A time-honored DTLA diner since 1924, The Original Pantry Cafe serves hearty American classics 24/7, making it a beloved late-night pitstop for those in the know.
"The Original Pantry opened Downtown in 1924, making it a legend in its own right - no matter how objectively mediocre the food is. Come to this old-school diner after the bars get out on the weekend and expect a line out the door. Come at any other point during the week and expect some of the best people-watching in town. Everybody’s eating giant plates of eggs and bacon and grumbling about the better days - even you. This is a great place to head after a late concert at Staples." - brant cox
"The Original Pantry Cafe has been around since 1924, but seems old because their site is designed in Flash. That's okay, once you get there, you'll see why people line up around the building for a mediocre breakfast at three in the morning. Open 24 hours continuously since 1924, once you get in, you're transported back to the 1920's once you sit down and take a bite. It's an L.A. institution. The food is greasy but perfect for those late nights (or early mornings). And like Los Angeles itself, you'll see that the cafe is nothing spectacular, it's mostly famous for being famous." - TypeEd
"This landmark cafeteria—which hits its 100th birthday this year— is halfway between L.A. Live and the Financial District, making it a prime stop for early-bird DTLA-ers. The dining room hasn’t changed much since it opened, and feels like a living museum as much as a diner: checkered floors, a vintage cashier booth, and servers who can tell you stories about serving coleslaw to Martin Luther King, Jr. They’ll also tell you to stick to the classics, and maybe suggest a side of housemade salsa to pour over your hash browns. The Original Pantry no longer operates 24/7, but they’re still open for breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Sunday. Show up before 9am on weekends to avoid a wait." - nikko duren, brant cox, sylvio martins, garrett snyder
"Open since 1924, and probably serving USC’s hungry students for almost just as long, The Original Pantry Cafe is a DTLA landmark. While it’s no longer open 24/7, you can still eat here during breakfast and lunch most days of the week. It’s also very tiny, and the wait for a table can be long on Sunday mornings. The good news is, once you're finally inside, you'll eat diner food with just the right mix of salt, grease, and sugar to calm your nerves." - Nikko Duren, Brant Cox, Sylvio Martins
"One of LA’s oldest restaurants, this all-day restaurant has classic diner fare like ham and eggs, steaks, pancakes, and sandwiches. In the past, it was open 24/7 but now hours are only to 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., and until 5 p.m. on weekends, which means you’ll have to plan ahead to eat here before any evening events or opt for a morning brunch for daytime weekend games." - Matthew Kang
