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Dropping off drinks at the Wood
Wonho Frank Lee

15 Solid Places to Eat Around Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Everything to eat before or after you fly out of LA's big airport

by Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new
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Dropping off drinks at the Wood
| Wonho Frank Lee
by Eater Staff Updated
2 comments / new

Dropping off friends at Los Angeles International Airport or picking them up is always a chore — enough so that usually passengers departing from or arriving to the giant NASCAR track from hell this city so generously calls airport parking might feel obligated to reward their drivers with a meal. Or there are times when you need to fly out of LAX but have a few hours to kill and don’t want to settle with whatever’s inside the terminal. Here's a list of restaurants to try in the immediate vicinity of the LAX area, from casual Pakistani market eats to an all-day hangout making some of the area’s best barbecue, sorted geographically.

Add: Dulan’s, Slice & Pint, the Wood, Zam Zam Market

Remove: Del Rey Deli Co., Three Weavers, Roscoe’s, Woody’s

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Taj India Palace

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Whether it's for take-out or dine-in, Taj India Palace is bustling at lunchtime. Double up on the garlic naan or whole, bone-in chicken tandoor gleaming that familiar shade of red.

8320 Lincoln Boulevard, Westchester, CA 90045
(310) 337-1423
(310) 337-1423
Taj India Palace Taj India Palace website

Caravan Swim Club

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Caravan Swim Club has a lovely outdoor area around the pool serving everything from oysters and crudo to Baja-inspired dishes. Try the squash blossom quesadilla and cauliflower nachos.

8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-0400
(310) 645-0400

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The Slice & Pint

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El Segundo’s mellow Slice & Pint offers some of the city’s best (and perhaps most surprising) pizza, alongside a slew of locally-made brews that offer a citrus-y IPA pop before a long flight.

130 W Grand Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 648-8479
(310) 648-8479
The Slice and Pint
Pouring at the Slice and Pint
Mark Knight

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Jame Enoteca

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El Segundo’s Jame Enoteca sits on a corner strip mall, and only three miles away from LAX. Hop over for the handmade pastas like the arugula pappardelle, and the creamy scarpinocc stuffed with braised beef cheek, brown butter, sage, and 12-year-old balsamic vinegar.

241 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 648-8554
(310) 648-8554
Lasagna from Jame Enoteca on a table.
Lasagna from Jame Enoteca.
Farley Elliott

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In-N-Out Burger

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Whether it's the first stop after a long flight or the last stop before a spell away from home, tooting the horn of arguably In-N-Out's most visited location hardly seems necessary. But getting the most iconic burger in Los Angeles is always a good decision, especially in double-double form.

9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
In n Out Burger Crystal Coser

Ayara Thai Cuisine

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Ayara Thai is a staple of the greater Westchester area. Known for its broad menu and staple Thai dishes like pad see ew, this is the place to really spend some leisurely time before a flight, or while waiting out traffic.

6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 410-8848
(310) 410-8848
Ayara Thai’s pad thai.
Ayara Thai’s pad thai.
Wonho Frank Lee

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The Coffee Company

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Hawaiian bread french toast and spicy chicken sausages are the most raved-about items at this LAX-area institution, but don't skip the breakfast skillets and Louisiana-style fish and eggs breakfast.

8751 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-7315
(310) 645-7315

The Original Rinaldi's Deli and Cafe

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The Fat Boy might be one of LA’s best sandwiches outright, with meatballs, pepperoni, sausage, and mozzarella, which would make for a gut-busting meal just outside the airport. The menu does have plenty of options for grab-and-go fare, from salads to classic Italian subs.

6171 W Century Blvd #168, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(424) 351-8799
(424) 351-8799

Aliki's Greek Taverna

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With the blue checkered tablecloths and kitschy décor, Aliki’s Greek Taverna has all the makings of a great neighborhood Greek eatery. Are there gyros, lemon potatoes, and tasty baklava? Of course there are. 

5862 Arbor Vitae St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-9555
(310) 645-9555

Birrieria Gomez

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Looking for the ever-popular birria de res nearby LAX? Birrieria Gomez parks a truck not too far from the airport, where diners can load up on the tender, saucy tacos with cheese and a side of rich consommé.

10670 S La Cienega Blvd, Lennox, CA 90304
(424) 219-6292
(424) 219-6292

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Zam Zam Market

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It’s all about Pakistani treats like biryani at Zam Zam, a few-frilles Inglewood Avenue spot that is fast, inexpensive, and delicious.

13649 S Inglewood Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 978-1927
(310) 978-1927
Biryani and chicken tandoori with naan at Zam Zam Market
Zam Zam Market
Stan Lee

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Banadir Somali Restaurant

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As the only official Somali restaurant in LA, this halal establishment in Inglewood has some highlights, like slow-roasted lamb or stir-fry goat served with basmati rice and a simple salad.

137 Arbor Vitae St, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-9900
(310) 419-9900

Also featured in:

Mutiara Food & Market

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Everything is priced reasonably at this family-run spot in Inglewood. Mutiara Food & Market’s South Asian menu spans Thai, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Burmese, and Malaysian, and can satisfy any diner whether vegan or omnivore. The rice noodle fish soup, or mohinga, is Mutiara’s specialty and shouldn’t be missed.

225 South La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-7221
(310) 419-7221
A noodle dish from Mutiara Food & Market in Inglewood, CA
Mutiara Food & Market
Mutiara Food & Market website

Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen

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Dulan’s is Los Angeles. This staple Inglewood restaurant serves up some of the city’s best soul food, and has been feeding its community for decades. Make this a must stop into and out of LAX.

202 E Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 671-3345
(310) 671-3345
Various hot dishes from Dulan’s On Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant
Dulan’s
Mona Holmes

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The Wood Urban Kitchen

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The Wood is part sports bar, part weekend lounge, part daytime hotspot for brisket, links, and pulled pork. This do-it-all Inglewood destination is a prime stop into and out of LAX, or before events at SoFi Stadium.

129 N Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 466-9741
(310) 466-9741
An overhead shot of saucy meat from a barbecue restaurant, including very bark-heavy ribs.
Saucy takeout barbecue from the Wood
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

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Taj India Palace

8320 Lincoln Boulevard, Westchester, CA 90045

Whether it's for take-out or dine-in, Taj India Palace is bustling at lunchtime. Double up on the garlic naan or whole, bone-in chicken tandoor gleaming that familiar shade of red.

8320 Lincoln Boulevard, Westchester, CA 90045
(310) 337-1423
(310) 337-1423
Taj India Palace Taj India Palace website

Caravan Swim Club

8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Caravan Swim Club has a lovely outdoor area around the pool serving everything from oysters and crudo to Baja-inspired dishes. Try the squash blossom quesadilla and cauliflower nachos.

8639 Lincoln Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-0400
(310) 645-0400

The Slice & Pint

130 W Grand Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245

El Segundo’s mellow Slice & Pint offers some of the city’s best (and perhaps most surprising) pizza, alongside a slew of locally-made brews that offer a citrus-y IPA pop before a long flight.

130 W Grand Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 648-8479
(310) 648-8479
The Slice and Pint
Pouring at the Slice and Pint
Mark Knight

Jame Enoteca

241 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

El Segundo’s Jame Enoteca sits on a corner strip mall, and only three miles away from LAX. Hop over for the handmade pastas like the arugula pappardelle, and the creamy scarpinocc stuffed with braised beef cheek, brown butter, sage, and 12-year-old balsamic vinegar.

241 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245
(310) 648-8554
(310) 648-8554
Lasagna from Jame Enoteca on a table.
Lasagna from Jame Enoteca.
Farley Elliott

In-N-Out Burger

9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Whether it's the first stop after a long flight or the last stop before a spell away from home, tooting the horn of arguably In-N-Out's most visited location hardly seems necessary. But getting the most iconic burger in Los Angeles is always a good decision, especially in double-double form.

