Big trends have a long history of coming in and completely taking over LA. For example, experiential pop-ups are huge right now as well as massive art installations and instagrammable experiences.
Some of these trends slowly die off but some stick around and become ingrained into the Los Angeles culture.
For example, the Gourmet Food Truck explosion in Los Angeles that really started to take off around 2010 never went away. If anything 10 years later its bigger and better than ever!
Another similar trend that is blowing up in our city is upscale Food Halls. They seem to be popping up everywhere and we hope its a trend that is here to stay.
If you are not sure what a Food Hall is think of the old school Food courts at the mall when you were a kid. A similar concept but they take it next level by offering gourmet food, healthy choices and an almost luxury type of environment.
In this blog post, we list some of our favorite next level food halls in and near Los Angeles.
1 – The Fields LA – Exposition Park
Description:
Opening in late 2018 the Fields LA is an awesome example of this next generation of modern urban Food Halls. With an amazing location adjacent to the also brand new Banc of California Stadium (home of the LAFC) it draws big crowds on game days.
A big open space with lots of light and greenery and the overall feel is bright and minimal. The Fields is also a great sport watching venue with TVs on the walls but this is very different than your normal sports bar. Mainly because of their incredible high-level food options including vegan choices.
You can wander out, get the food you want, grab a beer from the central bar and meet your friends back at the tables to enjoy.
Location:
3939 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Pic Credit:@thefieldsla
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Another awesome addition to the Fields LA is its next level restaurant/barcade called Free Play. This is a separate bar upstairs where you can look down and into the Fields LA.
Free Play opens at night or late afternoon and offers a few free old school video games, with a few pool tables and foosball. But its really the beautiful environment and the amazing food from celebrity chef Tim Hollingsworth that takes this Barcade to the next level.
2 – Eataly – Century City
Description:
Unlike the other places on this list, Eataly is not a food hall with a variety of different types of foods and vendors to choose from. Eataly is a massive place that is a dedication to all things Italian.
Taken from a concept in Italy and spread to major cities like New York and Chicago, Eataly made its appearance in Los Angeles in late 2017 as part of the Westfield Century City Mall makeover.
An incredible 3 floors of jam-packed love letter to Italian food you can take hours exploring. Eataly is so large we decided just to show you with the numbers.
Three floors, four restaurants, nine eateries, two cafes, two bars, 10,000 products, five fresh production counters, five retail areas, almost 600 seats for dining, one cooking school and more than 400 employees!
If you love Italian food be sure to visit the incredible Eataly where you can find authentic desserts, coffee, fine dining, a marketplace and so much more!
Location:
10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90067
PIC Credit:@eatalyLa
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If you want to have a special occasion dinner we recommend eating at their rooftop restaurant called Terra. Located on the third floor of Eataly, Terra is a rooftop bar, restaurant, and lounge featuring a wood-burning Italian grill and views of the Hollywood Hills.
It is the most expensive place to dine at Eataly but definitely worth it if you are looking for a luxurious experience.
3 – SteelCraft in Long Beach
Description:
SteelCraft is so cool and might be the most unique Food Hall on our list. Its an outdoor courtyard but all of the vendors you order your food from are inside of repurposed shipping containers.
These shipping containers are of coursed pimped out to look amazing with shiny new paint and murals on the side making the entire place an Instagrammers dream.
Who knew that you could get communal eating, with gourmet food, a bar, in an outdoor industrial environment that also has an upscale vibe?
Location:
PIC Credit:@smogcitybeer_steelcraft
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In June 2019 they opened up a brand new SteelCraft in BellFlower! We reviewed the Long Beach location because we have been there many times but from everthing, we have seen and heard BellFlower is very similar.
They are also opening a new SteelCraft location in Gardena. No set date as of this writing but expect it will be sometime in 2020.
4 – The Gallery – Santa Monica
Description:
Next, we head to the beautiful 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica for the Gallery Food Hall. Like many on our list, this Food destination is brand new. Despite the incredbile location right on the Promendae this used to be a Food “court” before its make over with very unspring choices like Subway, McDonalds etc..
