Little Sister Reviews

My partner and I had dinner at Little Sister (the downtown LA location) last night and were totally impressed! A cool, busy, noisy room in a happening part of our once dormant downtown scene, this place reminded us of being in New York City on a Sunday night. We ordered a nice bottle of chilled Sauvignon Blanc (Marlborough, NZ) and let the magic begin. The server was prompt, VERY well informed and helpful in guiding our selections. There was standing room only and the vibe is mixed--younger, older, gay, straight, families, large parties, small parties....but it all adds up to fun and excellent food. We ordered everything family-style and shared. Our selections included the ma la beef tartare with pear, pine nuts, quail egg, bone marrow vin and cassava chips and the IMPERIAL ROLLS, which include shrimp, crab, pork, taro root, glass noodles, roasted peanut and chili lime sauce. The tartare--which we order everywhere that serves it--was excellent but for those who like spicy things. The imperial rolls were crisp, hot and super-tasty but not overly spicy. Next came the bo ta chanh lime cooked beef, rau ram, with basil, mint, onions, fried shallots & nuoc mam cham. (This dish was superb, and reminded us of a good Thai larb we had in ThaiTown LA.) The big beef dish we chose was shaky shaky beef, apparently a hugely popular dish that doesn't disappoint. This is A LOT of food and could easily be shared by 3-4 people if you're ordering other items to go with it. The snapper filets with hot curry and dill were sublime. They offer some amazing desserts as well; we had one lemon tart with blueberry compote and chantilly and the Vietnamese coffee flan and shared. Both were outstanding. We even had leftovers (of food, not dessert) to take home. We highly recommend this cool newcomer to the DTLA scene; they've been open since October 2015. There's another location in Manhattan Beach. Don't miss it if you love authentic Vietnamese fare.

The concierge at the Sheraton Downtown Los Angeles recommended this restaurant - just a 5 minute walk away. The place is small and cozy. And luckily we didn't have to wait for a table because it was late (after 9pm). While the dishes are inspired by familiar Asian dishes, they put a unique spin on the flavors and used fresh ingredients. The portion sizes were perfect as we left satisfied, but not overstuffed. A must try is the lemon tart - one of the best that I have ever had! We would definitely go back to try other dishes.

I was strolling around downtown looking for Vietnamese food and saw this attractive restaurant, went in and took a look at the menu: I was sold! The dumplings are delicious and melt in your mouth, the papaya salad is the best! The jicama makes it crunchy and comes with abundant basil that I could not stop eating! Please, get the "Autumn rolls", fresh, crispy and delicious. Be careful when you order since portion are large. Additionally, the staff was very cordial, pleasant and clarified my questions.

The place is always packed and although I had no reservation, I was immediately seated. Great service and polite staff. I ordered the Banh Mi special with Bantang beer. One of the best I've ever had in the US. Atmosphere is lively, mixed generations, and invigorating. Never rushed. Will return.

My husband and I had a great dining experience at Little Sister. We stopped by without reservations and they were very accommodating. We were seated at a nice table and water was brought to the table immediately. Upon the advice of the server we ordered three items: the sourdough baguette, the braised beef hotpot and the Vietnamese crepe. We also ordered two beers. The entrees were delicious, flavorful and beautifully presented. We highly recommend Little Sisters, but there are several reasons that we only gave it a 'very good' rating. There are no prices on their online menu, the wines were really overpriced and the recommendation for ordering three items was unnecessary as two items were really ample. We would return, but wish there were less expensive wine options. We now know to only order two items, at least at first. Still: one of the most flavorful meals we have enjoyed in a while.

Came here for dinner and was taken up by the quality of the food. Would have no hesitation recommending this place.

Little sister was very hyped up to me as it's my big sister's favorite restaurant. Luckily it met my high expectations. We had a very small table (probably my only criticism) right in front of the window. It was definitely tight but I really liked the decor and the overall vibe. I thought the food was really great, I probably could have just ordered 15 plates of gyoza and been content. Food was spicy and the wine options were pretty extensive. Will definitely be going again. If you visit LA, head to downtown for some proper dining!

The chef here must be a magician because everything is great. The best way to approach the menu is to have everyone pick a different dish and then share. To try and tell someone which dish to choose is a disservice to them and the restaurant. But do not go if you are not adventurous this is not an Americanized Asian food restaurant.

On a Monday at 8 pm Little Sister was packed and buzzing, but I was able to get a seat at the end of the bar, which was fine. (By 9 pm there were plenty of open tables.) There was loud hip-hop music and crowd noise, so not quiet if that matters to you. Food seems to be a modern California take on Vietnamese cuisine. Lots of things on the menu that I had no idea what they were and where I was sitting I saw a lot of intriguing plates of food go by. I had the Vietnamese crepe with pork bellies and prawns (which was a mess to eat but so what), and a side of tendon and cucumber salad. Everything was very flavorful. Service was very good despite how busy the place was. Entrees are in the $18-$40 range so not inexpensive, but worth it for the uniqueness.

Fun place to try some exotic food. The shaking beef is excellent. We had quite a few different dishes, most of which I can't spell, but they were al amazing. The server's are super cool and wil help you order the right stuff. This is a great downtown restraunt to escape to for an exotic treat.

We stopped here before a show at the Ace Theater. Early (6:15) for our 6:45 reservations and it was empty. By 7:00, most tables were filled and it was fully energized. Moderate sound. Reasonably priced. Service was as good as the food...mostly shared plates. The food is excellent: Balinese fried meatballs Dumplings Shakey shakey beef Papaya salad

We met a friend around 1:00 on a Saturday, and this place was slammed. We had a reservation, and I would advise that you reserve when you go. The menu is fairly big, so it is a little difficult to decide, especially when everyone wants something different. Everything is intended to be shared, so you get to taste many things. Much is spicy, so if you can’t take the heat be aware. The wine list is very nice, and the service was excellent.

