Freshen Up: Where to Shop for Produce in DTLA

Now that the weather is getting warmer, we’re starting to eat different, swapping out wintry comfort foods for lighter, fresher fare. You’ll find a bounty of culinary inspiration nearby Circa, at local farmers markets and shops specializing in delicious produce and artisanal food items. The Southland Farmers’ Market Association is a great resource for discovering what fruits and vegetables are in season in the coming months. Toss yourself a fruit salad dressed with locally-produced honey. Roast up a pan of mixed vegetables, brushed with an excellent olive oil and garnished with fresh herbs. Or experiment with steamed mixed greens, spiked with zesty condiments, garlic, and scallions. From Grand Central Market to specialty grocery stores and open air markets, you’ll get a fresh outlook when you shop for produce in DTLA. Check websites for opening hours and health guidelines.

GROW The Produce Shop near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

GROW The Produce Shop 300 S Santa Fe, Ste. C Los Angeles, CA 90013

Billing itself the “Biggest little market in the Arts District,” family-owned GROW specializes in food that is as local, organic and sustainable as possible. In addition to farm fresh fruits and vegetables, they recently partnered with The Bread Lounge to offer deli sandwiches. You’ll also find GROW salads, side dishes, cold pressed juice, soups, and more. Shop in-store or order online for home delivery HERE

The Wall Farmers Market produce near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

The Wall Farmers Market 766 Wall St. Los Angeles, CA 90014

Located in the Los Angeles Flower District, The Wall Farmers Market provides a chef-centric selection of high quality, certified farm fresh produce that benefits and supports California small and mid-sized farms. The Wall Farmers Market helps build the health and overall quality of the community in which we work, live and play in DTLA. Open Saturdays 9am-2pm. Parking structures are located on Maple Street and San Julian Avenue.

7th St Produce Market near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

7th Street Produce Market ROW DTLA 777 S Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA 90021

Gather inspiration and fresh ingredients at the 7th Street Produce Market, a five-acre open air market located at ROW DTLA. 7th Street Produce Market is an evolution of the historic LA Terminal Market, celebrating the community of workers that has fueled the city’s vibrant food culture for over 100 years. The market continues to be a major hub for produce distribution across the region. Open to the public Monday – Saturday.

Torres Produce near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Torres Produce Grand Central Market Stall D-7 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

A downtown landmark since 1917, Grand Central Market, brings together the cuisines and cultures of LA. If you’re shopping for fresh produce, be sure to visit Torres Produce, a produce stand offering a fresh selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Valeria's Groceries near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Valeria’s Grand Central Market Stall D-6 317 S Broadway Los Angeles, CA 90013

Kick your cooking up a notch with some zesty ingredients. Valeria’s specializes in Latin dry goods, offering an extensive selection of dried chilies, spices, and beans, as well as fresh moles, New Mexico pine nuts, dried bacalao, and canned specialties.

Historic Core Farmers Market groceries near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Historic Core Certified Farmers Market 209 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Historic Core Farmers Market reflects the incredibly diverse community in the Historic Core. In addition to fruits and vegetables, you’ll find local honey, farm fresh eggs (free range and sprout-fed); breakfast and brunch items; sweet pastries and empanadas; Mediterranean dips and spreads; flowers; dog food and pooch products. Along with fresh local groceries, there’s a selection of prepared food and drinks including fresh juices and lemonade, coffee, tacos, breakfast burritos, pupusas, and much more. Open every Sunday 9am-3pm.

Whole Foods Market produce near Circa apartments in Downtown Los Angeles

Whole Foods Market 788 S Grand Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90017

Located beneath the Eighth & Grand residences, this expansive 41,000 square foot Whole Food Market is designed to meet the needs of local residents, professionals and businesses. In addition to fresh produce, groceries, staples, and prepared foods, Whole Foods stocks over 1,000 hand-picked wines. On-site eateries include Downtown LA Juice Bar, Downtown LA Sandwich, Downtown Pizzeria, Downtown Smokehouse, Taqueria, and WFM Coffee Bar. Check online for takeout details. Grocery delivery is available on Amazon Prime.  

Photo credits:

Photo #1: GROW The Produce Shop

Photo #2: GROW The Produce Shop

Photo #3: The Wall Farmers Market

Photo #4: 7th Street Produce Market

Photo #5: Torres Produce

Photo #6: Valeria’s

Photo #7: Historic Core BID 

Photo #8: Whole Foods Market

Essential Guide to Downtown’s Grand Central Market

Located at 317 S Broadway in the heart of DTLA, Grand Central Market has been a downtown landmark since 1917. Bringing together the wealth of cuisines and cultures of Los Angeles, the Market provides a national-caliber eating experience that showcases California’s best ingredients, chefs, and entrepreneurs. The 30,000 square-foot arcade in the historic Homer Laughlin Building encompasses a food emporium and retail marketplace that continues to grow, by offering downtown a shared gathering place and a dynamic hub for public programming and events. With some 38 vendors, you’ll find everything from grocery essentials to prepared foods, sweets & treats, beverages, and even jewelry!

Here are a few of our favorites!

Eggslut

Eggslut Stall D-1

Start your day with a protein-packed breakfast at Eggslut. Founded in 2011, Eggslut is a chef driven, gourmet food concept inspired by a true love for eggs. The menu is a balance of comfort and innovation, celebrating food that appeals to both novice and extreme foodies through classic comfort fare with a twist, all encompassing the key ingredient  eggs. No longer just a breakfast staple, Eggslut make eggs appetizing all day, everyday.

