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Best Outdoor Dining Oasis Pizza Restaurants in Downtown LA

5 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked

Last Updated: February 2026

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Our Top Pick
Pizzeria Bianco
James Beard Award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco's wood-fired Neapolitan pies, featured on Netflix's Chef's Table

Notable Picks

$$ Downtown LA Italian, Pizza
Chris Bianco's 18-hour fermented dough creates a chewy, yeasty crust that holds up under wood-fired heat and house-made toppings like the fennel sausage on the Wiseguy. The DTLA outpost brings Phoenix's decades-long reputation to a loud, industrial-chic room where reservations run weeks out but walk-ins can luck into patio seats. Expect to commit to the experience—the short menu rewards patience, not spontaneity.
Must-Try Dishes: Wiseguy Pizza, Gem Salad, Burrata Salad
What Makes it Special: James Beard Award-winning pizzaiolo Chris Bianco's wood-fired Neapolitan pies, featured on Netflix's Chef's Table
$$ Downtown LA Italian, Pizza
A casual Arts District wine bar built around Roman-leaning pinsa, crisp focaccia sandwiches, and natural bottles. The vibe is social and unfussy, with a menu that’s light enough for aperitivo but solid for a full meal. A newer neighborhood staple that’s more about hang time than formality.
Must-Try Dishes: Pinsa Romana (seasonal), Whipped Eggplant Dip & Focaccia, Focaccia Sandwich
What Makes it Special: Natural wine aperitivo spot with standout pinsa in the Arts District.
$ Downtown LA Pizza, Sandwiches
Chris Bianco's lunch-only counter shop at ROW DTLA builds each sandwich on split focaccia baked to order in a wood-fired oven, filled with house-cured meats and local produce—a format that rewards the single-item visit over a full meal. The patio runs conversational rather than chaotic, and the free two-hour garage parking removes the usual downtown friction. With only 55 reviews it's still proving itself at this location, but the 80% five-star rate and Bianco's James Beard pedigree suggest the Phoenix playbook translates.
Must-Try Dishes: Roast Beef Sandwich with Green Garlic Aioli, Mortadella Sandwich, Green Slice
What Makes it Special: Chris Bianco's lunch-only sandwich shop where split focaccia is baked to order in a wood-fired oven and served with house-cured meats and local produce.

Worthy Picks

$ Downtown LA Italian, Pizza
A skate-culture slice shop that helped define the Arts District food scene, built on chef-developed sourdough crusts and hand-milled Stanislaus tomato sauce. The counter-service format keeps things fast and casual—grab a pepperoni or the Sunday-only mac & cheese pie and eat at the sidewalk window or the small patio. Fifteen years in with outposts in Tokyo and Seoul, it delivers a reliable LA slice without pretending to be anything more.
Must-Try Dishes: White Pizza, Soppressata & Mushroom, Margherita
What Makes it Special: Arts District slice shop cranking out some of the best by-the-slice pizza in LA using fresh, locally sourced ingredients
$$ Downtown LA Italian, Pizza
A compact Arts District vineria with natural wines and Italian-snack pacing, ideal for grazing rather than a heavy sit-down feast. Pinsa and small plates are cleanly executed, and the staff leans knowledgeable without being precious. Best framed as a wine-first Italian hangout within the ZIP.
Must-Try Dishes: Pinsa Romana, Speck Truffle Toast, Charcuterie & Formaggi
What Makes it Special: Natural-wine bar pairing Italian small plates with airy Arts District energy.