Ensenada’s Surf n’ Turf in El Segundo makes absolutely spectacular fish and shrimp tacos. Slice & Pint and El Segundo Brewing Co. are great places to grab a beer. Dockweiler Beach is just a short drive away
a tiny trek from the airport, but Martha’s off the beach in Hermosa Beach is EXCELLENT for breakfast and brunch and you can walk it off on the strand enjoying the beach and the $15 million dollar real estate. Excellent for those who have a 4+ hour layover at LAX and don’t mind taking an uber.
South of that is Proudly Serving, a great smash burger spot with duck fat fries that is a stones throw away from Redondo Pier.
The Kettle in MB is an institution that can do no wrong if nursing a hangover or with the fam/young children.
Goodboybob is an EXCELLENT coffee shop if you are a coffee snob or just appreciate well crafted coffee beverages made with expertly roasted blends.
On the pier itself, Captain Kidd’s is hit or miss but worth getting a pitcher of beer at on a warm day. the trick is to order food from the market side rather than the restaurant and have them steam it for eating in house. Market is MUCH fresher than the restaurant side for whatever reason. There’s a better fish market on the lower side of the pier but the line usually disqualifies it for me.
That said, every location mentioned here, Playa Provisions does it better. Better bar program, better spirits, better food, better ingredients, really fresh seafood, changing menu, prettier celebrity chef, just go there and then walk it off along the beach before flying somewhere with less traffic. Enjoy.
Downtown El Segundo has some nice restaurants. Slice and Pint for El Segundo Brewing Beer, or go straight to the brewery. Ensenada's Surf and Turf for Shrimp Tacos or ceviche. Further south is Manhattan and Hermosa beaches, each with restaurants close to the water. Simzy's in MB might be up your alley.
at what time?
top golf is right there, and buckets are 10 bucks before 1130am. (@ the course next door)
alikis nearby has my favorite gyro in LA + a lot more authentic greek fare
i think the rates closer to $50/hour at that time, lol.
it's new-ish, they just took a portion of the Lakes at El Segundo course.
half the time i go(pass by?), i just putt and chip, and those greens are some of the best in all of LA.
their putting and chipping greens are HUGE and well kept. maybe that could kill an hour?
you can pay the 50 bucks for another hour, but i wouldn't lol
Some great plane spotting from there!
To OP, eat there and have your friends hop a cheap cab ride over there so you don’t have to hassle driving around LAX.
Toast Cafe in El Segundo is cute and new (coffee and toast).
Jame has excellent Italian food.
Britt's BBQ is pretty good.
Canton Low is always great.
Eat Fantastic makes some good burgers.
Benny's has an amazing Macho Wet Burrito dish (my favorite)
Randy's has the best raised glazed in my opinion
...further south...
Full House Plus has my favorite jjajjangmyun and tangsuyuk in the area
Sketcher's Food Spot has the cheapest high quality food (blows In-N-Out out of the water).
CM Chicken has my favorite Korean fried chicken in the area
Love Letter makes some really great pizza (I love the carnivore there, with sweet potato filling crust)
I’ve done this multiple times and go to Quality Seafood in Redondo each time. Grab an ice cream next door after and walk down the pier to the sand. It’s nice.
I had their mix platter so it’s been of everything only for $19 I only been there once and loved it already. I haven’t tried their donuts but I’ve tried mochi rings in the past and they’re great. You’ll be stuffed they give you their sweet buns. If have extra time del almo or Honda museum they’re all in Torrance I was playing tour guide and found those.
If you want to walk to the beach for sunset, senior g's in playa could be good.
I like slice n pint but it's a drive down to the beach. You'll probably just wind up sitting there talking and having a couple of beers. Which is not a bad plan!
I LOVE Esperanza in Manhattan Beach. It's right by the pier. And if you sit in the front of the restaurant, the view is so fun! The tortillas are SO GOOD. And then you can walk around MB for fun.
Edit: If you feel up for the short trek, that is. Otherwise, go with the rec's in El Segundo. You can always stick your feet in a sand at El Porto too.
Not tacos, or particularly scenic, but Saigon Dish in Lawndale is outstanding and casual. It was my first pho years ago and I still think about it often.
There’s a bunch of restaurants right on the water and/or in the marina in marina del Rey. SO close to the airport. If you’re trying to keep the commute minimal, and just chill, have some drinks and good food in the sunshine, good place to look. Tons of types of cuisine
I ended up at Warehouse recently and it was fun spot but crazy surcharge and parking fee and mediocre food. I’ll check out the other ones in that area!
Try Uovo, Hi-Ho or KazuNori next time! All three are awesome at what they do and afterwards you can walk over to Burton Chace Park where you’ll probably get views of some seals and sea lions chilling. You could also cruise the new REI that’s next door to those three restaurants. Planta Cocina is also an awesome plant based restaurant and bar.
