tl;dr mariscos food truck meets classy cocktail bar at this trendy Frogtown seafood spot The little sibling to the now-shuttered LA Cha Cha Cha, Loreto is the newest fine-dining destination in Chef Paco Moran's culinary universe. Here, seafood is king, with a vast menu spanning from ceviches to zarandeados (grilled Nayarit-style). With a gorgeous atmosphere to boot, it's no wonder that Loreto is one of the city's trendiest restaurants. The terracotta-red complex is easy to spot among the muted Frogtown neighborhood, and the desert-chic vibes inside immediately feel like the Arts District. Industrial, minimalist features are colored with arid tones. The stunning back patio is a worthy counterpart to the moody indoor dining room. Mid-century modern seating is pressed up to marble azure tables. Groovy instrumental intermixes with cocktails shaking from the bar. Loreto has always had available seating, but expect the indoor space and patio to slowly but surely fill up. The aguachiles and ceviches have been an excellent and reliable kick-off to our dinner. The Aguachile Negro pairs a plentiful portion of fresh shrimp with a dynamic marinade, evolving from an acidic pop to a smoky spice; the Aguachile Verde does the same, but with a stronger serrano-based spice. The Papaya Ceviche calls in jicama and green papaya to lend a crunch to the fresh scallop base. Of the crackers, I much preferred the crispy masa tortilla to the prepackaged saltines. For other small bites, I've loved the crispy rock shrimp Bang Bang! Tostada and the rich Soft Shell Crab Tacos. For the latter, the single, deep-fried crab was sliced in half and portioned between two tacos, and the hefty flour tortillas held up well against the pickles and sauces. Lastly, you must conclude with a zarandeados platter. As someone who always gravitates toward the octopus appetizers, I'm a sucker for the Zarandeados Pulpo. Our whole grilled octopus was dolloped with a chile crema, sharing a stainless steel sheet pan with salsas, tangy arroz rojo, and hearty refried black beans. All of the accompaniments felt carefully curated, and only the dull, room-temperature blue corn tortillas left me wanting (the pre-made quesadillas quickly became gummy). The only dish that's felt like a true dud was the Mar-Esquites. Billed as upscale elote, this pre-cut corn-and-shrimp concoction ended up unpleasantly watery. The service was helpful but mechanical; I appreciated that team members stayed vigilant for unfilled water glasses and completed plates. Valet was $20, but we had no trouble finding street parking a block away. Across multiple visits, our total bill has been in the $120 range for 2 (after tax and tip), and the portion left us feeling comfortably full. Broadly, Loreto translates the delicious food from a mariscos truck into a sophisticated sit-downery, and it's a good bet for impressing out-of-towners. read more

Loreto - Zarandeados Pulpo - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Second time back and not disappointed. Loreto is a beautiful location intended to welcome you in while you settle into the start of your experience. The servers are wonderful, all with a vibe that makes you instantly feel calm and ready to embark on this upscale Mexican culinary journey. There is an approach to service that feels team spirited and with a sense of pride when delivering beautiful presentations of your choice, ours happened to be 100% seafood. Let's shout out Samantha first and then we will get to the food. From the moment we sat down, she made a difference in our experience. She was friendly, had an excellent understanding of what we were hoping for in our meal, and approached us each time with genuine enthusiasm. We took her advice on almost everything we ordered, and she nailed it. We were truly so satisfied and appreciative of her expertise. Good job Loreto for hiring this one! Moving on (this isn't a performance review after all) let's get to why you came here! Shout out to the chefs, as each dish is intentional in flavors and presentation. Everything was filled with unique flavors to elevate the fish dishes, which all were incredible in their own right. My husband and I split a Mezcal Margarita, added a bit of spice and cucumber. Delicious. We needed this while our bottle of Chardonnay Chilled! Sounds about right, right? When the Chardonnay arrived, Blanc de Mer, the label boasted oysters, which must have been a sign, as we weren't leaving without eating oysters. Here's what we indulged in: West Coast Oysters: plump, creamy, and simply delicious. Served with lime and salsa negra. We still love the traditional horseradish with oysters, but we adjusted. Salsa negra could have been more flavorful and spicy, just one gal's opinion. Yellowtail Sashimi: fresh, flavorful, and I wanted more but it was perfection. Santa Barbara Ceviche: rockfish, guacachile, and cucumber. Served with tostadas and saltines. Very good. CDMX Tostada: don't miss this. Blue fin tuna, capers, avacado, scallions and cilatro in a light creamy sauce. AMAZING. We shared, I wish we didn't. Atún Picante: at first I didn't see it on the menu and almost got teary, but there it was and it is not to be missed. Tuna, crispy rice, avacado, and salsa negra. So so good. Get two orders. Mejillones "Tom Kha": mussels in a coconut broth with galangal and serrano chiles, served with grilled foccacia. Of note, one piece of foccacia is not enough to sop up that amazing sauce. So we drank it. My husband is a firm believer in having dessert. This time, I'm not mad about it. We laughed with Samantha because we ended up having 3 Carajillos. 2 drinks, one dessert. The drink is hand shaken espresso and Licor 43, poured over ice. This is a Mexican specialty after dinner drink in any restaurant when you venture south of the border. Forget about the drinks, move on to the best dessert I think I may have ever had. Carajillo dessert: The base is a moist piece of chocolate cake, topped with smooth milk chocolate crèmeux and a crunchy pecan toffee.The top is crowned with a thick scoop of pecan ice cream. It isn't too sweet, that I promise. I'm not 100% that I got the description right, but it was damn good. In a city where you can spend your money anywhere to have great food, spend some, or a lot of it at Loreto. AMAZING. Street or valet parking (15.00) Reservations or walk ins. I strongly suggest garden seating, it is absolutely beautiful at night. If this were a performance evaluation, it would go something like this: An area for improvement is for the the host who has greeted us both times when dining. A smile and a kind greeting goes a long way. I'll leave it at that. First impressions are lasting ones. All in all, exceptional experience. read more

