Best Restaurants with Outdoor Seating Near USC
By: Claire Wong ‘23
With COVID-19, there are not many restaurants open with dine-in options. It is already super limited to travel affordably as a student without a car. Here are some of my favorite restaurants with great outdoor seating options that are super accessible (via Metro or walking distance) and very local to the USC area!
Affordable ($)
Cafe Persona $, 714 W 1st St, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 5 stars with 39 reviews
5 minute walk from Civic Center/Grand Park metro station
Small business with coffee and food
Known for their acai bowls
Marugame $, 700 Flower St, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 180 reviews
1 minute walk from 7th Street/Metro Center
Fast casual with outdoor seating
Udon combinations and tempura
Jack n’ Joe $, 2498 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 2092 reviews
15 minute walk from USC, located in fyrft zone
Sit-down outdoor dining, but no reservations
All breakfast items,- great for brunch!
Known for their gourmet pancakes and french toast
Blu Jam $-$$, 541 S Spring St #110, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 1178 reviews
5 minute walk from Pershing Square metro station
Sit-down outdoor dining, but no reservations
Mostly breakfast items on the menu - great for brunch!
Known for the Crunchy French Toast
A Little More Buck ($$)
Pilot $$, 1060 S Broadway, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 162 reviews
15 minute walk from 7th Street/Metro Center
Rooftop outdoor seating, has online reservation
Mostly breakfast items on the menu, great for brunch!
Known for the breakfast pizzas
Uovo $$, 1320 2nd St Ste A, Santa Monica
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 1038 reviews
10 minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and metro station
Sit-down outdoor dining, can sign-in to waitlist via website
Italian pasta bar
Known for the Carbonara and Cacio e Pepe
The Independence $$, 205 Broadway, Santa Monica
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 790 reviews
7 minute walk from Santa Monica Pier and metro station
Sit-down outdoor dining, has online reservations
American, gastropub food - offers brunch and dinner!
Known for the Pulled Pork Eggs Benedict
FIG at 7th $$, 735 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles
2 minute walk from 7th Street/Metro Center
Outdoor mall with restaurants such as CPK, Morton’s, Mendocino Farms, the Melt, Sprinkles Cupcakes
No reservations at CPK
Online reservations at Morton’s
Outdoor seating available everywhere, most restaurants are fast casual
Parking Validation available at some as needed
Splurge ($$$)
JOEY DTLA $$-$$$, 700 W 7th St Ste S430, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4.5 stars with 985 reviews
1 minute walk from 7th Street/Metro Center
Sit-down outdoor dining, has online reservations
Surf and turf, gastropub food - great for dinner!
Known for the Lobster Ravioli and the Korean Fried Cauliflower
Perch $$$, 448 S Hill St, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 8005 reviews
1 minute walk from Pershing Square metro station
Rooftop outdoor seating with gorgeous city view, has online reservation
French cuisine - offers brunch, lunch and dinner!
Known for the French Toast, Steak Frites, and Ahi Tuna Tartare
Faith and Flower $$$, 705 W 9th St, Los Angeles
Yelp Rating: 4 stars with 2522 reviews
5 minutes walk from 7th Street/Metro Center
Sit-down outdoor dining, has online reservations
Vintage-inspired American food - great for dinner!
Known for the Deviled Eggs and Oxtail Agnolotti
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