Issa Rae doesn’t just produce hit shows — she creates cultural experiences, too.
The entertainment mogul and serial entrepreneur has expanded her hospitality footprint with the recent launch of Downtown Dough, a funk-inspired pizzeria and cocktail bar in downtown Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Times reported early May 2025.
According to the publication, Downtown Dough is the latest collaboration between Rae and her partners, Yonnie Hagos and Ajay Relan, under their growing hospitality group, Good Vibes Only (GVO).
By day, the 6,000-square-foot space continues as Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen, a beloved community hub Rae helped scale across Los Angeles. By night, it transforms into Downtown Dough, which its website states is a “vibrant dining experience that is inspired by the free and forward era of the ’70s.”
As far as the menu, expect wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas with garlic oil-brushed crusts, and toppings such as truffled cream fondue, Fresno chiles, and Manila clams. Beyond pizza, Downtown Dough also offers pastas, salads, and wood-grilled entrees like steak and branzino.
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But Downtown Dough isn’t just about what’s on the plate — it’s about what’s in the air.
True to GVO’s identity, music is the heartbeat of the space. This time, the focus is on funk. Per the Los Angeles Times, expect soundtracks featuring James Brown, Sly and the Family Stone, and modern artists keeping that groove alive. The décor, playlists, and even cocktails — all curated by Steen Bojsen-Moller — pay homage to the era’s style and sonic influence.
Like other GVO projects, this venture focuses on building sustainable, inclusive spaces that reflect and uplift Black culture while reimagining what ownership looks like, as seen with the rooftop bar Lost and the progressive American dining concept Somerville, as AFROTECH™ previously reported.
The fusion of cultural storytelling, community investment, and business strategy reflects a broader shift among Black entrepreneurs, especially those leveraging creative capital into generational ventures.
