Top 5 Italian Wine Bars in Downtown Los Angeles
- JESSICA NICHOLE
- Mar 31
- 5 min read
Downtown Los Angeles has quietly developed a small pocket of Italian wine bars where pizza, small plates, and a good bottle of wine set the tone for the evening. Not the red-sauce, heavy pasta kind of Italian restaurant. More the linger-with-a-glass-of-wine, small plates, pizza, aperitivo energy you stumble into when wandering through Downtown Los Angeles.
It’s the kind of food that makes wine feel essential. A bowl of marinated olives. Herb-roasted almonds. A slice of pepperoni pizza. Maybe a crisp Italian salad. Salty, snackable things that make you want to order another glass and stay longer than you planned.
When I’m in the mood for that kind of evening in Downtown LA—somewhere I can sit solo, snack on a few things, and slowly make my way down the wine list—these are the top Italian wine bars in Downtown Los Angeles I return to.
Where to Find Italian Wine Bars in Downtown LA
Settecento
Downtown LA — near the Central Library
Settecento sits tucked beside the Central Library gardens and feels like a quiet European escape in the middle of downtown. It’s the kind of place where pizza and wine are meant to be enjoyed slowly.
What to order
• Diavola pizza — salami, mozzarella, tomato, and a little heat• a glass of Italian red from the wine list
Why it’s worth a stop:
The garden setting makes it easy to linger. It’s one of the few places downtown where a glass of wine and pizza can feel calm rather than rushed.
Bottega Louie
Downtown LA — Grand Avenue area
Bottega Louie is one of the most recognizable Italian restaurants in Downtown Los Angeles. The grand dining room and bakery counter make it feel lively from morning through late evening.
What to order
• Italian chopped salad — mixed greens, pepperoncini, gigante beans, olives, provolone, onions, soppressata, pepperoni, parsley, red wine vinaigrette
• Pepperoni pizza — mozzarella, pecorino romano, San Marzano tomato sauce, oregano Siciliano & olive oil
• Chicken parmesan — breaded chicken breast with mozzarella, basil, and Grana Padano
Why it’s worth a stop:
It’s a classic DTLA institution. Whether you’re grabbing pizza or lingering over wine and a full dinner, the energy of the room makes it feel like a downtown tradition.
Pizzeria Bianco
Arts District / ROW DTLA
Pizzeria Bianco is one of the most respected pizza spots in the country, and the Downtown Los Angeles location brings that same wood-fired tradition to the Arts District.
What to order
• Wiseguy pizza — wood-roasted onions, fennel sausage, and fresh smoked mozzarella
• a glass of rosé
Why it’s worth a stop:
The pizza is the star, but the wine list and relaxed atmosphere make it easy to turn a quick dinner into a longer evening.
Propaganda Wine Bar
Downtown Los Angeles
Propaganda captures that Italian aperitivo rhythm perfectly—wine first, then a few salty things to snack on while you decide whether to order another glass.
What to order
• any of the pizzas
• marinated Italian olives
• rosemary roasted almonds
Why it’s worth a stop:
The menu is built for wine. Olives, almonds, focaccia, charcuterie, and Roman-style pizza are exactly the kinds of salty, shareable bites that make lingering over a bottle feel natural.
Good Clean Fun
Downtown Los Angeles
Good Clean Fun feels like a modern European wine bar tucked into Downtown LA. The menu leans heavily into small plates, pizza, and salty snacks that pair perfectly with a glass of natural wine. If you arrive during happy hour, the patio often fills with the relaxed buzz of people lingering over wine while a DJ spins in the background.
What to order
• Torres chips & crème fraîche dip — simple but addictive
• build-your-own cheese & charcuterie board served with toasted country sourdough and European butter
• warm marinated olives
• any pizza (locals swear they’re some of the best in the area)
• happy hour natural wines
Why it’s worth a stop:
Good Clean Fun captures the exact rhythm that defines a great wine bar: a glass of wine, a few salty bites, maybe a slice of pizza, and a room that makes it easy to stay longer than planned.
Map of Italian Wine Bars in Downtown Los Angeles
These five Italian wine bars are spread across Downtown Los Angeles and the nearby Arts District, making it easy to visit one or turn it into a small wine-and-pizza crawl.
Downtown LA Wine Bar Map
Settecento — Downtown LA (Central Library / Maguire Gardens)
Propaganda Wine Bar — Downtown LA
Good Clean Fun — Downtown LA
Bottega Louie — Downtown LA (Grand Avenue / Financial District)
Pizzeria Bianco — Arts District (ROW DTLA)
Because these spots are relatively close together, it’s easy to build an evening around them — starting with a glass of wine, sharing a few small plates, and finishing with pizza.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there good wine bars in Downtown Los Angeles?
Yes. Downtown Los Angeles has developed a strong wine bar scene over the last several years. Many restaurants now focus on Italian-style menus with pizza, small plates, and curated wine lists that encourage lingering over a glass or two.
Where can I drink natural wine in Downtown LA?
Several Downtown LA spots specialize in natural and small-producer wines. Propaganda Wine Bar and Good Clean Fun both feature strong natural wine selections and relaxed wine-bar atmospheres.
Where can I get pizza and wine in Downtown Los Angeles?
If you’re looking for the classic pairing of pizza and wine in Downtown LA, several restaurants do it especially well. Settecento, Bottega Louie, and Pizzeria Bianco all serve excellent pizza alongside thoughtful wine lists.
Are there good places to eat in Downtown LA for solo diners?
Absolutely. Many wine bars in Downtown Los Angeles are ideal for solo diners. Smaller tables, wine-focused menus, and snackable small plates make it easy to settle in with a glass of wine, order a few bites, and enjoy the evening at your own pace.
If you’re exploring more places to eat and drink around Los Angeles, these guides might help you plan your next outing:
• Quiet Cafés in Los Angeles – peaceful cafés perfect for reading, journaling, or slow mornings.
• Malibu Wine Tasting at Cielo Farms: A Perfect Day Trip from Los Angeles – a scenic wine tasting experience overlooking the Santa Monica Mountains.
• Tijuana Street Food Tour– a walking tour featuring some of the best street food in Tijuana.
• Simonette in Culver City: A French Bistro Worth Visiting – a lively restaurant known for strong cocktails and a beautiful bar scene.
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