Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market opened in October 1917 on the ground floor of the Homer Laughlin Building on Broadway, and it has operated continuously ever since. It was promoted at the time as the largest and finest public market on the Pacific Coast, and while the mix of stalls has changed many times, it remains one of the liveliest places to eat in Downtown Los Angeles.

Today the market has more than 40 vendors, a mix of long-standing traders and newer names, selling everything from tacos and noodles to coffee, sandwiches, baked goods and groceries. Part of the pleasure is wandering the aisles before deciding, so give yourself time to do a full lap. Communal seating runs through the hall, and the open frontages on Broadway and Hill Street keep it airy.

The market opens every day from 8am to 9pm, although individual vendors set their own hours, so breakfast and late evening choices are more limited than at lunchtime. The information desk is staffed from 10am to 6pm. The market closes on Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day, and closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

It suits almost everyone: solo travellers can graze at the counters, families can split up and meet at a table, and groups with different tastes can all find something. Weekday lunchtimes are busy with office workers, and weekend afternoons draw a crowd, so mid-morning or mid-afternoon is calmer. Allow an hour for a meal and a browse.

The building has two entrances, one on Broadway and one on Hill Street. Across Hill Street is the lower station of Angels Flight, the short funicular railway that climbs to Bunker Hill, a fun way to continue towards The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall. The Bradbury Building, with its celebrated atrium, stands opposite the Broadway entrance. Because vendors come and go, it is worth checking the market's website for the current directory before you visit if you have a particular stall in mind. Many counters accept cards, and the atmosphere is casual, so there is no need to dress up or book.

Getting there is easy without a car. Pershing Square station on the Metro B and D Lines is a short walk away, and the Historic Core's theatres and old department stores along Broadway are right on the doorstep, which makes the market a good starting point for a walking tour of Downtown.