Grand Central Market
"Grand Central Market is a historic food hall in Downtown LA operating since 1917. It's a chaotic, multicultural food bazaar under one roof: pupusas, currywurst, tacos, Thai boat noodles, and trendy egg sandwiches. The market survived decades of downtown decline and gentrified in the 2010s, now mixing old-school vendors with hipster food stalls. It's crowded, loud, and iconic."
Logistics
Affordable
Vibe
Bustling, diverse
Duration
1 hour
Best For
Foodies
The Backstory
Opened in 1917 as a produce and meat market serving downtown workers. It declined in the 1980s-90s as downtown hollowed out. The 2013 renovation brought trendy vendors, preserving historic stalls. It became a symbol of DTLA's revival. Old vendors like Roast to Go coexist with newcomers like Eggslut.
Local Secret
"Go on weekdays before noon to avoid crushing crowds. The pupusas at Sarita's Pupuseria are legendary—order with curtido (pickled cabbage). Roast to Go (since 1952) serves cheap, massive pastrami sandwiches. Sit at the communal tables upstairs for people-watching. Parking is a nightmare—take the Metro."