Went for lunch today. Found you need a "special" reservation for the two tables with comfortable chairs which was a bit disconcerting. The other tables placed along a banquette type couch are only a few inches apart...you are literally elbowing the folks at the table next to you..also disconcerting. The restaurant is also very loud, so don't expect quiet table conversation. That having been said, the food is creative and tasty. We had spring rolls, "shaky shaky" beef, and won ton soup. The beef was my favorite, plenty to share and well seasoned. The rolls were also well done with rice paper, not fried. And despite not being used to noodles in won ton soup, I found them to be a nice addition. The food was high range, the ambiance, midrange. Pricing was decent. Parking is tricky to non-existent

We had dinner at this restaurant when we visited downtown LA. When I wanted to make my reservation, Eric who answered the phone was very rude and said we have no tables. I said I have not even told you which night and what time and I see on Open Table that you do have openings...So he said ok let me check...They and a table at 5 and one at 9;30...We opened for a 6:30 reservation at the bar. We were seated when we go there. the food was very fresh and delicious. The bar stools have no back so it is pretty uncomfortable. it si very noisy but the food is very good and fresh.

Nice vibe and a hip place to go. Menu was very diverse. Server was outstanding helping us make our choices. Three plates was more than enough for the two of us. Eggplant was exceptional! Service was excellent and food was very good. Definitely will return!

Wait staff was excellent - fast and efficient. Provided good suggestions on menu options. It was the first day of the new dinner menu so his advice was appreciated. Beer and wine options were good. Prices seemed high but a huge glass of wine for the price. Food as usual was very good - Dumplings, noodles, banh mi, etc… Place was packed at 7pm on a Saturday - suggest you get a reservation.

The food was DELICIOUS!! The waiter was a bit odd, but nice. For two people, definitely only 3 dishes is enough. We at the two that had fish, which enabled us to take the wings home. The wings were delicious cold, while driving.

We had to come back! Little Sister is a great place for Vietnamese food with a great Downtown vibe. I'm sure the Beach location is equally good, but this is where you get the complete package. You need to make a reservation, but it is worth it. The food and staff are great and you will leave feeling good about life.

Interesting menu of Vietnamese-derived Asian fare, in most cases properly prepared and priced fairly. The spring rolls and seafood dishes are sure to please. Black cod and various shrimp and crab dishes were particularly tasty, as was the black and red rice with various proteins. Wine list is also decent, we had a Chardonnay priced at $80 that was good...it was marked up more like double as some places are doing 3x these days which is absurd. I was there shortly after they opened and did not think it was deserving of the hype. Now I take that back, as little Sister has seemed to find its stride. I will go back.

Three of us enjoyed the green papaya salad with peanuts and small dried shrimp; fresh spring rolls with shrimp and pork; lemongrass beef with noodles; and pork, shrimp and crab dumplings in sauce with spinach- also likes the small cucumber pickles. The lemonade with ginger and mint was refreshing. Good service. A bit noisy. Unfortunately, the hip hop music on the TV in the bar area did not contribute to our dining pleasure.

This is my second time here. I fell in love with the fresh springs rolls last visit and had to have them again. The pho is delicious as well. The staff are incredible and the food is delivered in a timely manner. I was able to get a table by the window to enjoy people watching while I ate. The decor is inviting and has a cozy feel. I hope my next business trip brings me back to LAX so I can try other things on the menu!

A neighborhood gem. Very interesting flavor profiles that are not your ordinary SE Asian. Make sure to try the Shaky Shaky Beef!

I visited Little Sister with an attorney I work with in LA and neither of us had been there but we had both heard positive reviews. We were not disappointed! We absolutely over ate as we wanted to try multiple dishes. We had the pork, shrimp and crab dumplings, grilled project spring rolls, the shaky shaky beef (our favorite) and the e-fu noodle. All were really good but we agreed that the shaky shaky was the best for us. The table next to us ordered the pho, and it smelled amazing! They raved about it and it is now on my list of must-try's. It's beer and wine only so for me it's a lunch destination as I like a good martini before dinner when dining out. Enjoy!

Loved the creativity of the food! The lobster pot was divine! The dumplings were delicious! The wines were amazing! We went to the one in downtown LA and loved the intimate setting. Never been to the one in Manhattan beach but my nephew says it's awesome as well. The staff is courteous! Parking around the corner.

Ate at little sisters redondo village tonight WAW absolutely amazing food every dish was fabulous - unique flavours, fresh, would highly recommend pork belly - steak, roll, pallet cleansing broth brilliant - who ever goes to this restaurant and does t enjoy the food - well there is something missing from their pallet . Very reasonably prices not expensive at all

Fantastic Vietnamese fusion with modernised tastes. The lobster dish was a little expensive but we'll worth it. Atmosphere was pleasant without being great. Parking around the area is not easy if you are new in town.

Tasty dishes and a very friendly atmosphere with a very knowledgeable waiter. The dishes are plentiful, don't hesitate to share 1 dish for 2 Be careful though the bill was steep 😅

This tiny little restaurant has the most marvelous and authentic Vietnamese dishes. The beef salad is a meal in itself. The fried spring rolls are light, crispy all rolled in a lettuce leaf with great sauces. I’ve had work lunches here and family celebration dinners. It feels hip/trendy, yet also in a casual in really good way.

Great place, good music, friendly and genuine service. The food was very creative and tasty. My husband, daughter and I got a few things and shared. It was nice of the server to ask right away if there was any dietary restrictions or allergies he should know about. There was not, but, a good way to start. When many of the other nearby restaurants were empty or close to it .... reservations are encouraged and I’m glad we did! It was packed! Great to see! When in LA again we will be back.

This is a very small but fun, hip, "cool" and busy downtown Vietnamese place that is serving up creative dishes. Service is well intentioned but sometimes slow. Food is creative and very tasty. Unfortunately, the very loud and very crude rap music is simply not appealing and not welcome. Even the twenty-somethings have a hard time talking over the loud vulgarities screaming from the speakers. Would love to go back when they change the music!

We went on a Friday evening before a concert. The restaurant was crowded and very noisy, we could not hold a conversation during dinner. The food was good and the server was efficient and knowledgeable. Because of the family style serving the small table was quite crowded.

Came across this little gem last year on a business trip to LA. The staff were polite and very clued up about the menu and ingedients. The food was amazing. Quick, full of flavour and pipping hot. We were a group of 6, so had a mixture of dishes for all to choose from. Cost wise it wasn't too bad. I would highly recommend this to anyone. Will def revisit later this year !