See all

This was my SECOND time at Loreto within a week, which should tell you everything you need to know. It's just that good. You could genuinely throw a dart at the menu and land on something phenomenal. Come with people who like to share and order as much of the menu as you can because you're going to want to try everything. That being said, there are three dishes I cannot stop thinking about: the Mar-Esquites, Joaquin Tostada, and Atun Picante. I've never had anything quite like them before. They're so unique and so delicious that you genuinely go home thinking about them. The kind of dishes you start craving again almost immediately. For drinks, I loved the Chiquita Bonita cocktail and would absolutely order it again. The service has been great both times and the ambiance is so lovely. It's perfect for either a girls' night or date night. One tip when making your reservation: book indoors if you want a livelier, more energetic experience, and outdoors if you want something a little more intimate. Both are beautiful, just completely different vibes. Also, the valet setup is incredibly convenient. You can request your car right from your phone, and it's ready for you by the time you walk out. Tip: Order the car about 10 minutes before you plan to get up! Such a small detail, but it makes leaving so seamless. Already looking forward to visit #3! read more

See all

The ambience is nicely decorated with romantic atmosphere. Its vibey even for weekdays. There's an outdoor and indoor seating. Our server was super nice and attentive. Food wise - it is a Mariscos place, so they only have seafood in their menu. We ordered various dishes and everything was great and fresh. The dishes are a smaller portion but meant for sharing. They can accommodate allergies so that was a plus. Parking is really bad though as the location is within residential neighborhood. Valet only for $15.00 plus tip. Also, valet will text you a code and you can only pay that way. You can only pay for your own car. The location is a bit sketchy and deep into the residential neighborhood. But good food and nice ambience. read more

See all

My wife and I came to Loretto for our anniversary and were completely blown away. We eat at a lot of great restaurants around LA, and this one immediately jumped onto our list of favorites. The tostadas alone are worth coming for. We had the rock shrimp and the bluefin tuna, and both were pretty much perfect. Fresh, balanced, and just ridiculously good. The elote-style shrimp and corn was another standout, and then they brought out this massive grilled octopus that was absolutely incredible. Everything we ordered was a hit. The drinks were just as good. My wife had a nonalcoholic jalapeno and cucumber cocktail that was honestly as good as any traditional cocktail we've had. Really refreshing, complex, and clearly given the same attention as the rest of the drink menu. The space is also just cool. Industrial without feeling cold, with a great indoor-outdoor layout and a really relaxed Frogtown vibe. Service was impeccable all night and made our anniversary feel even more special. Loretto is one of those places where the food, drinks, atmosphere, and service all come together. We left already talking about what we want to order when we come back. Five stars isn't enough. read more

See all

This place has such a unique festive feel. You really are taken to think you are out of LA an within a tropical paradise. The service is quick but intentional. You should definitely try a drink because you will be shocked at the unique nature of goodness it is. The food is really tasty, and for a table of 2, grab 4 or 5 dishes to share. read more

See all

Tucked away in a random location but the space itself is absolutely stunning. Great aesthetics, large capacity and plenty of tables--honestly, a perfect layout for a company team dinner or group gathering. The initial impression before the food arrived was 10/10. The Service It was okay. There were awkwardly long gaps and delays between courses, which disrupted the flow of the meal. Seafood: It looks like they dry-age their seafood. The Taste: The sauces themselves were solid. However, if you're not a fan of that distinct, sharp/pungent tang that sometimes comes with aged seafood, it might miss the mark for you. Personally, that specific note was a bit of a letdown. Visually beautiful with a lot of potential for group events, but the execution on service timing and the specific seafood profile left me a bit disappointed. 3.5/5. read more

