Grand Central Market, Downtown LA
We adore Downtown LA and all the hip spots and delicious food it has to offer, so when we finally made time to visit Grand Central Market, it was easily love at first sight. Grand Central Market has been a downtown fixture since 1917, and the modern, local market of today brings together some of the best cuisines and cultures that LA has to offer - all under one roof! Their website is really amazing and offers a more specific guide to vendors, so be sure to check it out and plot your eating path before you visit. Here's a brief overview of some of our favorites, just make sure you come with an empty stomach!
If you enter on the Broadway side, one of the first things you'll see is G&B Coffee, and oh boy, is it good coffee. It was founded by champion baristas Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski, so keep an eye out for the barista trophies! If coffee isn't for you, they also serve a nice hop-infused carbonated iced tea (which is becoming all the rage right now).
After grabbing some coffee, you're ready to hit the market! We love the designs from all the vendors, and walking through here on a weekend is invigorating, there's just so much to see (and eat!). Wexler's Deli is a modern take on a Jewish deli from LA chef Micah Wexler, and Belcampo Meat Co is a butcher shop with organic and grass-fed meats raised on a local California ranch.
My Secret Garden has beautiful fresh flowers, but what really stands out is their rad terrariums full of succulents. It wouldn't be a market without some fruits and veggies, and Sun's Produce is the place to be for local produce (at really awesome prices).
DTLA Cheese is the neighborhood's first cheesemonger, and in addition to buying cheeses, you can also sample cheese plates, grilled cheese and mac and cheese! All the cheese.
Valerie is a cute bakery with sweet and savory things for breakfast and lunch, but if you're super hungry and don't mind a line, you have to hit up the famous Eggslut for a breakfast sandwich. No LA experience is complete without a juice, and Press Brothers Juicery has you covered with their organic juices. Sticky Rice is delicious, and the "Thai comfort food" is right up our alley: the menu is organic, free-range, and locally sourced! A bit spicy too ;)
The Grand Central Market is the perfect weekend activity, and we can't wait to go back! Stay tuned for the rest of our DTLA recommendations and our new neighborhood guide this week.
Thanks for reading! We'll be sharing some LA hotspots on our Instagram this week, so follow along at @localwanderer <3