Hunger can strike at any moment, whether it’s at 3 a.m. and your stomach suddenly starts growling or it’s last call at the bar and you get a shot of the mad munchies.
Luckily there are places in Los Angeles County ready to answer that hunger call at all hours of the day or night because the area has a few restaurants that stay open 24 hours a day. Some of these are classic diners or delis, others are more casual quick service spots and not all are open seven days a week, but you can always grab a meal and a seat at these 24-hour eateries.
Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles is open 24 hours a day for take out daily and dine in on the weekends. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Canter’s Deli
419 N. Fairfax Ave., Los Angeles; 323-651-2030 or cantersdeli.com
Open since 1931, Canter’s Deli is an L.A. institution and a classic deli serving meals in a 1950s-style diner. A must have for diners at any hour of the day are dishes like corned beef or pastrami Rueben, Matzo Ball soup and the deli’s famous house-made pickles. Currently take-out is open 24 hours a day seven days a week and the diner is open 24 hours a day on Friday and Saturdays. Also, be on the lookout for celebrities, since this is a hotspot for Hollywood, too.
Original Tommy’s
2575 West Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles and 15745 Roscoe Blvd., North Hills; 213-389-9060 for Los Angeles, 818-893-1715 for North Hills or originaltommys.com
Most of the Tommy’s locations are open late, but only the original spot in Los Angeles and the North Hills restaurant are open 24 hours daily, and they are popular spots to get an after-party burger. They’re so popular with late diners that it often feels like there’s a party going on at Tommy’s every night. The must try is a double chili cheeseburger, chili cheese fries or the chili cheese dog. But if you’re looking for a late-night adventure, order the Chili Tamale, which is exactly what you would expect from Tommy’s, a thick tamale under a blanket of chili with cheese, pickles and a tomato on top.
Vehicles pass the Astro Restaurant in Silver Lake, which is open 24 hours, on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Astro Restaurant
2300 Fletcher Drive, Los Angeles; 323-663-9241 or astrofamilyrestaurant.com
The motto here is “If it’s not good enough to serve to mom, it’s not good enough to serve to you.” We’re not sure if we’ll see your mom here at, say, 3 a.m. but this 24-hour classic diner stays busy all night and the big hearty breakfast dishes are the way to go no matter what time you are there. But Astro also serves burgers, sandwiches, Mexican and Italian food, too.
The Original Carnitas Michoacan
1901 N. Broadway St.. Los Angeles; 323-225-2729 or ogcarnitasmichoacan.com
There are a lot of places around L.A. named Carnitas Michoacan, but don’t be fooled, this is the OG spot and since it’s close to clubs and bars, it’s an all-night party food spot. For nearly 50 years this place has been filling the bellies of the all-hours crowd with hefty Mexican staples like burritos, tacos, nachos and some of the best Al Pastor in the city.
Jade Christensen and her husband Alex Galindo, of Echo Park, have a late meal at North Hollywood Diner Thursday night, Sept. 26, 2024. The No Ho Diner is open 24 hours Thursday thru Saturday. (Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
North Hollywood Diner
11329 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood; 818-210-0097 or on Instagram at @thenohodiner
Known as the NoHo Diner, this restaurant is a celebrity hotspot, and not just because the walls are lined with pictures of famous stars. Chances are on any day, and at any hour, you’ll see a familiar face sitting in one of the booths or at the countertop bar. Examples of that include a night years ago when actor James Franco was spotted eating there by himself as he read the script for the James Dean movie he started in as James Dean, while sitting in a booth under a picture of James Dean. Yes, this really happened. The food is pretty good, too, with a menu stacked with classic American diner dishes. While it was open 24/7 before the pandemic, the restaurant is now open 24 hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights only.
The Kettle
1138 Highland Ave., Manhattan Beach; 310-545-8511 or thekettle.net
For more than 50 years The Kettle has been serving beach crowds in the heart of Manhattan Beach. The interior sports a mid-century style decor while the menu offers elevated diner-style meals with things like dressings, sauces made in house. Currently it’s open 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays only.
El Taurino
1104 S. Hoover St., Los Angeles; 213-738-9197 or eltaurino.com
This place keeps it simple and delicious with a straightforward, authentic Mexican menu serving tacos, tortas, burritos and really good carne asada. It’s definitely on the more divey side so don’t expect a fancy ambience but service is quick, prices are low and the kitchen is open 24 hours on Friday, Saturday and Sundays.
Related Articles
Pollo Campero flaps its wings with new location in Bellflower
Actor Dean Norris starts serving ‘Breaking Bad’ takeout in Temecula
National Taco Day 2024: Where and when to find deals
Norms marks its 75th anniversary with 75-cent hotcakes
National Pepperoni Pizza Day 2024: Where to find deals