Downey is nestled in the southeast corner of Los Angeles County, situated between East Los Angeles and Anaheim. The central location between the two busy cities makes this a popular destination for those who want a short drive to the coastline, quick access to major freeways, public parks, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Downey’s restaurant scene features relaxed, modern fine dining, upscale bar and grills, and international flavors that will surely transport your taste buds.
Continue reading for a few of our favorites or contact the Downey real estate specialists at First Team Real Estate with your Downey area questions.
Lock & Key Social Drinkery + Kitchen
If you’re looking for a relaxed bar with an upscale burger menu, Lock & Key Social Drinkery + Kitchen will be the perfect joint for you. Whether you want steak, chicken wings, burgers, or just want to sample one of their craft brews, their creative menu rivals that of a gastropub in its inventive and creative spirit. If not the great food, the ambiance and sleek aesthetic will surely win over doubters with its laid-back feel with a touch of fancy dining. Open for dinner hours only, this spot should be on your to-eat list.
Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse
Located within Downey’s popular retail center the Promenade, the Gaucho Grill Argentine Steakhouse is the perfect place for you and your friends to meet up after a day of shopping and exploring. A contemporary restaurant with an upscale atmosphere, this restaurant features a space that combines wood, metal, and cement to pair laid-back ambiance with perfectly grilled and delicious dishes. The diverse menu serves up an international culinary experience with flavors from Italy, Latin America, South America, and more.
Pelicana Chicken
Pelicana Chicken is not only known for its namesake dishes, but it’s also one of the best takeout restaurants you can find in Downey. Announced in 2021 as the fourth location in Los Angeles and sixth overall in California, Pelicana Chicken already has more than 2,000 locations internationally. Standing for less than a year now, it has already become one of the most popular and best places to eat in Downey.
With its origins in South Korea, the Korean fried chicken restaurant has all the classic and authentic Korean barbeque, wings, and tenders you can imagine. Pelicana compliments their chicken dishes with a variety of sauces, including the traditional sweet and sour along with five other tasty flavors. Additionally, you can find classic options such as fries, onion rings, chicken gizzards, and sausage cheese bacon rolls on the side.
Smoke and Fire Social Eatery
One of the best family restaurants in Downey, the Smoke and Fire Social Eatery has been around since 1937. With generations of experience and management that wants you to feel like you’re at home, this classic spot offers a menu full of what Smoke and Fire does best–comfort food. Whether that takes the form of hearty burgers, delicious tacos, loaded fries, and other homestyle favorites, this restaurant is obsessed with giving patrons all the comfort food options they could dream of.
Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar
Another restaurant located within Downey’s popular Promenade, the Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar is considered a relaxed, mostly American-fare eatery that serves up classic homestyle dishes such as pot roast along with other international flavors. The restaurant features a design unlike any other restaurant in Downey, with brick columns, red vinyl chairs, and country lodge decor.
Also unlike many other local restaurants, this Lazy Dog location is just one of 40 restaurants in a chain that spans eight states including Colorado, Texas, and Florida. That means if you like the dishes that Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar plates up, you can likely find another Lazy Dog in your cross-country travels.
The Olive Restobar
Mediterranean cuisine features some of the healthiest and tastiest combinations of ingredients and flavors imaginable, and the Olive Restobar is poised to satisfy all your expectations. With the option of indoor or outdoor seating as well as delivery and takeout, The Olive Restobar is a relaxed environment with a menu that offers a variety of classic Mediterranean fare from a made-from-scratch kitchen.
From steaks, chef-curated entrees, hummus samples, falafel, salads, kabobs, and shawarma, The Olive Restobar offers a diverse array of dishes that can easily be paired with their craft cocktails, beer, wine, and sangrias during their daily happy hour. If you’re looking for a Mediterranean spin on breakfast, you can also enjoy their signature eggs benedict every weekend.
Downey is full of relaxed, yet upscale restaurants with international cuisines and homestyle comforts that should satisfy any craving. With a variety of flavors and popular gathering places to offer, Downey’s culinary scene sets it apart and makes it a great place to live! You can learn more about Downey and browse Downey homes for sale, schedule a meeting, or contact the Downey real estate specialists at First Team Real Estate.
