Combining LA's cuisines and cultures
Grand Central Market brings together the diverse cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles. A downtown landmark since 1917, vendors include fishmongers, green grocers, Jewish delis, butchers, baked goods, flowers, coffee…and much more.
In 1984 Ira Yellin, a visionary of downtown Los Angeles, bought Grand Central Market and its adjacent properties to keep expanding and developing it, adding vibrancy to the area. The idea behind Grand Central Market being to bring the city’s communities together around a shared table, while supporting and nurturing the next generation of local vendors and talent.
The eating experience showcases California’s finest ingredients and chefs, offering everything from exotic fare to everyday food. Japanese bento boxes, gourmet burgers, and eggs any which way, to rounds of cheese, the finest coffee and fancy bread are all available. Los Angeles’ largest and oldest public market also hosts a calendar of events, from fun game nights to live music and movie screenings.
The Grand Central Market cookbook
To celebrate 100 years of the Grand Central Market, its businesses and visitors, a cookbook was published featuring every vendor’s favourite recipes. It was written by Adele Yellin, owner of the Grand Central Market (and including a family recipe of her own), along with Kevin West, the market’s former co-creative director. Photographs of the food, people, stalls and neon signs were included to bring to life the buzz of the market. “What happens in the market no longer stays in the market”.
Other interesting facts about Grand Central Market in Los Angeles
- By the 1980’s the market took a much more ethnically diverse direction due to the rise in national immigration
- Grand Central Market covers an impressive 30,000 square foot space
- Retro neon signs highlight vendors at the Grand Central Market, but this wasn’t always seen as fashionable
- There’s a free shuttle to and from the market to destinations all over Downtown Los Angeles
