Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Los Angeles

by The OpenTable Team

Updated 24 January 2020

Finding the best fried chicken in Los Angeles involves more than just searching for the nearest food truck. Like the City of Angels itself, the dining scene sprawls with some of the finest food in the country, often hiding in unexpected places. Southern flavors have infused California cuisine, making classics like fried chicken classier than before. Say goodbye to the standard chicken bucket. We’ve found Japanese-style breaded chicken in the arts district, juicy chicken with a splash of maple butter seasoning or spicy all over in Fairfax. But where do hungry diners find the best fried chicken in LA? With a little help from our Tastemaker 20 list. We’ve pulled data from thousands of restaurants to find the top spots among OpenTable's most expert, seasoned foodies. Book a table at the best fried chicken in Los Angeles today.

AOC - 3rd Street

4.7

4.7 (5095)

$30 and under

Californian

Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.

About the restaurant

A Beverly Grove institution since 2002, A.O.C. is primarily a wine bar that offers an eclectic and select menu of food. The elegant interior is warm wood, little tables, and comfortable booths, plus an impressive patio that’s ideal for special occasions. A.O.C. makes it onto our list because of their signature chicken dish: the Spanish fried chicken. This crisp and flavorful affair comes with romesco aioli and a spicy butter and has kept loyal fans coming back for years. An LA must-try.

Top review

Sam

Dined today

AOC never disappoints. Food and service are on point. Fresh seasonal dishes. Went here for a holiday family dinner and everyone loved it.

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Experience

New Year's Eve Dinner

Hinoki & The Bird

4.7

4.7 (517)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Century City

About the restaurant

This Century City spot is ideal for people-watching, business meetings and impressing an agent- or prospective date. It’s sleek and contemporary, but soft enough around the edges to be warm and welcoming at the same time. Chicken fans, it’s the crispy chicken we’re raving about here. Served with habanero honey, there’s a kick of spice that’s instantly balanced out by the sweetness. Fried chicken, California style.

Top review

SharonVIP

Dined on 16 Nov 2024

Always delicious cuisine and beyond excellent service! There’s something for everyone for sure. Extensive wine and cocktail lists. Recommend the whole duck (deliciously not dry) and the crispy chicken, vegetarian options also.

Fishing With Dynamite

4.9

4.9 (2925)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Manhattan Beach / Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Unsurprisingly, given the name, Fishing with Dynamite is all about the seafood. This Manhattan Beach favorite keeps up a quirky aquatic theme throughout, from cute framed pictures of smiling whales to oars placed between the windows. It’s not the biggest LA seafood place, but it is one of the best. And it also happens to serve up some of the best fried chicken in Los Angeles- at least on the weekend. Browse the brunch menu and order the fried chicken and waffle, and discover what the fuss is about.

Top review

Toni

Dined 3 days ago

We loved FWD. Great little restaurant with fun cocktails and absolutely delicious seafood. We enjoyed a few oysters, the Peruvian scallops (do not miss these) and then the shrimp boil and steamed mussels. Service was great, food was great. 10/10. Go eat here!

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Popular dish

Peruvian Scallops

Popular dish

Seared Maine Dayboat Diver Scallops

Popular dish

Key Lime Pie

Manhattan Beach Post

4.7

4.7 (4501)

$31 to $50

American

Manhattan Beach / Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

The rough and ready interior is effortless industrial chic at this bastion of Manhattan Beach dining. The distressed walls hold an almost communal space where tables sit end to end to let friends gather in groups. The diverse menu echoes this as it has a little of something for everyone, including our goal: Truffle Honey Laced Fried Chicken. The chicken itself is lemon-brined before being buttermilk-dipped, fried and served with slaw and truffle honey. Always get the bacon cheddar biscuits. Every time.

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Maren

Dined 2 days ago

One of the best restaurants in the South Bay, can’t recommend enough!