Great menu with a terrific creative variety of apps and entrees. Creative desserts. Loved the snapper(spicy) loved the dumplings(spicy) and the red velvet ding dong is off the hook. Cozy and comfortable great service!!

We chose to go family style and shared Vietnamese dishes such as spring rolls, spicy lemon grass chicken (too spicy), pan fried noodles and a couple of seafood dishes. Most were good and service was OK but a bit slow. Atmosphere is good but noisy. Dessert was excellent - chocolate and ice cream...

Paris is the hostess with the mostest. She does everything. Runs the restaurant!!! She does everything. Big smile on her face. The food is a bit spicy. The short rib dish is awesome!

Brought some friends from Australia here on a trip. Hard to believe this little hole in the wall packs such flavor into their dishes. Everything we ordered was amazing would love to try new dishes on our next visit. Parking is difficult so get there ahead of time.

Sound level is horrible, food is very good and unusual. But it gave me indigestion: too greasy? I wouldn't order pork dishes if I came back. Service was excellent.

Love this Place - have eaten here a bunch of times and they never disappoint! The food is fresh and very authentic.

On business in LA for the weekend. Restaurant on the list given to me by the hotel. Walked in off the street with no booking & they managed to find me a place as long as I was 'out in an hour' as they had a booking. Just as well the booking never showed as they took 30 minutes to bring the appetizer - but to be fair they were very busy. Appetizer was great (pork, shrimp & crab dumplings) but main course (sa-po mixed seafood) not as nice (not much seafood in it tbh). Server (Rob) very good - the staff were working their socks off. Overall recommended.

We sat at the bar and watched food preparation - everything was lovely and very fresh. My sea bass was crispy and delicious - and cost $16. The prawn salad was perfect. And our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and very helpful with my gluten-free needs.

This Vietnamese Restaurant is worth the time. The food is delicious and can be spicy. There is nothing better like it. We loved the food and wine choices. This is a great place to impress friends that would never find it. We will be back! We didn't get pictures of the Ribs, but they are the spiciest and best ever! This is a definite Hot Spot in town.

Good Food, but not a Good Overall Experience unfortunately. There's so much going for this place but it's a shame that it's not fully realized. Trendy, Nice tables, ambiance & decor. Menu is quite difficult, if not nearly impossible - you only vaguely get an idea of the offerings. That's where a great Wait Staff comes in - & unfortunately we didn't have one. She was rushed, appeared overworked & didn't / couldn't explain the complex offerings listed on the menu - thus ordering was a great disappointment & unsatisfying. Once ordered, the Wait for our food was way too long, while others nearby got their later placed orders before ours? For example - ordered Beers for each of us, but 2 came & the 3rd was delayed by 10-15 minutes, Same with various food choices. Why? Very Poor wait staff & inattentiveness to customers. Food was delicious - once it finally did show up. Nice Asian fusion dishes - echoing Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Thailand (I've visited these places & do know a bit about the local dishes) - but WOW the difficulty in getting food & service. Advice: Study the Menu before going & read reviews & advice on ordering - you're not getting any help once there. Best, is to Avoid this Restaurant for Now, ... until they improve their Wait Staff. (Is management not aware of these issues?) There are better choices for Asian fusion delights.

Everything was delicious, the salad, the chicken, and the red and black rice. Spicy, but not too much. Nice ambiance. Smiling and helpful staff. I recommend.

Went with a pretty large group, perhaps the only detraction of an otherwise perfect meal. Asian cuisine of the highest order, lots of it, and a great staff. The perfect storm of cuisine. We squeezed in another person at the table (that was already packed) and they catered to us, but we were pretty widely dispersed. Our bad. The food choices are wide and all wonderful. I don't think there was a dish among the many we had over the course of 2 hours that was anything other than perfect. The only complaint seemed to be some people who were so inclined thought the cilantro was too heavy, or that items were too spicy. That's life. You can't get everyone to agree on everything. However, the food is just amazing. Should be shared and you should try as much as you can sample. I leaned to the seafood offerings (black cod is ethereal). Spare ribs were also just wonderful, and I like spicy so anything that had heat was very, very good. Wine and beer as well as sake. We drank wine but perhaps in retrospect the only thing I might change might be to sample some of the beers. We had zero room for dessert. I am already looking forward to a return to give this place another evening. Please seek this out. You won't regret it.

I like soups, even though it could be hot outside. Found this place from a co-worker. We got lucky that we got a table for two without a reservation. Pho is good and I will definitely come back for other items.

Little Sister in DTLA is across from Bottega Louie on 7th Street, but unless you are looking for it, you will miss the discreet signage and miss the mouthwatering flavors hidden inside this small space. My mouth has been dancing in joy ever since I found this place and I look forward to every meal there just as I look forward to every trip :) I asked my server her favorite dish and I ordered it; grilled prawns, cabbage mix, mango, cucumber, onion, cashews in a lemongrass cilantro dressing. It's a much bigger serving that it seems and it could easily have been my lunch with the complex and layered flavors and textures. The pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings with a spicy black vinegar dressing, chive, spinach, and peanuts was so tender and savory especially with the extra sauce on the side that I didn't want to share any with my dining companions. The sauce could be a savory cocktail :) The rice paper pho banh cuon beef and beef tendon, herbs, lettuce, pickled onion was a melody of textures and flavors that combined like an accomplished band, bringing in elements of silky rice paper, with sweet spice and chewy tendon. My least favorite was the spicy lemongrass chicken with garlic and dried chilies which had depth but not to my taste for the combination of spices. Very little on the menu is over $15 and they have sandwiches, rice and noodle dishes, as well as congee for those who want more starch. It will take awhile to eat my way through their menu, but it's a challenge I would like to accept!

Great meal with large portions. The environment is cosy with tables close together. Service was good.

