Issa Rae opens new pizzeria in Downtown LA expanding her business portfolio and legacy of Black ownership

Multi-hyphenate star Issa Rae is continuing to make her mark on LA’s food and hospitality scene with the launch of a brand-new pizzeria and bar, Downtown Dough, opening this spring in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles.

Located at 718 South Hill Street, Downtown Dough is the latest venture from Rae in collaboration with GVO Hospitality, the group led by Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan. The trio has previously teamed up on projects including Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen and Somerville, a soul food-inspired jazz club in View Park-Windsor Hills. This newest addition brings a playful, elevated spin to classic comfort food, with a focus on wood-fired pizzas and shareable dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients.

Occupying the same historic early-20th-century building as Hilltop and rooftop bar Lost, Downtown Dough will serve as a dual-purpose venue. After 6 p.m., the café space will transform into a lively 179-seat restaurant and bar, including a private dining room for 22 guests. A retro 1970s-inspired playlist will underscore the vibe, blending nostalgia with modern flair.

Culinary director Geter Atienza, known for his inventive approach to comfort cuisine, will lead the kitchen. His menu will feature Neapolitan-style pizzas made in a wood-fire oven, alongside dishes like cheesy garlic bread on toasted focaccia, Old Bay-dusted calamari, and a standout banana pudding tiramisu. Grilled offerings include whole branzino, organic chicken, and a 14-ounce bone-in New York strip steak served with roasted cherry tomato salsa and garlic confit.

Pasta dishes will spotlight ingredients from local purveyors, including Inglewood’s Florentyna’s Fresh Pasta Factory, with highlights like spicy lobster bucatini and the cheekily named “Shrimpin’ Ain’t Easy” fettuccine. The dessert lineup includes chocolate chip cannoli, sorbet, gelato, and affogato.

Rae’s continued investment in Black-owned businesses and revitalising cultural spaces across Los Angeles signals her commitment to community-focused entrepreneurship.