Though the SoCal coast abounds with some of the country's most highly touted seafood restaurants, downtown L.A.'s decidedly inland Water Grill is often hailed as the paramount of American fish fare. Not only does this longstanding favorite continue to snatch some of the highest honors in the food world, Water Grill has withstood the test of trend and remains a preferred destination for business lunches, romantic rendezvous and special nights on the town. Young vanguard David LeFevre keeps the kitchen aflame with his ultramodern cooking techniques, turning out daily-changing yet consistently pristine seafood dishes to the tune of wild Hawaiian swordfish, and striped bass ceviche with mint, pineapple, candied black beans and butternut squash. The first-rate raw bar offers some of the ocean's finest and freshest delights to match LeFevre's cooked creations. Full bar. Serving lunch Mon–Fri, dinner nightly.
Where the Locals Eat Rating
Top 100 Restaurant, Los Angeles
"Widely considered by L.A. foodies to be the best seafood house in the city, Water Grill is popular with the suit-and-tie crowd at lunch and with concertgoers en route to the Music Center at night."
—Frommer's
"Often considered one of L.A.'s best restaurants, long-standing favorite Water Grill serves flawlessly prepared seafood. ... Consequently, Water Grill is the place to take a business colleague or romantic partner you aim to impress with your refinement."
—Mobil Travel Guide
"The Water Grill is a big-city fish restaurant, a redoubt of oysters and fresh scallops, sparkling fish and sea creatures we can't even pronounce, in one of the busiest commercial corridors of downtown. ... It is possible that the kitchen is even sharper under David LeFevre, who has added a certain global-Gallic sensibility to the seafood cuisine."
—Los Angeles Weekly
"His is top-of-the-line fare. ... Desserts are divine."
—Los Angeles magazine
How others rate Water Grill
Michelin 2009
* (very good restaurant in category)Zagat 2009
27 food rating (extraordinary to perfection)
Los Angeles Times
**1/2 (very good to excellent)
Los Angeles magazine
No. 25 on 75 Best Restaurants list, 2008
*** (bold and ambitious)