Home › Food tours › Los Angeles
Food tours in Los Angeles: what to eat and which tour to book
Los Angeles eats by neighbourhood and by community. Tacos from trucks and stands are the everyday food, from al pastor to birria and Michoacán-style carnitas; Koreatown has the largest concentration of Korean barbecue outside Korea; Thai Town, the San Gabriel Valley's Chinese restaurants, Little Tokyo, Armenian Glendale and Persian Westwood each have their own specialities. Older LA classics include the French dip sandwich and hand-cut pastrami. The city is spread out, so plan by area: you will spend more time in a car or on the Metro than walking between meals.
Use this page to choose what to eat and where: the dishes, markets and neighbourhoods below say what each does well and when to go. The tours listed are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as we saw them when we checked; prices and times change, so confirm on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Los Angeles
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tacos al pastor and carne asada tacos | Small corn tortillas with spit-roasted marinated pork (al pastor, often cut from a vertical trompo), grilled beef (asada), carnitas or other meats, topped with onion, coriander and salsa. | Taco trucks and stands across East LA, Boyle Heights and South LA, many working only in the evening; also stalls at Grand Central Market. | roughly $2–5 per taco at a truck or stand |
| Birria tacos quesabirria | Tacos filled with slow-cooked goat or beef stew and melted cheese, griddled in the stew fat and served with a cup of consommé for dipping. Popular in LA since the late 2010s. | Trucks and stands, especially in East LA and the San Fernando Valley. | roughly $3–6 per taco; $12–18 for a plate with consommé |
| Korean barbecue KBBQ | Marinated short rib (galbi), pork belly and brisket grilled at your table, with many free side dishes (banchan). Restaurants range from all-you-can-eat to premium à la carte. | Koreatown, mainly along Wilshire Boulevard, Western Avenue and Olympic Boulevard. | roughly $35–60 per person; all-you-can-eat from about $30–45 |
| French dip sandwich French dip | Roast beef on a French roll dipped in meat juices, an LA invention from the early 20th century; two downtown restaurants, Philippe's and Cole's, both claim to have created it. | Philippe the Original near Union Station and Cole's in downtown. | roughly $12–18 |
| Pastrami on rye pastrami sandwich | Hand-cut, hot pastrami on rye bread, often with coleslaw and Russian dressing; Langer's Deli near MacArthur Park is widely considered one of the best in the US. | Jewish delis in Westlake, Fairfax and the Valley. | roughly $20–30 for a sandwich |
| Thai boat noodles and street dishes kuay teow ruea | Rich, dark noodle soup with pork or beef, along with a wide range of regional Thai dishes. LA has the largest Thai community outside Thailand. | Thai Town in East Hollywood, along Hollywood Boulevard between Normandie and Western. | roughly $12–18 a bowl |
| Dim sum and soup dumplings dim sum / xiaolongbao | Cantonese dim sum and Shanghainese soup dumplings, with dozens of regional Chinese cuisines represented. | San Gabriel Valley cities such as Monterey Park, Alhambra, San Gabriel and Arcadia, about 20–30 minutes east of downtown; also Chinatown. | roughly $25–45 per person for dim sum |
| Bacon-wrapped hot dog danger dog | Hot dog wrapped in bacon, grilled on a cart with onions and peppers and loaded with condiments; sold late at night outside venues. | Street carts outside concerts, stadiums and nightlife areas in Hollywood and downtown. | roughly $6–10 |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Grand Central Market (Downtown)
Market hall on South Broadway open since 1917, with dozens of counters: carnitas tacos, Oaxacan food, ramen, fried chicken, coffee, a deli and legacy produce stalls. The easiest single stop for a range of LA food.
Koreatown
Dense district west of downtown with Korean barbecue, tofu stew, fried chicken, noodle houses and bars open late; easy to reach by Metro (Wilshire/Western and Wilshire/Vermont).
Boyle Heights and East LA
Mexican-American neighbourhoods east of the river with taco trucks, panaderías (bakeries), birria and mariscos (seafood) stands, and Mariachi Plaza on First Street.
Original Farmers Market (Fairfax)
Historic market at 3rd Street and Fairfax, open since the 1930s, with stalls for doughnuts, Brazilian barbecue, Cajun food, gumbo, coffee and produce, next to The Grove shopping centre.
Thai Town and Little Armenia (East Hollywood)
Adjacent communities along Hollywood Boulevard with Thai restaurants, bakeries and groceries, and Armenian bakeries and grills nearby.
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Large farmers' market on Arizona Avenue in downtown Santa Monica, used by many LA chefs, with California produce, bread and some prepared food.
Food tours in Los Angeles compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles: 6 Authentic Tastings of Venice Beach Food Tour | 3.5 hours | from €88 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide! | 3 hours | from €76 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Los Angeles: Original Farmers Market Foodie History Tour | 2.5 hours | from €98 per person | — | Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source. | Check dates |
Los Angeles: 6 Authentic Tastings of Venice Beach Food Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Secret Food Tours
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €88 per person
- Rating
- 4.1 ★ from 24 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Sambazon açaí bowl Argentinian empanada Crispy fish taco Quesabirria with consommé Shaved ice with Dole Whip A secret dish Pickup and drop-off Tips
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- The Venice Whaler
Silver Lake Food Tour with Comedian Foodie Guide!
