After pulling an all-nighter finishing a script, hours spent on the dance floor or a flight delayed at LAX, one often needs to find a restaurant in the wee hours of the morning. In this city that likes going to bed early, and doesn’t serve booze past 2AM, here are a few spots for the night owls…
Leo’s Taco Truck
Leo’s Tacos Truck is a place where fine dining chefs, college students, and perhaps even their parents end up after a long night out. The line that curls into the adjacent gas station is a testament to the quality of food and the $1.25 price per taco certainly doesn’t hurt. The move here is undoubtedly the al pastor taco.
Jones
Although its pizzas are correctly seasoned, Jones should be taken with a grain of salt: the kitsch tablecloths, the Italian-American dishes, a young Tinder-date in the next booth… Jones is a Hollywood myth to be enjoyed until 2AM, starting with an apple pie before ordering wood-fired pizzas.
Ruen Pair
Not too far from Hollywood bars, Ruen Pair won’t accept credit cards but they will accept you until the early hours of the morning. Morning Glory, papaya salad, coconut-chicken soup, garlicky aubergines (a must-eat), turnip omelet, fish cakes…
Sun Nong Dan
The idea is to go to Sun Nong Dan late, during the rare winter months, or when you have a cold: only then will you fully appreciate the sullungtang, an oxbone broth that works like a delicious panacea (don’t forget to season it with salt and pepper!).
Canter’s Deli
Open 24 hours, you’ll see famous actors in sunglasses ordering the same pastrami sandwich as everyone else. Although theirs isn’t as good as Langer’s, Canter’s remains a Fairfax institution.