Fried chicken and chili spaghetti at Bob's Big Boy in Burbank
Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out | Bob's Big Boy
Photograph: Patricia Kelly Yeo for Time Out

The best late night restaurants in Los Angeles

Whether you’re at your journey’s end or fueling up to keep the party going, we've rounded up the city’s top late night food spots.

Patricia Kelly Yeo
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Since the pandemic, rising inflation has 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 two, 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 the best late night food 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.

May 2025: Since last year, the Four Brothers street stall has mysteriously vanished from the Thai Town dining scene. This year’s update removes Fluffy’s, Cole’s, JJ Hong Kong Cafe and Dante Beverly Hills in favor of a few old-but-new additions in Koreatown, Little Tokyo, Burbank, San Gabriel and Chinatown. This includes another late-night KBBQ option in the form of Hae Jang Chon, excellent cold noodles and stews from Lee Ga and HK Macau Bistro, a truly standout Hong Kong-style café. I’ve also added Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank (which now stays open until 3am on weekends), Chinatown classic Hop Woo and vegetable-forward noodle shop Rakkan Ramen.

Time Out has also instituted a sitewide change in review policies. All food and drink venues included in guides now have star ratings, with five stars corresponding to “amazing,” four to “great” and three to “good,” and we’ve also standardized how most listings are structured. For more on our new policies, feel free to check out How we review at Time Out.

Where to find the best late night food in L.A.

  • Trucks
  • Mid City
  • price 1 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mid-City: Mon–Thu 10am–2am; Fri, Sat 10am–3:30pm; Sun 10am–2am. Check Leo’s Instagram for hours of operation at other locations

What is it? A fleet of 12 taco trucks across L.A. that serve some of the best al pastor tacos in the city. 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. 

Why we love it: Tacos on late nights! Tacos in the afternoon! Although Leo’s draws its largest crowds on weekend nights from the going out set, this isn’t just your average drunchie. Operating like a well-oiled machine, the staff at each Leo’s location deftly serves each customer’s tacos, calling out numbers in both Spanish and English. Upon receiving your order, you can ask them for pre-packaged little plastic baggies of onions, cilantro and salsa—a pandemic-era safety and hygiene upgrade. Whether eaten in open air or taken home, the thin slices of al pastor, topped with a bit of pineapple, are a beautiful sight to behold—and consume. 

Time Out tip: Though it may be tempting to only order their tacos al pastor, Leo’s is no slouch in the offal department either. To diversify your taco order, order their buche (pork), cabeza (beef) and tripas (beef).

Address: Multiple venues, inc. Mid-City, Hollywood and Pico-Union

  • Mexican
  • Huntington Park
  • price 1 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–10pm

What is it? Some of Southern California’s very best tacos—now available in Huntington Park.

Why we love it: Tacos Los Cholos serves some of the best street meats on a tortilla we’ve ever had. Yes, we mean ever. The mesquite-grilled meats offer a wealth of flavors, from the chewy, perfectly grilled panela cheese to the ultra-tender rib eye. Three price tiers—regular ($2.90), premium ($3.79), prime ($7.64)—might seem daunting, but you can’t go wrong with almost any option. Our suggestion for first-timers? Go for mid-tier options like the costilla de res (pork ribs) and arrachera (skirt steak), which strike the balance between affordability and quality. Tacos Los Cholos’ self-serve topping station includes a creamy chipotle mayo, cucumbers and several varieties of salsa, ranging from mild to heart-stopping.

Time Out tip: Don’t live in the area? Come later in the evening to avoid the worst of traffic—Tacos Los Cholos is open until midnight most days of the week (and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays).

Address: 7127 Pacific Blvd, Huntington Park, CA 90255

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  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 4pm–2am

What is it? The quintessential Koreatown drinking spot, known for its dim lighting, wood panel interiors and delicious anju, or Korean drinking snacks.

