Where to Eat at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

In anticipation for a busy travel season this summer, we're rerunning our handy dandy dining guide for the terminals of LAX. Angelenos are still waiting for that dining overhaul which will add local concepts like Ford's Filling Station, B Grill by BOA Steakhouse, Campanile, Cole's, and more, but until then here's a list of what is on offer now with info about eateries in each terminal, and recommendations for where to go if you have some time to kill, or if you just need a quick bite before your flight.

[Photo: LAX]

LAX's Two Standouts

1) Nate 'n Al: Nate 'n Al, the Beverly Hills deli institution pushing 65 years, just opened this super new location on December 16. Think a shortened menu of Nate 'n Al standbys. [Terminal 2, Departures Level Food Court]

2) Pink's: The famed Pink's on La Brea launched this first airport counter nearly a year ago with much fanfare. While it only occupies a small stand and serves an abbreviated menu, many favorites are on offer, thus Pink's is one of the better dining options around. Especially for grab and go. Best part, no lines. [Tom Bradley International Terminal, Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor]

Bolding and * denotes Eater's seal of approval

Terminal 1

A Quick Meal

· California Pizza Kitchen ASAP: pizza (Departures Level Food Court).
· Camacho’s Cafe: expected Mexican (by Gate 7).
· La Brea Bakery: sandwiches, salads, panini (Departures Level Food Court).
· McDonald’s: typical fast food (by Gate 4B).
· Pinkberry: the usual froyo (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (by Gate 9).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Backlot Deli: sandwiches, panini (by Gate 4B).
· Gordon Biersch Brewery: bar food, beer, booze (Departures Level Food Court).
· Home Turf Bar Sports Bar: hot dogs, burgers, beer, booze (by Gate 9).

Terminal 2

A Quick Meal

· Burger King: typical fast food (Departures Level Food Court).
· La Brea Bakery: sandwiches, salads, panini (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Arrivals Level).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Nate 'n Al: The famed Beverly Hills deli branches out with this new airport outpost. Come by for the usual sandwiches, soups, salads* (Departures Level Food Court).
· Wolfgang Puck Express: sandwiches, pizzas, salads, soups (by Gate 23A).

Terminal 3

A Quick Meal

· Burger King: typical fast food (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).

A Leisurely Meal

· Gladstone’s 4 Fish: The airport version of Gladstones in the Pacific Palisades, this outpost serves seafood-centric mainstays like Fish Tacos, Fish n Chips, Crab Cakes, Lobster Roll, Grilled Swordfish. There are also some salads and a few burgers (between Gate 34 and Gate 35).

Terminal 4

A Quick Meal

· Brioche Doree: sandwiches, baked goods (across from Gate 41).
· Burger King: typical fast food (by Gate 44).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (across from Gate 43).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (by Gate 44).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Chili’s Too: sandwiches, burgers, salads, fajitas, ribs, booze (by Gate 42B).
· On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina: more Mexican, this one also serves margaritas (by Gate 42A).

Terminal 5

A Quick Meal

· California Pizza Kitchen ASAP: pizza (across from Gate 52B).
· Creative Croissants: croissants, sandwiches, wraps (by Gate 50B).
· Euro Coffee and Haagen Dazs: generic coffee, ice cream, shakes, sandwiches, baked goods (by Gate 55A).
· McDonald’s: typical fast food (between Gate 53B and Gate 55A).

Fast Casual/Bars

· El Cholo Cantina: traditional Mexican, margaritas, probably your best bet in this terminal* (by Gate 54A).
· Malibu Al’s Beach Bar: CPK pizzas, beer, booze (by Gate 53B).

Terminal 6

A Quick Meal

· Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: coffee, blended coffee drinks, baked goods (by Gate 65).
· Jody Maroni’s Sausage Kingdom: sausages, sandwiches, fries (Departures Level Food Court).
· Monet’s California Deli: coffee, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, salads, quesadillas (by Gate 64).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Home Turf Bar Sports Bar: hot dogs, burgers, beer, booze (by Gate 67A).
· Redondo Beach Brewing Co.: marginally better (more craft-y) beer options, wine, booze (Departures Level Food Court).
· Ruby’s Dinette: diner food (by Gate 67A).

Terminal 7

A Quick Meal

· Baja Fresh Express: quick serve Mexican (Departures Level Food Court).
· La Brea Bakery: sandwiches, salads, panini (Departures Level Food Court).
· McDonald’s: typical fast food (by Gate 73).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Karl Strauss Brewing Company: A downscaled spinoff of the San Diego original, this branch serves pub food inclusive of sandwiches and pizzas, booze, and namesake local craft brews (by Gate 72).
· Wolfgang Puck Express: sandwiches, pizzas, salads, soups (between Gate 71B and Gate 73).

Terminal 8

A Quick Meal

· California Pizza Kitchen ASAP: pizza (across from Gate 81).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (across from Gate 86).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Gordon Biersch Brewery: bar food, beer, booze (across from Gate 87).
· Karl Strauss Brewing Company: A downscaled spinoff of the San Diego original, this branch serves pub food inclusive of sandwiches and pizzas, booze, and namesake local craft brews (Departures Level Food Court).
· L.A. Roadhouse Route 66: standard diner food (across from Gate 83).

Tom Bradley International Terminal

A Quick Meal

· Camacho’s Cafe: expected Mexican (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Euro Coffee and Haagen Dazs: generic coffee, ice cream, shakes, sandwiches, baked goods (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Hamada Orient Express: ramen, udon, pre-packaged sushi (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· McDonald’s: typical fast food (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Sushi Boy: various Japanese bowls, sushi (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Pink’s Hot Dogs: the LA hot dog institution, smaller menu than the La Brea original* (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).

Fast Casual/Bars

· Daily Grill Bar: Daily Grill's full bar (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Marina Bar: full bar (by Gate 105).
· Sam Adams Bar: another typical bar (by Gate 121).

A Leisurely Meal

· Daily Grill: Part of the SoCal chain, this here location offers the expected classic American menu (b,l,d) and is apparently the largest full-service airport restaurant in the United States (there's even a private dining room). One of the top two options for a real meal (Departures Level Food Court, Second Floor).
· Daniel’s Bistro: Your other best option for b, l, or dinner, Daniel's Bistro serves California cuisine including salads, pizza, sandwiches, quiche, small plates, soup, panini, crepes, specialty cocktails, and organic coffee (Arrivals Level).

Other

A Leisurely Meal

· Encounter Restaurant: California cuisine prepared by chef Michel Audeon. Think lunch and dinner selections like Ahi Tuna Tartare and Peking Style Roasted Duckling, this is definitely the most fine dining option at LAX (freestanding restaurant across from Terminal 2).

·All Airport Dining Coverage on Eater LA [~ELA~]

More Eater Airport Dining Guides

1) New York City: John F. Kennedy (JFK) | LaGuardia (LGA) | Newark (EWR)
2) Los Angeles: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
3) San Francisco: SF International (SFO) | Oakland International (OAK)
4) Washington, DC: Washington Dulles (IAD) | Reagan National (DCA) | Baltimore Washington International (BWI)
5) Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
6) Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL)
7) Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA)
8) New Orleans: Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
9) Chicago: O'Hare International Airport (ORD) | Chicago Midway (MDW)
10) Houston: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) | William P. Hobby (HOU)
11) Austin: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
12) Dallas: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
13) Denver: Denver International Airport (DIA)
14) Portland, OR: Portland International Airport (PDX)
15) Seattle, WA: Seattle-Tacoma Airport (SEA)
16) Minnesota: Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (MSP)
17) Barcelona: Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN)