LA’s Grand Central Market: The Ultimate Self Guided Tour
Grand Central Market is the ultimate destination for any foodie. The landmark has been in Downtown since 1917 and is the quintessential LA food experience. The market has over 30 vendors selling an array of foods and different cuisines. With so many places to choose from, here are just a few that shouldn’t be missed.
Check out Grand Central Market’s website for a full list of vendors.
Start at China Cafe, one of the market’s staple vendors. The restaurant has been there for over 60 years and serves classic dishes like sweet and sour chicken, beef and broccoli, and fried rice. SE Menu Favorite: House Chow Mein, which includes pork and shrimp.
After, head over to Sarita’s Pupuseria for authentic Salvadoran food. Their pupusas, thick corn tortilla-like cake filled with cheese and your choice of protein, are some of the best in the city. You may also recognize the restaurant’s neon lights from the movie LA LA Land. SE Menu Favorites: Cheese pupusas and chicharrón (fried pork rinds) pupusas.
Then walk over to Olio for tasty wood fired pizza. The ingredients are fresh and the crust is just right. SE Menu Favorite: Margherita Pizza
For an ice-cold beer, stop by Golden Road, an LA-based brewery serving a variety of California inspired brews.
Nothing pairs better with beer than tacos, so head over to Villa Moreliana for carnitas tacos. The restaurant is known for their traditional slow-cooked carnitas, prepared as it is in Michoacán, Mexico.
For dessert, make your way to McConnell’s for some of the best ice cream around. The shop, which originated in Santa Barbara, serves one-of-a-kind flavors including Turkish Coffee and Pistachio Amaretto. SE Menu Favorites: Banana Salted Caramel and Chocolate Covered Strawberries.
You can’t miss one of the market’s newest additions, The Donut Man. The shop is known for their strawberry donut, which is filled with whole strawberries! SE Menu Favorite: Tiger tail donut, a massive chocolate and glaze twisted donut filled with cinnamon.
Stop by DTLA Cheese to pick up your favorite artisan cheeses to go. DTLA Cheese also serves lunch items including sandwiches and soup.
After, swing by Belcampo to for fresh meats straight from their farms. You can pick up meat to cook at home or if you’re still hungry, the butcher shop also has a popular organic burger.
Before heading out, check out some of the artwork at the market such as a neon light wall and a mural of The King of Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant.