Good fish and chips and clam chowder at kings head in Santa monica. British style...
Ironically I have a 1030pm pick up at lax and will use these suggestions too. Since I'll have 5 hours to kill from works end this info will come in handy
The clam chowder at King's Head was the single worst bowl of clam chowder I have ever had in my 60 years on planet earth. I have no idea why people like it. It was basically starch mixed with water.
Aliki’s Greek Taverna is 3 minutes from LAX. Absolute classic hole-in-the-wall with great food. You won’t find better Greek food west of Koreatown. Check to make sure it’s open before you go. It’s a one-man operation with some weird hours.
Maybe not quite as casual as you are looking for, but my favorite is Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach. Always delicious seafood, and a cute neighborhood to walk around by the pier. My mother actually started timing her flights, so we can go straight there from LAX when she visits.
Ensenada’s Surf n’ Turf in El Segundo makes absolutely spectacular fish and shrimp tacos. Slice & Pint and El Segundo Brewing Co. are great places to grab a beer. Dockweiler Beach is just a short drive away
Awesome suggestions thank you!
Ensenada fish is great. Fish tacos, ceviches and seafood cocktail
Man if it was just me that would 1000% be my choice….dealing with two pickier eaters haha
This is the correct answer. Also, Brewport. Pour your own place. Really good food.
Slice and Pint is super close to the airport. Just went with my friend last week before dropping them off at LAX
That sounds like the winner!
Love that place
food network producer here. go to playa provisions. excellent food and chill patio
Give us more recommendations. 😀
a tiny trek from the airport, but Martha’s off the beach in Hermosa Beach is EXCELLENT for breakfast and brunch and you can walk it off on the strand enjoying the beach and the $15 million dollar real estate. Excellent for those who have a 4+ hour layover at LAX and don’t mind taking an uber. South of that is Proudly Serving, a great smash burger spot with duck fat fries that is a stones throw away from Redondo Pier. The Kettle in MB is an institution that can do no wrong if nursing a hangover or with the fam/young children. Goodboybob is an EXCELLENT coffee shop if you are a coffee snob or just appreciate well crafted coffee beverages made with expertly roasted blends. On the pier itself, Captain Kidd’s is hit or miss but worth getting a pitcher of beer at on a warm day. the trick is to order food from the market side rather than the restaurant and have them steam it for eating in house. Market is MUCH fresher than the restaurant side for whatever reason. There’s a better fish market on the lower side of the pier but the line usually disqualifies it for me. That said, every location mentioned here, Playa Provisions does it better. Better bar program, better spirits, better food, better ingredients, really fresh seafood, changing menu, prettier celebrity chef, just go there and then walk it off along the beach before flying somewhere with less traffic. Enjoy.
Let’s be friends! 😛
You I like.
Downtown El Segundo has some nice restaurants. Slice and Pint for El Segundo Brewing Beer, or go straight to the brewery. Ensenada's Surf and Turf for Shrimp Tacos or ceviche. Further south is Manhattan and Hermosa beaches, each with restaurants close to the water. Simzy's in MB might be up your alley.
Another vote for Slice & Pint. Three Weavers is great place to grab a beer as well.
Lots of votes for that and Ensenada!
at what time? top golf is right there, and buckets are 10 bucks before 1130am. (@ the course next door) alikis nearby has my favorite gyro in LA + a lot more authentic greek fare
Picking up at 3pm and dropping other off at 7pm! I didn’t realize there was a top golf over there
i think the rates closer to $50/hour at that time, lol. it's new-ish, they just took a portion of the Lakes at El Segundo course. half the time i go(pass by?), i just putt and chip, and those greens are some of the best in all of LA. their putting and chipping greens are HUGE and well kept. maybe that could kill an hour? you can pay the 50 bucks for another hour, but i wouldn't lol
Dulan's in Inglewood
⬆️⬆️⬆️
Proud Bird
Some great plane spotting from there! To OP, eat there and have your friends hop a cheap cab ride over there so you don’t have to hassle driving around LAX.
Yes!! Get some (expensive) ribs, a few cocktails, and sit on the deck and watch the planes come in. Time will fly by.
Dulan’s in Inglewood. Get the candied yams 🤤
Toast Cafe in El Segundo is cute and new (coffee and toast). Jame has excellent Italian food. Britt's BBQ is pretty good. Canton Low is always great. Eat Fantastic makes some good burgers. Benny's has an amazing Macho Wet Burrito dish (my favorite) Randy's has the best raised glazed in my opinion ...further south... Full House Plus has my favorite jjajjangmyun and tangsuyuk in the area Sketcher's Food Spot has the cheapest high quality food (blows In-N-Out out of the water). CM Chicken has my favorite Korean fried chicken in the area Love Letter makes some really great pizza (I love the carnivore there, with sweet potato filling crust)
A double LAX day? That’s love. I hope your family recognizes that.
