Al-Noor Restaurant

Since 1998, this fully halal Pakistani restaurant down in Lawndale has offered some of the all-around best desi cuisine in Los Angeles. Now-classic, widely recognized South Asian dishes like chicken tikka masala, palak paneer and lamb korma are the move here, especially for weary travelers making the short 10-minute commute from LAX. Beyond takeout mainstays, spring for the harder-to-find Pakistani dishes like nihari—a spicy, indulgent braised beef stew peppered with ginger and jalapeño—and haleem, a hearty mash of chicken, wheat, barley, lentils, herbs and spices. Plus, Al-Noor’s garlic naan, which comes freshly baked and piping hot from the tandoor, serves as a welcome reminder of the humble flatbread’s highest potential.