Where To Eat At The LA Auto Show
We'll help you navigate the show-stopping food alternatives.
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 Chuck Dapoz & Reed Berry
Wed, Oct 25, 2023 08:06 AM PST
Featured Image: Food Mutiny and Food Fleet present the first USA Street Food Awards at the LA Auto Show on November 18-19. Admission is free to LA Auto Show ticket holders (image courtesy of Food Mutiny/Food Fleet and the LA Auto Show).
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2023 Los Angeles Auto Show
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Food Within Walking Distance From The LA Auto Show
** LA Live **
800 W Olympic Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
lalive.com/eat
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
check it out
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 is an open-air, Latin-inspired tapas bar on the 34th floor. Live music. Breathtaking views.
Qué Bárbaro serves South American grilling.
** The Original Pantry Café **
877 S Figueroa St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
pantrycafe.restaurant
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
figat7th.com
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
langersdeli.com
Downtown institution known for its world-famous pastrami.
** Philippe's the Original **
1001 N Alameda St. (1 bl north of Union Station)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
philippes.com
Known for its sandwiches and taking you back in time. Phone booths. Sawdust on the floor. Order at the counter and have a seat at a wooden table, which you'll likely share with other patrons. Salads, soups and breakfast too.
** T.O.T. **
345 E Second St. (Little Tokyo)
Los Angeles, CA 90012
kagurausa.com
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
littledamage.com
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.
** Perch **
448 S. Hill Street
Los Angeles, CA 90013
perchla.com
Perch is a rooftop restaurant and bar atop the Pershing Square Building in DTLA. Excellent food (try the melt-in-your-mouth braised short rib) and an amazing view of the downtown area. Don't forget your wallet - this place is not inexpensive - but the deliciousness of both the food and experience certainly justifies the cost. Open for dinner daily from 4 pm during the week and 5 on weekends; brunch served Sat & Sun from 10 am to 3:30 pm.
USA Street Food Awards - November 18 & 19
Added food option if you’re going to the Auto Show opening weekend: the first-ever USA Street Food Awards.
Your Auto Show ticket gives you free admission.
$20 gets you a “sample pack” to savor offerings from competing food trucks. No limit to the number of sample packs you can buy.
Reminder: The LA Auto Show is cashless.
Buy your Street Food Awards tickets at the Convention Center or in advance here.
Enjoy the food. Enjoy the show.
Got an Auto Show food recommendation?
Let us know - we'll add it to the list.
Image of Original Pantry Café by The Erica Chang courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Image of Langer's by Josh Lim, courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
About The Authors
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.
Together with
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.
