Here’s What to Come for at Camphor Los Angeles

Camphor Los Angeles is a delicious little French restaurant in the Arts District of Downtown L.A. While at first you might be blinded by the Michelin stars that have decked their walls since the restaurant’s inception in 2022, this is not a place that prides itself on exclusivity and fancy-tasting menus. See what you can expect during a night out when you keep it casual at Camphor – or pull out all the stops. Plus, see which one EatDrinkLA prefers.

Who is Camphor

Camphor Los Angeles is led by Executive Chefs Max Boonthanakit and Lijo George, who combine their expertise in French cooking techniques honed in the kitchens of Alain Ducasse with a flavor of India. The restaurant is owned by Cyrus Batchan of No8. Hospitality, who was also responsible for the popular restaurant Nightshade by Chef Mei Lin, which previously occupied the space. You might also know him from the bar Lock & Key in Koreatown, famous for having a wall of locks to decipher before entering the drinking den. Mr. Banchan is also the first and only African American Restaurateur in California to win a Michelin star.

The restaurant’s decor retains the feel of the lofty warehouse spaces popular in the Arts District, while the silver tea settings for water remind you that your evening is elevated to a certain degree.

The Menu at Camphor Los Angeles

The menu is divided into Snacks, Starters, Main, Specialties, and Desserts. The Specialties are similar to the items offered as Main courses – except they have limited availability. During my visit, there were items like Dover Sole, Beef Bourguignon, and a Ribeye. The menu doesn’t reveal much about what makes these dishes so unique, though, which is left up to the Camphor staff instead. Enjoying five to six dishes between two guests is suggested, but it’s entirely up to you.

On the back of the menu, you’ll find Wines by the Glass, Cocktails, Beer & Wine, and a large selection of Mocktails, which are named after popular French cities as well as a state in Northern India. These are based in herbal teas and use a variety of fruits and delicious textures to uplevel the beverage. The Cocktails are named after different regions of Paris except for Maxime’s Negroni – named after one of the repeat customers of Camphor in the early days. Visit enough, and you might get a cocktail named for you, too :).

What to Order if You’re Keeping it Casual at Camphor

Imagine you’re stopping in for a bite after work with a colleague and forgot to make a reservation. Well, you might just find yourself seated at the bar – which is like getting orchestra seats to the show. You can watch the kitchen and observe the expert mixologists in their arena. For this kind of meal, I would focus on Snacks, Starters, and Salads & Sides.

Any meal at Camphor begins with an Amuse Bouche and Complimentary Bubbles. These bites are a light foam encased inside a lentil pastry shell – a blend of France and India.

An order of Bread comes either as half a French Baguette or Sourdough from Bubb & Grandma’s Bakery in Glassell Park. It comes with Epoisses butter and honey – which the chef recommends you try alone and then pair together. The butter has an Eau de Fromage, which I enjoyed, but it definitely brings some funk to the party.

Next, you might also enjoy a Beef Tartare with herb tempura or a sweet Onion Tartine with comte and gruyere cheese on top. The Tartare is served with a side of lightly- battered basil leaves to use as the base for scooping up your beef.

The Silver Anchovy snacks are miniature anchovies topped with a “gunpowder” mix of spices. It’s reminiscent of a watering hole in the streets of India. This might encourage you to drink more, in which case you might need an extra Trocadero gin cocktail or a Provence martini washed with French olive oil and served with a sidecar and “accouterments.”

A side of Pommes Frites with your choice of sauce is also probably a great idea here, or you may be enticed to enjoy Le Burger, which, of course, is paired with those Pommes.

What to Order if you’re up for Pure Decadence

If the mood is date night done right, then the suggested menu above is just the jumping-off point. The Specialties on the menu are larger dishes that are perfect for sharing. I highly recommend the 12-oz Ribeye served with a sublime lime butter. There’s also Steak au Poivre in the Main section, which is offered at a lower price point than the Ribeye. Currently, the Beef Bourguignon is a fan favorite. It’s served with a side of Persian Gnocchi.

If you enjoy fish, the Scallop is served inside demi lune pasta shapes, and then there’s the Dover Sole Specialty Dish, of which this American can’t help but think of Chef Julia Child’s first meal in France.

Since you’ve already enjoyed your cocktails, this might be the perfect time to consider a glass of Wine or perhaps enjoy a Premiere or Reserve Wine Pairing that accompanies the entire meal.

Finish it all with Dessert, including choices like a Chocolate Fondant with cocoa nibs or the Iced Kiwi dish they are Instagram-famous for.

What EatDrinkLA comes for at Camphor

I had the pleasure of experiencing a good amount of the menu, and what I’ll go back for is a combination of casual and decadence. A few Snacks and Starters, and maybe one less Specialty dish. I also can’t wait to enjoy a few different Cocktails.

Everything at Camphor is done with care, from the Custom Knives to the to the Madeleine finish at the end. And while all in all, it’s thematically French, it could not be found anywhere but Los Angeles.

When to Visit Camphor Los Angeles

Camphor is located at 923 E 3rd St #109, Los Angeles, CA 90013. There is valet parking in front, or you can get there early and seek out street parking or one of the surrounding lots.

The restaurant is open for dinner from 5 p.m. onwards every night except Tuesday and Wednesday. Reservations can be made on Resy. Learn more about Camphor Los Angeles on their website.