Inglewood's Big Moment: What to See, Eat, and Do Beyond the Stadiums
Inglewood is having a moment. With SoFi Stadium—the most expensive ever built at $5.5 billion—and the new $2 billion Intuit Dome, this Los Angeles neighborhood has become a global sports destination. It will host eight FIFA World Cup matches in 2026, plus Super Bowl LVII in 2027 and events for the 2028 Olympics. But there's a lot more to Inglewood than mega-venues.
The Hollywood Park development, a 300-acre mix of shops, homes, and parks, has brought new life. Recent additions include the first movie theater in 30 years (Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas with IMAX), the 1,500-seat Cosm Los Angeles with its giant LED dome, and a wave of restaurants and bars. Hotels are popping up too, like The Anthem Hotel near Intuit Dome and the upcoming Kali Hotel at Hollywood Park.
All this growth comes with growing pains—traffic jams and rising rents. A Metro expansion to LAX and a planned Automated People Mover aim to ease congestion. The city is also investing $8.5 million to revitalize downtown Market Street and improve transit connections.
Through it all, Inglewood remains a historic Black community with deep roots. Local businesses like The Serving Spoon, a soul food institution celebrating 39 years, and Dulan’s Soul Food Kitchen, open since 1975, are still going strong. For lunch, try Veronica’s Kitchen for Nigerian egusi soup or Coni’Seafood for grilled snook. Sunday Gravy serves Italian with a soul food twist, and Two Hommes blends West African flavors with California ingredients. Finish with peach cobbler from Sweet Red Peach bakery.
Art lovers should visit Residency Art Gallery, a Black-owned space opened in 2016, or the nonprofit Creative House. The historic Miracle Inglewood theater on Market Street hosts live performances. Don’t miss Randy’s Donuts—the giant rooftop donut has been a landmark since 1952—or The Dunes, the apartment complex from HBO’s “Insecure.”
As Inglewood steps into the global spotlight, its longtime residents and business owners hope visitors will also discover the culture and cuisine that have defined this city for decades.