See all

What a vibe! I came here on a whim for July 4th because my friend and I were looking for somewhere to dine to use her Chase Sapphire Reserve Credits that had food we both liked. We settled on this because it had both seafood and pasta. A bit of a strange combination especially because most of the menu is elevated Mexican/seafood. They only have 3 pasta dishes and the seafood is definitely better, but I'm not mad at the option. I'm glad we chose the patio seating because although the inside is gorgeous, the back patio achieves a level of chill that many LA patios try to do and fail. The main thing was that the tables didn't feel too crowded and there was still so much empty space that you felt as if you were in someone's backyard. Perhaps it wasn't too busy because of July 4th. The seafood here is def the standout. The highland tostada was my fave- delicious, with fresh avocado, crunchy tostada, and succulent crab. The Atun picante, or spicy tuna crispy rice, was ruined by whatever sour sauce they put on it. Texture of the crispy rice was perfect but we both agreed the sauce was too much. Tortellini came out more al dente than we were used to, but piping hot filling, and was pretty tasty. The LA churros with yuzu sauce we could have done without- hot and fresh but dry and thin. The Carajillo dessert was the savior- nutty, rich, and decadent without being too sweet. Drinks were decently strong alcohol wise but we thought they could have used a bit more flavor. Overall I think this is a great place to come for the patio but was pleasantly surprised the food was also good. Will be back for drinks, more seafood, and dessert! read more

See all

This is an upscale Mexican restaurant in Frogtown, Los Angeles. I made a same day reservation on Open Table. Parking was free on the street but hard to find during dinner. They had $15 valet parking. The ground has small rocks, so keep this in mind before you decide to wear heels. The restaurant is dimly lit inside. There is a host at the podium. The bar counter is first come first serve. The greenery inside almost covers the place from looking like an empty warehouse. The outdoor seating is fine during sunset but otherwise gets really dark when the sun goes down. There are no views except your eating party. The menu was not impressive to me. It seemed like a place to share appetizers with a group. The price tag was also too high in my opinion. I only got the empanada and seafood tower. Seafood tower $95 - It looks underwhelming because they use a small tower. On the top shelf, the twelve oysters they shucked were quarter sized. I actually prefer small oysters though. I asked for hot sauce, and the hot sauce was the best thing I had all night. It was so spicy and flavorful. I added it to everything. The bottom shelf had the ceviche and aguachile. They brought a plate of 4 toastadas and a packet of saltine crackers. Shrimp empanada $19 - Hah, this was not worth $19. The empanada was chewy like churro. The shrimp was tender. The flavor was lacking. I added hella hot sauce. Gratuity of 20% is auto added to parties of 6 or more Credit card fee of 3% Bathroom available in two gender-neutral stalls. I can't see myself coming back. read more

See all

This was a great Mexican seafood restaurant in frogtown. All the items we had were amazing. My favorite was the aguachile rojo, ceviche papaya and branzino zarandeado. All the aguachiles were very good and lots of flavor with the shrimp and condiments though I felt the aguachiles Verde was a little flat. The ceviches were also great especially the papaya. The cdmx blue fin tuna tostada was great. The empanadas de camaron and the croquetas were fried well and tender on the inside with good sauces and condiments. The mejillones Tom kha mussels were also great especially the soup. The tortelli was very soft and tender with the lobster and the branzino zarandeado was amazing with the fried soft tender white fish with copious amounts blue corn tortillas. The drinks were very good and unique as I got the todo santos milk punch that had passion fruit and butterfly pea tea which was awesome. The staff was very attentive and gave great service overall. The atmosphere is very lively and open space. it just feels like a fancy cocktail place but it also feels like a lively family dinner kind of vibe. read more

See all

The food was AMAZING, location was a little iffy, valet was full (on a Thursday at 8 pm), so we made do with street parking. The inside was gorgeous. You would NEVER suspect something like that was inside. The hostess was so cute! Our server wasn't friendly, but there was a second gal who was much friendlier. The tower was delicious! The croquettes were a fave as well. Branzino was pretty good, but the rice on the side was uncooked. Overall, 4/5. I'd give it another shot, though. read more

See all

Loreto has been on my list to check out for a while and I finally had the chance to visit! I made a reservation online which I highly recommend since it was pretty busy when we went. When we arrived, we checked in at the host stand and were then shown to our table. The restaurant has an indoor/outdoor vibe with the bar located inside. We started off with the oysters and the hand roll and both were good! We also had the aguachile negro and it was delicious! For the tostadas, my favorite was the CDMX. It was creamy and I loved the unique touch from the capers. If you love seafood, definitely worth checking out! read more

See all

This location is so big and very modern and vibey. We sat at the bar top, but walked to look at the outdoor seating which would be perfect for a nice day or evening where the temp is warm. The food was good, I'd say there were lots of options for the dietary restrictions we had. I would say maybe missing a little flavor here and there. My favorite dish was for sure the ceviche and the cdmx tostada. Lots of flavor on those two dishes. The service was great. The real standout was the servers. They were so helpful and friendly and really were super attentive. The servers were 10/10. Last thing I'll mention is that there was a 3% charge for paying with a card which was weird, so just want to flag! Overall I'd give this place a 3.5 if I could. The location is fun and vibes are good, servers are so great. read more

