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A tray from Su Boreg and Monta Factory in Pasadena
Digging into a tray of Armenian dumplings from Monta Factory in Glendale
Farley Elliott

20 Amazing Takeout Meals in LA and All the Nearby Picnic Spots to Enjoy Them

Great eats and the views to match for eating off a blanket, a picnic table, or the hood of your car

by Matthew Kang
4 comments / new
View as Map
Digging into a tray of Armenian dumplings from Monta Factory in Glendale
| Farley Elliott
by Matthew Kang
4 comments / new

One of the best perks of having a car in Los Angeles is being able to grab a takeout meal from a restaurant and pick the place where you will eat it. Often, that’s your home or office (pre-pandemic), but the expansive city and its myriad parks, beaches, mountains, and vistas means LA’s gorgeous views and cityscape can be your dining area. Here, Eater has compiled a list of some of the tastiest places to eat, coupled with nearby areas with picnic or park benches to enjoy the food. Just a note: It’s good to bring your own water or drinks, utensils, plateware, and even a blanket or table cover to maximize the experience.

Some restaurants have resumed or begun limited patio seating, while others continue to offer takeout and/or delivery only. This should not be taken as endorsement for on-site, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Los Angeles Public Health website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.



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Honeybird

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This handy fried chicken spot in La Cañada Flintridge has everything for a Southern-style feast. Crispy fried chicken, coleslaw, and mashed potatoes will taste even better over a picnic table at Hahamongna Park, a 1,200-acre haven a short drive away with expansive views of the foothills as an added bonus.

714 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 415-0489
(818) 415-0489

Also featured in:

Pizza Of Venice

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This Black-owned pizzeria isn’t afraid to get experimental, shaping oblong pies and topping them with smoked mushrooms, curry chicken, and even a weekly bounty of produce from the farmers market. Pick up a couple of pizzas, maybe some chicken wings, and eat them at nearby Alta Loma Park, or drive farther up the hill near various hiking trailheads for an even better view.

2545 N Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 765-9636
(626) 765-9636

Monta Factory

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Glendale’s delectable Monta Factory makes terrific, spice-filled beef dumplings by hand, then smothers them with tomato and yogurt sauce. The menu has some other picks too, like a nice salmon sandwich. Take it up to Brand Park for a pleasant Glendale picnic lunch before heading up the trails for a hike.

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 396-4445
(818) 396-4445

Also featured in:

Me + Crepe

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Me + Crepe pairs expert jianbing, or eggy, pancake-like wraps from China, with everything from roast duck and hoisin to barbecue pork. Better still, the place is steps away from Pasadena’s sprawling Central Park, which means plenty of space to lie on a blanket in the sun without feeling too crowded.

89 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 345-5291
(626) 345-5291

Also featured in:

Little Flower

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The Rose Bowl is a short drive or bike ride away from this homey cafe and lunch spot in Pasadena, where the pastries, salted caramels, salads, and sandwiches are the main draw. Pick up a light lunch, then wander to the historic sports venue and its environs for a place to picnic.

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 304-4800
(626) 304-4800

Also featured in:

Northern Thai Food Club

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Northern Thai Food Club is designed for a takeout dinner, with virtually no seating inside or outside. Order up a storm at the counter, asking the chef for the day’s spicy suggestions, then carry the food up Western Avenue to the Trails Cafe, where there are plenty of shaded picnic tables and ample parking.

5301 Sunset Blvd #11, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 474-7212
(323) 474-7212

Also featured in:

Chengdu Taste

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Chengdu Taste has all the greatest Sichuan hits, from toothpick lamb and mapo tofu to mung bean noodles. Take it all to peaceful Alhambra Park for the kind of spicy, mala picnic you can only have in LA.

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 588-2284
(626) 588-2284
View this post on Instagram

Toothpick Mutton~ smothered in cumin & chilis

A post shared by Food Addict (@chopgueyy) on

Also featured in:

Sushi Tama

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Looking for gorgeous, well-made sushi placed in sturdy wood boxes? Sushi Tama has nigiri and even hand roll bentos that work well in a picnic setting. Since there isn’t a ton of green space in the area, the best bet might be to head over to the parklets along Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, a few blocks away.

