I ate at Bestia several years ago, before COVID, and I still think about that dinner today. I had flown from New York during a dreary stretch, and landing in sunny Los Angeles felt like arriving on another planet. California offered an immediate rush of light, space, and possibility. My memory is that when I turned my phone back on at LAX, my friend messaged to say he'd gotten us the hookup at Bestia. That dinner belongs to a chapter in which I spent considerable time in California and felt energized by the contrast with New York. My friend is highly discerning, with impeccable taste in food, design, and culture. He notices details most people miss, so when a place impresses him, I pay attention. From the moment I saw his message, I knew the reservation meant something. Even before we entered, Bestia's character was evident. Faded lettering crossed the corrugated metal facade, while brick walls and old loading doors preserved the warehouse's industrial history. Inside, enormous windows and garage doors brought light into a room shaped by glass, exposed ductwork, and warm amber pendants. When I fantasize about living in a loft, many of the attributes I picture are here, especially the incredible windows and connection to the street. Inside the restaurant, the dining room achieved a combination I rarely encounter. It had the table density and collective buzz of a great New York restaurant, but within a large, design-forward space closer in scale to something found in Chicago. New York creates energy through tight rooms, while Chicago excels at ambitious spaces with strong architectural identities. Bestia captured both advantages and made its considerable footprint feel alive and unified. We sat shoulder to shoulder at a pale stone counter facing the open kitchen. Golden era hip hop was playing, and A Tribe Called Quest still rings a very specific bell. I ordered the squid ink pasta, and it was exquisite, with enough depth and precision to command attention amid everything happening around us. We also spotted an unmistakably A-list celebrity, whom I will leave unnamed, making the night feel quintessentially Los Angeles. During that period, I often stayed at the Ace Hotel downtown, and the Arts District felt vibrant, raw, and full of possibility. The proximity to Skid Row could be deeply jarring, with severe hardship existing beside ambitious development and expensive restaurants. That contrast kept the neighborhood from feeling like a neat story of urban renewal, even as Bestia seemed to anchor its evolution. The warehouses and loading docks gave the area a character that no new development could convincingly recreate. Nearby, I also remember the American Apparel complex during its demise and the rise of impossibly cool Los Angeles designer John Elliott. His Escobar sweatpants and Villain hoodie helped define the kit of that moment; loyalists will understand. Los Angeles is a fickle city, drawn toward whatever is new and shiny, which makes Bestia's longevity especially impressive. Scene without substance is plastic, and Bestia earned its electricity through exceptional cooking, assured service, and a remarkable space; if I lived in Los Angeles, this would be one of the places I'd rely on whenever I wanted to impress someone. This is absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in the world. read more

Funny enough, I never thought I'd be back after my last visit, but a friend chose Bestia to celebrate her birthday, so here I was. Even with a 9:30 PM reservation, the restaurant was still absolutely packed. This time we actually had proper seating, which made for a much better experience. We ordered a mix of dishes including the octopus, bone marrow pasta, black ink seafood pasta, pizza, gnocchi, and the Branzino. The octopus, bone marrow pasta, and black ink seafood pasta were all solid as usual. The pizza was decent, but the gnocchi was a disappointment and easily my least favorite dish of the night. The standout was without a doubt the Branzino. It was perfectly cooked with a light, crispy exterior and incredibly flavorful inside. It was one of those dishes where everyone kept reaching for another bite until the plate was completely clean. Service was better than my previous visit, I'd give it a 4/5 this time. Overall, this experience was a noticeable improvement, and while I still think some dishes outshine others, the Branzino alone is worth coming back for. 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 on and out is hectic as the pathway is narrow and cars entering and exiting 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 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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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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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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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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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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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

If you're reading this, Bestia... do not I repeat, DO NOT ever remove the mussels and clams from the menu again. They deserve permanent status right alongside the bone marrow. They're way too delicious to ever disappear. Nino was amazing last night and made an already incredible dining experience even better. As always, the food, service, and atmosphere were outstanding. I can't wait to come back. Bestia never, ever disappoints. read more