See all

Our visit was decent. The place was located in a unique location in a local neighborhood near a school. Loreto has a modern, rustic decor that was comforting. Some dishes were great; some were average. The verde aguachile had depths of flavor; citrus, smoky, and spicy. We really enjoyed it! Their agua fresca was also delicious that it inspired me to get another cucumber mocktail drink, which was not as enjoyable. The drink had a cloudy green colored compared to the same mocktail in nearby tables (seemed more watery/ice). We also got their branzino zarandeados but were disappointed with its accompaniments. The branzino itself was cooked well, soft and flaky on the inside and had a nice crunchy skin, but the tortillas, rice and beans were not even warm and seemed like they were just sitting out. We were hoping to get blown away given that it was the second most expensive thing on the menu ($75) but we don't feel like it warranted the price. Perhaps they could have added elements to elevate the dish and added more unique sauces, premium sides, and made sure the accompaniments were fresh. Our server was attentive but after a bit, she did seem to want to rush us out of the restaurant (maybe due to the fact that they are busy). Note that this place does not really do birthday celebrations. We came here to celebrate my friend's birthday but nothing was really offered or added to experience (even staff greeting or a note on our ordered dishes)? It was the same as the table next to us; we overheard a girls talking about her friend's birthday (also both of our tables had birthday gift bags for our respective friend). That was a disappointing aspect along with the average food. Average food with a high price. I, however, would recommend their aguachiles. read more

See all

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in Frogtown is a hidden seafood gem that teleports you to Mexico. Combining the tastes of Baja California and Mexico City in fusion with Japanese flavors, you'll find Loreto. The aesthetic of the interior is industrial meets the desert. My party of four came for a birthday dinner and shared the following: * todo la Bahia (tower): seafood tower with a dozen oysters, a variety of ceviche and aguachilies served with tostada. Great to share to sample items. Rating - 9.5/10 * Japanese Wagyu aguachiles: if there's one appetizer you should order off the menu it's this. Flavorful, melts in your mouth. Rating - 9.75/10 * Bang Bang! Tostada - crowd favorite amongst the guys on our table. Was enjoyable , but a bit too saucy for my liking. Rating - 7.8/10 * atun picante - their version of a spicy tuna crispy rice. It was good. Would I order it again? Maybe. Would probably want to explore more of the menu prior. Rating - 8.25/10 * Branzino: the start of the show. Perfectly deboned and marinated. Served with rice and beans, quesadillas, fresh tortillas, a variety of salsas, avocado, and lime. Definitely a great item to share. Rating - 10/10 * Carrots: we wanted to order a vegetable to share. The carrots had a Smokey flavor and complimented the labneh it was layered on. Rating: 8.5/10 Parking: there's $15 flat valet and minimal street parking. Service: 10/10. Waiter was attentive and provided excellent recommendations. Also changed our plates frequently and made sure the table was clean. PS. The Micheladas are a must for drinkers. read more

See all

Tucked in a quiet suburban neighborhood in Frogtown is an upscale yet approachable, vast indoor-outdoor dining room serving delicious Baja Californian and Mexican seafood. The aesthetic is modern, impressive, and inviting - perfect for date night or large groups. There is a giant bar in the indoor dining room serving up a wide variety of cocktails featuring tequila and mezcal. Every ceviche and aguachile was unique and new compared to what I've had before with creative choices of ingredients to strike the balance of acidity, sweetness, or heat. The range of the food and drink menu easily makes me want to come back again to try more. Service for our large group was quick, attentive, and friendly. Street parking is notoriously difficult in this small neighborhood, although valet parking is available for $15. Reservations are recommended especially for large groups and if you have a preference for indoor, patio, or outdoor seating (all are great). read more

See all

Loreto was a let down for me given the price we paid for Mexican food! The ambiance was moody but it was HOT! No AC whatsoever! I was so envious of the people sitting outside. They need to put ceiling fans to get the air flowing. We had 2 appetizers the aguachile Rojo and the Ceviche Magdalena. Both outstanding in flavor and quantity. Now we had the tostadas CDMX and Highland. Both overpriced and not really good. It's like eating poke with a mayo overload. Plus for a small tostada you're paying $28! Hardly a main entree! We also ordered their corn side which again was severely overpriced for what it was. The drinks were good and strong though. Service was cold and matter of fact, no warmth. Would I come back? Probably Not, It's a one and done for me unfortunately. read more

See all

I went to dinner with my girlfriend to Loreto on a Friday night and it was AMAZING!!! We had the following: - agua chile negro: 5/5 - Shrimp Tacos: 5/5 - Pulpo Zarandeado: 5/5 - Carajillo: 4.5/5 All the seafood plates were fresh and VERY good! I recommend all three plates we had and even the dessert was really good!! The service was also great, we will definitely be coming back to this place! read more