116 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(424) 249-3009
(424) 249-3009

Also featured in:

Gamboge

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Cambodian restaurant Gamboge wants everyone to know how amazing num pang sandwiches can be. Using plush French bread and Cambodian meats with pickled vegetables, they’re best carried to Elysian Park, specifically Grand View Point, where sky-high picnic tables give perfect views of Downtown LA.

1822 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 576-2073
(323) 576-2073
Num pang sandwich at Gamboge on a plate.
Gamboge
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Katsu Sando

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Katsu Sando draws inspiration from Japanese convenience stores, where pork katsu sandwiches and onigiri rule the roost. Order the comfort food and enjoy it laid out as a picnic near LA Historic State Park, about a mile up the road.

736 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 395-0710
(213) 395-0710
A pork katsu sandwich stacked high with a yellow background.
Katsu Sando
[Official Photo]

Also featured in:

Broad Street Oyster Company

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Lobster rolls and fries never taste better than they do with a view of the ocean. Pick up the fantastic lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster and find a parking spot along PCH with a great view of the Pacific.

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
(424) 644-0131
(424) 644-0131
Broad Street Oyster Company
Broad Street Oyster Company
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Holbox

Copy Link

Ceviches, coctels, and tostadas are the things to order at this Mercado Paloma stall in University Park. Then look for some choice picnic areas at the expansive Exposition Park or the Rose Garden for a place to enjoy some of LA’s best Mexican seafood under the sun.

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 986-9972
(213) 986-9972
Colorful uni-topped ceviche tostada on a white plate with colorful tablecloth.
Holbox
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

El Ruso

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El Ruso is known as one of LA’s top tortilla makers, coupling paper-thin flour tortillas with grilled carne asada. While the area El Ruso occupies is mostly industrial, the secret find of Riverfront Park next to the LA River in nearby Maywood is a short drive away.

1401 Mirasol St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 246-6819
(323) 246-6819
el ruso tacos with sauce
El Ruso
Farley Elliott

Also featured in:

Hotville Chicken

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South LA’s Hotville Chicken has spicy, wonderfully seasoned chicken drawing from its Nashville roots. Pick up a family pack of chicken with all the sides, then take it over to Leimert Park Plaza or, even better, tiny Monteith Park for a fried-chicken picnic feast.

4070 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 792-4835
(323) 792-4835
Fried chicken from Hotville Chicken in Baldwin Hills
Hotville Chicken
Leslie Rodriguez

Also featured in:

Simply Wholesome

Copy Link

Simply Wholesome is a neighborhood institution that serves terrific vegetarian fare like omelets, sandwiches, and salads, plus a solid selection of Jamaican dishes, for South LA’s View Park. Acquire a healthy lunch, then find a secluded table or park bench in the expansive Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area a short car ride away along La Brea Avenue.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144

Also featured in:

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Hawkins House of Burgers

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Classic stand Hawkins House of Burgers tastes even better with a view of the iconic Watts Towers, one of the most impressive pieces of art in Los Angeles.

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-1129
(323) 563-1129

Also featured in:

Sakae Sushi

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This humble Japanese sushi spot does battera, or box-pressed sushi, which harks back to its original fast-food form. It’s reasonably priced and prepared within minutes, ready for a drive down to Alondra Park for a relaxing lunch with a view of a public golf course.

1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd #112, Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-4550
(310) 532-4550

Also featured in:

Phanny's

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One of South Bay’s best breakfast burritos is even better with a pristine view of the ocean. RAT Beach (named because it’s Right After Torrance) has some wonderful picnic benches that are great for enjoying well-stuffed burritos.

1021 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-5141
(310) 540-5141
Holding breakfast burritos, cut in half.
Phanny’s
Wonho Frank Lee

Also featured in:

Little Coyote

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Long Beach has a new pizza contender in Little Coyote, making wide New York-style pies topped with ricotta, garlic, and spinach or little pepperoni cups. It’s a bit of a trek, but the view at Hilltop Park, located on the north side of Long Beach at Signal Hill, is about 2.5 miles north on Cherry Avenue, and it might be the best place to take down those foldable slices.

2118 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
(562) 434-2009
(562) 434-2009

Also featured in:

The Chori-Man

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San Pedro’s ever-popular chorizo maker and burrito specialist Chori-Man is terrific for grabbing and taking to the Korean Friendship Bell, an iconic film location that has ample bench and picnic seating with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean.

