrano peppers and it was the perfect blend of sweet and heat!) Great vibe, great service, great food!

    Sona A.

    We loved the place food is very delicious and fresh. service is excellent and friendly definitely will be back highly recommend every Saturday they have a live music

    Allen G.

    Checked out Descanso in LA, located literally right next to the La Brea Tar Pits, so it's a pretty convenient spot if you're spending time in the area. We did the Plancha dining, where the chef cooks everything right in front of you on the griddle, kind of like Benihana style. It made the dinner really interactive and our chef was great, so we had a lot of fun with it. The appetizers were really good to start, especially the Ceviche Campechano which was my favorite. For the mains, we shared the Pork Loin Alambre, Ribeye Steak, and Sea Bass so we could try a little of everything. The Pork Loin Alambre was probably my standout. It almost tasted like an al pastor pork chop and had a ton of flavor. We also really enjoyed the Margarita Flight, which was perfect for trying a few different flavors. Overall, really enjoyed the food and atmosphere, and the Plancha experience made it even more fun. It's on the pricier side, but definitely still worth checking out.

    Bar area
    Sandra G.

    Superb cuisine. Beautiful atmosphere. Friendly service. Prices not bad. Highly recommend!

    Berta B.

    After spending some time at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, my family and I came here for happy hour. We were waiting for traffic to die down a bit. We walked in, and the restaurant wasn't too busy, so we got seated right away. We ordered a few items from their happy hour menu, including a guava margarita. Everything was delicious. I especially enjoyed their ceviche; it was very tasty. Everything was delicious, and I would really love to go back to try more of their dishes. Our waiter, Christian, was so helpful. He let us know that their menu consisted mainly of dishes from Michoacán. They import a lot of their ingredients from Mexico. Some dishes took a little longer than others because everything is made from scratch. We loved everything here, the restaurant is beautiful! Hopefully, we can return soon.

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    Descanso Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Descanso Restaurant

    Short pants ok?

    yes... that is ok.

    Is plancha dining offered all day on the weekdays? are young kids discounted for the plancha dining?

    Yes, we provide plancha dining for brunch and dinner on the weekends. there is a seperate kids menu.

    Do they have vegan options?

    Yes

    What's the general dress code? Casual or dressy?

    casual during the day and upscale casual at night.

    I heard you were open... Do you have a paper takeout menu so I can bring back to the office? I'm in the Wilshire Courtyard across the street from you.

    we responded via email.

    How are the prices?

    reasonable for what you get!

    View All 7 Questions

    Ka'teen

    Ka'teen

    4.1
    (1.1k reviews)
    2.9 mi
    Outdoor seating
    Private events

    Came here for my friend's birthday dinner, and it ended up being such a fun spot for my group. The…read moreatmosphere was probably my favorite part--dim lighting, beautiful decor, and it definitely has that trendy vibe that's perfect for celebrating or catching up with friends. We ordered a variety of dishes to share, and everything was presented really well. The enchiladas were flavorful, the grilled fish was cooked perfectly, and the tortillas with the short rib were a table favorite. Portions were great for sharing, and the sauces really tied everything together. Service was friendly and our server checked in on us throughout the night without making us feel rushed. It did get a little busy, so there were a few waits between courses, but nothing that took away from the experience. Overall Great atmosphere, solid food, and a fun place for birthdays or date nights. I'd definitely come back!!

    Such a cute restaurant! The inside is absolutely beautiful and really gives you that feeling like…read moreyou're in Mexico. The drinks were good, and the food was delicious! Food portion is really small compared to the price, definitely more expensive, so I expected a little more. Service was okay, nothing bad, but nothing that really stood out either. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and would come back, but next time I'd probably just sit at the bar for drinks! Definitely worth checking out for the ambiance!

