LAGuide

The Best Late Night Restaurants In Los Angeles

33 places in LA that serve food until midnight or later.
The Best Late Night Restaurants In Los Angeles image

photo credit: Jakob Layman

You're picking up a friend at LAX and both of you are bitter and starving. You've been burned by Taco Bell one too many times and are ready to change your life's approach to late-night convenience. Or maybe you just swan-dived off a table during Ktown karaoke, and it's time to reward yourself with 3am wings. Whatever the reason, late-night cravings are part of life in LA. Grab your favorite stumbling friend, your last ounce of dignity, and get to it. Here's an updated list of the best spots that serve food until midnight or later in Los Angeles.

THE SPOTS

photo credit: Jessie Clapp

Korean

Koreatown

$$$$Perfect For:Drinking Good BeerLate Night EatsWalk-Ins
Earn 3x points with your sapphire card

This Korean pub inside City Center on 6th can be the first stop of a rowdy night in Ktown or the last. It stays open until 2am and serves saucy, spicy, beer-friendly food until midnight. Think golden fried chicken, crispy pork belly pancakes, and chicken feet that are hot enough to get everyone at the table schvitzy like they’re swapping gossip in a sauna.

Between the whacks of meat cleavers and wafts of mesquite smoke blowing in your face, even just standing in line at this South LA taco stand feels fun after a long day. The roadside operation stays open until midnight every night except Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Get some well-seasoned asada with tingly salsa roja and the tacos arabes served on plate-sized flour tortillas that are soft and chewy.

Rad Na Silom is kind of like a mirage: it appears nightly at 5pm to transform an entire half-block of Hollywood Blvd into a Thai street food kitchen before vanishing at midnight. But if you show up between these hours after a few drinks at Harvard & Stone, then, no, you're not hallucinating— Rad Na Silom is real. There's a short menu of eight noodle dishes, including some excellent pad thai and pad see ew noodles in savory rad na gravy. Sit at one of the sidewalk tables with your plate of steaming noodles and take in the eclectic late-night crowd as Adele covers blast from the sound system.

If we had to pick one shawarma in LA to reign supreme over its cone-shaped kin, it’s the mixed lamb and beef combo from Sincerely Syria (formerly known as Hollywood Shawarma). Thinly sliced and tender as filet mignon, each juicy slice at this Syrian-owned spot is rich with a peppery potpourri of spices, but you can't go wrong with of the pan-grilled wraps here. This counter-service operation has a takeout window right along the Walk of Fame, with a couple of stools and tables scattered across the sidewalk. It's open until at least 1am daily (and until 3am on weekends) to serve the post-club crowds near Hollywood and Vine.

India's Tandoori has a huge a la carte menu with good versions of every Indian takeout dish imaginable, but it serves a greater purpose: it's pretty much the only solid late-night option around Miracle Mile. Of course, you can go to Jack in the Box on Fairfax, but that requires driving, and you can't walk through the drive-thru (we've tried). So whether you're leaving a concert at the El Rey or a dingy apartment party at Park La Brea, order some excellent lamb biryani and saag paneer at India's Tandoori before calling it a night. Open until 1am.

An LA institution, Canter's isn't the best Jewish deli in town, but it's certainly the most convenient. The late-night crowd is a fascinating cross-section of blacked-out celebrities and all your exes you never called back. As for the food, skip the burgers and stick to the deli fare, whether it's a pastrami sandwich, cheese blintzes, or latkes. Canter's Reuben is a comforting greasy corned beef sandwich, but if you're really looking to comatose yourself, order the Monte Cristo sandwich with turkey, ham, and cheese on French toast. Open 24 hours.

This KBBQ spot is not where you go to escape the loud, rowdy, smoky bar you just left to grab a peaceful meal. In fact, this place is basically an extension of that, but with some of the best cuts of meat in the neighborhood. The downside? Expect to wait for a table, but know it's worth it. Besides a few rounds of beer and soju to keep the night going, order the skirt steak, marinated short rib, and the house specialty: large intestine. Open until midnight on weekdays and 1am on weekends.

Many late nights in Hollywood end at a taco truck, which is not always the friendliest option for plant-based needs. But luckily, there's Doomie's NextMex, which makes delicious tacos on fresh tortillas, which happen to be vegan, too. Open until midnight (1am on weekends), this strip mall spot has soy and mushroom-based carnitas that are braised until meaty, as well as a spectacular “shrimp” taco. It’s drizzled with a tangy, lime-drenched vegan crema, and you can't tell it's not tender shellfish. 

Daikokuya is a small chain these days, and sometimes there's a bit of a line, but the mother of LA ramen spots is still worth a late-night visit. The interior of the Sawtelle location is designed to look like a Tokyo alleyway, which sometimes disorients us like a Las Vegas casino. You'll lose all sense of time and space at this ramen spot, regardless of how coherent you are. But what really matters are Daikokuya's pork-fat infused ramen, pan-fried gyoza, and super crispy chicken karaage. Open until 1am.

You might've heard about Bacari Silver Lake's romantic outdoor courtyard and boozy, bellini-fueled brunches, but it's also a great late-night option on the Eastside that's open until 2am on weekends. You can take advantage of the Tuscan-inspired patio for a late dinner with a special someone, perhaps after a concert or if you plan to elope from your boring group plans. Or you can show up to drink as much wine as possible, or split a pork chop and burrata caprese with your very single roommate if you show up before the kitchen closes at midnight.

The Apple Pan hasn't really changed much since it opened on April 11, 1947, and that's about all you need to know. This LA institution has more than earned its place in LA burger lore, and while the classic hickory burger isn't our absolute favorite among the old-school spots, it's still pretty tasty. Come pay your late-night respects and get a delicious banana cream pie on your way out. Open until midnight on the weekends.

Equal parts audio-visual installation and Chinese grilled skewer spot, Xinjiang BBQ in San Gabriel delivers one of the trippier late-night eating experiences in LA. You start by using your phone to order a pile of spice-rubbed skewers—various chicken parts, lamb, seafood, vegetables, etc.—followed by more drinking snacks and beer. Projectors screen giant virtual backdrops onto the walls, while small TVs at each table play catchy pop music videos. There will probably be someone attempting karaoke. The food is decent, but this place stimulates your eyes and ears as much as it does your mouth. Open until 2am weekdays, and until 3am on weekends.

When you don't want the night to end quite yet, but you're done drinking, the answer is always Sanamluang. Sure, there are other late-night Thai spots in East Hollywood, but the food here doesn't sacrifice quality for convenience. Sit in the strip mall parking lot under the glow of neon lights, and order tender duck curry, lard nah, and a huge portion of tom yum in the wee hours of the morning. We also are firm believers that the Sanamluang noodle soup cures your hangovers before they have a chance to hit.

With a good-sized bar area and back patio, Las Perlas Weho is the kind of place that works just as well for rowdy groups on the weekend as it does for casual mid-week drinks with a coworker. The cocktails are fantastic (we love the strong kick from the Spiced Daisy), there's a daily Happy Hour from 5-8pm, and live music on Friday nights. Whatever you do though, be sure to order some food, which is currently being run by Moderno Cocina Libre in the patio until 1am every night. You can't go wrong with any of the tacos (the tortillas are all made in-house), but the chicharron is some of the best we've ever had. 

The classic spot has two locations in Koreatown, a newer location on Western Ave. where the lights stay on 24 hours a day, and the original on 6th St that stays open until 1:30am. But whether you come at 2pm or 2am, you'll see groups huddled around massive cauldrons of galbi jjim (huge cast-iron plates of spicy, tender short ribs, rice cakes, and vegetables in a red galbi sauce). Order it with cheese on top, and they'll blow torch it at your table until it's melted and bubbly. Beyond this incredible stew, the soups are also worth your time.

The line for Leo's tacos stretches across the parking lot for a reason. This gas station taco truck at the corner of La Brea and Venice makes one of the best al pastor tacos in town. And their carne asada tacos are tasty too. We wouldn't throw either out of bed. Ahh, tacos in bed. Open until 2am every night and 3:30am weekends.


There's really nothing quite like walking into Dan Sung Sa at midnight on a Saturday. The dark, all-wood tavern is jam-packed, the smoke from the central grill fills every nook and cranny, and everyone drinks soju like it's the last batch in the world. In short, it's a chaotic dreamscape. The large menu is full of skewers, scallion pancakes, and other excellent Korean bar food, and everything is designed to help your body soak up the alcohol.


The Escondite is one of those Downtown spots you either know about or don't. And if you do know about it, you don't want anybody else to. That's because this somewhat hidden bar/restaurant tucked between Little Tokyo and the Arts District kind of has it all: live music, no cover, excellent drinks, a patio with great views of the DTLA skyline, and good bar food (get any their burgers) available until 1am every night. Just don't tell anybody.


If you don't at least secretly crave chicken and waffles after a long night of drinking, you're lying to yourself and us. Roscoe's has been around since 1975 and is a flat-out LA institution. They deep-fry their chicken in the same batter as they make their waffles, and yes, it's sob-inducing. Maybe you were already crying because you saw your ex looking happy on Instagram a few hours ago, but these will be tears of joy. Their Hollywood location is open until midnight every night of the week.

Everson Royce Bar is one of those places that makes getting everything right look easy. The small interior of this Arts District spot is dark and intimate (ideal for some date night extracurriculars), and the back patio is a party you'll never want to end. The food menu doesn't look too different from any other bar menu around town, but don't let that fool you—it's excellent. And that burger is one of the best you'll find in LA. The kitchen is open until 1am Monday through Saturday.

Tommy's isn't going to win any Best Burger awards, but that doesn't stop the crowds from gathering at this classic 24-hour burger window in Historic Filipinotown after a long night out. If it's your first time, get the double chili cheeseburger with a side of fries. If it's your 50th time, get the exact same thing, and then go eat it while sitting on the sidewalk like everyone else. Expect pretty long lines after the bars get out.

Despite its nightlife allure, there's a disturbing scarcity of solid late-night eats in the Arts District. Luckily, Wurstkuche makes up for it with its mild to wild sausages and a space large enough for the whole crew to find a seat. The lines can get long, and you're not entirely sure why there's a guy in the corner spinning David Guetta, but you're into it. And you're even more into those Belgian fries. Open until midnight on the weekends.

Greetings from our favorite Eastside drunk food diner. Admittedly, Fred's food is just fine while you're sober, but after a few too many beers, it reaches levels of spectacular. Breakfast sandwich? Jucy Lucy? Peanut Butter Malt Shake? Yes, to all. The atmosphere is retro and not in the Mel's Diner type of way that makes you die inside. Fred's your friend who always has your back—until 1am on weekdays and 3am on the weekends. Underrated date idea: watch a movie at the Los Feliz 3 and head here for a late-night meal afterward.


We have no idea why it goes seemingly unnoticed that Jones is open late-night. Open until 1:30am every night of the week, Jones is where you go to crawl into a booth, eat some pizza, drink a Peroni, and wait for the best dessert in town (the apple pie skillet) to arrive. This isn't your roll-in-after-last-call throw-down spot. Come here after a nice night out with friends or an overtime rehearsal, and you'll be in late-night Americanized Italian bliss.

La Poubelle is a French bistro in Hollywood where the white paint is chipped in all the right places. People who live in the area seem to appreciate its somewhat chaotic presence, and every third person who walks by embraces a staff member like a long-lost sibling. Any dinner at La Poubelle should be long, leisurely, and martini-fueled. The action takes place on the sidewalk, where diners in APC denim feast on buttery escargot, pasta bolognese, and baskets of thyme-covered french fries. Late night (they're open until 1:30am on weekends), you'll find a lot of young people and Europeans shouting their phone numbers to each other over loud music. And it somehow isn't the worst.

