Nobody likes spending more time at LAX than they have to. But sometimes—due to a layover, a flight delay, or getting out of your Uber and rolling your luggage a half-mile because the traffic on the loop was so heavy—you end up at the airport hungry. Unlike airports in some cities, LAX makes it very difficult to walk between terminals after security, meaning you’re more or less tied to the part of the airport you’re departing from. But hey, at least it’s better than paying for food in the flight. Here are the least dismal dining options at LAX, broken down by terminal.
TERMINAL1
The cafe in West Hollywood is famous for its appearance in the opening credits of entourage makes sense for LAX. Go here for breakfast – we usually order a slice of quiche or the bacon and egg breakfast sandwich – and then sit down and think about why you thought it would be a good idea to book a 5:45 a.m. flight.
Reilly’s is based on Rock & Reilly’sa dingy Sunset Strip pub where we spent much of our twenties making bad decisions. Stick with a pint of Guinness and a giant slab of melatonin. Sorry, we mean the Irish nachos: kettle chips with bacon, short ribs, and a thick layer of cheddar cheese.
TERMINAL2
You won’t see Taylor Swift at this Barney’s Beanery location, but this iconic sports bar is your best option in Terminal 2. The menu is a fraction of the size of the regular spots, but still features highlights like BLT, chicken nachos, and the “famous chili” (we know, a bold pre-flight order).
Yes, $7.50 for a fish taco from this Orange County seafood chain sucks, but that’s life when you eat at an airport. The grilled fish and sides are tasty, though, and the taco itself is pretty filling. Add in some fries with clam chowder and bacon, and you’ll be full until you land.
TERMINAL3
Terminal 3 recently underwent a much-needed renovation and is now one of the nicer places to eat at LAX. Our favorite is the Chicken Caesar Wrap at Homeboy Cafe. Not only is it the size of a Nerf football, the chicken is juicy and the croutons are crispy. Consider this a hangover cure-all.
Often times at the airport, you just want something quick and somewhat healthy to eat before squeezing into a metal tube of recirculated air. Native (the LAX branch of a now-closed Venice restaurant) is a good option for just that. There’s a nice selection of grab-and-go fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and heartier dishes like grilled shrimp and curried cauliflower hash.
TOM BRADLEY (TERMINAL B)
Tom Bradley International Airport is home to the least depressing dining options at LAX, probably because the city wants to impress all the international tourists. When we’re passing through, we head to Ink.sack, a creative sandwich shop that used to be on Melrose Street but now exists only at the airport. Order the Chicken Cordon Bleu with fried chicken And Ham or the Turkey Club with bacon and avocado, with salt and pepper chips. They also have the best breakfast sandwich at the airport.
The number of restaurants at LAX based on restaurants from the ’90s and 2000s should tell you how long it’s been since the food program here was overhauled, but we’re not upset that Border Grill stuck around. This airport outpost of a long-standing Mexican spot offers solid steak quesadillas, nachos, and a spacious bar where you can order a margarita or two before you take off.
Photo credit: Jakob Layman
The route to Tom Bradley’s West Gate is only slightly longer than the Oregon Trail, but at least your reward will be a branch of one of the best ramen shops in LA. The menu is a bit confusing: There are five tonkotsu (pork-based) ramen bowls with various toppings, and you choose whether you want shio, shoyu, or miso broth (we’d go with the lighter shio, the house specialty). If you’re not in the mood for a rich, warming soup, there’s also soup-less ramen, deep-fried chicken bowls, and vegetable tempura.
TERMINAL4
Photo credit: Garrett Snyder
LAX is home to several so-called “zombie concepts” – places where the original LA location closed and the restaurant only exists at the airport. Campanile, a famous California cuisine spot that closed for good in 2012, is the oldest of them all. The menu is high ’90s with Cobb salads and grilled salmon with farro, but if you want to play it safe, go for the roasted turkey breast sandwich with white cheddar and garlic aioli. Don’t forget to also drink some of the imported Italian hot sauce they put on the tables.
The pizza situation at LAX is terrible, but at least there is Sammy’s. You won’t find this place anywhere near our best pizza Guide, but if you have an appetite for solid, wood-fired pizza with toppings like spicy sausage and BBQ chicken, your wishes will be fulfilled.
TERMINAL5
LA may have the best Mexican Eating out in the country, but at LAX, decent options are few and far between. Head to Loteria for a decent breakfast burrito, crispy taquitos, and a fruity agua fresca.
The King of LA Original farmers market is located in Terminal 5 and offers you an even better choice of food. The classic French cafe offers a selection of good salads to take away and a particularly good chicken pesto sandwich.
TERMINAL6
The art of Drinking martinis and staring at people was invented in airports. Our favorite place to do it at LAX is Wolfgang Puck’s Wine Bar. This relatively inexpensive bar ($14 for a martini) is located right next to the main hall and is the perfect place to prove that flying sober is – literally – a waste of time.
Yes, this fish taco chain has locations across the country—and even one in Japan—but when I can’t find my gate, their Outer Reef burrito hits the spot (and is also great for eating on the plane). The Stanley cup-sized behemoth is packed with your choice of protein source (go for the fish), plus rice, beans, lettuce, cheese, and a slightly spicy green salsa.
TERMINAL7
Mr. Puck has several locations around LAX, but this is the best if you’re short on time. Contrary to what the name suggests, they have a full menu of sandwiches, pizza, and even spaghetti with meatballs.
Once the golden child of Beverly Grove Brunch scene, BLD lives on as a decent fast-casual lunch option in Terminal 7. Skip the breakfast plates and stick with the decadent sandwiches, like the grilled pulled pork and pancetta (essentially a Cuban sandwich) or the braised short rib with smoked Cajun cheddar.
TERMINAL8
Terminal 8 is the forgotten hinterland of LAX, where the food situation is at its worst (Corona Beach House here serves a “tequila-infused” chicken soup, for example). You can’t get better than a combo plate from Panda Express, so enjoy. When life gives you lemons, eat orange chicken.
