Bestia is the Arts District restaurant that helped define modern Italian cooking in Los Angeles. Chef Ori Menashe and pastry chef Genevieve Gergis, a husband-and-wife team, opened it in 2012 at the end of a quiet industrial lane at 2121 E 7th Pl. More than a decade later, it still draws diners for seasonal, rustic dishes and a dining room that hums every night. It also holds a place in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide.
The converted warehouse has exposed brick, high ceilings, an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven and a string-lit patio. Menashe’s house-cured salumi, handmade pastas and blistered pizzas anchor the menu. Regulars order the spinach gnocchetti with roasted bone marrow and the cavatelli alla norcina. OpenTable diners often praise the mushroom pizza and scallop crudo. Save room for Gergis’s desserts, which change with the seasons.
Visitor Highlights & Practical Info
Dinner is generally served nightly from about 5 to 11pm, and the restaurant closes on most major holidays. Confirm current hours on the official site before you go. Book through OpenTable two to three weeks ahead, especially for Friday and Saturday evenings. An early weeknight seating at 5pm is your best chance at a calm table, and the patio is ideal for date nights. Call 213.514.5724 for large parties. Valet and street parking are available. Pair your visit with a walk past the Arts District’s murals, or stop at the couple’s sister restaurant, Bavel, nearby.
When planning your Los Angeles travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Los Angeles, pair this stop with standout local spots including Eggslut, Autry Museum of the American West, New Hollywood Plaza, and Girl & the Goat Los Angeles (0.8 km away).