Why we love it: The food’s delicious, affordable and available until 2am, but the real reason why so many Angelenos head to Dan Sung Sa are the impeccable vibes and cheap drinks. Stepping through its doors can make you feel like you’ve been transported back to a late-20th-century Seoul pojangmacha—according to Eater, owner Caroline Cho constructed the bar based on her own memories of South Korea’s tented street pubs when she first opened it in 1997. Laminated menus present an array of over 90 food items, all of which are meant to be eaten alongside bottles of sake, fruit and yogurt-flavored soju, baekseju (an herb-infused rice wine) and makgeolli, a lightly sparkling, off-white rice wine that manages to read on the palate as sweet, tangy and bitter all at once. Pro tip: Order the corn cheese.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming late, wait times on weekends and most evenings can stretch to an hour or more. For a similar experience with little to no wait, I recommend Hanshin Pocha down the street, though the ambience there isn’t quite as fun.

Address: 3317 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

  • Cocktail bars
  • Downtown Arts District
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Tue–Thu 4–10pm; Fri, Sat 4pm–2am

What is it? A relaxed indoor-outdoor cocktail bar in the Arts District serving some of the city’s tastiest, most reasonably priced cocktails.

Why we love it: You enter beneath the neon sign hanging over the door—it just reads “BAR,” you can’t miss it—and the second you’re in, you’ll probably agree with the second neon you see: “My, that’s better.” Stepping into Everson Royce Bar is like heaving a sigh of relief, a boozy boon to the Arts District that feels part elegant cocktail den, part raucous patio party. No matter which experience you choose (based on where you choose to sit), you’ll be ordering some of L.A.’s best cocktails. They come inspired by Los Angeles and seasonal produce—we recommend the long-time favorite Yo LA Tengo, which comes packed with mezcal, grapefruit, Aperol, ginger and lime, or the Ginger’s Last Kiss, which involves, you guessed it, ginger. A newly added daily $12 and under menu includes an old-fashioned, a daiquiri and ranch water.

Time Out tip: Order the single cheeseburger—it’s on our list of the best burgers in Los Angeles.

Address: 1936 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

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  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Koreatown (Western Ave), Rowland Heights and San Gabriel: Daily 24 hours; Koreatown (6th Street): Daily 11am–5am

What is it? A Korean restaurant that specializes in galbi jjim, or braised soy-marinated short ribs, along with other traditional beef-based soups and stews. 

Why we love it: The fiery, cheese-covered mountain of marinated short rib, sweet potatoes and onions at Sun Nong Dan is one of L.A.’s iconic dishes. Despite having expanded to two locations in the area, Sun Nong Dan still fills up at all hours of the day with partygoers and night owls hankering for the galbi jjim, which gets torched right at your table. In my opinion, the local chain also makes a standout galbi tang, a clear beef soup topped with short rib. You can also find other well-executed takes of primarily beef-based Korean staples including sulungtang, a milky oxbone soup that can be topped with different cuts of beef; assorted takes on sooyook, or beef cuts designed to be dipped into a bubbling hot pot; and yukdaejang, a spicy beef soup seasoned with leeks and gochugaru, or Korean hot pepper flakes.

Time Out tip: If you’re coming in a party of two, you only really need to order a medium-sized galbi jjim to leave here satisfied. 

Address: Multiple, including two in Koreatown (Western and 6th St) 

  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • price 2 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 10am–4am

What is it? A strip mall gem on the eastern end of Koreatown that gives national tofu chain BCD a run for its money.

Why we love it: It’s all in the details at LA Tofu House, where the bowls of soondubu offer a level of nuanced flavor unlike most other Koreatown specialists. The restaurant also serves sizzling galbi plates and a unique octopus bibimbap; most dishes supersede other versions around town by leaps and bounds, with a slight premium in menu prices to match. A warm deep-fried croaker and small, but well-made banchan selection round out a homestyle Korean meal here, but you can also opt for takeout or local delivery if you’d rather snuggle up at home. Unless you’re coming at peak dinner hour, parking here is also fairly easy to snag—the restaurant has an on-site lot with an affordable cash-preferred valet (the attendants sometimes take Venmo or Zelle.) 

Time Out tip: Skip the curry soondubu here; it’s more of a novelty than anything else.

Address: 401 S Vermont Ave, Unit 3, Los Angeles, CA 90020

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  • American
  • Westside
  • price 1 of 4
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–11pm; Fri, Sat 11am–midnight; Sun 11am–11pm

What is it? A West L.A. institution that’s home to one of the best burgers and pies in the city.

