My siblings and I came to visit my cousin and her husband from Chicago, and decided to dine in at Bestia on Saturday night, September 6th! For all of us it was our first time at Bestia, they picked the restaurant and glad to say it was a great pick! Everyone enjoyed our time here together for the first time. The experience was amazing from the welcoming of our waitress and the detailed menu descriptions she gave to fun fact about the name of the restaurant! The restaurant was well lit and sounded like everyone was having a great time, laughing and catching up with one another! As well as the staff helping each other out and making sure everyone was satisfied! Angelica, our waitress, was very friendly and knowledgeable about the menu, as well as the rest of the staff! She helped us pick our entrees and appetizers as well. Angelica made sure we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal from making sure our drinks were refilled or bringing another round of drinks, to bringing clean plates for every entree we received! The bone marrow and branzino was definitely a 100/10, my brother who hates fish actually tried it and loved it! The bone marrow left everyone at the table speechless! Thank you to everyone at Bestia, especially our waitress, Angelica, for a wonderful dinner! read more

Bestia has been on my list of must-try spots for awhile. Offering both an open air and warehouse style dining environment, it can get pretty hot from the outside heat and feel cramped with tables set up to be nearly on top of each other. Parking is valet. It gets pretty crowded, so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time or show up as early as possible if you are wanting to dine here. Started off with the Peruvian Scallop Crudo and dare I say, this is hands down the best scallop I have ever had. Looked simple, but it was bursting with flavors. Duck Liver Pâté. This was my first time trying any sort of animal liver in my life. Although I was hesitant to try I am so glad I did because it was really good! The touch of truffle was a nice touch. Grilled Branzino was delicious and one of my favorites on the menu. If you are a fan of fish and don't want too much red meat this is perfect! Squid Ink Spaghetti was okay. There was good flavor with each bite and meshed well with the lobster. Oxtail ravioli was okay. Not the best, but not awful. Many reviews have recommended this, but likely would not order again. Overall, the food, drinks, and service were exceptional. The only downside would be how hot it can get while dining there seen it's hot out and the hard metal stools that start to feel uncomfortable after sitting for a while. Strongly recommended if you are wanting dishes that have a nice twist with bold flavors! A definite must try when in LA. read more

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If a tourist asks me where to go for Italian food in LA, Bestia is probably one of the five places on the list. My friend chose Bestia this time, so here we are! Bestia isn't really traditional Italian in the classic sense. It's more modern, rustic LA-style Italian with house-made pastas, bold flavors, richer sauces, lots of char, and dishes that are a little more creative than what you'd get at a traditional Italian restaurant. One of the must-orders is definitely the Roasted Bone Marrow with spinach gnocchetti. You scoop the marrow straight from the bone onto the pasta and mix everything together. It makes the gnocchetti super rich and glossy, while the breadcrumbs and balsamic help balance everything out. Very rich, but this is probably the dish I'd tell a first-timer to order. We also got the Squid Ink Spaghetti, which is another Bestia classic. The pasta has that slightly briny seafood flavor and is definitely one of the more distinctive dishes on the menu. The gnocchi was also good, soft and pillowy without being too heavy. I always judge gnocchi by whether it feels dense after a few bites, and this one was pretty easy to keep eating. We also tried the Chestnut & Mushroom Agnolotti with mascarpone, fried sage and fennel pollen. This one was richer and more earthy, with the chestnut and mushroom working really well together. The mascarpone makes it creamy, while the fried sage adds a little contrast. Probably better if you like those warmer, earthy flavors. Parking-wise, they do have valet, but I usually don't feel like paying for it, so I park on the street. Just be a little careful and aware of your surroundings because this is in a rougher/industrial part of DTLA, and definitely don't leave anything visible in your car. Also, make a reservation. I wouldn't count on walking in and getting seated right away, especially during dinner. You'll probably end up waiting.... a long time. Overall, Bestia isn't necessarily the best Italian food in LA but it's one of those places you really can't go too wrong with. Good atmosphere/ambience, good service, interesting pastas and enough signature dishes that I'd still recommend it to someone visiting LA. read more

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I can't believe I haven't written a review for Bestia... it's one of the top Italian restaurants in Los Angeles, HANDS DOWN. Every time I eat here, I am already thinking of my next time back. I love their pastas to the moon and back, they are al dente but not too firm, the sauces are so good and flavorful, and each bite just makes me want to take the next bite. My favorite pastas: 1. Squid Ink Spaghetti - lobster. serrano. meyer lemon. micro shiso 2. Cavatelli alla Norcina - ricotta dumplings. pork sausage fresh thyme. shaved truffles Their appetizers are also really great, the grilled prawns are SO good, you can taste the sweetness of the prawn and the sauce doesn't overwhelm it. For entrees, their ribeye and porkchop are our favorites. The ribeye is so tender and cooked to perfection. The pork chops are juicy and not dry at all. SERVICE // is usually good, although our last time our server wasn't really around much and didn't even introduce any dishes to us. We thought hopefully that it was a fluke. AMBIANCE // romantic and beautiful interior, Bestia is in the arts district of Downtown Los Angeles. PARKING // Valet parking is available for $15, otherwise you can look for street parking nearby. If you haven't made your way to Bestia yet, you must!! It's not the cheapest meal in town but well worth the $$$. read more