    Photos
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen
    Ka'teen

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    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$$

    I LOVE DAMA. If I could give this place more than five stars, I absolutely would. I've been coming…read morehere for the past six years, and it has truly become my favorite restaurant. From the exceptional food and drinks to the warm hospitality and beautiful location, every visit is a wonderful experience. the service is always welcoming and attentive. I've recommended DAMA to so many friends over the years, and it has become a favorite for them as well. It's rare to find a restaurant that maintains such a high standard year after year, but DAMA does exactly that. I truly love this place and can't recommend it enough. I have several favorite dishes and celebrated many birthdays here. Thank you for six incredible years--I look forward to many more.

    Was brought here by a friend as they knew I was a foodie and wanted to show me their favorite tapas…read morespot Downtown in the Fashion Distric for an early birthday celebration. Cute building with lovely patio seating: from the trailing hanging pothos plants, Spanish tiles, to relaxing latin-house music the vibes were welcoming. I'm not much of a drinker though, when asked if I wanted to make my pina colada a "float" I thought incorrectly about ice cream. It was graciously explained that you take an additional shot of rum and float it on top of the drink or mix in to make it extra boozy. The pina colada is top notch they hollow out a real pineapple to make the drink and it's the size of your face! The watermelon cocktail was delicious and there is also a mezcal option. Tasted like if a watermelon aqua Fresca was combined with a margarita, there is a hint of salt that brings out the fruit sweetness. We special ordered a bunch of different proteins and vegetables at half portions to make a feast: Aguachile- Light refreshing starter, kanpachi perfectly marinated and great for the summer heat. Crispy potato- Phenomenally done fingerling potatoes. Whipped beans- Carnitas on top made this dish. Fried chicken tacos- Found the chicken slightly on the dry side, if there was a creamy/thicker sauce would be even better... nothing wrong with flavor, good mild heat. I did enjoy the fresh shredded cabbage and carrots, reminded me of bahn mi. Empanadas- Loved the acidity of the sauce that cut through the fattiness of the ground meat. Light shell. Crispy Squash flower- Delicate crunch, like an angelic version of a jalapeno popper. Lamb chops- Definition of "treat-yourself" luxurious meat lollipops. Celery salad- Simple dish but the lemon flavor and tartness really helped break up the richness of other dishes. Churros- Light crunch and small, petite dessert. The thin caramel sauce is addicting. Fine dining, for those special occasions or if you just want to splurge for a morale boost highly recommend this restaurant. Valet parking or park across the street or around the corner in a lot for $5-10.

    Photos
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Lovely interior and decor -- summer getaway
    Calamari
    Calamari
    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)

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    Whole Organic Rotisserie Chicken Dinner (serves 3-4)
    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$
    Family-owned & operated

    Came here to watch the World Cup game and it was a VIBBBBBBE…read more Great accommodating staff, they really were on top of cleaning up the tables and filling up our drinks The food was AMAZING! I recently visited Oaxaca & this is exactly like their mole. So. Good. Can't recommend this place MORE. Take your friends, family, coworkers they have large party friendly seating Definitely will be coming here again!

    If you're looking for authentic Oaxacan cuisine in Los Angeles, Guelaguetza Oaxacan Restaurant is a…read moremust-visit. Located between Koreatown and Pico-Union, this restaurant delivers an outstanding dining experience from the moment you're seated. My wife and I both ordered the Mole Coloradito with chicken, and it was absolutely delicious. One detail we really appreciated was being able to choose between white meat or dark meat--a thoughtful touch that lets you customize your meal to your preference. The mole was rich, complex, and full of flavor, exactly what you would hope for from a restaurant known for its Oaxacan specialties. As a welcome appetizer, they bring fresh chips and salsa to the table, but what really impressed us was when they replaced the salsa with their incredible mole sauce. It was so good we found ourselves dipping everything into it. Both meals were served with rice that was perfectly cooked with a great consistency and flavor. For those feeling adventurous, give the Chapulines (grasshoppers) a try. They may sound intimidating, but they were surprisingly enjoyable and added to the authentic experience. The staff was exceptionally friendly, attentive, and patient with those of us who are not fluent in Spanish. Their hospitality made us feel comfortable and welcomed throughout our visit. Great food, authentic flavors, and wonderful service make Guelaguetza a restaurant we'll definitely be returning to. Highly recommended!

