Damian: Upscale Mexican Dining Experience in Los Angeles

This is a stunning Mexican restaurant that I’d highly recommend for a birthday dinner or special occasion. At first, I accidentally walked into the restaurant across the street, Bestia, but once I stepped into the right place, I was immediately struck by its nature-inspired, cozy atmosphere. The rich green-themed decor created a warm and inviting vibe. Though the menu was small, it was full of depth, and with a sommelier’s wine recommendation, we had an unforgettable meal. At our server’s suggestion, we ordered three appetizers and one main dish to share—and it turned into a magical, almost fine-dining-like experience that lasted about three hours. I probably had more tortillas than I realized, because the next day my stomach definitely felt full! One small thing to note is that the tables are a bit close together, so space can feel a little tight. Still, it’s an easy place to recommend—absolutely worth a visit! Reservations are a must!

The flavors are traditional and feel familiar, but they are presented with a fresh take. We had fun ordering a variety of entrees, sharing them, and eating with our hands. Loved all the food, they have done an exceptional job of fine tuning each dish to its best. We had the Guava mocktail along with other drinks the bartender made off menu. The popcorn ice cream and hibiscus meringue with cream were delicious. Both were great, but the meringue was very unique and of course scrumptious! Service is top notch, everyone kept coming by and topping off our water, changing our plates, switching out our napkins, and tucking in our chair if we got up to use the bathroom. Everyone was very friendly.

Went for a date night with my boyfriend. This place is cute and very chill (aside from the crying baby there at 8 PM ). The food was delicious and my bf thoroughly enjoyed his mezcal paloma. We started with the salmon tostada and carrot aguachile - chunks of shrimp and scallop under shaved jicama and mango Then we had the tlayuda - a crisp tortilla topped with delicious shredded short rib and delicate purslane and squash blossom. Then grilled prawns, the ricotta tamal with fresh corn - so creamy and light - and the duck confit tacos from the happy hour menu. We finished with a slice of their chocolate, mezcal, and café torte, which is stellar and great for sharing because it's so rich. And they treated us to their special occasion tres leches cake since we were celebrating 14 years together.

Second time here and everything is still as charming and delicious. They have nailed something with the decor and taste that puts you in a comfort zone immediately. I can't put my finger on if it's the wicker partitions or the green decor or skylights which transport you out of arts district into somewhere far yet not foreign. I really appreciate the concise menu. The chef did an incredible job taming diverse flavors into a harmonious meal. The brilliant idea of serving the sharable mains as tacos turned it into an instant family-style dinner..we ordered a few of the small plates and two main plates and walked out full. Do save room for dessert . The cocktails are delicious.

My husband's Chef was friends with this restaurant Chef when they lived in mexico. So we were all very excited to make reservations and try this place during our visit to LA. We ordered a ton of dishes to share, the artichoke appetizer and the Savory duck were my two favorites! I typically don't like Duck but the way this is grilled and prepared and flavored was so amazing! We loved the duck so much we ordered a second one for the table! I don't think you really could go wrong we ordered a number of dishes and each one came with a really unique and complimentary flavor palette. We also ordered a variety of a deserts. The restaurant is dark and Chic yet alive. This is a great spot to go with friends or even for a date night. So glad we got the chance to eat here during our visit to LA!

What an incredible experience! From the time my guests and I stepped inside the Damians, we knew we would be in for an incredible adventure. The staff that greeted us gave us a warm welcome and as we walked through the restaurant to our table, the other staff members made eye contact and welcomed us warmly as well. The vibe was fantastic; we really loved the lighting and the music was at just the right level. Our server knew the menu inside and out and made some good menu recommendations. Let me tell you, the food was truly inspiring, well-crafted and inspired! It was once of the most enjoyable meals I've had in recent memory. It was wave after wave of flavor and there was an incredible consistency with the unique flavor profiles. The staff moved liked a well-oiled machine reminiscent of experiences I have had at some of the Michelin restaurants I've visited and I have absolutely no doubt that Damian will earn a star at some point!

A 10 out of 10: welcoming service! knowledgeable and professional staff that wants you to be happy to be there! unique specialty cocktails! curated wine list... many from Mexico ....the Valmar Cabernet is my new favorite. and the food is so fresh and beautifully prepared!

Had some great food at Damian! We came on a Friday night and the atmosphere was lively but still comfortable. I wouldn’t say it blew me out of the water the way Bestia does, but it’s definitely a solid upscale Mexican spot with high-quality ingredients and creative dishes. The service was friendly and attentive, and everything we ordered was well-executed. Overall, it’s worth a visit if you’re looking for modern Mexican cuisine in a cool setting.