Grand Central Market Guide: Best Food Stalls, Hours and Parking

Grand Central Market is downtown Los Angeles’s oldest and busiest food hall. It opened in 1917 on the ground floor of the Homer Laughlin Building on Broadway, and for more than a century it has fed office workers, families and visitors under its neon signs. Today more than 40 vendors serve everything from egg sandwiches and pastrami to Thai curries, tacos and ice cream.

Entry is free, and you pay each stall separately. This guide covers hours, parking, the best vendors, nearby sights like Angels Flight and the Bradbury Building, and tips for avoiding the lunch rush.

Exploring downtown? Our downtown Los Angeles guide covers the rest of the neighborhood.

A short history

Grand Central Market opened in October 1917, when downtown was the commercial heart of Los Angeles. Residents of the mansions on Bunker Hill rode the Angels Flight funicular down the hill to shop, and by the 1920s about 40,000 people a day came through. The market slowly declined with downtown, then got a second life starting around 2012, when new food vendors moved in alongside the longtime stalls. The mix of old and new is a big part of its charm.

Where to eat

Vendors change over time, but these are long-running favorites:

• Eggslut: the famous egg sandwiches, including the Fairfax with soft scrambled eggs. Expect a line on weekends.
• Tacos Tumbras a Tomás: big, cheap tacos with piles of meat, a market institution.
• China Cafe: a lunch counter serving chow mein and wonton soup since 1959.
• Roast to Go: burritos and roast meats, open since the market’s early decades.
• Wexler’s Deli: hand-sliced pastrami and house-cured fish.
• Sticky Rice: Thai comfort food and curries.
• G&B Coffee: excellent espresso drinks.
• McConnell’s Fine Ice Creams: Santa Barbara ice cream to finish.

There are also stalls for pupusas, ramen, oysters, falafel, pizza, produce, spices and dried chiles. Walk the full length of the market before you choose.

Hours and the best time to go

The market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., but each vendor keeps its own hours, so some stalls open later or close earlier. For the most choice, come between late morning and early evening.

• Weekday mornings are calm and great for coffee and breakfast.
• Weekday lunch (about noon to 1:30 p.m.) is the busiest time, with office workers filling every seat.
• Weekends are busy all day, especially at Eggslut.

Getting there and parking

• Metro: take the A or E Line to Historic Broadway station, or the B or D Line to Pershing Square station; both are about a block away. See our LA Metro guide.
• Parking: the market’s garage is at 308 S. Hill St. Rates are $5.50 for the first 90 minutes, then $2 for each additional 15 minutes, up to $40 a day. Ask vendors about validation.
• Street parking downtown is scarce and metered.

Nearby things to see

Grand Central Market is in the middle of the Historic Core, so pair it with these nearby stops:

• Angels Flight: the tiny orange funicular railway right outside the Hill Street entrance climbs to Bunker Hill. A one-way ride costs $1.50, or $0.75 with a Metro TAP card. At the top, it is a short walk to The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall.
• The Bradbury Building: across Broadway, a landmark from 1893 with a stunning skylit atrium of wrought iron and glass, seen in Blade Runner. The lobby is open to visitors.
• Broadway theaters: the historic movie palaces along Broadway, including the Million Dollar Theater next door.
• The Last Bookstore: a few blocks south at Spring and 5th, a giant used bookstore with a book tunnel.

Tips for visiting

• Bring a card and some cash; each vendor takes payment separately.
• Grab a seat first at peak times; communal seating fills quickly.
• Share plates to try several stalls.
• Plan 1 to 2 hours, plus time for Angels Flight and the Bradbury Building.

Frequently asked questions

What are the hours of Grand Central Market?

Grand Central Market is open daily from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Vendor hours vary.

Where do you park for Grand Central Market?

Use the market’s garage at 308 S. Hill St. It costs $5.50 for the first 90 minutes and up to $40 a day.

What is the best food at Grand Central Market?

Popular picks include Eggslut, Tacos Tumbras a Tomás, China Cafe, Wexler’s Deli and McConnell’s ice cream.

Is Grand Central Market open on holidays?

It is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with shorter hours on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

How much does Angels Flight cost?

A one-way ride is $1.50, or $0.75 with a Metro TAP card.

Photo credits

Featured image: DXR / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.