Best Spanish Restaurants in Downtown LA
2 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Vaca DTLA
DTLA outpost of Amar Santana’s Spanish steakhouse, centered on paella, tapas, and wood-fired steaks.
Notable Picks
#1
Vaca DTLA
8.3
Vaca DTLA brings Top Chef alum Amar Santana’s Costa Mesa Spanish steakhouse downtown, tucked beneath the Beaudry tower by FIGat7th. The menu focuses on shareable tapas, paellas, and serious steaks backed by a deep Spanish-leaning wine list. It reads as a polished but lively room suited to nights out more than quick bites.
Must-Try Dishes:
Paella valenciana, Wine-braised oxtail, Deconstructed pan con tomate
What Makes it Special: DTLA outpost of Amar Santana’s Spanish steakhouse, centered on paella, tapas, and wood-fired steaks.
Worthy Picks
#2
San Laurel
7.9
José Andrés' 10th-floor perch at the Conrad Los Angeles marries Spanish technique with California produce, with views of Walt Disney Concert Hall setting the scene. The beefsteak tomato tartare—actually tomatoes in a disc topped with gelatinous tomato-water 'yolk'—typifies the kitchen's clever approach. Some reviewers note hotel-restaurant polish occasionally overshadows personality; pre-theater convenience and the terrace view remain the primary draws.
Must-Try Dishes:
Beefsteak Tomato Tartare, Rack of Lamb, Blackhawk Farms Wagyu Flat Iron
What Makes it Special: José Andrés' LA flagship with Spanish technique and Music Center views