Where to Eat and Drink Near SoFi Stadium

From hearty bar fare to classic Inglewood spots, as well as lounges to celebrate your win or drown your loss, here’s where to go before or after a game.

Melody Bar & Grill
Photo courtesy of Melody Bar & Grill
Photo courtesy of Melody Bar & Grill

If you haven’t yet been to a Rams or Chargers game at SoFi Stadium, you might be surprised to know that there’s an array of culinary options both in and around the stadium—as well as a modern art exhibit showing local artists of color. Inside SoFi you’ll be treated to concessions courtesy of LA mainstays Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo (Jon & Vinny’s, Animal, Son of a Gun) that are themed around four different LA neighborhoods. Visit Fairfax Ave. for Pastrami Fries, Olvera St. for Chicken Tinga Tacos, San Vicente Blvd. for Meatballs, and Sawtelle Blvd. for the Tsunami Tots. With multiple stands throughout the stadium, there’s also plenty of options for vegans and vegetarians, like BBQ Jackfruit Tacos or Vegan Chili.

And if you want to get the party started early, opportunities to tailgate exist not only in the pink parking zone, but also on the grounds of the Hollywood Park & Casino, which is the site of The Rams Official VIP Tailgate. For $99 per person, you can graze on creations by Food Network chef Aaron May, such as Smoked Baby Back Ribs or a Mini Cheese Omelet with bacon on a La Brea telera roll. If you’re a fan of La Brea Bakery, you’ll be delighted to know that their breads are featured thanks to a partnership with the Rams. Your price of admission entitles you to all food and drinks at the bar and lounge seating on leather couches.

But if you’re looking to avoid long lines and inflated stadium prices, there are plenty of spots in the surrounding neighborhood to choose from. Inglewood is in an area that is rich with the cultural traditions of its residents, showcasing cuisines that range from vegan soul food and Caribbean to Mexican and West African. You can’t take food inside the stadium, but here’s where to eat if hunger strikes before or after a game:

The newest kid on the block, Cork & Batter is located across from the Hollywood Park and Casino and is connected to the Sonder Lüm Hotel. This restaurant, bar, and rooftop sprawls over three levels and is uniquely poised to be in the center of the action, a convenient stop on the way to or from SoFi Stadium. It’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even late-night bites—highlights include the Aztec Steak Pizza and the Snobby Burger, a six-ounce Wagyu patty smothered with melted gouda and crispy bacon on a brioche bun. Order one of their creative cocktails such as the Side Piece, with vodka, pear, lime, and cucumber, or order from the dedicated margarita menu with offerings like mango, tamarind, and Dodger Blue.
How to order: Walk in or order via Toast.

Melody Bar and Grill
Photo courtesy of Melody Bar & Grill

Open since 1952, Melody Bar & Grill is a great post-game spot that offers the perfect trifecta: good food, music, and drinks. It started as a steakhouse and became a sports bar in the 1990s, as well as a popular hangout for Lakers and Kings players. It’s now a neighborhood bar and lounge with a friendly vibe and upbeat atmosphere. There’s usually something going on every night of the week, whether that’s Karaoke Wednesdays, Live Music Thursdays, or Industry Mondays. Available every day from 3–6 pm, the extended happy hour is always a good time to visit. Order the Elvis Wings, which are available in ten different styles and sauces that include Blue Dream BBQ and Honey Garlic. They are best accompanied by the Gilroy Garlic Fries and a Spicy Paloma.
How to order: Walk in.