We'll always be team Phillippe's when it comes to LA's french dip debate—Phillippe's was first, and Phillipe's is better, OK?—but it's pretty nice that Cole's serves sandwiches (and stiff drinks) until close, which is somewhere between 1-2am. And if thinly shaved roast beef, french bread, and salty au jus aren't your thing, you can always opt for grilled cheese and tomato soup. Next time you're planning a big night out Downtown, ending the night at Cole's is a rite of passage.

Open since 1947, Western Bagel is an LA classic that serves quality bagels and sandwiches throughout Southern California. But at their long-standing location in Van Nuys, they serve those babies 24 hours a day. Given its location, it's not the best spot to hit after a long night of bar-hopping, but if you're up early in the Valley or have to catch a 6am flight out of LAX, the cheese bagel sandwiches are exactly what your body needs. 


This tiny, 24-hour strip mall spot in West Hollywood serves the kind of giant enchilada combo platters and cheese-topped burritos that taste good any time of day. That said, they taste best at 4am after a long night out in Boystown and an ill-advised stop at Mickey's after hours. If you're really hungry, go for the cheese enchiladas, but otherwise, the taquitos and carne asada burrito are both easy to eat while you walk.

Open till 1am on the weekends, La Cabaña is one of our favorite late-night spots on the Westside. Few places rival the rowdy back patio and old-school Cali-Mexican cuisine quite like this 53-year-old staple. The El Verde burrito is a monstrosity easily sharable between two people, and their La Casa quesadilla is worth traveling to at any point on the sobriety scale.

After nearby bars close down for the night, the Silver Lake location of Garage Pizza can become packed with people all trying to order a slice or two, so we usually take the pizza out to the curb and use our knees as a table. Bless. Open until at least 2am every night.

photo credit: Carnitas Michoacan

$$$$Perfect For:Late Night Eats

You know you're close to this 24-hour taco stand in Lincoln Heights when you start walking past people with salsa running down their chins. And don't snicker—that's going to be you shortly. We absolutely love the sweet and smoky al pastor, and while it goes well with just about everything on the menu, the move at 2am is to add it to their Papa Nachos. This beautiful plate comes with a heaping pile of crinkle fries, jalapeños, sour cream, and guacamole—all doused with their homemade nacho cheese sauce.

There are plenty of incredible late-night spots in Koreatown, but the outdoor patio at Ddong Ggo might be our favorite. Walking into this massive beer garden at midnight on a Saturday feels like you’ve stepped into the best party in town. Everyone is drinking pitchers of beer and smoking cigarettes (a lot of cigarettes), and the only time they take a break from either is when a gigantic kimchi pancake hits the table. They’re currently open from 5pm-2am every day except Monday.

photo credit: Astro Family Restaurant

$$$$Perfect For:Late Night Eats

When it comes to late-night Silver Lake, you have two options: drive to another neighborhood or go to Astro’s. Located on the corner of Fletcher and Glendale Blvd., this old-school diner was built in the kitschy 1960s Googie style, complete with pink leather booths, etched glass, and of course, a giant sign out front. Open 24 hours, seven days a week, come at any time and you’ll see seniors grabbing a coffee and eating steak and eggs, people passing through after work, and whoever has drifted over from the giant Whole Foods next door.

Chase Sapphire Card Ad

Suggested Reading

The Best Tacos In Los Angeles image

The Best Tacos In Los Angeles

LA is a taco town. Consider this your checklist of the best of the best.

DK’s Donuts and Bakery image

Dessert

Santa Monica

DK’s is a 24-hour donut shop in Santa Monica, and one of your best options on the Westside for a late night sugar fix.

The Bar Hit List: Where To Drink in LA Right Now image

Call them what you want. Happening. Cool. Busy. Vibing. These are currently the most fun bars in LA.

Infatuation Logo

Company

2024 © The Infatuation Inc. All Rights Reserved.

FIND PLACES ON OUR APP

Get it on Google PlayDownload on the App Store