Woodspoon

Walking into Woodspoon feels less like entering a restaurant and more like stepping into someone’s cherished family home. Tucked away in Downtown LA, this Brazilian gem has been welcoming diners for over a decade with its vaulted ceilings, eclectic mismatched chairs, and vintage photographs adorning the walls. The space has an unmistakable warmth—think a dreamy Parisian apartment transported to the heart of the city. The chef herself greets every guest with genuine affection, making strangers feel like long-lost relatives returning from distant travels.

The menu draws heavily from traditional Brazilian street food, and the results are nothing short of soul-stirring. The Brazilian chicken pot pie is legendary—a perfectly flaky crust encasing a filling of hearts of palm, olives, and roasted corn that has earned it a devoted following. The moqueca, a generous seafood stew brimming with black cod, mussels, and clams swimming in a luscious coconut sauce, is another essential order. For those dining with friends, the mixed plate offers a delightful tour through five different Brazilian dumplings, each one more satisfying than the last.

This is the kind of place where the food reaches down and touches something deep within you—flavors that remind you restaurants can still feel personal and genuine. The crowd tends toward friends catching up over long dinners and couples on weekly date nights, all of whom seem to become fast friends with neighboring tables. Whether you’re celebrating or seeking comfort after a rough day, the atmosphere has a way of making everything feel just fine.

Woodspoon works beautifully for casual dinners, romantic evenings, or even solo visits when you simply need the restorative power of a phenomenal pot pie. Come hungry, stay for the warmth, and leave feeling like you’ve discovered a little secret worth protecting.