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It was my birthday, and I wanted to celebrate with a serious dinner. My wife suggested Bestia, so we made reservations. The only thing available was the counter. Now, I'm not gonna lie... when I saw those little counter seats, I was a little disappointed. I'm thinking, "Damn... it's my birthday and y'all got me sitting at the kitchen counter?" Plot twist: That counter seat was! In my opinion, it was actually the best seat in the house. We had a front-row seat to the entire operation. Watching that kitchen work was almost as entertaining as eating the food. The staff was moving, communicating and firing off dishes like a well-oiled, highly caffeinated machine. The timing, teamwork and communication were impressive. Everybody seemed to know exactly where they needed to be and what needed to happen next. No chaos... just organized chaos. Next time we come back? Put me right back at that counter. I really liked the industrial-style decor at Bestia. The place had that cool, slightly edgy vibe, and the dining room was pulsing with happy, hungry people. Definitely had some energy to it. The staff was professional, friendly and on point. Our waitress Mell guided us through the menu, answered our questions and helped us make some damn good decisions. We kicked things off with a couple cocktails: * Chef's Old Fashion * Seven Faces Then we said...Okay, enough talking. Bring out the food! THE BIRTHDAY SPREAD: * Herb Caesar Salad * Oxtail Ravioli * Squid Ink Spaghetti * Chorizo Panna * Octopus & Calamari * Mussels & Clams And because it's my birthday and calories apparently don't count on birthdays... Cornmeal Maple Ricotta Fritters for dessert. Now let me tell you something... EVERYTHING WAS A HIT. Not "pretty good." Not "I'll try something else next time."A HIT. We taste with our eyes first, and every dish came out looking like it knew it was about to get photographed. But the real test is what happens after that first bite. And Bestia delivered.Freshness,Temperature,Presentation, Flavor and Textures all Usually, I can pick one dish and tell you, "This right here is the one. Don't leave without ordering it." But this time? I couldn't pick one. Everything was prepared so well that picking a standout felt like trying to choose your favorite child. Then came the wine. We wanted something that could play nicely with all the different flavors on the table, so Maxx, the Sommelier, stepped in and helped us navigate the wine list. He eventually landed us on a fantastic bottle of Cinsault, and it worked beautifully with the meal. Overall, Bestia gave me exactly what I wanted for my birthday: a memorable dinner, great service, great energy and food that actually lived up to the hype. And here's my Yelp Pro Tip: Bring some friends! Not because you need backup... But because you need more stomachs.The more people you bring, the more dishes you can order and share. Bestia: We'll be back. And yes...I want my counter seat again. read more

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Ambiance - beautiful, classy restaurant full of young, hip people Food - we ordered so much food, can't remember them all. We ordered honey mushroom pizza (our favorite - so flavorful!), bone marrow appetizer, charred snap peas (fresh & crispy, another favorite), corn agnolotti (also a favorite), saffron picci with lamb ragu ( just ok), grilled prawns (good), grilled kurubota pork, cornmeal maple fritters and chocolate budino tart. For drinks, hubby ordered cheap sunglasses (see menu for description) and my daughter ordered Sabotage. Anyway, everything was delicious! Service - impeccable. By the way, because we told our server Jamal that my daughter has a nut allergy, he gave us a menu that marked the dishes with nuts with an x before it. Jamal was sweet, funny and attentive. Love this place. Our total bill for four people was around $470. Valet parking is $15. read more

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Really enjoyed our dinner at Bestia. We sat at the counter near the pizza oven (note it can get quite hot here, which was nice for me, but my dining partner felt a little overheated). The standout dish is the roasted bone marrow - they pair it with a spinach gnocchetti (instead of bread like you might see at other restaurants), and it is a perfect balance and pairing, so unique and delicious, even for someone like me who usually doesn't seek out bone marrow dishes! read more

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We arrived a little early than our reservation time and was seated shortly upon our arrival on a busy dinner night by the kind host that was able to accommodate our small party. It was fun to watch the chefs cook the food and finally get to eat their delicious meals! We ordered almost pretty much the whole menu and was delighted with all! The restaurant started off busy during dinner time and started to die down as the night flowed. Servers were kind, attentive, and helpful! Love Bestia for a beautiful, relaxing date night. Coming back again! read more

Bestia - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

We had a wonderful time at Bestia! The ambiance was so inviting and joyful there. We loved sitting near the kitchen and watching them work, you can tell the passion and system that they have. The food truly reflects that as well, the pizza was fantastic and we looked the smokiness to it straight from the oven. The honey drizzle over the chorizo is just fantastic! Pasta was just right as well, not too salty and the portion was perfectly filling read more