Founded in 2008 by Ron and Babette Davis, Stuff I Eat focuses on vegan food with a Tex Mex twist, but they also offer a variety of Southern dishes such as the organic Soul Food Sampler Plate, which includes yams, mac & cheese, black-eyed peas, and potato salad. Chef Babette, who has been vegan for over 30 years, knows a thing or two about creating organic plant-based dishes that don’t sacrifice flavor. Order the Sumthin Sumthin, which the restaurant describes as a “burrito without a shell” and includes seasoned tofu, wild rice, black beans, guacamole, house-made sauce, and a scoop of carrot “untuna,” with a side of two corn tortilla shells. Pair it with the Beet Lemonade, a sweet and tangy concoction.
How to Order: Walk in or order via Postmates.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

If you have a hankering for Belizean cuisine, then a trip to Little Belize Restaurant is in order. This small, family-owned restaurant has a dedicated customer base and you’ll notice the Caribbean hospitality as soon as you walk through the door. Kick off your meal with the Panades (fried masa stuffed with hash fish) and Ducunu (a Belizean-style sweet corn tamale). Then, move on to one of the lunch or dinner entrees, such as the Oxtail Stew, which is seasoned and slowly cooked in their secret house gravy. If you’re still hungry, we recommend the Milk Cake or Lemon Pie for dessert. And they are of course known for their plantains, so an order of those is a must. Little Belize also features daily specials, which range from Curry Chicken to Meat Pies and Cow Foot Soup, depending on the day you visit.
How to Order: Walk in or order online.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

If you’re racing to the airport before or after the game, Proud Bird is an aviation-themed food hall just outside of LAX that’s home to six culinary kitchens. Order a half-rack of pork ribs, a pound of Barbecue Beef Brisket, or a Texas Red Hot Beef Link sandwich with mac and cheese and collard greens at Bludso’s, or chomp on fried chicken and waffles served with whipped honey butter and maple syrup. There’s also a farmers market with fresh salads and a soup of the day, burgers, and sandwiches; an Asian-American-themed stall with a Salmon Teriyaki Bowl and Orange Chicken, and an array of pizza options available, plus a special kids menu. Cap it off with a visit to the Mile High Bar, where you can order themed cocktails, wine on tap, and beer to go—happy hour is every day from 4–7 pm.
How to order:Order online for takeout and delivery.

Founded in 1952, and making countless TV and film appearances since (Get Shorty, Earth Girls Are Easy, and Iron Man 2, just to name a few), you’re likely familiar with the huge, emblematic donut that sits on Randy’s rooftop. But the rings that come out of this iconic donut shop are also worthy of your attention, especially if you’re heading to the stadium for an early game. Indulge in tried-and-tested offerings like a simple raised glazed donut, a Maple Long John with phenomenal shellacked frosting, or a deep-fried Apple Fritter with all the flavors of fall. Kids will love sugar-laden options like a Funfetti Cake with ganache or a Cinnamon Crunch raised donut. If you find yourself there during the AM rush, save time by ordering online and utilize the drive-thru.
How to order: Order at the window or online for takeout.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

Family-owned Carnitas El Artista is the newest power player in LA’s already-robust carnitas scene, making the jump from Hawthorne backyard pop-up to this brick-and-mortar location. Despite the glow-up, the operation hasn’t lost that humble family vibe and you’ll still find most of them working behind the counter cooking up Michoacan-style carnitas, which involves simmering the pork in oil or lard until it’s fork-tender. The menu boasts a variety of supple cuts that you can enjoy in hefty breakfast burritos with beans, eggs, potatoes, cheese, and pico de gallo; smothered chilaquiles with green or red sauce; or by the pound for some top-notch tailgate action. If you’re heading to the stadium on one of LA’s rare windy days, take advantage of their hot steaming bowls of menudo that will no doubt warm you up.
How to order: Walk in or order online for takeout or delivery.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

No trip to the city of Inglewood is complete without checking out at least one of the many Black-owned establishments seen on Issa Rae’s hit HBO show, Insecure. Those looking for their next caffeine fix will appreciate the expansive selection of offerings, like an Ethiopian drip-brew coffee with notes of nectarine, honey, and black tea, and a savory Sweet Potato Latte. If you’re craving something more substantial, dive into their droptops, or thick-cut toasts topped with your choice of strawberry-banana, smoked salmon, or avocado. Or maybe you’ll be more enchanted by their breakfast sandwich with a fried egg, cheddar cheese, bacon, and spicy mayo on a brioche bun. They’ve also got veggie wraps, a crispy chicken sandwich, and chili if you’re leaning more towards lunch fare. Whatever you do, save room for their beignets, deep-fried balls of dough that are covered in powdered sugar and give way to a plush and pillowy interior.
How to order: Walk in or order online for pickup.

