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    Malena

    4.2 (17 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Malena Photos

    MALENA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Happy hour specials
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Malena

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    Tacos de Barbacoa
    Niecy S.

    Afro-Mexican food and it was amazing. The service was great. You seat yourself and all the tables has a QR code to pull the menu for all the restaurants in the location. Malena has been on my list for a couple months and finally tried it. This place was worth the hype. The prices were great and I've already been back twice. The vibe is this place was awesome. They had a great playlist and it was a mixture of families and friends just vibing. I definitely will be trying to enchiladas when I return but please visit. Oh and the staff were amazing!!

    Esquite
    Andrea Y.

    Malena inside Maydan Market is definitely worth checking out if you're craving delicious birria without breaking the bank. I ordered the 3-piece quesabirria tacos with consommé, and at just $12, it was an incredible value for the quality and portion size. The tacos were packed with flavorful, tender beef, the tortillas were perfectly crisp with plenty of melted cheese, and the rich, savory consommé took every bite to the next level. We also tried their street corn / esquite bowl and it was delicious. The staff were also friendly and the ambiance was fun, there are TV screens everywhere where you can enjoy watching sports as well. Everything tasted fresh, satisfying, and made to order. Between the great food, generous portions, and unbeatable price, Malena is an easy five-star spot that I'll gladly come back to whenever I'm in the area.

    Chicken Enchiladas
    Eleanor B.

    New experience at a Food Hall. Once I figured out the system I enjoyed the environment. The food was excellent. I plan to go again.

    QR codes (these are at every seat)
    Brianna R.

    Overall, great flavors, but I will say I expected more from the tamal given the reputation of Tamales Elena. Fine, but nothing special at $8 a piece. With that being said, the barbacoa tacos are amazing! Tender meat with a great flavor, wrapped up in a really good corn tortilla. Great price, too, at just ~$12. The consomé was very flavorful. I tried the chilate (cocoa/rice based drink) for the first time and enjoyed this as well. Located inside Maydan Market (food hall), the service is more akin to ordering at a ghost kitchen. Even though we sat at the bar top, we ordered through the QR code (it's the only way to order), so staff doesn't engage with you until they drop your food off. The market itself is very beautiful, with ample seating and sunlight. You can sit anywhere and order from any of the restaurants, but we wanted to sit at the bar top to check out the food prep.

    Green chicken tamal. EXCELLENT!
    Tim B.

    We came here to sample some of the restaurants within the marketplace, and the tamales caught our eye. We decided on the green chicken tamal with high hopes and it didn't disappoint. In a world where we've all had hundreds and maybe even thousands of different tamales, this one stood out because of the amazing, let me repeat, amazing nixtamal corn used for their masa. The chicken and green sauce inside was flavored, perfectly, not too salty and definitely not under salted. But for me, it was the MASA that brought it all home. It had such a delicious flavor. You could tell that a lot of love was put into this tamal. The woman who served us at our seat was very kind, and the overall atmosphere of the place was very relaxing and enjoyable.

    I came here with the purpose to support and try out a new place. I'm not from around here, so was taken aback on how gentrified the space appeared to be. I felt out of place. Food was alright. Service was not the best. I got a dairy-free horchata from the oaxaqueño restaurant inside for myself as the drinks from Malena did not appeal to me, and drink was mid. Plus service not the best either. I was looking forward to this outing with my mom, and I'm sitting here feeling disappointed. Food is alight. I'm more disappointed with service and ambience. Thank you

    Quesotacos with consume .. Mexican Coca Cola

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    13 days ago

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    2 months ago

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    28 days ago

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    7 months ago

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    11 days ago

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    5 months ago

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    7 months ago

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    2 months ago

    No vegan options, which was very disappointing, otherwise this is a wonderful place. I recommend it for meat eaters

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    8 months ago

    Barbacoa tacos and pozole is fire!! Good price and good portions. Got to speak with owner. Awesome! Shows love for all military.

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    5 months ago

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    5 months ago

    No manches Frida! Está bien bueno el pozole! Great food, great service and the workers were super friendly! Definitely would come back!

