{"id":466953,"date":"2026-09-17T16:46:10","date_gmt":"2026-09-17T16:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/466953\/"},"modified":"2026-09-17T16:46:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T16:46:10","slug":"l-a-s-chinatown-is-officially-one-of-the-coolest-neighborhoods-on-the-planet","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/466953\/","title":{"rendered":"L.A.\u2019s Chinatown is officially one of the coolest neighborhoods on the planet"},"content":{"rendered":"

With its pagoda-style roofs, hanging lanterns and pedestrian plazas, L.A.\u2019s Chinatown<\/a> strikes a balance between honoring its history and consistently reinventing itself with splashy new restaurants<\/a> and nightlife spots\u2014and this past year or so has been a particularly buzzy one.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been such a lively stretch that Chinatown\u00a0earned a spot on Time Out\u2019s annual list of the coolest neighborhoods in the world<\/a>. And it didn\u2019t just\u00a0eke its way into the feature: It landed at No. 4, the highest-ranked\u00a0neighborhood anywhere in the United States (Chicago\u2019s West Town came in at No. 18, while the list\u2019s very top spot belongs to Seoul\u2019s Jongno 3-ga).<\/p>\n

Just in the past year or so, the Downtown<\/a>-adjacent neighborhood has welcomed Chinese American standout (and Michelin-recognized<\/a>\u00a0restaurant) Firstborn, day-to-night destination Caf\u00e9 Tondo<\/a> (where Tame Impala\u2019s Kevin Parker stopped by for a surprise DJ set<\/a> underneath the facade\u2019s red glow) and design-forward Archives of Us (home to some of the city\u2019s best matcha<\/a>).<\/p>\n

\"Caf\u00e9
\nPhotograph: Sean DavidsonCaf\u00e9 Tondo <\/p>\n

Focaccia sandwich\u00a0spot Frank \u2019n\u2019 Frank\u2019s just set up shop in the iconic Chinatown Central Plaza<\/a>, right down the alleyway from the beloved Bruce Lee statue and across from where astrology-inspired Brooklyn cocktail bar<\/a> Mood Ring is opening a second location soon. Meanwhile, Chinatown\u2019s legacy restaurants and institutions like Phoenix Bakery<\/a> and Philippe the Original<\/a> are still draws.<\/p>\n

While Chinatown\u2019s most\u00a0recognizable\u00a0span is near\u00a0the neon-lined Central Plaza\u2014in the dense region more or less along Hill Street and Broadway, north of Cesar Chavez Avenue\u2014the neighborhood\u00a0occupies roughly the entire area between the 101 and 110 freeways and the L.A. River. That includes a\u00a0bustling nightlife scene that\u2019s blossomed in the former industrial areas across the 32-acre L.A. State Historic Park<\/a>\u00a0(home to music fests, movie screenings and a farmers\u2019 market). There, next to David Chang\u2019s Majord\u014dmo<\/a>\u00a0and cocktail bar\u00a0Apoth\u00e9ke<\/a>, you\u2019ll now find\u00a0new music venue, Pacific Electric<\/a>, founded by\u00a0the members of Mumford & Sons, as well as its on-site sushi and cocktail bar Mitsi<\/a>\u00a0and a small outpost of craveable and creative Indian restaurant\u00a0Badmaash<\/a>. And about a block outside the border, on the opposite side in residential Victor Heights you\u2019ll encounter a courtyard of historic homes with some of the city\u2019s buzziest restaurants, like Baby Bistro<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Make sure to check out the full list of the 40 coolest neighborhoods in the world in 2026<\/a>. And if you\u2019re interested in more Chinatown recommendations, head over to our full guide to the neighborhood<\/a>, or our single-day itinerary of highlights below. (And don\u2019t forget: The neighborhood is remarkably well-served by public transit, between its proximity to Union Station<\/a> and the Chinatown station on the Metro<\/a> A Line.)<\/p>\n

\"Chinatown
\nPhotograph: Courtesy Jesse HsuChinatown Central Plaza <\/p>\n

How to spend a perfect day in Chinatown<\/p>\n

Kick things off at James Beard Award finalist Endorffeine<\/a>, a coffee bar that takes its beans very seriously, or go for something sweeter at the tiny Thank You Coffee, steps away from Flouring L.A. and its exquisite cake slices.<\/p>\n

That should fuel you up for some shopping at the neighborhood\u2019s antique shops, art galleries and boutiques\u2014some of\u00a0our favorites are in Far East Plaza<\/a>, where East West Shop sells curated vintage styles and Now Serving<\/a> boasts an unparalleled selection of cookbooks. While you\u2019re there, join the line at Howlin\u2019 Ray\u2019s<\/a> for Nashville hot chicken or get a thick, juicy burger at Amboy<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once the sun goes down and the neon lights switch on, it\u2019s time for dinner. If you\u2019re craving Chinese food, Yang Chow<\/a> or Jade Wok<\/a> are classics; for something different, try Filipino rotisserie and natural wine bar Lasita<\/a> or the New Orleans\u2013inspired Evangeline Swamp Room<\/a>.<\/p>\n