Former Arts District modern Mexican destination LA Cha Cha Chá has flipped into Cineopera, a new all-day restaurant and cocktail bar centered around a 170-inch LED movie screen. The restaurant comes from Muy Salsa Hospitality, which previously operated
LA Cha Cha Chá and remains behind mariscos restaurant Loreto, its daytime counterpart Za Za Za, and Eater Award–winning bakery Santa Canela. LA Cha Cha Chá closed in late 2025, with owner Alejandro Marín attributing the decision to the compounding effects of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, subsequent protests, the deployment of the National Guard and U.S. Marines, and mayor Karen Bass’s curfew in the immediate area.
Cineopera’s menu comes from Muy Salsa’s executive chef Francisco “Paco” Moran and executive pastry chef Ellen Ramos. In the morning, the restaurant serves coffee and pastries from Santa Canela; in the afternoon and evening, the restaurant offers an Italian-Latin lineup of dishes. Its menu opens with two sandwiches on crispy schiacciata: Maradona’s schiacciata with steak, chorizo, and chimichurri, and a Milanesa schiacciata with a breaded beef cutlet, San Marzano tomatoes, and mozzarella. Moran also serves pasta, including bucatini alle vongole and tagliatelle al ragù, alongside panzanella and Caesar salad. Smaller, shareable dishes span empanadas, fritto misto, stewed octopus in tomato sauce, and spicy cherry peppers stuffed with prosciutto and provolone.
To drink, find cocktails such as an Aperol spritz and a Negroni, plus wine by the glass and beers including Peroni and Moretti. Cineopera also operates a bottle shop; wine bottles can be taken to go or had on site for a $10 corkage. In the future, the restaurant hopes to offer a market with dried pasta, salsas, and snacks.
Architect Lena Kohl, who led the design of LA Cha Cha Chá, updated the space for its transformation into Cineopera. The outdoor space that once housed a dining room is now home to low loungers and deep-blue banquette seating. The rooftop retains its lush garden feel with verdant planters surrounding the space. At the center, the LED movie screen will show movies such as Big Night and The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou; no tickets or reservations are required to watch.
Cineopera is located at 812 E. Third Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013, and is open from Wednesday to Sunday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