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Valet, great selection of food, service is top notch, and the ambiance can be romantic! I'll come back again for special occasion! read more

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I love it here!! I came with my husband for date night and it truly did not disappoint. Beautiful ambiance, great food, and very friendly staff. can't wait to come back. read more

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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I've been to a lot of Italian restaurants over the years, and I can confidently say Bestia is easily in my top 3 of all time. From start to finish, every single dish hit. We started with the Housemade Buttermilk Ricotta and wow... absolutely fantastic. Super smooth, rich, perfectly balanced, and packed with flavor. The kind of starter you immediately wish you ordered more of. Next was the Herb Caesar Salad, another huge hit. Fresh, crisp, and that dressing was phenomenal. Light but still incredibly flavorful. We actually saved some of the dressing and dipped our pizza into it later... highly recommend doing that because it paired perfectly. For mains, we shared the Cavatelli alla Norcina and the Margherita pizza. The cavatelli was honestly one of the best pasta dishes I've had in a long time. Something I'd never tried before and now I'll probably order every time I come back. Rich, comforting, and insanely flavorful without feeling too heavy. The Margherita pizza was also perfect, great crust, fresh ingredients, balanced sauce, and just done right. To finish, we had the Bar au Chocolat Bittersweet Chocolate Budino Tart and somehow they still didn't miss. Absolute knockout dessert. Rich, decadent, silky, and the perfect ending to the meal. The energy, service, food quality, and attention to detail here are on another level. You can tell why this place has the reputation it does. Already looking forward to coming back. read more

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I had a mixed experience at Bestia. The ambiance is definitely a highlight -- lively, energetic, and packed with people, with great music that makes the whole place feel fun and vibrant. The service was also excellent; attentive, friendly, and made us feel well taken care of throughout the meal. The drinks were really good. I had the Crystal Pistol, Seven Faces, and Personality Crisis. That said, the food itself didn't quite live up to the hype for me. It was decent, but nothing particularly memorable or exciting, especially given the price point. For how expensive it is, I expected something that would really wow me, and it just didn't quite get there. I tried their Housemade Buttermilk Ricotta, Peruvian Scallop Crudo, Roasted Bone Marrow, Cavatelli Alla Norcina, and Panna Cotta. Overall, a great spot for atmosphere and drinks, but I'm not sure the food justifies the cost. 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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Have I been wanting to come here since 2014? Yes. Did I finally make it in 2026, 12 years later? Also yes. With all the build up, did bestia deliver? Sort of It is expensive, be prepared. Parking is hard, you basically must valet, it is $13. We ordered all the items that you order when you only want to order the most popular items. The bone marrow, the squid ink pasta, the truffle pasta and two desserts the torte and mouse cake they had at the time. Did all of them blow me away? Sadly no. All the dishes were good, don't get me wrong. But the only dish that I'm still thinking about is the bone marrow. The sauce on the marrow combined with the gnocchetti was amazing. I could have drank the sauce. Did I hope all other pastas would equally blow me away, yes. But they didn't. For the price I was hoping to have the same experience the gnocchetti gave me with the other dishes but they didn't. Am I glad we went, of course! Would I go back? Only for the gnocchetti hah! read more