Why we love it: Queue up and take a seat around the U-shaped counter at the Apple Pan, which has somehow, someway, managed to escape time. Aside from a few minor changes over the years—I still miss the old-school paper soda cones with metal cupholders—the restaurant has largely stayed the same in terms of the interior layout and menu. Burger patties sizzle on the griddle that’s been around for decades (since 1947, to be exact) and served by friendly staff, including more than a handful that have worked here for decades. The most modern updates? Since the pandemic, you can sit outside in the newer outdoor dining area, and vegans and vegetarians can opt for an Impossible patty. But the go-to order for me is still the classic smoky hickoryburger, which comes slathered in house barbecue sauce and can only be made better by ordering double the cheese. If I’m with more than one other person, I usually like to split the tuna melt or a patty melt for a little more variety. Pair your handhelds with an order of crispy fries and save room for a slice or two of the equally-famous housemade pies (á la mode, all the way). 

Time Out tip: The Apple Pan is a go-to L.A. option for Thanksgiving pies and a Pi Day destination. Read: Order far in advance or arrive early, or risk disappointment.

Address: 10801 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

  • Thai
  • Thai Town
  • price 1 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–1am; Fri, Sat 11am–3am; Sun 11am–1am

What is it? A late-night Thai Town classic (with a North Hollywood sibling that keeps more regular hours).

Why we love it: Over the years, Sanamlauang has attracted fans from near and far for its large, crowd-pleasing menu of homestyle dishes—and there’s nowhere better in the area for a meal after midnight. Start with the classic tom kha kai, a spicy coconut soup with plump chicken, mushrooms, lemongrass, lime juice and fresh chili for a refreshing starter. Then take a menu detour with the krapow gai, a satisfying and fiery chicken-basil-rice stir-fry topped with an optional egg, and khana moo grob: These crispy and juicy chunks of pork paired with broth-wilted Chinese broccoli are a must. Note that Sanamluang can get quite busy, especially on weekends, so a little patience might be required to snag a table on Friday and Saturday nights.

Time Out tip: While you can find most takeout classics here, my favorite dishes to order are the noodle soups—named the roasted duck and house options.

Address:  5176 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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  • Japanese
  • Downtown Historic Core
  • price 1 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11am–1am; Fri, Sat 11am–3am; Sun 11am–1am

What is it? A charming Japanese diner that’s been around since 1972.

Why we love it: While Suehiro recently relocated from its longtime Little Tokyo digs to a cavernous space in Downtown L.A., the unpretentious menu still offers just as much old-school comfort from a much larger, sleeker dining room. Dishes like curry udon, shrimp tempura, straightforward donburi and okonomi combo plates always satisfy, but my favorite dish is the beef hayashi rice: a rich, comforting demi-glace sauce topped with a supplemental fried egg. Over in Chinatown, you can find much of the menu available for delivery until 12:40am via Suehiro Mini, which offers a truncated (but vegan-friendly) menu of ramen, udon, curry and rice bowls and a handful of seats for dine-in.

Time Out tip: The menu is surprisingly vegan-friendly, with plant-based takes on yakisoba, mapo tofu and ramen.

Address: 400 S Main St, Ste 102, Los Angeles, CA 90013

  • Italian
  • West Hollywood
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 7pm–2am

What is it? A beloved red-sauce bar and restaurant at the edge of West Hollywood.

Why we love it: Jones keeps its kitchen open until 1am—all the better to slide into a booth well after dinner primetime for the spaghetti and meatballs, famously decadent skillet apple pie and other comfort food favorites. Sundays through Thursdays, Jones also offers the “Beggar’s Banquet” menu from 10:30pm onwards, which features discounted pastas, salads and cocktails. Though the place is a veritable Hollywood nightlife destination on weekends, don’t let the scene-y aspect deter you from visiting for a late-night snack; the Jones staff is just as gracious to average diners as they are to the repeat A-list visitors.

Time Out tip: This is one of the few late-night food joints in L.A. where you can also find an excellent martini.

Address: 7205 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90046

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  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–11pm

What is it? A Koreatown restaurant that serves an amazing take on North Korean-style mul naengmyeon (buckwheat noodles in icy beef broth), steamed kimchi dumplings and an array of hearty soups, braises and stews. 

