Rodeo 39 Public Market flower shop
Photograph: Courtesy Wonho Frank LeeRodeo 39 Public Market in Stanton
Photograph: Courtesy Wonho Frank Lee

A guide to the best food halls in Los Angeles and Orange County

The rise of food halls across Southern California have changed how we dine. Here's our guide to the best of them.

Patricia Kelly Yeo
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Bite into a sandwich here, slurp a bowl of ramen there, before finishing off with some ice cream—when it comes to piecing together the ultimate meal, it's always fun to pick and choose at Southern California's various food halls, home to small businesses and some of the most thoughtful, creative and scrappy chefs across the region. Though L.A.'s food halls date back close to a century—we're looking at you, Grand Central Market and the Original Farmers Market—a new crop of food havens have made it easier than ever for diners across the Southland to personalize their own all-in-one snack crawls. Check out our guide to our favorite food halls in Los Angeles and Orange County—and start planning your next visit.

Build your own adventure at these food halls

  • Downtown Historic Core
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There are few L.A. food destinations that are more iconic than Grand Central Market. This historic European-style food hall has operated on the ground floor of DTLA’s Homer Laughlin Building since 1917. There’ve been plenty of changes throughout the years—with some prompting concerns about the gentrification pushing older stalls to make way for newer, flashier ones—but that doesn’t detract from the fact that the culinary talent here is strong. In addition to the old-school vendors you must try (Tacos Tumbras a Tomas, for starters), some of the city’s best chefs have opened up shop here, including Fat & Flour’s pies and cookies from star baker Nicole Rucker; new-school tacos from Villa’s Tacos; lobster rolls and other seafood delights from Broad Street Oyster; and Dutch crunch sandwiches from Ghost Sando Shop. There's counter-service Thai food from Sticky Rice; vegan ramen from Ramen Hood; and freshly made pasta at Knead & Co. On warm summer nights, pick up a burger from For the Win, and sit out on the patio, then follow it up with a beer at Golden Road Brewery or a glass of wine and some oysters at The Oyster Gourmet

  • Things to do
  • Event spaces
  • Fairfax District
  • price 1 of 4

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In 1934, L.A. area farmers began selling produce at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax, an address now known as the Original Farmers Market—and a prime pit stop for those shopping at the Grove or touring CBS Studios next door. A handful of stalls still sell fresh produce and other groceries, but they’re outnumbered by restaurant stands offering a culinary round-the-world trip. Newcomers like biangbiangmian specialist Noodle Art and South Korea's BHC Chicken have kept this L.A. classic thrumming with novelty, but you also can't beat the American comfort food served at the historic Du-Par’s, which has served pancakes since 1938 and the cheap, cash-only noodle dishes at Singapore’s Banana Leaf. Make sure to stop by Magee's for some of the best roasted nuts in town, and don't forget to validate for parking—all vendors offer 90 minutes free with any purchase.

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  • Eclectic
  • Anaheim
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No longer just for Angels games and Disneyland trips, Anaheim now boasts a namesake food hall that's helped usher in a new era in the city's restaurant and nightlife scene. Split up into three revamped destinations, the block-sized district is anchored by the Packing House, a former Sunkist citrus plant that’s been converted into a handsome, modern food hall. The roster of merchants runs the gamut from full-service restaurants to niche vendors that specialize in grilled cheese, crepes, juice, bubble tea and more. Think of it as Orange County’s answer to Grand Central Market, albeit boozier—there are two bars and a speakeasy—and more suitable for lounging, thanks to comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and a lofty, bright warehouse space. Need a place to start? Always go for the poutine at the Kroft. On the other end of the district sits the Packard Building, a mission-revival car showroom that now houses the Anaheim Brewery. Between the two you’ll find Farmers Park, a two-acre grassy field with a community garden and a dim sum restaurant. Surprise, suprise: This place is pretty popular, so expect to park in one of the surrounding lots during lunchtime.

