- Light rails now makes it cheap and easy to travel from La Verne to cultural hubs across Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles is the home of Grand Central Market, where you can taste food from around the world along with classic American comfort food.
The historical Grand Central Market, which first opened in 1917, is located on South Broadway. When it opened it was considered the largest food market on the West Coast. Now it is considered one the main attractions in Downtown Los Angeles.
The market has appeared on channels and on streaming about the cuisines they offer such as Netflix, the Food Channel and recently during the Super Bowl LX. Villa’s Tacos appeared in the Super Bowl LX during the halftime show of Bad Bunny in 2026. Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” show on the Food Channel, visited La Tostaderia for their specialty seafood.
At the entrance to the Grand Central Market are neon signs hanging with the logo of the vendors throughout the building. In the center of the market you will find an actual small produce stand with fruits, vegetables and dried spices. Next to the mini mart there is a candy shop. On the right end there is a photo opportunity stand from Jarritos with their bottles in all kinds of different flavors, from orange, pineapple to lime.
There are security guards stationed around and walking in the market to help customers feel safe and comfortable.
The type of cuisines that can be found in their 40 stalls at the Grand Central market ranges from Mexican, Japanese, Italian, Chinese, Korean, Salvadorian and Argentinean. For the sweet tooth cravings they have the famous Donut Man; Tiny Bits which serves mini pancakes with different toppings; Bastion Bakery and McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream.
On the second floor there is a full bar, a Golden Road Brewery and a coffee shop called Go Get Em Tiger, or GGET, and an oyster bar.
On one side of the wall there is a photo opportunity with neon lit-up signs. Seatings can be found throughout the second floor, with sporadic seatings on the first floor. Some eateries have seating for their customers at a bar top, like Ramen Hood .
A majority of the food vendors offer gluten free, vegan or vegetarian options. They can be seen on the menu or have a specialty menu. On the weekends the Grand Central Market gets crowded, be prepared to wait for your food for a little bit and to hunt for a table.
Also the Grand Central Market has a Bazaar, which is a small market selling jewelry, clothes and other items on the base level. It is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday. Mariachi’s play live from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. every second and last Sunday.
When I went to the Grand Central Market, I tried Nonna’s Empanadas, which sells different types of Empanadas which have Argentinean, Cuban, desert and Asian flavors. Then I got a chocolate cake donut topped with peanuts and another chocolate dipped donut. There is a juice bar at the entrance called Juice, where I tried their freshly squeezed orange juice.
The Historic Grand Central Market is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Sunday. For more information on upcoming events, visit their website grandcentralmarket.com.
Margaret Contreras can be reached at margaret.contreras@laverne.edu.
- To get to Grand Central Market by transit from the University of La Verne
Hop on the the Metro A line
Exit at Historic Broadway – South Broadway
Then the market is on your right
The total time to get there is about an hour and 19 minutes depending on traffic
- To get to Grand Central Market by car from the University of La Verne
Head towards Arrow Highway
Turn left onto Walnut Street
Then turn right onto Fairples Drive
Turn right toon the I-10 West towards Los Angeles
Continue to through I-10
Follow the sign for US 101 North Los Angeles
Take exit toward North Spring Street
Turn Right onto West Third Street
Turn right onto Broadway
The market will be on your right
The total time to get there is about 30 depending on traffic
Magaret Contreras is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is editorial director and LV Life editor of the Campus Times and previously worked as editor-in-chief and a staff writer.