On GetYourGuide · run by Hollywood Hikes, LLC
- Length
- 3 hours
- Price
- from €76 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 12 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Homemade focaccia bread Chopped cheese sandwich Tacos (what is LA without tacos) Thai beef roll Best pizza slice in Silver Lake History of Silver Lake Comedian-guided tour Award-winning storytelling Water Alcohol and…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- 2833 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026, USA
Los Angeles: Original Farmers Market Foodie History Tour
On GetYourGuide · run by Melting Pot Food Tours
- Length
- 2.5 hours
- Price
- from €98 per person
- Rating
- 5.0 ★ from 4 reviews (on 2 Oct 2026)
- Included
- 2.5-hour food tasting tour Professional guide All the foodie tastings We can accommodate food allergies and special requests We'll walk 3000-4500 steps during the tour Indoor dining with outside elements We will valid…
- Suits
- Morning people who want to see where locals shop and taste produce at the source.
- Starts
- 6333 West Third, LA 90036. Under the clock tower and by Taschen Book store off Farmers Market Way.
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
LA street food is mostly tacos and other Mexican food from trucks and stands, plus late-night bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Many of the best taco trucks park only in the evening; check their social media for current locations. Street vending is legal with a permit, and payment may be cash only or by phone app.
Sit-down meals
Sit-down eating is best planned by neighbourhood: Koreatown for barbecue, the San Gabriel Valley for Chinese, Thai Town for Thai, Little Tokyo and Sawtelle for Japanese. Menu prices do not include sales tax (about 9.5–10%) or tip (18–22%), and many restaurants add service or health-care surcharges, so the final bill can be about 30% above the menu price.
Cooking classes
Cooking classes in LA cover a wide range, from Mexican tacos and salsas to Korean or Japanese dishes, pasta and California farmers'-market cooking. Check where the class is held, since getting across the city takes time, and whether the meal and drinks are included.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | about $50–70 (taco-truck lunch, Grand Central Market dinner, coffee), about €45–65 |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | about $110–160 (sit-down lunch and dinner with a drink, tax and tip), about €100–145 |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | $300+ (tasting menu with wine), about €275+ |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Easy. LA is one of the easiest US cities for vegetarians and vegans, with many fully plant-based restaurants and vegan taco stands. Note that beans and tortillas at traditional Mexican places may be cooked with lard, so ask.
Halal: Workable. Halal food is available at many Middle Eastern, Persian, Pakistani and Afghan restaurants in Westwood, Glendale and the San Fernando Valley, and at halal food trucks and carts; Anaheim's Little Arabia in Orange County has many more. Mexican and Korean food relies heavily on pork, so ask.
Gluten-free: Easy by US standards. Corn tortillas are naturally gluten-free, though shared griddles and fryers are common. Most restaurants know what gluten-free means and label options. Korean marinades and Chinese sauces usually contain soy sauce with wheat.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Restaurants around the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Hollywood and Highland charging high prices for average food aimed at tourists. Eat in nearby Thai Town or East Hollywood, or head to downtown, Koreatown or Silver Lake.
- Surprise fees on the bill: automatic service charges, 'health-care' or 'kitchen' surcharges, and card-terminal tip screens that suggest 20–25% on top of a service charge already included. Read the bill and the small print on the menu; if a service charge is already added, you do not need to tip again.
- Costumed characters and 'free CD' sellers on Hollywood Boulevard who pressure tourists for money after a photo or a handshake; nearby souvenir shops and food carts often have unclear prices. Decline politely, and agree on the price before buying from carts or stands without a menu.
Top tours & activities in Los Angeles
Rent a car in Los Angeles
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in Los AngelesPlan the rest of your Los Angeles trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
How much should I tip in Los Angeles?
In sit-down restaurants, tip about 18–22% of the bill before tax. At counters and food trucks a tip is optional; $1–2 or 10% is common if a tip jar or screen is offered. Check the bill for a service charge first; if one is included, you do not need to tip again. On food tours, about 15–20% of the ticket price is typical if you enjoyed it.
Are taco trucks and street food safe?
Generally yes. Permitted trucks are inspected by the county health department and must display a letter grade (A, B or C); look for an A. Choose busy trucks where meat is cooked to order. Street-vending carts without a permit are common but carry more risk. Tap water in Los Angeles is safe to drink.
How much should I budget for food per day?
On a budget, about $50–70 covers tacos from a truck, a Grand Central Market meal and coffee. A mid-range day with two sit-down meals and a drink, including tax and tip, is about $110–160. Tasting menus at well-known restaurants start around $200–300 per person before drinks.
Do I need a car to eat around LA?
Not for every area. The Metro reaches downtown, Koreatown, Hollywood, East Hollywood, Little Tokyo, Chinatown and Santa Monica, and Grand Central Market is a short walk from a station. The San Gabriel Valley, East LA and much of the Valley are much easier by car or ride-share. Plan one area per meal rather than crossing the city.
Why is the bill higher than the menu prices?
Menu prices exclude sales tax (about 9.5–10% in LA) and tip (18–22% in sit-down restaurants). Some restaurants also add a surcharge or service charge. As a rule of thumb, expect the final bill to be about 30% higher than the menu prices, more if a surcharge applies.
Should I book food tours or restaurants in advance?
Popular restaurants book up a week or more ahead, especially Friday and Saturday dinners, and many use online reservation apps. Small-group food tours are worth booking a few days ahead at weekends and in summer. Korean barbecue and many casual places do not take bookings, so expect queues at peak times. Mention dietary needs when you book.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.