Los Angeles Spotlight: Cara Cara

✨ Cara Cara: The Rooftop Oasis in Downtown Los Angeles¹

Cara Cara is a prominent rooftop restaurant and bar located atop the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel.² It is managed by James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and restaurateur Caroline Styne.³

🌟 What Makes It Unique

Cara Cara is distinguished by several unique features:

• Breathtaking Panoramic Views: Perched high above Downtown Los Angeles, it offers sweeping, unobstructed, 360-degree views of the city skyline, making it a highly desirable spot for al fresco dining.⁴

   

• Design and Ambiance: The space, designed by renowned hospitality designer Kelly Wearstler, features an open-air environment with lush greenery, inviting fire pits, and a pool-spa (for hotel guests).⁵ The decor and design are frequently highlighted as beautiful and chic, creating a welcoming, upscale, yet relaxed California atmosphere.⁶

   

• Culinary Focus: The restaurant specializes in light, coastal, and seasonal California fare.⁷ In a recent update (around May 2025), the kitchen became completely seed-oil free, reflecting a dedication to wellness and thoughtful dining.⁸

   

🏛️ History

Cara Cara is situated in the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, which is a landmark building with a rich history:⁹

• Building History: The hotel is located in a historic 1920s California Renaissance Revival building on South Broadway.¹⁰ The structure originally served as a state-of-the-art private club in the 1920s (with members like Cecil B. DeMille) before becoming a YWCA in the 1960s.

   

• Opening: Following a modern makeover, the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, and subsequently Cara Cara, opened in 2021.¹¹

   

• Leadership Change: In the spring of 2025, Bruno Vergeynst became the Managing Director of the Downtown L.A. Proper Hotel, overseeing operations including Cara Cara.¹²

   

📅 Significant Events and Happenings

Cara Cara serves as a hub for both public and private events:¹³

• Music Series: In the summer of 2025, they partnered with SoundCloud for a four-week rooftop music series featuring live DJs.¹⁴

   

• Awards: Cara Cara was voted “Best of the Bites” at the South Park Neighborhood Association’s (“A Taste of South Park”) event.
• Regular Events: The venue hosts “Proper Sounds” with weekly DJs spinning live tunes during the sunset hour on Tuesdays.¹⁵

   

• Venue for Hire: The open-air environment is a prime location for hosting extraordinary rooftop events, meetings, and elegant celebrations.¹⁶

   

🍽️ Highlight Menu Items

The menu focuses on fresh, flavorful, and seasonal California ingredients.¹⁷ Dishes mentioned in customer feedback and menu summaries include:

• Piri Piri Fried Chicken¹⁸

   

• Lobster Roll¹⁹

   

• Chipotle Cauliflower Tacos (V, GF) with cashews and queso fresco²⁰

   

• Focaccias, such as the White Trumpet Mushroom Focaccia (V)²¹

   

• Salads, like the Farmers’ Market Lettuces (V, GF)²²

   

• Seafood Ceviche with salsa huacaina, avocado, and lime (mentioned in early reviews)²³

   

• Signature Cocktails: Such as the “Tea Time Sour” (with egg whites) and the “Straw-Basil Rickey.”²⁴

   

• Non-Alcoholic Drinks: The menu includes Spirit-Free options like Passion Fire and Hibiscus Limeade.²⁵

   

💬 Customer Feedback

Cara Cara generally receives very positive feedback, often centered on its atmosphere and views:²⁶

• Ambiance and Views: This is the most consistently praised aspect, with guests calling the skyline view “unmatched” and the atmosphere “trendy” and “chic.”²⁷ It’s highly recommended for date nights, celebrations, and casual lunches.

   

• Food Quality: The food is generally described as delicious, flavorful, and high-quality, with an emphasis on fresh ingredients.²⁸

   

• Service: Service is often commended as friendly and attentive, though some reviews have noted instances of slow kitchen service.²⁹

   

• Price and Portions: Prices are generally viewed as high relative to portion sizes, with some noting they are paying for the atmosphere and view.³⁰

   

• Location/Safety (Mixed): While the view is in the heart of DTLA, a few older reviews raised some safety concerns about the surrounding downtown area, particularly late at night, and noted that parking can be tough.³¹

   

📍 Contact and Location Information