Discover the Best Fried Chicken in Los Angeles

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.

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.

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.

Indian food has taken a while to get going in LA. Out of the few steady places, nowhere has really stood out for a while. Badmaash has changed that. It’s modern, it’s Downtown, and it combines a cool aesthetic with Asian flavors that are out of this world. The Badmaash fried chicken is double-fried for extra crispness, with spicy batter and a generous dusting of paprika masala. It comes with a serrano cream sauce and diners can’t go wrong by ordering the Masala Fries. A feast for the senses.

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.

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.

Downtown’s Alta Adams is one of those restaurants that feels homey and welcoming from the moment guests enter. Comfy wooden benches and bar seats plus a relaxing patio area are the backdrop for Southern-inspired comfort food. Dinner and brunch are equally popular, with diners flocking here for cornbread, hanger steak, and their skillet-fried chicken. Described by critics as “perfectly crisp and super moist”, this is quite simply some of the best fried chicken in Los Angeles. The complementary hot sauce completes this meal, but the very hungry can add some mac and cheese for extra calories- and nostalgia.

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.

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.

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.