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

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Went to the most hyped up Italian restaurant in LA that ive been hearing about everywhere. Booked a 5PM reservation on a Sunday and was seated upon arrival after checking in at the front. Overall experience was good, not bad at all. Maybe a bit overrated. I guess i was expecting a lot in terms of food quality. They do have a good options within their pizza/pasta. Recommended Items: -Soppresata Pizza: 8.6/10 (favorite thing on the menu) -Bone marrow: 8.4/10 (good not too overwhelming. Tasty) -Roasted Banana Malt and Muscovado Peanut Ice Cream Bar: 9/10 (more memorable than the food) -Housemade ginger beer: 8.4/10 Tried but dont recommend -Oxtail alla pasta: 8/10 (just ok. reminded me of a korean dish so a but underwhelming. Pasta was cooked nicely tho -Housemade Ricotta: 8.2 (on its own its just mid. felt that it complimented well with the pizza. If you order the pizza try this on the side) After everything it was around 175$ with tip. Keep in mind theres a 4% charge (that can be removed) to pay for the workers health insurance. It's a cute spot for a date or with your friends and they have a big dining area. Would I come here again? Maybe once in a while, but I don't really crave it and I feel like you can find similar restaurants around the same price for more quality. Parking is valet ($13) and street parking available. Got lucky on street parking so was free. I know of a parking garage that is near that you can park at for a fee as well. read more

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After hearing so much hype about Bestia over the years, I finally got the chance to try it. The atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights. We sat near the bar and it was fun watching the kitchen and staff work throughout the evening. The space feels lively, trendy, and perfect for a night out. My favorite dish was the scallop crudo. The sauce was creamy, tangy, and surprisingly refreshing. I also really enjoyed the truffle pasta -- the texture was super chewy, almost like mochi. Overall, the food was good and I can see why it's such a popular spot in LA. While I enjoyed the experience, I personally don't think it is THAT amazing and need months ahead reservation..... Still, it's worth trying at least once for the atmosphere and signature dishes. read more

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Take your loved one here! The guanciale pizza is to die for. Fatty pork jowl with cheese on hand made pizza dough is DELICIOUS! Take someone you love to here just to spend some quality time with that particular person. read more

I had my eyes on Bestia for awhile now and I finally came by for a visit. I heard the Squid Ink Spaghetti and Bone Marrow Gnochetti were really good so I had to try it for myself. I enjoyed both dishes, both were well flavored. I also tried the Oxtail alla Vaccinara and Mushroom & Guanciale pizza, my personal favorite is the pizza! The place was cute but tight and crowded. The portion size was on the smaller side so I would recommend ordering a few dishes. Overall, Bestia is a great place for pasta and pizza if you're feeling a little fancy and craving Italian! read more

Bestia - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Super trendy restaurant in the heart of DTLA! Perfect for a special occasion! The interior is so lively at Bestia! It can get a bit loud, but service was very friendly and efficient! Apps: Burrata and Snap Peas - the Snap Pea dish was the fav of the night! It was incredibly flavorful with a hint of spice. The Burrata was simple, but tasty! Mains: Ricotta Gnocchi, Chestnut & Mushroom Agnolotti, and Margherita Pizza - The Agnolotti was incredible! Perfectly savory. The Pizza was thin and chewy, similar to the pizza in Italy. The Ricotta Gnocchi was good, but nothing special! Dessert: Chocolate Budino Tart and Coffee & Donuts - Both were so sweet and delicious, but my favorite was the tart! read more

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Enjoyed a simple dinner at Bestia on a Sunday evening, which provided a less than usual business. The surroundings are as expected, unassuming and driving into the area provides environment context that would highlight the privilege of such a place. Had one cocktail and an old fashioned, both were exceptional. Dinner was light with the Caesar salad that ranks as one of the best I've had in both taste, freshness and presentation. The Burrata pizza was good. Taste profile, 10/10. Texture, 5/10 as the bottom of the the pizza was soggy and chewy from the wetness of the sauce. Perhaps an area of improvement here. Since it was late, we skipped dessert, but overall, we enjoyed our meal, ambiance and the service. read more

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This is the first time i visited a fine dining-esque restaurant where i would 100% come back again. Buttermilk ricotta 8/10 -- tasted like elevated buttery cream cheese in the best way. Smoked Mozzaella & Taleggio pizza 8.3/10 --sweet, salty, and satisfying Bone marrow gnocchi 8.3/10 -- best textured gnocchi i've ever out in my mouth Squash Tortellini 8.1/10 -- popped in my mouth like i was eating a gusher. Definitely Maybe lemoncello 9/10 -- would've ordered 2 more if i was employed THAT SUGAR RIM HONEY Unfortunately, I am bringing down 1 star for the service. Our server was being just a bit pushy for us to order more food, which we understand is their job, but it got to a point where it was slightly awkward everytime we kept insisting we didn't want more food or drinks... Nonetheless, we will be back! read more

