Best Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance Restaurants in Westlake
9 hand-picked restaurants, critic-reviewed and ranked
Last Updated: February 2026
Our Top Pick
It's Thai Casual Dining
Lobby-level Thai spot balancing a broad menu with dependable execution for everyday meals.
Notable Picks
8.2
Vibes:
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Comfort Food Classics
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
It's Thai Casual Dining sits along Wilshire in a modest lobby-level space serving a long lineup of stir-fries, noodles, curries, and rice plates. Downtown office workers and nearby residents use it for quick lunches or relaxed weeknight dinners where favorites like pad thai and spicy basil dishes come out hot and consistent.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Rad Nah Kee Mao (drunken gravy noodles), Yellow Curry with Chicken
What Makes it Special: Lobby-level Thai spot balancing a broad menu with dependable execution for everyday meals.
Worthy Picks
7.9
Vibes:
Quick Bites Champions
Solo Dining Sanctuaries
Instagram Worthy Wonders
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Small-batch artisan coffee shop and bakery serving elevated breakfast fare in minimalist white space. Owner Naomi Shim's pastry skills shine in seasonal rotating creations alongside savory dishes like braised pork shoulder breakfast burrito. Open daily 7am-4pm.
Must-Try Dishes:
Doubtless Breakfast Burrito with Pork Shoulder, Seven-Grain Pancakes, Seasonal Pastries
What Makes it Special: Chef-owner's pastry background elevates coffee shop into artisan bakery experience
#3
Meal4U LA
7.9
Operating out of a Westlake kitchen just west of downtown, Meal4U LA specializes in Korean lunch boxes built for delivery and takeout. Galbi, fried chicken, and rotating banchan land in neatly packed trays that feel closer to home-cooked dosirak than generic meal prep.
Must-Try Dishes:
Galbi lunch box, Korean fried chicken box, Daily banchan side set
What Makes it Special: Delivery-focused Korean dosirak-style boxes with generous portions and variety.
7.9
Kabob Express Fusion Truck parks along 7th Street serving a Mexi-terranean mashup of chicken kabobs, shawarma, gyro, and tacos to downtown offices and nearby apartments. The menu leans into handhelds—pita wraps, tacos, and burritos—while still offering hummus, falafel, and classic plates at budget-friendly prices. It’s less about seating and more about grabbing a flavorful, filling meal from a family-run truck that’s been working the area for years.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken Shawarma Tacos, Gyro Pita Wrap, Mexi-terranean Burrito
What Makes it Special: Food-truck mashup of Mediterranean plates, gyros, and Mexi-terranean tacos.
7.8
Gold Medal Chinese Food occupies a small corner spot just off West 6th, specializing in classic American-Chinese plates served in takeout containers for a few dollars each. Regulars come for quick teriyaki chicken, orange chicken, and fried rice before or after errands in the Westlake area.
Must-Try Dishes:
Orange Chicken, Teriyaki Chicken with Rice, Fried Chicken
What Makes it Special: Cash-only corner spot offering very low-priced, classic Chinese takeout.
7.8
Thai Food Express operates out of a simple storefront on West 6th turning out big portions of stir-fries, curries, noodles, and fried rice at low prices. Westlake and MacArthur Park locals rely on it for fast takeout and delivery when they want familiar Thai flavors without a long sit-down meal.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pad Thai, Tom Yum Soup, Green Curry with Chicken
What Makes it Special: Counter-service Thai spot known for generous portions and low prices in a central Westlake location.
7.7
Vibes:
Family Friendly Favorites
Quick Bites Champions
Cheap Eats Budget Brilliance
Hidden Gems Heaven
A low-key neighborhood takeout spot on the Westlake edge of 90017, doing classic crowd-pleaser pies alongside pasta and subs. The pizzas are simple, hearty, and priced for families, with a soft-crisp crust and generous cheese that lands well for kids. Not a destination vibe, but a useful local option when you want easy comfort fast.
Must-Try Dishes:
Pepperoni pizza, Meat Lover pizza, Garlic parmesan knots
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood-value pies with big portions for families.
An old-school Westlake-edge Mexican standby with a real neighborhood happy hour. Alongside the tacos and margs, their wings are a low-key sleeper move—simple, satisfying, and priced for casual sharing. Best for value hunters who want wings plus a margarita reset.
Must-Try Dishes:
House chicken wings, Carne asada burrito, Happy hour margarita
What Makes it Special: Neighborhood happy hour with wings and classic Westlake comfort.
7.6
A no-frills Westlake taqueria that wins on simple, well-seasoned street-style tacos. The space is minimal, but the kitchen stays consistent on classics and keeps prices low enough for everyday rotation. Come here for straight comfort, not atmosphere.
Must-Try Dishes:
Asada tacos, Carnitas burrito, Horchata
What Makes it Special: Classic Westlake tacos that stay solid without the hype.