In its January 2014 issue, GQ Magazine called Downtown Los Angeles “America’s Next Great City” and “the coolest new downtown in America.” Downtown LA has certainly come a long way in recent years. There were great places to eat in Downtown before its current renaissance, but the choices were limited. That's no longer the case, as acclaimed chefs and visionary restaurateurs have created a thriving dining scene in Downtown LA. With so many restaurants opening in Downtown, deciding where to eat can be a tough choice. Read on for a guide to Downtown L.A.’s newer restaurants and classic dining spots.

1. Alma

In the Bon Appétit article that names Alma the Best New Restaurant in America 2013, Restaurant and Drinks Editor Andrew Knowlton writes, “By the end of my meal, I was an Ari Taymor apostle. Despite his age and relative inexperience, this guy is cooking on a level I rarely see or taste. I eat out almost every night, so it takes a lot for me to get overly excited about a meal. But there I was, like a teenage boy on his first real date. At Alma, I’d experienced something special - that unique moment when potential meets skill and anything seems possible. I saw a star born.” Dining at Alma is an exceptional experience, like eating in a loft you’d see in Dwell Magazine. There are just half a dozen tables as well as eight seats at the counter, where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the compact kitchen and the quiet, focused magic behind Taymor’s seasonal, chef-driven cuisine. NOTE: Beginning April 15, 2014, Alma is offering a single, nine-course tasting menu for $95 with optional beverage pairings.

2. Bestia

In a recent Face book post, New York Times Op-Ed columnist (and former NYT food critic) Frank Bruni posted a note about Bestia: “Loved the scale and sprawl of the place and all of the small plates we had, especially the bone marrow, served with a kind of crunchy spinach spaetzle instead of toast. Really smart, totally delicious. And they had terrific wines by the glass, not the usual humdrum lineup.” Chalk up another winner for Bill Chait, the restaurateur behind popular spots such as Rivera, Picca and Sotto. Discreetly located in the Arts District, Bestia is housed in a mixed-use space that resembles a weathered metal barn. The industrial interior features a copper-topped bar and handcrafted pizza oven. The smart drink program is courtesy of longtime Chait collaborator Julian Cox. Ori Menashe, who cooked with Gino Angelini for many years, offers a menu that’s way beyond your standard Italian. Grilled octopus is paired with warm, earthy lentils. The stellar charcuterie plate features various excellent salamis and other cured meats that are made in-house and served with thick slices of olive oil-slicked grilled bread. Next-level pastas include tender agnolotti alla vaccinara, with supple dough tinged with cacao, filled with robust braised oxtail, and topped with tiny currants and roasted pine nuts.

3. Bottega Louie

Bottega Louie

No matter what time of day, the bustling restaurant and patisserie at Bottega Louie is always hopping. The noise level can make a quiet conversation difficult, but the energy is all part of the lively atmosphere. At brunch, big parties and fashionable couples tuck into fluffy French toast dusted with powdered sugar, textbook Eggs Benedict, beignets nearly as big as baseballs, and smoked salmon mille feuille, a stunning salmon-topped savory pastry. Pizzas rule the latter part of the day, or you could make a satisfying meal of small plates. Paper-thin duck prosciutto draped over pesto on crostini is quite tasty. The portobello fries, which practically have their own fan club, are big wedges of meaty portobello that are battered, deep fried and finished with salt, shredded parmesan and parsley, and served with a sumptuous aioli.

4. Bread Lounge

Ran Zimon’s Bread Lounge is located around the corner from Bestia. Zimon had been wholesaling his crusty baguettes from this Arts District location for a couple of years before he decided to add retail and put in café tables and a trellised patio in May 2012. Regarded as one of the best places in L.A. for bread, it’s a modern, minimalist space with polished concrete floors, a soaring ceiling, and the scent of flour and butter in the air. Besides the baguettes, there are also perfect croissants and boxes of crunchy almond-anise biscotti, an excellent alternative to the dreaded fruit cake for holiday gifting. And there are substantial sandwiches available on your choice of bread. ThePlenty of Fish is what your tuna sandwich might be if it vacationed in the Mediterranean: tuna in creamy aioli paired with slivered black olives, a smear of harissa, thick slices of tomato and snappy arugula. Get it on the signature olive stick, a chewy roll shot through with kalamata olives.