Restaurants near LAX offer infinitely better food than anything you’ll find in any of the terminals. So, step out of LAX Airport and dig into a delectable variety of cuisines, from burgers to Thai, to Mexican or Italian. So, the next time you need to pick up something before a flight or get a meal as soon as you clear baggage, check our list of the best restaurants near LAX Airport.
Why would you want to eat near LAX? To start with, dropping off friends at LAX or picking them up is enough pain that warrants a nice hot meal. Or you might be flying out of LAX but have a few hours to kill and don’t want to eat airport food. You could also find yourself on a long layover at LAX wanting to step outside the airport for a bit. Luckily, with Inglewood, El Segundo, Westchester, and Manhattan Beach nearby, there are plenty of options for a decent meal near LAX Airport. Here’s where you’ll find the best food, within a reasonable distance by taxi or rental car from LAX.
Hot Tip: Don’t take a risk with parking hassles at LAX Airport. Make sure you book your LAX parking spot ahead.
In-N-Out Burger
9149 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Westchester
First off, let’s address the Double Double Animal Style elephant in the room. A quick stop at In-N-Out Burger is a rite of passage for LAX travelers. It’s not Michelin-starred food, but it’s very delicious and uniquely Californian. Burgers, fries, shakes, and sodas are all that are available, but they pack a powerful punch. Order a traditional Southern California treat. By that we mean, a double double, animal-style fries with melted American cheese, fried onions, and In-N-special Out’s spread. Drown it all with a yummy chocolate milkshake.
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You can have a burger with two, three, or four patties, a burger wrapped in lettuce. Or go for an “animal style” burger with a mustard-cooked beef patty, lettuce, tomato, pickle, grilled onions, and extra spread. How? Just order off their secret menu. The best part? Watching bewildered tourists order regular cheeseburgers and wondering at the fuss!
Also read: What to eat at LAX: The Hungry Travelers Guide to Food at LAX
Cinco
7241 W Manchester
If you’re looking for a place to get a drink and some quick tacos before taking off from LAX, your best chance is Cinco. It’s a highly underrated Oaxacan restaurant/bar in Westchester. The casual atmosphere is spacious and contemporary. They serve excellent mezcal cocktails and artisan beers. Don’t leave without trying the al carbon tacos with New York strip steak.
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Another must-have is memelas, which are thick corn tortillas stuffed with black bean puree, queso fresco, and your choice of meat. Their chicken mole, ceviche, and tinga taquitos are to die for!
Alejo’s
8343 Lincoln Blvd., Westchester
Known for his famous chopped salad at La Scala in Beverly Hills, Alejo Castro later built his own restaurant in Westchester, close to LAX Airport. The acidic, canary-yellow dressing on Alejo’s Salad is still available here. It’s made of mozzarella, lettuce, garbanzo beans, salami, tomato, turkey, bacon, and red cabbage.
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Another favorite is the Italian-American classic, chicken piccata with white wine, lemon, and garlic. There’s also delicious spaghetti and meatballs. Add in the complimentary bread drenched in garlicky olive oil, and you’ll be reeking the pungent herb for at least a few days. That may not make you super popular with your fellow passengers, but it sure does make for a tasty snack.
Also read: 10 Best Hotels Near LAX Airport: Where to Stay Near LAX
The Slice & Pint
130 W Grand Ave, El Segundo
Relaxing with a pizza from El Segundo’s Slice & Pint and one of their many locally crafted beers is the perfect way to prepare for a long flight. El Segundo Brewing Company operates this popular restaurant/bar. This place is also popular with locals and travelers alike.
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They offer a variety of pizzas, salads, and appetizers, as well as an exceptional craft beer selection. Their beer is brewed just up the block at their brewery headquarters. You can buy a couple of slices of pizza if you want to try a few different options. But if you want to stick to just one, we recommend the Belle Isle with roasted garlic, arugula, and mushrooms. Or else you can try the Benny with meatballs and pickled peppers.
Coni’ Seafood
3544 W Imperial Hwy, Inglewood
You’ll find some of the best Mexican seafood in Los Angeles at Coni’ Seafood. The Pescado zarandeado at Coni’ seafood is close to a divine experience. It’s a butterflied, char-grilled snook slathered with soy sauce, mayo, and spices. It makes wonderful tacos when served with caramelized onions, corn tortillas, and house-made salsa.