Visited this restaurant by accident and it was a good accident. The waitress was very knowledgeable about the menu and the amount we should order for a family of 5.There were 2 children in the group and she made the perfect suggestions. The dumplings and noodles were amazing and the pork belly was the most amazing thing I have ever had . The music was also very good not too loud just right. Perfect little restaurant can't wait to go back

After walking past it for months and months, I finally popped in for an early Sunday dinner around 4PM. The restaurant was not too full. The first thing I loved was their great taste in music-- mellow hip hop. Let's just say that if you love Nujabes, you'll love the ambiance here. Here's what I tried: Bo la lot - A dish with a lot of texture, which I loved. Beef cooked perfectly with the crunch of the lettuce and the toastiness of the peanuts. Hands down the best bite I had this time around. Soft Shell Crab Banh Mi - I'm not really into soft shell crab, but one bite of this had me hooked. There was a sweet element to it (I think it might have been a grilled pineapple?) that really brought things full circle. Saigon lemongrass beef - Oh yeah, there was DEFINITELY lemongrass in this, and I was happy that I was getting a mouthful flavor. The noodles and vegetables filled it with bright color and flavor. It was pretty light, all things considered. The food here is very good, however the service was a bit lacking. The dining room wasn't full and I had difficulty getting the attention of the waitress, who always seemed to be hanging out in the back. The prices here are just okay (I would not say that they're reasonable), however the food is quite good!

Love this place. Lots a super interesting dishes. We try and eat here every time we are in LA. The wait staff will help you navigate the menu.

We travel to LA every couple of months and try to eat lunch someplace new. Little Sister was this weekend's choice. We were seated and greeted by our very pleasant server, Elizabeth. We told her the food would be a new experience for us and that we would like her to choose for us. We gave her a couple of parameters: not too spicy, not too large. We had the best food and service that we have had in a very long time. The server was delightful and the ambiance was terrific. We sat next to a woman from Korea who was travelling to LA on a business trip and she shared a lovely spring roll with us. My husband and I love LA. If you ask people for help on a menu and are not shy about expressing your ignorance, most people will share their knowledge with enthusiasm. We will go back to Little Sister again and ask for Elizabeth if she is available.

After 3 wkn of food during our tour of America, this restaurant was such a huge relief. Friendly staff, delicious menu, where everything was to share, and that is very nice. We enjoyed the noodle soup and the sandwiches and fries. It was also nicely served. The wipes you could freshen your hands with were provided with lavender leaves.

Had dinner here and really enjoyed the variety of items on the menu. The lemongrass beef noodles were excellent and the flavours were fresh and bright. We also had the sesame baguette which is a nice appetizer for 2 and then shared a dessert of hazelnut chocolate ganache; also excellent. Beer and wine to drink; small but decent selection of canned craft beer. It's a bit pricey but I would definitely return to try some other menu items.

We went for lunch on the advice of a local friend and were amazed by the food. The staff were freindly and helpful and their recommendations were spot-on. At lunchtime it was pretty quiet (but not empty), which made a nice change from the bustle of downtown LA. Would definitely visit again.

Though this eatery is labeled Vietnamese, the menu includes variations of Tha and Indonesian cuisine. It is a small restaurant with limited seating so a reservation is a good idea. The interior is modern yet relaxing. The staff is warm and efficient. We tried imperial rolls, Myanmar okra curry, Lamb curry and Spicy lemongrass chicken ... Everything was very good but not exceptional. The flavors seem a bit toned down and we had to overly rely on sambal sauces ... Lamb curry was too sweet but cooked perfectly otherwise. Myanmar curry was probably the best item from what we ordered. The bone-in chicken was good but very hard to eat. Overall, liked the place a lot and looking forward to returning and trying more items.

We had a reservation at 9:00. It was the second service and we reserved via opentable.com. The waiter gave us a table next to the door and even when i asked a table at the rear he refused it with the excuse «  it’s reserved » guess what nobody After us came to the restaurant and the rear table kept for free. Having dinner after 9:00 pm means that’s 50% of the dishes are sold and 4 from 5 meat dishes. The waitress serves the wrong Sake and at the end we have paid 30$ per person. Well hope the first service is better. Personally I will not try again.

We were lucky that we stumbled upon this gem! We were surprised by how quiet DTLA was on a Tuesday night, and we were having trouble finding a place to eat. Little Sister did not disappoint! Will was our helpful server and led us through a menu of delightful and innovative dishes. We settled on the crackly spiced lemongrass beef over noodles and pork spring rolls. The inviting decor and atmosphere make it a great place for a date night. Ask for our new favorite server, Will!

Great food with a Vietnamese fusion taste. Make reservations as the restaurant is small but I always enjoy it when I visit!

This was my first experience with Vietnamese food...and Little Sister definitely was a great introduction to the cuisine! The establishment is a little tight, packed in downtown LA. But the decor and atmosphere was very stylish and inviting. Our staff here was great throughout the visit. We ordered our food family style, and ordered five dishes between four of us. It was definitely a LOT of food, and we enjoyed each of our dishes. The unique cocktail list was also attractive. All in all, this was an excellent dinner, and a great introduction to Vietnamese cuisine.

We dined here last night on the recommendation of a local foodie. We called around 6 pm for an 8 pm reservation and were told they'd either gave a table for us or seat us at the bar. While the bar looked interesting, we were happy to be seated at a window table. Our waiter was attentive and gave us good suggestions. Our food was interesting and tasty. Not out-of-the -ballpark great, but solid. Lots of pork, lamb and fish. Very little chicken on the mention. The restaurant is relatively small, crowded, and noisy, so we were glad to be in the quieter front. With so many interesting options in Los Angeles, we'll go back, but not without exploring some other new places first. Nonetheless, a welcome addition to the former ghost town of downtown LA.

By no means, food is always great. I’ve been to this Little Sister downtown many times with friends and coworkers, both lunch and dinner. The latest was Wednesday, December 11,2019. Two items, one chardonnay, one ice tea, one small rice - $73 bucks! It’s not even upscale restaurant! We didn’t pay attention to it, but then I just wondered the next day, so I looked at the bill. 3% charged for downtown economy!!!! Give me a break! Service was a lot of attitude in the few times, to the point now I have to write it down! I asked for my rice that never came, was told “The rice will be served when it’s ready.” How difficult is it to get a freaking bowl of rice???? I don’t mind paying for high price, but it has to be a fair game, not ripping off like this. Not $16 for a so-so Chardonnay! Two-bucks Chuck might taste even better or equal to this $16 glass! Goodbye Evil Sister!!!!