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Bestia is always a great choice when we want to splurge on a special dinner. It remains one of our favorite restaurants in Los Angeles because the food is consistently excellent, the menu feels creative without being overcomplicated, and every visit feels worth it. Antipasti We started with the burrata, roasted marrow bone, Peruvian scallop crudo, and duck liver pâté. The burrata was fresh, creamy, and a great way to begin the meal. The bright flavors, herbs, and grilled bread balanced the richness really well. The Peruvian scallop crudo was another standout, with delicate scallops paired with Meyer lemon cream, chili herb oil, strawberry, and fennel pollen. It was refreshing, light, and had a nice balance of citrus, sweetness, and subtle heat. The roasted marrow bone is a must-order for us. The marrow is rich and decadent, while the accompanying spinach gnocchetti, breadcrumbs, sesame, Reggiano cream, and aged balsamic bring everything together without making it feel too heavy. The duck liver pâté was also excellent. It came with a sweet and sour date sauce, marigold flowers, fennel fronds, and sourdough. The pâté was smooth and rich, and the sweetness from the date sauce paired perfectly with it. Pizze For pizza, we ordered the smoked mozzarella and Taleggio. This was such a good balance of smoky, creamy, savory, and slightly sweet flavors. The cheese combination was rich without being overwhelming, and the wildflower honey, mascarpone, and Sichuan peppercorn added a unique touch. Definitely worth ordering if you like a more indulgent pizza. Paste The squid ink spaghetti was another favorite. The pasta was perfectly cooked and loaded with flavor from the lobster, serrano, Meyer lemon, and micro shiso. It had a nice seafood richness, some heat from the serrano, and enough brightness from the lemon to keep every bite balanced. Dolci We finished with two orders of the crème fraîche panna cotta because one was not enough. It was light, creamy, and the perfect dessert after a rich meal. The seasonal fruit elements, wildflower honey, blood orange syrup, and Meyer lemon cookies gave it a refreshing finish. One thing that would make it a better experience is just the space itself. Every time we come here, wherever we get seated, it always feels really tight and cramped. If they could do something about how they space out the tables, I feel like that would make the experience much better. Bestia is definitely a splurge, but it is one of those places that consistently delivers. If you are celebrating something or simply want a memorable Italian dinner in Los Angeles, it is always worth making a visit. read more

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Great spot for pasta and drinks. We tried the squid ink pasta and Cavatelli alla Norcina, both were really good, but between the two, I'd definitely order the cavatelli again. I'm usually pretty indifferent when it comes to ordering pizza at Italian restaurants, but I was surprisingly impressed with the Mushroom & Guanciale pizza. The bread itself was light and chewy and the flavoring of the mushroom worked really well. The scallops crudo, mushroom pizza and Cavatelli were my highlights and I would reorder if I came here again. It does get really busy, so I'd recommend making a reservation ahead of time. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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What an experience. Let's start by the seat leading team. They were no where close to being that nice or accommodating. The one who leads us even rolled her eyes. Honestly if it wasn't late already we will not be dining here with that attitude. Our server on the other hand was absolutely welcoming and amazing. My kid was cold outside, she offered to let us sit inside instead, we didn't really want to wait longer so she brought us a blanket. That was so very nice of her. The music in this place was insanely loud. Honestly had my ears ringing 20 mins after I left the restaurant. Food was great. Grilled Branzino was great with the pine nuts. Total perfection. Saffron pici was my favorite. Lamb ragu is soft and flavorful. Dessert We had the chocolate tart and strawberry crostata, love both of them. For 3 adults and 1 kid including tip around $400. It's great for the quality of the food. But not sure if I want to go through the seating situation again. So all in all, maybe once in a blue moon, we will be back. read more

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Showed up for an early Wednesday night dinner at opening, 5:00. Very limited parking, only found one space, but they have valet service if you need it. Very cool industrial vibe on the inside. We were the second couple in but 20 minutes later the place was packed which was a good sign. Got seated and greeted very quickly. I ordered an old fashioned which was delicious. Ordered the mussels and clam appetizer, the mushroom and guanciale pizza and the squid ink pasta with lobster. Everything was super delicious. Our server was excellent and everyone around payed attention to the table, filled your water, and just checked up on you in general. Not a fan of the chairs, they look cool but the wife and I had sore behinds when we left. Overall great experience, highly recommended! read more

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Roasted Bone Marrow ($30)- So good, the gnocchi was perfectly chewy with a nice sear so it had a bit of crunch too. Bone marrow flavor was a little subtle though, and our server ended up mixing the marrow into the gnocchi before we could snap a pic, which was a bummer lol. Mussels & Clams ($34)- Sourdough bread had so much flavor and a really solid texture, not rock hard like some places. Mussels and clams were plump and fresh, dish wasn't too salty, herbs complimented everything so well, and the wine reduction was perfect. Chorizo Panna ($34)- The basil really stood out and worked so well with the meat. Spicy/sweet/savory balance was immaculate, honey was a great touch, pizza was thin and not oily at all, dough tasted super fresh. Oxtail Ravioli ($32)- So cute, you could tell it was carefully plated. Each ravioli came with a smoked onion + pine nut puree that was SO good. The sweetness paired perfectly with the beef, delicate but so much depth. Squid Ink Spaghetti ($44)- Probably the best presentation of the night! The bright orange lobster against the dark squid ink pasta was gorgeous. Lobster wasn't overcooked, still nice and chewy. Sauce wasn't overpowering and a little lemon sourness cut through the seafood-iness perfectly. Noodles were bouncy, definitely handmade. Herbs tied it all together. Cavatelli alla Norcina ($52)- Presentation was impressive, truffle slices looked beautiful and smelled so strong I started salivating immediately lol. Creamy but not overpowering, meat was fragrant, truffle flavor elevated the whole dish. Handmade cavatelli too. Grilled Branzino ($54)- Presentation was spectacular, fish was deboned so zero worries there. Skin was crispy, flavors were strong and pungent in the best way, pine nuts were a great addition, meat was juicy and meaty without being too salty. Loved all the different textures. Other notes: Valet parking is $13, atmosphere is really nice - industrial/rustic vibe with an open concept kitchen. Servers were super attentive, gave great suggestions, and cleared/reset our table with new utensils halfway during our meal. Portions run smaller but our waiter gave us a heads up beforehand, which honestly ended up being nice since we could try everything without getting too full or sick of one dish. Heads up: no free birthday dessert or ice cream here! If I could give more than 5 stars I would, every single dish was delicious, no notes read more