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Meh...I will not return to Bestia. Keep in mind while reading this, everyone's tastes are different. The Caesar salad looked pretty, but the taste wasn't to my liking; why anyone would add fennel to a Caesar salad is beyond me. I despise fennel, so it was a complete turn off. The prawns were ok, but nothing to write home about. The margarita pizza was good, but again, nothing special. The ambiance is great, packed with people, but the food was not my cup of tea. I was disappointed as I had high hopes. read more

Paid street parking and valet are available. I'm glad we had a reservation because we were able to get seated quickly while the restaurant was packed. The portion sizes are on the smaller side, so plan to order 3 - 4 dishes per two people, depending on your appetite. The Housemade Buttermilk Ricotta stood out, but the rest of the dishes were not particularly memorable. Our server was attentive and friendly, which we appreciated. We enjoyed the atmosphere, but the tables are very close together, causing traffic when people are walking around. Also, it felt uncomfortably warm, which took away from the overall experience. While, there were some things that we enjoyed, I'm not sure if we'd be back. read more

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We arrived at 5:50, our reservation was for 6:00 pm. Got seated and ordered our food. It came out rather quickly. The pizza tasted delicious. The pastas were amazing as well. Our waitress was friendly and attentive. At the end of the night, our stomachs were full and we were happy. The noise level wasn't that bad. We would come back again to try the the other food options. read more

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3 stars for Ambiance. Given I was dining on a Saturday night at 8 pm. Our waiter was just okay, he didn't ask about food allergies off the bat, and it seemed very inconvenient for them to address this issue. We sat at a shared booth. We felt the booth seats shaking the entire time. We looked back at the people behind us, and they also looked at us wondering where the shaking was coming from. We had a full on conversation searching for the source. IT was like an earthquake with the seats rattling around and became really distracting. MY seatmate date and I later figured out the movement was from the party across from us. I guess all the booths are connected. It was really loud in the restaurant as expected. 3 starts for atmosphere and the vibe I got from our waiter. THe food was on point and delcious Bestia 10/10 quality for the pasta and pizza. The Peruvian scallops were forgettable. The duck was over salted. I didn't enjoy the experience sitting at the booths inside. We have never sat here before, and I will make a point to not sit there again in the future. read more

Bestia was unfortunately very overhyped. The restaurant encourages ordering shareable plates, but the portions were extremely small, and the food itself was just okay--not bad, but nothing memorable. The biggest disappointment was the service. Our server was unwilling to accommodate even simple requests. One friend in our group doesn't drink, and when we asked if her mocktail could be served in a cocktail glass so she could feel included, he simply said no. He also refused to make an espresso martini despite having the ingredients available. To make matters worse, one of our dishes never arrived. When we brought it up, the server responded, "I asked you if it came out and you said yes," instead of apologizing for the mistake. Afterward, he took the bill and appeared to be talking negatively about our table. For a restaurant with such a stellar reputation, I expected much better. Between the tiny portions, average food, and poor service, I won't be back read more

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We were seated promptly at our reservation time in the outdoor patio. Roasted Bone Marrow (9/10): Perhaps the dish Bestia is most well-known for. We are fans of bone marrow so had to try. The bone marrow comes on the shank but is scooped onto the spinach gnocchi and mixed together. The bone marrow portion is decent. The gnocchi was soft yet had crispy bits. The whole dish was very rich and indulgent, with subtle sesame and balsamic flavor. Squid Ink Spaghetti (9.5/10): The spaghetti was nice and cooked al dente, but the highlight was the lobster on top of the spaghetti. It was probably the most tender chunks of lobster I've had in my life. The pieces of basil added a nice freshness to the dish. Cavatelli alla Norcina (8/10): This dish is very umami with a truffle-based sauce and pieces of shaved truffle on top. The highlight of this dish for us was the savory sauce. It was fun to try the shaved truffle separately and mixed in with the dish. This was our first time at Bestia and it did not disappoint. Would recommend checking it out - order the bone marrow and some pastas. read more