The decor of this place is spot on although we had to have a drink next door as our table wasnt ready. But the bar next door is excellent so there aren't any complaints. The service here is really too notch I would happily have these people working at my restaurant. The food is pricey enough and the table as really close but it did mean we struck up a conversation with the couple at the next table and could share food experiences etc. The steak tartare was tasty but much more spicey than I expected. The meatball starter were v good but the por belly main was sublime and the beef curry was also excellent. The desserts were ok I probably wouldn't bother the next time. Overall this is a fun place to eat downtown with a cool Vibe and tasty food.

This was our first time to the restaurant. It was recommended by a friend. The waitress was very helpful. Based on their suggestion we split Goi Coun spring rolls, pan fried eggplant and basil, and seabass. The restaurant was only about 1/3 full when we arrived and was already quite noisy. Also, they tack on a 3% cost of doing business fee. This is in the fine print on the menu, but not mentioned on the website but then neither are any of the prices. They say this is to compensate for higher minimum wage, insurance, and other increased costs. We saw this at another LA restaurant, though in that case, they said it was not mandatory. I find this to be a cheap trick and so would not recommend the restaurant. If it doesn't bother you and you like a noisy restaurant, go for it.

So far, Little Sister is my favorite restaurant downtown! I think I've pretty much tried everything (well almost) on the menu and have never been disappointed. I'm usually the type to stick to the same thing when I go out because I know I'm gonna like it, but here, I wanted to try different dishes because everything looked so good. You won't be disappointed!

Landed in LA and stumbled across this gem. Tasty food, reasonable prices and great portions. We had the Eggplant/Sausage and the Seabass/Lettuce. Don’t over order. Great service too.

The pork belly was out of this world, we wanted more, but we already had ordered three other plates. The grilled baby octopus, dumplings and a salad i can't remember, were all good. But the pork belly just hit out of the park for us

Wonderful early dinner for four in DTLA. We ordered 5 dishes and were stuffed. The food was amazing and service excellent. Great choice!

Finally had dinner at Little Sister before movie at historic theater on Broadway! We got lucky just before 6pm and the Hostess squeezed us in without a reservation (don't recommend this and wouldn't try again). The food was just terrific - we tried 6-7 dishes and ate family style. Can't wait to go again.

Great place for delicious asian food. Also appreciate that staff waived the billing of a dish which went to another table to make up for extra waiting time. Restaurant seems quite crowded so may need to call to reserve seats.

We had a lovely dinner experience at Little Sister last week in Los Angeles, and it's one of the more memorable dining experiences I've had in a long while. Food is tasty and inventive; not run-of-the-mill at all. We had the prawn salad, snapper filets and a few sides. Everything was fresh and delicious. Topped up with the Ding Dong cake. Service is friendly without being exceptional. One note: portion sizes are pretty large so, even though they recommend ordering three dishes per two people, I'd say that's not necessary unless you're spectacularly hungry. Very conveniently located too.

We’ve been there every time we visit Los Angeles. First time we went in there by a blog’s suggestion and we simply loved it. Everything is good and fresh and service is amazing. Would recommend it to anyone looking for Asian fusion. The velvet dessert is out of this world.

Sundays in DTLA people roll out of bed late, and as they show up for "breakfast" at Little Sister, you can have a line out the door even at 3 in the afternoon. So be sure to book. The intense flavors of Vietnam are all over this menu, prepared a bit upscale, while still preserving their authenticity. The dining room is cool-modern and the hip-hop soundtrack gives this small restaurant an electric and young vibe. We started with the grilled prawn salad, and the mix of mango and herbs in a lemongrass dressing exploded off the plate. Fantastic. Vegetarian options are nil, and the mix of non-meat options were few, so the red & black rice with seafood was ordered as a compromise and was exceptional. The pork, shrimp and crab dumplings rounded out a table exploding with flavors. Everything is so fresh and creative. Some great white wines by the glass like the floral Malvasia Bianca were a perfect match to the food. Wishing the red side of the wine list offered a bit more SE Asian friendly selections. Service is very friendly, but as the restaurant gets busy, it can get bogged down a bit. So bring a bit of patience.

Nothing is really fresh or has any natural flavours. We ordered a chicken dish and it was super disappointing. We wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.

Surprised this place gets such good reviews. Appetizers were fine, papaya salad and spring rolls with hoisin dip. Not better than decent Vietnamese take-out, but not bad. Entrees were inedible. We had 3 entrees. The spicy lemon grass chicken was not spicy at all, soggy chunks of fatty chicken with a sauce comparable to La Choy sweet and sour sauce. Basically inedible and actually somewhat revolting. The acclaimed fried sea bass was large chunks of fairly tasteless bass, sloppily presented with a little dish of chili oil meant to add some flavor. I got down a bite or 2 but it also was not very good. We doubled down and ordered the Efu noodles, as we could only stand a bite or 2 of the first 2 entrees. Surely an asian restaurant can serve a decent plate of noodles. Not this one, these were sickly sweet, as if the chef had dumped a box of sugar in them. Inedible, and way worse than what you would get from your average delivery from a Vietnamese restaurant for 10 bucks. If you're in LA, save your money and go for some real Asian food.

Very happy to have eaten here. Vietnam food at its finest. Cannot wait to return. Draft beer and wine and sake. Small so you will need reservations. Casual dress. Has a bar. But who cares asking as you can eat.

I think I would've given this a five is not for some of the female staff that are very aloof and not extremely friendly. That being said for whatever reason the men that work there are very nice and outgoing. Food is delicious has a nice vibrant feel I've been there about four or five times and I've always had the same experience with the female staff so it was not a first time thing. Definitely will keep going back and hopefully the attitude will improve with the female staff.

If you are looking for a Vietnamese cuisine you will be disappointed. Bagged pork rinds and good that barely qualifies as edible.

