Best Food Markets in Los Angeles

Los Angeles is home to a wide range of intriguing and delicious food markets. You can head to these destinations to pick up supplies for home cooking or stop by for prepared foods that are sure to satisfy. Many of these markets feature artisans as well, so you can browse one-of-a-kind art, jewelry, and more. If you’re looking for a memorable shopping or dining experience, these destinations are sure to deliver.

Please note that many of these markets may have altered hours or scaled-back vendors due to COVID-19. Check the latest regulations and announcements for more information on what you can expect at various destinations.

Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market

Image via Flickr by kgroovy

9300 Block of Civic Center Drive, from Third Street to Santa Monica Boulevard

The Beverly Hills Farmers’ Market takes place every Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This certified market offers a wide variety of local and seasonal produce, juices, meats, and baked goods. You will typically find over 60 vendors at the expansive open-air market. If you’re interested in a full meal, you can purchase prepared foods like crepes, tamales, and salads to eat on-site or take home for later. 

The market also typically hosts a Kid Zone where children can enjoy a petting zoo and pony rides. Special events like PickleFest and Pie-Bake A’la Beverly Hills & Piesta periodically add to the entertainment.

The Original Farmers Market

6333 W. Third St.

This open-air market has been in operation since 1934, making it a longtime staple of the Los Angeles food market scene. You’ll find a wide range of vendors here offering nearly any type of specialty food imaginable. You can shop specialty meat counters, artisan bakeries, fresh produce stalls, and gourmet market stores with products like chocolate, cheese, and wine. 

The Original Farmers Market also houses a number of stores including Kiehl’s, The Container Store, The Dog Bakery, Zara, Wildflora, and Weiss Jewelry. Several tours take off from here, so you can include other types of entertainment in your day out at this market, such as an A-List Hollywood Tour, LA City Tour, or Surf City Tour.

Grand Central Market

317 S. Broadway

Grand Central Market has been part of the LA scene since 1917. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., this market serves up an abundance of edible offerings. You can pick up specialty groceries like Latin beans, rice, grains, nuts, and moles from Chiles Secos, domestic and imported cheeses from DTLA Cheese and Kitchen, or seasonal fruits and vegetables from Torres Produce.

If you’d prefer prepared food, you have a plethora of international cuisines at your disposal. Try a bento box from Bento Ya Japanese Cuisine, authentic currywurst from Berlin Currywurst, or pick up a custom-made wrap or salad from Jose Chiquito. No matter what you’re craving, you’re almost guaranteed to find something that will delight your taste buds here.

Smorgasburg

777 S. Alameda St.

Smorgasburg enjoys the distinction of being the largest weekly open-air food market in the country. It has locations in both New York and Los Angeles that draw 50,000 people each weekend. Vendors at the LA Smorgasburg serve up a wide range of dishes from more than 60 booths. Some of the top picks that you should consider sampling include:

• Pastrami sandwich from Ugly Drum.
• Pork adobo from Kalan Kitchen.
• Pozole from Calo Provisions.
• Strawberry Passion Fruit Shortcake from Bearclaw Kitchen.
• Croissant taiyaki from Mumu Bakery.
• Soup dumplings from Brothecary.
• Cantonese fried chicken sandwich from Bolo.
• Smoked pork ribs from Black Sugar Rib Company.

Smorgasburg is typically open every Sunday, so you can make this part of your weekend routine, gradually eating your way through all the offerings. There is a 4,000-car garage on-site so you can easily find parking for this massive food market.

Guatemalan Night Market

1834-1898 W. Sixth St.

Nestled in the heart of Little Guatemala, the Guatemalan Night Market is one of LA’s best secrets. Every night the streets at Sixth and Bonnie Brae come alive as vendors line up and serve delectable delights. Around 30 different stalls and carts pop up to serve the local day laborers with a wide range of hearty, flavorful, and affordable meals.

Shopping carts modified to hold barbeque grills heat sizzling chicken, pork ribs, carne asada, chitterlings, and more. On the smoky streets, you can sample traditional Guatemalan dishes from vendors who feel very much like your own grandmother or aunt dishing up dinner. Try the Guatemalan soups known ad caldos brimming with chayote, yucca, and chipilin and accompanied by corn tortillas, or sample the dobladas filled with chicken and topped with tomato sauce, cabbage, and cheese. From tamales to Garnachas, there’s no end to the number of authentic dishes you can taste.

If you’re interested in ready-made street food with an international twist, this market is a must-visit in LA. The flavors are so rich that it may just become a staple of your weekly routine.

Hollywood Farmers’ Market

Ivar Avenue and Selma Avenue, Hollywood

This outdoor market draws over 160 farmers, ranchers, artisans, and other vendors with a variety of wares. It takes place every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. so you have time to stock up on groceries for the coming week. The market typically serves eggs, poultry, meats, fish, honey, olives, cheeses, and produce. You can also find prepared foods like jams, jellies, and sauces. If you’re interested in a hot meal, a variety of ethnic foods are prepared on-site. Artisans sell everything from jewelry to crafts.

This farmers market also provides plentiful entertainment with live music and kids’ activities. You might find book signings, cooking demonstrations, and family festivals taking place at this market as well. 

These are among our favorite food markets to explore in the Los Angeles area. Operating in California for over 13 years, we’ve had plenty of time to explore, but there are always new destinations to discover. If we missed one of your favorite food markets, contact our team at Teak Master and let us know so we can point our clients in the right direction.