A Taste of LA: Your Ultimate Guide to Grand Central Market

Food Journal Magazine
5 days ago
6 min read

Step into Downtown LA and you'll find Grand Central Market, a bustling food hall that has served as the city's culinary heart since 1917. What started as the "Wonder Market" has blossomed into a vibrant mosaic of LA's diverse cultures and cuisines. It's a place where historic vendors who've been part of the market for over 50 years share space with some of the city's most exciting new chefs and serving some of the best food in Los Angeles, California. This is a true microcosm of Los Angeles, and every bite tells a story.

Ready to explore? Here’s everything you need to know for your visit.

Plan Your Visit

Getting There is a Breeze Located at 317 South Broadway, the market is easily accessible. You can ditch the infamous LA traffic and hop on the Metro A/E Line to the new Historic Broadway Station or the B/D Line to Pershing Square—both are just a block away. You can also use the Metro Trip Planner to find the best bus route. Feeling active? The nearest Metro Bike Share station is right in front of the Million Dollar Theater. If you're driving, parking is available at 308 South Hill Street, with rates starting at $5 for the first 90 minutes.

Market Hours The market is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm, but individual vendor hours can vary. If you have your heart set on a specific spot, it’s best to check with them directly to ensure they’re open.

More information available on their website: https://grandcentralmarket.com/

What to Eat: A Complete Guide to Every Vendor

With over 40 stalls to choose from, navigating the market can be a delicious challenge. From historic favorites to modern trendsetters, this list covers every single vendor, so you can map out your perfect food journey. Click on any vendor's name to learn more.