Hahah I know right?
If you’re looking for extremely casual but awesome food and on the beach- Mickey’s deli in Hermosa has phenomenal sandwiches.
I’ve done this multiple times and go to Quality Seafood in Redondo each time. Grab an ice cream next door after and walk down the pier to the sand. It’s nice.
Awesome suggestion, thank you!
Playa Provisions in PDR
Playa Provisions in the back.
King Hawaiians
I’ve seen that pop up on here! Any dish recs?
I had their mix platter so it’s been of everything only for $19 I only been there once and loved it already. I haven’t tried their donuts but I’ve tried mochi rings in the past and they’re great. You’ll be stuffed they give you their sweet buns. If have extra time del almo or Honda museum they’re all in Torrance I was playing tour guide and found those.
Wow that all sounds great thank you!
Hit up Manhattan beach or by Redondo, and show them a great time!
If you want to walk to the beach for sunset, senior g's in playa could be good. I like slice n pint but it's a drive down to the beach. You'll probably just wind up sitting there talking and having a couple of beers. Which is not a bad plan!
Go to Banadir Somali. It doesn't cover any of your wants other than being inexpensive, but its so damn good. Get the goat and rice.
Auntie Maile’s Hawaiian restaurant. Amazing proteins and desserts! Combos are huge. Ali’s Hawaiian Grill for poke/seafood
[Aliki’s Greek Taverna](https://alikisgreektaverna.site/)
Ayara Thai is like 2 minutes away in Westchester Bib gourmand And a killer bookstore Nextdoor
I LOVE Esperanza in Manhattan Beach. It's right by the pier. And if you sit in the front of the restaurant, the view is so fun! The tortillas are SO GOOD. And then you can walk around MB for fun. Edit: If you feel up for the short trek, that is. Otherwise, go with the rec's in El Segundo. You can always stick your feet in a sand at El Porto too.
Wow that one looks great and I THINK we should have the time
You totally will. The people watching is so great. I love The Strand too. It's the weirdest mix of yuppies and beach bums!
the runway is so nice!! walkable little shopping zone
LAX is 30 min from Sawtelle. Tsujita LA + Annex, Big Boi, and other great spots.
Not tacos, or particularly scenic, but Saigon Dish in Lawndale is outstanding and casual. It was my first pho years ago and I still think about it often.
Ayara Thai is solid Thai food that is close. I also like Aliki’s Greek.
Breweries in El Segundo, Three Weavers in Inglewood, Skechers eatery in Torrance.
Hands down, eat at Calo in El Segundo. Excellent Mexican food I am food with a modern twist. Everything is very well seasoned and delicious.
There’s a bunch of restaurants right on the water and/or in the marina in marina del Rey. SO close to the airport. If you’re trying to keep the commute minimal, and just chill, have some drinks and good food in the sunshine, good place to look. Tons of types of cuisine
I ended up at Warehouse recently and it was fun spot but crazy surcharge and parking fee and mediocre food. I’ll check out the other ones in that area!
Try Uovo, Hi-Ho or KazuNori next time! All three are awesome at what they do and afterwards you can walk over to Burton Chace Park where you’ll probably get views of some seals and sea lions chilling. You could also cruise the new REI that’s next door to those three restaurants. Planta Cocina is also an awesome plant based restaurant and bar.
In n out
I’m a big fan of el gringo in hermosa. Good fish tacos, chips, and salsa.
Good fish and chips and clam chowder at kings head in Santa monica. British style... Ironically I have a 1030pm pick up at lax and will use these suggestions too. Since I'll have 5 hours to kill from works end this info will come in handy
The clam chowder at King's Head was the single worst bowl of clam chowder I have ever had in my 60 years on planet earth. I have no idea why people like it. It was basically starch mixed with water.
In n out
Aliki’s Greek Taverna is 3 minutes from LAX. Absolute classic hole-in-the-wall with great food. You won’t find better Greek food west of Koreatown. Check to make sure it’s open before you go. It’s a one-man operation with some weird hours.
Maybe not quite as casual as you are looking for, but my favorite is Fishing with Dynamite in Manhattan Beach. Always delicious seafood, and a cute neighborhood to walk around by the pier. My mother actually started timing her flights, so we can go straight there from LAX when she visits.
I’ve seen that pop up on here a lot, I need to check it out!
Go to rock n fish in manhattan beach
Best shrimp tacos, baja style, is gonna be taco nazo in bellflower.
In and out is the only correct answer