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Bestia was on my list to visit in LA for a long time!! I was happy I got reservations on a busy busy Friday night!! It was super packed inside. I got a seat at the counter where I can watch the chefs make cold appetizers!! It was amazing to see how fast everyone worked together. We ordered 3 pastas, the branzino, and a panna cotta dessert. All of the pastas were our favorite and kept us pretty full. My favorite had to be the oxtail and corn !! The branzino was fresh and had crispy skin! I loved the crunchy pine nuts they topped it with. The panna cotta was the perfect light dessert to finish off the night. It was creamy and topped with strawberries. It was so delicious and I recommended a few friends to come visit!! Would def come back again while visiting LA! read more

wow, this was on my wishlist for almost a decade and it lived up to it!! FAVORITES: - Roasted Bone Marrow - Corn Agnolotti - Mussels & Clams The famous Pork Sausage Cavatelli with truffle is good, but didn't amaze me like the others. The Branzino was a nice surprise, fish was cooked perfect and it was also unique (never had branzino like that flavor before). I will say this place is quite pricey and the portion sizes are also very small. So be prepared to spend $150+ for 2 people. Service was on toppppp! especially on the water refills, there were so on top of it A+++++ The ambiance is nice, warehouse like but with some charm & greenery. Sitting outside on their patio was quite nice on a summer night! Note you can see multiple cute raccoons hanging out & climbing the trees as well, free nature show! read more

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I gotta say, Bestia's got an ambitious menu and I am here for it! Half of the ingredients I can't even pronounce. But as far as tapas style dinners go, this spot's gotta be on your list. Ranking from best to decent: Duck Liver Pâté -- gee golly, the absolute best pate I've ever consumed and the best plate of the night. Seems like everyone's going for the bone marrow... nah. If you're into pate whatsoever, you cannot miss out on this one. And you know what it is? Wasn't even the truffle.. the secret is in the pine nut miso. Delicious. 10/10 Chocolate Budino Tart -- decadent, rich, bold chocolate dessert. My wife don't even like chocolate, but she liked this one, especially as a closer to our meal. 9/10 Charred Octopus -- got a nice kick, beautiful texture, and smokey flavors. The polenta is chef's kiss. 7/10 Cavatelli alla Norcina -- truffle me up son! Flavor on this one is not too over-the-top, which is good! 7/10 Roasted Bone Marrow -- yeh alright. I think I came in with too high of an expectation for this one. The pasta itself was a texture I wasn't too accustomed to. The flavor is restrained and very subtle.. which is what I've always preferred.. but maybe I was expecting more flavor out of this one. 5/10 Squid Ink Spaghetti -- you know... maybe I'm just not that into seafood like I thought I was. If you're a seafood lover, you may appreciate this dish more than I did. 4/10 Overall, great experience! Really, my only qualm was my own high expectations that I think made some of the dishes a bit underwhelming. Otherwise, I'd come back and try other dishes! Service was good, ambience was nice, valet's about $13. No complaints there. read more

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The Bottom Line 3.75 stars: Great vibe and ambiance. Excellent overall service. Nice drinks and good food (but in tiny portions). Hectic parking experience. Highly recommended but with a few pointers as noted down below. Location 2.5 stars: In the run down, not so pretty area of the Los Angeles Arts District. Valet Parking is pretty much your only option if you value your car and your safety :D At the time of my visit the valet charges $13 plus tips (no CC's but they do take cash apps). The Valet is in the alley where the restaurant is (on the 7th Place) and getting in and out is hectic as the pathway is narrow and cars entering and exiting from both ends and the pedestrians crowd it badly. Venue 4 stars: Typical old industrial building in DTLA converted to an upscale bar and restaurant. The inside sitting and the larger bar area have a great vibe with loud music and many fun conversations, and very much of a "happening" place. The patio is a bit more subdued and with smaller tables (no booths), mostly for couples and families (I was surprised to see many families with small children). You also see quite a few Tourists who must have found the place on Yelp :D Reservations 2 stars: They take reservations on Open Table, which is great. What I found quite odd is that they require you to put up a credit card as collateral with the amount to be charged "open", as "some patrons may leave without paying"??? Service 4 stars: Very attentive and helpful, from the greeter to the server to the busser. Drinks 4 stars: Creative and tasty specialty cocktails. Full bar but their selection of spirits is limited (for example, they only have 2 types of Vodka available; Axberg and Rigby American and only 2 types of Rye). They have a larger list of wines and a few beers. We had the specialty cocktails Cheap Sunglasses and the Fuzzy Pink Handcuffs. Both were well-made and delicious. Prices were OK but a little on the higher side. Food 3.75 stars: Bestia is known for its Italian-themed farm-to-table small plates, and we did try some of their famous ones, but were not as impressed as we had expected. First off, the portions, especially for the prices, are tiny... We had their Roasted Bone Marrow which is prepared tableside (delicious but very small portion), the Peruvian Scallop Crudo (very good), the Grilled Prawns (very good), the Margherita and the Mushroom & Guanciale Pizzas (good) and the Oxtail Ravioli (good). They also had some tempting desserts, but we did not a chance to try any. Billing 2 stars: They add 4% to every check to provide health insurance for their employees. While I fully appreciate and applaud the cause and also the fact that they disclosed this at the bottom of the menu (which not everyone looks at) and also noted that the customer could ask for it to be removed (but c'mon, in reality, WHO in their right mind would feel right asking???), why not simply add this to their prices? read more

