Bestia: A Trendy Italian Cocktail Bar in Los Angeles

Great experience, wonderful food. The standouts were definitely the scallop crudo and the lamb neck. Sauce on the gnocchi could’ve been a bit more flavorful and the pluot crostada needed a bit more fruit for the amount of crust but really we’re nitpicking here. Service was lovely.

Bastia in Los Angeles is an absolute standout and easily one of the best Italian dining experiences we’ve had. We called the same day on a whim and were thrilled to score seats at the chef’s counter, front row to the wood-fired pizza oven, the magic happening in the kitchen, and the chefs in action while dining, which added an unforgettable layer to the evening. Our server was exceptional, knowledgeable, enthusiastic, and full of great recommendations. We started with the Charred Spanish Octopus, which was perfectly tender and beautifully smoky. The Herb Caesar salad was fresh, vibrant, and beautifully balanced, but the real star of the night was the Grilled Branzino, absolutely DIVINE. Light, flaky, and full of flavor, it was cooked to perfection. Sitting so close to the pizza ovens made it impossible to resist ordering a pizza, so we went with the ’Nduja, bold, perfectly spicy, and so satisfying that we happily boxed half to enjoy later. No regrets. The setting itself is stylish and artsy, tucked into a cool warehouse-like space in a vibrant neighborhood. Valet parking is available for $13, which is a bonus in LA and makes the experience even easier. From the food to the service to the atmosphere, Bastia exceeded every expectation. This is now one of our go-to Italian spots in LA, and we will absolutely be back every time we’re in town.

Bestia delivers an unforgettable Italian dining experience in an industrial-chic setting. Our meal was a masterclass in execution and flavor, beginning with the stunning Scallops Crudo, which was impeccably fresh and bright, paired perfectly with the savory, tangy Marinated Olives. The pasta course was the true highlight: the dramatic Ink Squid Spaghetti with Lobster offered intense seafood depth, while the Cream Sauce Pasta with Truffle was pure, aromatic indulgence, generously shaved with fresh black truffle. For the main event, the Lamb Neck was a triumph of slow cooking- fall-off-the-bone tender with a robust, charred crust. Every dish demonstrated a commitment to high-quality ingredients and flawless technique. Bestia remains essential dining for a truly exceptional meal in Los Angeles.

Picked up my husband and headed straight to Bestia for our late reservation, and the night did not disappoint. They offer valet, but we lucked out and found street parking right in front — already a win in LA. From the moment we sat down, our server was warm, attentive, and paced the meal perfectly. Service truly elevated the whole experience. Drinks • Riesling – crisp, clean, and paired well with seafood. • Seven Faces – a passion-fruit-forward pisco cocktail. Bright, tropical, and so easy to sip. Apps • Bone Marrow – rich, buttery, and a great start. • Scallops – absolutely incredible. Perfectly seared and full of flavor. One of our favorites of the night. Mains • Lobster Squid Ink Spaghetti – good, but probably the least memorable compared to the rest of the meal. • Branzino – standout entrée. Perfectly cooked, beautifully deboned, and just delicious. We skipped dessert since our reservation was at 9pm, but honestly, the savory courses alone made the visit worth it. We can see exactly why Bestia is one of the top-rated spots in LA — the quality, flavors, and service all live up to the hype. We’ll definitely be back to try more!

I heard some mix reviews but I’m so glad I came! My fav dishes of the night were the snap peas, octopus, spicy prawns, branzino and squid ink pasta The only reason I didn’t give a 5 star is cause they don’t have mainstream liquor and their tequila and vodka were not ittt.

I can see why this is one of LA's best restaurants! When you walk in you can feel the energy and excitement that comes from a great restaurant. This is the spot to be! Amazing Italian food with a flare. The bone marrow is a must! The steak was cooked perfectly and was tender and juicy. Make sure to save room for dessert too!

Amazing food, great service, atmosphere is more family style than fancy restaurant. Appetizers are amazing. We had the scallop ctudo, duck pate and veal tartar. All excellent. We had the chestnut pasta, awesome. For main course we had the lamb neck. It was very good but because it comes with lettuce and caesars dressing we felt like we finished with a salad. That was the only negative. We will definitely return.

Bestia can get crowded so make a reservation. This is fine dinning Italian and it is great. It is in a nice location. Parking is a bear unless you valet, so do that. The inside is just beautiful. It has a full bar and the wine list is amazing. The service is great. They take good care of you and know their menu well. They check on you, but never rush you. You will want for nothing here. The prices are high, but that is the way it is here in LA. They are comparable to other fine dinning places. The food is remarkable and we love everything there. You just can't go wrong. Their 26oz Margaret River Wagyu Ribeye with burnt onion, fermented mushroom cream and radish and poppy seeds is the best. Now this is about 185 dollars, but you will not be able to eat all of that. Take the rest home. The dogs will be in heaven. We also love their pizza. My husband always gets that. All are great. His favorite is the Burrata pizza which has the best San Marzano tomatoes, castelvetrano olives, oregano, with some fermented chilies. Everything is great there, even their salads and they have wonderful desserts. Go there for a special occasion or just go there. You will be happy.