La Fruiteria

La Frutería

What’s more refreshing than a bowl of delicious watermelon, jicama, mango or cucumber! La Frutería brings the Mexican street-snack tradition of spicy and healthy fruit cups that beat the plain,old fruit routine. This authentic Mexican frutería from the team behind Villa Moreliana and La Tostadería offers a wide assortment of exotic fruit salads, licuados (fruit shakes) and more. A highlight of the La Frutería menu are Biónicos, tasty bowls of seasonal fruits, drizzled with a combination of yogurt, sweetened condensed milk, and Mexican crema. La Frutería is also the place for the best aguas frescas in town!

Lucky Bird

Lucky Bird

The market’s first-ever stall dedicated solely to fried chicken and its accoutrements, Lucky Bird features their famous citrus-brined chicken recipe developed by Chef/ Owner Chris Dane. Everything is made from scratch, from the buttermilk biscuits to the house made hot sauce. Ingredients are locally sourced to ensure the freshest and highest quality product, from Mary’s Organic Free Range Chickens to their organic produce and spices. Beverages include local craft beers. Happy Hour takes place Monday through Thursday from 3 PM to close!

McConnell's

McConnell’s Fine Ice Cream Stall D-4

For 70 years, McConnell’s has been making dense and pure-flavored ice creams, with smooth, consistent texture and a rich, velvety mouth feel – all made from scratch with a few, simple ingredients. McConnell’s mission is to produce the finest ice creams in the world, in the most responsible and sustainable way possible. In the process, they aim to enrich and enliven the communities in which they operate, and leave the world just a little bit “sweeter” than they found it.

Ramen Hood

Ramen Hood

This ramen and pho shop by Chef Ilan Hall of The Gorbals is 100% vegan. The broth is made by simmering kelp and shiitake mushrooms to extract their maximum umami. Roasted sunflower seeds with white miso are combined with the kelp/mushroom stock, then the mixture is pressure cooked to release the natural oils and starches from the seeds. What’s left is a rich, creamy, broth that rivals it’s non-vegan counterparts flavor and texture. The “egg” is completely vegan, made in two parts using a little magic, so that the yolk pops just like the real thing!

DTLA Cheese

DTLA Cheese and Kitchen Stall A-7

DTLA Cheese is Downtown’s first full-service cheesemonger, specializing in domestic and imported cheese plates, griddle sandwiches and seasonal salads. DTLA Cheese is the passion of Lydia & Marnie Clarke and Chef Reed Herrick, who opened their first store in 2010 in the historic downtown Claremont Village with the mission to bring something exciting to the culinary forefront.

Torres Produce

Torres Produce Stall D-7

This is the perfect time of year to dust off your recipes for homemade soups, salads, snacks, and sides!  Stock up on healthy ingredients at Torres Produce, a produce stand offering a bountiful selection of seasonal fruit and vegetables.

Wexlers

Wexler’s Deli Stall D-5

Wexler’s Deli stands for three things: tradition, craftsmanship, and quality. Born of a desire to serve classic Jewish deli food made by people who care, Wexler’s uses old-school methods to handcraft their pastrami and smoked salmon. After curing in a special blend of salt and spices, the meats and fish are slowly smoked in-house over apple wood and sliced by hand in front of your eyes. Wexler’s also serves breakfast sandwiches, and a selection of sides including coleslaw, potato salad, egg salad and tuna salad. Wash it all down with a good old fashioned Chocolate Phosphate or Chocolate Egg Cream.

Belcampo Meat Co., butcher shop and restaurant at Grand Central Market, Los Angeles, CA.

Belcampo Meat Stall F-9

Part country cafe and part full-service butcher shop, Belcampo Meat presents organic, grass-fed meats that have been raised on their own 10,000 acre ranch near Mount Shasta, and custom-butchered in house. Grab a seat at their modern-meets-retro counter service diner for breakfast or lunch. Indulge in the signature organic grass-fed burgers while people watching and enjoying a glass of beer or wine. Or stop by after work to pick up their ever-changing rotation of Grab & Go foods and convenient reheat & eat options to bring home for dinner.

Oyster Gourmet

The Oyster Gourmet Hill Street Platform

The Oyster Gourmet Kiosk is the realization of Christophe Happillon’s dream of creating a forum to share his passion for the oyster and the ocean. Designed by The Los Angeles Design Group, The Oyster Gourmet Kiosk was created to be a a hybrid restaurant and performance piece with Happillon on stage in the center, akin to the pearl within the oyster. The menu of the new Oyster Bar displays oysters, of course, but also clams, shrimp, sea urchin, and some raw fish. Most of the seafood is sourced from the West Coast, with each selection certified ecologically sustainable. 

G & B Coffee

G&B Coffee Stall C-19

From champion baristas Kyle Glanville and Charles Babinski, G&B Coffee serves up coffees, espresso drinks, and teas selected from the world’s top roasters and farms. If you’re craving a special treat, G&B’s coffee milkshake and hop-infused carbonated ice tea are instant Market classics. Stop by for weekly cuppings every Tuesdays at 2pm to taste the range of G&B coffees from around the world. Parking Tip: Miraculous free 5 minute parking in the drop-off lane in front of the G&B stall.