FIrst of all food is great - excellent (Vietnamese, Thai, Burmese), but you're advised to get your East/West fusion fix elsehwhere unless you like being served up generous and continuous side dishes of unasked for and unnecessary snarly attitude by apparently unhappy, over-their-job staff. They didn't have our called-in reservation and the host raised his voice to say it didn't matter and seated us at the door (in an empty restaurant) and the AC was cranked to the 60s. I love music but part of L.S.'s E/W fusion seems to be marrying the Asia food with loud, irritating, ugly Western music. When overly politely hand-signaling and mouthing "turn the music down a tad" we were told that the volume is fixed at that level and off she walked unconcerned. Suffering further trying to hear we again mouthed and hand-signaled about the music and was informed in a LOUD VOICE SO EVERYONE COULD HEAR in the whole restaurant that they can change the artist but not the volume. At the end the waitress came to the table placing the debit card down and announcing "card declined" to the table. When I suggested that probably isn't true and asked whether she had overridden the card reader request for a pin code, she admited that is what happened and told me I was being hostile. I was shocked. She very reluctantly led me to the card reader, i put in the code, had no problem in paying and I left the most painful full tip I've ever left. Horrible place to spend one of our last days in Los Angeles with good friends and family.

If you are a foodie, you decibels need to eat here. Reservations are a MUST! The food here is amazing and definitely worth a visit. Most of the dishes are Asian - fusion, and filled with flavorful combinations. Reservations book up fast so call ahead and do not be late. The restaurant is small and very exclusive. For travelers, you can take the Metro (Red/Purple/Blue lines) and walk a couple blocks down 7th street (5-10 min walk). There are also a few bars on 7th if you want to get a drink afterwards.

Fun place, very knowledgeable and helpful wait staff. Everything we had - pork dumplings, Shaky beef tasted incredible. Highly recommend - make a reservation and go!

We looked for a Vietnamese restaurant close to the convention center and the reviews looked very promising. We walked over on a Monday night only to find it crowded with a 2 hour wait. So we made reservations for the following night, got our table, and again found it quite full, noisy, but all seemed to be enjoying their meals. We ordered some appetizers (spring roll, imperial. rolls, and a fried crepe. The items came fairly quickly, and very enjoyable. However, we felt this slightly westernized, and slightly different than other VN restaurants we have tried. The service was excellent and friendly. The ambience was on the plain side with the walls of the restaurant illustrating the helicopter dominated war, giving a somewhat dark tone. Overall, enjoyable, nevertheless, and we recommend it for those attending a meeting at the conventions center, and less anxious to drive or ride to dinner. Make reservations!

Perhaps an off night but understaffed for the full restaurant with line out the door. Food was asian flare delicious but skip the $6 bread. Reasonably priced small plates. Great veg dishes. Across the street is restaurant Bouttega Louis, which also had a crowd. Not much else to choose from on 7th and Olive other than street fare OR the pricey restaurant at hipster hotel NoMad.

super good, nice service, "‘goi du du’ green papaya salad, viet beef jerky, peanuts, chili lime vin" was excellant. "pan fried e-fu noodle, confit shredded pork, long beans & tea egg", I asked for this to be made vegetarian and they gladly accommodated my request. "shaky shaky beef, watercress, baby tomatoes, burnt butter soy with tomato garlic fried rice" the waitress told my friends that this dish was a house specialty and they enjoyed it very much. can't wait to go back

Quaint DTLA restaurant many folks say to try. Better question is why? A hodgepodge of Vietnamese and Thai flavors/dishes that fails to achieve any distinction other than the chef must LOVE SALT! Followed the servers recommendations of Pork Belly, Lemongrass Beef and Fresh Spring Rolls with Shrimp. First two were overbearing in salt flavor and blah in its failed mix of "asian" flavors. The Spring Rolls were a dismal bland ate two bites dish. Service was good at order, and a disappearing act after. When the server finally came back to ask how the food was, it was time for the check. And when mentioned how salty the food was, I was told that is the way they cook in Asia? huh? I live in Thailand and have several business that I travel throughout SEA for and this is NOT how they cook there. Even if I was offered a free meal to return, I would decline.

The food here is amazing. There were four of us and we shared plates. They were all fabulous. The Vietnamese omelet was incredible. Service was great. A small venue and noisy. Unless you go at an off time, you will need a reservation. Not sure when an off time is.

The ideal place to dine before a laker game. Very fast services of dishes that are made up predominantly with finely cut vegetables , mint and cilantro. Try four dishes for a party of three, all served family style. Take a soup, a salad, a noodle and a main dish and you can’t go wrong. Wash all this down with a perfectly served duvel. Quick, friendly, super good.

A Small, bustling space with tables fairly close together, Little Sister was an excellent dinner choice before a Kings game. The dishes are different and creative, a wide variety of favors that really seem on paper quite unusual but blended well. Service was efficient, if disinterested- waitress very knowledgeable and friendly, but seemed a little overwhelmed. Don't skip dessert, it was delicious.

Great little place right across the street from Bottega Louis. Super creative SE Asian food interpreted in a very Los Angeles fashion. Nothing pretentious about it, just beautifully prepared, thoughtful dishes. Two in our group were vegetarian, and even though their choices were somewhat limited, they were satisfying and delicious. Somehow this place manages to make even okra taste good. If your table isn't ready go to the bar next door for a proper cocktail. Also worth noting, the portions are a little larger than the usual L.A. shared plates thing. We ended up taking home enough leftovers for the next day. Yum.

Did not know what to expect when a friend suggested going here for lunch. It was my first-ever Vietnamese lunch and turned out to be amazing. Our favorites were the Imperial Rolls (their take on spring rolls) and the shaky-shaky beef - both amazing. But pretty much everything else we tried was a total treat, too. The service was alright albeit not great.

Stopped in for lunch. We wanted to try everything all looked so good. Left feeling very satisfied with quality and quantity of food.

This is one of the places in LA that you will come back from time to time. At least for me, this is the right place where you can find the familiar smell and taste when you are strolling down the small alley in Saigon. Trendy interior, wide variety of dishes, and vibrant atmosphere are the key elements for keeping the restaurant busy all the time.

Great value, quality, good tasting food. A good place to have dinner if you are on your own seating at the bar/counter. Food came up fairly quick, good size portions.

Service was really poor. Staff was indifferent. Unlike other restaurants we went to in this trip, staff socialized for extended periods when it was clear guests could use assistance.

The lemongrass chicken sandwich and the okra curry bowl were tasty and well prepared. A bit on the pricey side, but it's expected in Downtown LA. The 3% surcharge for rising cost and minimum wage is sneaky. Why not just increase prices instead?

Made reservation for 9am on OpenTable. Called two days before to confirm opening time. Arrived at 9 as had to be somewhere at 10. They said that they wouldn't be opening until 930 that day because the kitchen wasn't ready. Although they were helpful in suggesting another restaurant, that approach to customers is unprofessional.

So I took my husband here for lunch one weekend, and I was conflicted with my visit. The food did taste amazing, but the atmosphere and attitude of the staff, which reflects the owner was disappointing. There was loud music playing throughout this very very small restaurant. I wouldn't have minded the volume so much if it wasn't for all the vulgar lyrics of each and every song playing back to back. Call me old school, but I counted at least 7 children ranging from approximately 3 to 10 years old. Sitting throughout the restaurant. I asked the sever was it normal to play such explicit vulgar songs, and she answered yes. I asked the host with all the young children here, do you think the music is appropriate, and she replied, "it's what the owner wants". I was shocked, and so glad I left the little ones at home. It was sooooo bad I couldn't wait to get out of there, because it was too much for me to keep listening to. It was like audio porn. I also watched them allow children to sit at the bar to eat. A family came in without reservations and the place was packed, but there was just enough room at the bar, so they asked to be seated there. I realize the kids were with their parents, and the food is tasty, however, it's still inappropriate. Ask me how I know..., because the place is that small. We were sitting write behind the host, and the tables are on top of each other with the acception of the ones close to the front window. So if you go here, make a reservation, ask to sit near the window, and be prepared to listen to very loud explicit vulgar music, otherwise try take out. I guess the place is so popular they don't care what patrons think, because there will be another patron waiting. I was so bothered I couldn't even write about this until now.

This is a gem of a place. Quick service, an extensive, varied menu, tasty food and a lively ambiance.

Fresh spring rolls for the win. Crowded and noisy at lunch time. Seating by the bar if needed. Glamonade is fresh and sour.

More westernized Vietnamese food than fusion, as the dishes don’t show much influence from other cuisines - they’re just pretty authentic Việt dishes with toned-down flavor for western tastes. The crab congee is delicious. Portions are large, so don’t overorder!

First time eater here. Reservation was promptly acknowledged and we were seated. Wait staff was especially knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to give suggestions while explaining that food is served family style. Décor is edgy and fun, noise level was lively but not overwhelming, tables were set far enough apart not to be a distraction. Then came the food. OMG, was it good. Portions were generous, flavors were outstanding, presentation was exquisite. We were a party of 2, limiting the number of dishes we ordered to an "Introduction" (appetizer), a Rice Paper (rolls & noodles), a Fish & Seafood, and a Meat & Poultry. EACH WAS SUPERB!. Specifically, we had pork, shrimp, and crab dumplings, pho banh cuon with beef & tendon, herbs, lettuce, pickled onion, steamed black cod with pork belly, and spicy lemongrass chicken. Each dish was incredibly flavorful, very fresh, and a delight to look at and smell before consuming. Truly enjoyable. We ended with a Vietnamese Coffee Flan and a bread pudding, both of which were truly amazing. Definitely a restaurant I will be coming back to. Hope you go too.

Our family loves Vietnamese food, so we had to get our fix when we visited Los Angeles. We came upon Little Sister and were taken by the fun bistro feel. The

Downtown LA is revitalized, and this restaurant reflects that new energy. Small and intimate, the tables are cozy. Service was helpful and accommodating. However, the real star is the food, with Asian dishes coming out of the kitchen one tasty shared plate after another. Our highlights were the black cod with crispy skin, the autumn roll, and mouth-watering fried chicken, but everything we had was delicious and unique. It can get loud in there, so be prepared for loud conversation.

We were in LA for Parents & Family weekend at my daughter’s college, and we went to this restaurant on a whim. The food was fantastic and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. We will definitely visit this place again on future trips to LA.

This place is trying too hard to be hip rather than taking care of their customers. Lots of loud rap music. The hostess was surprised that I didn't have a reservation when I arrived at 3:00 in the afternoon to a rather empty restaurant. There are usually lots of choices for vegetarians at Vietnamese and Thai restaurants. Not here. Almost everything on the menu has meat, poultry, or fish, and they are not willing to accommodate vegetarian diners. When I asked for the tofu appetizer without the chili paste and pork, they were unwilling to serve it to me like that. The okra curry was quite spicy, and seemed like the curry sauce was poured over the vegetables, rather than the vegetables stewing in it. What I mean by this is that the vegetables actually tasted quite mild but the curry was fiery. My husband's pho soup was quite ordinary; he's had tastier bowls in many other restaurants. I've not had an experience like this at a restaurant in decades. Chefs are usually very happy to adjust dishes for vegetarians. Very disappointing.

Chance upon this restaurant and the food was amazing. 😋 We ordered the crab salted cod congee was it was absolutely delicious. The wonton noodle soup was ok, but the dumpling was good. Would recommend this place if you are looking for Chinese food.

 Disappointment dinner at Little Sisters. Had a great experience before with Little Sisters in Dt.LA so decided to go for another dinner there in this affiliate. Too bad we did. We waited at the table for half an hour without anyone showing up, asking for drinks, serving some water. None. The table next to us had the same problem. After almost half an hour, finally someone came. Too bad, because I was already busy booking Asking for drinks, white wine, Albarino. A red wine came... By explaining that Albarino was really a white wine the waitress took the glass of red. And then... Nothing I had to ask for my wine again. 10 mins later. Long story short: We had a very disappointing dinner: chicken , undercooked, missed flavour. The salmon, too sweet, and overcooked. The egg plant salad was finished. The only bright spot was the okra salad, which was good. The manager, Oscar, tried to make amends by offering free drinks and a dessert for the long wait, but it was too late as we were already unsatisfied with the overall experience. While the manager's efforts were appreciated, they were not enough to save the meal. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this restaurant

I’ve been here three or four time ms and it’s always very good to great. Lots of food choices and everything is very well prepared with high quality ingredients. Love how fresh the dishes are . The service is good and very helpful!

I don't think I would have walked in this place if I hadn't read the reviews before, and oh boy, I am so glad I did. We loved the food and the interior. The staff was very helpful for people who have no clue what Vietnamese food is like. Everything we ordered tasted so good! Would definitely come back.