    Photos
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Beautifully painted mural outside of Guelaguetza Restaurante
    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Chapulines

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    Chapulines
    Mirate

    Mirate

    4.2
    (1.2k reviews)
    4.5 mi
    Private events
    Outdoor seating

    Instructions: 1. Somehow find parking. I guess…read more 2. Enter the restaurant. From the back or from the front - who knows! 3. Marvel at the massive, architectural wonder of the restaurant. 4. Sit down, look at the small but fancy menu, confused. 5. Just order things. 6. Smile. Notable Mentions: 1. The restaurant really is that massive. It's pretty, I'm pretty sure it has multiple bars, and it's multi-storied. Well-designed. Well-done. I didn't think you could just have something like this in LA. 2. The drinks, oh, the drinks. I know a lot of people come here just for this, but they really are tasty, inventive, unique. And the garnishes might just surprise you! (look carefully at the pictures) 3. The food is also just great. This was for dinner. 10/10 would return.

    The interior of Mirate is gorgeous with lots of interesting artifacts and pieces. While you wait…read morefor your table, can have access to a few lounges and the bar. The restaurant layout is indoor/outdoor can get pretty dark when dining at night. Parking: we found street parking but valet is available. Despite the nice ambience, the food was very mid considering the price. I was not aware that there was a rotating menu and was looking forwards to trying the carne asada y papas but it wasn't on the menu. I opted for carne à la parilla and it was as 12oz new york strip cooked and seasoned nicely. It was good but nothing special. The Aguchilies de cameron and branzino was again good but overpriced. The horchata came in a small 8oz cup and was also nothing special. Overall, the nice ambience was the highlight of the restaurant.

    Photos
    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch
    Tu Madre - Los Feliz

    Tu Madre - Los Feliz

    4.3
    (808 reviews)
    4.8 mi
    $$

    Truly one of my fave spots. I always bring my mom when she's in town and we get the marg flight!…read moreIt's the best :)

    I've been to Tu Madre before for lunch, but this time we came during Happy Hour and decided to…read morefocus more on the tacos and try a few different things. I'd heard great things about the Los Feliz location, especially the outdoor patio, and I can see why. There's a huge tree with hanging lights all around it, and the whole patio has such a cool neighborhood vibe. We came while it was still light out, but I can only imagine how pretty it must be at night. The inside and outside have completely different atmospheres--the inside is darker and more lively, while outside feels relaxed and casual. We also saw several people hanging out on the patio with their dogs, and it seemed like there were quite a few local regulars. The cocktails here are really well made. Since we were celebrating my birthday, we ordered the Margarita Flight and it came out with a sparkler, which made it extra fun! The margaritas tasted great, and the portions were actually pretty generous for a flight. We tried several tacos, and the Crispy Shrimp Taco was easily the biggest hit with my kids. We ended up ordering it THREE times . At $8 for one taco, it's definitely a little pricey, but the shrimp were big, crispy, and really good. We also enjoyed the Korean BBQ Taco. The Mexican Hot Chicken Tenders had good flavor, but they were definitely spicy. My kids couldn't handle the heat, so I'd recommend them more for adults or anyone who enjoys spicy food. We also tried the Banh Mi bowl. It wasn't the traditional banh mi flavor I had pictured from the name, so it wasn't my favorite, but it was an interesting fusion take. For dessert, we had the Red Velvet Churros. I'm usually not a big churro fan, but these were surprisingly good! They came with plenty of cream cheese frosting for dipping, which made them even better. My kids were unsure at first too, but after trying them, they ended up really liking them. Overall, we had such a fun birthday meal here. Good cocktails, creative fusion tacos, Happy Hour, and a really cool neighborhood atmosphere. I'd especially come back for the Margarita Flight, Crispy Shrimp Tacos, and that beautiful patio. Next time, I'd love to come at night and see all those hanging lights lit up!

    Photos
    Cool vibe
    Cool vibe
    KBBQ Street Taco
    KBBQ Street Taco
    Korean BBQ Taco

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    Korean BBQ Taco

    Descanso Restaurant - mexican - Updated August 2026

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