Why we love it: The chewy, habit-forming buckwheat noodles here are made in-house—and I honestly think Lee Ga serves the best naengmyeon in Los Angeles. If you love spicy food, you can also order them as bibim naengmyeon, which douses them in a medium-spicy sauce flavored with gochujang and red pepper flakes. Personally, I prefer the subtler mul version, which offers a tangy, beefy flavor worthy of sipping to the very last drop, especially after lightly seasoning it with the mustard and rice vinegar available at each table. Other menu highlights include the oversized kimchi-stuffed dumplings and the seok galbi gui, a towering pile of soy-marinated bone-in short ribs and onions on a bed of thinly sliced sweet potatoes.the

Time Out tip: Bring cash for the (fairly cheap) on-site valet. Not all the attendants accept Zelle or Venmo.

Address: 698 S Vermont Ave, Ste 106, Los Angeles, CA 90005

  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 11:30am–midnight; Fri 11:30am–1am; Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight

What is it? A late-night Koreatown gopchang joint that’s gotten even busier since BTS, BLACKPINK and other major K-pop stars patronized the restaurant. 

Why we love it: Unlike its nearby sibling restaurants Quarters and Origin, this Sixth Street restaurant technically focuses on slightly more divisive offal cuts, but the current menu still serves plenty of the usual selection of beef and pork.The actual front door is hidden inside a parking lot, so if you’re coming in from the street you’ll need to walk down Harvard to actually enter the restaurant. The rowdy atmosphere, soju offerings and excellent sides—including thinly sliced sweet onions, boiled yellow sweet potato and chive kimchi—translate into a lively, booze-laced night out. Most importantly, the restaurant stays open until 1am on weekends, so you can grab a meal here after most other Korean barbecue restaurants have closed. 

Time Out tip: End your meal with the mountain tripe fried rice—which you can also top with a “cheese mountain” for a few dollars more. 

Address: 3744 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90005

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  • Chinese
  • San Gabriel Valley
  • price 1 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 8am–2am

What is it? A Hong Kong-style café that draws design and culinary inspiration from neighboring Macau with mahjong-lined tables and regional specialties like curry beef stew.

Why we love it: Last year, I spent a lot of time in the San Gabriel Valley trying several different Hong Kong-style cafés. Also known as cha chaan teng, the Chinese restaurant genre is defined by an encyclopedic fusion menu that incorporates Cantonese and Western culinary influences, as well as a diner-like atmosphere. Among them, my favorites are Tam’s Noodle House and its late-night sibling, HK Macau Bistro. The menu draws here include the char siu rice bowl and a mouthwatering pork chop pineapple bun sandwich. Not every dish shines—which isn’t surprising with over 150 menu items—but focus in on cha chaan teng staples like Ovaltine French toast, soy sauce chow mein and any of the claypot dishes for one of the most delicious late-night meals in Los Angeles.

Time Out tip: Avoid the fusion pasta dishes here unless you enjoy slightly overcooked spaghetti. 

Address: 708 E Las Tunas Dr, Ste D, San Gabriel, CA 91776

  • Korean
  • Koreatown
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–2am; Sun 11am–midnight

What is it? One of the best all-you-can-eat establishments in Koreatown—and the only such option in the neighborhood I can sincerely, wholeheartedly recommend. 

Why we love it: There’s a reason that Hae Jang Chon stays busy well after regular dinner hours: For $44 per person, you won’t find a better combination of quality meats, well-made banchan and supplemental side dishes for such a reasonable price. Sure, there may not be Wagyu on the menu, but the short rib, beef tongue and spicy octopus here still satisfy my appetite after all these years and exposure to much higher-end KBBQ options—and I’ve been coming here for over a decade. For $5 more, you can add on a plate of lettuce and perilla leaves to make ssam, but the set price also includes corn cheese, kimchi pancake, soybean paste soup, radish wrap and unlimited green salad. At the end of your meal, save room to indulge in the kimchi fried rice, which a server will make with your leftover meat and banchan; it’s one of the best parts of dining here, and one of the many reasons why Hae Jang Chon stays on top. The wait can be punishing at peak dinner hours on the weekends, so you might want to grab a drink or snack nearby to break up the wait.