See all

Let me put you on to this hidden gem--Loreto's is a seafood-centric Mexican spot that is definitely worth checking out. When you pull in, there's valet available for $14, which makes things easy. The vibe is so cute--it honestly gave me Tulum, Mexico energy with lots of greenery, an open-face kitchen, a long bar for dining, a few indoor tables, and a spacious outdoor seating area. Our server, Loren, was very sweet and welcoming. She brought out our waters and menus right away and made us feel taken care of throughout. We started with the Toda la Bahía tower, and WOW--10/10. It came with a little bit of everything: plain and prepared oysters, Mazatlán shrimp, yellowtail sashimi, ceviche, aguachile, scallops, and more. Super fresh and perfect for sharing. We followed that with: * Empanadas de Camarón (shrimp and sea bass with cilantro crema and cabbage) * Soft Shell Crab (with avocado, salsa macha, chimichurri, and cured onions) * Atún Picante (tuna with crispy epazote rice, salsa negra, and avocado) Everything was delicious and beautifully presented. I was personally hoping for a bit more heat/spice, but overall the flavors were still on point.If you're into fresh seafood and a vibey atmosphere, this is definitely your spot. I'll absolutely be coming back. read more

See all

I really enjoyed my experience overall. To start, I loved the oyster-infused martini--it was unique, refreshing, and a great way to begin the meal. The standout dishes were definitely the octopus crudo and the other crudos. The seafood was incredibly fresh, and you could really taste the quality of the ingredients. The octopus crudo with olive oil was excellent, and the shrimp aguachile was another favorite, packed with great flavor. The service was friendly, but there was one thing that bothered me. As soon as I finished a dish, the staff would immediately remove the plate without asking if I was done. It made the dining experience feel a bit rushed. Overall, the food was delicious, fresh, and well-prepared. However, the portions are very small, and considering the high prices, I don't think the value is there. While I can appreciate the quality of the ingredients, I found the restaurant to be overrated and overpriced for what you get read more

Loreto - Octopus crudo - Seafood Near Me - Los Angeles, California

See all

Amazing. I had a great time. I was in town for a conference. I sat outside and the ambiance is perfect. The weather was perfect. The server who helped me was so nice and so fun. I'll try to get his name to add it. Ok it's Michael. He's such a nice and fun guy and introduced me to orange wine. The bang bang shrimp tostada was very good. The star of the show though was the Magdalena ceviche. It was a tad spiced for me but I just moved some jalapeños off to the side. I could eat that every single fucking day. read more

See all

First off, Jareth the bartender was amazing. He took good care of us. Food was out of this world! I couldn't help but order another dish. Although I wish their red salsa was better, this place doesn't disappoint. Drinks were great as my party ordered a few more. Nice layout. I'd definitely come back read more

See all

Was looking forward to my Friday 8:15p resy for Loreto. Arrived shortly after 8:15p and checked in with the host who wasn't friendly nor engaging and asked us to wait by the bar until our table was ready. We waited a good 20 mins before a friendly hostess took us to our table. The restaurant was extremely lively, swanky, hipster, and alive. Absolutely loved the environment and vibe. We ordered an aguachile negro, jurel, CDMX tostada, atún picante, and shrimp taco. My top was the jurel - my my I'd go back just for the jurel ceviche. The aguachile negro had a flavor that didn't tickle my fancy and quickly because my least favorite. The shrimp tacos and CDMX tostada were good! I had hoped for more with the atún picante. The tostada shells themselves were delish. The fish was fresh and I really enjoyed the flavor profiles of the fish and their pairings. Our server was soft spoken, helpful, and nice. She delivered with the service. Though it started a bit bumpy, overall really enjoyed our time at Loreto and even had a celebrity sighting. read more

See all

Had a great dinner at Loreto. Everything we ordered was really good. We tried the prepared oysters, shrimp ceviche, soft shell crab tacos, and the chorizo pasta, and every dish was flavorful and well executed. The ceviche was especially fresh and bright, and the tacos had a great crunch and balance of toppings. The drinks were also excellent and the service was very attentive without being overbearing. The atmosphere hits a really nice middle ground. It's casual enough for a relaxed dinner after work but still cozy and nice enough for a date night. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you're in LA. read more

See all

Upscale mariscos restaurant located in the Frogtown/ Glassell Park area. I believe they are the evening/dinner service counterpart of Za Za Za Mariscos (I've had a meal from Za^3 and you sit/dine in the courtyard area of the same building/property) From the ingredients to the ambiance to just the general feel, this place is elevated Mexican seafood and a wonderful dining experience My friends and I didn't have a reservation so we opted to at the bar and was able to get seated within 15 minutes. We ordered everything to be shareable, and we ended up getting some aguachile, a tostada, a crudo or sashimi, croquetas, and the main event - zarandeados - branzino, which came with a whole grilled fish and all the fixins. This place is just a really sleek and joyful place to grab a meal. Perfect if you wanna go a little upscale, but not too crazy. We all enjoyed our meal here, especially with the fun cocktails they had. There's valet parking or you can find street parking nearby. Although, it's pretty tough to find spots in this neighborhood unless you are willing to possible walk a few blocks. read more