9149 S Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(800) 786-1000
(800) 786-1000
In n Out Burger Crystal Coser

Ayara Thai Cuisine

6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Ayara Thai is a staple of the greater Westchester area. Known for its broad menu and staple Thai dishes like pad see ew, this is the place to really spend some leisurely time before a flight, or while waiting out traffic.

6245 W 87th St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 410-8848
(310) 410-8848
Ayara Thai’s pad thai.
Ayara Thai’s pad thai.
Wonho Frank Lee

The Coffee Company

8751 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045

Hawaiian bread french toast and spicy chicken sausages are the most raved-about items at this LAX-area institution, but don't skip the breakfast skillets and Louisiana-style fish and eggs breakfast.

8751 La Tijera Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-7315
(310) 645-7315

The Original Rinaldi's Deli and Cafe

6171 W Century Blvd #168, Los Angeles, CA 90045

The Fat Boy might be one of LA’s best sandwiches outright, with meatballs, pepperoni, sausage, and mozzarella, which would make for a gut-busting meal just outside the airport. The menu does have plenty of options for grab-and-go fare, from salads to classic Italian subs.

6171 W Century Blvd #168, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(424) 351-8799
(424) 351-8799

Aliki's Greek Taverna

5862 Arbor Vitae St, Los Angeles, CA 90045

With the blue checkered tablecloths and kitschy décor, Aliki’s Greek Taverna has all the makings of a great neighborhood Greek eatery. Are there gyros, lemon potatoes, and tasty baklava? Of course there are. 

5862 Arbor Vitae St, Los Angeles, CA 90045
(310) 645-9555
(310) 645-9555

Birrieria Gomez

10670 S La Cienega Blvd, Lennox, CA 90304

Looking for the ever-popular birria de res nearby LAX? Birrieria Gomez parks a truck not too far from the airport, where diners can load up on the tender, saucy tacos with cheese and a side of rich consommé.

10670 S La Cienega Blvd, Lennox, CA 90304
(424) 219-6292
(424) 219-6292

Zam Zam Market

13649 S Inglewood Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250

It’s all about Pakistani treats like biryani at Zam Zam, a few-frilles Inglewood Avenue spot that is fast, inexpensive, and delicious.

13649 S Inglewood Ave, Hawthorne, CA 90250
(310) 978-1927
(310) 978-1927
Biryani and chicken tandoori with naan at Zam Zam Market
Zam Zam Market
Stan Lee

Banadir Somali Restaurant

137 Arbor Vitae St, Inglewood, CA 90301

As the only official Somali restaurant in LA, this halal establishment in Inglewood has some highlights, like slow-roasted lamb or stir-fry goat served with basmati rice and a simple salad.

137 Arbor Vitae St, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-9900
(310) 419-9900

Mutiara Food & Market

225 South La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301

Everything is priced reasonably at this family-run spot in Inglewood. Mutiara Food & Market’s South Asian menu spans Thai, Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Burmese, and Malaysian, and can satisfy any diner whether vegan or omnivore. The rice noodle fish soup, or mohinga, is Mutiara’s specialty and shouldn’t be missed.

225 South La Brea Ave, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 419-7221
(310) 419-7221
A noodle dish from Mutiara Food & Market in Inglewood, CA
Mutiara Food & Market
Mutiara Food & Market website

Dulan's Soul Food Kitchen

202 E Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301

Dulan’s is Los Angeles. This staple Inglewood restaurant serves up some of the city’s best soul food, and has been feeding its community for decades. Make this a must stop into and out of LAX.

202 E Manchester Blvd, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 671-3345
(310) 671-3345
Various hot dishes from Dulan’s On Crenshaw Soul Food Restaurant
Dulan’s
Mona Holmes

The Wood Urban Kitchen

129 N Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301

The Wood is part sports bar, part weekend lounge, part daytime hotspot for brisket, links, and pulled pork. This do-it-all Inglewood destination is a prime stop into and out of LAX, or before events at SoFi Stadium.

129 N Market St, Inglewood, CA 90301
(310) 466-9741
(310) 466-9741
An overhead shot of saucy meat from a barbecue restaurant, including very bark-heavy ribs.
Saucy takeout barbecue from the Wood
Farley Elliott

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