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Man! What can I say about this place besides that it's amazing! Everything here is delicious, I love coming here. Love the ambiance love the service. read more

Good stuff. Literally unlucky that the branzino bone punctured my gum and teeth, was lucky to get it out in the restroom. Other than that, not bad but got tummy ache after two hours read more

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Still the goat. Just came back to post more pics. Starters, pizzas, pastas, sides - all of the above, never miss.

Finally tried Bestia in DTLA and now I understand the hype. Every dish was bold, beautifully executed, and packed with flavor. The scallops were incredibly fresh and delicate, while the wood-fired pizza had that perfect balance of a light, chewy center and beautifully charred crust. The pork chop was the star of the night thick, juicy, perfectly cooked, and paired with smoky grilled citrus that brought everything together. And whatever you do, save room for the Budino. Rich, silky, chocolatey, and just the right amount of indulgent it was the perfect ending to an unforgettable meal. The atmosphere is lively, industrial, and effortlessly cool, making it such a great spot for date night or dinner with fellow food lovers. Bestia is definitely worth the reservation and absolutely deserves a spot on your LA dining list. Must-order: Scallops, wood-fired pizza, pork chop & Budino read more

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We made a reservation for 2, and we're so glad we did! Place is SUPER bustling and packed. We ordered the margarita pizza, bone marrow, scallops, and oxtail pasta. Everything was delicious, although I personally found the pizza slightly underwhelming; nevertheless, it was baked very well. The bone marrow was very rich, scallops' ingredients complimented each other perfectly, and the oxtail pasta provided a needed filling dish. Service was excellent, with each server being very helpful and explanatory with each dish. Only thing I didn't like was how noisy it was inside, but it goes to show how popular of a place it is. If you want to have a conversation, try to get outside seating. Definitely worth a visit! read more

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I've been to Bestia multiple times and it's still one of my favorite Italian spots in LA. We had a 9:30pm reservation and luckily found street parking instead of using valet. The ambiance is modern, stylish, and warm. This time we ordered the roasted bone marrow, mussels & clams, squid ink spaghetti, and cavatelli alla norcina. The bone marrow was rich and buttery but definitely on the heavier side. The mussels and clams were fresh but the sauce had a slight bitter aftertaste. The squid ink spaghetti is still my favorite and something I order every visit. The lobster was nicely cooked and the sauce was well balanced but the pasta could've used a little more seasoning. The cavatelli was creamy without being too heavy and I liked that the truffle didn't overpower the dish. I just wish there was more sausage. Their cocktails are always solid. The semi charmed life was citrusy and smoky making it the perfect drink to cut through the richer dishes. The old fashioned was good but I didn't really get the smoked bone marrow flavor that was advertised. The service was a little lacking this visit. Our server wasn't very attentive and it was hard to get his attention even though the restaurant wasn't very busy. Overall, the food is consistently good and I'll definitely be back. I just wish the portions were a little bigger for the price. read more

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I went again, 8 years later. 2 guests, We left hungry, no drinks. $265 later. I shoulda read my review. I shoulda ordered the pizza The oxtail ravioli, was a joke smallest dish on the planet, and 4 prawns in breadcrumbs is a hefty $36!!! Prices aside, it was just prawns in breadcrumbs. I didn't think it was anything special. 4% surcharge to support the employees on top. We should be able to pay the servers a decent wage if your prices are still this high. We joked at the table and said we went up a tax bracket and still can't fathom the prices for the plates. I think it's time for me to throw in the towel, no more Bestia for us...and on that note of the towel (napkin) we opened the table napkins to put on our laps and it was shredding lint all over, my dress was covered in lint from the napkin.... They need new napkins. That's crazy. read more