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Popular dish

Spiced Banana Bread

Popular dish

Bacon Cheddar Buttermilk Biscuits

Popular dish

Skirt Steak and Eggs

The Henry - West Hollywood

4.8

4.8 (2054)

$30 and under

American

Beverly / Fairfax / La Brea / Third St.

About the restaurant

Relaxed and welcoming, this West Hollywood branch of The Henry blends retro themes with modern flavors. They've created a restaurant and menu which has a real loyal fanbase. The Henry makes it onto our fried chicken list due to its extensive brunch menu. Their Chicken Fried Chicken is the ultimate in hangover recovery food, served with buttermilk biscuits, hearty chicken sausage gravy, and eggs, sunny side up. Just be sure to find the Mimosa cart as well.

Top review

Catherine

Dined 2 days ago

Our server was so hospitable and knowledgeable about the menu..food was really good as always, too!

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Umami Brussels Sprouts

HATCH

4.7

4.7 (640)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Downtown

About the restaurant

Hatch Yakitori has made grabbing lunch Downtown a breeze with their build-your-own bento box service. Each box boasts three yakitori chicken sticks, and the range of flavors for the yakitori is pretty diverse. Miso, green onion and plum paste are just a few of the options available. For those on the hunt for the best fried chicken in Los Angeles, Hatch is a surprise contender. Bypass the bento boxes and go for the “Plates” menu, and order the black karaage fried chicken thighs, Soaked in brine for two days and served in squid ink with house pickles, this chicken is a completely unique experience.

Top review

Frank

Dined on 9 Dec 2024

The service was excellent wait staff and bartender were great. The food was excellent. It's very hard to pick a favorite but if I have too was the mushroom. Parry and the bone marrow both excellent.

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Experience

Quick Lunch - Bento Bowls!

Experience

Happy Hour

AOC - Brentwood

4.5

4.5 (3341)

$31 to $50

Californian

Brentwood

About the restaurant

Brentwood is full of trendy eateries, but few are as consistent as Tavern. Open from 8am for breakfast right through to 10.30 at the weekend, two award winning chefs showcase a menu where simplicity is the key to great flavor. Plates have three menus: small, medium and large, and chicken fans need to peruse the medium plates option. The Spanish fried chicken is a huge hit with regulars, who often pick the bacon-wrapped dates as a salty yet sweet side.

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SusanVIP

Dined 3 days ago

AOC is a go-to for me, in both locations. I always find the menu offers variety for everyone's taste and dietary needs, and the service and ambience are exceptional. My only complaint this time is that the flank stank was tough, usually it's not chewy. Otherwise, perfect!

Baran’s 2239

4.9

4.9 (1387)

$31 to $50

American

Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Baran’s is a small and friendly Hermosa Beach restaurant just minutes from the pier. Sit at the bar and chew the fat with locals or take a seat in the cozy dining area, amongst bottle lined walls and pendulum lights. The menu is European inspired, yet with some strong American flavors like the pastrami crusted pork chop, the spicy jerk wings, and their superb fried chicken. Baran's smoke their chicken before frying it to crispness. This gives an unprecedented depth of flavor, matched by the soy and chile accompaniment. Don’t forget dessert; their coffee toffee pudding is to die for.

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EricVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Amazing food. Unique bites. Highly recommend for the adventurous culinary crowd.

The Arthur J

4.7

4.7 (2915)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Manhattan Beach / Hermosa Beach

About the restaurant

Why is this elegant Manhattan Beach steakhouse on our fried chicken list? Because of their Monday special every week: fried chicken night! Regulars know that Arthur J does the best local rib eye and strip steak, and even a humongous tomahawk for two to share. But every Monday night chicken fans head here for their house fried chicken special, served lovingly with smashed potatoes and a peppery sausage gravy. Just one more reason why the Arthur J is a local favorite.

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Aqeel

Dined 7 days ago

The food here is amazing! Off the chain, really good!

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Popular dish

Petite Filet Mignon R&R Ranch

Popular dish

Steak Tartare