There’s a new pizzeria in town—and it’s serving flavor, nostalgia, and full-on cultural energy.

Issa Rae is expanding her creative empire once again, this time blending food, music, and Black cultural excellence into a single nighttime experience. The actress, producer, and entrepreneur has teamed up with longtime business partners Ajay Relan and Yonnie Hagos to launch Downtown Dough, a funk-inspired pizzeria that transforms their Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen location into a late-night hotspot where the pizza is sizzling, the spritzes are smooth, and the vibes are unmistakably electric (The Los Angeles Times).

“The daytime is really for the drip, and the nighttime is for the dough,” co-owner Relan explained, perfectly capturing the space’s dual personality.

By morning and afternoon, the location at 718 S. Hill Street is a signature Hilltop café—a hub for creatives, commuters, and coffee lovers. But as the sun sets, everything flips. The lights dim, the funk turns up, and the café becomes a retro-modern dining destination glowing with 1970s soul and style. Leopard-spotted wood-fired crusts, colorful walls, and a soundtrack steeped in groove transform the room into something straight out of a vinyl lover’s dream.

Rae, Relan, and Hagos have already carved out a distinct culinary-culture lane in Los Angeles with their Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen locations, the Lost rooftop bar, and the stylish Somerville jazz club and restaurant. Each venture centers community, creativity, and Black cultural excellence—and Downtown Dough continues that mission with even more flavor and flair.

To bring the food to life, the trio tapped Chef Geter Atienza, known for his acclaimed work at Broken Spanish and Bouchon Bistro. Atienza builds each pizza with intention, brushing the crust with garlic oil and dusting it with Parmesan before layering on bold toppings: pepperoni with local honey and Fresno chiles, truffled fondue, farmers market cauliflower, or even Manila clams with smoky bacon. Almond wood from Northern California fuels both the grill and pizza oven, infusing everything—from Black Angus steak to branzino—with an aromatic, unmistakable smokiness.

The menu is rounded out with pastas, salads, crispy calamari, and tender Black Angus meatballs, giving diners a full spectrum of flavors to pair with the funk-filled atmosphere.

But Downtown Dough isn’t just about eating—it’s about feeling.

“All of GVO’s venues have a very music-first vibe curation, but funk is the genre we’ve always enjoyed the most,” Relan shared. “It was always the most fun, and we’re marrying our love for pizza with the free and forward energy of the ’70s.”

Expect a full soundtrack of James Brown, Bootsy Collins, the Womacks, and Sly and the Family Stone pumping through the space, while vibrant artwork and bold interior design channel the creativity and rebellion of the funk era. Even the drink menu leans into the theme: bar director Steen Bojsen Moller created a lineup of spritzes inspired by legendary musicians and movements, adding narrative and nostalgia to every sip.

Downtown Dough’s journey began as a 2023 pop-up, but community enthusiasm made it clear the concept deserved a permanent home. Today, with nearly 200 seats and a dedicated private dining section, it’s poised to become a new downtown L.A. staple—a place where you can start your day with Hilltop coffee, ease into the evening with wood-fired pizza and funk, and end the night with tacos and cocktails on the nearby Lost rooftop.

With this newest venture, Issa Rae and her partners continue to expand what it means to build spaces rooted in culture, culinary artistry, and community connection—making downtown Los Angeles just a bit more soulful, one slice at a time.

Downtown Dough is currently open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. at 718 South Hill Street in Los Angeles, California.