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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
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Los Angeles Airport 101: Where to eat and drink at LAX
Benji Stawski is a former reporter for the site, covering all things points, miles, credit cards, travel and aviation.
February 16, 2020 • 14 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers a diverse dining scene across its nine terminals, featuring everything from healthy juice bars to upscale caviar lounges.
Many terminals are connected airside, allowing travelers to access a wide range of restaurants and bars without exiting security.
Local LA favorites and national chains are well-represented, with options for various dietary preferences including vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
Some lounges and select restaurants may offer complimentary meals for eligible travelers, though premium food and drink venues typically require elite status or premium cabin tickets.
What to consider
Some restaurant and lounge benefits, such as complimentary meals, require specific memberships or travel classes, and enrollment may be required for select perks.
Operating hours and locations vary by terminal, so travelers should check availability based on their flight schedule.
Certain popular dining benefits or credits may exclude airport locations, and some offers mentioned may no longer be available.
What you'll miss from the article
A detailed terminal-by-terminal guide to standout dining options, including local favorites, pro tips and unique airport-only experiences.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the second-busiest airport in the U.S. and the fourth-busiest in the world. Traffic is projected to rise to up to 100 million passengers by 2040 — so chances are you may soon transit through LAX. The airport serves as a hub for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United and is a focus city for Air New Zealand, Allegiant Air, Norwegian, Qantas, and Southwest Airlines.
The airport has some terrific lounges, including ones with a la carte dining and outdoor bars, but you'll need to be flying in a premium cabin or have elite status to access the ones with the good food and drink offerings. Everyone else looking for preflight grub will need to visit one of Los Angeles Airport’s restaurants or bars. Luckily, travelers can sample some of the best of LA’s food scene without leaving the airport. Whether you're craving fresh juice, burgers, tacos or caviar, LAX has you covered.
Although LAX has nine separate terminal buildings, many are connected airside, so you can clear security at one and either walk or shuttle to another to visit a specific restaurant or bar. Tom Bradley International Terminal and terminals 2 and 3 are connected airside via shuttles, and Tom Bradley and terminals 4 — 8 are connected airside via walkways.
Pro tip: In addition to the tasty street tacos, La Familia's vast tequila selection is worth checking out.
It's hard to miss La Familia's vibrant space. (Photo courtesy of HMS Host)
Shake Shack
Location: Near gate 34, next to the Starbucks
Hours: 4 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Cuisine: American, family-friendly, wine and beer
Price: $
Pro tip: The American Express® Gold Card comes with an up to $120 annual dining credit that can be used at participating Shake Shacks, but airport locations are excluded. Enrollment required for select benefits. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Fancy a New York-style burger in In-N-Out's home turf? (Photo courtesy of LAX)
The Parlor
Location: Near gate 37
Hours: First departure – last departure
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
The Parlor is iconic LA gastropub. (Photo courtesy of Akar Studios)
Additional restaurants in Terminal 3 include: Deli & Co, LA Life, Panda Express, Peet’s Coffee & Tea, Soundstage Market by Hudson and Starbucks
Tom Bradley International Terminal
800 Degrees Pizza
Location: Dining terrace, main level
Hours: 9 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Cuisine: Italian, quick-serve, wine and beer
Price: $
800 Degrees bakes its Neapolitan-style pies in a wood-burning oven. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
Border Grill
Location: Dining terrace, main level, near the clock tower
Hours: 6 a.m.– last departure
Cuisine: Mexican, quick-serve, full bar
Price: $$
CHAYA Sushi
Location: Great Hall, next to Hugo Boss
Hours: 8 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Cuisine: Japanese, sushi, full bar
Price: $$$
Tuna tartare was invented at former Chaya Brasserie in Beverly Hills. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
ink.sack
Location: Great Hall, next to Victoria's Secret
Hours: 7:30 a.m.– 1:30 a.m.
Cuisine: American, Asian, quick-serve, wine and beer
Price: $
Pro tip: Order the cold Southern fried chicken sandwich with a housemade Oreo or Mexican chocolate chip cookie for dessert, and thank us later.
Ink.sack was founded by Top Chef winner Michael Voltaggio. (Photo courtesy of ink.sack)
James’ Beach
Location: North concourse, near gate 133
Hours: 9 a.m.– last departure
Cuisine: American, seafood, full bar
Price: $$$
Pro tip: James' Beach is famous for its fish tacos, which are flavorful and very filling.
While you may not have the same ocean view as the original Venice Beach location, you'll still get the quality fare. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
LAMILL Coffee
Location: North concourse, near gate 133
Hours: 7 a.m.– last departure
Cuisine: Coffee, tea and sweet treats
Price: $$
Lamill's coffee is always pressed, never brewed. (Photo courtesy of LAMILL Coffee)
P.F. Chang’s
Location: On the mezzanine, by the clock tower
Hours: 11 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: Chinese, sushi, vegetarian, family-friendly, full bar
If you're craving Parisian delicacies during your time at LAX, Petrossian has you covered, but be prepared to fork over an arm and a leg. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
Umami Burger
Location: Dining terrace, main level
Hours: 9 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Cuisine: American, vegetarian, quick-serve, wine and beer
Price: $$
Umami has a meatless Impossible Burger on its menu. (Photo courtesy of Umami Burger)
Vanilla Bake Shop
Location: South concourse, around the corner from the main duty free store
Hours: 6 a.m.– 12 a.m.
Cuisine: Coffee, tea and sweet treats
Price: $
Vanilla Bake Shop makes all its cupcakes from scratch. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
Additional restaurants in TBIT include: Asian Street Eats by Chef Hung (landside), Cantina Laredo (landside), Earl of Sandwich, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Panda Express, Pinkberry, Planet Hollywood (landside), Pret-A-Manger, Scoreboard LA, Starbucks, Starbucks Evenings, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (landside, departures and arrivals levels), The Playa Vista, Vino Volo, WPizza by Wolfgang Puck (landside)
Terminal 4
8 oz. Burger Bar
Location: Food court
Hours: 4:30 a.m.– 12:30 a.m.
Cuisine: American, family-friendly, quick-serve
Price: $
Coles
Location: Food court
Hours: 4:30 a.m.– last departure
Cuisine: American, French, full bar
Price: $
Pro tip: You have to order the french dip if you come here.
Coles is the originator of the french dip. (Photo courtesy of Flex Designs)
La Provence Patisserie and Cafe
Location: Food Court
Hours: 5 a.m.– 9 p.m.
Cuisine: Coffee, tea, snacks and sweet treats
Price: $
La Provence Patisserie offers a wide selection of pastries and desserts. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
Pro tip: If you’ve been to original market location at 3rd Street and Fairfax, this outpost should feel familiar. There are simplified versions of restaurants like ¡Loteria! Grill and Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market and Bistro, as well as original design elements.
The Farmers Market is an iconic landmark. (Photo courtesy of the Farmers Market)
Similar to the Ashland Hill's Santa Monica location, the Terminal 7 outpost carries an outdoor courtyard feel. (Photo courtesy of Akar Studios)
B Grill By BOA Steakhouse
Location: Near gate 73
Hours: 6 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, steaks, full bar
Price: $$$
BOA is a celebrity favorite steakhouse in LA. (Photo courtesy of R.D. Olson Construction)
BLD
Location: Near gate 72
Hours: 6 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, healthy-choice, gluten-free, quick-serve, wine and beer
Price: $$
Klatch Coffee
Location: Near gate 71B
Hours: 4:30 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: Coffee, tea, snacks and sweet treats
Price: $
Wolfgang Puck Express
Location: Near gate 75
Hours: 5 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, Italian, family-friendly, wine and beer
Price: $$
Wolfgang Puck opened his first restaurant in Los Angeles. (Photo courtesy of Iuvo Studio)
The Counter Custom Built Burgers
Location: Near gate 72
Hours: 5 a.m.– 11 p.m.
Cuisine: American, family-friendly
Price: $$
Additional restaurants in Terminal 7 include: Dunkin' Bonus (landside), LA Life, ¡Loteria! Grill, Rolling Stone Bar & Grill, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Terminal 8
Engine Co. No. 28
Location: Near gate 83
Hours: 11 a.m.– 10 p.m.
Cuisine: American, full bar
Price: $$
Engine Co. No. 28 serves American comfort classics with a Southern twist. (Photo courtesy of LAX)
Additional restaurants in Terminal 8 include: Carl's Jr, Corona Bar, Panda Express, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Bonus: Food trucks and In-N-Out
The LAX-it ride-share pickup lot offers a good variety of options from rotating food trucks — a staple of the city’s cultural identity. However, LAX’s most popular dining option might just be the In-N-Out burger located on Sepulveda Blvd, just off the airport property. In-N-Out is a California institution, but what makes this one stand out is that it has picture-perfect views of the flight path into the airport, a mecca for anyone who loves plane spotting.
The FlightRadar24 app is great for seeing what plane is arriving next. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/The Denver Post via Getty Images)
Bottom line
From healthy options like açaí bowls from Earthbar or cold-pressed juices from Beaming Cafe, to artisanal burgers from Umami Burger or Cassell’s Hamburgers, to Neapolitan-style pizza from 800 Degrees to caviar and Champagne from Petrossian Caviar & Champagne Bar, LAX has even the pickiest of eaters covered. The airport features a number of local eateries with recognizable names such as Ashland Hill, Lamill Coffee, Trejo’s Tacos, Vanilla Bake Shop and Urth Caffé & Bar that use ingredients that are identical to those in their city locations. It goes without saying that you won't go hungry here.
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Comments
By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