Stop by this accessible takeaway spot for bold Caribbean flavors by way of Jamaica. Walking into the shop, you’ll be immediately greeted by the good vibes, from colorful green walls adorned with the Jamaican flag to the lively music that emanates from the kitchen. The hardest part will be choosing between protein options like Oxtail, Jerk Chicken, and Curried Goat. Each entree is served over a plentiful bed of Red Beans and Rice that delivers just the right amount of spice. If you want to get serious, grab a few of the superbly seasoned meat patties from the hot case—you won’t regret it. Wash it down with Jamaican soda MVP, a carbonated fruit juice that acts as the perfect accompaniment to refresh your palate after each bite.
How to order: Walk in or pre-order on Yelp.

Veronica's Kitchen
Photo by Joleen Zubek for Thrillist

Specializing in Nigerian cuisine, this Inglewood mainstay is a great option for those seeking a sit-down experience before or after a game. Choose from staples such as Egusi, a soup composed of leafy greens, ground melon seeds, and goat, which pairs well with fufu, or pounded yams with an almost mochi-like consistency that’s ideal for dipping. Feel free to get messy, they even set down a small bowl of water to clean your fingers mid-meal. The Jollof Rice, made with tomatoes, onions, and other spices, packs a serious punch, and adding an order of plantains is a no-brainer. To quench your thirst over the course of your meal, choose from a selection of palm juices or ginger beer.
How to order: Walk-ins only.

Available for Delivery/Takeout

If you’re looking for a filling breakfast or lunch that won’t ever let you down, cozy up to the counter and pay your respects to this neighborhood institution that’s always spilling over with crowds. Breakfast staples include perfectly fluffy pancakes served with steaming heaps of grits, and French Toast that’s perfectly griddled with lace-like edges and dusted with powdered sugar. Of course, you’d be remiss if you didn’t also opt for an order of the crispy fried wings containing equal amounts of crispy crunchy goodness and just the right amount of seasoning. Also, don’t forget to add a side of the delectable Salmon Croquettes to complement your meal.
How to order: Walk-ins only.

This family-run restaurant specializes in both Italian and Italian-American classics like Spaghetti and Meatballs. Siblings Sol and Ghazi Bashirian took over the space from their father who ran a restaurant here for 42 years (first as Ahmady’s and later as Jino’s Pizza & Deli). Sunday Gravy proudly sources their handmade pastas from nearby Florentyna’s Fresh Pasta Factory and its addictive garlic bread from local bakery Cadoro.
How to order: Via Chownow.

It’s hard to resist the groovy sounds wafting from this sidewalk space that comes to life every day (except Mondays) around noon on a well-trafficked section of Market Street. Do yourself a favor and order the brisket… and the hot links… and the ribs—in fact, just go with a group so you can try a little bit of everything. The tender slabs of barbecue sauce-smothered meat melt in your mouth instantly, and pair perfectly with sides like mac and cheese, baked beans, and street corn. You also can’t go wrong with a side of the fresh greens, with sizable chunks of pork. The Wood also represents one of your best options for getting a brew or cocktail before or after the game.
How to order: Walk in or order online for takeout.

Gab Chabran is a contributor for Thrillist.
Based in Southern California, Danielle Bauter is a freelance writer who focuses on travel, LGBTQ, and culinary topics. Her writing has appeared in a variety of print and digital publications including Thrillist, Condé Nast Traveler, Lonely Planet, and Fodor’s Travel. Follow her travels on IG @missbauterfly and read more of her work at daniellebauter.com.