See all

We started with the shrimp croquetas and they were really good -- crispy on the outside, flavorful and perfectly cooked inside. The aguachile rojo was hands down the best thing we had. It had a really nice kick to it -- definitely spicy but in the best way. So fresh and full of flavor. We also tried the aguachile negro, which was good, but not our favorite compared to the rojo. If you're choosing between the two, I'd say go rojo for sure. For our main, we had the pulpo zarandeado. The octopus itself nicely charred. It comes with sides like rice, beans, and salsas, but honestly those were pretty mid and basic. Parking is $15 valet since it's in a residential area, but you might be able to find street parking nearby with a short walk. I definitely recommend making a reservation before going. read more

See all

A restaurant nestled in a quaint neighborhood. Honestly you really would miss this restaurant and is a bit camouflaged with in walls. Past the walls, the red orange exterior brings me back to Baja California beach vibes and it reflected the menu which focused on seafood. Inside is cozy but I actually like the bar set up. Did the last of the 1 week seasonal omakase for $150. They are planning to do the omakase more often like on Wednesdays. It was 10 dishes including 2 desserts to finish off your meal. It was a great way to try multiple items and I left full and satisfied. My favorites were the ceviches (all were fresh and bright in flavors), ankimo, and the dessert which was a sorbet first which is a great palate cleanser but the cajeta concoction. So creamy and not super sweet! For my drink I had the milk punch which was delicious also and very girly. Parking- valet $15. There is some street parking but once again it's residential. The omakase was a great introductory to what they offer and definitely will love to come back again to try their restaurant. read more

See all

Valet parking is $15 just for the parking attendant to move your car barely 5-10 feet from the entrance when you can easily park yourself, it's ridiculous. Upon walking in, the restaurant layout is very spacious and beautiful. I love the open space concept and patio. The interior design was great. My friend and I were seated inside. Service was very bland and impersonal. Our waitress was not the friendliest, maybe she's just having a day, however her food recommendations didn't come with much description, which made my first time experience awkward and a bit disappointing. The gaps in between the courses were extremely long, and disrupted the flow of the meal. Thankfully, the food made up for it. The oysters were smaller which I preferred, and I enjoyed the verde preparation option they have. Not pictured, the mussels with focaccia were one of the standouts for me, the sauce was delicious and the mussels were perfectly cooked and not rubbery. The tuna crispy rice was a great fusion of Japanese and Latin flavors, I think it could've been spicier though. The Branzino was another favorite, marinated and grilled to perfection. It was soft, flavorful and came with lots of sides which I enjoyed. For desert we had the Carajillo, which was a yummy brownie with toffee and pecan ice cream. It was so rich and creamy. Overall, great food and beautiful atmosphere, yet for a "higher end" restaurant....the service needs to match. If you want to entice guests to come back to your establishment, have better service than this. read more

See all

Came here for a date and I really loved it. It was the day before Valentine's Day and it was really crowded. Even with reservation there was a wait. So we went to the outdoor bar(that's how crowded it was) for about 5-10 minutes until our table was ready. At the bar we ordered the todos santos milk punch, aguachile sour, and the Rosarito tiki 3.0 Our entrees included the oysters , verde aguachile, shrimp tacos, and the agnolotti pasta. We finished off with the merengue which was a nice soft dessert. Overall my favorite was the tostada and the shrimp taco. Tostada for flavor but the taco guy the flavor and texture read more

See all

Had a reservation at 9:00pm and we weren't seated yet and had to wait at the bar for them to clean up our table. We only waited about 10 minutes. Our waiter wasn't particularly the best we felt. It wasn't like we were expecting her to suck up to us, but at least show a little interest. We were so excited to try this place but it felt like she didn't want to be there and that kind of turn off our excitement for the restaurant. And at the end, I know they were closing but it felt like we were being kicked out so abruptly. Waiters and bussers came and started clearing everything so fast although we were still eating. I have no complaints about the food as it was delicious and exceeded all our expectations. However, I wish the customer service was a little better considering the price we were paying. read more

See all

industrial southwest vibe. Stunning bar. Had two incredible cocktails and a trio of salsa with crispy maiz tortilla which tasted of corn nuts . read more

See all

On a lazy weekend afternoon, Loreto popped up as a recommendation on my feed and the beautifully decorated picture of the Branzino caught my eye. Dinner plan got hitched and I was excited to try this modern Mexican Latin fusion restaurant. Ambience feels like a craftsman house converted into a restaurant - it's nicely done but found it a bit too dark to my liking. Menu is not very extensive - We were there by 7 pm and they were already sold out of Fillet Mignon which was disappointing ! Drinks menu was well laid out. Mezcal based cocktail hit the spot ! I let the server pick top 5 recommendations for us. She got us the empanadas (Good), Cripsy Tuna (good) , Ceviche (Not bad), Soft Shell Crab (V Good !) and Branzino as the main entree (the highlight). Overall a good dining experience for a date night but I am not sure if I would want to visit again. read more