  • Food court
  • Chinatown
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Technically, Far East Plaza isn’t a food hall. Instead, this Chinatown shopping complex dating back to the '70s packs some of our favorite restaurants and shops into one bustling plaza. Take one step into the first-floor corridor and you’ll encounter an open-air mall overflowing with local character and delicious food from old and new vendors alike. Most days you'll see customers lining up for takeout Nashville hot chicken at Howlin’ Ray’s, while a casually stylish dinnertime crowd shows up at Lasita, a Filipino rotisserie restaurant and natural wine bar. During the day, you can also find excellent Chinese food from Kim Chuy, an older family-owned diner, grassfed beef burgers at Amboy across the way and some of the city's best Vietnamese food at Thien Huong. If all these creative eats inspired you to make your own dinner, stop by Now Serving, one of the city’s best kitchenwares and cookbook shops.

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  • Latin American
  • South LA
  • price 1 of 4

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Housed in a former garment factory, this South L.A. mainstay isn't the typical sleekly designed food hall touting Instagrammable dishes or a million different places to eat. Founded by local nonprofit Esperanza Community Housing, Mercado La Paloma puts the neighborhood and first-time business owners first—and the eight unique eateries inside reflect this guiding mission. Among the food vendors, you'll find Giberto Cetina Jr.'s Holbox, home to some of the city's best mariscos, as well as sibling spot Chichen Itza, our favorite place in Los Angeles for Yucatecan cuisine. Elsewhere in the market, there's also Belizean fare from Gusina Saraba, a Oaxacan juice bar serving tortas and tlayudas and other small food businesses serving budget-friendly fare in the shared dining area. Think burgers, pad thai and bulging Mexican tortas—all at everyday prices geared towards nearby workers and families.

  • Food court
  • Culver City

Housed in a revamped Beaux-Arts-slash-Art Deco building that dates back to the 1920s, this Culver City food hall that big things often come in small packages. Home to one of the city’s most laidback rooftop bars, as well as a slate of delicious food vendors, Citizen Public Market also hosts weekly trivia and comedy nights that have become a fixture for the surrounding community. Our favorite pit-stop, by far, is the chef-driven fried chicken from Hinoki & the Bird’s Brandon Kida; we’re also partial to Bang Bang's hand-pulled Chinese noodles and spicy wontons. For bar bites, there’s burgers and sausages from WEHO Sausage Co., while allergy-friendly newcomer Noble Rotisserie caters to the lunchtime crowd with delicious roast chicken, fall-off-the-bone ribs and an excellent grain bowl. The only vendor we don't recommend is Uoichiba, the dry-aged fish handroll bar, which offers skimpy portions for the price.) In the near future, acai, poke and plant-based specialist Sustainabowl is slated to open as well.

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  • Food court
  • San Gabriel Valley
  • price 2 of 4

Inside an old Masonic lodge you’ll find San Gabriel’s Blossom Market Hall, which opened in 2021 after years of planning. Meant to serve as a gathering place for diners and 626 small business owners, this food hall features over a dozen original vendors all from Southern California. Here, you can grab Vietnamese-style coffee from AK Fresh Roast, jerk chicken and oxtail from Caribbean Gourmet. You can also pick up oysters, sushi, boba milk tea, barbecue plates, banh mi and excellent Filipino-inspired cakes and pasties from Baking with Ish. Not all vendors keep the same operating hours, so check Instagram or their website for the most up to date schedule.

  • Food court
  • Glendora

On the outskirts of L.A. County lies Glendora Public Market, a newer food hall housed in a revamped 1940s Wonder Bread factory. Anchored by local craft brewery Smog City Brewing and a new outpost of Dog Haus, the airy industrial space softens up its warehouse feel with bright colors and plenty of natural light. You’ll also find high-quality lattes from Penny Coffee Roaster, Filipino-style egg rolls, fried chicken, bagel sandwiches, tacos, boba drinks and more. Fans of highly Instagrammable food can also over-the-top specialty milkshakes from Crepes & Shakes LA.

