Most people consider Los Angeles a great breakfast town, but the party tends to die out when the clock strikes 10 p.m. Most restaurants book final reservations at 9 p.m. and shut their doors shortly thereafter. While this makes sense for certain neighborhoods and cuisines, it doesn’t serve Angelenos whose evenings are just getting started. Although many late-night spots still close around midnight, weekends are the time for night owls to shine, with plenty of restaurants serving until 2 a.m. or later. Here are the top late-night dining destinations to check out around Los Angeles.
Read MoreThe 15 Essential Late-Night Restaurants in Los Angeles
The best places to eat when hunger pangs strike past 11 p.m.
Casaléna
It’s no surprise that a huge coastal Mediterranean restaurant in Woodland Hills would find a big late-night following. An enormous venue with all manner of indoor and outdoor seating, Casaléna has become the place for parties and celebrations. Folks can dig into plates of seared steak and chimichurri washed down with espresso martinis until midnight.
Thunderbird Bar
With a Tex-Mex menu and plenty of cocktails, Thunderbird is one of West LA’s true late-night haunts that melds reliable neighborhood cantina with welcoming vibes. Order up some nachos, puffy tacos, and a margarita at this true local spot.
Tiny's Hi-Dive
This humble neighborhood dive bar gets jammed packed almost every night of the week for its friendly, Midwest ambiance, ample TVs, and reliable bar menu featuring a reasonably priced smash burger, Chicago-style Italian beef sandwich, and Philly cheesesteak. Unpretentious, affordable, and expansive, it’s the kind of place everyone wishes they had within walking distance from their house.
The Kettle
Since 1973, the Kettle has served one of the region’s largest menus perfect for late-night eating.
Find classic diner fare like iceberg wedge salads, chicken tenders, and meatloaf platters on the menu, and make sure to get the buttermilk onion rings. The South Bay restaurant is open 24 hours on Friday and Saturday and until midnight during the week.
Dante Beverly Hills
This posh Italian restaurant on the rooftop of the Maybourne in Beverly Hills transforms a popular New York City cocktail den into a full-service bonanza with burrata appetizers, pasta mains, and shareable wood-fired pizzas. Dante serves until midnight seven days a week, with reservations available until 11 p.m.
Casa Madera West Hollywood
The rooftop of the Mondrian is a sight to behold. Casa Madera takes full advantage of the panoramic view while serving cocktails and coastal Mexican flavors. Start with a ceviche blanco with habanero then dive into a brown butter dover sole with chile de árbol. It’s open until 11 p.m. on weekdays and midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.
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Jones
One of LA’s most iconic late-night destinations has returned after a three-month hiatus due to a car crash that took out the side of the building. Jones serves a red sauce-style Italian menu until 2 a.m. every night, with solid cocktails and punk rock vibes to boot. The spaghetti and meatballs served in a cast iron skillet are a classic, as is the griddled slice of apple pie a la mode served on a sizzling platter.
Roscoe's Chicken & Waffles
This classic chicken-and-waffle restaurant in Hollywood serves its namesake dish, plus plenty of other hearty soul food until midnight daily. While the iconic Pico Boulevard location has closed after 30 years, the Mid-City flagship on La Brea is open until midnight Sunday through Thursday and until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. The chain’s other locations in Long Beach, Anaheim, and Pasadena serve until midnight on weekends only.
Chris N Eddy’s
Starting as a pop-up and expanding to a brick-and-mortar space on Sunset near Western, Chris N Eddy’s is an ideal stop for late-night eats. The menu is simple and showcases a double or single smash burger with grilled onions, cheese, and sauce. Tater tots and waffle fries make for an ideal accompaniment.
Sun Nong Dan
The flavors only get better the later it gets at Sun Nong Dan, a perfect place for Koreatown night owls. Beware of long waits when everyone shows up at the same time to order the short ribs boiling in a fiery stone pot. Both this location and second outlet on Western Avenue are open 24/7.
Origin Korean BBQ
The former Baekjeong in Koreatown’s bustling Chapman Plaza has the spot-on environs of a post-war-era Seoul barbecue den. Origin Korean BBQ is the neighborhood’s most exciting new Korean barbecue restaurant due to its carefully curated banchan set, stellar quality meat, and excellent service. The room gets boisterous and fun, staying open until 12 a.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends.
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The Prince
Open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m., this Koreatown bar is known as a backdrop for iconic TV shows like Mad Men, but is equally famous for its classic cocktails, red-hued room, and Korean fried chicken.
Dan Sung Sa
This North Korean-style dive bar has the exact ambiance one would expect at a low-key place in Pyongyang — and that's a good thing. The menu is far better than standard pub fare with skewers, wings, savory pancakes, and plenty of other drinking grub. Order a crisp Korean lager or an ice-cold bottle of soju until 2 a.m. every night of the week.
Cole's French Dip
This 107-year-old Downtown icon is more of a noirish cocktail bar than a full-on restaurant. Cole’s kitchen is open until 2 a.m. daily serving pork, roast beef, turkey, braised lamb, and pastrami dip sandwiches that rival Philippe’s, as well as pie by the slice.
JJ Hong Kong Cafe
What’s more classic than an all-day Hong Kong-style cafe in the SGV? JJ Hong Kong Cafe is one of the more popular spots that starts with tea and breakfast at 7 a.m. and continues until midnight and 1 a.m. on weekends. Try the big pork chop, beef chow fun, and fried rice after virtually everything else in the SGV has shut down.