See all

Having heard a lot of great things about Loreto, my partner and I had our valentines dinner here! I was pleased with our experience, but there are some things that could have been better. Ambiance: Pretty interior, nice mood lighting, tables are not overly cramped. Definitely a date night spot! Food & Drinks: Pretty good! My favorite drink was the Loreto sour, but all the ones we tried were great. For food, we had the croquetas (5) aguachile negro (5), pasta (5) and the branzino zaraneado which was unfortunately a 1. Really disappointing as it was our most expensive item and it took a LONG time to come out. My critiques - the beans and rice were so bland. The salsas were so mild, the salsa verde was almost sweet and the salsa roja was more like a pico de gallo. The quesadillas were cold. This dish felt like a watered down version not meant for the Mexican palate. Service: Good - employees came to check on us many times, especially since the Branzino took so long. Our waiter came to us twice to say the kitchen was backed up. We overheard our waiter tell our next door table their appetizer was comped because their main took so long, but when we got our tab, we didn't get the same courtesy when our main took just as long. I found that interesting. I don't plan to return as I can find similar quality, more authentic Mexican food for a better price point all over LA. I'm glad I got to try this spot and form my own opinion of their meals and service, though! read more

See all

I didn't expect to enjoy this place as much as I did. We had a date night here for our anniversary and it totally surprised me since I grew up less than a mile away in Atwater Village. I couldn't believe how expansive Loreto felt as we made our way in after parking in the residential neighborhood. During our entire meal it seemed as if we were transported to a totally different part of town. We shared a few appetizers before settling on the Branzino for the table. The staff from the entrance to our server were outstanding. Thanks, Loreto. read more

See all

First date approved! The space was absolutely gorgeous and welcomes both a friendly and romantic visit. Food is great, but portions were small given the price point. Drinks were strong and well worth its price. Felt a bit stuffy inside, wish there were fans or that the doors were closed. Honestly, the other reviews regarding their okay service did not apply to us. Our waiter was so welcoming and insightful about the menu that I feel it would calm down the nerves one may have for a first date! Would come back for a second date! read more

See all

Over the years I've grown to become more and more wary when it comes to high end dining. When I was younger I didn't have the finances to be able to eat at these places so when I did I always wanted to maximize what I ate for the price I paid. As I've gotten older and my finances better that mentality hasn't changed much and it's proven to be the right way to think. I've been to many fine dining restaurants and I've always felt a high price and prestige doesn't mean small bites are justified. With my brother's birthday coming we decided to give Loreto a chance to wow us with high quality coastal Mexican cuisine and it delivered. Design/Vibe - Coastal California indeed Loreto is located in a strange amalgamation of industrial buildings and residential homes. With no parking lot of its own, instead relying on valet parking to move vehicles to a different area, you'll either have to valet park or find parking somewhere on the streets around it. When you walk towards the building the façade of the industrial building slowly starts to fade. As you walk through the entrance and past the inside dining room to the outdoor area you feel like you're in a coastal desert. With plenty of desert flora, low hanging trees, and seating with the same material that would breathe in such climates you feel like you're escaping from the busy city into a Baja vacation. Prices - $17 - $29 This price range is true for pretty much all food and drinks with some food like the Toda la Bahía (Tower) and Langosta Zarandeados being $95 & $82 respectively. But, is the price worth it? Food - Yes, the price is worth (most of) it As I mentioned before, prestige and high price doesn't justify small bites. Luckily, Loreto is easily growing its reputation for being a high quality and well executed menu while giving satisfying size dishes. The dishes are what they should be for what the price is. No small spoons of fancy presentation with little substance found on these plates. Instead, you find innovative techniques with familiar flavors. One of my favorite items is the Toda la Bahía. This is a two tiered tower of oysters, ceviche, aguachiles, and poached shrimp. Though the price is high everything feels worth it. It was so good I was tempted to get another one. The Empanadas de Camarón is fried perfectly and dressed with a sumptuous creamy sauce. Biting into one feels like comfort food and it'll be hard to take your attention away from it. If you do plan on getting a pasta I'd recommend getting the Tortellini. It is meaty, chewy in the best way, and the flavors melt into each other creating a nicely spiced, savory bite with the freshness of its ingredients highlighted harmoniously. If there is an item I would say isn't worth trying it would be the Mar-Esquites. I do love me delicious, creamy corn with fresh shrimp but for the price I would say this isn't worth trying. Conclusion - Special Occasions and Celebrations Loreto is a wonderful restaurant where the cuisine satisfies, the vibes are vibing, the diners are so LA, and the flavors slap. Though the bill was high we had a full dinner for 3 people and left completely satiated and satisfied. If you're celebrating anything, from birthdays to promotions, Loreto is a phenomenal restaurant to rejoice in your own revelry. read more