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Raw seafood recipes such as aguachile, which bathes shrimp in lemon juice, lime juice, and jalapeno salsa, are also popular. The crustaceans rest cozily in a fiery pool of garlic, red pepper, and lemon juice at Langostinos. The terrace at this Mexican seafood restaurant is sunny and relaxed. It’s perfect for eating shrimp in a thousand different ways and soaking it down with beer. After tucking in at this seafood restaurant, you can be on your way to LAX Airport in no time at all.
The Serving Spoon
1403 Centinela Ave, Inglewood
So, you’ve just landed at LAX after a super long red-eye flight, and you’re exhausted. Don’t think twice. Get a Lyft or Uber to take you to The Serving Spoon restaurant right away. This Inglewood restaurant delivers the best breakfast near LAX. You’ll get to dig into the kind of hearty breakfasts your body needs to withstand terrible jet lag. It opens early, every day of the week. Waffles and chicken drumsticks are crowd favorites. But tbh, anything from the all-day breakfast menu is a safe bet.
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Take your time and enjoy some traditional Southern fare like fried chicken, fried okra, and cornbread. Be warned – there’ll be lines out the door any day of the week. Even so, the wait is worth it for the amazing fried catfish, chicken drumettes, and the finest pancakes in town!
Also read: Can You Walk Off LAX? What You Need to Know
Ayara Thai Cuisine
6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles
Ayara Thai is a Westchester County institution. It is well-known for its extensive menu and traditional Thai specialties such as pad see ew. This restaurant is the perfect location to unwind before a flight out of LAX. This unpretentious eatery serves up traditional Thai fare with its signature sweet-sour-salty-creamy-spicy flavors.
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Order the thick coconut soup tom kha or refreshing cold shrimp spring rolls. The rolls, wrapped in rice paper, are served with Ayara’s signature peanut sauce. Both the sweet and savory pad Thai and the spicy crab fried rice are bursting at the seams with egg and chicken. Curry noodle soup is another failsafe to order here. Also, try the Ka-Pow Belly -thick strips of crispy pig belly stir-fried with spicy chili basil and greens. The Sweet Creamy Red Curry Cu chee Salmon with Steamed Broccoli are all delicious northern Thai specialties.
Taj India Palace
8320 Lincoln Boulevard, Westchester
The Taj India Palace is a busy place during noon, whether customers are there to dine in or get their food to go. Make sure you order plenty of garlic naan, because you will want seconds. The same holds true for their whole chicken cooked in the tandoor with the bones still on.
The Taj India Palace is in Westchester. So if the goal is to eat at an Indian restaurant close to LAX, you won’t find a more suitable spot than this one. The Taj’s more traditional dishes, such as tikka masala and sag paneer, are delicious. But the restaurant’s menu is so extensive that we advocate venturing outside of your comfort zone. Don’t miss this one if you’re looking to load up on some spicy food to get you through your travels!
Also read: The Ultimate Guide to the Best Beaches near LAX
Caravan Swim Club
8639 Lincoln Blvd
The outside area around the pool at Caravan Swim Club serves everything from oysters and crudo to Baja-inspired cuisine. This restaurant near LAX Airport pays respect to the California coastline, from northern Mexico to the Santa Barbara seashore. Ceviche, uni tostadas, oysters, and a carne asada torta are what you’ll get instead of milder continental fare.
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Try the squash blossom quesadilla and cauliflower nachos while you’re here. Vegans need not be concerned; there are numerous solutions available to them. After a long flight, head directly to the Caravan Swim Club for some laidback lounging with cabana beverages.
The Original Rinaldi’s Deli and Café
6171 W Century Blvd #168
The Fat Boy, with meatballs, pepperoni, sausage, and mozzarella, might be one of LA’s best sandwiches outright. This fulfilling feast of a sandwich is yours for the taking at Rinaldi’s restaurant just outside LAX airport.
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While their sandwiches are sure to sate your hunger, that’s not all they offer. There are plenty of salads and grilled chicken dishes if you don’t want to overeat. Pescatarians and vegetarians will also find enough offerings on the menu for them. Meatballs, and pastrami, are also available. Finish up your meal with a fresh smoothie or some delicious cold coffee. They also offer a Little Friends Meal for, well, the little ones who might be traveling with you.
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