You're standing on top of the Hoxton in Downtown LA, and the wind is doing that weird thing where it’s somehow both chilly and desert-dry. Most rooftop spots in this city feel like a carbon copy of the last one—expensive gin, mediocre sliders, and a view of a parking garage. But Cabra Los Angeles hits different. It’s not just the altitude. It’s the fact that Stephanie Izard, of Top Chef fame, decided to take Peruvian flavors and basically set them on fire with a California sensibility.
If you've been to the original Cabra in Chicago, you know the vibe. It’s loud. It’s colorful. It’s unapologetically bold. But bringing that energy to Broadway in DTLA was a gamble. LA is a city where you can find world-class Peruvian food in a strip mall in Gardena or a high-end spot in Hollywood. To survive here, a rooftop restaurant needs more than a "Grammable" sunset. It needs soul.
The Stephanie Izard Factor: More Than Just a Celebrity Name
Honestly, celebrity chef restaurants can be a massive letdown. You expect greatness because you saw them on TV, but then you show up and it feels like a theme park version of their actual cooking. That isn't the case here. Izard is actually involved. She’s known for her "Girl & the Goat" empire, and she brings that same obsessive focus on texture to the Cabra Los Angeles menu.
Peruvian cuisine is naturally a fusion—Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and indigenous influences all colliding. Izard leans into this. She isn't trying to be traditional; she’s trying to be tasty. It’s "Peruvian-ish." You’ll see a classic lomo saltado, but it might have a twist that makes a purist tilt their head before realizing it actually works.
The space itself is bright. Think teal accents, plenty of greenery, and an open-air feel that makes you forget you’re hovering over the gritty heart of the city. It’s the kind of place where you can wear sneakers and a blazer and feel totally at home, or go full "LA influencer" in a silk slip dress and not look out of place either.
What to Actually Order (and What to Skip)
Don't just order the first thing you see. The menu is designed for sharing, which is a blessing and a curse. If you’re with a group of four, you can do some serious damage.
The Ceviche Situation
You can't go to a Peruvian spot and ignore the ceviche. The Bass Ceviche is the heavy hitter. It uses leche de tigre, but Izard adds sweet potato and corn to balance the acid. It’s sharp. It’s refreshing. If you want something a bit "extra," the shrimp ceviche often comes with a crunch that surprises people who are used to the softer textures of traditional preparations.
The Salty-Sweet Balance
If there is one dish that defines Cabra Los Angeles, it might be the Goat Empanadas. They are savory, slightly gamey (in a good way), and served with an apple-miso sauce. It shouldn't work. Miso? In an empanada? But it does. The salt from the miso pulls the richness of the goat meat into focus.
The Big Plates
If you’re hungry, the Chicharrón del Chancho (crispy pork shank) is a beast. It’s designed to be pulled apart and tucked into wraps. It’s messy. It’s glorious. On the flip side, some people find the quinoa salad a bit basic for the price point. It’s fine, but when you’re surrounded by bold flavors like aji amarillo and rocoto peppers, a salad feels like a wasted opportunity for your taste buds.
The DTLA Rooftop Culture Problem
Look, we have to talk about the logistics. Getting to Cabra Los Angeles involves navigating Downtown LA. If you’re driving, valet is the only sane option, but it’s pricey. If you try to find street parking after 7:00 PM on a Friday, good luck. You’ll spend forty minutes circling blocks near the Orpheum Theatre and end up frustrated before you even take a sip of a pisco sour.
The Hoxton Hotel, where the restaurant lives, is a vibe in itself. It’s a renovated 1920s office building (the former LA Railway Building), and the architecture is stunning. But the elevators can be slow. You might find yourself standing in a small, mirrored box with three strangers and a very loud DJ playlist for longer than you’d like.
Once you get upstairs, though, the view of the South Park district and the hazy mountains in the distance usually makes the traffic headache worth it.
