Where to Eat at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

The summer vacation season is just around the corner. Many people will be killing time at the airport waiting for flights to take off, or perhaps, trying to survive unexpected delays. Thanks to recent efforts by LAX to improve the food and dining options, a slew of great concepts are signed up to serve at both the domestic and Tom Bradley International Terminal. Coming soon are places like Luckyfish by Sushi Roku, 800 Degrees, The Larder, Short Cake 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.

[Photo: LAX]

LAX's Four Standouts

1) Nate 'n Al: Nate 'n Al, the Beverly Hills deli institution pushing 65 years, does a shortened menu of Nate 'n Al standbys, like corned beef and pastrami sandwiches. [Terminal 2, Departures Level Food Court]
2) Wolfgang Puck Express: Wolfgang Puck's newest entrant at Terminal 7 is expansive, comfortable, and reliably tasty. The spaghetti is always good, as well as the soups and salads. The roast chicken is also worth getting for something with more heft.

3) Lemonade: Quickly expanding across SoCal, Lemonade opened early last year inside Delta's Terminal 5. This pared down version of the quick-casual gourmet salad spot offers sandwiches, soups and breakfast. The cinnamon french toast bread pudding is far better than a Starbucks cinnamon roll. [Terminal 5, Departures Level Food Court]

4) B Grill by BOA Steakhouse: This scaled down version of the popular West Hollywood steakhouse serves up burgers, chop salads, and steaks. [Terminal 7, Departures Level]

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 (including local brew Golden Road), 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

· Burger King: typical fast food (by Gate 44).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (by Gate 44).
· Homeboy Cafe: Latin-influenced sandwiches, wraps, baked goods,

Fast Casual/Bars

· Sammy's Woodfired Pizza: pizza, salads, beer, soups

Terminal 5

A Quick Meal

· 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

· Lemonade: quick-casual salads, sandwiches, breakfast and more* (by Gate 52B).
· Skewers by Morimoto: a modern yakitori stand (by Gate 54A).

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).
· Starbucks: coffee, baked goods, snacks (Departures Level Food Court).
· Klatch Coffee: Coffee, tea, pastries

Fast Casual/Bars

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).
· Marmalade Cafe: healthy salads, sandwiches, pastries, soups, entrees
· 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).

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

· Atlanta: Hartsfield-Jackson Airport (ATL)
· Austin: Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
· Baltimore: Baltimore Washington International Airport (BWI)
· Boston: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
· Chicago: Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
· Chicago: O'Hare International Airport (ORD)
· Dallas: Dallas/Fort Worth Airport (DFW)
· Denver: Denver International Airport (DEN)
· Houston: William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
· Houston: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
· Las Vegas: McCarran International Airport (LAS)
· Louisville: Louisville International Airport (SDF)
· Maine: Portland International Jetport (PWM)
· Miami: Miami International Airport (MIA)
· Minneapolis: Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport (MSP)
· New Jersey: Newark Liberty Airport (EWR)
· New York: John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK)
· New York: LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
· Philadelphia: Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
· Portland: Portland International Airport (PDX)
· San Diego: San Diego International Airport (SAN)
· San Francisco: San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
· Washington, DC:Reagan National Airport (DCA)
· Washington, DC: Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)