Recommendations for Selected Los Angeles International Airport Restaurants and Bars (LAX restaurants and bars) to visit during a layover or while waiting for a flight
LAX has 7 domestic flight terminals, one smaller and one larger international flight terminal. The terminals are connected by an internal or external walkway, and shuttle buses are also available. Unfortunately for those searching LAX for an airport restaurant or bar, you are really confined to those airport restaurants and bars within the terminal from which you are flying. This is because to enter each separate terminal you must pass through the security checkpoint, and virtually all of the LAX airport restaurants and bars are located past the security checkpoints.
So, in addition to the ubiquitous fast-food chains and coffee shop chains found in many airports (Burger King (Terminals 2,3,4), McDonald's (Terminals 1,5,7 and International) and Starbucks (Terminals 1,2,3,4,6,7,8)) there are some other choices at LAX. Generally prices are typical airport - higher than what you would pay at normal establishments. This list of suggested LAX restaurants and bars should be up to date as of November 2008, but please feel free to add you own comments and let us know of any errors.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 1 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Camacho's Cafe - "Quick service" Mexican restaurant which is owned by a company which operates other Mexican restaurant sand concessions in the LA area. This restaurant also contains a bar area.
Organic To Go - In the food court just past security. Offers healthy sandwiches, salads and fruit.
Backlot Deli - Here you can get sandwiches to go
La Brea Bakery - LA bakery and restaurant (cafe) that has locations at Disneyland and on La Brea Ave in Los Angeles. Serves fresh baked goods, salads and sandwiches. Visit their website for more information. (http://www.labreabakery.com/) "La Brea Bakery, known for fresh-baked artisan breads matching a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offerings, opened in three LAX terminals in October 2008, Terminal 1 (Southwest Airlines and US Airways), Terminal 2 (13 internationalairlines) and Terminal 7 (United Airlines)." - (source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Los-Angeles-World-Airports-910325.html)
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Brewpub Chain which started in Palo Alto, CA. Features German style beer. Food is also served from CPK menu. (http://www.gordonbiersch.com/)
California Pizza Kitchen ASAP - an express version of the popular chain (http://www.cpk.com/) "Our ASAP restaurants, which are significantly smaller than our full service restaurants are a high quality fast-casual concept and offer a limited selection of our most popular pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers." - CPK
[Boudin Sourdough Bakery - A San Francisco Bakery / Cafe specializing in sourdough breads, sandwiches, salads and pizzas.(http://www.boudinbakery.com) - I am not sure if this is still open now that La Brea Has opened]
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 2 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
La Brea Bakery - LA bakery and restaurant (cafe) that has locations at Disneyland and on La Brea Ave in Los Angeles. Serves fresh baked goods, salads and sandwiches. Visit their website for more information. (http://www.labreabakery.com/) "La Brea Bakery, known for fresh-baked artisan breads matching a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offerings, opened in three terminals in October 2008, Terminal 1 (Southwest Airlines and US Airways), Terminal 2 (13 international airlines) and Terminal 7 (United Airlines)." - (source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Los-Angeles-World-Airports-910325.html)
Wolfgang Puck Express - Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express features Wolfgang’s most popular dishes in a contemporary, fast-casual setting with very affordable prices. The extensive menu features Wolfgang Puck’s hand-crafted gourmet pizzas, a variety of pastas, sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, including Wolfgang’s famous Chinois™ chicken salad, and Wolfgang’s classics, such as ginger salmon and rosemary rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. According to the company, they use only the finest ingredients to prepare our food fresh-to-order in just minutes. In addition, with their Puck To Go service, you don’t have to sacrifice quality, even when you're in a hurry. You can call in your order and they’ll have it ready when you arrive. Learn more about Wolfgang Puck Restaurants at their website. (www.wolfgangpuck.com)
[Boudin Sourdough Bakery - A San Francisco Bakery / Cafe specializing in sourdough breads, sandwiches, salads and pizzas.(http://www.boudinbakery.com) - I am not sure if this is still open now that La Brea Has opened]
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 3 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom - gourmet sausages with all the fixin's. I don't think these are the healthiest things to eat, but they sure are good. (http://www.jodymaroni.com/)
California Pizza Kitchen ASAP - an express version of the popular chain (http://www.cpk.com/). "Our ASAP restaurants, which are significantly smaller than our full service restaurants are a high quality fast-casual concept and offer a limited selection of our most popular pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers." - CPK
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 4 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina serves passengers in Terminal 4 (Delta Airlines) with freshly prepared traditional Mexican favorites and mesquite-grilled specialties (opened October 2008).