Time Out tip: If you’re craving a taste of Korean barbecue at home, Hae Jang Chon offers takeout and delivery. Each thoughtfully arranged combo meal includes meat, rice and a set of three banchan.

Address: 3821 W 6th St, Los Angeles, CA 90020

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  • Street food
  • Hollywood
  • price 1 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Hollywood: Mon–Thu 11am–1am; Fri, Sat 11am–3am; Sun 11am–1am; Sherman Oaks: Mon–Thu 11am–midnight; Fri, Sat 11am–1:30am; Sun 11am–midnight; Pasadena: Mon–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri, Sat 11am–1:30am; Sun 11am–midnight

What is it? A casual storefront selling juicy, Syrian-style shawarma on Hollywood Boulevard.

Why we love it: Brave the weirdos and tourists of Hollywood Boulevard for a taste of some of the city’s best shawarma. Whether you’re stopping by after a concert at the Fonda or the Bowl, or trekking from elsewhere, Sincerely Syria delivers the late-night goods with two different kinds of thinly shaved, juicy and delicious street meat—chicken or mixed lamb and beef. Inside a pan-grilled wrap, the shawarma almost seems to melt in your mouth, especially when paired with the delectable sauces (tahini for the lamb and beef, garlic for the chicken). The suburban outposts in Sherman Oaks and Pasadena also stay open until a respectable 1:30am on weekend evenings. 

Time Out tip: Order an extra side of garlic sauce, particularly if you’re ordering your meat with a side of fries.

Address: Hollywood: 6319 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028; Sherman Oaks: 14518 Ventura Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91403; Pasadena: 21 S Fair Oaks Ave, Pasadena, CA 91105

  • Japanese
  • Little Tokyo
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Wed 11am–midnight; Thu–Sat 11am–1am; Sun 11am–midnight 

What is it? A vegan-friendly noodle chain from Tokyo (with an offshoot in Redondo Beach that closes at 11pm and another in Long Beach that also stays open until midnight).

Why we love it: Before “plant-based” went mainstream, this Tokyo-based ramen shop had already begun making a range of flavorful broths with kombu (seaweed), mushrooms and other vegetables back in 2011. In Little Tokyo, it’s the best among the late-night ramen options—though the original Daikokuya stays open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and the Shin-Sen-Gumi outpost doesn’t shut its doors until 11pm. While most of the broths are made from plants, the toppings don’t have to be; unless you’re ordering one of the vegan options, most bowls come topped with chashu pork and half of a soft-boiled egg. On my last visit, I particularly enjoyed the Amber (made with soy sauce, dried sardines and bonito flakes). No matter which one you order, the unique soups are light and flavorful, with none of the greasiness commonly associated with tonkotsu broth. If you’re particularly hungry, you can also get one of the rice bowls or a couple of appetizers. 

Time Out tip: My favorite starters are the salmon tartare and crispy pork gyoza.

Address: 359 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

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  • American
  • Manhattan Beach
  • price 2 of 4
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 5am–midnight; Fri, Sat 24 hours; Sun 5am–midnight

What is it? A longtime Manhattan Beach restaurant known for its sprawling, diner-style menu and iconic neon sign.

Why we love it: Run by the Simms family since 1973, the Kettle has been a mainstay of downtown Manhattan Beach and the South Bay writ large for decades. Though a little too upscale in ambience to be considered a true diner, the casual, crowd-pleasing menu has fed generations of locals. On weekend evenings, it’s one of the best places in the area for an after-hours meal; in fact, if you’re within a 10-minute drive of Manhattan Beach, I wouldn’t recommend anywhere else. Everything is made from scratch; service is warm but efficient; and thoughtful details like the extensive craft beer list and delicious muffins—served with every salad, omelette and dinner entrée—will remind you that the Kettle is a far cry from the average greasy spoon. After midnight, the local nightlife crowd files in for the panko-encrusted chicken tenders and zucchini fries, which come dusted with parmesan cheese and served with your side of dipping sauce (I recommend the buttermilk ranch).

Time Out tip: If you’re craving something sweet, order the fresh banana pancakes or the sea salt fudge brownie sundae. 

Address: 1138 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

  • Japanese
  • Sawtelle
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 11am–1am (last call at 12:30am)

What is it? The late-night West L.A. outpost of one of L.A.’s most popular ramen shops.