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COVID-19: Social distancing is not enforced at this establishment. Some of the staff wears a mask. All customers are not expected to wear a mask. It's optional now. The staff also wears gloves when handling food. There are no hand sanitizers available for customers to use. This place is has some indoor & outdoor seating available with limited capacity. They are not sanitizing in between customers. I mention these things in my reviews for the sake of protecting immunocompromised people like the elderly and people sick with cancer and other illnesses. COVID-19 Vaccination Proof: This establishment currently does not require proof of vaccination. While I was eating my food in this establishment several months ago, I asked if they had any special offers and they weren't offering any at the moment. They currently don't have happy hour. They also do not allow pets in their establishment UNLESS it's a service animal. Parking: The parking lot for this establishment is kinda small and tight. Good luck with street parking if you can't find any spots in their lot. They also have valet parking for $13. Tip: Make your reservation 2 - 3 months in advance to get great seating because they get booked up very quickly. Food and Drinks: One of my close male friends and I came here to celebrate both of our birthdays. Bestia is hands down one of the best Italian restaurants here in SoCal. For drinks, my friend and I got the Poderi San Lazzaro. This is a dry red wine from the Marche region of Italy. It is known for its intense ruby color, red berry aromas, and a palate with juicy acidity, soft tannins, and a distinct saline minerality. It's a good pairing for roasted meats and grilled steak. And as for food, my friend and I ordered the roasted bone marrow, oxtail alla vaccinara, 26 oz Margaret river wagyu ribeye, and fromage blanc mousse. To note, all pastas were cooked perfectly al dente. The roasted bone marrow is a signature appetizer served over a bed of spinach gnocchetti. We got to scoop the rich marrow from the bone directly onto the pasta and mix it in table-side. The marrow coats the gnocchetti to create an emulsified, glossy sauce balanced by toasted breadcrumbs and aged balsamic. This was a life changing and mind blowing dish. The oxtail alla vaccinara is a renowned, elevated take on the classic Roman braised oxtail stew. This decadent pasta dish features tender braised meat, wide pappardelle, rich brown butter, pine nuts, and a touch of cocoa powder. The richness of the meat and brown butter is cut through with creamy dollops of burrata cheese and crunchy pine nuts. So yummy! The 26 oz Margaret river wagyu ribeye is a dish that features a massive 26 oz cut of Australian Wagyu, served with burnt onion, fermented mushroom cream, radish, and poppy seeds. This had a melt-in-your-mouth kind of texture, and savory earthiness from the mushroom and onion accompaniments. The ribeye was unmistakably rich and buttery flavor. Get this and you won't regret it. The fromage blanc mousse is a seasonal dessert. This is an incredibly airy, semi-sweet dessert that lands halfway between a light cheesecake and a ricotta. It is served with a pecan graham crust, and candied quince. It's like a fancy smancy cheesecake. Staff: Radu was very helpful, kind, friendly, and attentive to my friend and I. Love this place and will be coming back very soon. They accept credit cards. There is no credit card minimum. read more

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If there is anything to say about Bestia, it's that it is consistent. I've been here a few times on birthdays and other special occasions, but this time around, I was at some event down the street and walked over here to get some food. We got the bone marrow, the herb Caesar salad and a pizza. The bone marrow was excellent, just as they always have been. It pairs well with their pasta that they mix it with. The Caesar salad was quite refreshing, and the herb dressing brought out a citrusy feeling throughout each bite, which was fun. The pizza was really good too. One thing I can say though is that as time goes by, the food in La just keeps getting better and better. While this place may have had showstopping pizza in 2018, a lot of other places have really upped their food game as well. But that's the great thing about innovation. We have places like this we can look at as staples, and then some new place just goes and outdoes it. I like bestia though. I'll probably come back a few more times too, now that the waitlist has stopped being over a month long. The service here is attentive. The ambiance is nice. It's a fun place to eat! read more

Bestia - Roasted Bone Marrow, Herb Caesar Salad - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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After years of hearing good reviews about this restaurant, I finally get to write my own! I wish I have dined at this restaurant sooner! What a neat restaurant! On the outside, it looks like a warehouse. From the exterior, you wouldn't expect a nice restaurant to be within the walls. Although the food was great, I think the price was slightly too high for the small portion of the dishes. It's not like I can't afford it, this is just an opinion. I decided to make a reservation here for a special occasion: my partners' mom and my mom and sister were meeting for the first time. Since I wanted the food to be amazing for this special occasion, I chose this restaurant after doing some extensive research. For a more intimate occasion, this might work out for you. But for both sides of the family meeting for the first time, this might not be the perfect place for it. I found it to be a little too loud which made it hard to hear people. Obviously, this isn't the restaurants' fault, so I'm not docking any stars for that. This is just a side note; an "FYI" With that said, I do think that the food is delicious! Everything we ordered is highly recommendable. Unexpectedly, my favorite dish was the corn agnolotti! I love corn! When the dish came after someone ordered it, I was slightly hesitant to try since I didn't really pay attention to what they ordered. It immediately became my favorite dish for the night. Everything else was also great! I've put an orange dot on the left side of the name of the dishes that we ordered in the menu. If you can, order all of them! Pictures attached. Valley parking can sometimes be a mess. read more

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We're not from LA but oh my gosh! The food was so good we had to come twice! The host even recognized us and seated us right away! We ordered the mussels, bone marrow, branzino whole fish that is very shareable, and a few pasta dishes. I of course ordered a pink drink (I forgot the name) but it was so good I didn't even order anything else! 10/10 recommended this little hole in the wall. read more

Bestia - Brussels sprouts, warm tea, cocktail - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This has been a go to a few times a year. If I had it my way I would go every two weeks. This is my number one restaurant. I am very particular about my food and there is not one single bad item on the menu. We returned with our friends and savored every single bite. Started with the Peruvian scallops Caesar herb salad and the most amazing snap peas a newer menu item. We had the pizza gnocchi and corn agnoletti which is out of this world. The branzino is always light flavorful and a must. The bone marrow pasta is also always on our order. Capped it off with their most delicious citrus panna cotta and gold rush cocktails! No other restaurant from LA or OC has been able to take their number one spot as of yet read more