2309 S Alma St, San Pedro, CA 90731
(424) 287-2414
(424) 287-2414
Breakfast burrito from Chori-man in San Pedro
The Chori-Man
Matthew Holmes

Also featured in:

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Honeybird

714 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011

This handy fried chicken spot in La Cañada Flintridge has everything for a Southern-style feast. Crispy fried chicken, coleslaw, and mashed potatoes will taste even better over a picnic table at Hahamongna Park, a 1,200-acre haven a short drive away with expansive views of the foothills as an added bonus.

714 Foothill Blvd, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
(818) 415-0489
(818) 415-0489

Pizza Of Venice

2545 N Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena, CA 91001

This Black-owned pizzeria isn’t afraid to get experimental, shaping oblong pies and topping them with smoked mushrooms, curry chicken, and even a weekly bounty of produce from the farmers market. Pick up a couple of pizzas, maybe some chicken wings, and eat them at nearby Alta Loma Park, or drive farther up the hill near various hiking trailheads for an even better view.

2545 N Fair Oaks Ave, Altadena, CA 91001
(626) 765-9636
(626) 765-9636

Monta Factory

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201

Glendale’s delectable Monta Factory makes terrific, spice-filled beef dumplings by hand, then smothers them with tomato and yogurt sauce. The menu has some other picks too, like a nice salmon sandwich. Take it up to Brand Park for a pleasant Glendale picnic lunch before heading up the trails for a hike.

1208 W Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201
(818) 396-4445
(818) 396-4445

Me + Crepe

89 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105

Me + Crepe pairs expert jianbing, or eggy, pancake-like wraps from China, with everything from roast duck and hoisin to barbecue pork. Better still, the place is steps away from Pasadena’s sprawling Central Park, which means plenty of space to lie on a blanket in the sun without feeling too crowded.

89 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 345-5291
(626) 345-5291

Little Flower

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105

The Rose Bowl is a short drive or bike ride away from this homey cafe and lunch spot in Pasadena, where the pastries, salted caramels, salads, and sandwiches are the main draw. Pick up a light lunch, then wander to the historic sports venue and its environs for a place to picnic.

1424 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
(626) 304-4800
(626) 304-4800

Northern Thai Food Club

5301 Sunset Blvd #11, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Northern Thai Food Club is designed for a takeout dinner, with virtually no seating inside or outside. Order up a storm at the counter, asking the chef for the day’s spicy suggestions, then carry the food up Western Avenue to the Trails Cafe, where there are plenty of shaded picnic tables and ample parking.

5301 Sunset Blvd #11, Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 474-7212
(323) 474-7212

Chengdu Taste

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803

Chengdu Taste has all the greatest Sichuan hits, from toothpick lamb and mapo tofu to mung bean noodles. Take it all to peaceful Alhambra Park for the kind of spicy, mala picnic you can only have in LA.

828 W Valley Blvd, Alhambra, CA 91803
(626) 588-2284
(626) 588-2284
View this post on Instagram

Toothpick Mutton~ smothered in cumin & chilis

A post shared by Food Addict (@chopgueyy) on

Sushi Tama

116 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048

Looking for gorgeous, well-made sushi placed in sturdy wood boxes? Sushi Tama has nigiri and even hand roll bentos that work well in a picnic setting. Since there isn’t a ton of green space in the area, the best bet might be to head over to the parklets along Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills, a few blocks away.

116 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
(424) 249-3009
(424) 249-3009

Gamboge

1822 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031

Cambodian restaurant Gamboge wants everyone to know how amazing num pang sandwiches can be. Using plush French bread and Cambodian meats with pickled vegetables, they’re best carried to Elysian Park, specifically Grand View Point, where sky-high picnic tables give perfect views of Downtown LA.

1822 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90031
(323) 576-2073
(323) 576-2073
Num pang sandwich at Gamboge on a plate.
Gamboge
Wonho Frank Lee

Katsu Sando

736 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Katsu Sando draws inspiration from Japanese convenience stores, where pork katsu sandwiches and onigiri rule the roost. Order the comfort food and enjoy it laid out as a picnic near LA Historic State Park, about a mile up the road.