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  • Attractions
  • Historic buildings and sites
  • Downtown Historic Core

Enter the archway of this 1924 arcade-style shopping center and you’ll find a glass-roofed alleyway dotted with restaurants and shops. The crowds are still light—it’s no Grand Central Market competitor—but the food offerings are strong. Stop by the Guisados outpost for some tinga or a chorizo taco and horchata; and if you’re looking for brunch, you can’t do much better than Blu Jam. In the mood for a drink? Step into Garçons de Cafe, a wine bar and boutique that instantly transports you to Paris.

  • Food court
  • Long Beach
  • price 2 of 4

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“Restoration” is the key word at SteelCraft Long Beach, where meals are shared on communal tables made from reclaimed wood and bike racks are formed from 95-percent recycled material. Each restaurant or bar in this outdoor food court operates out of repurposed metal shipping containers from the Port of L.A. and the Port of Long Beach. While restaurants rolled out gradually, the space is now home to burger joint Hangry Belly; smoothie bowl specialist Koolberry; classic Mexican-oriented La Taqueria and more. Smog City Brewery pours beer at a container as well, and cups of java can be ordered from Steelhead Coffee. Keep an eye out for events happening at SteelCraft, including live music and yoga and beer classes, and if you’re near Bellflower or Garden Grove, you can now find SteelCraft food hall sibling spots there, too.

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  • Food court
  • Southeast Cities
  • price 2 of 4

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It’s a community-first affair at BLVD MRKT, a food hall and incubator program for first-time restaurant owners in Montebello. The half-outdoor hall features five food vendors grilling up tacos, pulling espresso shots and tapping beer inside six repurposed shipping containers in a beautifully landscaped courtyard. Not every shop is a newbie, however; you’ll also find an outpost of Vchos Modern Pupusería, which has served pupusas and modern takes on Salvadoran food for close to a decade, including their must-order chicken pastelitos, which run slightly smaller than Argentine or Filipino empanadas.

  • Food court
  • Santa Ana
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Walk through 4th Street Market and you might think that this food hall is on the small side. Take a closer look and you’ll find that there’s plenty packed into the Santa Ana gathering place, with over a dozen vendors serving everything from pan pizza to falafel to ice cream sandwiches. First, though, you need to stop by Alta Baja Market, a specialty food store and deli that highlights the flavors of California, Mexico and the American Southwest with dried peppers, baked goods, cheese plates and beyond. Then work your way around the food hall, stopping by the nationally recognized Burritos La Palma, Nashville chicken specialist the Golden Eatery and plenty of others. An outdoor patio hosts occasional bands, while Recess by Playground invites visitors to kick back with some craft beer or a glass of wine.

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  • Food court
  • Irvine
  • price 2 of 4

How often do you see a food hall with a range of concepts from one chef? In Irvine, tucked deep into UCI Research Park, Top Chef finalist Brian Malarkey built a micro food hall that’s open to all, giving us multiple ways to enjoy the cuisine of one of San Diego’s best chefs—and a business model that’s fairly unique to the format. Pick and choose from five different food stands, then pay up at the front register for quick mix-and-match bliss. There’s an all-day coffee shop with fresh pastries, beer and wine; breakfast burritos in the morning; hot and cold gourmet sandwiches with daily specials like salmon katsu sandos; poke bowls galore; and a greens-and-grains station where you can find local and heirloom produce served in healthful bowls. Finish with fresh cookies up at the register and a can or two of the hyper-curated, bougie and refreshing teas and sodas, for best results.

  • Shopping
  • Street vendors
  • Orange County
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This enormous 42,000-square foot hangar in the sleepy Orange County city of Stanton features dozens of AAPI-owned food vendors, including Laotian-style barbecue from Kra Z Kai's BBQ and Phoholic, a popular OC pho shop that's been known to sell over a thousand bowls of noodle soup a day. A few retailers like Skin Design Tattoos and Japanese resale apparel shop 2nd Street round out Rodeo 39's offerings, making the food hall a solid dining destination for a day trip down the 405.

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