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Heard great things about this place and finally got to try this place out! Was definitely surprised by how lively it was inside - the setting/mood felt like a mix of casual but fancy. Ordered a bunch of things to share with a group of people: a few appetizers, pizzas and pastas. Everything we ordered tasted good but sadly nothing really stood out to me. Would definitely come back though just for the vibes. Parking can be tricky to find with the limited spots available on the streets but luckily they do have valet parking. I think our group was just unlucky that night because after paying for valet, they forgot about us. We thought our cars were parked somewhere off site so we waited over 20 minutes outside before we asked them for an ETA. Turns out they still had our car keys locked away and didn't even realize we were waiting for our cars. read more

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Great vibe and excellent service. Drinks were constantly refilled. Branzino was very nicely grilled and generous portion. Endive and peach salad was delectable and unique combo of flavors. Oxtail ravioli was just okay and a small portion size. Dessert was amazing. Definitely recommend the Valrhona Bittersweet Chocolate Budino Tart. Parking can be difficult, so you can valet or park a couple blocks away. Coming here on a weekday early evening improves chances of getting a table. read more

Bestia - Valrhona Bittersweet Chocolate Budino Tart - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Expertly Crafted: The bar program is top-tier. Every cocktail is thoughtful, balanced, and precisely made, whether you go for a inventive house signature or a classic staple. Bold Flavor Profiles: The menu delivers across the board. The house-made charcuterie, wood-fired pizzas, and rich, handcrafted pastas consistently showcase incredible technique and bold, memorable flavors. Exceptional Care: The service is top-notch. Staff members are attentive, knowledgeable, and seamlessly pacing the meal without ever feeling intrusive. read more

I love Bestia. That's it. That's the review. J/k! This is my second time here: last trip was in 2022, where I had the best fig and gorgonzola pizza and bone marrow of ma liiiiiife (in addition to some pasta dishes)! This time, I had six dishes, split with my friends: the fig and gorgonzola pizza (again--why mess with a fave?), the octopus and calamari (surprise hit!), the oxtail ravioli (good--but not my favorite; portion was super small too!), the gnocchi (good, but not amazing), the lamb ragu pici (AMAAAAAAZING!). We also had some beverages; a cellador saison and 2 glasses of red wine. The service and attention is good. I will say that inside the restaurant, it is BUMPING! We are so glad we got a table out on the patio so we could actually converse (inside the restaurant, the music is so loud, you practically have to yell!) If you sit outside, say hi to the family of raccoons on the roof! I will also say, since 2022, this restaurant is now "highly recommended" by the Michelin guide...which has definitely increased its popularity. Somehow, this has translated to much smaller portions though. They encourage sharing "family style" with friends, but the portions are so small, you really only get a few bites from the pasta dishes before it's all gone! (The pizza is at least bigger). So, while Bestia is fantastic, prepare to order a lot more to be truly full and spend at least $100 per person. For all 6 dishes, drinks, and tax (without tip) our total for 3 people was $250.01. read more

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The atmosphere is definitely on the loud side, but the inside has a nice vibe. My favorite dish was the roasted bone marrow--it was delicious and served really well. I also enjoyed the Margherita pizza. The pasta was just okay and didn't really stand out. The service was great, and the drinks were probably the highlight of the experience. I'd come back mainly for the drinks, service, and a few appetizers. Parking can be a little tricky, but there's street parking available or you can use the valet. read more

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Can't believe I've never written a review for Bestia! I've been a few times, and these are some of my favorite dishes. The BURRATA and ROASTED BONE MARROW are always a good choice. I love their MARGHERITA PIZZA--I just really like the way they make it. The CORN AGNOLOTTI is a super creative dish, and the CAVATELLI ALLA NORCINA is a must-order. For the meat eaters, the RIBEYE is definitely worth getting. And for dessert, I'm a big fan of the STRAWBERRY CROSTATA. ENJOY! PS: There is only valet parking there unless you can find street parking. Staff are just absolutely lovely. read more

came here for my best friend's birthday celebration. the food was amazing and delicious, just right portions and very tasty :) strongly recommend the squid ink pasta and caesar salad. the ambience was great, a little dim and romantic. the bathroom was clean as well. staff was very welcoming and nice. although they did mess up our reservation time by 30 mins. read more

