Where To Eat At The 2024 LA Auto Show
Food goes well with the LA Auto Show
The two questions most overheard at the LA Auto Show: "How much?" and "Where can we eat?".. The crew at LACar is glad to answer both. We’ll help you navigate the LA Auto Show. And point you to food near the LA Convention Center.
By Reed Berry & Chuck Dapoz
Fri, Oct 18, 2024 09:33 PM PST
There are lots of places to eat within a stone’s throw from the LA Auto Show at the LA Convention Center. Featured Image: Last year, Food Mutiny and Food Fleet presented the USA Street Food Awards at the LA Auto Show (image courtesy of Food Mutiny/Food Fleet and the LA Auto Show).
Where to eat within walking distance from the LA Auto Show
LA Live
800 W Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90015
Entertainment complex, just north of the Convention Center, offers plenty of food options: steaks, sushi, soul food, Starbucks and more. Most of it’s pricey.
Smashburger is one of the best values. Tasty burgers from fresh Angus beef. Also black bean burgers, chicken burgers, French fries and sweet potato fries.
Moxy Downtown Los Angeles (aka AC Hotel)
1260 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, California 90015
https://marriott.com/en-us/hotels/laxox-moxy-downtown-los-angeles/dining
Across the street from the LA Convention Center you’ll find a dozen restaurants, bars and a lobby coffee shop. Your high-end option.
La Lo La Rooftop (https://lalolarooftop.com) is an open-air, Latin-inspired tapas bar on the 34th floor. Live music. Breathtaking views.
Qué Bárbaro (https://quebarbarodtla.com) serves South American grilling.
The Original Pantry Café
877 S Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Approx .5 mi (10 min.) from Convention Center. A downtown landmark, known for serving generations of celebrities. Once owned by former LA mayor Richard Riordan.
FIGat7th
925 W 8th St. (between 7th and 8th), Los Angeles, CA 90017
Approx .7 mi (15 min.) from Convention Center. Outdoor shopping center with a large food hall plus upscale choices, such as Morton’s The Steakhouse.
Some of our favs at FIGat7th:
California Pizza Kitchen for pizza, pasta, salads and deserts
Sbarro for pizza slices
New Moon Cafe for contemporary Chinese
Ocho Mexican Grill is similar to Chipotle: you walk down the food line and say what in your taco, burrito or bowl
Where to eat in and near Downtown LA
Langer's Deli
704 S Alvarado St. (MacArthur Park), Los Angeles, CA 90057
Downtown institution known for its world-famous pastrami (try the No. 19). The late Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold called Langer’s his favorite pastrami sandwich joint in the USA.
Bottegia Louie
700 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Located in The Brockman Lofts, Bottega Louie is a bright, comfortable downtown eatery specializing in Italian dishes. They are known for their pizza and pasta offerings, ranging from $28 to $50, but they also offer a variety of entrees, including burgers, pan seared salmon, and even a 15-oz dry aged bone-in ribeye steak that will set you back $60.. Should you wish to sip some vino with your meal, there is a lengthy wine and champagne list.
Cole’s French Dip
118 E 6th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
https://www.colesfrenchdip.com/
Two downtown L.A. eateries claim to be the originators of the French Dip sandwich - Phillipe The Original on Alameda Street near Union Station and Cole's French Dip located at 118 East 6th Street. Both make a fine sandwich, but my personal favorite is Cole's. It's located in the historic Pacific Electric Building (once the hub of a busy railway transit network) and, in my opinion, has a more relaxed pub-type dining atmosphere. Plus, I like french fries with my sandwich, something Phillipe doesn't offer. Cole's gives you a choice of traditional french fries or, my personal favorite, spicy garlic fries.
Agua Viva
100 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90012
https://www.aguavivabyjose.com/menus/
A rooftop restaurant with beach club vibes describes Chef José Andrés' Agua Viva, located in the chic Conrad Los Angeles at 100 South Grand Avenue. Pricey, but definitely worth it, Agua Viva offers a wide menu featuring sushi and sashimi, salads, burgers and hearty entrees, including grilled octopus and Pollo Al Ajillo, a delicious Spanish-style roasted chicken. If you have room for dessert after an amazing meal, you must try the Chili Mango & Peanut Butter Tart. You'll thank me!
Library Bar
630 W 6th St. Suite 116a, Los Angeles, CA 90017
https://www.librarybarla.com/menu
Located at 630 West 6th Street at the corner of Hope Street, Library Bar is a comfy classic lounge. As you can tell from the name, adult beverages are their specialty, but they have an interesting food menu, too, from grilled cheese sandwiches and burgers to panko crusted chicken bites. Their Loaded Fries, topped with nacho cheese, onion, tomato and sour cream are delicious, and you can add fried chicken for an extra five bucks! Vegetarian and vegan dishes are available as well.
T.O.T.
345 E Second St. (Little Tokyo), Los Angeles, CA 90012
Bento. Tonkatsu. Ramen. Salads too. Relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
El Tepeyac
812 N Evergreen Ave. (Boyle Heights), Los Angeles, CA 90033
Perpetual contender for the best burritos in LA.
Little Damage Ice Cream
700 S Spring St., Los Angeles, CA 90014
Interesting and unusual flavors of rich, soft-serve ice cream. Organic. No preservatives. Known for black ice cream in a black cone colored with activated charcoal. Vegan ice cream too.
Enjoy the food. Enjoy the show.
Got an Auto Show food recommendation? Let us know. We'll add it to the list.
About The Authors
Known professionally as "The Traffic Guy," Reed Berry has been a driver safety educator for over 30 years. Reed has conducted traffic school classes and suspended license workshops throughout California, and has served as keynote speaker at safety conferences and corporate events across America. He has appeared on radio and television programs both in the U.S. and internationally to discuss safety-related issues. A contributor to LA Car since 2003, Reed Berry is a member of Motor Press Guild, the Los Angeles Press Club and SAG-AFTRA.
Together with
Chuck Dapoz is a native Detroiter who loves tuners and is mesmerized by the business of the car business. As a marketing specialist he spends a lot of time on the road, in particular in Motown. Chuck says he's the black sheep of his car-crazy family because he works with a keyboard and not a wrench. We're not complaining.
