Grand Central Market

Grand Central Market at 317 S Broadway in downtown Los Angeles, California, is a public market housed in a building that opened in 1917. It is one of the city's most historic food halls, with about 40 vendors that include Eggslut, Sari Sari, Wexler's and DTLA Cheese alongside produce sellers, butchers, spice and dried-chili stalls, taquerias, noodle counters and juice bars. The goods differ from generic shopping in that most purchases are food and ingredients rather than souvenirs: fresh produce, nuts, cheeses, smoked fish, tortillas, coffee and prepared dishes from a wide range of cuisines. The vendor mix combines long-running family businesses with newer chef-driven stalls, and nearly everything sold is authentic food rather than tourist trinkets. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not customary. Most vendors accept cards, although a few small counters may prefer cash, and sales tax applies to prepared food. There is no tax-refund scheme for visitors on food purchases. The market runs through a long hall that connects Broadway and Hill Street, with produce stands and grocery vendors toward the edges and food counters in the center; shared seating is scattered through the hall, and seats can be hard to find at peak lunch hours. The atmosphere is energetic, loud and diverse, with office workers, tourists and residents sharing the aisles, and the Angels Flight funicular and the Bradbury Building are close by for visitors extending a downtown walk. Lines at the most popular counters can reach 30 minutes or more at midday on weekends. Typical hours are daily from about 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Nearby paid garages are available, and the Metro Pershing Square station is within walking distance.