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I had heard rave reviews about Bestia, which is located in a small alley way in Downtown Los Angeles. It looks like it used to be an old warehouse that was converted into a restaurant. The inside was minimalist and industrial and the seating was extremely cramped and close together. I celebrated a birthday with 3 other friends and we settled on some dishes to share. Ricotta ($21) - This dish consisted of whipped ricotta cheese, aged balsamic, fennel pollen, herb oil, salt, and some grilled bread to scoop things up. It tasted great and was a wonderful way to start the meal. Marrow ($30) - Bestia's most famous dish is prepared with spinach gnocchi and a beef bone sliced in half. The server scrapes out the marrow and mixes it with the pasta. It's topped with some breadcrumbs, sesame oil, and aged balsamic vinegar. Loved the beef flavors from this dish, my only complaint was that I wish the portion was larger! Burrata ($28) - This pizza was prepared with San Marzano tomatoes sauce, burrata cheese, olives, oregano, and fermented chiles topped this pizza. This Neapolitan crust pizza was just ok, and didn't impress. Taleggio ($28) - This pizza consisted of smoked mozzarella and taleggio cheeses, as well as mascarpone, some honey and Sichuan peppers. It had great and unique flavors and was definitely better than the burrata one. Agnolotti ($29) - This pasta was stuffed with mushroom and chestnuts, and prepared in a mascarpone, fried sage, and fennel pollen sauce. It had an earthy taste and tasted great. Branzino ($52) - The Branzino came with a pine nut pesto, chilis, mixed basil and lemon. I really enjoyed the flavor profile of this dish, it had a little bit of kick to it. Spaghetti ($42) - This squid ink spaghetti lobster pasta had excellent flavors and was garnished with some micro greens and Thai basil. Unfortunately the portion was on the smaller side. Panna cotta ($14) - Consisting of winter citrus, honey and blood orange syrup this custard cream dish was the better than the other dessert we tried and was served with some thin meyer lemon cookies. Budino ($17) - This chocolate tart was served with salted caramel, and cacao crust. While I enjoy chocolate desserts I was a bit disappointed with this one, the flavors didn't wow me and the crust was soft and a little lack luster. Coffee ($5) - Stumptown brand of coffee. It was rich and smooth and a nice way to end the meal. Overall, the serving size of dishes here is SMALL. While there are some dishes that tasted great, I wish there were more meat options that included chicken, been, lamb, shrimp or veal. Each person needs to order at least 2 to 3 dishes to fill up. Service was outstanding here from our server, Jason. He was friendly, knowledgeable and took care of allergy issues from my dining group. They really need to improve on their seating here as tables are so close to each other. We were still hungry afterwards so we visited a Yemeni coffee spot near by. Valet parking is $13. There is a 4% service charge for the worker's health care added to each bill. read more

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Still stands-up to the hype after all these years. If "Trendy" was a restaurant, Bestia would easily be in top contention, even after being around for more than a decade. That says a lot. Once upon a time (a few years ago), my CFP + banking institution wanted to thank me for being one of their top private clients. They expressed their gratitude with a very generous, all expense paid full-course meal at Bestia. To say that I was impressed would be an understatement. Fast forward to now, I knew that coming back here would be a good idea. Make no mistake, even if you try to book a reservation several weeks in-advance, don't be surprised if the only available seats are at the counter. Granted, I was in a spacey table during my past visit, the counter can be an enjoyable & unintentionally entertaining space. It's great for a more casual vibe, as you get to see some of the kitchen workers put together some of their signature dishes. In many ways, Bestia seems like a microcosm of the city that it rather humbly resides within. What always catches me off-guard, is that the surrounding simple area really doesn't reflect the happening, vibrant, night-life that resides within the building's walls. You feel like you're taken so a different, very social, very bustling world. WINE: Podere 72, Poderi San Lazzaro (Marche region, central Italy) - 8.7 / 10 A very robust blend of Montepulciano & Sangiovese grapes that results in a balanced, medium bodied red wine that stands-up to heartiness of a beef ribeye steak. FOOD: Roasted Bone Marrow - 9.4/ 10 I have several friends that go here just for this particular dish. Funny enough, one can almost always tell that one is at Bestia because of the rather peculiar manner in which this dish is served. Hot, melted bone marrow is appropriately scooped out of the bone & poured onto spinach gnocchetti. It's like eating beef flavored mouth pillows of potato + spinach. It's definitely a dish that will impress whoever you are with. I can never resist ordering this whenever I am here. Oxtail alla Vaccinara - 8.9 / 10 The deep, rich maroon color of the rigatoni (thanks to beets) is a sight to behold. The pasta is firm but not too hard. It's a humble yet complex pasta dish that complements any main course. 26oz Margaret River Wagyu Ribeye - 9.4 / 10 Anybody who knows me knows that I love my ribeye. Any decent fancy restaurant does a ribeye. But no one does a ribeye quite like Bestia. The fermented mushroom cream delivers a punch of pungence not unlike a delectable dijon mustard, but to the highest of levels. This dish also makes me a believer in well-cooked onions served alongside steak. I usually like to take a home a portion of ribeye for later, but this is one of the very few instances when the steak is so good, that I can't help but finish it here. Again, the portion is more than enough to be shared. Fromage Blanc Mousse - 9.1 / 10 This seasonal dish hits all the right notes. It's the fanciest of cheesecakes, so I recommend sharing this. With its decadence, a little truly goes a long way & that's perfectly fine. The richness of the cheese is offset perfectly by the right balance of candied kumquats. A great "bite" to end on. Huge shout-out & thanks to Radu for being the nicest & most enthusiastic of servers. It's little things like him being so down to take pics of you with your party that really make me want to come back here. It the owners / management is reading this, please recognize how pivotal he is to your team. If he was working under me, I would most definitely give him a raise. Also, shout-out to Dani at the hostess stand. She is one of the most personable people. For being the first person that patrons see upon entering, she is the perfect face, attitude, & welcoming personality that the hospitality industry is in dire need of. She's a rockstar of a hostess & a pleasure to talk with. Bestia is a better place because of valuable employees like Radu & Dani. As always, come for the food. Come back for the service. I would definitely come back because of how amazing Radu & Dani are. Years after the hype, the vibe is still very much happening at Bestia. read more

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I came here to celebrate my birthday and it was so amazing! We had the bone marrow pasta to start and it was so savory and delicious. The octopus was also divine so tender and flavorful. For the pasta we had the butternut squash and a tortellini and both were mind blowing it was so delicious and the flavors were so unique. We also tried the mushrooms pizza and it was good. For dessert you much try the peanut butter bar it's amazing read more

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