News • Where (and when!) to grab a bite or sip at ONA22
Photo shows two hands holding a cell phone poised to take a photo of a table of food.
Photo by Eaters Collective via Unsplash
News

Where (and when!) to grab a bite or sip at ONA22

By Jessica Strelitz  • 

Los Angeles is a food lover’s dream, with amazing variety of culinary opportunities spread across the sprawling area. We encourage everyone attending ONA22 in person to explore further afield from the downtown area where the Westin is located, but you don’t have to go far to hit a trove of foodie riches.

Inside the Westin Bonaventure, the ONA22 host hotel

The Westin has a number of options, including take-out spots on the fourth floor, most of which are only open weekdays.  There is also dozens of tables and chairs as you make your way around the circular floor. The full service Bonaventure Brewing Co. has outside seating on the pool deck, and you can buy beer, wine and spirits (and LA swag) at French Kitchen, also on the fourth floor. LA Prime, the hotel’s steakhouse on the 35th floor, is open for dinner Thursday through Sunday.

Breakfast and lunch is served at the Lakeview Bistro on the lobby level, and you can snag grab-and-go fare, drinks or coffee 24/7 at CAFENow and the Westin lounge in the middle of the hotel’s first floor served until 1 a.m. Room service is also available for hotel guests. Here’s a map to the hotel.

Don’t forget to check out all of the ONA22 sponsored receptions and lounges! All receptions will offer appetizers for all attendees (and drink tickets with an RSVP — Friday night still has open options for those) and several of our sponsored lounges and meeting areas will be offering refreshments as well.

Nearby quick-bite and snack options

Next to the Westin, 505 S. Flower St. at City National Plaza is home to an underground food court with a variety of fast, locally-based options including Saffon Indian, Downtown LA Pho, Cali-cuisine Lemonade and Cilantro Mexican Grill. Nice Coffee, located on the plaza and open Monday through Friday, offers ample outside seating for meetings and caffeine.

If you’re looking for a wider selection for drinks, 538 Wine and Spirits is the closest stand-alone liquor store to the Westin, located on the first floor of the California Club at 538 S. Flower St. Target, Walgreens and CVS have locations located within walking distance of the Westin for snacks and sundries.

Grand Central Market

A favorite spot for ONA staffers, Grand Central Market is located a half mile from the Westin at 317 S. Broadway and open daily. The city’s oldest public market is home to 40 stalls, ranging from full-service restaurants to produce shops, bakeries, cheesemongers, bars and other specialty stops.  Our recommendations:
ONA’s new meeting and marketing manager Lauren Anderson loves Lucky Bird. Try the fiery hot sauce, chicken sandwich and Jojos (potato wedges).

Partnerships consultant Hanaa Rifaey’s can’t misses include two breakfast stops: egg sandwiches at Eggslut —  and fresh fruit donut at The Donut Man. Lines begin before 8 a.m. for both iconic spots.

If you need something to balance out your early day indulgence, I love The Juice for cold pressed juices, wellness shots and smoothie bowls. Come back later in the day for Filipino Happy Hour (pulutan) at Sari Sari, vegan ramen at Ramen Hood or a plate of oysters and a glass of wine at Oyster Gourmet.

ONA friend and Community Support Manager at the American Journalism Project Laura Bertocci also shared her own recs for downtown LA, including Thai street food at Sticky Rice and pupusas at Sarita’s Pupuseria.

This is ONA, so check social!

Our community has been sharing their favorite food spots for weeks! Check the #ONA22 hashtag for tips of places to explore, both near the Westin and across the city for drinks, snacks and catch-up meals.

Additional Content