Abernethy’s is a contemporary American restaurant at 220 N Hope St in Downtown Los Angeles, set on Jerry Moss Plaza within The Music Center campus in the Bunker Hill and Civic Center district. Its signature idea is a rotating Emerging Chef in Residence: a different Los Angeles County chef takes over the kitchen and menu each quarter, so a visit in one season tastes nothing like the next. Travelers come for the changing cooking and for dinner steps from the Walt Disney Concert Hall and Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
What to Expect at Abernethy’s
The restaurant sits on the Music Center plaza, the performing arts complex that anchors Grand Avenue and Hope Street. Instead of a fixed house menu, Abernethy’s names an emerging chef from across Los Angeles County to run the kitchen, then hands the space to a new voice at the end of the quarter. The format works as a showcase for cooks building a following, and the plated results are shaped by each chef’s own background rather than a restaurant formula.
The current resident is Chef Andy Allo, whose cooking is rooted in her Cameroonian upbringing and built around bold, lively flavors. She trained and cooked at acclaimed kitchens including Alinea in Chicago and Akoko in London, and brings a storytelling-driven, refined approach to West and Central African cuisine. Because chefs change quarterly, confirm the current resident and menu on the official site before booking.
- Chef in Residence program: Each quarter a new Los Angeles County chef takes over the kitchen, so the menu, flavors, and plating change with every season.
- Crispy Skin Branzino Filet: One of Chef Andy Allo’s two signature dishes, a Mediterranean-style white fish given a crisp-skinned treatment.
- Grilled Chicken and Peanut Stew: Allo’s second signature, drawing on Cameroonian peanut-stew traditions.
- Music Center plaza setting: The restaurant sits on Jerry Moss Plaza, surrounded by the performing arts campus and Grand Park-adjacent civic architecture.
- Private dining: The restaurant offers private dining for events and group celebrations, with details on its official private dining page.
Abernethy’s at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 220 N Hope St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Downtown Los Angeles (Bunker Hill / Civic Center), Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center |
| Operating Hours | Mon-Tue: Closed; Wed-Fri: 5-8 PM; Sat: 4:30-8 PM; Sun: 11:30 AM-1:30 PM and 3:30-7 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | No admission; fine dining, typically $$$ |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro B/D Line Civic Center/Grand Park station; Music Center garages on Grand Ave and Hope St |
| Official Website & Phone | abernethysla.com; +1 213-972-8088 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Hours are compact, with dinner service closing around 7 or 8 PM and the restaurant dark on Monday and Tuesday, so reserve ahead through the official website. The early closing suits pre-theater dining, so check The Music Center calendar for same-night performances at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Mark Taper Forum, or Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Sunday schedule includes both a late-morning lunch window and an early evening seating, a handy option for a relaxed weekend meal.
Metro’s B and D Lines stop at Civic Center/Grand Park, a short uphill walk from the plaza, and Music Center-affiliated parking structures sit along Grand Avenue and Hope Street for drivers. The plaza itself is an open-air campus with ramps and elevators connecting levels, which helps wheelchair and stroller travelers, though confirm specific access needs with the restaurant. Within a 5 to 15 minute walk, pair dinner with the Walt Disney Concert Hall exterior and gardens, Grand Park, The Broad museum, or The Last Bookstore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Abernethy’s opening hours and best time to visit?
Abernethy’s is closed Monday and Tuesday and serves dinner Wednesday through Friday from 5 to 8 PM and Saturday from 4:30 to 8 PM. On Sunday it opens 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM and again 3:30 to 7 PM. Early weekday seatings are generally calmer.
Do I need a reservation and how much does it cost?
Reservations are strongly recommended, especially on performance nights, and can be booked through the restaurant’s website or OpenTable listing. Expect fine-dining pricing in the $$$ tier, with menus that change each quarter, so check the Menus page for current prices.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours for a full meal. If you are heading to a show at The Music Center, book an early seating and leave a buffer for the walk across the plaza.
Is Abernethy’s accessible, and what is the dress code?
The Music Center plaza provides ramps and elevators between levels, though diners with specific mobility needs should call the restaurant at +1 213-972-8088. The room is upscale, so smart casual or theater attire is a comfortable choice.
When planning your Los Angeles travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Los Angeles, pair this stop with standout local spots including Elysian Park, Weller Court Shopping Center, Elysian Park, Buena Vista Meadow, and Gloria Molina Grand Park (0.2 km away).