Brioche Dorée: "Brioche Doree features artfully-crafted meals that satisfy the growing demand for premium quality food and highly efficient, speedy service. The restaurant's menu features a broad variety of freshly made sandwiches, innovative garden salads, tasty soups, and gourmet coffee and espresso. All breads and pastries are baked in full view of customers"
Manhattan Beach Brewing Company - Brewpub located in Manhattan Beach reportedly opened at LAX early in 2008.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 5 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
California Pizza Kitchen ASAP - an express version of the popular chain (http://www.cpk.com/) "Our ASAP restaurants, which are significantly smaller than our full service restaurants are a high quality fast-casual concept and offer a limited selection of our most popular pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers." - CPK
El Cholo Cantina - Mexican Restaurant Chain in Southern California. This LAX restaurant gets very mixed reviews, but if you are in the mood for Mexican Food or a Margarita and are stuck Terminal 5 you don't have many other options.
Or just have some coffee and ice cream at Euro Coffee and Haagen Dazs
Creative Croissants - chain offering sandwiches and specializing in, uh, croissants. Also some desert type croissants available. People seem to have decent things to say about this LAX restaurant.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 6 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom - gourmet sausages with all the fixin's. I don't think these are the healthiest things to eat, but they sure are good. (http://www.jodymaroni.com/)
Redondo Beach Brewing Company - Brewpub located in Redondo Beach. A recent review says they have Karl Strauss and Gordon Biersch beers on tap? (http://www.yelp.com/biz/redondo-beach-brewing-company-los-angeles) Presumably they actually have Redondo Beach BC beers? The company website has no info on this location.
Ruby's Diner - Classic American Diner chain.
Monet's, A California Deli - Another place with mixed reviews
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 7 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - California brewpub that began in San Diego and has a LAX restaurant location on Terminal 7. What better way to pass the time of a flight delay or layover than with a nice beer! (www.karlstrauss.com)
Wolfgang Puck Express - Wolfgang Puck Gourmet Express features Wolfgang’s most popular dishes in a contemporary, fast-casual setting with very affordable prices. The extensive menu features Wolfgang Puck’s hand-crafted gourmet pizzas, a variety of pastas, sandwiches, soups, fresh salads, including Wolfgang’s famous Chinois™ chicken salad, and Wolfgang’s classics, such as ginger salmon and rosemary rotisserie chicken with garlic mashed potatoes. According to the company, they use only the finest ingredients to prepare our food fresh-to-order in just minutes. In addition, with their Puck To Go service, you don’t have to sacrifice quality, even when you're in a hurry. You can call in your order and they’ll have it ready when you arrive. Learn more about Wolfgang Puck Restaurants at their website. (www.wolfgangpuck.com)
La Brea Bakery - LA bakery and restaurant (cafe) that has locations at Disneyland and on La Brea Ave in Los Angeles. Serves fresh baked goods, salads and sandwiches. Visit their website for more information. (http://www.labreabakery.com/) "La Brea Bakery, known for fresh-baked artisan breads matching a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner menu offerings, opened in three terminals in October 2008, Terminal 1 (Southwest Airlines and US Airways), Terminal 2 (13 international airlines) and Terminal 7 (United Airlines)." - (source: http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Los-Angeles-World-Airports-910325.html)
Baja Fresh - The new LAX restaurant is a hybrid of Baja Fresh Mexican Grill, and allows guests to customize and build their own burrito in 4 minutes or less. For more information about Baja Fresh, visit their website. (www.bajafresh.com)
[Boudin Sourdough Bakery - A San Francisco Bakery / Cafe specializing in sourdough breads, sandwiches, salads and pizzas. (http://www.boudinbakery.com) - I am not sure if this is still open now that La Brea Has opened]
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Terminal 8 – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Gordon Biersch Brewery - Brewpub Chain which started in Palo Alto, CA. Features German style beer. Food is also served. (http://www.gordonbiersch.com/)
Karl Strauss Brewing Company - California brewpub that began in San Diego and has a LAX restaurant location on Terminal 7. What better way to pass the time of a flight delay or layover than with a nice beer! (www.karlstrauss.com)
California Pizza Kitchen ASAP - an express version of the popular chain (http://www.cpk.com/) "Our ASAP restaurants, which are significantly smaller than our full service restaurants are a high quality fast-casual concept and offer a limited selection of our most popular pizzas, salads, sandwiches and appetizers." - CPK
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) International Terminal – Airport Restaurants and Bars
Everything except 2 bars are located in a food court upstairs, so it is easy to wander around. Some "international" LAX restaurants include:
Sushi Boy - A southern California sushi chain. http://www.sushiboy.net/
Hamada Orient Express - offers Chinese and Japanese cuisine. Owned by Japanese restaurant chain with locations in CA and Las Vegas. http://www.hamadaofjapan.com/