Why we love it: On the Westside, there’s no better place after midnight than Daikokuya, a longtime ramenya that’s become a cozy mainstay for locals in recent years. Inside the tiny Sawtelle outpost (which stays open the latest), whose interior resembles a lantern-lit Tokyo alleyway, night owls slurp up bowls of flavorful, porky tonkotsu broth and Chijire-style egg noodles. Fans of accoutrements can amp it up by ordering their bowl kotteri-style, which adds a boost of flavor with a fatty soup extract. Each bowl comes with a boiled egg, bamboo shoots, bean sprouts and green onions—but go big with a ramen combo adding rice bowls topped with eel, pork cutlets or tuna. If you or someone else in your party isn’t particularly hungry, the appetizers and standalone rice bowls make for a filling, affordable evening snack.

Time Out tip: Not in the mood for ramen? Order the pork (or chicken) fried rice or yakisoba.

Address: 2208 Sawtelle Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

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  • Hamburgers
  • Burbank
  • price 1 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Thu 6am–midnight; Fri, Sat 6am–3am; Sun 6am–midnight

What is it? The oldest surviving location of a popular SoCal burger joint dating back to the 1930s. 

Why we love it: Bob’s Big Boy is a registered historic landmark with a long history in pop culture. A lengthy curved countertop cuts through the coppertone diner, which offers perfectly calibrated retro vibes. The most notable feature, though, is a sense of pop culture history, with a designated booth that the Beatles once dined at and the knowledge that David Lynch neurotically came by every day at 2:30pm for seven years to slurp down a chocolate milkshake. The classic food here is hot, tasty and fast, and unlike the other remaining outposts in Downey, Norco and Northridge, the Burbank location serves plates of chicken fingers, chili cheese fries and burgers until midnight on weekdays and 3am on weekend evenings. The old-fashioned shakes here are legendarily thick—I like the orange creamsicle flavor—and the kitchen also serves all-day breakfast, if you’re into that sort of thing. Be sure to take a moment to appreciate the iconic Big Boy statue outside. 

Time Out tip: From 4 to 10pm on Friday evenings, the restaurant also hosts a classic car show in the parking lot.

Address: 4211 W Riverside Dr, Burbank, CA 91505

  • Vietnamese
  • South Bay
  • price 1 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon, Wed–Sun 11am–2am

What is it? A Vietnamese restaurant in the South Bay that offers a straightforward, vegetarian-friendly menu centered around pho and familiar khai vi (appetizers).

Why we love it: Run by the second generation of a family of SoCal pho shop owners, Pho Daily is an excellent late-night workhorse of a restaurant. The namesake nourishing broth delivers flavor with minimal grease and plenty of herbs, while the summer rolls with pork sausage arrive with a tasty, high-quality peanut sauce. Beyond pho, there’s also a vast array of other common Vietnamese dishes, some more well-executed than others—making Pho Daily a great option for any and all late-night Vietnamese cravings and a solid takeout and delivery go-to for locals.

Time Out tip: For something different, order the Cornish game hen or the beef stew with baguette. 

Address: 15126 S Western Ave, Gardena, CA 90249

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  • Delis
  • Fairfax District
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 24 hours

What is it? A historic Jewish deli that sits along perhaps the most storied stretch of Fairfax.

Why we love it: Canter’s is a fantastic, living relic of early-20th-century L.A. and a reminder of the local Jewish community’s deep roots. Still owned by the Canter family, this 24-hour deli with a gargantuan bakery case and retro interior is a decent Jewish deli and one of our favorite places to dine after hours. Come here at 2am and you’re bound to see musicians from all over town who’ve just gotten off the stage and want to tuck into some blintzes or a stacked pastrami sandwich. Come here for a comforting bowl of matzo ball soup. Come here for cookies and challah to go, or, perhaps our favorite pairing, a plate of latkes and a dirty martini. Have just about whatever experience you’re looking for, because at Canter’s, things stay the same and variety is a constant.

Time Out tip: This is not the place to go for the best pastrami sandwich in L.A.—that’s Langer’s, which is also one of the city’s best restaurants. This is, however, an L.A. dining experience you should experience at least once. 