736 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 395-0710
(213) 395-0710
A pork katsu sandwich stacked high with a yellow background.
Katsu Sando
[Official Photo]

Broad Street Oyster Company

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265

Lobster rolls and fries never taste better than they do with a view of the ocean. Pick up the fantastic lobster roll at Broad Street Oyster and find a parking spot along PCH with a great view of the Pacific.

23359 CA-1 #3874A, Malibu, CA 90265
(424) 644-0131
(424) 644-0131
Broad Street Oyster Company
Broad Street Oyster Company
Farley Elliott

Holbox

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007

Ceviches, coctels, and tostadas are the things to order at this Mercado Paloma stall in University Park. Then look for some choice picnic areas at the expansive Exposition Park or the Rose Garden for a place to enjoy some of LA’s best Mexican seafood under the sun.

3655 S Grand Ave c9, Los Angeles, CA 90007
(213) 986-9972
(213) 986-9972
Colorful uni-topped ceviche tostada on a white plate with colorful tablecloth.
Holbox
Farley Elliott

El Ruso

1401 Mirasol St, Los Angeles, CA 90023

El Ruso is known as one of LA’s top tortilla makers, coupling paper-thin flour tortillas with grilled carne asada. While the area El Ruso occupies is mostly industrial, the secret find of Riverfront Park next to the LA River in nearby Maywood is a short drive away.

1401 Mirasol St, Los Angeles, CA 90023
(323) 246-6819
(323) 246-6819
el ruso tacos with sauce
El Ruso
Farley Elliott

Hotville Chicken

4070 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008

South LA’s Hotville Chicken has spicy, wonderfully seasoned chicken drawing from its Nashville roots. Pick up a family pack of chicken with all the sides, then take it over to Leimert Park Plaza or, even better, tiny Monteith Park for a fried-chicken picnic feast.

4070 Marlton Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90008
(323) 792-4835
(323) 792-4835
Fried chicken from Hotville Chicken in Baldwin Hills
Hotville Chicken
Leslie Rodriguez

Simply Wholesome

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043

Simply Wholesome is a neighborhood institution that serves terrific vegetarian fare like omelets, sandwiches, and salads, plus a solid selection of Jamaican dishes, for South LA’s View Park. Acquire a healthy lunch, then find a secluded table or park bench in the expansive Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area a short car ride away along La Brea Avenue.

4508 W Slauson Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 294-2144
(323) 294-2144

Related Maps

Hawkins House of Burgers

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059

Classic stand Hawkins House of Burgers tastes even better with a view of the iconic Watts Towers, one of the most impressive pieces of art in Los Angeles.

11603 Slater St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
(323) 563-1129
(323) 563-1129

Sakae Sushi

1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd #112, Gardena, CA 90247

This humble Japanese sushi spot does battera, or box-pressed sushi, which harks back to its original fast-food form. It’s reasonably priced and prepared within minutes, ready for a drive down to Alondra Park for a relaxing lunch with a view of a public golf course.

1601 W Redondo Beach Blvd #112, Gardena, CA 90247
(310) 532-4550
(310) 532-4550

Phanny's

1021 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

One of South Bay’s best breakfast burritos is even better with a pristine view of the ocean. RAT Beach (named because it’s Right After Torrance) has some wonderful picnic benches that are great for enjoying well-stuffed burritos.

1021 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 540-5141
(310) 540-5141
Holding breakfast burritos, cut in half.
Phanny’s
Wonho Frank Lee

Little Coyote

2118 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Long Beach has a new pizza contender in Little Coyote, making wide New York-style pies topped with ricotta, garlic, and spinach or little pepperoni cups. It’s a bit of a trek, but the view at Hilltop Park, located on the north side of Long Beach at Signal Hill, is about 2.5 miles north on Cherry Avenue, and it might be the best place to take down those foldable slices.

2118 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
(562) 434-2009
(562) 434-2009

The Chori-Man

2309 S Alma St, San Pedro, CA 90731

San Pedro’s ever-popular chorizo maker and burrito specialist Chori-Man is terrific for grabbing and taking to the Korean Friendship Bell, an iconic film location that has ample bench and picnic seating with a commanding view of the Pacific Ocean.

2309 S Alma St, San Pedro, CA 90731
(424) 287-2414
(424) 287-2414
Breakfast burrito from Chori-man in San Pedro
The Chori-Man
Matthew Holmes

Related Maps