Ana Maria: Serving homestyle Mexican food since the 1980s, this is the spot for classic dishes like birria, gorditas, and flavorful chiles rellenos.
Bastion Bakery: A specialty wine and spirits shop offering a curated selection from small producers, perfect for pairing with your market finds.
Bento Ya: A go-to for quick and satisfying Japanese bento boxes, offering teriyaki, tempura, and fresh sushi rolls.
Berlin Currywurst: Get a taste of German street food with authentic currywurst—sausages sliced and smothered in a tangy curry ketchup, served with a side of fries.
Broad Street Oyster Co.: Bringing a taste of the Malibu coast to DTLA, this popular vendor serves world-famous lobster rolls (hot with butter or cold with mayo), fresh oysters, and seafood towers.
Chila Cheese: A cheese lover’s paradise offering artisanal cheeses from around the world, plus grilled cheese sandwiches and mac and cheese.
China Cafe: One of the market's oldest tenants, China Cafe has been serving classic Chinese-American dishes like chop suey and wonton soup for generations.
Eggslut: Famous for its gourmet breakfast sandwiches, Eggslut draws lines for its fluffy scrambled eggs, bacon, and cheddar cheese nestled in a warm brioche bun.
Fat & Flour: Nicole Rucker's pie shop is a slice of heaven. Indulge in seasonal hand-pies and whole pies, from classic apple to key lime.
For The Win: Get in line for one of LA's most-hyped smash burgers. Thin, crispy patties, melted cheese, and tangy sauce make for a simple yet perfect burger experience.
Ghost Sando: Serving up Japanese-inspired sandwiches, or "sandos," this spot is known for its unique flavor combinations and high-quality ingredients.
Go Get Em Tiger: Fuel your market adventure with specialty coffee from one of LA's pioneer third-wave coffee bars. Their iced almond-macadamia latte is legendary.
Golden Road Grand Central Market: Enjoy a pint from one of LA's most popular craft breweries in their lively beer garden setting.
Grand Central Market Jewelry: A unique stall offering a variety of jewelry pieces, perfect for finding a special souvenir from your market visit.
Holy Churro: This stall takes churros to the next level with stuffed varieties and over-the-top funnel cakes loaded with toppings.
Jose Chiquito: A longstanding vendor offering a straightforward menu of delicious tacos, burritos, and traditional Mexican breakfast plates.
Knead: This is your destination for authentic Italian pasta made fresh daily. From classic spaghetti and meatballs to rich bolognese, it’s a carb-lover's dream.
La Fruteria: Grab a vibrant fruit cup topped with Tajín and lime, or a refreshing agua fresca at this traditional Mexican fruit stand.
La Huerta Candy: One of the market's original produce stands, La Huerta now also offers a wide array of dried fruits, nuts, spices, and candies.
La Tostaderia: Specializing in fresh ceviche, seafood tacos, and tostadas, this spot brings the bright, zesty flavors of the coast to the heart of the city.
Lucky Bird: Specializing in Nashville-style hot chicken, Lucky Bird offers everything from fried chicken sandwiches to plates with classic sides like mac and cheese.
Maple Block: A haven for barbecue lovers, serving up classic, wood-smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork by the pound or in a sandwich.
McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams: A Santa Barbara institution since 1949, McConnell’s serves ultra-creamy ice cream made from scratch with local, sustainable ingredients.
Miznon: An outpost of the famed Israeli street food chain, Miznon is celebrated for its fluffy pita pockets filled with inventive ingredients like a whole roasted cauliflower or savory lamb kebab.
Moon Rabbit: Indulge in creative and delicious Filipino comfort food. Their crispy pork sisig and flavorful adobo are highlights.
Nonna's Empanadas: Offering a wide variety of savory and sweet empanadas, from traditional beef to creative fillings like mac and cheese.
Olio Wood Fired Pizzeria: Enjoy authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas, baked in a wood-fired oven and topped with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Ramen Hood: This all-vegan ramen spot delivers a mind-blowing bowl of noodles with a rich and creamy sunflower seed broth that will impress even the most dedicated carnivore.
Roast To Go: A true market original, Roast To Go has been carving carnitas and serving classic tacos and burritos since 1952.
Sarita's Pupuseria: A beloved spot for handmade pupusas, thick corn tortillas stuffed with cheese, beans, or meat and served with curtido slaw.
Shiku: Explore the flavors of Korean home cooking with customizable rice bowls (dosirak) featuring favorites like galbi and spicy pork.
Sticky Rice: Offering Thai comfort food, this stall is known for its flavorful panang curry and classic mango sticky rice for dessert.
Sushi Rush: For a quick sushi fix, this stall offers a variety of fresh rolls, nigiri, and sashimi.
Tacos Tumbras a Tomas: Known for its heaping portions of carnitas, this stall piles tender, juicy pork onto tortillas for a simple yet satisfying meal.
Teddy's Tiny Bites: This playful spot serves up mini pancakes and other fun treats that are perfect for a sweet snack.
The Donut Man: A Southern California legend, The Donut Man is famous for its seasonal fresh strawberry and peach-stuffed donuts.
The Juice: A simple, no-frills stand offering freshly squeezed orange and grapefruit juice.
The Oyster Gourmet: For a refined experience, visit this oyster bar curated by LA's only Master Écailler. Enjoy pristine, expertly shucked oysters paired with wine.
Torres Produce: A family-owned produce stand offering a fresh selection of fruits and vegetables to take home.
Valeria's: Specializing in all things sweet and spicy, this stand offers a huge selection of Mexican candy, chamoy-covered treats, and piñatas.
Villa Moreliana: Another historic stall, specializing in incredible carnitas from a family recipe that has been passed down through generations.
Villa's Tacos: This MICHELIN Bib Gourmand winner is famous for its crispy, cheese-crusted blue corn tortillas and signature seven-layer tacos.

More Than Just Food: Events & Entertainment

Grand Central Market is a cultural hub with a calendar full of lively events.

Central Sounds with dublab (First Fridays): Kick off your weekend with eclectic DJ sets from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Second Saturdays: Enjoy live music on the Hill Street Patio, featuring talented local artists.
Family Crafting (Third Sundays): Bring the kids for a free, fun-filled crafting session with Design Hive LA.
Market Mariachi (Last Sundays): Experience the vibrant sounds of Mariachi Magnolia, a modern, all-femme band.
GCM Bazaar (Weekends): Discover handmade goods and unique creations from LA's best independent makers and artisans in the lower-level Bazaar.

Whether you're a lifelong Angeleno or a first-time visitor, Grand Central Market offers a delicious slice of the city's history, creativity, and incredible food scene. There’s always a seat at the table and a new flavor to discover. Bring a date, a friend or go with a group!

I hope your hungry!

Matthew Tropp | Food Journal Magazine