Bestia - Roasted Bone Marrow ($30) - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Dinner at Bestia is always an experience. This is a favorite and it's important to RSVP in advance. The atmosphere is energetic and stylish, with an industrial-chic vibe that feels fun. It's the perfect spot for a dinner with friends or date night! The food is outstanding from the house-made pastas to the perfectly cooked meats and incredible salads. Every dish is packed with bold, balanced flavors and beautifully presented. You can really taste the quality and care in the ingredients. We love the: Bone Marrow Pasta, Little Gem Cesar, Peruvian Scallop Crudo, Agnolotti Alla Vaccinara, and Cavatelli Alla Norcina. Service is excellent and they will give you great recommendations if you're unsure and time your dishes so it's spaced perfectly. Bestia is a must try and you will see it's totally worth it. read more

Bestia - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Bestia is one of our favs! Make sure to make a reservation ahead of time as they have always been busy everytime we have been here! Absolutely love the interior in here, it's so warm and inviting. Great menu with an amazing wine list! We usually order everything to share and I love doing it that way so you can try everything! The food is very comforting with bright accent flavors. The pasta we had was so flavorful but not that overly heavy feeling! Smaller portion sizes for pasta ( the correct European way ) so you have room for your actual main like meats! Also ordered the branzino which was fabulous as well! Staff were on top of it and quick with their service. Everyone is always so kind Overall great experience every time we come and looking forward to our next time here! read more

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One of the best restaurants in DTLA! We ordered the house made buttermilk ricotta, roasted bone marrow, and squid ink spaghetti. This is my second time going to Bestia and I loved the vibes. Bestia gives industrial chic and definitely one of the hottest restaurants in LA. My favorite dish here was the house made buttermilk ricotta. It was so delicious and creamy. Every bite was so heavenly! This time around, the squid ink pasta was new. It had a kick of spice and I was surprised about how good it was. PSA for anyone that's going for a birthday, Bestia charges $5 per person/slice (if you bring a cake outside of the restaurant). I was also surprised that they don't do any free dessert for birthdays. This place is definitely worth it you have the Chase Reserve which is one of the list of restaurants to go to for dining credit. Other than that, it can be a bit pricey so maybe go in groups so you can try a bit of everything! read more

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Came here for Valentine's Day and it was such a great experience! We had a reservation and were seated right on time. Parking was $13, which wasn't bad for the area. The food was so good. We ordered the Caesar salad, the lobster squid ink pasta, and the beef rigatoni; everything was flavorful and perfectly cooked. The squid ink pasta was especially memorable, super light and delicious. We also got two cocktails and both were amazing. Our server was super sweet and made the night feel extra special. One thing to note: there were actually a lot of kids there! It definitely feels fancy, but it's also low-key kid friendly. We didn't mind at all, but if you're looking for a super quiet, adults-only vibe, this might not be it. Overall, such a solid spot for a date night. Definitely coming back! (Forgot to take pics of the main dishes oops) read more

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

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We had pizza and pasta with wine. The pizza was recommended by barista- we were seating on the bar. Bestia is well-known by its delicious meals, however, we didn't find anything tasty. The pizza tasted just like regular pizza, and pasta was okay-better than pizza. Wine tasted good. The barista was friendly. Overall, not sure if we would come back again. read more

Bestia - Italian Near Me - Los Angeles, California

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Idk how I've never left a review for this spot but I LOVED their food. Flavorful and delish. The decor is extremely cute. I haven't been here in years but I remember it so well. It's one of those spots that I often recommend to friends. Top 3 restaurants in all of LA! It can get pretty busy but it's totally worth the wait!! read more