Best Late Night Restaurants in Highland Park
10 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
Yi Cha
A true Korean pocha experience with serious cocktails outside Koreatown.
Notable Picks
#1
Yi Cha
8.5
Yi Cha is a modern Korean pub from chef Debbie Lee, bringing pocha-style drinking food, creative small plates, and a serious soju and cocktail program to Highland Park. Open late on weekends, it’s become a neighborhood destination for shared plates like Korean fried chicken, gamjatang, and playful bar snacks in a neon-lit, alley-like dining room.
Must-Try Dishes:
Gochujang buffalo Korean fried chicken, Wagyu bone marrow corn cheese, Gamjatang (spicy pork and potato stew)
What Makes it Special: A true Korean pocha experience with serious cocktails outside Koreatown.
8.4
Inside The Goldfish, Sticky Rice’s Highland Park kitchen turns out Thai-style Sticky Rice Wings alongside street food favorites, all backed by $10 cocktail happy hour. Neon-lit decor, a checkered dance floor, arcade games, and regular live music make wings and drinks here feel like a full night out.
Must-Try Dishes:
Sticky Rice Wings, Panang Curry Fries, Boat Noodle Soup
What Makes it Special: Thai street-food wings with full bar happy hour, arcade games, and live music under one roof.
8.3
Born in Orange County in 2014 and now a West Coast mini-empire, Afters’ Highland Park shop channels the brand’s social-media-famous energy into cereal-inspired scoops and their signature Milky Bun. Late hours, colorful interiors, and big, indulgent flavors make it a go-to dessert stop after dinner on Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Milk & Cereal scoop, Cookie Monster Milky Bun, Ube Brownie ice cream
What Makes it Special: Flashy, trend-driven ice cream with flavors and Milky Buns built for late-night cravings and photos.
8.1
This pandemic-era food truck, now parked regularly on York, has built a cult following for its thick, juicy patties and rotating monthly specials. With 4.8–4.9-star ratings and service often running to 10pm on weekends, it’s a true neighborhood late-night burger fix that still feels under the radar.
Must-Try Dishes:
The BEAST Burger, Ultimate Cheeseburger, Piri Piri Wings
What Makes it Special: A family-run burger truck turning out bison and beef burgers with big flavor, friendly hospitality, and weekend hours that stretch into the late evening.
8.1
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Family Friendly Favorites
Late Night Legends
A York Boulevard fixture since 1983, Troy Burgers #8 is a classic drive-in-style counter turning out charbroiled burgers, pastrami, and breakfast plates from early morning to 11pm on weekends. Late-night regulars lean on it for big-portion combos, orange bang, and a no-frills diner vibe that hasn’t changed much in decades.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pastrami Burger and Fries, Double Cheeseburger Combo, Breakfast Burrito
What Makes it Special: An old-school neighborhood counter with decades of late-night service and charbroiled burgers that feel straight out of LA’s classic drive-in era.
#6
La Cuevita
8.1
La Cuevita is an Old World-inspired Mexican grotto bar known for its deep tequila and mezcal list, long daily happy hours, and free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase. Dark cave-like interiors, a busy back patio, and strong, affordable cocktails make it one of Highland Park’s liveliest after-work and late-night Mexican-leaning happy hour stops.
Must-Try Dishes:
Cold Gin Thyme & Again cocktail, Irish Mule happy hour cocktail, Free Tuesday tacos with drink purchase
What Makes it Special: Agave-centric bar with long happy hour and cave-like vibe.
8
Vibes:
Late Night Legends
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Quick Bites Champions
Operating out of a red truck tucked between a 7-Eleven and a car wash, Viva Taco Azteca stays open until midnight or 1am with a menu built for night-shift cravings. Since at least 2016 it’s been serving lengua, al pastor, and hefty two-meat quesadillas to a steady stream of late-night regulars along Figueroa.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Two-meat quesadilla (asada and pollo), Carnitas mulita
What Makes it Special: True late-night truck with house-made tortillas, big portions, and steady 12am–1am service.
8
Parked near York and Avenue 53, El Pique Taco Truck is a late-night Highland Park standby for generously stuffed burritos, asada and carnitas tacos, and a cult-favorite red salsa. Open into the early morning hours, it’s a natural spillover happy-hour and post-shift stop when you want fast, flavorful street-style Mexican without leaving the block.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada street tacos with red salsa, All-meat carnitas burrito, Chicken quesadilla
What Makes it Special: Cash-only taco truck with legendary red salsa and late hours.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Late Night Legends
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Parked on York Boulevard, this longtime taco truck turns out late-night al pastor, carne asada burritos, and griddled quesadillas that draw a steady line until close. It’s classic, cash-friendly Highland Park street food with reliably fast output.
Must-Try Dishes:
Al pastor tacos, Carne asada burrito, Quesadilla with al pastor
What Makes it Special: Classic York Boulevard taco truck slinging al pastor deep into night.
7.8
Stationed along N Figueroa, El Taco Sabroso Truck is a compact curbside operation known for sturdy tacos, hefty burritos, and a notably spicy red salsa. Regulars treat it as a convenient weeknight and late-dinner option when they want something fast but flavorful.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carne asada tacos, Al pastor burrito, Tostadas with extra carne
What Makes it Special: Compact roadside truck prized for bold salsas and hefty burritos.