Wolf in the Woods

If you’re looking to hit one of the hottest restaurants near Downtown, book a reservation at Wolf in the Woods. This tiny spot has tons of intimate little nooks with Southwestern touches, like dried chiles hanging from the ceiling and Indigenous-printed textiles, plus a sidewalk dining area outside that feels very European (and not like the Southwest at all).

They have a tightly edited menu of tapas and lighter dishes with a New Mexican twist, like a sweet corn soup with hatch chile and crushed pine nuts, chilled octopus with harissa, and meat and cheese boards to share. It's also got an impressive wine and cocktail list of refreshing spritzers and lesser-known varietals like Spanish verdejo. The restaurant is located a short drive from Downtown in the middle of the residential parts of Mission Hills neighborhood, which is also where you’ll find Fort Oak.