Why the Pisco Sour is Controversial Here
In Peru, the Pisco Sour is sacred. It’s egg whites, pisco, lime, and bitters. Simple. Perfect. At Cabra Los Angeles, they play with the classics. Some nights they have variations with passion fruit or spicy infusions.
Purists might argue that the "classic" version here is a bit too sweet. I’ve found that it depends on the bartender. If you like your drinks tart and punchy, tell them. Don't be shy. The bar program is actually quite sophisticated, and they have a solid selection of natural wines that pair surprisingly well with the spicy, acidic notes of the food.
The Service: A Reality Check
LA service can be hit or miss. At a place this busy, the staff is often sprinting. You aren't going to get a twenty-minute explanation of the history of the potato. What you will get is high-energy, fast-paced service.
One thing to note: the "sharing" style means food comes out when it’s ready. This drives some people crazy. You might get your heavy pork dish before your light scallop crudo. It’s a bit chaotic. If you have a specific flow in mind for your meal, you have to be assertive with your server. Ask them to "course it out." They usually will, but you have to ask.
Is it Overpriced?
Probably. But you’re paying for the real estate. You’re paying for the fact that you’re eating food from a Michelin-starred chef while looking at the "Eastern" sign glowing in the distance.
A dinner for two with drinks will easily cross the $150 mark, and that’s if you’re being careful. If you go all out on the "Pick Five" or "Pick Seven" tasting options, expect to pay more.
However, compared to some of the stuffy, overpriced French spots in West Hollywood, the value at Cabra Los Angeles feels better because the flavors are actually unique. You aren't just getting another steak frites. You’re getting a flavor profile that feels alive.
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A Note on Reservations
Don't just show up. Especially not on a weekend. The "Resy" hunt for a prime 7:30 PM table at Cabra is a sport. If you can’t get a table, try for the bar. It’s first-come, first-served, and honestly, the bar seats offer the best people-watching anyway. You get to see the bartenders doing their thing, and you’re closer to the heaters if it’s a cold night.
Essential Tips for Your Visit
- Timing is Everything: Aim for a reservation about 30 minutes before sunset. You get the "golden hour" light for your photos, and then you get the city lights for the rest of your meal.
- The Dress Code: It’s "LA Casual." This means you can wear a $500 tracksuit or a Zara blazer. Just don't show up in gym clothes—you’ll feel out of place among the stylish DTLA crowd.
- Order the Bread: It sounds boring, but the dip and bread options (especially the avocado dip with aji amarillo) are consistently great.
- Watch the Bill: Like many LA restaurants, they might add a service charge or a "wellness" fee. Read the fine print so you aren't surprised by the final number.
- Explore the Hotel: After dinner, take the stairs down a floor or two and check out the lobby of The Hoxton. It’s one of the best-designed hotel lobbies in the city.
Making the Most of the Experience
If you’re coming from the Westside, make a night of it. Don't just drive in for dinner and drive back. Catch a show at the United Theater (formerly the Ace) or grab a drink at a dive bar like Seven Grand afterward. Cabra Los Angeles is a centerpiece, but it works best as part of a larger DTLA adventure.
The restaurant successfully bridges the gap between a "tourist trap" and a "local favorite." It has enough flash to satisfy someone visiting from out of town, but enough culinary substance to keep jaded locals coming back. It’s noisy, it’s vibrant, and it tastes like the modern, multicultural version of Los Angeles that we actually live in.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check Availability: Go to Resy right now and look for "Notify" alerts if your preferred date is booked. People cancel last minute all the time.
- Study the Map: Look at the parking garages near 11th and Broadway rather than relying on the hotel valet if you want to save $20.
- Invite a Group: This menu is objectively better when you have at least four people to share the larger plates like the Chicharrón.
- Dietary Check: If you are vegan, Cabra is surprisingly accommodating for a place famous for goat meat, but tell the server upfront—many of the sauces contain hidden dairy or seafood bases.