See all

Loreto was not on my radar but due to the Chase dining credit, I recently went to Loreto because they had last minute reservations and it was close to me on Saturday night. The parking is expensive here at valet only for $15. But if you don't mind a little bit of a walk there is street parking available. I can see it being hard to find when going during peak time. I did request being sat inside but since it was so busy, I got a covered patio seat. But there was plenty of heat lamps so I didn't feel too chilly. Service was a little spotty as it was busy even at the latter end of the night. But, it was not overly noticeable. I wanted to try several things so ordered a couple of appetizer and the octopus as my main. For appetizers, I ordered the yellowtail, which ended up being my favorite appetizer of the night. The crab tostada, while good was pretty expensive for what it was and tuna was also decent but pretty pricey. That being said, my favorite dish of the night was the octopus, the portion was huge and all the sides complimented the octopus. I ended up with plenty of leftovers which I ate the next day. Delicious! Next time, I might skip the appetizers and go straight for the main dish. Definitively will be back here to try some more things. read more

See all

允許一切的發生，得失從來不在一時的惆悵，允許禍福相依相伴，所有的經歷，不論好壞，其實都在教會我們成長～ 好一陣子沒有進城到L A 去了，會來這家餐廳是因為chase 信用卡，半年有150 元credit 可以使用， 一直到我弟弟妹妹今年感恩節來過節時，我才知道原來繳費的信用卡有這麼多好康的，信用卡公司綁的餐廳都不便宜，$150其實也吃不了什麼東西，更慘的是都在LA , 幾乎都只開晚上，不進城也不行，這家墨西哥餐廳，環境非常的漂亮， 但是態度不是太好， 我忘了是5:00 還是5:30，反正看著他們開門，是第一個進餐廳的， 但還是把我們安排在外面的位置，不肯換桌，理由是， 裡面都訂滿了， 但到我們吃完飯為止， 還是有一半的位置是空著的, 這是服務的部分， 食物就非常好吃，不過都是小小盤小小盤， 第一道上來的yellowtail sashimi, 剛開始看到盤子時，我跟朋友都以為是放哇沙比的小盤子，結果居然是我們的魚片，我們對看了一眼，兩個人都笑出來，害我們一開始就很擔心會不會花很多錢還吃不飽，還好後來漸入佳境， 東西有越來越大盤的趨勢，主菜Branzino就很大盤，魚很大一隻，烤的很多汁，嫩， 味道也很棒，貴一點點，70 元一隻， 如果不是死活不讓我們坐裡面， 其實是一家環境浪漫又好吃的餐廳， 女生一定會喜歡來的地方，不過幾乎都是海鮮，喜歡吃肉的則可以跳過了！歐還有，要注意，附近只有這家餐廳漂亮， 旁邊看起來就都髒髒亂亂的地方！ 最後一定要解釋，會給三顆星，是因為他們的服務，帶位的小姐態度實在太差了，食物的部分是值得4.5～ 5 顆星的 read more

See all

My family celebrated my birthday here on Friday night. This Mexican fushion restaurant stands among residential area, making it quite unique. The ambience has an upscale vibe and we would have loved to sit downside if it wasn't so hot in Cali. The menu was in Spanish which made it a bit difficult to read. (That's why Yelp is so important). The oysters were fresh and the yellowtail ceviche was quite delightful and refreshing. The blue fin tuna tostada was tasty especially paired with the super crunchy tostada. For main course we orfered the Branzino, which wass cripsy and flavorful. We also ordered the lobster tortellini which I feel it was too pricey for such small portion. And last but not least, the grilled octopus. That was super huge but it was on the saltier side. The texture was soft to chew and very tender. It came with rice and black bean and avocado. One thing I would like to mention is service is a bit slow because they are super packed. Service wise, I would give it a 3.5 star. Would I come back ? Yes. For special occasions though because the price was quite hefty. read more

See all

I have tried most things on the menu and I don't have a single complaint! The mezcal and tequila cocktails were all solid. None of them are overly sweet and all of them had a depth of flavors. Their portions are deceptively big. I expect tiny plates for some reason so we easily over order. The aguachiles verde, magdelena ceviche, kondo tostada, soft shell crab taco, meringue, and octopus zarandeados are my favorites. The last time I was there, they added an extra 1/2 octopus to our platter! Maybe they remembered me, maybe they gave it for my friend's birthday, maybe we got it because the universe sent a little luck our way. Please don't expect or demand an extra 1/2 octopus! The platter is large enough to split between 2-4 people and comes with accoutrements like quesadillas and salsa. The staff here is incredibly attentive. I have never had to look around once to catch the servers attention! If you blink, you might miss this restaurant while driving. It's tucked away in a cute Los Angeles neighborhood surrounded by residential homes so please be respectful when parking and entering/leaving! They have valet, which I recommend you use since there is no meter parking close by that I could see. The exterior, interior, and patio is stunning! zen, modern, and organic is how I would describe the decor. read more