Open until 2am weekdays, 3am Fri, Sat. This fleet of seven cash-only taco trucks across L.A. serves the best al pastor tacos in the city, and it’s all available well past midnight. Though they also offer burritos, mulitas, huaraches and other Mexican street food specialties, your eyes will likely be drawn to the trompo–a rotating spit of tender, marinated al pastor topped with a shaved, juicy hunk of pineapple. Though Leo’s draws its largest crowds on weekend nights from the nightclub set, this isn’t just your average drunchie. Whether eaten right on the spot or taken home, the thin slices of al pastor, topped with a bit of pineapple, are a beautiful sight to behold—and consume.
For the last few years, the pandemic and subsequent inflation have put a damper on L.A.’s late-night dining scene, with plenty of classic after-hours joints closing earlier and earlier to trim down on operating costs. In the last year or so, though, we’ve seen enough of a return in late-night dining options (beyond tacos and fast food, of course) to put together this up-to-date guide. The definition of “late,” in our honest opinion, means until at least midnight, and we’ve also included options that go past official last call at most lounges, bars and nightclubs.
Maybe you just got off your flight at LAX, or you want the party to go a little bit longer before you head home for the night. Whether you’re grabbing takeout as a bedtime snack or just trying to stave off a hangover, these late-night restaurants—many of them iconic—will definitely fit the bill.