Are you a foodie at heart like me? I love seeking out ethnic food as well as good old-fashioned cuisine and adore public markets. One of my favorite food halls to hang out in Downtown Los Angeles is the Grand Central Market.
Watch a tour of the Market on Instagram
It’s a quick walk from the Pershing Square L.A. Metro station. It also has its own parking garage if you don’t want to take the train.
Find things to do and where to stay in Downtown Los Angeles, here.
Grand Central Market has been a historic landmark downtown since 1917 when it opened as the Wonder Market to serve the tony residents of Bunker Hill. It’s in the Homer Laughlin Building facing Broadway (1897) and was L.A.’s first steel-reinforced, fireproof structure. An annex was built that extended it to Hill St. in 1905.
Angel’s Flight is a 118-year-old funicular that was constructed to take Bunker Hill residents to the streets below. It was dismantled in 1969 when Bunker Hill was redeveloped and relocated in 1996. It now sits across the street from the market on Hill Street.
It has evolved over the years
I remember visiting Grand Central Market in the 1970s when it was more of a place to buy meat, produce, bakery items, flowers, and candies. It had some restaurant stalls but wasn’t the trendy gathering place for foodies it is today. I was a recent transplant from the O.C. to L.A. at the time and was alarmed to see goat heads and innards displayed openly.
The Grand Central Market is now a collection of about 40 vendors serving a vast variety of cuisines that reflect the melting pot of food culture here in Los Angeles. Several of its legacy food vendors have had stalls in the market for decades like Roast to Go (1952) and China Café (1959).
Chiles Secos (1975) has a full stock of legendary homemade moles and other Latino grocery items. Valeria’s is one of the older stalls that also sells Latin dry goods such as chilies, spices, beans, moles, and other items. Torres Produce is another longtime vendor that has been in the market since 1954.
The shift that has made Grand Central Market a trendier and more sought-after Downtown hangout was really put in gear after Egg Slut moved in. It began as a popular food truck and has perpetually long lines at the market no matter what time you arrive.
Wexler’s Deli also moved into the Market and rivals Langers Deli located at 7th and Alvarado. It has an old-school Jewish deli vibe and sells sandwiches named after Seinfeld, bagels, and house-cured meats and fish.
You can also enjoy craft beer at the brewpub Golden Road which offers 20 beers on tap.
If you would prefer to sit outside, the Horse Thief BBQ will delight you with a taste of Central Texas on its outdoor patio.
You have to keep coming back
It’s impossible to experience everything that is offered at Grand Central Market. I try to have something different each time I visit. I’ve had delectable oysters at The Oyster Gourmet, freshly made pasta at Knead, and fish tacos at Broad Street Oyster Company famous for its Lobster rolls. You can’t go wrong with any of them. Sometimes vendors come and go but they are all fabulous depending on your preferences.
The Grand Central Market
317 South Broadway, Los Angeles, California 90013 – Parking at 308 South Hill Street
Parking at 308 South Hill Street
I love food markets like this one. It is so much fun visiting them in cities anywhere and everywhere.
I agree Meryl. I always seek them out.
Every time I read your local travel posts, I want to come to L.A. Such a fun, vibrant city.
Thanks, Laurie. It’s hard not to love LA.
This seems like such a great market – just the kind of place I would enjoy.
I am sure you would love it, Corinne. Thanks for commenting.
Sounds like a fun and delicious place to wander through.
It’s a very fun place, Jennifer.
Do you know what year it changed names from Wonder Market to Grand Central Market, and why?
Thanks!
I believe the building has had Grand Central Market inscribed on its sign since it opened in 1917 as seen in early photos. I believe the name “Wonder Market” was a promotional name. It was the headline of a promotional booklet that was handed out. The building was designed by John B. Parkinson in 1886. Its first tenant was the Ville de Paris Department Store. After Angel’s Flight opened in 1901 and wealthy people came down from Bunker Hills to go to the theater and dine out, the market gave them a place to buy groceries. There doesn’t seem to be any documentation about a name change, unfortunately.
Hey Rebecca
I didn’t see your reply until just now…Thanks!
I read that John Parkinson designed the Laughlin Building in 1896 (I’m guessing you typo’d?). The first tenant was Coulter’s Dry Goods who opened August 1898. After they relocated, the building was expanded all the way south to Hill St in 1905, and that’s when Ville de Paris moved in (with GCM taking over in 1917)
Thanks again!
Gary
Thanks, Gary. I knew the building was constructed in 1898, and read about previous owners but as I was writing about GCM, I dated it to 1917 when the market opened. But thanks for the additional detail. I appreciate it. I love the historic buildings in downtown L.A. Their history is fascinating!