As you can imagine it was a ghost town up there despite the heavy traffic area. Well someone wised up and saw the potential by pouring in $7 million dollars to turn it from a boring and drab Food Court to luxurious and exciting Food Hall it is today.
As of this writing (July 2019) only the upstairs is open. But the climb is totally worth it as you will find a beautiful balcony with plenty of seating and beautiful backdrops for photo ops.
The 3 hot eateries you will upstairs include Voltaggio Strfsh, Azule Taqueria, and Paper Boy.
The lower level will open later in the Summer of 2019 and will be called ‘Social Eats’. It will feature spots like Suportoro, Cada Vez, Petit Harvest, Adelaide, Street Noods, and Fuku plus patio seating right on Third Street Promenade!
A big improvement over the fast food options of Santa Monica past!
Location:
PIC Credit@galleryfoodhall
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Make sure you bring you beach clothes when you come to the Gallery in Santa Monica! After all you are just a few blocks from the beach and the incredible Santa Monica Pier!
Although this is the new age upscale version of Food Halls you can dress casual to fully take in appreciate that amazing beach vibe that Santa Monica offers.
5 – Packing District – Anaheim
Description:
Ok so this suggestion is not even in Los Angeles but we had to include it on our list. At that is because it so damn incredible you have to see it for yourself and its totally worth the drive to Anaheim.
There are so many things that make the Anaheim Packing District unique but lets start with the obvious. Its history. It was built in 1919 and was originally an actual working Sunkist packing house.
I read there is over 50 places to eat!
The massive buliding takes up an entire city block and from the outside keeps much of the charm of a building from that era. But the inside has been completely redone into an indescribable foodie dream house.
With flowers, lights, an atrium, and even a swing, there are visual delights in every nook and cranny in the spectacular Anaheim Packing House. You are guaranteed to be blown away by the visual beauty and that’s even before you get to the food!
We know it can be a trek to visit but keep in mind its only about 5-10 minutes from Disneyland so we highly recommend a stop by here on your next visit to the happiest place on earth. We actually think its worth the drive just to visit the Packing District by itself if you have never been.
Location:
440 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
PIC Credit:@logcabindweller
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Just when you think that the Anaheim Packing District cant get any cooler you find out there is a secret speakeasy. The Blind Rabbit is a 1920s themed hidden bar right on the first floor of the building. Hidden behind a secret wall entrance you would never even know its there without someone telling you.
The Blind Rabbit is small and you need to make a reservation well in advance if you want to go. Also dress nice there is a dress code!
6 – Grand Central Market – DTLA
Description:
Ok this is the OG on our list and arguably the best foodie experience in Downtown Los Angeles and possibly all of LA. The Grand Central Market is so rich in history and has been around since 1917!
Over the years the market had started to get neglected, run down and seemed badly in need of a makeover. So in 2013, a project was started that completely revitalized the historic institution into a modern and trendy hotspot that it is today.
Many were upset when this happened as many old school vendors were moved out in favor of new and popular powerhouses like Eggslut. But if you ask any independent observer it would be hard to argue that the changes were not for the better and results speak for themselves as Grand Central Market is recognized as being a bucket list foodie stop for tourists and locals.
There is so much to talk about when it comes to the amazing Grand Central Market that we wrote a separate blog post just about it.
Location:
317 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013
PIC Credit:@grandcentralmarketla
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So many hacks to GCM we will go over a really recent one (as of Summer 2019). They have a new deal called Friday Night Flights. Every Friday starting at 12 PM you can get a special flight of drinks or bites plus a round trip ticket on the historic Angels Flight™ Railway for $15.
Drop by any of the participating businesses for the flight first and ride second.
Current Participants:
DTLA Cheese — Special selection of cheeses + RT ride on Angels Flight
Golden Road – Grand Central Market — Flight of chicken wings OR fried artichoke hearts OR beer + RT ride on Angels Flight
Horse Thief BBQ — Flight of four draft beers + RT ride on Angels Flight
Oyster Gourmet — Flight of three oysters and beer + RT ride on Angels Flight
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!