Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the second-busiest air terminal in the U.S. and also the fourth-busiest in the world. Traffic is projected to ascend to up to 100 million travelers by 2040 — so chances are you may soon transit through LAX. The airport fills in as a center for Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United and is a center city for Air New Zealand, Allegiant Air, Norwegian, Qantas, and Southwest Airlines.

The airport has some terrific lounges, incorporating ones with à la carte dining and open-air bars; however, you will need to be flying in a premium cabin or have elite lounge access to get to the ones with the best food and drink offerings. Every other person searching for preflight grub should visit one of Los Angeles Airport's cafés or bars. Fortunately, travelers can test the best of LA's food scene without leaving the airport. Regardless of whether you're craving fresh juice, burgers, tacos, or caviar, LAX has you covered.

Although LAX has nine separate terminal structures, many are connected airside, so you can clear security at one and either walk or shuttle to another to visit a particular eatery 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 through walkways.

Reilly’s Irish Pub

Reilly’s Irish Pub, Source Facebook

Reilly’s Irish Pub is a pleasant little spot to spend a layover at LAX. If you are lucky enough to score a large table or one along the edge, there are outlets for your charging pleasure. The food is served in boxes, so it's easy to grab and go if you need to, and the services are relatively quick. 

You can get some drinks while waiting for the flight at the southwest terminal. The drinks are strong if you are prepared to pay $14-15. Some of our drinks recommendations are the Gin & Tonic, Ginger Smash (a ginger whiskey with German elderflower, it tastes sweet and sour), Long Beach iced tea (an intense drink, it is a cocktail of Sauza tequila, Cruzan rum, Amsterdam gin, Tito vodka, de upper O3 triple sec and cranberry). Like most airport bars, you pay a premium for drinks here.
 
Location - Terminal 1, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

Rock & Brews

Rock & Brews, Source Facebook

Celebrate the wait or arrival of your flight at Rock & Brews. This location features a full bar and the airport's best selection of local and international craft beer. They provide classic comfort foods with a unique spin in a vibrant rock-inspired environment, complete with music to soothe your soul. Looking to rock but on the run? Rock & Brews offers a "Grab & Go" service for both hot and cold food items, as well as coffee service for early morning travelers. With a menu of quality American comfort food, including craft burgers, pizzas, hot wings, and sandwiches, this slick pub with a vibrant rock-and-roll theme is a perfect place to kick back. 

Location - 

• Terminal 5, 500 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
• Terminal 1, 1 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

Barney’s Beanery

Barney’s Beanery, Source Facebook

Due to Covid, at Barney’s Beanery, there is no seating in the restaurant, but everything on the menu is offered as takeout, even cocktails. You have to order some food to order a cocktail. The prices are on the higher side, but that is to be expected when you are at the airport. You must try the ultimate burger with fries. For cocktails, you can relish Boo Bear's Lemonade with a choice of strawberry or mango flavor and Silver Cadillac (Cazadores Blanco, Lime Juice, Agave Syrup, Salt Rim, Grand Mariner Sidecar).

Location - 200 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

SeaLegs Bar

SeaLegs Bar, Source Facebook

The SeaLegs has a large central bar table, two long sidebar tables that form a seamless experience integrated within the isles of the terminal. The cocktail Beachy Peachy Sangria is worth trying. It is tasty, fruity, sweet, and strong. One can taste real strawberries and also a nice peach flavor. For an appetizer, you can choose Truffle Parmesan Fries. This is definitely of a sharing size, much bigger than expected. For your main meal try the meatballs, it has a great spicy flavor. We like everything here, the food, drinks  and the service.

Location - 200 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

Ashland Hill and AH Bar

Ashland Hill and AH Bar, Source Facebook

Ashland Hill and AH Bar is a very elegantly designed restaurant with a small but good food selection and very novel gin-based cocktails like Bees Knees (Barr Hill Gin, Barr Hill Honey, Lemon). They also have a good selection of beers on tap. You can try the AH burger with the AH Blonde beer. 

Location - 

• Terminal 7, 700 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States
• Terminal 3, Dining patio, near gate 39

La Familia

At La Familia, travelers can enjoy craft cocktails and dishes inspired by cuisines from across Latin America. Food selections include authentic street tacos, arepas, pork belly tamales, and arroz con pollo. La Familia also features an array of more than 80 tequilas at a range of price points.

La Familia was created to give travelers a true taste of the diversity of Latin America with a variety of flavors and on-trend regional specialties, coupled with an expansive menu of selected tequilas and an edgy, art-forward design. The sights, sounds, and aromas of La Familia create a truly unique dining experience, and they are always looking forward to delighting their guests.

Location - Terminal 3, Los Angeles International Airport, World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

The Wolfgang Puck Bar

The Wine Bar by Wolfgang Puck, Source Facebook

Wolfgang Puck’s collection of airport dining locations offer the chef’s signature cuisine in a fast-casual setting and at an affordable price point. Designed with efficiency for the traveler in mind, Wolfgang Puck airport restaurants and grab & go kiosks feature the chef’s interpretation of global comfort fare, using the best available, locally sourced ingredients. Whether a leisurely breakfast or lunch, a cocktail at our bar, family dinner, or a quick bite on the move, Wolfgang Puck promises a warm and inviting dining environment and a welcome respite from the bustling airport terminal. A perfect place to unwind, this full-service bar brings the famed restaurateur’s timeless taste to LAX. Peruse the extensive wine list, beers on tap, or sip on a crafted cocktail. You can try Cherry Sour Cocktail (Bulleit Bourbon, Campari, Amaretto, Agave Nectar, Lemon Juice, Oranges, Cherries) and Aviation (Bombay Gin, Creme Violette, Luxardo Maraschino).

Location - 380 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

Vino Volo

Vino Volo, Source Facebook

At Vino Volo, the price is high like most food options in US airports; however, one can enjoy a light meal and drinks there. The pizzas are small but tasty, the crust is thin but tastes homemade. The wine flight is great; you can try all the three white wines that focus on minerality and the Red Blend (Cline Cellars, California). Also, the service is good. 

Location - 380 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

James’ Beach

James’ Beach is a gorgeous airport bar that will find its place in your camera roll. Yelpers say, “It is a good place for drinking. The mixed drinks are a lot better. The mimosa is worth trying; it has a decent taste with orange juice in ratio, with the price being okay for an airport.” Other cocktails we recommend are Basil Bourbon Smash (Basil Hayden bourbon, fresh basil, citrus juices, cane syrup) and Spicy Prickly Pear Margarita (organic tequila, prickly pear puree, lime juice, chili tincture, agave). 

Location - 380 World Way, Los Angeles, CA 90045, United States

Header image: Los Angeles International Airport, Source Facebook