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    9 months ago

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    DAMA

    DAMA

    4.4
    (1.4k reviews)
    5.2 mi
    $$$

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

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

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

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

    Guelaguetza Restaurante

    3.9
    (3.2k reviews)
    3.1 mi
    $$
    Curbside pickup during COVID-19
    Family-owned & operated

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

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

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

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    Delicious chocolate cake.
    Mirate

    Mirate

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

    Girl dinner on the open-air patio, and everything worked: food, drinks, and service that was…read moreattentive without hovering. Mírate is known for its agave program (ranked among the best bars in North America, with a dedicated mezcaleria), and it shows even in simple orders. Our skinny spicy marg, skinny Cadillac, and two ranch waters were all clean and well balanced. The crab & cheese buñuelitos, the taco de ribeye, and the potatoes & piquillos, which quietly outperformed for a $10 side. One note for fellow spice-sensitive folks: the salsa molcajete is their mildest salsa, but it still had a kick for me. My friend's branzino arrived beautifully charred and plated. If you're gluten-free or celiac, this kitchen gets it. They swapped in corn tortillas without hesitation and took care of my celiac friend with zero stress. Not a given, even in LA. The multi-level space is stunning, so come a few minutes early to take it in. Parking is easy too: valet at the restaurant or 2 lots about a block away. Already planning what to order next time.

    I was really hoping to leave a positive review, but unfortunately that wasn't the case…read more I've been to Mirate before on June 20, and my experience then was nothing like my visit on July 10, 2026. One of the reasons I recommended Mirate is because it's known for being a highly rated modern Mexican restaurant with exceptional service and knowledgeable staff, especially when it comes to tequila and mezcal. Unfortunately, that was not my experience at all. Before ordering food, I asked our server about the differences between the mezcals and which flight they would recommend. The only explanation I received was, "It's just different families, so I'd go with the higher quality one." There was no real information or guidance, and it was obvious they didn't know much about the mezcal selection. I ended up choosing one based solely on what sounded best. We were then informed that the menu had recently changed and is now mostly tapas. That's perfectly fine, but I noticed several items from my previous visit were still available, so I figured I'd order a few favorites along with some new dishes. Most of the food was actually great. The ribeye tacos, tostada, and buñuelitos were all delicious. However, the carne asada was extremely disappointing. We only sent back one plate because I felt bad sending both, and that's when a manager (the gentleman with the man bun) came over. He explained that they have a new chef from Oaxaca, but what confused me was that they were serving Argentinian-style steaks as their carne asada. Instead of a traditional Mexican-style cut, it was thin, flat, and honestly looked like a breakfast steak. For a restaurant that prides itself on being a modern Mexican restaurant, serving Argentinian steak as carne asada just didn't make sense to me. To his credit, he removed both carne asada plates from our bill, which I genuinely appreciated. After that, he asked if there was anything else we'd like. I personally said no, but someone else at the table asked for one more ribeye taco. The manager replied, "You know what? I'll bring you one, and I'll bring them another too." Naturally, I assumed he was offering the extra taco as a goodwill gesture since I hadn't ordered anything else. Imagine my surprise when I looked at the bill and realized both tacos had been added to our tab. I wasn't going to argue over the price of a taco, but it was frustrating because I never asked for it. In fact, I ended up giving that taco away to my friends. If it wasn't complimentary, it shouldn't have been presented as if it were. Another thing worth mentioning is that while the carne asada portion has clearly gotten much smaller, the price remains exactly the same, which doesn't seem justified. Overall, my biggest disappointment is that there was no indication when making the reservation that this was essentially an experimental period with a new chef introducing major menu changes. Had I known beforehand, I never would have recommended Mirate for our dinner, and to be completely honest, I probably wouldn't have made a reservation at all. I only get two days off each month, so this was supposed to be something I could really enjoy. Instead, it honestly felt like a waste of my time and money. I'm sorry to say that while there were a few good moments, they faded very quickly. Unfortunately, the negative parts are what have stayed with me, and that's what I'll remember most about the experience. It's disappointing because I know how great Mirate can be since I experienced it just a few weeks ago. I truly hope they can regain the quality of food, service, and overall experience that made me recommend it in the first place . ( for the picture of the flat carne asada the full steak has 2 more strips added but we had tried it before taking a picture however that's MOST of the "carne asada" portion in the picture )

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    Brunch
    Brunch
    Mirate
    Brunch

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    Brunch

    Malena - mexican - Updated August 2026

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