We were so excited about the variety of choices on the menu but unfortunately the restaurant's service spoiled our experience. The first night we went, they forgot a dish. No biggy because we ordered too much anyway. We loved the autumn rice paper dish that we ordered because it was fresh and not greasy. We also loved the black cod dish that is served in bowls because of the fabulous broth. We liked it so much we went back a second time but that time they totally forgot my son's main dish. So this was two mishaps? Also, the crispy chicken seemed too sweet. Maybe they could use less sugar.

I am a repeat customer - and with all the terrific Restraunts in LA l, that says something. There are still dishes on the menu we haven’t tried - it’s bear if you can go with a large group and eat family style so you can try lots of dishes. Love this place!

Great food and nice decor. The staff were very polite, but our meals didn't all come out together which was disappointing. I had to wait a good 10 minutes longer to get my dish. However the staff did acknowledge this and apologised for the wait. When the food did arrive it was very tasty and light, made with good fresh ingredients. Portions were large and although they suggest you share them we had one plate each with a couple of sides which was plenty. The lighting is very dark, a little too dark to see the menu, but it's makes for a Romantic dinner! I'd visit again.

The menu is most inventive and different - I must admit that the okra curry with red rice was unexpected in a very good way - flavors I am not familiar with and tastes that I will remember. The only thing is that it is a pretty noisy restaurant with a loud music background that drives people to speak even louder

You have to want an adventure in dining when you enter the Little Sister, because the menu, while it has many items instantly recognized as asian, also offers a variety of exotic dishes which require explanation-from the very helpful staff. the restaurant is very popular for people seeking an exotic fare and is always crowded.

This is the 3rd time I've visited this restaurant. The food is excellent and the service is very attentive. It's Vietnamese with a modern twist and both times I've fully enjoyed it. I eat out because of travel and I most definitely recommend this restaurant. It's not a large place so reservations are recommended but if you're alone you can often find a place at the bar seating..enjoy!

This is a nice restaurant. You should make reservations if you plan to go. Nice atmosphere, attentive staff, nice bar. It’s unlike other Vietnamese restaurants I’ve been to. It doesn’t serve pho, for one thing. I ordered an Indonesian beer (no Vietnamese beer on the menu), and the spicy lemongrass chicken and a lotus root salad. The salad was very interesting and flavorful—not bad. The chicken is what I’m not so sure about. For a positive, the flavor was nothing short of splendid. Fantastic. Delicious. The meat, however, fell short of what I expected. I received mostly the boniest and least meaty pieces of chicken I’ve ever had. I would not have chosen to eat the particular cuts of chicken had they not been served to me. I’m talking wings and bits of a thigh (I think). Very tasty, but unfulfilling and ultimately too pricey for what I received. Still, a nice place and the flavor was incredible. I have to give it 4 stars.

This was a special birthday night so I had high expectations- I was not disappointed! We ordered 4 dishes as recommended but took home a good portion. The fried chicken and beef vermicelli noodles were the highlights, bursting with tangy spice and a touch of sweet. If you get the fish perhaps ask for it to come out first or pair it with more subtle dishes as it’s a lighter flavor. The dimples are great too. I paid $145 for 5 dishes and three drinks so I was happy with the value. Oh and the service is super quick and helpful

The spring rolls and shaking beef are incredible. The servers are super helpful navigating the menu. The food feels fresh and clean. The flavors are exotic and delicious. I really enjoy this place.

This Vietnamese spot in downtown LA has some really delicious food. Really to die for. On the first evening we overdid it and had papaya salad, dumplings, snapper, beef plus dessert. Way too much food but so so good. On the second consecutive night we had three dishes and couldn’t finish those either. If you’re in downtown LA look for Little Sister and have a meal there! You won’t regret it.

Starting with the draw-backs, then singing the praises - This place is small and fills up. Be sure to get a reservation. You'll be sitting intimately close to someone, so come ready to get friendly. It's loud. It's loud because it's crowded. And it's loud because they have inappropriately bad rap music playing. Seriously, the thumping of the rap beat with the F-word blaring didn't serve to enhance my meal at all. I'm not sure to whom this was aimed, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't for the benefit of the patrons. I don't mind the din of the crowd; I do mind being bombarded with oppressively offensive "music." The good: Food. The food was really, really, really good. Great flavors and textures and temperatures. It's not wonderful to look at, but it's not ugly, either. The lemon-grass chicken is a great version of fried chicken. I suggest squeezing lime on it to get all of the flavors to pop! The beef rolls and the shaky-shaky beef are both amazing. We also ordered a noodle dish. What I thought was a small-plate (tapas-type) restaurant turned out to be more of a "share-plate" restaurant. These are decent size dishes and for just two of us, we had left-overs. Oh, we took a lemon tart thing back with us for dessert. Delicious, too! The service is okay. They do the best they can; the kitchen gets bogged down, so expect to spend between an hour and a half and two hours at your table. This was our first time here. I'd come back. I might ask them to change the music because I don't think it's conducive to a good dining experience, but I'd come back.

It’s not going to be anything authentically Vietnamese if that’s you are looking for, but it’s creatively delicious in its own way! Located right in the heart of downtown Lis Angeles, across from Bottega Louie on 7th Street, this restaurant is a must try. Interior is quite beautiful, with great open ceiling and wooden beams, your eyes will gaze scanning for more. It can be crowded during lunch and reservation is highly recommended. We enjoyed the food here, although skip the Phor and wonton soup. They taste a bit off the road. The rest was good.

Really delicious dishes in a cute bistro atmosphere. Very downtown with all sorts of people in business meetings. Professional and friendly service. But the high quality inventive dishes were the best part. Great lunch.

Being not very familiar with this cuisine, we went outside our comfort zone and blindly ate whatever our hosts ordered for the table. We sampled many different dishes -- each was flavorful and enjoyable. We especially liked the soup, the meatballs and the Vietnamese crepe. The only dish I probably wouldn't order again were the pea tendrils which were a little too spicy.

Little Sister is a great spot in downtown LA for Vietnamese fusion. It gets crowded, so make a reservation. The dishes are designed to be shared and everything was very good. In addition to the food, there is a well stocked bar. The service was friendly and the dishes came relatively quickly, even though the restaurant was packed. I will definitely be back to try more items.

I have been there a couple of times and this is one of the best places in DTLA. They have pretty good selection and they accommodate vegetarians as well.