Westwood is a college town, which means two things: caffeine-fueled all-nighters and late-night hunger that hits hard. Whether you’re cramming for an exam, walking home from a party or just feeling a little feral after midnight, there’s always that moment when you realize you need food ASAP. Lucky for us Bruins, Westwood has some seriously solid late-night food spots that keep their doors open for those of us who operate on questionable sleep schedules. From the chaotic, over-the-top sandwiches at Fat Sal’s to the perfect cookie fix at Diddy Riese, there’s something for every craving. Let’s get into it!
Fat Sal’s: The Ultimate Late-Night Feast
Location: 972 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hours: 11 a.m to 3 a.m. (Thursdays to Saturdays), 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (Sundays to Wednesdays).
If you’ve lived in Westwood for more than five minutes, you know about Fat Sal’s. It’s basically an institution at this point. Their ridiculous sandwiches are built for those moments when you’re past the point of caring about portion sizes or nutritional value (as you should be). Their signature “Fat” sandwiches are loaded with everything — mozzarella sticks, fries, chicken tenders, onion rings, you name it. The “Fat Texas” is one of the best: cheesesteak, jalapeño poppers, fries and BBQ sauce all stuffed into one massive hoagie. Need something sweet? Their milkshakes are thick and borderline dangerous in the best way possible.
Yes, it’s messy. Yes, you might regret it in the morning. But in the moment? No regrets.
What to get: Fat Texas, Fat Jerry, Cookie Dough Milkshake cq
Diddy Riese: The GOAT of Cookies
Location: 926 Broxton Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hours: 12 p.m. to 11 p.m. (Sundays, Tuesdays to Thursdays), 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. (Fridays to Saturdays), closed Mondays.
It’s giving nostalgia. It’s giving happiness. It’s giving warm, fresh cookies for under five dollars. Diddy Riese is that spot you go to when you need a late-night treat without breaking the bank. Their cookie ice cream sandwiches are legendary — you get two freshly baked cookies (chocolate chip, snickerdoodle, white chocolate macadamia … all the good stuff) with a scoop of ice cream in between. Absolute heaven.
The line can be long, especially on weekends, but it moves fast. And let’s be real—waiting in line at Diddy Riese is practically a Westwood rite of passage.
What to get: Cookie Ice Cream Sandwich (Snickerdoodle + Vanilla is elite)
Northern Cafe Dumpling House: Dumpling Therapy
Location: 1064 Gayley Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Sometimes, you just need dumplings. And Northern Cafe delivers (literally and figuratively). Their spicy wontons are unreal — perfectly soft dumplings drenched in garlicky, chili-oil goodness. Pair them with their beef noodle soup and suddenly life makes sense again. The broth is rich, the noodles are chewy and the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender.
If you’re not in the mood to sit down and vibe, grab an order of their pan-fried dumplings to go. You’ll be stress-eating them over your laptop in under 10 minutes.
What to get: Spicy Wontons, Pork Dumplings, Beef Noodle Soup
Killer Noodle Tsujita: Spicy Ramen for the Fearless
Location: 2030 Sawtelle Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90025
Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. (Sundays to Thursdays), 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays)
This place is not for the weak. If you love spice and think you can handle the heat, Killer Noodle will humble you real quick. They specialize in Tantanmen ramen, which is basically Japanese ramen’s spicy, nutty, kinda unhinged cousin. The Downtown-style ramen is the way to go — thick noodles, rich sesame broth, minced pork and an egg that’s perfectly jammy. You get to pick your spice level, and let’s just say … don’t get cocky.
It’s slightly out of Westwood (Sawtelle isn’t that far), but if you’ve got a car and a craving, it’s 100% worth the trip.
What to get: Downtown-style Ramen, Tokyo-style Ramen
ShareTea: Midnight Boba Run
Location: 1055 Broxton Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024
Hours: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Sometimes, you just need a little something to sip on while pretending to study. ShareTea is the go-to for late-night boba cravings, and they get it right every time. Their Okinawa Milk Tea (black tea with brown sugar vibes) is the move, but if you want something more refreshing, the Wintermelon tea with boba is undefeated. Everything is customizable — sweetness, ice, toppings — so you can get it exactly how you like it.
Perfect for when you need a caffeine boost and an excuse to procrastinate.
What to get: Okinawa Milk Tea, Wintermelon tea with boba
Honorable Mentions (a.k.a more options for when nothing else sounds good):
- Tacos Tu Madre — Because sometimes, nothing hits like late-night tacos and elote (Mondays to Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 12 a.m. and Fridays to Sundays: 9 a.m. to 12 a.m.).
- In-N-Out — A classic. Can’t go wrong with Animal Fries at 1 a.m. (Sundays to Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays: 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m.).
- Saffron & Rose Ice Cream — Persian-style ice cream that’s rich, floral and so good (Sundays to Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.).
Final Thoughts: Where Are We Eating Tonight?
Westwood gets late-night cravings. Whether you’re in the mood for something messy, spicy, sweet or just plain comforting, there’s a spot for you.
So next time hunger hits at some ungodly hour, text the group chat, rally your friends and hit up one of these places. Because let’s be real — sleep is optional, but food? Mandatory. Enjoy.
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Featured Image: Sophomore Tyson Dougherty goes for a late night snack at Westwood’s very own, Fat Sals. Photographed by Khaled Al Duwaikat/BruinLife.