Address: 419 N Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036

  • Thai
  • Thai Town
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 6pm–2am

What is it? A late-night restaurant in Thai Town next to Jumbo’s Clown Room.

Why we love it: Kruang Tedd serves a satisfying meal whether you’re pregaming your night out with some khao mok gai (turmeric chicken rice) or stumbling out of the infamous L.A. strip club next door early for a bowl of warm khao soi. For a nighthawk joint, the flavor and quality of the food is amazing, including the tom yum soup and spicy, crispy morning glory salad topped with ground pork and shrimp. There’s also a handful of more unique items, like a Thai hangover soup, pad macaroni (which uses a Thai-style tomato sauce) and savory shrimp “doughnuts” made of shrimp and minced fish. A full list of wine, beer and cocktails makes for a party atmosphere most evenings, as does the nightly line-up of live music acts.

Time Out tip: Try one of the Isaan-style jerkies or nam tok dishes.

Address: 5151 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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  • Chinese
  • Chinatown
  • price 1 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Mon–Fri 11am–1am; Sat, Sun 10:30am–1am

What is it? A family-run Chinatown staple that’s beloved for its affordable, tasty Cantonese-leaning menu available in Chinese, English and Spanish.

Why we love it: With over three decades in business, Hop Woo knows exactly what Angelenos love—particularly after midnight. During the day, locals gravitate towards comforting American-style takeout dishes like orange chicken and beef with broccoli, while egg foo young, heaping portions of chow fun and budget-friendly, cooked-to-order seafood take center stage for the dinnertime crowd. Personally, I like lobster with ginger and green onions, fried pork chops with spicy salt and crispy seafood chow mein. Though the average person’s knowledge of Chinese cooking these days now extends beyond the likes of chow mein, wonton soup and kung pao chicken, Hop Woo knows it’s best not to mess with the classics—making the restaurant a worthwhile afterhours pit stop for anyone craving Cantonese American cuisine. 

Time Out tip: The barbecue combos are also great for a quick, filling meal you can take on the go.

Address: 845 N Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90012

  • Thai
  • Thai Town
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 24 hours

What is it? The only 24/7 restaurant in Thai Town.

Why we love it: Located in the same plaza as Ruen Pair, Bhan Khanom and Kanomwaan, Crispy Pork Gang isn’t the place you go for the best crispy pork and rice or pad see ew. It is, however, inexpensive, open extremely late and fairly solid for an extremely late-night meal in Thai Town. A large jack-of-all-trades menu includes pad thai, tom yum soup, curries and plenty of options for vegetarians, so you can take your meatless friends here without major issues.

Time Out tip: I would only recommend coming here if Kruang Tedd is closed—but hey, it’s open at 5am!

Address: 5253 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90027

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  • Brazilian
  • Hollywood
  • price 2 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 11am–4am

What is it? The Hollywood location of a decades-old Brazilian restaurant chain.

Why we love it: Though the Downtown, South Bay, West Hollywood and West L.A. locations stay open until midnight or 1am on weekends, only the Bossa Nova on Sunset stays open well past last call for the nightlife crowd every day of the week. All dine-in customers are subject to a 21% service charge after 10pm (which then takes care of the tip), but that’s a small price to pay in our eyes for the chance to savor skirt steak, picanha and garlic shrimp in the wee hours of the morning. Carb-heavy pastas, pizzas, sandwiches and rice bowls are also available to soak up all the booze in your stomach at 2am.

Time Out tip: I recommend the beef stroganoff, the perfect creamy, comforting dish to dig into late in the evening.

Address: 7181 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

  • Hamburgers
  • Historic Filipinotown
  • price 1 of 4
  • 3 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended

Opening hours: Daily 24 hours

What is it? The original location of a regional fast food chain beloved for chili cheese-topped burgers, fries and hot dogs.

Why we love it: Though closing times vary across this beloved local burger chain’s 30-plus locations across Southern California and Nevada, the Historic Filipinotown original still offers its famed double chili cheeseburger at all hours of the night. For some night owls, two well-seasoned beef patties, cheese, pickles, a glop of hearty chili and a thick slice of tomato are all that one needs to finally head home and grab a little shut-eye.

Time Out tip: The Hollywood location also stays open until 3am on weekends and 2am the rest of the week.

Address: 2575 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90057

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