Loreto

Tucked into the quiet, residential streets of Frogtown near the LA River, Loreto stands as one of the city’s premier destinations for upscale Mexican cuisine. The sprawling restaurant makes quite an impression with its exposed rafters, concrete floors, and massive wrap-around bar that gives the space a dramatic, cavernous feel. Between the multiple dining areas, outdoor bar, and tree-filled courtyard, this is a production on a scale rarely seen in this laid-back neighborhood.

The kitchen here is all about seafood, and the cooking style draws from the coastal traditions of Sinaloa and Baja California. Forget delicate flavors—every dish hits with bold combinations of spice, acid, and unexpected ingredients. The aguachiles deliver serious heat from chiltepin and habanero peppers, while the Thai-influenced papaya ceviche surprises with its blend of sweet scallops, shredded papaya, and fresh lime. The show-stopping Tostada A La Joaquin arrives stacked six inches tall with seared otoro, and gets a tableside drizzle of creamy yuzu vinaigrette.

For the full experience, the butterflied whole fish is the move. It arrives as an absolute feast with rice, beans, escabeche, three salsas, blue corn tortillas, and mini quesadillas—easily enough food for three hungry diners. The cocktail program holds its own too, with gin-mezcal martinis that pair perfectly with the raw preparations at the bar. Save room for dessert, particularly the Carajillo—a decadent layered creation of chocolate cake, pecan toffee, and espresso foam that might genuinely move you to tears.

Whether you’re popping in solo for aguachile and a drink at the bar or taking over a big table with friends for a feast, Loreto delivers an experience that sticks with you long after the meal ends. For date nights or impressing visitors, this is exactly the kind of special-occasion spot LA needs more of.