LAX food etc after security in T4?

Question

Hi, I will have a 3 hour layover in LAX between arriving at TBIT from London Heathrow and departing to Honolulu from T4

I know I will have to clear border control and customs on arrival. But I’m looking at the LAX website and they show next to nothing after TSA in T4.

I will likely be in desperate need of some sort of semi decent food between the flights as I don’t eat the hot food on the planes.

The layover is short enough that there’d be no point in trying to leave the airport to get anything.

So is the information on the LAX website wrong or is there an area between terminals and after security that there’d be more options?

Answer

At LAX, Terminal 4 (T4) does have fewer dining options than some of the larger terminals, but there are still choices for decent food after clearing security. The LAX website sometimes under-reports the number of eateries available beyond TSA, especially since some locations are accessible via the connector to Terminal 3.

Here’s what you need to know for your 3-hour layover:

After clearing customs and rechecking baggage: Since you’re arriving internationally at TBIT and connecting to T4, you will clear U.S. Customs & Border Protection at TBIT. After that, you’ll need to get to Terminal 4 for your Honolulu flight. If your bags are checked through, you can head straight to the T4 security checkpoint for domestic departures.

Dining options inside T4 after security: While limited compared to TBIT or TBIT’s international terminals, T4 does have a handful of places to grab a meal or snack:

Coffee and Light Bites: Starbucks and Peet’s Coffee provide coffee, pastries, sandwiches, and snacks.
Quick Meals: Shake Shack offers burgers, fries, and shakes. Wolfgang Puck Express provides sandwiches, salads, and pizzas.
Grab-and-Go Options: There are newsstands and small convenience stores selling sandwiches, salads, and snacks.

Additional options via terminal connectors: T4 is connected to Terminal 3 (T3) airside, so you can walk over after security to find a few more options:

In T3, you’ll find more fast casual and sit-down options like Lemonade (California-style café), Local (healthy bowls), and additional coffee shops.
The walk is short, usually under 5 minutes, and the terminals share the same secure area, so you don’t need to go through TSA again.

Tips for your layover:

Allow at least 60-75 minutes for customs, immigration, and security lines; three hours is comfortable but not overly generous.
If you want a quicker option, grab food immediately after T4 security and consider a sandwich or salad from Wolfgang Puck Express or Shake Shack.
If you have time and want more variety, walk to T3 for slightly healthier or lighter fare, then return to your gate with plenty of buffer time.

In summary, while T4 doesn’t have as many post-security dining choices as some terminals, the combination of T4 and T3 after security offers enough options for a semi-decent meal or snack before your Honolulu flight.

LAX food etc after security in T4?

More Los Angeles Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions